Joshua redivivus, or, Mr. Rutherfoord's letters divided into two parts, the first, containing these which were written from Aberdeen, where he was confined by a sentence of the high commission ... partly on account of his non-conformance : the second, containing some which were written from Anwoth ... / now published for the use of all the people of God ... by a wellwisher to the work & people of God.

To M^r ROBERT CUNYNGAME, Minister of the Gospel at Holywood in Ireland. (Epist. 1.)

WElbeloved and reverend 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 to lay upon us a more ho∣nourable service, even to suffer for his name. It were good to comfort one another in writing: I have had a De∣sire 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 soul∣diers stately spirit, for your princely and royall Captain Jesus our Lord, and for the grace of god in the rest of our dear bre∣thren with you; you have heard of my trouble I suppose, It hath pleased our sweet Lord Jesus, to let loose the malice of these inter∣dicted Lords in his house to deprive me of my Ministery at An∣woth

and to confine me, eight score miles from thence to Aberden; and also (which vvas not done to any before) to in∣hibit me to speak at all in Jesus his name, within this Kingdome, under the paine of rebellion: The cause that ripe∣ned their hatred was my book against the Arminians, whereof they accused me, these three Dayes I appeared before them; But let our crowned king in Zion raigne, by his grace the losse is theirs, the advantage is Christs and truths; albeit this honest crosse gained some ground on me; by my heavniesse, and inward Challenges of conscience for a time were sharpe, yet now for the incouragment of you all, I dare say it, and write it under my hand, welcome, welcome, sweet, svveet, Crosse, of Christ: I verely think the Chaines of my Lord Jesus are all overlaid with pure gold, & that his crosse is perfumed, and that it smelleth of Christ, & that the Victorie, shall be by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of his truth, and that Christ laying on his backe, in his weake servants, and oppressed truth, shall ride over his ene∣mies bellies, and shall stricke through Kings in the day of his wrath: It is time we laughe when he laugheth, and seeing he is now pleased to sit with wrongs for a time, it becometh us to be si∣lent, untill the Lord hath let the enemies enjoy their hungerie, leane, and fecklesse paradise: Blessed are they who are content to take stroks with weeping Christ, faith will trust the Lord, and is not hastie, nor head strong; neither is faith so timorous as to flatter a tentation, or to bud and bribe the crosse, It is little up or little dovvn that the lamb and his followers can get no lavv-suitie, nor truce with crosses; it must be so, till we be up in our fathers house; my heart is woe indeed for my mother Church, that hath plaid the harlot with many lovers, her husband hath a mind to sell her for her horrible transgressions, & heavy will the hand of the Lord be upon this backsliding nation. The wayes of our Zion mourne, her gold is become dim, her white Nazarites are blck like a coale, how shall not the Chil∣dren weep, when the husband and the mother can not agree; yet I beleeve Scotlands skie shall clear again, & that Christ shall build againe, the old wast places of Jacob, and that our dead and dry bones, shall become ane army of living men, & that, our

beloved may yet feed among the lillies, untill the day breake and the shaddows flee away. My deare brother let us helpe one another with our prayers, Our king shall mowedown his enemies, and shall come from Bozra, with his garments all died in blood, and for our onsolation shall he appear, and call his wife Hephzibah, and his land Beulah; for he will rejoyce over us & marie us, & Scotland shall say what have I to doe any more with Idols? Only let us be faithfull to him that can ride through hell, and death, upon a windlestrae, and his horse never stumble, and let him make of me a bridge over a water so that his high and holy name may be glorified in me: stroks with the sweet mediators hand, are very sweet, he was always sweet to my soul, but since I suffered for him, his breath hath a sweeter smell then before, Oh that every hair of my head, and every member, and every bone in my bodie, 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 trimmph, and ride upon the high places of Jacob, howbeit otherways I am a faint dead-hearted cowardly man; oft borne down, & hungry in waiting for the ma∣riage-supper of the lamb; neverthelesse I think it the Lords wise love that feeds us with hunger, and makes us fat with wants, and desertions: I know not my deare brother if our worthy brethren, be gone to sea, or not, they are on my heart and in my pra∣yers, if they be yet with you, salute my deare friend John Stu∣art, my weilbeloved brethren in the Lord, Mr Blair, Mr Hamilton, Mr Livingston, and Mr Mak-Cleland, and ac∣quaint them with my troubles, and intreat them to pray for the poor afflicted prisoner of Christ, They are deare 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 deare acquantance 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 beleeve and to wait for him, and will follow his providence and not goe before it, nor stay behind it. Now my deare brother taking farewell in paper, I commend you all to the word of his grace, and to the

work of his spirit, to him who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, that you may be keept spotlesse till the day of Jesus our Lord. I am.

From Irwing being on my Iourney to Christs palace in Aberden August 4. 1636.

Your Brother in affliction in our sweet Lord Je∣sus, S. R.

To his Parochiners. (2)

DEarly beloved, & longed for in the Lord, my crown & my joy in the day of Christ: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. I long exceed∣ingly to know, if the oft-spoken-of match betwixt you & Christ holdeth; and if you follow 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 grea∣est share of my sorrow, and also of my joy; ye are the mat∣ter 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 Royall and princely master, my Lord Jesus; so I am in bonds for you, for I should have sleeped in my warme nest, & kept, the fat world in my armes, and the cords of my taber∣nacle should have been fastned 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, & have thrust me out of the vineyard, if I should have been bro∣ken and drawn on to mire you the Lords flock; & to cause you eat pastures troden upon with mens feet, and to drink foul and muddie waters: But truly the almighty was a rerror to me, & his fear made me afraid. O my Lord judge if my ministry be not deare to me, but not so dear by many degrees, as Christ Jesus my Lord: God knoweth the heavie, & sad Sabbaths I have bad since I laid down at my Masters feet my two shepherds staves, I have been often saying as it is writen, Lam. 3: 52. my enemies chased me sore like a bird without cause, they have cut off my life in

the dungeon & 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 they have violently plucked that away from me, & it was to me like the poor mans one eye, & they have put out that eye, and quenched my light in the inheritance of the Lord; but my eye is toward the Lord; I know I shall see the salvation of God, and that my hope shall not alwayes be forgotten; And my sorrow shall want nothing to compleat it, and to make me say, what availeth it me to live? if ye follow the voice of a stranger, of one that cometh in to the sheepfold not by Christ the door, but climbeth up another way, if the man build his hay and stuble upon the golden foundation, Christ Iesus already laid among you, & ye follow him, I assure you the mans work shall burn & never bide Gods fire, and ye & he both shall be in dan∣ger of everlasting burning, except ye repent. O if any pain, any sorrow, any losse that I can suffer for Christ, and for you were laid in pledge to buy Christs love to you, and that I could lay my dearest joyes, next to Christ my Lord in the gap, be∣twixt you & eternall destruction! O if I had paper as broad as hea∣ven and earth, and inke as the sea, and all the rivers and fountaines of the earth, & were able to write the love, the worth, the excellency, the Sweetnesse, and due praises of our dearest, and fairest welbeloved; and then if ye could read & understand it! what could I want if my ministry among you, should make a marriage between the little bride in that bounds, & the bridegroom? O how rich a prisoner were I, if I could ob∣taine 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 Christs net! O then I had cast out my Lords lines & his net with a rich gain! O then wel-wared pained breast and sore back, and a crased body, in speaking early and late to you! my witnesse is above, your heaven would be two heavens to me, & the salvation of you all, as two salvations to me, I would subscribe a suspension, and a fristing of my heaven, for many hundred yeers, (according to Gods good pleasure) if ye were sure in the upper lodging, in our fathers house before me. I take to witnesse heaven and earth against you, I take

instruments in the hands of that sun, & day light, that beheld us, & in the hands of the timber & walls of that kirk, if I drew not up a fair contract of mariage betvvixt you & Christ, if I went not with offers betwixt the bridegroome, & you, & your conscience did bear you witnesse, your mouths confessed, that there were, many fair trysts, & meetings drawn on, betwixt Christ and you, at communion-feasts, & o∣ther occasions; there were braclets, jewels, rings, and love∣letters, sent to you, by the bridegroom, it was told you what a fair dowrie ye should have, and what a house your husband and ye should dwell in, and what was the brid∣groomes excellencie, Sweetnesse, might, Power. The Eternitie, and glory of his Kingdome, the exceeding deep∣nesse of his love, who sought his black wife through pain, fires, shame, death, & the grave; and swimmed the salt sea for her, undergoeing the curse of the law, & then was made a curse for you, & ye then consented and said, Even so I take him: I counsell you beware of the new & strange leaven of mens inventions, beside, and against the word of God, con∣trair to the oath of this kirk. novv comeing among you: I instructed you of the superstition, & Idolatry, of kneeling in the instant of receiving the Lords supper, & crosseing in baptisme, and the observing of mens dayes, vvithout any vvarrant of Christ our perfect lawgiver: Countenance not the Surplice the attire of the Mass•• preist, the garment of Baals preists, the abomi∣nable bovving to altars of tree is comeing upon you: hate & keep your selves from idols: forbear in any case to hear the reading of the new fatherlesse service-book, full of grosse he∣resees, popish and superstitious errors, vvithout any vvarrant of Christ, tending to the overthrovv of preaching: you ovv no obedience to the bastard Canons, they are unlavvfull, bla∣sphemous and superstitious; all the ceremonies that lie in the Antichrists foul vvomb, the vvares of that great mother of for∣nications, the kirk of Rome, are to be refused, ye see vvhi∣ther they lead you: Continue still in the Doctrine, vvhich ye have recieved; ye heard of me the vvhole counsell of God, so we no cl••••ts upon Christs robe, take Christ in his ragges, & losses

& as persecuted by men, & be content to sigh, and pant up the mountain, vvith Christs crosse on your back, let me be repute a false prophet (& your conscience once said the con∣trair) if your Lord Jesus shall not stand by you, and man∣taine you, and mantaine your cause, aganst your enemies: I have heard, (and my soul is greived for it) that since my departure from you, many among you are turned back from the good old way to the dogs vomite again; let me speak to these men, it vvas not vvithout Gods speciall direction, that the first sentence that ever my mouth uttered to you, vvas that of John Chap. 9: 39. And Iesus said for judgment came I into the world that they which see not might see, & they which see might be made blind. It is possible, my first meeting & yours be, when vve shall both stand before the dreadfull judge of the World, & in the name & authoritie of the Son of God, my great King & Master, I write by these presents, summonds to these men, I arrest their souls & bodies to the day of our compearance; their eternall damnation stands subscribed, and sealed in heaven; by the hand-write of the great Judge of quick & dead, and I am ready to stand up, as a preaching witnesse against such to their face, that day, & to say, Amen to their condemna∣tion, except they repent: The vengeance of the Gospel is heavier, nor the vengeance of the law, the Mediators maledi∣ction and vengeance, is tvvice vengance, & that vengeance is the due portion of such men, & there I leave them, as bound men, ay & while they repent & amend: You vvere vvitnesses hovv the Lords day vvas spent, vvhile I vvas among you: O sacrilegious rob∣ber of Gods day, vvhat vvill thou ansvver the Almightie, vvhen he seeketh so many Sabbaths back again, from thee? What vvill the Curser, Svvearer, & Blasphemer doe, vvhen his tongue shall be rosted in that broad, and burning lake of fire & brimstone? And what will the drunkard doe, when tongue, lights, & liver, bones, & all, shall boile & frye in a torturing fire for he shall be far from his barrels of strong drinke then, & there is not a cold well of vvater for him in hell? What shall be the case of the wretch, the covetous man? the opperssor? the de∣ceaver? the earth worme, who can never get his vvombfull

of clay, when in the day of Christ, Gold and Silver must lie burnt in ashes, and he must compear and answer his judge, and quite his clayie and naughtie heaven? woe, woe, for ever more 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 offanning; when Christ fanneth all that is in his barn floor, who hath a con∣science for every faire and mercat, and the soul of him runneth upon these oiled wheels, Time, Custome, the world and Command of men: O if the carelesse Atheist, and sleep∣ing man, who edgeth by all, (with, God forgive our Pastors if they lead us wrong, we must doe as they command,) and layes down his head upon times bosome, and giveth his conscience to a deputy, and sleepeth so, while the smoak of hell fire flie up in his throat, and cause him start out of his dooleful bed. O if such a man would a∣wake, many woes are for the over-guilded, and gold-plas∣tered Hypocrite, a heavie doom is for the liar and white tongued flatterer, and the fleing book of Gods ire∣full vengeance, twentie cubits long, and twentie 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 swea∣reth falsely by Gods name, Zechar. 5: ver. 23. I denounce eternall burning, hotter then Sodoms flames, upon the men, that boile in their filthie lusts of fornication, adultery, in∣cest, and the like wickednesse; no Room, no not a foot∣broad for such viledogs, within the clean Jerusalem: Many of you put off all with this, God forgive us, we know no bet∣ter: I renew my old answer, 2 Thess. 1. the judge is com∣ing in flaming fire, with all his mighty Angels to ren∣der vengeance to all these, that know not God, and beleeve 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 beleeve (say ye) every foul dog is clean enough, & good enough, for the clean & new Jerusalem above: Every man hath conversion, & the new birth; but it is not ••••el 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 judgement, and heaven panged full: Alace it is neither easie, nor ordinarie to beleeve & to be saved; many must stand in the end at heavens gates; when they goe to take out their faith they take out a fair no∣thing (or as ye use to speak) a bl••••••ume: 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 beleevers among you; and I write to you O poor broken hearted beleevers, all the comforts of Christ, in the New and Old Testament are yours. O what a fa∣ther & husband you have! O if I had pen, and ink, and ingine, to write of him! Let heaven and earth be conso∣lidat, in massie and pure gold, it will not weigh the thou∣sand part of Christs love to a soul, even to me a poor pri∣soner; O that is a massie and marvellous love! Men and Angels unit your force, and strength in one; ye shall not heave, nor poise it off the ground: Ten thousand 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 ballance, to weigh Christs excellencie, sweetnesse, and love; Put ten earth's in one, and let a rose grow greater then 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 Gods Paradise, even of Christ Jesus our Lord, one look of that fairest face, would be infinitly in beauty, and smell above all imagi∣nable, and created glory. I wonder that men dow bide off Christ, I would esteem my self 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 borne, to the blowing of the last trumpet, to flock round about Christ, and to stand looking, wondering, admiring, and adoring his beauty, and sweetnesse; for his fire is hotter then any other fire, his love sweeter then common love, his beauty surpasseth all other beauty: When I am heavie

and sad, one of his love-looks, would do me meekel worlds good, o if ye would fall in love with him! Hovv 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 Fathers love, and Gods delight, the Fathers love lieth all upon him, o if all mankind would fetch all their love, and lay it upon him, in∣vit him, and take him home to your houses, in the exercise of prayer, morning, and evening, as I often desired you; espe∣cially now, let him not want lodgeing in your houses, nor lie in the feilds, when he is shut out of pulpits, and Kirks: If ye will be content to take heaven by violence, & the wind on your face for Christ and his crosse, I am here one, who hath some tryall of Christs crosse, I can say, that Christ was ever kind to me, but he overcometh himself (if I may speak so) in kindness vvhile I suffer for him, I give you my word for it, Christs crosse is not so evil as they call it, it is sweet, light, and com∣fortable, I would not want the visitations of love, and the very breathings of Christs mouth, when he kisseth, and my Lords delightsome smiles, and love-embracements, under my sufferings for him, for a mountain of fine gold, nor for all the honours, court, and grandour of velvet-kirk-men: Christ hath the yolke and heart of my love, I am my beloveds, and my welbeloved is mine. O that ye were all handfasted 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 speaking of Christ, that I might paint out unto you, the worth, and highnesse, and greatnesse, and excellencie, of that fairest, and renowned bridegroom! I beseech you by the mercies of the Lord, by the sighes, tears, & heart 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 Lambs throne, amongst the congregation of the first borne: 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, o•• 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 dayes here, your inch of time is Lesse, then when ye and I parted, eternitie, eternitie, is comeing posting on with wings, then shall every mans black's, and whit's; be brought to light. O how low will your thoughts be of this fair-skined but heart roten apple, the vain, vain, fecklesse world, when the wormes shall make their houses, in your eye holes, and shall eat a•••• the flesh, from the ball of your cheeks, and shall make that body a number of drie bones! think not the common gate of serving God, as neighbour and others doe, will bring yow to heaven; few, few are saved, the Devils court, is thick and many, he haththe greatest number of man∣kind for his vassels: I know this world is a great forrest of thornes in your way to heaven, but ye most through it, acquaint your selves with the Lord, hold fast Christ, hear his voice only, blesse his name, sanctifie 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∣ly not, love, and follow truth, learn to know God, keep in mind what I taught you, for God will seek ane account of it, when I am far from you: abstain from all evil and all appear∣ance of evil, follow good carefully and seek peace; and fol∣low after it honour your King, and pray for him; remem∣ber me to God in your prayers, I dow not forget you; I told you often, while I was with you, and now I write it again, heavie, sad, and sore, is that strok of the Lords wrath, that is comeing upon Scotland, woe, woe, woe, to this Harlot∣land, for they shall take the cup of Gods wrath, from his hand, and drink, and spue, and fall, and net rise again. In, In, In, with speed, to your strong hold, ye prisoners of hope, & hide you there, while the anger of the Lord passe; Follow not the Pastors of this Land, for the sun is gone down upon them; as the Lord liveth they lead you from Christ, and from the good old way, yet the Lord will keep the holy Citie, 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 blessing

of a prisoner of Christs in bonds for him, and for you, be with you all,

AMEN.

Aberden, July 14. 1637.

Your Lawfull and loving Pastor, S. R.

To the Honourable, Reverend, and Welbeloved Professors of Christ, & his Truth in sincerity in Ireland. (3)

DEarly beloved in our Lord, & partakers of the heaven∣ly calling, Grace, mercy & peace be to you, from God our father, & from our Lord Jesus Christ: I alwayes but most of all now in my bonds (most sweet bonds for Christ my Lord) rejoyce, to hear of your faith, and love, & to hear that our King, our welbeloved, our bridegroom, without tireing, stayeth still to wooe you, as his wife; and that persecutions, & mockings of sinners have not chased away the wooer from the house, I perswade you in the Lord, the men of God now Scattered, & driven from you; put you upon the right sent and pursuit of Christ, & 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, & no other way, be not the Kings gate to heaven; & I shall never see Gods face (and alace I were a beguiled wretch if it were so) if this be not the only saving way to heaven. Oh that you would take a prisoner of Christs word for it, nay I know you have the greatest Kings word for it, that it shall not be your wisdom to spier out another Christ, another way of worshiping him, then is now savingly revealed to you. Therfore though I never saw your faces let me be pardoned to write to you ye honour∣able persons, ye faithfull Pastors yet amongst the flocks, and ye sincere professors of Christs truth, or any weak tired strayers who cast but halfe an eye after the bridegroom; if possibly I

could by any weak experience, confirme and strengthen you, in this good way every where spoken against. I can with greatest assurance (to the honour of our highest, & greatest & dearest Lord let it be spoken) assert, (though I be but a child in Christ, and scarce able to walk, but by a hold, & the mean∣est and lesse then the least of Saints) that we doe not come nigh, by twentie degrees, to the due love & estimation of that fairest among the sons of men; for if it were possible that heaven yea ten heavens, were laid in the ballance with Christ, I would think the smell of his breath, above them all: sure I am he is the far best halfe of heaven, yea he is all heaven, and more then all heaven; & my testimonie of him is, that ten lives of black sorrow, ten deaths, ten hells of pain, ten furnaces of brimstone, and all exquisit torments; were all too little for Christ, if our suffering could be a hire to buy him: and therefore faint not in your sufferings, & hasards for him, I proclaim & cry hell, sorrow, and shame upon all lusts, upon all by-lovers, that would take Christs room over his head in this little inch of love, of these narrow souls of ours that is due to sweetest Jesus. O highest, O fairest, O dearest Lord Jesus, take thine ovvn from all bastard lovers! O that vve could wodset, & sell all our part of times glory and times good things, for a lease, & tack of Christ for all eter∣nitie! O how are we misted, and mired with the love of things that are in this side of time and in this side of deaths water! where can we finde a match to Christ, or an equal or a better then he among created things? Oh this world is out of all con∣ceit, & all love with our welbeloved. O that I could sell my laughter, joy, ease, and all for him; and be content of a straw-bed, and btead by weight, & water by measure, in the camp of our weeping Christ! I knovv his sackcloth and ashes, are better, then the fools laughter which is like the crackling of thornes under a pot. But alace we doe not harden our faces against the cold north stormes, which blow upon Christs fair face, we love well summer religion, & to be that which Sin hath made us, even as thin skinned, as if we were made of white paper, & would fain be carried to heaven in a cl••sse co∣vered

chariot, wishing from our hearts, that Christ vvould give us suretie, & his hand vvrite, & his seal, for nothing but a fair summer, untill we be landed, in at heavens gates; hovv many of us have been here deceived, & fainted, in the day of tryall; amongst you there are some of this Stamp, I shall be sorrie if my acquantance A. T. hath left you, I vvill not beleeve he dare stay from Christs side, I desire that ye shevv 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 both of you, & too many also of your neighbour church of Scotland, have been like a rennent that sitteth mealfree, & knovveth not his holding while his rights be questioned, and now I am persvvad∣ed, it vvil be asked at every one of us, on what terms vve brooke Christ, for we have sitten long meal-free, vve found Christ vvithout a vvett foot, and He, and his gospel, came upon small charges to our Doors, but now we must wet our feet to seeke him: our evil manners; and the bad fashions of a people at ease from our youth, and like Moab not casten from vessell, to vessel, Jer. 48: 11. hes made us like standing waters, to gather a foul scumme, & when we are jumbled, our dregs come up, & are seen, many take but halfe a grip of Christ, & the wind bloweth them & Christ asunder; indeed when the mast is broken, & blown in the sea, it is ane art then to swim upon Christ, to drie land: 't is even possible that the children of God in a hard triall, lay them selves down, as hidden in the lea-side of a bush, vvhile Christ their master be taken; as Peter did; & lurke there; while the storme be overpast: all of us knovv the vvay to a vvhole skin, & the singlest heart that is, hath a by-purse; that vvill contian the deniall of Christ, & a fear••ull backslding. O hovv rare a thing is it, to be loyall, & honest to Christ, vvhen he hath a controversie vvth the sheelds of the earth, I vvish all of you, would consider, that this triall is from Christ, it is come upon you unbought (indeed when we buy a tentation 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 off our hand) this is Christs ordinarie house-fire that he maks use of, to try

all the vessells of his house Withall, & Christ now is about to bring his treasure out before sun & moon, & to tell his money, & in the telling, to try what vveight of gold, & vvhat vveight of vvatered copper is in his house: Doe not novv jouke, or bovv, or yeeld to your adversaries in a hairbreadth; Christ and his truth vvill not divide, & his truth hath not latitude & breadth, that ye may take some of it, & leave other some of it, nay the gos∣pel is like a small hair, that hath no breadth & vvil not cleave in tvvo, it is not possible to tryste & compound a matter betvvixt Christ & Antichrist, & therefore ye must either be for Christ, or ye must be against him; It vvas but mans vvit, & the vvit of Prelats, & their god father the Pope (that man without law) to put Christ, & his prerogatives royall, & his truth or the smal∣lest nail-breadth of his latter vvil, in the nevv kalendar of Indif∣ferencies, & to make a blank, of un-inked paper in Christs Testament, that men may fill up, & so shufle the truth, & ma∣ters they call indifferent thorovv other, & spin both together that the Antichrists vvares may sell the better, this is but the device & forged dream of men, vvhose consciences are made of stoutnesse, & have a throat that a graven image, greater then the bounds of the Kirk door, vvould give free passage unto; I am sure vvhen Christ shall bring us all out in our black's, & vvhit's, at that day when he shall cry down time, and the world, & when the glory of it shall lie in white ashes, like a may flower cut down & having lost the blosome, there shall be few yea non that dare make any point that toucheth the worship & honour of our king & lawgiver, to be indifferent; O that this mislead & blindfolded world, would see, that Christ doeth not rise & fall, stand or lie, by mens apprehensions; what is Christ the lighter, that men doe with him by open proclamation, as men doe with clipped & light money; they are now crying down Christ some grain weights, & some pounds or shillings, & they will have him lie for a penny or a pound, for one, or for ane hundreth, according as the wind bloweth from the east, or from the west; but the Lord hes weighed him, & ballanced him already, This is my welbeloved Son in whom I am well pleased ••ear ye him, his worth, & his weight standeth still; It is our

part to cry up, up with Christ, & down, down with all created glory before him. O that I could highten him, & highten his name, & highten his throne! I know, & am perswaded, that Christ shall again be high, & great in this poor withered, & sun∣burnt Kirk of Scotland, & that the sparks of our fire, shall flee over sea, & round about, to warme you, & other sister-chur∣ches, & that this tabernacle of Davids house that is fa••len, even the Son of David his waste places shall be built again, & I know the prison, crosses, persecutions, & trials of the two slain witnesses, that are novv dead, & buried Rev. 11. & of the faithfull professors have a back-door & back entrie of escape, & that death & hell, and the vvorld & tortures, shall all cleave, & split in tvvain, & give us free passage & libertie to goe through them toll-free, & vve shall bring all Gods good metall out of the furnace again, and leave behinde us but our drosse, & our scumme: we may then before hand proclaim Christ to be vic∣torious, He is crowned King in mount Sion, God did put the crown upon his head, Psal. 2. And who dare take it off again? out of question he hath sore & grievous quarrells against his church, and therefore, He is called, Is. 39. 10. He whose fire is in Sion & whose furnace is in Ierusalem. But when he hath performed his work on mount Sion, all Sions haters shall be as the hungry, and thirstie man, that dreams he is eating and drinking, and behold when he awaketh he is faint, and his soul empty: and this advantage we have also, that he will not bring before sun, & 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 chid∣ing to the streets, to let all the world hear what is betwixt him, & us; his sweet gloomes stay under roofe, and that be∣cause he is God. Two speciall things ye are to minde. 1. Try & make sure your profession; that ye cary not empty lamps: alace security, security is the bane, & the wrack of the most part of the world! Oh how many professors goe with a golden lustre, & gold-like before men, (who are but witnesses to our white skin) & yet are but bastard & base metall: consider how fair before the wind some doe ply, with up sailes, and

white, even to the nick of illumination, Heb. 6: 5, And tasting, of the heavenly gift, & a share and part of the holy Ghost, & the tasting of the good word of God, & the powers of the world to come: & 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 sanded in the bottome of hell. O make your heaven sure, and try how ye come by conversion; that it be not stolen goods, in a white & wel-lustred profession! a white skin over old wounds maketh an under-cotting consci∣ence: false under-water not seen, is dangerous, & that is a lek, and rift in the bottome of an enlightened conscience, of∣ten falling, & sinning against light. Woe, woe is me, that the holy profession of Christ, is made a stage garment by ma∣ny, to bring home a vain fame; & Christ is made to serve mens ends: this is as it were to stop an oven with a Kings robes. Know. 2. except men martyre & slay the body of sin, in san∣ctified self-denial, they shall never be Christs martyrs, and faithfull witnesses. Oh if I could be master of that house-idol my self, my own, mine, my own will, wit, credit, & ease! how blessed were I? O but we have need to be redeemed from our selves, rather then from the Devil, & the vvorld! learn to put out your selves, & to put in Christ for your selves: I should make a sweet b••rtering, & niffering, & give old for new, if I could shuffle out self, & substitute Christ my Lord in place of my felf to say, not I, but Christ, not my will, but Christs; not my ease, not my lust, not my feckl••ss Credit, but Christ, Christ. But alace in leaving our selves, in s••t••ng Christ before our Idol, self, we have yet a glaik••d back-look to our old Idol. O wretched Idol, my self, when shall I see thee wholly decourted, & Christ whol∣ly put in thy room? Oh if Christ, Christ, had the full place & room of my self, that all my aimes, purposes, thoughts, & desires, would coast and land upon Christ, & not upon my self! & y••t howbeit we can not attain to this denial of me, & mine, that we can say I am not my self, my self is not my self, mine own is no longer mine own; yet our aiming at this in all we doe, shall be accepted: for alace I think I shall di••, but minting & aiming to be a Christan: Is it not our comfort that

Christ the mediator of the new covenant is come betwixt us, & o••od in the bussinesse, so that green & young heirs, the like 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sinners, have now a Tutour that is God, & now God be thanked, our salvation is bottomed on Christ: sure I am the he bottome shall never fall out of heaven & happinesse 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, & contend with the Lord, for your sister-Church; for it would appear the Lord is about to spier for his scattered sheep, in the dark and cloudy day. O that it would please our Lord to set up again Davids old wasted, and fallen tabernacle, in Scotland; that we might see the glory of the second temple in this land! O that my little heaven were wodset, to redeem the honour of my Lord Jesus, among Jews, & Gentils! let never dew lie upon my branches, and let my poor flower wither at the root, so being Christ were enthroned, and his glory ad∣vanced in all the world, & especially in these three Kingdomes: but I know he hath no need of me, what can I adde to him? but oh that he would cause his high & pure glory run through such a foul channel as I am! & howbeit he hath caused the blossome fall off my one poor joy, that was on this side of heaven, even my li∣berty to preach Christ to his people, yet I am dead to that now, so being he would hew and carve glory, glory for evermore, to my royall King, out of my silence, & sufferings. Oh that I had my fill of his love, but I know ill manners make an uncouth & strange bridegroom. I intreat you earnestly for the aide of your prayers, for I forget not you, & I salute with my soul in Christ, the faithfull Pastors, and honourable & worthy Pro∣fessors in that Land. Now the God of peace that brought again our Lord Jesus from the dead, the great shephered of the sheep, by the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you per∣fect, in every good work, to doe his will; working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, Grace, Grace be with you.

Aberden, Feb. 4. 1638.

Yours in his sweeetest Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the truly noble & elect lady my lady VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE. (4)

Noble & elect Lady.

THat honour that I have prayed for these sixteen yeers, with submission to my Lords will, my kind Lord hath now be∣stowed upon me; even to suffer for my royall & princely King Jesus & for his Kingly crown, & the freedom of his Kingdom, that his father hath given him. The forbidden Lords have sen∣tenced me with deprivation, & confinement within the town of Aberden. I am charged in the Kings name, to enter against the twentie day of August next, & there to remain during the Kings pleasure, as they have given it out. howbeit Christs green crosse newly laid upon me, be somewhat heavie, while I call to minde the many fair dayes, sweet & comfortable to my soul, & to the souls of many others, & how young ones in Christ; are plucked from the breast, and the inheritance of God laid waste: yet that sweet smelled & perfumed crosse of Christ, is accom∣panied with sweet refreshments, with the kisses of a King, with the joy of the holy Ghost, with faith that the Lord hears the sigh∣ing of a prisoner, with undoubted hope (as sure as my Lord liveth) after this night, to see day light, & Christs skie to clear up again upon me, & his poor Kirk, & that in a strange Land amongst strange faces he will give favour in the eyes of men, to his poor oppressed servant, who dow not but love that lovely one, that princely one, Jesus the comforter of his soul. All would be well if I were free of old challanges for guiltiness, & for neglect in my calling, and for speaking too little for my wel∣beloveds crown, honour, & Kingdom. Oh for a day in the assembly of the saints to advocate for King Jesus! If my Lord goe on now to quarrels also, I die, I cannot endure it: but I look for peace from him, because he knoweth I dow bear mens feud but I dow not bear his feud: this is my onely exercise, that I fear I have done little good in my ministry: but I dare not but say, I loved the bai••••s of the wedding chamber; and

prayed for & desired the thriving of the marriage, & coming of his Kingdom. I apprehend no lesse then a judgement upon Galloway, & that the Lord shall visit this whole nation, for the quarrell of the covenant. But what can be laid upon me, or any the like of me, is too light for Christ: Christ dow ••ear more & would bear death & burning quick, in his we••k ser∣vants, even for this honourable cause, that I now suffer for. Yet for all my complaints (& he knoweth that I dare not now dissemble) he was never sweeter, & Kinder then he is now; one kisse now, is sweeter then ten long since, sweet, sweet is his crosse; light, light & easie is his yoke. O what a sweet step were it, up to my fathers house thorow ten deaths, for the truth, and cause, of that unknown and so, not-halfe-wel-loved plant of renown, the man called the Branch, the chief among ten thousands, the fairest among the sons of men! O what unseen joyes, how many hidden heart-burnings of love, are in the remnants of the sufferings of Christ! my dear worthy Lady I give it to your La: under my own hand (my heart-writing as well as my hand) welcome, welcome, sweet, sweet, & glo∣rious crosse of Christ, welcome sweet Jesus, with thy light crosse, thou hast now gained & gotten all my love from me, ••eep what thou hast gotten. Onely, woe, woe is me, for my bereft-flock, for the Lambs of Jesus, that I fear shall be fed with dry breasts, but I sparenow. Madam, I dare not promise to see your La: because of the little time I have alloted me, & I purpose to obey the King, who hath power of my body, & rebellion to Kings is unbeseeming Christs Ministers. Be pleased to acquiant my Lady Marre with my case, I will look your La: & that good Lady will be mindfull to God of the Lords pri∣soner, not for my cause, but for the Gospels sake. Madam bind me more (if more can be) to your La: and write thanks to your brother my Lord of Lorne for what he hath done for me, a poor unknown stranger to his Lo: I shall pray for him, & his house, while I live, It is his honour, to open his mouth in the streets for his wronged, and oppressed master Christ Jesus. Now Madam commending your La: and the sweet childe to ••he tender mercies of mine own

Lord Jesus, and his good will who dwelt in the bush; I Rest.

Edinb: July 28. 1636.

Yours in his own sweetest, Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the Noble & Christian Lady the VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE. (5)

My very Honourable & dear Lady

GRace mercy & peace, be to you, I cannot forget your La: & that sweet childe, I desire to hear what the Lord is doing to you, & him: to write to me were charity, I cannot but write to my friends, that Christ hath try••ted me in Aberden, & my ad∣versaries have sent me here, to be feasted with love-banquets with my royall, high, high, & princely King Jesus. Madam why should I smother Christs honesty, 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 beleeve himself better then his looks: I shall not again quarrell Christ for a gloome, now he hath taken the mask off his face & saith kisse thy fill, & what can I have more, while I get great heaven in my little armes. O how sweet are the sufferings of Christ, for Christ! God forgive them that raise an ill report upon the sweet crosse of Christ, it is but our weak & dim eyes, that look but to the black side that makes us mistake: these who can take that crabbed-tree hand-somely upon their back, & fasten it on cannily, shall finde it such a bur∣den, as wings unto a bird, or sailes to ship. Madam rue not of your having chosen the better part: upon my salvation this is Christs truth I now suffer for, if I found but cold comfort in my sufferings, I would not beguile others, I would have told you plainly; but the truth is, Christs crown, his scepter, and the freedom of his Kingdom, is that, which is now called in question: because we will not allow that Christ pay tribute and be a vassall to the shields of the earth, therefore the sons of our mother are angry at us: but it becometh not Christ to hold any mans stir••up: It were a sweet and honourable

death to die for the honour of that royall, & princely King Jesus: his love is a mystery to the world: I would not have beleeved that there was so much in Christ, as there is, Come & see maketh Christ to be known in his excellency & glory. I wish all this Nation knew how sweet his breath is, it is little to see Christ in a book, as men doe the world in a card, they talke of Christ by the book & the tongue, & no more; but to come nigh Christ and hausse him, & embrace him, is another thing. Madam I 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, & the best of Christs good things; he hath not given you the bastard's portion, & howbeit ye get strokes & sowre looks from your Lord, yet beleeve his love more then your own feeling, for this world can take nothing from you, that is truly yours, & death can doe you no wrong: your rock doeth not ebbe & flow, but your sea: that which Christ hath said he will bide by it, he will be your tutour, you shall not get your charters of heaven to play you with: It is good that ye have lost your cre∣dit with Christ, & that Lord fr••ewill shall not be your tutour, Christ will lippen the taking of you to heaven neither to your self, nor any deputy, but onely to him self, blessed be your tu∣tour: When your head shall appear, your bridegroom & Lord, your day shall then dawn & it shall never have an afternoon nor an evening shadow. Let your childe be Christs, let him stay be∣side you, as the lords pledge, that you shall willingly render again if God will. Madam I finde folks here kind to me, but in the night, & under their breath; my masters cause may not come to the crown of the causey, others are kind according to their fashion, many think me a strange man, & my cause not good; but I care not much for mans thoughts or approbation: I think no shame of the crosse. The preachers of this town pretend great love, but the Prelats 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, & cry out against it, and to speak truly how∣beit Christ is most indulgeat to me otherwise, yet my silence on the Lords day keeps me from being exalted above measure, & frō ••••artling in the heat of my Lords love. Some people affect me, for

the which cause, I hear the preachers here, purpose to have my confinement changed, to another place; so cold is northern love: but Christ and I will bear it. I have vvrestled long with this sad silence, I said what aileth Christ at my service, and my soul hath been at a pleading with Christ, & at yea & nay; but I will yeeld to him, providing my suffering, may preach more then my tongue did; for I gave not Christ an inch but for twice as good again: in a word I am a fool, & he is God. I will hold my peace hereafter. Let me hear from your La: & your Dear Childe pray for a prisoner of Christ who is mindfull of your La: Re∣member my obliged obedience to my good Lady Marre, Grace, Grace be with you. I write & pray blessings to your sweet childe.

Aberd. Nov. 22. 1636.

Yours in all Dutiefull obedience in his onely Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the right honourable & Christian Lady, my Lady VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE. (6)

MADAM.

GRace, Mercy & peace be to you: I received your La: let∣ter, it refreshed me in my heavinesse: the blessing & pray∣ers of a prisoner of Christs come upon you. Since my coming hither, Galloway sent me not a line, except what my Brother, Earls∣toun, & his son did write: I cannot get my papers transport∣ed: but Madam I want not kindnesse of one, who hath the gate of it, Christ (if he had never done more for me since I was borne) hath ingaged my heart, & gained my blessing, in this house of my pilgrimage. It pleaseth my welbeloved to dine with a poor prisoner, and the Kings spiknard casteth a fragrant smell: nothing grieveth me, but that I eat my feasts my alone, and that I cannot edifie his saints: O that this Na∣tion knew what is betwixt him and me, none would skar at the crosse of Christ! my silence eates me up, but he

hath told me, he thanketh me no lesse, then if I were preach∣ing daily, he sees how gladly I would be at it, & therefore my wages are going to the fore up in heaven, as if I were still preaching Christ. Captains pay duely bedfast souldiers, howbeit they dow not march, nor carry armour; Though ••srael be not gathered, yet shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be glorious in the eyes of my Lord, & my lord shall be my strength, If•••• 49: 5. my garland, The Banish∣ed Minister, (the te••ne of Aberden) ashameth me not: I have seen the white side of Christs crosse, lovely, hath he been to his oppressed servant: Psal. 146: 7. The Lord executeth judge∣ment for the oppressed, he giveth food to the hungry, the Lord loos∣eth the prisoner, the Lord raiset•• them that are bowed down, the Lord preserveth the stranger. If it were come to exchanging of crosses, I would not exchange my crosse with any, I am wel-plea∣sed with Christ, & he with me; I hope none shall hear us. It's true for all this, I get my meat with many stroks, and am seven times a day up & down, & am often anxious, & cast down for the case of my oppressed brother, yet I hope the Lord will be surty for his servant. But now upon some weak, very weak experience, I am come to love a rumbling and raging devil beit, seeing we must have a devil to hold the saints waking, I wish a cumbersome devil, rather then a secure & sleeping one. At my first coming hither, I took the dorts at Christ; and took up a stoma••k against him, I said he had cast me over the dike of the vineyard, like a drie tree; but it was his mercy I see, that the fire did not burn the drie tree, & now as if my Lord Jesus had done the fault, & not I, (who belied my Lord,) he hath made the first mends, & he spake not one word against me, but hath come again, & quickned my soul with his presence: nay now I think the very a••••uety, and casualities of the crosse of Christ Jesus my Lord, & these comforts that accompany it, better, then the worlds set rent. O how many rich off-fal∣lings are in my Kings house, I am perswaded, & dare pawnd my salvation on it, that it is Christs truth I now suffet 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 La; wrote to me, that ye are yet an ill scholler: Ma∣dam

ye must goe in at heavens gates, and your book in your hand, still learning, you have had your own large share of troubls, & a double portion; but i•• saith your Father counteth you not a ba••tard; fu••-begotten bairns are nurtured, Heb. 12. 8. I long to hear of the childe, I write the blessings of Christs pri∣soner & the mercies of God to him; let him be Christs & yours betwixt you, but let Christ ••e whole play-maker, let him be the lender, & ye the borrower, not an owner: Madam it is not long since I did write to your La: that Christ is keeping mercy for you, & I bide by it still, & 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 a•• ••igh, he is a tree of life, green, & blossoming, both summer and winter. there is a nick in Christia∣nity, to the which whosoever cometh, they see and feel more then others can doe: I invite you of new to come to him, Come & See will speak better things of him then I can doe, come neerer, come neerer wil say much. God thought never this world a portion worthy of you, he would not even you to a gift of dirt & clay, nay he will not give you Esa••'s portion, but reserves the inheritance of Jacob for you: are ye not well married now? have you not a good husband now? my heart cannot expresse what sad nights I have for the virgin daughter of my people: woe is me for our time is coming, Ezek. 7: 10. behold the day, be∣hold it is come, the morning hath gone forth, the rod hath blossomed, pride hath bu••ded, violence is risen up in a rod of wickedness, the sun is gone down upon our prophets: A drie wind upon Scotland, but neither to fan nor to cleanse; but out of all question when the Lord hath cut down his forrest, the after-growth of Leba∣non shall flourish, they shall plant vines in our mountains, and a cloud shall yet fill the Temple. Now the blessing of our dear∣est Lord Jesus, & the blessing of him that is seperat from his brethren come upon you.

Yours at Aberden the prisoner of Christ, S. R.

To the honourable & truly noble lady, the VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE. (7)

MADAM.

GRace, mercy & peace be to your La: I long to hear from you, I am here waiting if a good wind long-looked for, sha•••• at length blow in Christs sailes in this land: But I wonder if Jesus be not content, to suffer more yet in his members, & cause, & beauty of his house; rather then he should not be avenged upon this land: I hear many worthy men (who see more in the Lords dealing, then I can take up with my dim sight) are of a contrait minde, & doe beleeve 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 here-away, ye have no great cause to think, that your stock, & principall, is under the roof of these visible hea∣vens: & I hope ye would think your self a beguiled and co••sened Soul if it were so, I would be sorry to counsell your La: to make a covenant with time, & this life; but rather desire you to hold in fair generals, & far off, from this ill founded heaven that is on this side of the water. It speaketh some what, when our Lord bloweth the bloome off our daft hopes in this life, & loppeth the branches of our worldly joyes well nigh the root, on purpose, that they should not thrive. Lord spill my fools heaven in this life, that I may be saved for ever. A forfeiture of the saints part of the yolke and marrow, of short-laughing happinesse worldly; is not such a real evil, as our blinded eyes doe conceive: I am thinking long now for some deliverance, more then before; but I know I am in an errour: It is possible I am not come to that measure of triall, that the Lord is seeking in his work. If my friends in Galloway would effectualy doe for my deliverance, I would exceedingly rejoyce: but I know not, but the Lord hath a way, whereof he will be the only reaper of praises. Let me know with the bearer, how the childe is, the Lord be his

Father, & Tutour, & your onely comforter: There is no∣thing here where I am, but profanitie & atheisme. Grace, grace be with your La.

Aberd. Feb. 13. 1637.

Your La: at all oblidged obe∣dience in Christ, S. R.

To the noble & Christian lady the VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE. (8)

MADAM.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you, I would not omit the occasion to write to your La: with the bearer: I am glad the childe is well, Gods favour even in the eyes of men be seen upon him: I hope your La: is thinking upon these sad & woe∣full dayes, wherein we now live; when our Lord in his righ∣teous judgment, is sending the kirk the gate she is going, to Romes brothell house to seek a lover of her own, seeing she hath given up with Christ her husband. O what sweet com∣fort, what rich salvation, is laid up for these, who had rather wash and roll their garments in their own blood, then break out from Christ by Apostasie! keep your self in the love of Christ, & stand far aback from the pollutions of the vvorld: side not with these times, and hold off from coming nigh the signs of a conspiracie with these, that are now come out against Christ; that ye may be One keept for Christ onely: I know your La: thinketh upon this, and how ye may be humbled for your self & this backsliding land; for Iavouch, that wrath from the Lord is gone out against Scotland. I think ay the longer the better of my Royall and worthy master, he is become a new welbeloved to me now, in renewed consolations, by the presence of the spirit of grace and glory: Christs garments smell of the powder of the marchant when he com∣eth out of his Ivory chambers; O his perfumed face, his fair face,

his lovely & kindly kisses, have made me a poor prisoner see, there i•• more to be had of Christ in this life, then I beleeved: we think all is but a little 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. Woe, woe, is me, that I have not ten loves, for that one Lord Jesus, and that love f••ileth, & d••ieth up in loving him; & that I finde no way to spend my love-desires, and the yolke of my heart upon that fairest, & dearest one: I am far behinde with my narrow heart. O how ebbe a soul have I to take in Christs love! for let worlds be multip∣lied according to Angels understanding, in millions, while they weary themselves; these worlds would not contain, the thou∣sand part of his love. O if I could yoke in amongst the thick of Angels, & Seraphims, & now-glorified Saints; & could raise a new love-song of Christ, before all the world! I am pained with wondering at new opened treasures in Christ, if every finger, member, bone, and joynt, were a torch burning in the hottest fire in hell, I would they could all send out love-prais∣es, high songs of praise for evermore, to that plant of renown, to that royall & high Prince Jesus my Lord: but alace his love swelleth in me, & findeth no vent: alace what can a dumb prisoner doe or say for him. O for an ingine to write a book of Christ and his love, nay I am left of him bound, & chained with his love, I cannot finde a loosed soul to lift up his praises, and give them out to others; but oh my day light hath thick clouds, I cannot shine in his praises, I am often like a ship plying about to seek the wind, I saile at great leisure, and cannot be blowne upon that lovliest Lord. O if I could turn my sailes to Christs right arth, & that I had my hearts wishes of his love! But, I but marre his praises, nay I know no comparison of what Christ is, and what his worth is, all the Angels, & all the glorified, praise him not so much as in halfes, who can advance him or utter all his praises? I want nothing, unknown faces favour me, enemies must speak good of the truth, my masters cause purchaseth commendation. The hopes of my enlargement from appearances are cold, my faith hath no bed to sleep upon,

but omnipotency. The goodwill of the Lord, & his sweetest presence be with you and that childe. Grace & peace be yours.

Aberden, 1637.

Your Lae in all duty in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the right honourable & Christian Lady the VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE. (9)

MADAM.

GRace, mercy & peace be to your La: I would not omit to write a line with this christian bearer, one in your La: own case, driven neer 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 tutour, suppose I could have waile & choise of ten thousand beside: I think now five hun∣dred heavie hearts for him too little. I wish Christ now weeping, suffering, & contemned of men, were more dear & desirable to many souls then he is: I am sure if the saints wanted Christs crosse, so profitable & so sweet, they might for the gain and glory of it, wish it were lawfull, either to buy or borrow his crosse; but it i•• a mercy that the saints have it laid to their hand for nothing, for I know no sweeter way to heaven, then through free grace, & hard trials together, & one of these cannot well want ano∣ther. O that time would Post faster, & hasten our long-looked for communion, with that fairest, fairest among the sons of men! O that the day would favour us, & come, and put Christ & us in others armes? I am sure a few yeers will doe our turn, & the souldiers hour-glasse will soon run out. Madam look to your lamp, and look for your Lords coming, & let your heart dwell aloof from that sweet childe; Christs jealousie will not admit two equall loves in your La: heart, he must have one, & that the greatest; a little one to a creature may, & must suffice a soul married to him, your maker is your husband, Isa. 54. I would wish you well, & my obligation these many yeers by gone speak no lesse to me, but more I can neither wish, nor

pray, nor desire for to your La: then Christ singled & wailed out, from all created good things: or 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, & worth of the incomparable sweetnesse of Christ: He is so new, so fresh in excellency, every day of new, to these that search more and more in him, as if heaven could furnish as many new Christs (If I may speak so) as there are dayes betwixt him & us, & yet he is one and the same. Oh we love an unknown lover, when we love Christ! Let me hear how the childe is every way, the Prayers of a prisoner of Christ be upon him, grace for ever∣more even while glory perfect it, be with your La:

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the noble & Christian lady the VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE. (10)

MADAM.

NOtwithstanding the great haste of the bearer I would blesse your La: in paper: desiring, that since Christ hath ever envied, that the world should have your love by him, that ye give your self 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 Gods face (which I blesse him cannot be.) I write my blessing to that sweet childe that ye have borrowed from God, he is no heritage to you but a loan, love him as folks doe bor∣rowed things: my heart is heavie for you. They say the Kirk of Christ hath neither son, nor heir, and therefore her enemies shall possesse her: but I know she is not that ill friend∣ed, her husband is her heir, and she his heritage. If my Lord would be pleased I would desire some were dealt with, for my

return to Anwoth, but if that never be, I thank God Anwoth is not heaven, preaching is nor Christ, I hope to wait on. Let me hear how the childe is, and your La: minde & 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 guiltinesse, yet he bringeth not plea's betwixt him and me to the streets, and before the sun. Grace, grace, for evermore be with your La:

Aberd. 1637.

Your La: at all obedience in Christ, S. R.

To the right honourable & Christian Lady, my Lady VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE (11)

MADAM.

GRace mercy & peace to you: I am refreshed with your Let∣ter: the right hand of him to whom belong the issues from death, hath been gracious to that sweet childe, I dow not, I doe not forget him, & your La: in my prayers. Madam for your own case, I love carefull, and withall doing-complaints of want of practice, because I observe many who think it holiness enough, to complain and set themselves at nothing; as if to say I am sick, would cure them: they think complaints a good charme for guiltiness. I hope ye are wrestling & strugling on, in this dead age, wherin folks have lost tongue, and legs and armes for Christ. I urge upon you Madam, a neerer commu∣nion with Christ and a growing communion: There are curtains to be drawn by, in Christ, that we never saw; and new fold∣ings 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 paines for him; and set by so much time in the day for him; as you can: he will be win 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. 31: 20. Isa 45: 11. and I know not what to doe with Christ, his love surroundeth, and surchargeth me.

and burdened with it, but O how sweet & lovely is that burden, I dow not 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 goe there. O what weighing & what telling is in Christs love! I fear nothing now so much, as the laughing of Christs crosse, & the love-showers that accompany it: I wonder what he mean∣eth to put such a slave at the board-head, at his own elbow. Oh that I should lay my black mouth to such a fair, fair, fair face as Chri•…•…s: but I dare not refuse to be loved, the cause is not in me why he hath looked upon me, & loved me, for he got neither budde nor hire of me, it co••t me nothing, it is good cheap love. O the many pound-weights of his love under which I am sweetly pressed! Now Madam, I perswade you, the greatest part but play with Christianity, they put it by hand easily: I thought it had been an easie thing to be a Christian, and that to see•• God, had been at the next door, but oh the windings, the turnings, the up's, & the down's, that he hath led me through, and I see yet much way to the foord, he speaketh with my reins in the night sea∣son and in the morning, when I awake I finde his love-ar∣rowes that he shot at me, sticking in my heart: who will help me to praise? who will come lift with me, & set on high his great love? and yet I finde that a fir••-flaught of challanges will come in at mid-summer, and question me, but it is onely to keep a ••inner in order. As for Friends I shall not think the world, to be the world, if that well goe not drie, I trust in God, to use the world as a Canny or Cunning-master do••th a knave-servant (at lest God give me grace to doe so) he giveth him no handling or credit, onely he intrusteth him with common errands, wherin he cannot play the knave: I pray God I may not give this world credit of my joyes, and comforts, and confidence, that were to put Christ out of his office: nay I counsel you Ma∣dam, from a little experience, let Christ ke••p the great seal, & intrust him so, as to hing your vessels great and small, and pin your burdens upon the nail fastened in Davids house, Isai. 22: 23. L••t me not b•• well, if ever they get th•• tutouring of my comforts: away, away with irresponsall Tutours, that

would play me a slip, & then Christ would laugh at me, & say well-wared, try again ere ye trust. Now woe is me for my whor∣ish mother the Kirk of Scotland; Oh who will bewaile her: Now the presence of the great Angel of the covenant to be with you & that sweet childe.

Aberd. March. 7. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the right honourable & Christian Lady, my Lady KENMURE. (12)

MADAM.

UPon the offered opportunity of this worthy bearer I could not omit to answer the heads of your letter. 1. I think not much to set down in paper some good things anent Christ, that sealed and holy thing, & to feed my soul with raw wishes to be one with Christ; for a wish is but broken & half-love, but veri∣ly to obey this, come & see: is a harder matter. but oh I have rather smoak then fire, & guessings rather then reall assurances of him: I have little or nothing to say, that I am as one who hath found favour in his eyes; but ther is some pining & misman∣nered hunger, that maketh me miscall and nickname Christ as a changed Lord, but alace it is ill flitten. I can not bel••eve without a pledge, I cannot take Gods word without a Caution; as if Christ had lost and sold his credit, and were not in my books responsall and law-biding, but this is my way, for his way is, Ephes. 1: 13. after that ye beleeved ye were sealed, with the holy spirit of promise. 2. Ye write that I am filled with know∣ledge, and stand not in need of these warnings, but certainly my light is dim, when it cometh to handy-grips: and how ma∣ny have full coffers & yet empty bellies: light and the saving use of light, are far different. O What need have I to have

the ashes blowen away from my Dying-out fire! I may be a book-man, and be an Idiot & stark fool in Christs way, learn∣ing will not beguile Christ, the Bible beguiled the Pharasees, & so may I be misted: Therefore as night watches hold one a∣nother 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 moe should fetch heaven, if they beleeved not heaven to be at the next door: the worlds negative holiness, no adulter∣er, no murderer, no thief, no Cousiner, maketh men beleeve they are already glorified saints: but the, 6. Chap. to the, Heb: may affright us all, when we hear that men 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 repro∣bate silver which yet seemeth to have the Kings Image, and superscription upon it. 3. I finde you complaining of your self, & it becometh a sinner so to doe, I am not against you in 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 lesse sin. I would love my pain, & sorness, & my wounds, howbeit these should bereave me of my nights sleep, better then my wounds without pain. O how sweet a thing is it, to give Christ his hand∣full of broken armes, & legs, & disjointed bones. 4. Be not afraid for little grace, Christ soweth his livingseed, & he will not lose his seed: if he have the guiding of my stock, and state, it shall not miscarry. Our spilt works, losses, deadness, coldness, wretch∣edness; are the ground which the good husband-man labour∣eth. 5. Ye write that his compassions faile not, notwith∣standing that your service to Christ miscarrieth: To the which I answer: God forbid that there were buying, and selling, and blocking for as good again, betwixt Christ and us; for then free grace might goe play it, and a Saviour sing dumb, and Christ goe and sleep: but we goe to heaven with light shoulders, and all the bairn-time, and the vessels great and small that we have, are fastned upon the sure nail, Isa 23: 24. the onely danger is, that we give grace more a doe then God giveth it, that is, by turning his grace into wantonness. 6. Ye

write few see your guiltiness, and ye cannot be free with many, as with me: I Answer: blessed be God, Christ & 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.

Aberd.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the right honourable & Christian Lady, my Lady KENMURE. (13)

MADAM.

GRace, mercy and peace be to your La: God be thanked ye are yet in possession of Christ & that sweet childe: I pray God the former may be sure heritage, & the latter a loan for your comfort; while he doe good to his poor afflicted, withered mount Sion: & who knoweth but our Lord hath comforts laid up in store for her & you. I am perswaded Christ hath bought you by, the devil, & hell, & sin, that they have no claime to you; & that is a rich & unvaluable mercy. Long since, ye were half challenging deaths cold kindness, in being so slow and swier to come and loose a tired prisoner: but ye stand in need of all the erosses, losses, changes, & sad hearts that befell you since that time: Christ knoweth the body of sin unsubdued; will take them all & more: we know that Paul had need of the devils ser∣vice, to buffet him, & far more we. But my dear & honourable Lady, spend your sand-glasse well: I am sure ye have law to raise 2 suspension against all, that devils, men, friends, world, losses, hell, or sin can decree against you: it's good your crosses will but convey you to heavens gates: In ••an they not goe, the gate shall be closed on them, when ye shall be admitted to the throne. Time standeth not still, eternity is hard at our door. O what is laid up for you! Therefore harden your face against the wind, & the Lamb your husband is making ready for you,

the bridegroom 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 Prelats purpose to banish me, but let it come if God so will, the other side of the sea is my fathers ground aswell as this side: I ow bowing to God but no servil bowing to crosses, I have been but too soft in that: I am com∣forted that I am perswaded fully that Christ is halfer with me in this well-born and honest crosse, & if he claime right to the best half of my troubles, (as I know he doeth to the whole;) I shall remit it over to Christ, what I shall doe in this case: I know certainly my Lord Jesus will not marre nor spill my suffer∣ings, he hath use for them in his house. O what it worketh on me, to remember that a stranger who cometh not in by the door, shall build hay & stuble upon the golden foundation I la••d amongst that people in Anwoth: but I know providence looketh not asquint but looketh straight out, & thorow all mens darknesse: O that I could wait upon the Lord: I had but one eye, one joy, one delight, even to preach Christ, & my mothers sons were angry at me, & have put out the poor mans one eye, and what have I behinde? I am sure this sowre world hath lost my heart deservedly, but oh that there were a d••••es-man to lay his hand upon us both, & determine upon my part of it. Alace that innocent and lovely truth should be sold, my tears are but little worth, but yet for this thing I weep, I weep: alace that my fair & lovely Lord Jesus should be miskent in his own house, it reckoneth little of five hundred the like of me: Yet the water goeth not over faiths breath, yet our King liveth: I write the prisoners blessing, the good will, & long lasting Kindnesse, with the comforts of the very God of peace be to your La: & to your sweet childe, grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. Sep. 7. 1637

Your honours at all obedience in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the much honoured JOHN GORDON, Of Cardoness elder. (14)

MUch honoured and dearest in my Lord, Grace, mercy & peace be to you, my soul longeth exceedingly to hear how matters goe betwixt you and Christ; and whether or not there be any work of Christ in that parish, that will bide the triall of fire & water: let me be weighed of my Lord in a just bal∣lance, if your souls lie not weighty upon me: you goe to bed & 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, & prayers: O if I could buy your souls salvation with any suffering whatsoever, & that ye & I might meet with joy up in the Rain-bow, when we shall stand be∣fore our judge! O my Lord forbid I have any hard thing to depon against you in that day! O that he who quickneth 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, then that the souls of that poor people were in ••afety, & 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. fulfill my joy and seek the Lord: Sure I am, once I discovered my, lovely, royall, princely Lord Jesus to you all. Woe, woe woe shall be your part of it for evermore, if the Gospel be not the savour of life unto life to you: as many sermons as I preach∣ed, as many sentences as I uttered, as many points of dit∣tay shall they be, when the Lord shall plead with the world, for the evil of their doings Beleeve me, I finde heaven a city hard to be won, the righteous will scarcely be saved: O what violence of thronging, will heaven take! alace I see many deceiving them selves, for we will all to heaven, now every foul dog with his foul feet will in at the neerest, to the new & clean Jerusalem: all say they have faith, & the greatest part in the world know not and will not consider, that a slip in the

matter of their salvation, is the most pitifull slip that can be; & that no losse is comparable to this losse. O then see that there be not a loose pin in the work of your salvation! for ye will not be∣leeve how quickly the judge will come? & for your self, I know that death is waiting & hovering, & lingering at Gods command, that ye may be prepared. Then ye had need to stir you time & to take eternity, & death, to your riper advisment; a wrong step o•• a wrong stot in going out of this life, in one property, is like the sin against the holy Ghost, & can never be forgiven, because ye can∣not come back again thorow the last water, to mourn for it. I know your counts are many, and will take telling, and laying, & reckoning betwixt you and your Lord; fit your counts, and order them; lose not the last play, what ever ye doe; for in that play with death, your precious soul is the prize: for the Lords sake spill not the play, & 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 dis∣liking of your wayes very often, both in privat & publike: I am not now a witness of your doings, but your judge is alwayes your witness. I beseech you by the mercies of God, by the salvation of your soul, by your comforts when your eye strings shall break, & the face wax pale, & the soul shall tremble to be out of the lodging of clay; and by your compearance before your awfull Judge, after the sight of this letter take a new course with your wayes, and now in the end of your day, make sure of heaven: examine your self if ye be in good earnest in Christ, for some, Heb. 6. 4. are partakers of the holy Ghost, & taste of the good word of God, & of the powers of the life to come: & yet have no part in Christ at all. Many think they beleeve, but never tremble: the devils are further on, then these, Jam. 2: 19. Make sure to your self that ye are above ordinary professors; the sixth part of your span-length and hand∣breadth of dayes, is scarcely before you: Haste, haste, for the tide will not bide: Put Christ upon all your accounts, & your secrets: Better it is that ye give him your counts in this life, out of your own hand, then that after this life, he take them from you. I never knew so well what sin was, as since I came to Aberden;

howbeit I was preaching of it to you. To feel the smoke of hel's fire, in the throat, for half an hour, to stand beside a river of fire & brimstone, broader then the earth, and to think to be bound hand & foot, & casten in the midst of it, quick, & then to have God locking the prison door, never to be opened for all eternity: O how will it shake a conscience, that hath any life in it! I finde the fruits of my pains to have Christ and that people once fairly met, now meeteth my soul in my sad hours, & I rejoyce that I gave fair warning of all the corrup∣tions, now entring in Christs house, and now many a sweet, sweet, soft kisse, many perfumed well smelled kisses, & embrace∣ments, have I received of my royall Master: He & I have had much love together. I have for the present a sick, dwining life, with much pain, & much love-sickness for Christ: O what I would give to have a bed made to my wearied soul, in his bo∣some! I would frist heaven for many yeers, to have my fill of Jesus in this life, & to have occasion to offer Christ to my people: & to wooe many people to Christ. I cannot tell you what sweet pain, and delight some torments are in Christs love? I often challenge time, that holdeth us sundry. I profess to you I have no rest, I have no ease while I be over head & ears in lov's-ocean. if Christs 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 cruell, and the mask & vaile on Christs face, a cruell covering, that hideth such a fair, fair face, from a sick soul. I dare not challenge himself, but his absence is a mountain of iron upon my heavie heart. O when will we meet! O how long is it to the dawning of the marriage-day! O sweet Lord Jesus take wide steps! O my Lord come over mountains at one stride! O my beloved flee like a roe, or young hart, upon the mountains of separation! O if he would fold the heavens together like an old cloak, & shovle time and dayes out of the way, & make ready in haste the lambs wife for her hus∣band! Since he looked upon me, my heart is not mine own, he hath run away to heaven with it: I know it was not for no∣thing, that I spake so meekle good of Christ to you in publike.

O if the heaven & the heaven of heavens were paper, and the sea inke, & the multitude of mountains pens of brasse, & I were able to write that paper, within, and without, full of the praises of my fairest, my dearest, my loveliest, my sweetest, my matchless, and my most marrowlesse and marvellous welbelo∣ved! woe is me I cannot set him out to men & Angels. O there are few tongues to sing love-songs of his incomparable excellen∣cy! what can I poor prisoner doe to exalt him? or what course can I take to extoll my lofty, & lovely Lord Jesus? I am put to my wits end, how to get his name made great. Blessed they who would help me in this, how sweet are Christs back-parts? O what then is in his face! These that see his face, how dow they get their eyeplucked off him again! Lookup to him and love him, O love and live. It were life to me ifye would read this letter to that people, & if they did profit by it. O if I could cause them die of love for Jesus! I charge them by the salvation of their souls, to hang about Christs neck, & take their fill of his love, & follow him as I taught them: part by no means with Christ; hold fast what ye have received; Keep the truth once delivered, If ye or that people quite 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? my dearest in the Lord stand fast in Christ: Keep the faith; contend for Christ; wrestle for him, & take mens feud for Gods favour, there is no comparison betwixt these. O that my Lord would fulfill my joy, and keep the young bride to Christ: that is at Anwoth, And now whoever they be, that have returned to the old vomit since my de∣parture; I binde upon their back, in my masters name & autho∣rity; the long-lasting weighty vengeance, and curse of God, in my Lords name I give them a doom of black, unmixed, pure wrath, which my master shall ratifie and make good, when we stand together before him: except they tim∣ously repent, and turn to the Lord. And I write to thee, poor mourning, and broken hearted beleever, be who thou will, of the free salvation: Christs sweet balme for thy wounds, O poor humble beleever: Christs kisses for thy watery checks; Christs blood of atonement for thy guilty soul, Christs

heaven for thy poor soul, though once banished out of paradise: & my master shall make good my word ere long. O that peo∣ple were wise! O that people were wise! O that people would spier out Christ, & never, est while they finde him! O how shall my soul mourn in secret, if my nine yeers pained head, & sore breast, and pained back, and grieved heart, and privat, & publike prayers to God, shall all be for nothing among that people. Did my Lord Jesus send me but to summond you be∣fore your judge, & to leave your summonds at your houses? was I sent as a witness onnly to gather your dittay's. O my God for∣bid: often did I tell you of a fan of Gods 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 I bide by my Masters word; it is quickly coming, desolation for Scotland, because of the quarrell of a broken covenant. Now worthy Sir, now my dear people, 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 Christs windows: pray for me, & praise for me. The blessing of my God, the prayers and blessing of a poor prisoner and your lawfull pastor be upon you.

Abrd. Iune. 16. 1367.

Your Lawfull & Loving Pastor, S. R.

To the right honourable & Christian Lady, my Lady BOYD. (15)

MADAM.

GRace, mercy and peace be to you, from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ: I cannot but thank your La: for your Letter that hath refreshed my soul. I think my self many wayes obliged to your La: for your love to my

afflicted brother, now embarked with me, in that same cause: his Lord hath been pleased to put him upon truths side: I hope your La: will befriend him with your counsell, and counte∣nance in that countrey, where he is a stranger: & your La: needeeth not fear but your kindness to his own, shall be put up in Christs accounts. Now Madam for your La: case, I re∣joyce exceedingly that the Father of lights, hath made you see, that there is a ni•••• in Christianity, which ye contend to be at; & that is to quit the right eye, & the right hand, & to keep the Son of God: I hope your desire is to make him your garland, & your eye looketh up the mount, which certainly is nothing but the new creature: fear not, Christ will not cast water upon your smoaking coal, & then who else dare doe it, if he say nay? Be sorry at corruption & not secure, that companion lay with you in your mothers womb, & was as early friends with you, as the breath of life, & Christ will not have it otherwise; for he delighteth to take up fallen bairns & to mend broken brow••: binding up of wounds, is his office: Isai. 61. First, I am glad Christ will get employment of his calling in you, many a whole soul is in heaven, which was sicker then ye are: He is content ye lay broken arms, & legs on his knee, that he may spelk them. 2. Hiding of his face is wise love, his love is not fond, doting, & reasonless, to give your head no other pillow, while ye be in at heavens gates, but to lie betwixt his brests, & lean upon his bo∣some: Nay hisbairns, must often have the frosty cold side of the hill, & set down both their bare feet among thorns: His love hath eyes, & in the mean time is looking on. Our pride must have winter weather to rot it. But I know Christ & ye shall not be heard, ye will whisper it over betwixt your selves, & agree again, for the Anchor-tow abideth fast within the vaile; the end of it is in Chrssts ten fingers, who dare pull if he hold? I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying, fear not, I will help thee: Isa. 41: 13. fear not Iacob. The sea-sick passenger shall come to Land, Christ will be the first that will meet you on the shore. I hope your La: will keep the Kings high-way; goe on in the strength of the Lord in haste, as if ye had not leisure to speak to the Inne-keepers by the way: he is

over beyond time in the other side of the water who thinketh long for you. For my unfaithfull self, Madam, I must say a word. At my first coming hither, the devil made many black lies of my Lord Jesus, & said the court was changed, and he was angry & would give an evil servant his leave at mid-terme; but he gave me grace not to take my leave, I resolved to bide sum∣monds, and sit, howbeit it was suggested & said, what should be done with a withered tree, but over the d••ke with it? 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, & the first messe, & the royall Kings dining-hall; and that my black hand should come on such a rulers table: but I cannot mend it, Christ must have his will; onely he paineth my soul so, some∣times with his love, that I have been nigh to passe modesty, & to cry out, he hath lest a smoaking burning coal in my heart, & gone to the door himself, and left me & 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 dâting crosse. I know he hath other thing to doe, then to play with me, & tr••••le an apple with me, & that this feast will end. O for instruments in Gods name, that this is he! and that I may make use of it, when it will be a neer friend within me, & when it will be said by a challenging∣devil were is my God? Since I know it will not laste, I desire but to keep broken meat: but let no man after me, slander Christ for his crosse. The Great Lord of the Covenant, who brought from the dead, the great shepherd of his sheep, by the blood of the eternall covenant, establish you, and keep you & yours to his appearance.

Aberd. March. 7. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To Mr ALEXANDER HENDERSON. (16)

My reverend & dear Brother.

I Received your Letters: They are as apples of gold to me, for wich my sweet feasts (& they are above the deserving of such a sinner, high & out of measure) I have sadness to ballast me, & weight me a little. It is but his boundless wisdom, who hath taken the tutouring of his witlesse childe, and he knoweth, to be drunken with comforts, is not safest for our stomackes: However it be, the din and noise and glooms of Christs crosse, are weightier then it self. I protest to you (my witnesse is in heaven) I could wish many pound weights added to my crosse, to know that by sufferings, Christ were set forward in his kingly office 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, & his beloved spouse, his precious truth, his royal priviledges, the glory of manifested justice in giving of his foes a dash, the testimony of his faithfull servants, who doe glorifie him when he rideth upon poor weak wormes, & triumpheth in them! I desire you to pray that I may come out of this furnace with honesty, & that I may leave Christs truth no worse then I found it, & that this most honourable cause, may neither be stained, nor weakned. As for your case my Reverend and Dearest Brother, ye are the talking of the North and South; & looked to so, as if ye were all crystall glasse, your mots and dust should soon be proclaimed, & trumpets blowne at your slips: But I know ye have laid help upon one that is mighty. Intrust not your comforts to mens airy & frothy applause, neither lay your down-castings on the tongues of salt mockers, & reproach∣ers of godliness: As deceivers & yet true, as unknown & yet well known. God hath called you to Christs side, and the wind is now on Christs 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 termes what∣soever:

I hope ye doe not rue, though your cause be hated, & that prejudices are taken up against it; The shields of the world think our Master cumbersome wares; & that he maketh too great din, & that his cords and yoks make blains & deep scores in their neck, therefore they kick, they say this man shall not reigne 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.

Aberd. March. 9. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the right honourable my Lord LOWDON. (17)

MY very noble & honourable Lord, Grace, mercy and peace be to you, I make bold to write to your Lo: that you may know the honourable cause ye are graced to prosesse, is Christs own truth. Ye are many wayes blessed of God, who hath taken upon you, to come out to the strects, with Christ on your fore-head; 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 Re∣ligion expensive, hazardous, and dangerous, they would not slip from his cause as they doe and stand looking on, with their hands folded behinde their back; when lowns are running away with the spoile of Sion on their back, and the boards of the Son of Gods tabernacle. Law and Justice are to be had to any, especially for money, & 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 & standing law will goe with you. Your ordinary logicke from the event (that it will doe no good) to the cause (and therefore silence, is

best, till the Lord put to his own hand) it is not (with reverence of your Lo: Learning) worth a straw: Events are Gods, let us doe, and not plead against Gods Office, let him sit at his own helme who moderateth all events. It is not a good course to complain that we cannot get a providence of gold, when our lasiness, cold zeal, temporizing, and faithless fearfulness spil∣leth good providence. Your Lo: will pardon me, I am not of that minde, that tumults or armes is the way to put Christ on his throne, or that Christ will be served & truth vindicated onely with the arme of flesh and blood: nay, Christ doeth his turn with lesse din then with garments rolled in blood. But I would, the zeal of God were in the Nobles, to doe their part for Christ: and I must be pardoned to write to your Lo: 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 then I ever knew before, he hath sealed the honourable cause I now suffer for, & I shall not beleeve that Christ will put his Amen & ring upon an imagination: 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 plaistered joy of this whole world. It hath pleas∣ed him to make a sinner the like of me, an ordinary ban∣quetter in his house of wine, with that royall Prince∣ly one Christ Jesus. O what weighing! O what tel∣ling is in his love! how sweet must he be, when that black and Burdensome tree, his own crosse, is so perfumed with joy and gladness! O for help to lift him up by praises, on his royall throne! I seek no more but that his name may be spread abroad in me, that meekle good may be spoken of Christ on my behalf: this being done, my losses, place, stipend, credit, case, and Liberty, shall all be made up to my full con∣tentment, and joy of heart. I will be confident your Lo: Will goe on in the strength of the Lord and keep Christ & avouch him, that he may read your name publikly before men & Angels. I wil entreat your Lo: to exhort & encourage that Nobleman your Chief to doe the same: but I am woe, many of you finde a new wisdom, which deserveth nor such a name;

it were better that men should see, that their wisdom be holy & their holiness wise: I must be bold to desire your Lo: To adde to your former favours to me (for the which your Lo: hath a prisoners blessing & prayers) this, that ye would be pleased to befriend my brother, now suffering for the same cause. For he is to dwell nigh your Lo: Bounds; your Lo: word & countenance may help him. Thus recommending your Lo: to the saving grace & tender mercy of Christ Jesus our Lord. I rest.

Aberd. March. 9. 1637.

Your Lo: obliged Servant in Christ, S. R.

To Mr. WILLIAM DALGLISH, Minister of the Gospel. (18)

Reverend & Dear Brother,

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am well, my Lord Jesus is Kinder to me then ever he was, it pleaseth him to dine & sup with his afflicted prisoner, a King feasteth me, and his spiknard casteth a sweet smell. Put Christs love to the triall and put upon it burdens, & then it will appear love indeed: we employ not his love, & therefore we know it not. I verily count more of the sufferings of my Lord, then of this worlds lustred & overguilded glory: I dare not say but my Lord Jesus hath fully recompensed my sadness, with his joyes: my losses, with his own presence: I finde it a sweet & rich thing to exchange my sorrows with Christs joyes, my afflictions 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; & I know he will not put his seal upon blank paper; his seals are not dumb, nor delusive, to confirm imaginations & lyes. Goe on my dear Brother in the strength of the Lord, not fearing man that is a worm, or the son of man that will die. Providence hath

a thousand keys to open a thousand sundry doors, for the deli∣verance of his own, when it is even come to a conclamatum est: Let us be faithfull and care for our own part, which is to doe & suffer for him, & lay Christs part on himself, & leave it there: du∣ties are ours, events are the Lord's: when our faith goeth to medle with events & to hold a court (if I may so speak) upon Gods providence (and begineth to say, how wilt Thou do this, & that?) we lose ground: we have nothing to doe there, it is our part to, let the Almighty exerce his own office, and stir his own helme: there is nothing left to us but to see how we may be approved of him, and how we may roll the weight of our weak souls (in wel∣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, then to feed painfully and faithfully his lambs. I am in no better neighbourhood with the Ministers here then before; they cannot endure that any speak of me, or to me: thus I am in the mean time silent, (which is my great∣est grief.) Dr Barron hath often disputed with me, especial∣ly 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; I trust Christ and truth shall doe for themselves. I hope Brother ye will help my people, and write to me what ye hear the Bishop is to doe to them: Grace be with you.

Aberd.

Your Brother in bonds. S. R.

To Mr HUGH M^C KAILL, Minister of the Gospel. (19)

Reverend & Dear Brother.

I bless you for your Letter: he is come down as rain upon the mowen grasse, he hath revived my withered root, and he is

as 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 lilie, and to blossome as Lebanon. the great husband man's blessing cometh down upon the plants of righteousness, who may say this (my dear Brother) if I, his poor exiled stranger, & 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 sat a portion hath he given to a hungry soul? I had rather have Christs four-hours, then have dinner and Supper both in one from any other; his dealing, and the way of his judgements passe finding out: No preaching, no book; no learning could give me that, which I behooved to come and get in this Town, but what of all this, if I were not misted, confounded, and astonished how to be thankfull, 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 reall possession. Some have written to me that I am possibly too joyfull of the cross, but my joy over-leapeth the cross, it is bounded and terminat upon Christ: I know the sun will over-cloud & eclipse, and I shall again be put to walk in the shaddow, but Christ must be welcome to come and goe as he thinketh meet; yet he would be more welcome to me I trow, to come then goe, & 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 spie into this wilderness of suffering, to see the land, and to try the foord, and I cannot make a lye of Christs cross; I can report nothing but good both of him, & 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) whether I may run, when I must say my lesson without book, & beleeve in the dark. I am sure it is sin to tarrow of Christs good meat, & not to eat when he saith, eat O welbeloved &, drink abundantly.

If he bear me on his back, or carry me in his armes over this wa∣ter, I hope for grace to set down both my feet on dry ground, when the way is better: but this is slippery ground, my Lord thought good I should goe by an hold, & lean on my welbe∣loved's shoulder: it's good to be ever taking from him. I desire he may get the fruit of praises for dâting, and thus dandling me upon his knee, & I may give my bond of thank∣fulness; sobeing I have Christ's back-bond again for my relief, that I shall be strengthned by his powerfull grace, to pay my vowes to him. But truly I finde we have the advantage of the brae upon our enemies, we are more then conquerours through him who hath loved us, & they know not wherein our strength lieth. Pray for me, grace be with you.

Aberd.

Your Brother in Christ, S. R.

To my Lady Boyd. (20)

MADAM.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: the Lord hath brought me to Aberd: where I see God in few. This town hath been advised upon of purpose for me: It consisteth either of Papists, or men of Gallio's naughtie faith, it is counted wisdom in the most, not to countenance a confined Minister, but I finde Christ neither strange nor unkind; for I have found many faces smile upon me since I came hither. I am heavie and sad, considering what is betwixt the Lord & my soul, which none seeth but he. I finde men have mistaken me, it would be no art (as I now see) to spin small, and make hypocrisie, seem a goodly web, and to goe through the mercat as a saint among men, & yet steal quietly to hell, without observation: So easie is it to deceive men. I have disputed whether or noe 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, & in sincerity, is not an ordinary mercy: my neglects while I had a pulpit, & 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 fenc∣ed 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. like a fool, I beleeved, under suffering for Christ, that I my self 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 bairns, and to take the by-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 markes of God's children; thinking we have as much as will seperat us from a Reprobat, and thereupon we tak the play, and cry Holy-day: & thus the devil casteth water on our fire, & blunteth our zeal and care: but I see heaven is not at the next door: & I see howbeit my challenges be many; I suffer for Christ, & dare hazard my salvation upon it, for some times my Lord cometh with a fair hour, & O but his love be sweet, delightfull, & comfortable! half a kiss is sweet, but our doting love will not be content of a right to Christ, unless we get pos∣fession; like the man who will not be content of rights to bought land, except he get also the ridges, and acers laid upon his back, to carry home with him. However it be, Christ is wise, and we are fools; to be browden and fond of a pawne in the loof of our hand: living on trust by faith, may well content us. Ma∣dam I know your La: knoweth this, and that made me bold to write of it, that others might reap some what by my bonds for the truth, for I should desire, and I aime at this, to have my lord well spoken of and honoured, howbeit he should make nothing of me, but a bridge over a water. Thus recommending your La: your son, and children to his grace, who hath honoured you with a name and room among the living in Je∣rusalem, and wishing Grace to be with your La: I rest.

Aberd.

Your La: in his sweetest Lord Iesus S. R.

To Mr. DAVID DICKSON, (21)

Reverend & Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy and peace be unto you: I finde great men, especially old friends skar to speak for me, but my kingly & Royall Master biddeth me try his moyen to the uttermost, & I shall finde a friend at hand: I still depend on him, his court is as before, the prisoner is welcome to him, the black crab∣bed 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 can∣not be heavier: and with much wrestling I win in to the Kings house of wine, and for the most part my life is joy, and such joy through his comforts, as I have been afraid to shame my self, 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 beleeve it, his love paineth me more then prison and banishment. I cannot get a gate of Christ's love, had I 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 gloomes are but for the fashi∣on: I seek no more but a vent to my wine, I am smother∣ed and ready to burst for want of a vent. Think not much of persecution, it is before you, but it is not as men conceive of it, my suggared-cross forceth me to say this to you, ye shall have wailed meat, the sick bairn is often times the spilt ba••rn, ye shall command all the house. I hope ye help a tired prisoner to pray and praise, had I but the annuell of annuell to give to my Lord Jesus, it should ease my pain; but Alace I have nothing to pay, he will get nothing of poor me, but I am woe I have not room enough in my heart for such a stranger. I am not cast down to goe further North, I have good cause to work for my Master, for I am well paid before the hand, I am not behinde, howbeit I should not get one

smile more, till my feet be up within the Kings dining∣hall. I have gone through yours upon the Covenant, it hath edified my soul and refreshed an hungry man, I judge it sharp, sweet, quick, and profound: take me at my word, I fear it get no lodging 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 commission (and I will bide by it) that you tell my beloved, I am sick of love. I hope in God to leave some of my rust, and superfluites in Aberd: I cannot get an house in this town wherein to leave drink-silver in my Master's name, save, one onely, there is no sale for Christ in the North, he is like to lie long on my hand ere any accept him. Grace be with you.

Aberd.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr MATHEW MOWAT. (22)

REverend and dear brother, I am a very far misstaken 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 Tutour: I would have more then my Tu∣tour alloweth upon me, but it is good that a bairns wit is not the rule which regulateth my Lord Jesus: let him give what he will it shall ay be above merit, & my ability to gain therewith. I would not wish a better stock (while heaven be my stock) then to live upon credit at Christs hands, daily borrowing: surely run∣ning over love, that vast, hudge, boundlesse love of Christ (that there is telling in for man and Angel) is the onely thing, I fain∣est would be in hands with: He knoweth I have little but the love of that love, & that I shall be happy, suppose I never get another heaven, but onely an eternall lasting feast of that love: but suppose my wishes were poor, He is not poor; Christ all the seasons of the yeer is dropping sweetnesse, if I had vessels I might fill them, but my old riven, holly, and running out dish, even when I am at the well, can bring little away: Nothing but Glory will make tight, and fast, our looking and rifty vessels. Alace I have skailed more of Christs Grace, love, faith,

humility, and godly sorrow, then I have brought with me. How little of the sea can a childe carry in his hand, as little dow I take away, of my great sea, my boundlesse & Runing-over-Christ-Jesus: I have not lighted upon the right gate of puting Christ to the banke, & making my self rich with him: my misguiding and childish trafficking, with that matchlesse pearl, That heaven's jewell, the jewell of the fathers delights, hath put me to a great losse. O that he would take a loan of me, & my stock, and put his name in all my bonds, and serve him∣self Heir to the poor mean portion I have: & 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, & doe by his direction, let me be his interdicted heir: Lord Jesus, work upon my minority, & let him win a pupil's blessing. Oh how would I rejoyce to have this work of my salvation legal∣ly fastned upon Christ! a back-bond of my Lord Jesus that it should be forthcoming to the Orphan, should be my happinesse: dependency on Christ, were my surest way: if Christ were my bottome I were sure enough. I thought guiding of grace had been no art, I thought 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 behinde & be∣fore, & on either side, maketh all sure: God will not take an Arminian-cautioner Freewill, a weather-cock, turning at a ser∣pents tongue, a Tutor that couped our father Adam unto us, & brought down the house, & sold the Land, & sent the father, & mother, & all the bairns 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 councel & put Christ Jesus with free merits, & the blood of God fore∣most in the chase, to draw sinners after a ransomer. O what a sweet block was it, by way of buying & selling, to give and tell down a ransome for grace, & glory to Dyvours! O would to my Lord, I could cause paper and ink speak the worth and excellencie, the high, & loud praises of a Brother-ransomer! O the Ransomer needs not my report, but oh if he would take it, & make use of it: I should be happy if I had an errand to this

world but for some few yeers, to spread proclamations & out-crys, & love-letters, of the highnes [the highnes for evermore] the glory (the glory for evermore) of the Ransomer, whose cloaths were wet, & died in blood; howbeit that after I had done that, my soul & body should goe 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 my self with wishes, & not beleeve rather, that Christ will hire such an out-cast as I am, a masterlesse-body, put out of the house, by the sons of my mo∣ther, & give me employment, and a calling, one way, or other, to out Christ, and his wares, to countrey buyers, & propose Christ unto, & presse him upon some poor souls, that fainer then their life would receive him. You complain heavily, of your short coming in practice, and venturing on suffering for Christ: you have many marrowes. For the first, I would not put you off sense of wretcheduesse, hold on, Christ never yet slew a sigh∣hing, groaning childe; more of that would make you won goods, and a meet prey for Christ, Alace I have too little of it! For venturing on suffering; I had not somuch free gier, when I came to Christs camp, as to buy a sword, a wonder that Christ should not laugh, at such a souldier: I am no better yet; but faith liveth & spendeth upon our Captains charges, who is able to pay for all: we need not pitie him, he is rich enough. Ye desire me also not to mistake Christ under a mask, I blesse you & thank God for it, but alace masked or bare-faced, kissing or glooming I mistake him! yea I mistake him furthest when the mask is off; for then I play me with his sweetness: I am like a childe that hath a golden book, that playeth more with the rib∣bens, and the guilding, & the picture in the first page; then readeth the contents of it. Certainly, if my desires, to my wel∣beloved, were fulfilled, I could provoke divels, and crosses, & the world, & tentations to the fields: but oh my poor weak∣ness, makes me, lie behinde the bush and hide me, Remember my service and my blessing to my Lord; I am mindfull of him as I am able: desire him from a prisoner, to come & visite my good master, & feel 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, then in a fever of love-sickness for Christ: Remember my bonds, the Lord Iesus be with your spirit.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To WILLIAM HALLIDAY. (23)

Loving friend.

I Received your letter: I wish ye take pains for salvation, mistaken grace, & somewhat like conversion, which is not conversion, is the sadest and most dolefull thing in the world: make sure of salvation, and Lay the foundation sure, for many are beguiled: Put a low price upon 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 your self, & your own heart, and keep touches with God: let him not have a faint and feeble souldier of you, fear not to back Christ, for he will conquer and overcome: let no man skar at Christ, for I have no quarrels at his crosse. He and his crosse are two good guests, and worth the lodging: men would fain have Christ good cheap, but the mercat will not come down: acquaint your self with prayer, make Christ your captain and your armour, make conscience of sinning when no eye seeth you. grace be with you.

Aberd.

Yours in Ch: Iesus. S. R.

To a Gentle Woman after the Death of her Husband. (24)

DEar & loving sister, I know ye are minding your sweet countrey & not taking your Innes [the place of your ba∣nishmet] for your home; this life is not worthy to be the thatch or outer wall of your Lord Jesus his paradise, that he did sweat

for to you, & that he keepeth for you: Short, & silly, & sand∣blinde 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 finde it not so, bairns are but hired to learn their lesson when they first goe to school; and it is enough that these who run a race see the gold onely 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: Cur Lord maketh de∣licates and dainties of his sweet presence and love-visits to his own, but Christs love under a vaile is love, if ye get Christ, howbeit not the sweet and pleasant way you would have him, it is enough, for the wel-beloved cometh not our way, he must waile his own gate himself. For worldly things, seeing they are medows 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 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 af∣ter-noon will not bide you) in setting your heart on this vain world, it were your wisdom to read your count book & to have in readin••s•• your bussinesse against the time you come to deaths water-side: I know your lodging is taken, your forerunner Christ, hath not forgotten that, & therefore you must set your self to your one thing, which ye cannot well want. In that our Lord took your husband to himself, I know it was that he might make room for himself: he cuteth off your love to the creature, that ye might learn that God onely is the right owner of your love, sorrow, losse, sadnesse, death, or the worst things that are, except sin: but Christ knoweth well what to make of them, & can put his own in the crosses com∣mon, that we shall be obliged to affliction, & 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 evils your great good, and to spin out comforts, peace, joy, communion with Christ, out of your troubls that are Christs wooers sent to speak for you to himself. It is easie to get good words, and a comfortable message from our Lord, even from such rough serjeants, as diverse temptations: Thanks to God for crosses, when we count and reckon our losses in seeking God, we finde godliness is great gain. Great partners of a shipfull of gold, are glad to see the ship come to the harbour: surely we and our Lord Jesus together, have a shipfull 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 Christs crosse is white and joyfull, and the far end of the black crosse is a fair and glorious heaven of ease: and seeing Christ hath fastned heaven to the far end of the crosse, & he will not loose the knot him self, & 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 diverse temp∣tations. Thus recommending you to the tender mercy, & grace of our Lord I rest.

Aberd.

Your Loving Brother. S. R.

To JOHN GORDON Of Card nes Younger. (25)

Honoured & 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, & let these bear weight with you, and ponder them seriously. 1. Weeping & gnas••ing of teeth in utter-darkness, or heaven's joy. 2. Think what ye would give for an hour when ye shall lie like dead, cold, blackned clay. 3. there is sand in your glass yet, & your sun

is not gone down. 4. Consider what joy & peace is in Christs service. 5. Think what advantage it will be to have Angels, the world, life, & death, crosses, yea and devils, all for you, as the Kings serjeants, and servants, to doe your bussinesse. 6. To have mercy on your seed, & a blessing on your house. 7. To have true honour, & a name on earth: that casts a sweet smell. 8. How ye will rejoyce when Christ layeth down your head under his chinne, & betwixt his brests, & dryeth your face, & welcometh you to glory & happyness? 9. Ima∣gine, what pain, & torture is a guilty conscience? What slavery to carry the Devils unhonest loads? 10. Sins joyes are but night-dreames, thoughts, vapours, imaginations and sha∣dowes. 11. What dignity it is to be a son of God? 12. Do∣minion and mastery over tentations, over the world, and sin. 13. That your enemies should be the taile, and you the head. For your bairns now at their rest, I speak to you and your wife (and cause her read this.) 1. I am a witness of Barbara's glory in heaven. 2. For the rest, I write it under my hand, there are dayes coming on Scotland, when barren wombs & dry breasts, and childless parents, shall be pronounced blessed: they are then in the lee of the harbour, ere the storm come on. 3. They are not lost to you, that are laid up in Christs treasury in heaven. 4. At the Resurrection ye shall meet with them, there they are sent be••ore, but not sent away. 5. Your Lord loveth you, who is homely to take and give, borrow and lend. 6. Let not bairns be your Idols, for God will be jealouse, and take away the Idol, because he is greedy of your love wholly. I bless you, your wife and chil∣dren. Grace for evermore be with you.

Aberd.

Your Loving Pastor. S. R.

To JOHN GORDON, Of Cardoness elder. (26)

HOnourable & dearest in the Lord. Your Letter hath re∣freshed my soul. My joy is fulfilled, if Christ and ye

be fast together: ye are my joy & my crown: ye know I have recommended his love to you. I defie the world, Satan, & sin, His love hath neither brim nor bottome in it. My dearest in Christ, I write my souls desire to you: heaven is not at the next door: I finde Christianity an hard task: set to it in your evening: we would all keep both Christ & our right eye, our right hand & foot; but it will not be with us. I beseech you, by the mercies of God; and your compearance before Christ, look Christs count book and your own together, and collation them: give the rem∣nant of your time to your soul: this great Idol-god, the world, will be lying in white ashes, in the day of your compearance; & why should night-dreames, and day-shaddowes & water-froth, & May-flowers run away with your heart: when we win to the water-side, and black deaths river brinke, and put our foot in the boat, we shall laugh at our folly, Sir, I recommend you unto the thoughts of death, and how ye would wish your soul to be, when ye shall lie cold, blew, ill-smelling clay. For any hireling to be intruded, I being the Kings prisoner can not say much, but as Gods minister I desire you to read, Act. 2, 15, 16. to the end, & Act. 6. 2, 3, 4, 5. & ye shall finde God's people, should have a voice in chusing Church-rulers & teachers. I shall be sorry if willingly ye shall give way to his unlawful intrusion upon my labours: The onely wise God direct you. God's grace be with you.

Aberd.

Your loving Pas∣tor, S. R.

To EARLESTOUN YOUNGER. (27)

Much honoured & welbeloved in the Lord.

GRace, mercy and peace be to you. Your letters give a dash to my laziness in writing: I must first tell you, there is not such a glassie, Icie, & 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 new fire of sorrow to me: I have seen the Devil, as it were, dead & buried, & yet rise again & be a worse Devil then ever he was. Therefore, my brother, beware of a green young Devil that hath never been buried: the Devil in his flowers (I mean, the hot fiery lusts & passions of youth) is much to be feared: better yoke with an old gray-haired, withered, dry Devil: For in youth he findeth dry sticks, & dry coals, and an hot hearth-stone, and how soon can he with his flint cast fire, and with his bellows blow it up, and fire the house: sanctified thoughts, thoughts made con∣science of, and called in, and kept in aw, are green fewel, that burn not, & are a water for Satans coal. Yet I must tell you, the whole saints now triumphant in heaven and standing before the throne, are nothing but Christs forlorn and beg∣gerly Dyvours: What are they but a pack of redeemed sin∣ners? But their redemption is not onely past the seals, but compleated, and yours is on the wheels, and in doing: All Christs good bairns 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't, he shall finde employment for his calling in you: if it were not with you as you write, grace should finde no sale nor mercat in you; but ye must be content to give Christ somewhat adoe: 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 corrup∣tions, and his free grace be yoked together, and let Christ & your sins deal it betwixt them. I will be loath to put you off your fears, and your sense of deadness: (I wish it were more) there be some wounds of that nature, that their bleed∣ing should not be soon stoped: ye must take a house beside the Physician, it shall be a miracle if ye be the first sick man he put away uncured, & worse then he found you: nay, nay, Christ is honest, and in that flyting free with sin∣ners (Ioh. 6. 37. And him that cometh to me, I will in no, case cast out) Take ye that: It cannot be pre∣sumption

to take that as your own, when ye find your wounds stound you, presumption is ever whole at the heart, and hath but the truant-sickness, and groaneth onely for the fashion: faith hath sense of sickness, and looketh like a friend to the pro∣mise, and looking to Christ therein, is glad to see a known face. Christ is as full a feast, as ye can have to hunger: nay Christ, I say, is not a full mans leavings; his mercy sends al∣wayes a letter of defiance to all your sins, if there were ten thousand moe 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 pantrie door, and of the house of wine is a seeking, & cannot be had; but hunger must break thorow iron∣locks. I be moan them not who can make a din, & all the fields adoe, for a Lost Saviour: ye must let him hear it (to say so) upon both the sides of his head, when he hideth himself: it is no 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 almes from Christ. He that can tell his tale, and send such a letter to heaven, as he hath sent to Aberden, it is very like he will come speed with Christ. It bodeth Gods mercy to complain heartily for sin. Let wrestling be with Christ till he say, How is it, Sir, that I cannot be quite of your bills, & your misl••arned crys? And then hope for Christs blessing, and his blessing is better then other ten blessings. Think not shame because of your guiltiness; ne∣cessity must not blush to beg; it standeth you hard to want Christ, and therefore that which idle on-waiting cannot doe, mis••ur∣••ured crying and knocking will doe. And for doubtings, be∣cause ye are not as ye were long since with your master, con∣sider three things. 1. What if Christ had such tottering thoughts of the bargain, of the new covenant, betwixt you & him, as you have. 2. Your heart is not the compass Christ saileth by: He will give you leave to sing as ye please: But he will not dance to your daft spring. It is not referred to you, and your thoughts, what Christ will doe with the

charters betwixt you and him, your own misbeleef hath torn them, but he hath the principal in heaven, with himself; your thoughts are no parts of the New covenant, dreams change not Christ. 3. Doubtings are your sins; but they are Christs d••ugges, & ing••••dients, that the Phisician maketh use of, for the cu••ing of your pride. Is it not suitable for a begger, to say, at meat, God re••ard the winners? for then he sayeth, he knoweth who beareth the charges of the house. It is also meet ye should know by experience, that faith is not natur's il gotten bastard, but your Lords free gift, that lay in the womb of Gods free grace, praised be the winner. I may adde a 4. In the passing of your bill, & your charters, when they went through the Mediators great seal, and were concluded, faith's advice was not sought: saith hath not a vote beside Christs merits, blood, blood, dear blood that came from your cautioners holy body, maketh that sure work. The use then which ye have of faith now, (having already closed with Jesus Christ for ju∣stification) is, to take out a copy of your pardon; & so ye have peace with God, upon the account of Christ: for since faith apprehendeth pardon, but never payeth a penny for it, no mar∣vel that Salvation doeth not die and live, ebbe, or flow, with the working of faith, but because it is your Lords honour to beleeve his mercy, and his fidelity, it is infinit goodness in our Lord, that misbeleef giveth a dash to our Lords glory, and not to our Salvation: and so who ever want (yea, howbeit God here bear with the want of what we are obliged to give him, even the glory of his grace, by beleeving, yet) a poor covenanted sinner wanteth not: but if guiltiness were removed, doubtings would find no friend, nor life; and yet faith is to beleeve the removal of guiltiness, in Christ. A reason why ye get less now (as ye think) then before (as I take it) is, because at our first conversion, our Lord putteth the meat in young bairns mouthes, 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 doeth hold, because he will have us to draw. Remenber now ye must, live upon violent plucking, laziness is a greater fault

now, then long since; we love alwayes to have the pape put in our mouth. No for my self; alace, I am not the man I goe for in this nation men have not just weights to weigh me 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but I am a li••••y••••••less Body, and ove•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 If Christ would refer the matter to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (in his presence I speak it) I might think shame to vote my own salvation: I think Christ might say, think•••• thou not shame to claim heaven, who does so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for it I am very often so, that I know not whether 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••nk o•• swine in the water; I find my self a bag of light froth; I would bear no weight, (but vanities & nothing's weigh in Christs balance) if my Lord cast not in borrowed weight & metall, even Christs righteousness, to weigh for me: the stock I have is not mine own, I am but the merchand that traffiques with other folks goods, if my creditor Christ would take from me what he hath lent, I would not long keep the causey; but Christ hath made it m••••e & his: I think it manhood to play the cow∣ard, & jouke in the lee-side of Christ, and thus I am not onely saved from my enemies, but I obtain the victory. I am so empty that I think it were an almes-deed in Christ, if he would win a poor prisoners blessing for evermore, and fill me with his love. I complain when Christ cometh, he cometh alwayes to fetch fire, he is ever in haste, he may not tarry; & poor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [a beggerly Dyvour,] get but a standing visit, & a standing kiss, & 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 & dry to his poor freinds, [for he can∣not make more of his kisses then they are worth:] but I think it my happiness to love the love of Christ; & when he goeth a∣way, 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 many hundred yeers. O that I could be the man, who could procure my Lords glory to flow like a full

sea, & blow like a mighty wind upon all the four Airths of Scotland, England & 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, & hasten the marriage-day, for love is tormented with delayes! O 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, & is nothing, to cast the smel of the praise of that fair flower, that fragrant rose of Sharon, through many worlds! Sir, take my hearty commendations to him, & tell him that I am sick of love. Grace be with you.

Aberd. June 16. 1637.

Yours in his sweet L. Iesus, S. R.

To his Honoured & Dear Brother, ALEXAND: GORDON of KNOCKGRAY. (28)

Dearest & truly honoured Brother,

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I have seen no letter from you since I came to Aberdeen; I will no tinterpret it to be forgetfulness. I am here in a fair prison, Christ is my sweet & honourable fellow-prisoner, & I his sad & joyful Lord∣prisoner, [if I may speak so.] I think this cross becometh me well, & is suitable to me in respect of my duty to suffer for Christ; howbeit not in regard of my deserving, to be thus honoured. However it be, I see Christ is strong, even lying in the dust, in prison, and in banishment. Losses & disgraces are the wheels of Christs triumphing chariot. In the sufferings of his own saints, as he intendeth their good, so he intendeth his own glory, & that is the butte his arrowes shoot at, & Christ shooteth not at the tovers, he hitteth what he purposeth to hit: Therefore he doeth make his own feckless & weak nothing's, & these who are the contempt of men, a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth, to thresh the mountains, & beat them small, & to make the hills as chaff, & to fan them. Isa. 51: 15, 16. What harder stuff, or harder grain for threshing out, then high and rockie mountains? But the Saints are

Gods threshing instruments to beat them all in chaff: are we not Gods leem vessels, & yet when they cast us over an house, we are not broken in sheards: we creep in under our Lords wings in the great shower, & the water cannot goe thorow these wings. It is folly then for men to say, this is not Christs plea, he will lose the wed-fee, men are like to be∣guile him: that were indeed a strange play. Nay I dare pledge my soul, & lay it in pawne on Christs side of it, & be half-tin∣er half-winner with my Master: Let fools laugh the fools∣laughter, & scorn Christ, & bid the weeping captives in Babylon, sing us one of the songs of Zion, play a spring to chear up your sad-hearted God: We may sing upon lucks head before hand, even in our winter-storme, in the expectation of a summer-sun at the turn of the yeer: no created powers in hell or out of hell, can mar our L. Jesus his musick, nor spill our song of joy: let us then be glad & rejoyce in the salvation of our Lord; for faith had never yet cause to have wet cheeks, & hinging∣down browes, or to droup or die: what can aile faith, seeing Christ suffereth himself, (with reverence to him be it spoken) to be commanded by it; & Christ commandeth all things: faith may dance, because Christ sings, & we may come in the Quite & lift our hoarse & rough voices, & chirp, & sing, & shout for joy with our Lord Jesus. We see oxen goe to the shambles leaping & startling; We see Gods fed oxen prepa∣red for the day of slaughter, goe dancing & singing down to the black chambers of hell; & why should we goe to heaven weeping, as if we were like to fall down thorow the earth for sorrow. If God were dead (if I may speak so, with reverence of him ho liveth for ever & ever) & Christ buried, & rotten among the worms, we might have cause to look like dead folks; but, the Lord liveth & blessed be the rock of our salvation, Psal. 18: 46. None have right to joy but we, for joy is sown for us, & an ill summer or harvest will not spill 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 steall joy, as it were, from God; for he commandeth them to mourn & howle: Then let us claim our ••eel-come & 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, & it is hard to hide a sweet smell; it is pain to smother Christs 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, espe∣cially when he cometh with his arms full of joyes, is the happiest hard tree that ever was laid upon my weak shoulders. Christ & his cross together are sweet company & a blessed couple. My prison is my palace my sorrow is with childe of joy, my losses are rich losses, my pain easie pain, my heavie dayes are holy & happy dayes. I may tell a new tale of Christ to my friend. Oh if I could make a love-song of him, & could commend Christ & tune his praises aright! O if I could set all tongues in great Britain & Ire∣land, to work, to help me to sing a new song of my welbeloved! O if I could be a bridge over a water for my Lord Jesus to walk upon & keep his feet dry! O if my poor bit heaven could goe be∣twixt my Lord & blasphemy & dishonour! (upon condition he loved me] O that my heart could say this word & bide by it for ever. Is it not great art & incomparable wisdom in my Lord, who can bring forth such fair apples, out of this crabbed tree of the cross! nay my fathers 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 a sleep in Christs arms, & my sinful head on his holy breast, while he kisseth me; were is not that often the wind turneth to the north, & whiles my sweet Lord Jesus, is, that he will neither give nor take, borrow nor lend with me: I complain he is not social, I half call him proud & lordly of his compa∣ny, & nice of his lookes; 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, providing he would be content to come near hand & take my wersh, dry & feckless kisses: But at that time he will not be entreated, but lets a poor soul stand still & knock, & never let it on him that he heareth; & then the old leavings & broken meat, & dry sighs, are great∣er chear then I can tell: all I have then, is, that howbeit the law &

wrath have gotten a decret against me, I yet lippen that meekle good in Christ as to get a suspension, & to bring my cause in reasoning again before my welbeloved: I desire but to be heard. And at last he is content to come, & agree the mat∣ter with a fool, & forgive freely, because he is God. Oh if men would glorify him & taste of Christs sweetness. Brother, ye have need to be busie with Christ, for this whorish-Kirk: I fear Christ cast water upon Scotlands coal; nay I know Christ & his wife will be heard, he will plead for the broken covenant. Arme you against that time. Grace be with you.

Aberd. June. 16, 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Lady Kilconqhuair. (29.)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am glad to hear that you have your face home-ward towards your fathers house, now when so many are for a home nearer hand: but your Lord calleth you to another life & glory, then is to be found here∣away: & therefore I would counsel you to make sure the char∣ters, & rights, which ye have to Salvation. You came to this life about a necessary & weighty business, to tryst with Christ anent your precious soul, & the eternal salvation of it: this is the most necessary business ye have in this life, & your other adoés beside this, are but toyes & feathers, & dreams, & fancies: this is the greatest haste & should be done first. Means are used in the Gospel to draw on a meeting betwixt Christ & you: if ye neglect your part of it, it is, as if you would tear the contract before Christ's eyes, & give up the match, that there shall be no more communing of that business. I know other lovers beside Christ are in suit of you, & your soul wanteth not many wooers, but I pray you make a chaste virgin of your soul, & let it love but one: most worthy

is Christ alone of all your souls love, howbeit your love were higher then the heaven & deeper then the lowest of this earth, & broader then this world: many, alas too many, make a common strumpet of their soul, for every lover that com∣eth to the house. Marriage with Christ would put your love, & your heart by the gate, out of the way, & out of the eyes of all other unlawfull suiters; & then you had a ready an∣swer for all others, I am already promised away to Christ, the match is concluded, my soul hath a husband already, & it cannot have two husbands. Oh if the world did but know what a smel the ointments of Christ cast, and how ravishing his beauty, even the beauty of the fairest of the sons of men is, & how sweet & powerful his voice is, the voice of that one welbeloved! Certainly where Christ cometh, he run∣neth away with the souls love, so that they cannot command it. I would far rather look but thorow the hole of Christs door, to see but the one half of his fairest, & most comely face [for he looketh like heaven] suppose I should never win in to see his excellency & glory to the full; then to enjoy the flower, the bloome, & chiefest excellency of the glory, & riches, of ten worlds. Lord send me for my part but the meanest share of Christ, that can be given to any of the indwellers of the new Jerusalem; But I know my Lord is no niggard: He can, & it becometh him well to give more, then my narrow soul can receive. If there were ten thousand, thousand millions of worlds, & as many heavens full of men & 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: And O what a fair one, what an onely one, what an excellent lovely ravishing one is Jesus! Put the beauty of ten thou∣sand thousand worlds of Paradises like the garden of Eden in one, put all trees, all flowers, all smels, all co∣lours, all tastes, all joyes, all sweetness, all lovelyness is one, O what a fair and excellent thing would that be!

& yet it should be less, to that fair & dearest welbeloved Christ then one drop of rain to the whole seas, rivers, lakes, & four∣tains of ten thousand earths. O but Christ is heavens wonder & earths wonder! what marvel that his bride saith, Cant 5: v. 16. He is altogether lovely. Oh that black souls will not come, & fetch all then love to this fair one! O if I could in∣vite & perswade thousands, & ten thousand times ten thousand of Adam's sons; to flock about my Lord Jesus, & to come & take their fill of love! Oh pity, for evermore, that there should be such an one as Christ Jesus, so boundless, so bot∣tomless, & so incomparable in infinite excellency, & sweet∣ness, and so few to take him. Oh, oh, ye poor, dry & dead souls, why will ye not come hither with your toom vessels, & your empty souls, to this huge, & fair, & deep, & sweet well of life, & fill all your toom vessels! Oh that Christ should be so large in sweetness, & worth, & we so narrow, so pinched so ebbe, & so void of all happiness, and yet men will not take him! They lose their love miserably who will not bestow it upon this lovely one. Alas, these five thousand yeers, Adam's fools, his waster-heirs, have been wasting & lavishing out their love, and their affections upon black lovers, and black harlots: upon bits of dead creatures, and broken idols, upon this, & that feckless creature, & have not brought their love, and their heart to Jesus. O pity, that fairness hath so few lo∣vers! O woe, woe 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 a countrey! Oh that there is so much spoken & so much written and so much thought of creature-vanity, and so little spoken, so little writ∣ten, 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 lie his alone? O damned souls, O miskenning world, O blind, O beggerly, and poor souls, O bewitched 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 for such an excellent one as Christ. O the depth, and

O the hight of my Lords wayes, that passe finding out. But oh 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 our selves with Christ, and let his friends drink, and be drunken, and satisfie our hollow and deep desires, with Jesus. Oh come all and drink at this living well; come drink & live for ever more, come drink & welcome: wel∣come, saith our fairest Bridegroom, no man getteth Christ with ill will, no man cometh & is not welcome, no man com∣eth and rueth his voyage: all men speak well of Christ who have been at him; men and Angels who know him, will say more then I dow doe, & think more of him then they can say. O if I were misted and bewildered in my Lords love! Oh if I were fettered & chained to it! O sweet pain to be pained for a sight of him! O living death, O good death! O lovely death to die for love of Jesus! Oh that I should have a sore heart & a pain∣ed soul for the wanting of the love of this, & that idol! woe, woe to the mistakings of my miscarrying heart, that gapeth & cryeth for creatures, & is not pained, & cutted, & tortured, & in sorrow for the want of a souls-fill of Christ. Oh that thou would'st come near, my Beloved: O my fairest one, why standest thou a far? come hither that I may be satiat 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 hells torments for a while were the price! I cannot beleeve but Christ will ru•• upon his pained lovers, & come & ease sick hearts, who sigh and swoond for the want of Christ: who dow bide Christs love to be nice? What heaven can there be liker to hell, then to lust, and grein, and dwine, and fall a swoon for Christs love, and to want it? is not this hell & heaven woven thorow other? Is not this pain and joy, sweetness and sadness to be in one web, the one the woft, the other the warp. Therefore I would Christ would let us meet; and joyn together, the soul & Christ in others arms. O what meeting 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 o•• his love. I can neither speak, nor write feeling, nor ••alling, nor smeling•• come feel, & smel, & taste Christ, & his love〈…〉〈…〉d & ye shall call it more then can be spoken: to write how sweet the honey∣comb it is not so lovely as to eat & suck the honey comb: ••nd nights rest in a bed of love with Christ, will say more then he〈…〉〈…〉 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, & peace of conscience; ou•• joy i•• laid up in such a high place as temptations cannot 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 stroke upon a rock. O that we could put our treasure in Christ's hand, & give him our gold to keep, & our crown. St••iv••, Mistress, to throng thorow the thorns of this life to be at Christ: ••in•• not sight of him in this cloudy, & dark day: Sleep with him in your heart in the night: Learn not at the world to serve Christ, but speir at himself the way, the world is a false copy & a lying guide to follow. Remember my love to your husband, I wish all to him I have written here. The sweet presence, the long lasting goodwill of our God, the warmely & lovely comforts of our Lord Jesus be with you. Help me his prisoner in your prayers: For I remember you.

Aberd. Agust. 8. 1637.

Yours i•• his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the Lady Forre•• (30)

Worthy Mistress.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear from you: I hear Christ hath been that Kind as to visit you with sick∣ness, & to bring you to the door of the grave, but ye found the door shut (blessed be his glorious name) while ye be riper for eternity: He will have more service of you, & therefore he seek∣eth of you, that hence forth ye be honest to your new husband,

the Son of God. We have all Idol-love, & are wh〈…〉〈…〉y in∣clined to love other things beside our Lord; and therefore our Lord hunteth for our love, moe wayes then one or two. Oh that Christ had his own of us: I know he will not want you, & that is a sweet wilfulness in his Love; & ye have as good cause o•• the other part to be head strong & peremptory in your love to Christ, & not to part or divide your love betwixt Him & 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 arme: that crabbed and black tree of the cross, laugh∣eth upon me now: the alarming noise of the cross is worse then it self. I love Christs glooms, better, then the world's worm-eaten joyes. Oh if all the Kingdom were as I am, ex∣cept these bonds: my losse is gain: my sadness, joyfull: my bonds, liberty: my tears comfortable. This world is not worth a drink of cold water. O but Christ's love casteth a great heat, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hell & all the salt sea and the rivers of the earth cannot quench it: I remember you to God, ye have the prayers of a prisoner of Christ: Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 9. 1637.

Yours ••n his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the Lady Caskiberry. (31)

MADAM.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear how your La: is: I know not how to requite your La: kind∣ness, but your love to the Saints Madam, is Laid up in hea∣ven, I know it is for your welbeloved Christs sake, that ye make his friends so dear to you, & concerne your self somuch in them. I am in this house of my 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 strang∣er, and an exiled prisoner, and I would not exchange my

Lord Jesus, with all the comfort out of heaven: his yoke is easie and his burden light. This is his truth I now suffer for, for he hath sealed it ••ith his blessed presence, I know Christ shall yet win the day, and gaine the battell in Scotland. Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 7. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr. JAMES BRUCE. Minister of the Gospel. (32)

Reverend & welbeloved Brother.

GRace, mercy and peace be to you: Upon the nearest ac∣quaintance, that we are fathers children, I thought good to write to you. My case in my bonds for the honour of my royall Prince, and King Jesus, i•• as good as becometh the witness of such a Soveraign King. At my first com∣ing hither, I was in great heaviness, wrestling vvith chal∣lenges, being burdened in heart, (as I am yet) for my si∣lent Sabbaths, and for a bereft people; young ones new-borne plucked from the breasts, & the Childrens table drawn. I thought I was a drie tree cast over the dike of the vine-yard; but my secret conceptions of Christs love, at his sweet & long∣desired return to my soul, were found to be a lye of Christs love forged by the tempter, and my own heart, and I am per∣swaded that it was so: Now there is greater peace and se∣curity within then before: the court is raised and dismis∣sed for it was not fenced in God's name: I was far mistaken, who should have summoned Christ for unkindness: misted faith, & my sever conceived amiss of him: novv, novv, he is pleased to feast a poor prisoner, and to refresh me vvith joy unspeakable and glorious; so, as the holy Spirit is witness, that my sufferings are for Christs truth, and God forbid I should

deny the testimony of the holy Spirit, and make him a false wit∣ness. Now I testify under my hand, out of some small experi∣ence, that Ch••ists cause [even with the cross,] is better then the Kings crown, & that his reproaches are sweet, his cross perfumed, the walls of my prison fair & large, my losses gain. I desire you, my dear Brother, help me to praise, and remem∣ber me in your prayers to God. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 14. 1637.

Yours in our Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the Lady Earlstoun. (33)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & 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, & your afternoon-sun will soon goe down: make an end of your accounts with your Lord: for Death and Judgement are tides, that bide no man: salvation is supposed to be at the door, and Christianity is thought an easie task; but I finde it hard, and the way strait and narrow, were it not but my guide is content to wait on me, and to care for a tired tra∣veller. 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 summers-loan of them, & keep good neighbourhood, to borrow & 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 borrowed bed: I am feasted with the joyes of the holy Ghost, & my royal King beareth my charges honourably. I love the smell of Christ's sweet breath, better then the worlds gold. I would I had help

to praise him. The great Messenger of the Covenant, the Son of God establish you on your rock, & keep you to the day of his coming.

Aberd. March. 7. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To CARLETOUN. (34)

Worthy & much honoured.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter from my Brother, to the which I now answer particu∣larly. I confess two things of my self. 1. Woe, woe is me, that men should think there is any thing in me: He is my wit∣ness before whom I am as crystall, that the secret hous••-devils that bear me too oft company, & that this sink of corruption which I finde within, maketh me goe with low sailes: & if other•• saw what I see, they would look by me, but not to me. 2. I know this shower of his free grace behooved to be on me, otherwayes I would have withered. I know also, I have need of a buffeting tempter that grace may be put to exercise & I kept low. Worthy & dear Brother in our Lord Jesus, I write that from my heart which ye now read. 1. I avouch that Christ, & sweating, & sighing under his cross, is sweeter to me by far, then all the Kingdoms in the world could possibly be. 2. If you & my dearest acquaintance in Christ, reap any fruit by my suffer∣ring; let me be weighed in God's even ballance, if my joy be not fulfilled: What am I to carry the marks of such a great King? But howbeit I am a sink & sinfull mass, a wretched captive of sin, my Lord Jesus can hew heaven out of worse timber then I am (if worse can be.) 3. I now rejoyce with joy unspeakable & glorious, that I never pur¦posed

posed to bring Christ no•• the least hoof or hair-breadth of truth under 〈◊〉〈◊〉: I desired to have & keep Christ all alone, & that he should never rub clothes with that black-skin'd harlot of Rome. I am now fully payed home, so that nothing aileth me for the present, but love-sickness for a ••••all posses∣sion of my faire ••t welbeloved. I would give him my bond under my faith & hand, to frist heaven an hundred yeers 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 King shaking the tree of life upon me, or letting me in to the well of life with my old dish, that I might be drun∣ken with the fountain, here, in the house of my pilgrimage! I cannot, nay I would not, be quite of Christs love: H•• hath left the marke behinde him where he gripped: He go∣eth away & leaveth me & his burning love to wrestle together, & 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 & increase hunger, but doe not satisfie my desires: His dieting of my soul for this race maketh me lean. I have got∣ten the waile & choice of Christ's crosses, even the ••ithe & the flower of the gold of all crosses, to bear witness to the truth, & herein finde I liberty, joy, access, life, comfort, love, ••aith, submission, patience, & resolution to take delight in on-waiting: & with all in my race he hath come near me & let me see the gold & crown: What then want I but fruition & reall enjoyment, which is reserved to my countrey? Let no man think he shall lose at Christs hands in suffering for him. 4. For these present trials they are most dangerous: for peo∣ple shall be stolen off their feet with well washen, & white∣skin'd pretences of indifferency; but it is the power of the great Antichrist working in this land. Woe, woe, woe be to Apostat Scotland: there is wrath, & a cup of the red wine of the wrath of God Almighty in the Lords hand, that they ••hall drink and spue and fall and not rise again. The star called Wormwood & Gall is fallen in the fountaines, and rivers, & hath made them bitter: the sword of the Lord is ••ourbished

against the Idol-shepherds of the l••nd; women shall bless the barren womb & miscarrying breasts; all hearts shall be faint, and all knees shall tremble, an end is coming, the leopard and the lion shall watch over our cities, houses great & fair shall be desolate without an inhabitant: the Lord hath said, Pray not for this people, for I have taken my p••ace from them; yet the Lord's third part shall come through the fire, as refined gold for the treasure of the Lord, & the out-casts of Scotland shall be gathered together again, & the wilderness shall blossome as the flower, & bud, & grow as the rose o•• Shar∣on, & great shall be the glory of the Lord upon Scotland. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 am here as••aulted with the learned & pregnant wits of this King∣dom; but all honour be to my Lord, truth but laugheth at be••isted & blinded Scribes, & disputers of this world, & Gods wisdom confoundeth them, & Christ triumpheth in his own strong truth, that speaketh for it self. 6. I doubt not but my Lord is preparing me for heavier trial••: 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 & joy••ull shall my soul be: Let Christ come out with me to an hotter battell then this, & I shall fear no flesh: I know that my master will win the day, & that he hath taken the or∣dering of my sufferings in his own hand. 7. As for my delive∣rance, that miscarrieth: I am here, by my Lords grace, to lay my hand on my mouth, to be silent & wait on: my Lord Jesus is on his Journey for my deliverance; I will not grudge that he runneth not so fast as I would have him: On-waiting till the swel∣ling rivers fall, & till my Lord arise as a mighty man after strong wine, shall be my best: I have not yet resisted to blood. 8. O how often am I laid in the dust, and urged by the tempter (who can ride his own errands upon our lying ap∣prehensions,) to sin against the unchangeable love of my Lord. When I think upon the sparrowes, & swallowes that build their nests in the Kirk of Anwoth, and of my dumb sabbaths, my sorrowfull bl••ired eyes, look asquint upon Christ, and pre∣sent

him as angry. But in this triall, all honour to our prince∣ly and ••oyall ••ing, faith ••aileth ••••ir before the wi••d, with top ••aile up, and carrieth the poor pass••nger through. I ••ay inhibitions upon my thoughts, that they receive no slanders of my onely, onely Beloved: let him even ••ay out of his own mouth. There is no hope, yet I will die in that sweet beguile, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is not so: I•• all see the Salvation of God. Let me be deceived really, and never win to dry land, it is my joy to beleeve under the water, & to die with faith in my hand gripping Christ: let my conceptions of Christs love, goe to the grave with me & to hell with me, I may not, I dare not quite them. I hope to keep Christs pawne: if he never come to loose it, let him see to his own promise. I know, Presumption, howbeit it be made of stoutness, will not thus be wilfull in heavie trials. Now, my dearest in Christ, the great messenger of the Covenant, the onely wise & alsufficient Iehovah establish you to the end. I hear the Lord hath been at your house & hath called home your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to her rest. I know, Sir, ye see the Lord loosing the p••••s of your tabernacle, & wooing your love from this plais∣tered & over-guilded world; & calling upon you, to be making your self ready to goe to your fathers countrey, which shall be a sweet fruit of that visitation. Ye know, to send the Comfor∣ter was a King, word when he ascended on high: ye have claim to, & interest in that promise. Remember my love in Christ to your father: shew him, it is late & black might with him; his long lying at the water-side, is, that he may look his papers e•••• he take shipping, & be at a point for his last answer before his judge & Lord. All love, all mercy, all grace, & peace, all multi∣plied saving consolations, all joy & faith in Christ, all stability & confirming strength of grace, & the good-will of him that dwelt in the bush be with you.

Aberd. 15. June. 1637.

Your unworthy brother is his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To MARION M^C KNAUGHT. (35)

Worthy & dearest in the Lord.

I 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 who hath his fire in Zion & his fur∣nace in Ierusalem, 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 drossie & rusted Kirk, is beginning to make a new clean bride of her & to bring a young chast wife to him self out of the fire. This fire shall be quenched, so soon as Christ hath brought a clean spouse thorow the fire: Therefore, my dearly beloved in the Lord, fear not a worm: fear no•• worm Iacob, Christ i•• i•• that plea & shall win the plea: Charge an unbeleeving heart, under the pain of treason against our great & royall King Je∣sus, to dependence by faith, & quiet on-waiting on our Lord: Get you in to your chambers & shut the doors about you: In, in with speed to your strong hold ye prisoners of hope, ye doves flee in to Christ's windowes, till the indignation be over & the storme be past: Glorifie the Lord in your sufferings, & take his banner of love & spread over you; others will fol∣low you if they see you strong in the Lord, their courage shall take life from your Christian carriage: look up & see who is com∣ing, lift up your head, he is coming to save, in garments died in blood, & 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 as Christ taketh! Three or four hills are but a step to him; he skippeth over the moun∣tains: Christ hath set a battell betwixt his poor weak saints & his enemies; he waileth the weapons for both parties, & saith to the enemies, Take you a sword of steel, Law, Autho∣rity, Parliaments, & Kings upon your side, that is your armour: & he saith to his saints, I give you a feckless tree∣sword in your hand, & that is suffering, receiving of strokes, spoiling of your goods, & with your tree-sword ye shall get

& gain the Victory. Was not Christ dragged through the ditches of deep dist••esses, & great straits? & yet Christ who is your head hath win through with his life, howbeit not with a whole skin. Ye are Christs members, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is drawing his mem∣bers thorow the thorny hedge up to heaven after him; Chris•• one day will not have so much as a pained toe; but there are great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & portions of Christ's mystical body, not yet within the gates of the great high city, the new Jeru∣salem & the dragon will strike at Christ so long as there is one 〈◊〉〈◊〉 member of Christ's body out of heaven. I tell you, Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make new work out of old fore-cast••n Scotland, & gather 〈◊〉〈◊〉 old broken boards of his tabernacle, & pin them, & nail them tog••ther: our bills, & supplications are up in heaven Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••offers full of them: there is mercy on the other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of this hi•…•…, a good answer to all our bills is agreed 〈◊〉〈◊〉: I must tell you what lovely Jesus, fair Jesus, King Je∣sus ••ath done to my soul, sometimes he sendeth me out a stand∣ing drink, & whispereth a word thorow the wall; & I am well content of kindness••t the second hand, his bode is ever wel∣come to ••••e be what it will: but at other times he will be messen∣ger himself, & I get the cup of salvation out of his own hand, (〈◊〉〈◊〉 to me) & we cannot rest till we be in others armes: and O how swèet is a fresh kiss from his holy mouth, his •…•…athing that goeth before a kiss upon my poor soul, is sweet, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fault•• but that it is too short: I am careless, & stand not much on this; howbeit ••oines, & back, & shoulders, & head ••ive in pieces in steping up to my fathers house. I know my Lord can make long, & broad, & high, & deep glory to his name, out of this bit feckless body; for Christ looketh not what stuffe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…eth glory ou•• of. My dearly beloved ye have often fr••hed 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but that is put up in my Master's accounts, ••e have him debter for me, but if, ye will doe any thing for me (〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••••ow ye will) now in my extremity, tell all my dear friends, that a prisoner is fettered, & chained in Christ's love, Lord ne∣ver lo•…•… the fetters; & ye & they together take 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hartiest comm•…•…tions to my Lord Jesus, & thank him for a poor friend: I desire your husband to read this letter, I send him a

prisoners blessing, I will be obliged to him if he will be willing to suffer for my dear Master, suffering is the professors golden gar∣ment, there shall be no losses on Christ's side of it. ye have been witnesses of much joy betwixt Christ & me at communion∣feasts, the remembrance whereof [howbeit I be feasted in secret] holleth my heart, for I am put from the board-head & the kings first mess to his by-board, & his broken meat is sweet unto me: I thank my Lord for borrowed crumbs, no less then when I was feasted at the communion-table in Anwoth & Kirk••udbright: pray that I may get one day of Christ in publike, as I have had long since, before my eyes be closed. Oh that my Master would take up house again, & lend me the keys of his wine-cellar again, & God send me borrowed drink till then. Remember my love to Chist's kinsmen with you. I pray for Christ's father's blessing to them all: Grace be with you: a prisoners blessing be with you: I write it, and I bide by it, God shall be glorious in Marion M^c Knaught when this stormy blast shall be over. O woman beloved of God, beleeve, rejoyce, be strong in the Lord, Grace is thy portion.

Aberd. 15. June. 1637.

Your brother in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JOHN GORDON At Risco in Galloway. (36)

My worthy & 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 finde it hard to be a Christian; there is no little thrusting & thronging to thrust in at heavens gates, it is a castle taken by force, many shall strive to enter in & shall not be able. I beseech & obtest you in the Lord make conscience of

rash & passionat oathes, of raging & sudden revenging anger, of night-drinking, of needless companionry, of Sabbath-break∣ing, of hurting any under you by word or deed, of hating your very enemies. Except ye receive the Kingdom of God as a little childe & be as meek & 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 & cast your self down and make your great spirit fall. I know this will not be easily done, but I recommend it to you, as you tender your part of the Kingdom of heaven. Brother, I may from new experience speak of Christ to you: Oh if ye saw in him what I see: a river of God's unseen joyes hath flowed from bank to brae over my soul since I parted with you: I wish I want∣ed part, so being ye might have, that your soul might be sick of love for Christ, or rather satiat 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 & the breath grow∣eth cold & the imprisoned soul looketh out at the windowes of the clay house, ready to leap out into eternity, what would ye then give for a lamp full of oyl? Oh seek it now. I desire you, to correct & curb banning, swearing, lying, drinking, sab∣bath-breaking & idle spending of the Lords day, in absence from the Kirk, as far as your Authority reacheth in that Parish. I hear a man is to be thrust in to that place to the which I have God's right: I know ye should have a voice by God's word in that: Act. 1, 15, 16. to the end, and Act. 6, 3, 5. Ye would be loath that any Prelat should put you out of your possession earthly, & this is your right. What I write to you, I write to your wife. Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 14, 1637.

Your loving Pas∣tor. S. R.

To the Lady HALHILL. (37.)

DEar & Christian Lady, Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I longed much to write to your La: But now the Lord offering a fit occasion, I would not omit to doe it: I cannot but acquaint your Lae: with the Kind dealing of Christ to my soul in this house of my pilgrimage, that your La: May know Christ is as good as he is called: For at my first entry into this triall (being easten down & troubled with challenges & jealousies of his love whose name & testimony I now bear in my bonds,) I feared nothing more, then that I was casten over the dike of the vineyard as a dry tree, but blessed be his great name, the dry tree was in the fire & was not burnt, his dew came down & quickned the root of a withered plant, & now he is come again with joy, & hath been pleased to feast his exil∣ed & afflicted prisoner with the joy of his consolations: now I weep, but am not sad; I am chastned, but I die not; I have losse, but I want nothing: this water cannot drown me, this fire cannot burn me, because of the goodwill of him that dwelt in the bush. The worst things of Christ, his reproaches, his crosse, is better then Egypt's treasures. He hath opened his door & taken into his house of wine, a poor sinner, & hath le••t me so sick of love for my Lord Jesus, that if heaven were at my disposing, I would give it for Christ, & would not be con∣tent to goe to heaven except I were perswaded Christ were there: I would not give nor exchange my bonds for the I'relats velvets, nor my prison for their coaches, nor my sighs for all the world's laughter: this clay idol, the world, hath no great court in my soul, Christ hath come & run away to heaven with my heart & my love, so that neither heart nor love is mine: I pray God, Christ may keep both without reversion. In my esti∣mation, as I am now disposed, if my part of this world's clay were rooped & sold, I would think it dear of a drink of wa∣ter. 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, & I see apples beguile bairns howbeit they be worm-eaten: the moth-eaten

pleasures of this present world make bairns beleeve ten is a hun∣dred & yet all that are here are but shaddowes; if they would draw by the curtain that is hanged betwixt them & Christ, they should think themselves 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, & that in my behalf many would praise his high & glorious name, who heareth the sigh∣ing of the prisoner. Remember my service to the Laird your husband & to your son my aquaintance: I wish Christ had his young love, & that in the morning he would start to the gate to seek that which this world knoweth not & therefore doeth not seek it: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Aberd. March. 14. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the right honourable my Lord LINDSAY. (38)

Right honourable & my very good Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to your Lo: Pardon my bold∣ness to express my self to your Lo: At this so needful a time, when your wearied & friendless mother-kirk is looking round about her, to see if any of her sons doeth really bemoan her desolation: Therefore, my dear & worthy Lord, I beseech you in the bowels of Christ, pity that widow-like sister & spouse of Christ. I know, her husband i•• not dead, but he seemeth to be in another countrey, & seeth well & beholdeth who are his true & tender hearted friends, who dare venture under the water to bring out to dry land sinking truth, & who of the Nobles will cast up their arm to warde a blow off the crowned head of our Royal law-giver who reigneth in Zion, who will plead & contend for ••acob in the day of his controversie. It i•• now time, my worthy & noble Lord, for you who are the little nurse-fathers (under our Soveraign Prince] to put on cou∣rage

for the Lord Jesus, & to take up a fallen orphan speaking out of the dust, & to embrace in your arms Christ's Bride: he hath no more in Scotland that is the delight of his eyes, but that one little sister, whose breasts were once well fashion∣ed; She once ravished her welbeloved 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, & she held the King in his galleries, Cant. 4: 9. & 6: 10. & 7: 5, 7. But now the crown is fallen from her head, and her gold waxed dim, & 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 & the Nobles are debters to Christ for their honour, & should bring their glory and honour to the new Ierusalem, Rev. 21: 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 goe on foot when Christ is on horse∣back, 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 reign over us, we must have another King then Christ in his own house. Therefore kneel to Christ and kiss the Son, and let him have your Lo: vote as your a∣lone Law-giver. I am sure when you leave this old waste J••nes, of this perishing life, and shall reckon with your hoste, & depart hence and take shipping, & make over for eternity, which is the yonder side o•• time, & a sand-glass of threescore short yeers is running out; To look over your shoulder then, to that which ye have done, spoken, & suffered for Christ, his dear bride (that he ransomed with that blood, which is more precious then gold,] & for truth & the freedom of Christ's Kingdom; your accounts shall more sweetly smile & laugh upon you, then if you had two world's of gold to leave to your posterity. O my dear Lord, consider that our Master, eternity, judgement, & the last reckoning will be upon us in the twinckling of an eye: The blast of the

last trumpet; now hard at hand, will cry down all Acts of Parliaments, all the determinations of pretended Assemblies against Christ our Law-giver: There will be shortly a pro∣clamation by one standing in the clouds, that time shall be no more, and that court with Kings of clay shall be no more, & prisons, confinements, forfeiturs of Nobles, wrath of Kings, hazard of lands, houses, & name for Christ, shall be no more. This world's span-length of time is drawn now to less then half an inch, and to the point of the evening of the day, of this old and gray-haired world: And therefore be fixed & fast for Christ & his truth for a time, & fear not him whose life goeth out at his nostrils, who shall die as a man. I am perswaded Christ is responsall, and law-biding, to make recompence for any thing that is hazarde••, or given out for him: losses for Christ are but our goods given out in bank in Christs hand. Kings earthly are well-favoured little clay gods and tim's-idol, 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 truth, and not treason. Alas it is pitiful, that silence, when the thatch of our Lord's house hath taken fire, is now the flower and the 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 perswaded, is, to tine & win with Christ, & to hazard fairly for him; for heaven is but a company of Noble venturers for Christ. I dare hazard my soul, Christ shall grow green and blossom as the rose of Sharon yet in Scot∣land; howbeit now his leaf seemeth to wither and his root to dry up. Your noble Ancestors have been inrolled a∣mongst the worthies of this nation, as the sure friends of the bridegroom and valiant for Christ: I hope, ye will follow on, to come to the streets for the same Lord; the world is still at yea & nay with Christ: it shall be your glory & the sure foundation of your house (now when houses are tumbling down, & birds building their nests, & thorns & briers are growing up where Nobles did spread a table) if you engage

your estate & 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, & (as God liveth) every arm lifted up to take the crown off his royal head, or that refuseth to hold it upon his head, shall be broken from the shoulder-blad: the eyes that behold Christ weep in sackcloth, & wallow in his blood, & will not help, even these eyes shall rot away in their eye-holes, O if ye & the Nobles of this land, saw the beauty of that worlds wonder, Jesus our King, & the glory of him who is Angels wonder & heavens wonder for excellency! Oh what would men count of clay-estates, of time-eaten life, of worm∣eaten & moth-eaten worldly glory, in comparison of that fair∣est, fairest of Gods creation, the son of the father's delights. I have but small experience of suffering for him, but let my Judge & witness in heaven, lay my soul in the ballance of justice, if I finde not a young heaven, & a little Paradise of glorious com∣forts, & soul-delighting love-kisses of Christ, here beneath the moon in suffering for him & his truth: & that glory, joy, & peace, & 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 prince∣ly Lord Jesus. Oh it is my sorrow, my daily pain, that men will not come & see: I would now be ashamed to beleeve that it should be possible for any soul to think that he could be a loser for Christ, suppose he should lend Christ the Lordship of Lindsay, or some such great worldly estate. Therefore my worthy & Dear Lord set your face against the opposits of Jesus, & let your soul take courage to come under his banner, to ap∣peare as his souldier for him, & the blessings of a falling Kirk, the prayers of the prisoners of hope who wait for Sions joy, & the good will of him that dwelt in the bush & it burned not, shall be with you. To his saving Grace I recommend your Lo: & your House & am still Christs prisoner &.

Aberd. Sept. 7. 1637.

Your Lo: obliged servant in his sweet Lord Iesus S. R.

To my Lord Boyd. (39)

My very honourable & good Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am glad to hear that ye in the morning of your short day minde Christ, & that ye love the honour of his crown & Kingdom. I beseech your Lo: begin now to frame your love, & to cast it in no mould but one, that it may be for Christ onely; For when your love is now in the framing, & making, it will take best with Christ: if any other then Jesus get a grip of it, when it is green & young, Christ will be an uncouth & strange world to you. Promise the lodging of your soul first away to Christ, & stand by your first covenant, & keep to Jesus, that he may finde you honest. It is easie to master an arrow, & to set it right ere the string be drawn, but when once it is shot & in the air, & the flight begun, then ye have no power at all to com∣mand it: It were a blessed thing, if your love could now levell onely at Christ, that his fair face were the black of the marke ye shot at; For when your love is loosed, and out of your grips, & in its motion to fetch home an•• Idol, & hath taken a whorish gading-journey to seek an unknown & strange lover, ye shall not then have power to call home the arrow, or to be master of your love, & ye shall hardly give Christ, what ye scarcely have your self. I speak not this, as if youth it self could fetch heaven & Christ. Beleeve it my Lo: It is hardly credible what a nest of dangerous tentations youth i••, how inconsiderat, foolish, proud, vain, heady, rash, profane, & careless of God, this piece of your life is, so that the devil findeth in that age a garnished & swept house for himself, & seven de∣vils worse then himself; for then affections are on horse-back, lofty & stirring, then the old man hath blood, lust, much will; & little wit, and hands, feet, wanton eyes, pro∣fane ears as his servants, & as a Kings officers at command, to come & goe at his will: Then a green conscience is as souple as the twig of a young tree, it is for every way, every religion, every lewd course prevaileth with it; And therefore O what a sweet

couple, what a glorious yoke are youth and Grace, Christ & 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 Lo a report answerable to his worth; for Christ cannot be spoken of, or commended according to his worth; Come & see is the most faithfull messenger to speak of him, little perswa∣sion would prevail where this were: It is impossible in the setting out of Christ's love, to lye, and passe over truth's line: The discourses of Angels, or Love-books written by the congregation of Seraphims [all their wits being conjoyn∣ed and melted in one] would for ever be in the nether side of tru•• and plentifully declaring the thing as it is. The infinitness, the boundlesness of that incomparable excel∣lency that is in Jesus, is a great word. God send me, if it were but the relicts and leavings, or an ounce weight or two, of his matchless love, and suppose I never got a∣nother heaven [providing this blessed fire were evermore burning] I could not but be happy forever. Come hither then and give out your money wisely for bread: Come here and bestow your love. I have cause to speak this, be∣cause except ye enjoy and possess Christ, ye will be a cold friend to his spouse; For it is love to the husband that causeth kind∣ness to the wife. I dare swear, it were a blessing to your House, the honour 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 oppres∣sed and spoiled Mother-kirk. If ye love her and bestir your self for her, & hazard the Lordship of Boyd for the re∣covery of her vail [which the 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 crownes on his head & the Kingdoms of the world in the hollow of his hand. Court, Honour, Glory, riches, 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 Jerusalem. Ye are one of Zions born sons, your Honourable and Christian Parents would venture you upon Christ's errands: Therefore I be∣seech you by the mercies of God, by the death and wounds of Jesus, by the hope of your glorious inheritance and by the comfort & hope of the joyfull presence ye would have at the water-side, when ye are putting your foot in the dark grave, take courage for Christ's truth, & the Honour of his free Kingdom; for howbeit ye be a young flower and green before the sun, ye know not how soon death will cause you cast your bloom, and wither root and branch & leaves: And therefore write up what ye have to doe for Christ, and make a treasure of good works, and begin in time: by ap∣pearance ye have the advantage of the brae: see what ye can doe for Christ 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 ruines: They are blinde who see not lowns now pulling up the stakes and breaking the cords & renting the curtains of Christ's (some times) beautifull tent in this land. Antichrist is lifting that tent up upon his shoulders and going away with it, & when Christ & the Gospel are out of Scotland, dream not that your houses shall thrive, & that it shall goe well with the Nobles of the land; As the Lord liveth the streams of your waters shall become pitch, and the dust of your land brimstone, and your land shall become burning pitch, and the Owl and the Raven shall dwell in your houses, and where your table stood there shall grow briers, & nettles: Isa. 34: 9, 11. The Lord gave Christ and his Gospel as a pawne to Scotland, the watchmen have fallen foul, & lost their part of the pawne; & who seeth not that God hath dryed up their right eye, & their right arme, & hath broken the shepherds staves, & men are treading in their hearts upon such unsavoury salt,

that is good for nothing else. If ye the Nobles put away the pawne also, & refuse to plead the controversie of Sion with the professed enemies of Jesus, ye have done with it. Oh where is the courage, & zeal now, of the ancient Nobles of this land, who with their swords & hazard of life, honour & houses brought Christ to our hands? And now the Nobles cannot be but guilty of shouldering out Christ, & murthering of the souls of the posterity, if they shall hide themselves, & 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 & their profession, as if Christ were stolen goods, & durst not be avouched, though this be reputed a pi••ce of policy; yet God estemeeth such men to be but State-fool & Court-gooks, what ever they or other Heads of wit, like to them think of themselves, since their damnable silence, is the ruine of Christs Kingdom. Oh but it be true honour, & glory, to be the fast friends of the bridegroom, & to own Christ's bleeding head, & his forsaken cause, & to contend legally, & in the wisdom of God for our sweet Lord Jesus, & his Kingly crown. But I will beleeve your Lo: will take Christs honour to heart, & be a man in the streets (as the prophet speaketh) for the Lord & his truth To his rich grace & sweet presence, & the ever∣lasting consolation of the promised comforter I recomend your Lo: & am.

Aberd. Sept. 7. 1637.

Your Lo: in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To my Lady Boyd. (40.)

My Very Honourable & Christian Lady.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter & am well pleased that your thoughts of Christ stay with you, & 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 watchfulness & thankfulness also, to observe sleepiness &

unthankfulness: we have all good cause to complain of false light that playeth the thief, & 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 onely broken & halfed and tired work of us, & alas too often against the hair. I have been some what neerer the bride∣groom, but when I draw nigh, & see my vileness, for shame I would be out of his presence again, but yet desire of his soul∣refreshing love, puteth blushing-me under an arrest. O what am I, so loathsom a burden of sin, to stand beside such a beauti∣full & holy Lord, such an high & lofty one who inhabiteth eter∣nity: but since it pleaseth Christ to condescend to such an one as me, let shamefa••••eness be laid aside, & lose it self in his con∣descending love. I would heartily be content to keep a cor∣ner of the Kings hall: Oh if I were at the yonder end of my weak desires, then should I be where Christ my Lord, & lover, lives & reigns, there I should be overlastingly solaced with the sight of his face, & satisfied with the surpassing sweet∣ness of his matchless love: But truly now I stand in the ne∣ther side of my desires, & with a drowping head, & panting heart, I look up to fair Jesus standing a far off from us, while corrup∣tion & death shall scour & refine the body of clay, & 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 & sending a poor souls groans & wishes thorow a hole of the door to Jesus, till God send a glad meeting: And blessed be God that after a low-ebbe, & so sad a word Lord Iesus it is long since I saw thee, That even then, our wings are growing & the absence of sweet Jesus breedeth a new fleece of desires & longings for him: I know no man hath a vel∣vet 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 Christs cross, lest therewith also I should sell joy, comfort, sense of love, patience & the kind visits of a bridegroom: And therefore bles∣sed be God, we get crosses unbought & good cheap. S•••••• I

am, it were better to buy crosses for Christ, then to sell them; howbeit neither be allowed to us: And for Christ's joyfull com∣ing, & going which your La: 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 & sorrow halfers of the life of the saints, and that each of them should have a share of our dayes, as the night and the day are kindly partners and half∣ers of Time, and take it up betwixt them: But if sorrow be the greediest halfer of our dayes here, I know joy's day shall dawn, & doe more then recompense all our sad hours: Let my Lord Jesus (since he will doe so) weave my bit and span-length of time, with white & black, well and woe, with the bridgroom's coming and his sad departure, as warp & woof in one web, & 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 ever∣more, & down hell & down death, & down sin, & down sorrow, & up glory, up life, up joy for evermore: In this hope I sleep quietly in Christ's bosome, while he come who is not slack; & would sleep so, were it not, that the noise of the devil, & Sin's feet, & the cryes of an unbeleev∣ing heart awaken me; but for the present I have nothing whereof I can accuse Christ's cross. Oh if I could please my self in Christ onely! 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 & Authority; though our enemies falsly state the question, as if Christ and Authority could not abide under one roof; the ques∣tion onely is betwixt Christ and men in Authority: Autho∣rity is for & from Christ, & sib to him; how then can he make a plea with it? Nay the truth is, wormes & Gods of clay, are risen up against Christ. If the fruit of your La: Womb be helpers of Christ, ye have good ground to rejoyce in God. All your La: can expect for your goodwill to me & my Brother (a wronged stranger for Christ) is, the

prayers of a prisoner of Iesus, to whom I recommend your La: & house & children, & in whom I am.

Aberd. Sept. 8. 1637.

MADAM.

Your 〈◊〉〈◊〉: in Christ. S. R.

To the Lady Culross. (41)

MADAM.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I 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 carri∣eth it away; sorrow without any mixture of sweetness, hath not often love-thoughts of Christ, but I see the devil can insi∣nuat himself & ride his errands upon the thoughts of a poor op∣pressed prisoner. I am woe that I am making Christ my un∣friend by seeking pleas against him, because I am the first in the Kingdom put to utter silence, & because I cannot preach my Lord's righteousness in the great congregation: I am not∣withstanding the less solicitous how it goe, if there be not wrath in my cup. But I know, I but claw my wounds when my physician hath forbidden me: I would beleeve in the dark upon luck's head, & take my hazard of Christ's goodwill & rest on this, that in my fever my Physician is at my bed-side, & that he sympathizeth with me when I sigh. My borrowed house, & another man's bed & fire-side & other losses have to room in my sorrow, a greater heat to eat out a less fire, is a good remedie for some burning. I beleeve when Christ draweth blood he hath skill to cut the right veine & that he hath taken the whole ordering and disposing of my sufferings. Let him tutour me, & tutour 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 fore∣most, & fill the fieldwith a quiet on-waiting, & beleeving to see the salvation of God. I know Christ is not obliged to let me see both

the sides of my cross, & turn it over & over, that I may see all, My faith is richer to live upon credit, & Christ's borrowed mo∣ney, then to have much in my hand. Alas I have forgotten that faith in times past hath stopped a lek in my crazed barke, & hath filled my sailes with a fair wind: I see it a work of God that expe∣riences are all lost, when summonds of improbation, to prove our Charters of Christ to be counterfit, are raised against poor souls in their heavie trials: but let me be a sinner, & worse then the chief of sinners, yea a guilty devil, I am sure my welbeloved is God, & when I say Christ is God, & my Christ is God, 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 & greatness, is the rock that dim-sight∣ed travellers dash their foot against, & so stumble fearfully. But my wounds are sorest, & pain me most, to sin against his love, & his mercy, & if he would set me & my conscience by the ears together & resolve not to rid the plea, but let us deal it be∣twixt us; my spitting upon the fair face of Christ's love, & mer∣cies, by my Jealousies, unbelief, and doubting would be enough to sink me. Oh, 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 dreadfull doom upon me for it; for I still misbeleeve, though I have seen that my Lord hath made my cross, as if it were all Crystal, so as I can see thorow it Christs fair face and heaven, and that God hath honoured a lump of sinfull flesh and blood the like of me, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be Christ's honourable Lord-prisoner, I ought to esteem the walls of the theeves-hole (if I were shut up in it) or any stinking dungeon, all hung with tapestrie, & most beautifull for my Lord Jesus, & yet I am not so shut up, but that the sun shineth upon my prison, & the fair wide heaven is the covering of it. But my Lord in his sweet visits hath done more, for he make me finde that he will be a confined prisoner with me: he lieth down, & riseth up with me, when I sigh, he sigheth: When I weep, he suffereth with me; & I confesse

here is the blessed issue of my sufferings already begun, that my heart is filled with hunger & desire, to have him glorified in my sufferings. Blessed ye of the Lord, Madam, if ye would help a poor Dyvour, & cause others of your acquain∣tance in Christ help me, to pay my debt of love, even reall 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 tyed about my neck with a chain of such singular ex∣pressions of his loving kindness] to set on high Christ, to hold in my honesty at his hands, for I have nothing to give him. O that he would arrest & comprise my love & 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 & all my movables besides: Lord give the thirsty man a drink. Oh to be o∣ver the ears in the well! Oh to be swattering, & swimming over head & ears in Christ's love! I would not have Christ's love entering in me, but I would enter into it, & be swallowed up of that love. But I see not my self here, for I fear I make more of his love then of himself; whereas himself is far beyond & much better then his love. Oh if I had my sinfull armes filled with that lovely one Christ! Blessed be my rich Lord Jesus who sendeth not away beggers from his house with a toom dish. He filleth the vessels of such as will come & seek: We might beg our selves rich, [if we were wise,] if we could but hold out our withered hands to Christ, & learn to suit, & seek, aske, & knock. I ow my salvation for Christ's glory, low it to Christ, & desire that my hell, yea a new hell, se∣ven times hotter then the old hell, might buy praises before men and Angels to my Lord Jesus; providing alwayes I were free of Christ's hatred & displeasure. What am I to be forfeit∣ed & sold in soul & body, to have my great & royall King set on high, and extolled above all? O if I knew how high to have him set, & 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, & out of one worse then I [if any such be] if it please his holy Majesty so to doe; he knoweth that I am not

now flattering him. Madam let me have your prayers, as ye have the prayers & blessing of him that is separated from his Brethren. Grace, Grace be with you.

Aberd. June 15. 1637.

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

To the Earle of Cassills. (42)

My very Noble & honourable Lord.

I make bold (out of the honourable & Christian report I hear of your Lo: having no other thing to say, but that which concerneth the honourable cause, which the Lord hath enabled your Lo: to professe) to write this, that it is your Lo: crown, your glory, & your honour to set your shoulder under the Lords glory, now falling to the ground; & to back Christ now, when so many think it wisdom to let him send for himself: the shields of the earth ever did, & doe still beleeve, that Christ is a cum∣bersom neighbour, & that it is a pain to hold up his yea's, & nay's: They fear he take their chariots, & their crownes, & their honour, from them; but my Lord standeth in need of none of them all: But it is your glory to own Christ & his bu∣ried truth, for let men say what they please, the plea with Sion's enemies in this day of Jacob's trouble, is, If Christ should be King, & no mouth steak lawes but his? It concerneth the apple of Christ's eye, & his royall priviledges, what now is de∣bated: & Christ's Kingly honour is come to yea, & nay: But let me be pardoned my, my dear & Noble Lord, to beseech you by the mercies of God, by the comforts of the Spirit, by the wounds of your dear Saviour, by your compearance before the Judge of quick & dead; to stand for Christ, and to back him. Oh if the Nobles had done their part, & 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, & sing dumb. there is a time coming when Christ will have a thick court & he will be the glory of Scotland, & he shall make a diadem, a garland, a seal upon his heart &

a ring on his finger, of these, who have avouched him before this faithlesse generation: Howbeit ere that come, wrath from the Lord is ordained for this land. My Lord, I have cause to write this to your Lo: for I dare not conceal his kindness to the soul of an afflicted, exiled prisoner: Who hath more cause to boast in the Lord then such a sinner as I? Who am feasted with the consolations of Christ, & have no pain in my sufferings, but the pain of soul-sickness of love for Christ, & sorrow that I cannot get help to sound aloud the high praises of him who hath heard the fighing of the prisoner, & is con∣tent to lay the head of his oppressed servant in his bosome, under his chinne, & let him feel the smell of his garments. This I behooved to write that your Lo: might know, Christ is as good as he is called, & to testifie to your Lo: the cause your Lo: now professeth before this faithless world is Christ's: & your Lo: shall have no shame of it. Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Your Lo: obliged Servant S. R.

To the much honoured JOHN OSBURN, Provest of Ayr. (43).

Much honoured Sir,

GRrace mercy, & peace be to you; Upon our small ac∣quaintance & 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 lie hath put you in, hath intrusted you with a dear pledge which is his own glory; & hath armed you with his sword to keep the pledge & make a good account of it to God. Be not affraid of me. Your master can mowe down his enemies & make with red hay of fair flowers. your time will not be long; af∣ter your after〈…〉〈…〉 will come your evening, & after evening night: serve Christ, back him, lethis cause be your cause; give not an hair breadth of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away, for it is not yours but God's: then, since

ye are going take Christ's t••••ti••cat with you out of this life, Well done good & faithfull servant. His well done is worth a shipfull of Good-dayes & earthly honours. I have cause to say this, because I finde him truth it self: In my sad dayes, Christ laugheth cheerfully & saith, All will be well. Would to God, all this Kingdom, & ye, & all that know God, knew, what is betwixt me & Christ in this prison, what kisses, embracements, & love-communings: I take his cross in my armes with joy, I blesse it, I rejoyce 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, & the prayers & blessing of a prisoner of Christ meet you in all your straits. Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 14. 1637.

Yours in Christ Iesus his Lord. S. R.

To ROBERT GORDON Bailiffe of Ayr. (44)

Worthy Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear from you in paper. Remember your Chief's speeches on his death∣bed: I pray your Sir sell all & buy the pearle; time will cut you from this world's glory: Look what will doe you good, when your glasse shall be run out, & let Christ's love bear most court in your soul, & 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 then I have? for he hath made me sick of love & le••t me in pain to wrestle with his love, & love is like to fall a swoon through his absence: I mean not that he deserteth me, or that I am ebbe of comforts, but this is an uncouth pain. Oh that I had a heart & a love to render to him back again! O if principalities & powers, thrones & dominions & 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.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JOHN KENNEDY, Bailiffe of Ayr. (45)

GRace, mercy and peace be unto you: Your nor writing to me, cannot binde me up from remembring you now & then, that at least ye may be a witness & a third man, to be∣hold in paper what is betwixt Christ & me. I was in his eyes like a young Orphan, wanting known parents, casten out in the open fields; either Christ behooved to take me up, & to bring me home to his house and fire-side, else I had dyed in the fields: & now, I am homly with Christ's love, so that I think the house mine own, & the master of the house mine al∣so. Christ enquired not when he began to love me, whether I was fair, or black, & sun-burnt? love taketh what it may have. He loved me before this time I know, but now I have the flower of his love, his love is come to a fair bloom, like a young rose opened up out of the green leaves, & it casteth a strong & fragrant smell. I want nothing but wayes of expres∣sing Christ's love: A full vessel would have a vent. O if I could smoke out & cast out coales to make a fire in many brests of this land! Oh it is a pity that there were not many imprison∣ed for Christ, for no other purpose, but to write books & love-songs of the love of Christ. This love would keep all created tongues of men & Angels in exercise, & busie, night & day to speak of it. Alas I can speak nothing of it, but wonder at three things in his love. First, Freedome. O that lumps of sin should get such love for nothing. Se∣condly. The Sweetness of his love, I give over either to speak or write of it, but these that feel it may better bear witness

What it is: but it is so sweet that next to Christ himself nothing can match it: nay I think a soul could live eternally blessed one∣ly on Christ's love, & feed upon no other thing: yea when Christ in love giveth a blow, it doeth a soul good, & it is a kinde of comfort & joy to it, to get a cuff with the lovely, sweet, & soft hand of Jesus. And Thirdly, what power & strength is in his love? I am perswaded it can climb a••st••ep hill, & hell upon it's back, & swim through the water & not dro••n, & sing in the fire & finde no pain, & triumph in losles, prisons, sorrows, exile, disgrace, & laugh & rejoyce in death. Oh for a yeer's lease of the sense of his love without a cloud, to try what Christ is! Oh for the coming of the bridegroom! Oh when will I see the bridegroom & the bride meet in the clouds & kisse each other! Oh when will we get our day & our hearts full of that love! Oh is it were lawfull to complain of the f••mine, & want of that love of the immediat vision of God! O time, time, how doest thou torment the souls of these that would be swal∣lowed up of Christ's love, because thou movest so slowly! Oh if he would pity a poor prisoner, & blow love upon me, & give a prisoner a taste, or draught of that surpassing sweetness (which is glory as it were begun) to be a confirmation, that Christ & I shall have our fill of other for ever! Come hither O love of Christ, that I may once kisse thee before I die, what would I not give to have time that lieth betwixt Christ & me taken out of the way that we might once meet? I cannot think but ••t the first sight I shall see of that most lovely & fairest face, love shall come out of his two eyes & fill me with astonishment, I would but de∣sire to stand at the utter side of the gates of the new Jerusalem, & look thorow a hole of the door & see Christ's face: a bor∣rowed vision in this life would be my borrowed & begun heaven, while the long, long-looked for day dawn. It is not for nothing that it is said Colos. 1. 27. Christ in you the hope of glory. I will be content of no pawne of heaven but Christ him∣self; for Christ possessed by faith here is young heaven & glo∣ry in the bud: If I had that pawne I would bide horning & hell both ere I gave it again. All we have here, is scarce the picture of glory: Should not we young bairns long & look

for the expiring of our minority. It were good to be daily begging propines & love-gifts, & the bridegroom's favours, & if we can doe no more seek Crumbs & hungry dinners of Christ's love, to keep the taste of heaven in our mouth while supper time. I know it is far afternoon and nigh the marriage∣supper of the Lamb, the table is covered already. O welbe∣loved run, run fast! O fair day when wil't thou dawn! O shaddows flee away! I think hope & love woven thorow other, make our absence from Christ spirituall torment: It is a pain to wait on, but hope that maketh not a hamed swallow∣eth up that pain. It is not unkindness that keepeth Christ & us so long asunder. What can I say to Christ's love? I think more then I can say: To consider that when my Lord Jesus may take the air [if I may so speak) & goe abroad; yet he will be confined & keep the prison with me: but in all this sweet communion with him what am I 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 in his love 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 con∣found and scar me, once to hold up my black mouth, to receive one of Christ's undeserved kisses. If my inner-side were turn∣ed out, & all men saw my vileness, they would say to me, It is a shame for thee to stand still, while Christ kiss thee & em∣brace thee: It would seem to become me rather to run away from hi love, as ashamed at my own unworthiness. Nay I may think shame to take heaven, who have so higly provoked my Lord Jesus: But seeing Christ's love will shame me, I am content to be shamed. My desire is that my Lord would give me broader & deeper thoughts, to feed my self with won∣dering at his love: I would I could weigh it, but I have no ballance 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 a∣lone, for my withered armes will not goe about his high, wide, long and broad love: What remaineth then, but that my debt to the love of Christ lie unpaid for all eternity. All that

are in heaven are black sham'd with his love as well as I, we must all be Dyvours together, & the blessing of that house-full, or heaven-full of Dyvours, shall rest for ever upon him. Off this Land & Nation would come & stand beside his inconceivable & glorious perfections, & look in, & love, & wonder, & 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. Woe, woe will be to this Land, because of the day of the Lord's fierce anger that is so fast coming. Grace be with you.

Aberd.

Your affectionat Brother in our Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JOHN KENNEDY Bailiffe of Ayr. (46)

Worthy & Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to see you in this Northerne world in paper; I know it is not forgetfulness that ye write not: I am every way in good case both in soul & body, all honour & 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 mea∣sure of so many ounce weights, & no more upon holiness, & there we are at a stay, drawing our breath all our life: a mode∣ration in God's way, now, is much in request. I profess I have never taken pains to finde out him whom my soul loveth, there is a gate yet of finding out Christ, that I have never lighted upon. Oh if I could finde it out! Alas how soon are we pleased with our own shaddow in a glass! It were good to be begin∣ning in sad earnest to finde out God, & to seek the right tread of Christ: time, custome, & a good opinion of our selves, our good meaning, & our lazie desires, our fair showes, & the world's glistering lustres, & these broad passements & bus∣kings

of religion, that bear bulk in the Kirk, is that wherewith most satisfie themselves: but a watered bed with tears a dry throat with praying, eyes 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, & an other is, that I like a fool once summoned Christ for unkindness, & com∣plained of his sickelness & unconstaney, because he would have no more of my service nor preaching, & had casten me out of the inheritance of the Lord: And I confess now, this was but a bought plea, & I was a fool, yet he hath born with me: I gave him a fair advantage against me, but love & mercy would not let him take it: & the truth is, now he hath childed himself friends with me, & hath taken away the mask, & hath renewed his wounted favour in such a manner, that he hath paid me my hundred-fold in this life; & one to the hundred. This prison is my banqueting house, I am handled as softly & delicatly as a dâted childe: I am nothing behinde (I see) with Christ, he can in a moneth make up a yeers losses: & I write this to you, that I may entreat, nay, adjure & charge you, by the love of our welbeloved to help me to praise, & to tell all your Christian ac∣quaintance to help me, for I am as deeply drowned in his debt, as any Dyvour can be: & yet in this fair sun-blenke I have some∣thing to keep me from startling, or being exalted above mea∣sure. His word is a fire shut up in my bowels, & 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 me a man of contention, one that striveth with the whole earth. The late wrongs & oppressi∣ons done to my brother keep my sails low: yet I defie crosses to embarke me in such a plea against Christ, as I was troubl∣ed with of late: I hope to overhope & overbeleeve my troubles: I have cause now to trust Christ's promise, more then his gloom. Remember my hearty affection to your wife, My soul is grieved for the success of our brethrens journey to New-England, but God hath somewhat to reveal that we see not. Grace be with you. Pray for the prisoner.

Aberd. Jan. 1. 1637.

Yours in his onely L. Iesus. S. R.

To MARGARET BALANTINE. (47)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: It is more then time that I should have written to you, but it is yet good time, if I could help your soul to mend your pace, & to goe more swiftly to your heavenly countrey; 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: woe, woe for evermore to them that lose that prize, for what is behinde when the soul is once lost; but that sinners warme their bits of clay-houses at a fire of their own kindling for a day or two, which doeth rather suffocat with it's smoke then warme them, & at length they lie down in sorrow & are clothed with everlasting shame. I would seek no further measure of faith to begin withall, then to beleeve really, & stedfastly the doctrine of God's Justice, his all-de∣vouring wrath & everlasting burning, where sinners are burnt soul & body in a river & great lake of fire & brimstone: Then they would wish no more goods but the thousand part of a cold fountain well to coole their tongue, they would then buy death with enduring of pain & torment for as many yeers, as God hath created drops of rain since the creation: but there is no market in buying or selling life or death there. Oh alas the greatest part of this world run to the place of that torment rejoycing & dancing, eating, drinking & sleeping! my counsel to you is, that ye start in time to be after Christ; for if ye goe quickly, Christ is not far before you: Ye shall overtake him. O Lord God, what is so needfull as this, salvation, salvation: Fie upon this con∣demned & foolish world that will 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 blinde world [to their eternall woe] letteth slip through their fingers: Therefore look if ye can give

out your money [as Isa: speaketh 55: 2.] for bread, & lay Christ & his blood in wodset for heaven: It is a dry & hungry bairn's-part of goods, that Esau's 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, & when all is done they have caught nothing to rost for supper, but lie down hungry; & besides they goe to their bed [when they die] with∣out a candle, for God saith to them, Isa: 50: 21. This shall ye have at my ha••d, ye shall lie down in sorrow: And truly this is as ill made a bed to lie upon, as one could wish; for he can∣not sleep soundly nor rest sweetly who hath sorrow for his pillow. Rouze, rouze up therefore your soul, & spier how Christ and your soul met together: I 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, & when they awoke in the morning they found it was but a dream? what are all the sinners in the world in that day when heaven & earth shall goe up in a flame of fire, but a number of beguiled dreamers? every one shall say of his hunt∣ing & his conquest. Behold it was a dream, every man in that day will tell his dream. I beseeeh 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∣veen all your lovers before your soul, & give them their leave, & strike hands with Christ, that there after there may be no happi∣ness 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. I know this much of Christ. He is not ill to befound, not Lordly of his love; woe 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; & now I protest before men & Angels Christ cannot be exchanged. Christ cannot be sold, Christ cannot be weighed: Where would Angels or all the world finde a ballance to weigh him in? All lovers blush when ye stand beside Christ, woe upon

all love but the love of Christ. Hunger, hunger for evermore be upon all heavens but Christ. Shame, shame for evermore be upon all glory but Christ's glory. I cry death, death upon all lifes but the life of Christ. O what is it that holdeth us asun∣der! O that once we could have a fair meeting. Thus recom∣mending Christ to you, and you to him for evermore: I rest. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JONET KENNEDY. (48)

Loving & Dear Sister.

GRace, mercy and peace be unto you: I received your letter: I know the savour of Christ in you (that the vir∣gins love to follow) cannot be blowen away with winds either from hell, or the evil smelled air of this polluted world: Sir for aback from the walls of this pest-house, even the pollutions of this defiling world. Keep your taste, your love and hope in heaven, it's not good your love & your Lord should be in two sundry countreys. Up, up after your lover, that ye & he may be together. A King from heaven hath sent for you, by faith he sheweth you the new Jerusalem, & taketh you alongst in the Spirit thorow all the ease-rooms, & dwelling∣houses in heaven, & saith, All these are thine, this palace is for thee & Christ, & if ye onely had been the chosen of God, Christ would have built that one house for you and himself: Now, it is for you & many 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 & new countrey whether ye goe: As for other things, that are but the world's vanity & trash, since they are but the house-sweepings, ye shall doe

best not to carry them with you, ye found them here, leave them here, and let them keep the house. Your Sun is well turned, & low: be nigh your lodging against night. We goe, one & one, out of this great market, till the town be empty, & the two lodgings Heaven & Hell be filled: At length there will be nothing in the earth but room walls & burnt ashes, & therefore it is best to make away. Antichrist & his Master are busie to plenish Hell, & to seduce many; & Stars, great church-lights, are falling from heaven, & many are missed & seduced & make up with their faith, & sell their birth-right, 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 heavie as ten mountains of iron, when he putteth his sweet shoulder under me & it, my cross is but a feather. I please my self in the choice of Christ, he is my waile in heaven & earth, I rejoyce that he is in heaven before me, God send a joyfull meeting; & in the mean time the traveller's charges for the way, I mean a burden of Christ's love to sweeten the journey, & to encou∣rage a breathless runner, for when I lose breath climbing up the mountain, he maketh new breath. Now, the very God of peace establish you to the day of his appearance.

Aberd. Sept. 9▪ 1637.

Your•• in his onely Lord Iesus, S. R.

To MARGARET REID. (49)

My very Dear & worthy Si••••er,

GRace, mercy, & peace be to you: Ye are truly blessed of the Lord, however a lowre world gloom upon you, if ye continue in the faith, grounded & settled & be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, it is good, there is a heaven,

& 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 mens making: You have learned of Christ that there is a hea∣ven; contend for it, & contend for Christ; bear well & sub∣missivily the hard cross of this step-mother world, that God will not have to be yours. I confess, it is hard, & I would I were able to ease you of your burthen; But beleeve me, this world, [which the Lord will not have to be yours] is but the dross, the refuse & scum 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, whereupon they rather break their teeth then satisfie their appe∣tite: It is your father's blessing, & Christ's birth-right, that our Lord is keeping for you; & I perswade you, your seed also shall inherit the earth (if that be good for them) for that i•• promised to them, & God's bond is as good and better then if men would give every one of them a bond for thousand thousands. Ere ye was born, cross••s in number, measure & weight were written for you, & your Lord will lead you thorow them: make Christ sure, & the blessings of the earth shall be at Christ's back. I see many professors for the fashion follow on, but they are professors of glass; I would cause a little knock of persecution ding them in twenty pieces, & so the world should laugh at the sheards: Therefore make fast work, see that Christ lay the ground-stone of your profession, for wind & rain & speats will not wash a∣way his building: his works have no shorter date then to stand for evermore. I should twe••ty times have perished in my affliction if I had not leaned my weak back & laid my pressing burthen both upon the stone, the foundation-stone, the corn∣er-stone laid in Zion: & I desire never to rise off this stone. Now the very God of peace confirm & establish you unto the day of the blessed appearance of Christ Jesus. God be with you.

Aberd.

Yours in his dearest Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JAMES BAUTIE. (50)

Loving Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: I received your letter & renders 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 doe well to take your self at the right stot when ye wrong Christ by doubting & misbeleef, for this is to nick-name Christ & terme him a liar, which being spoken to our Prince would be hanging or heading, but Christ hangeth not alwayes for treason: It is good that he may registrat a be∣leevers bond a hundred times, & more then seventy times a day have law against us, & yet he spareth us as a man doeth his son that serveth him: No tender hearted mother who may have law to kill her sucking childe, would put in execution that law. 2. For your failings even ye have a set tryst with Christ & when ye have a fair seen advantage by keeping your appointment with him, & Salvation cometh to the very passing of the seals: I would say two things. 1. Concluded & sealed Salvation may goe through & be ended, suppose ye 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 odde trick or slip in less or more, upon the fools part, who is infested in heaven: In the most grave & serions work of our Salvation, I think Christ had ever good cause to laugh at our filliness, & to put on us his merits, that we might bear weight. 2. It is a sweet law of the new Covenant, & a priviledge of the new burgh, that the citizens pay according to their means, for the new covenant saith not so much obedience by ounce weights, & 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 summes & little feckless obedience will be pardoned, & hold the foot with him: know ye not that our kindly Lord retaineth his good old heart yet? He breaketh not a bruised reed nor quencheth the smoak∣ing flax: but if the wind blow, he holdeth his hands about, it till it

rise to a flame. The Law cometh on with three Oyes's, with all the heart: with all the soul, & with all the whole strength: & where would poor folke like you & me furnish all these summes? it feareth me, (may 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 new Covenant seeketh not heap mete nor stented obe∣dience as the condition of it, because forgiveness hath alwayes place. Hence I draw this conclusion: To think matters betwixt Chirst & us goe back for want of heaped measure, is a piece of old Adam's pride, who would either be at legal pay∣ment or nothing: We would still have God in our common & buy his kindness with our merits; for beggerly pride is Devil's∣honest, & blusheth to be in Christ's common, & scarce giveth God a grammercy & a lifted cap [except it be the Pharisee's un∣lucky God I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thee] or a bowed knee to Christ: it will onely give a good-day for a good-day again; & if he dissemble his kindness as it were in jest & seem to misken it, it in earnest spurneth with the heels & snuffeth in the wind, & careth not much for Christ's kindness: If he will not be friends let him goe, saith pride: beware of this thief, when Christ offereth him∣self. 3. No marvell then of whisperings, whether you be in the Covenant or not? For Pride it maketh loose work of the Covenant of grace, & will not let Christ be full bargain∣maker. To speak to you particularly & shortly. 1. All the truly regenerated cannot determinatly tell you the measure of their dejections, because Christ beginneth young with many & stealeth into their heart ere they wit of themselves & becometh homely with them with little din, or noise. I grant, many are blinded in rejoycing in a good-cheap conversion, that ne∣ver cost them a sick night; Christ's physick wrought in a dream upon them: But for that, I would say; if other markes be found that Christ is indeed come in, never make a plea with him because he will not answer, Lord Iesus how camest thou in? whether in at door or window? 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 bea

moneth in the east, six weeks possibly in the west: & the space onely of an afternoon in the south or north: Ye will not finde ••••t all the nicks & steps of Christ's way with a foul doe what ye can; for sometimes he will come in stepping softly, like one walking beside a sleeping person & slip to the door, & let none know he was there. 2. Ye object, the truly regenerat should love God for himself: & ye fear that ye love him more for his benefits (as incitements & motives to love him) then for himself. I Answer, to love God for himself as the last end, & also for his benefits as incitements & motives to love him, may stand well together, as a son loveth his mother because she is his mother, howbeit she be poor, & he loveth her for an apple also: I hope ye will not say that benefits are the onely reason & bottom of your love; it seemeth there is a better foundation for it: Alwayes if a hole be in it, sow it up shortly. 3. Ye feel not such mourning in Christ's absence as ye would. I An∣swer, that the regenerat mourn at all times, & all in alike mea∣sure for his absence, I deny: There are different degrees of mourning less or more, as they have less or more love to him & less or more sense of his absence: But, 1. Some they must have. 2. Sometimes they miss not the Lord, & then they cannot mourn, howbeit it is not long so: At least it is not alwayes so. 3. Ye challenge your self that some truthes finde more credit whith you then others: Ye doe well, for God is true in the least as well as in the greatest, & he must be so to you: Ye must not call him true in the one page of the leaf, & false in the other, for our Lord in all his writtings never contra∣dicted himself yet, although the best of the regenerat have slipped here, alwayes labour ye to hold your feet. 4. Com∣paring the estate of one truly regenerat [whose heart is a tem∣ple to the Holy Ghost] & yours [which is full of uncleanness & corruption] ye stand dumb & discouraged & dare not some∣times call Christ heartsomely your own. I Answer, the best regenerat have their defilements & [if I may speak so] their draff-poke that will ••log behinde them all their dayes, & was la as they will, there will be filth in their bosom: But let not this put you from the well. 2. I Answer, albeit there be some

ounce weights of carnality & some squint look, or eye in our neck to an idol, yet love in it's own measure may be sound; for glory must purifie & perfect our love, it will never till then be absolutly pure: yet if the idol reign & have the yolk of the heart & the keyes of the house, & Christ onely be made an underling to run erra••ds, all is not right; therefore examine well. 3. There is a two fold discouragement: one of unbeleef to conclude & make doubting the conclusion for a mote in your eye, & a by-look to an idol, this is ill. There is another discou∣ragement of sorrow for sin, when ye finde a by-look to an idol: this is good & a matter of thanksgiving, therefore exa∣mine here also. 5. The assurance of Jesus's love ye say would be the most comfortable newes that ever ye heard: Ans. That may stop twenty holes, & loose many objections: That love hath tellng in it I trow. Oh that ye knew & felt it as I have done! I wish ye a share of my feast; sweet, sweet hath it been to me: If my Lord had not given me his love, I would have fallen thorow the causey of Aberdeen ere now: But for you, hing on, your feast is not far off, ye shall be fil∣led ere ye goe, there is as much in our Lord's pantry as will satisfie all his bairns, & as much wine in his cellar as will quench all their thirst: hunger on, for there is meat in hunger for Christ: Goe never from him, but fash him [who yet is pleas∣ed with the importunity of hungry souls] with a dish-full of hungry desires till he fill it; & if he delay, yet come not ye away, albeit ye should fall a swoon at his feet. 7. Ye crave my minde, whether found comfort may be found in prayer, when conviction of a known idol is present. I answer, an idol as an idol can not stand with found comfort; for that comfort that is gotten at Dagon's sect is a cheat or blea-flumme: yet sound comfort & conviction of an eye to an idol, may as well dwell together, as tears & joy: But let this doe you no ill, I speak it for your encouragement, that ye may make the best out of your joyes ye can, albeit ye finde them mix∣ed with motes. 2. Sole conviction, if alone without re∣morse and grief, is not enough, therefore lend it a tear if ye dow win at it. 7. Ye question, when ye win to

more fervency sometimes with your neighbour in prayer then your alone, whether hypocrisie be in it, or not? I answer, if this be alwayes, no question a spice of hypocrisie in in it, which would be taken head to; out possibly desertion may be in pri∣vat, & presence in publike, & then the case is clear. 2. A fit of applause may occasion by accident a rubbing of a cold heart & so heat & 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 meer occasion & accident; as the playing on a pipe removed anger from the prophet & made him fitter to prophesie: 2. King. 3: v. 15. 8. Ye complain of Christ's short visits, that he will not bear you company one night, but when ye lie down warm at night, ye rise cold at morning. Ans. I cannot blame you [nor any other who knoweth that sweet guest] to bemoan his withdrawings, & to be most desirous of his abode & company; for he would captivat & engage the affection of any creature that saw his face: since he looked on me & gave me a sight of his fair love, he gained my heart wholly, & 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 shall doe: treat him well, give him the chair & the board-head, & make him welcome to the mean portion ye have; a good supper & kind entertain∣ment maketh the guest love the innes the better: Yet some∣times Christ hath an errand elsewhere, for meer trial, & then though ye give him king's-chear he will away; as is clear in de∣sertions for meer trial, & not for sin. 9. Ye seek the diffe∣rence betwixt the motions of the Spirit in their least measure, & the natural joyes of your own heart. Ans. as a man can tell if he joy & delight in his wife, as his wife, or if he delight & joy in her for satisfaction of his lust, but hating her person, & so loving her for her her flesh & not grieving when ill befalleth her: so will a man's joy in God, and his who ••ish naturall joy be discover∣ed, if he sorrow for any thing that may offend that Lord, it will speak the singleness of his love to him. 10. Ye aske the reason why sense overcometh faith Ans. because sense is more naturall, & neer of kin to our own selfish & soft nature. Ye

aske, if faith in that ease be found? Ans: If it be chased away, it is neither sound nor unsound, because it is not faith; but it might be & was faith before sense did blow out the act of be∣leeving. Lastly, ye aske what to doe when promises are born in upon you, & sense of impenitency for sins of youth, hindereth application. I answer; if it be living sense, it may stand with application, & in this case, put to your hand & eat your meat in God's name: if false, so that the sins of youth are not repent∣ed of, then as faith & impenitency cannot stand together, so neither that sense & application can consist. Brother, excuse my brevity, for time straitneth me, that I get not my minde said in these things, but must refer that to a new occasion, if God offer it. Brother, Pray for me. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his dearest Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JOHN STUART. Provest of Ayr, now in Ireland. (51)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: I long to hear from you, being now removed from my flock & the prisoner of Christ at Aberd: 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 heavie, yet I know it is no dumb providence but a speaking one, whereby our Lord speaketh his minde to you, though for the present ye doe not well under∣stand what he saith, however it be, he who sitteth upon the floods hath showen you his marvellous kindness in the great depths: I know your loss is great & your hope is gone far against you; But I entreat you, Sir, expound aright our Lord's laying an hinderance is the way: I perswade my self your heart aim∣eth at the footsteps of the flock, to feed beside the shepherds tents,

& to dwell beside him whom your soul loveth, & that it is your desire to remain in the wilderness where the woman is kept from the Dragon, & this being your desire, remember that a poor prisoner of Christ said it to you, that, That miscarried journey is with childe to you of mercy & consolation: and shall bring forth a fair birth, and the Lord shall be midwife to the birth: wait on, he that beleeveth maketh not haste, Isa: 28. 16. I hope ye have been asking what the Lord meaneth & 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, & shall make glory out of your sufferings, & would ye wish better work: this water was in your way to heaven & written in your Lord's book, ye behooved to cross it: & therefore kisse his wise & unerring providence: Let not the censures of men, who see but the out side of things [& scarce well that] abate your courage & rejoycing in the Lord, howb••it your faith seeth but the black side of providence, yet it hath a better side. & God shall let you see it. Learn to beleeve Christ better then his strokes, himself & his promises better then his gloomes: dash∣es & disappointments, are not Canonick scripture; fighting for the promised land, seemed to cry to God's promise, thoulyest. If our Lord rideupon a straw, his horse shall neither stumble nor fall, Rom. 8. 28. For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, Ergo shipwrak, losses &c: work to∣gether for the good of them that love God: Hence I inferre that losses, disappointments, ill tongues, losse of friends, houses or countrey, are God's work men 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, ot unfatherly, because it is unpleasant; when the Lord's blessed will bloweth cross your desires, it is best in humility to strike saile to him, and to be willing to be led any way our Lord pleaseth: it is a point of denial of your self, to be as if ye had not a will, but had made a free disposition of it to God & had sold it over to him; & to make use of his will for your own, is both true holiness & your ease & peace: ye know not what the Lord is working out of

this, but ye shall know it hereafter & what I write to you I write to your •…•…ife, I compassionat her case; but intreat her not to fear or faint, this journey is a part of her wilderness to heaven & the promised land, and there are sewer miles behinde, it is neerer the dawning of the day to her, then when she went out of Scotland: I would be glad to hear that ye & she have comfort & courage in the Lord. Now as concerning our Kirk: Our Service-book is ordained by open proclamation & sound of trumpet to be read in all the Kirks of this Kingdom: Our Prelats are to meet this moneth for It & our Canons, & for a Reconciliation betwixt us & the Lutherians. The Professors of Aberden-Universitie are charged to draw up the Articles of an Uniform Confession: But Reconciliation with Popery is intend∣ed; this is the day of Jacob's Visitation, the wayes 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 & all our ill is coming from the mul∣tiplied transgressions of this land and from the friends & lovers of Babel amongst us, Jer: 31: 35. The violence done to me & my flesh be upon thee Babylon shall the inhabitants of Zion say & my blood upon the inhabitants of Caldea shall Ierusalem say. Now for my self, I was three dayes before the High Comission, & accused of treason preached against our King: A Minister being witness went well nigh to swear it: God hath saved me from their malice. 1. They have deprived me of my Ministery. 2. Silenced me, that I exercise no part of the Ministeriall function within this Kingdom, under the pain of Rebellion. 3. Confined my person within the town of Aberden, where I finde the Ministers working for my confine ment in Caithnesse or Orknay far from them; because some people here (willing to be edified) resort to me. At my first entry I had heavie challenges within me, & a court fenc∣ed [but I hope not in Christ's name] wherein it was asserted that my Lord would have no more of my service & was tired of me: And like a fool I summoned Christ also for unkindness, my soul fainted & I refused comfort & said, what ailed Christ at me, for I desired to be faithfull in his house? thus in my rovings

& mistakings my Lord Jesus bestowed mercy on me, who am less then the least of all saints. I lay upon the dust & bought a plea from Satan against Christ, & he was content to sell it, but at length Christ did show himself friends with me & in mercy pardoned & past my part of it, & onely complained, that a court should be holden in his bounds without his own allowance; now I passe from my compearance, & as if Christ had done the fault he hath made the mends & returned to my soul; so that now his poor pri∣soner feedeth on the feast of love: my adversaries know not what a courtier I am now with my Royall King, for whose crown I now suffer, it i•• but our soft & lazie flesh that hath raised an ill re∣port of the cross of Christ. O sweeet, sweet is his yoke! Christ's chains are of pure gold, sufferings for him are perfumed: I would not give my weeping for the laughing of all the four∣teen Prelats, I would not exchange my sadness with the world's joy. O lovely, lovely Jesus, how sweet must thy kisses be when thy cross smelleth so sweetly! O if all the three King∣doms had part of my love-feasts, & of the comforts of a dated prisoner. Dear Brother I charge you to praise for me & 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: Re∣member my love in Christ to your wife, to Mr Blair & Mr Li∣vingston, & Mr Cuninghame, let me hear from you for I am anx∣ious what to doe: If I saw a call for New-England, I would follow it. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in our Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JOHN STUART Provest of Ayr. [52.]

Much honoured & Dearest in Christ.

GRace, mercy & peace from God our father & 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, & when I awake first in the morn∣ing [which is alwayes with great heaviness & sadness] this question is brought to my minde, Am I serving God or not? Not that I doubt of the truth of this honourable cause wherein I am engaged, [I dare venture in to eternity & 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-sheards of the earth: Oh that I could hold the crown upon my Princely King's head with my sinfull arm, howbeit it should be stroke from me in that service from the shoulder blade] but my closed mouth, my dumb Sabbaths, the memory of my communion with Christ, in many fair, fair dayes in Anwoth [whereas now my master gotteth 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 thorow a cloud that I am wrong, & he in love to my soul hath taken up the controversie betwixt faith & apprehensions, and a decret is past on Christ's side of it, & I subscribe the decret: The Lord is equal in his wayes, but my guiltiness often overmastereth my beleeving, I have not been well known, for except as to open out-breakings I want nothing of what Judas & Cain had; onely he hath been pleased to prevent me in mercy & to cast me into a fever of love for himself, & his absence maketh my fever most painfull, & beside, he hath visited my soul & water∣ed it with his comforts, but yet I have not what I would, the want of reall and felt possession is my onely 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 deal∣ing for that man, ••is best will be, to be gone out of the Kingdom: so I see they tire of me, but beleeve 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 Jealouse of my love, & 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 may be because Christ thinketh me a withered tree not worthy it's room, but God forbid. 2. Woe, woe, woe is coming

upon my harlot-mother this Apostat-kirk, the time is coming when we shall wish for doves wings to flee and hide us, Oh for the desolation of this land. 3. I see my dear master Christ go∣ing his alone [as it were] mourning in sackeloth, his fainting friends fear that King Jesus shall lose the field, but he must carry the day. 4. My guiltiness and the sins of my 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, woe's me that I cannot get my Royall, dreadfull, mighty & glorious Prince of the Kings of the earth set on high. Sir, ye may help me & pity me in this, and bow your knee & blesse his name, & desire others to doe it, that he hath been pleased in my sufferings to make Atheists, Papists, & ene∣mies about me, say, It is like God is with this prisoner. Let hell & the powers of hell [I care not] be let loose against me to doe their worst, so being Christ & my Father, & his Father be magnified in my sufferings. 6. Christ's love hath pained me, for howbeit his presence hath shamed 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 childe & a fool, who maketh an idol & a God of one of Christ's kisses, which is Idolatry: I fear I adore his comforts more then himself, and that I love the apples of life better then the tree of life. Sir write to me. Commend me to your wife, mercy be her portion. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637

Yours in his dearest Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JOHN STUART. Provest of Ayr. [53]

Worthy and dearly beloved in our Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I was refreshed & com∣forted with your letter: what I wrote to you for your comfort, I doe not remember, but I beleeve love will pro∣phesie home-ward 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, & hath numbred all your goings. I know our dearest Lord will pardon & passe by our honest errours & mistakes when we minde his honour; yet I know none of you have seen the other half & the hidden side of your wonderfull return home to us again. I am confident ye shall yet say that God's mercy blew your sailes back to Ireland again. Worthy & dear Sir, I cannot but give you an account of my present state, that ye may goe an errand for me, to my high & royall master, of whom I boast all the day. I am as proud of his love, [nay, I blesse my self & boast more of my present lot] as any poor man can be of an earthly Kings court, or of a Kingdom. First I am very often turning both the sides of my cross, especially my dumb & silent Sabbaths, not because I desire to finde a crook or defect in my Lord's love, but because love is sick with phan∣sies, & fears, whether or not the Lord hath a processe lead∣ing against my guiltiness, that I have not yet well seen: I know not, my desire is to ride fair, & not to spark dirt [if with reverence of him I may be permitted to make use of such a word] in the face of my onely, onely welbeloved; but fear of guiltness, i•• a tale-bearer betwixt me & Christ, & is still whis∣pering ill tales of my Lord, to weaken my faith: I had rather a cloud went over my comforts by these messages, then that my 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 lye of my best friend Christ. Woe, woe be to them all who speak ill of Christ.

Hence these thoughts awake with me in the morning & goe to bed with me. Oh what service can a dumb body doe 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 Sion! Oh if I might but speak to three or four herd-boyes of my worthy master, I would be satisfied to be the meanest and most obscure of all the Pastors in this land, & to live in any place, in any of Christ's basest out-hous••s; but he saith, Sirra, I ••ill not send you, I have no errands for you there away: My desire to serve him is sick of jea∣lousie lest he be unwilling to employ me. Secondly, this is seconded with another, Oh all that I have done in Anwoth, the fair work that my Master began there, is like a bird dying in the shell! & what will I then have to show of all my labour in the day of my compearance before him, when the Master of the vineyard calleth the labourers, & giveth them their hire. Thirdly, but truly when Christ's sweet wind is in the right airth, I repent, & I pray Christ to take law-borrows of my quarrel∣ous, & unbeleeving sadness & sorrow [Lord rebuke them that put ill betwixt a poor servant like me, & his good master] then I say whether the black cross will or not, I must climb, hands & feet up to my Lord. I am now ruing from my heart, that I pleasure the law [my old dead husband] so far as to apprehend wrath in my sweet Lord Jesus, I had far rather take an hire to plead for the grace of God, for I think my self Christ's sworn debter, & the truth is to speak of my Lord what I cannot deny, I am over head & ears drowned in many obligations to his love & mercy, he handleth me sometimes so, that I am ashamed al∣most 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 & how ill to please love is, for either my Lord Jesus hath taught me ill manners, not to be content of a seat except my head lie in his bosom, & except I be fed with the fattest of his house, or else I am grown impatiently dainty & ill to please, as if Christ were obliged under this cross to doe no other thing but bear me in his armes, & as if I had claim by

merit for my suffering for him: But I wish he would give me grace to learn to goe on my own feet, & to learn to want his comforts, & to give thanks & beleeve, when the snn is not in my firmament, & when my welbeloved is from home & gone another errand. O what sweet peace have I, when I finde Christ holdeth & I draw, when I climb up & he shutteth me down, when I grip him & embrace him, & he seemeth to loose the grips & flee away from me: I think there even is a sweet joy of faith & contentedness & peace in his very tempting unkindness, because my faith saith, Christ is not in sad earnest with me, but trying if I can be kinde to his mask & cloud that covereth him, aswell 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 Gods tempting reproaches, when he nicknameth a sinner, a dog, not worthy to eat bread with the bairns, I think it an honour that Christ miscalleth me & 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 betwixt them & Christ, there is much sweet solace of love be∣twixt him & them, when he feedeth among the lilies & cometh in to his garden & maketh a feast of honey combs, & drinketh his wine & his milk, & cryeth, Eat O friends, drink, be ye drunk∣en O welbeloved. One hour of this labour, is worth a ship∣full of world's drunken & muddy joy: nay even the gate of hea∣ven is the sunny side the of brae & the very garden of the world; for the men of this world have their own unchristned & pro∣fane crosses & woe be to them & their cursed crosses both; for their ills are salted with Gods vengeance, & our ills seasoned with our fathers blessing: So they are no fools who choose Christ & sell all things for him; it is no bairns market nor a blinde block, we know well what we get & what we give. Now for any resolution to goe to any other Kingdō, I dare not speak one word: my hopes of enlargement are cold, my hopes of re-entry to my Master's ill dressed, vine-yard again are far colder: I have no seat for my faith to sit on but bare omnipotency, & Gods holy arm & good will, here I desire to stay & ride at anchor & winter while God

send fair weather again, & be pleased to take home to his house my harlot-mother: Oh if her husband would be that kind as to goe & fetch her out of the brothel-house & chase her lovers to the hills, but there will be sad dayes ere it come to that. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in our Lord Ie∣sus. S. R.

To the Lady Busbie. (54)

MISTRESS.

ALthough not acquaint, yet because we are father's children I thought good to write unto you: howbeit my first dis∣course & communing with you of Christ, be in paper; yet I have cause since I came hither to have no paper-thoughts of him; for in my sad dayes he is become the flower of my joyes, & I but lie here, living upon his love; but cannot get so much of it as fain I would have, not because Christ's love is Lordly & looketh too high; but because I have a narrow vessel to receive his love & I look too low: But I give under my own hand-write to you a testimonial of Christ & his cross, that they are a sweet couple, & 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! O that my poor wi∣thered soul had once a running-over flood of that love, to put sap in my dry root, & that, that flood would spring out to the tongue and pen, to utter great things to the high & due commendation of such a fair one! O 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 & Angels moe, to set on high & exalt the greatest Prince of the Kings of the earth. Woe's me that bits of living clay dare come out to rush hard heads with him, & that my unkind mother, this harlot-Kirk, hath given her sweet half-marrow such a meeting;

for this land hath given up with Christ, & the Lord is cutting Scotland in two halves, and sending the worst half, the harlot∣sister, over to Rome's brothell-house, to get her fill of E∣gypt's love. I would my sufferings [nay, suppose I were burnt quick to ashes] might buy an agreement betwixt his fairest & sweetest love, & his gaddy lewd wife: Fain would I give Christ his welcome-home to Scotland again, if he would return. This is a black day, a day of clouds & darkness, for the roof-tree of my Lord Jesus his fair temple is fillen, and Christs back is towards Scotland. O thrice blessed are they who would hold Christ with their tears & 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, & there shall be a fair green young garden for Christ in this land, & God's summer∣dew shall lie on it all the night, & we shall sing again our new marriage-song to our Bridegroom, concerning his vine∣yard; but who knoweth whether we shall live & see it? I hear the Lord hath taken pains to afflict and dress you as a fruitfull vine for himself, grow & be green, & cast out your branches & bring forth fruit: fat and green & fruitfull may ye be in the true and sappy root. Grace, grace, free grace be your portion. Re∣member my bonds with prayers & praises.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet L. Iesus, S. R.

To NINIAN MURE. (55.)

Loving friend.

I Received your letter: I intreat you now in the morning of your life, seek the Lord & his face: Beware of the follies of dangerous youth, a perilous time for your soul: Love not the world, keep faith & truth with all men in your covenants & bargains: Walk with God, for he seeth you: Doe nothing but that which ye may & would doe if your eye-strings were breaking, & your breath growing cold. Ye heard the truth of God from me, my dear heart; follow it & forsake it not:

prize Christ & salvation above all the world: To live after the guise & course of the rest of the world, will not bring you to heaven: Without faith in Christ & repentance, ye cannot see God: take pains for salvation: press forward toward the mark of the prize of the high calling: If ye watch not against evils, night & day which beset you, ye will come behinde: Beware of lying, swearing, uncleanness & 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 eternall wrath of God & utter darkness, where there is weeping & gnash∣ing of teeth. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Your Loving Pastor. S. R.

To Mr THOMAS GARVEN. (56)

Reverend & Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: I am sorry that what joy & sorrow drew from my imprisoned pen in my love-fits, hath made you & many of God's children beleeve, 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 expect from me: my stock is less [my Lord knoweth I speak truth] then many beleeve: my empty sounds have promised too much: I would be glad to lie under Christ's feet, & keep & receive the off-fal∣lings or the old pieces of any grace that fall from his sweet fingers to forlorn sinners: I lie often uncouth-like, looking in at the King's windowes: surely I am unworthy of a seat in the King's hall-floor: I but often look afar off, both feared and framed-like to that fairest face, fearing he bid me look away from him: my guiltiness riseth up upon me & I have no answer for it: I offered my tongue to Christ & my pains in his house, & what know I what it meaneth when Christ will not receive my poor propine: when love will not take, we expone, it will

neither take nor give, borrow nor lend. Yet Christ hath a∣nother sea-compass he saileth by, then my short & raw thoughts: I leave his part of it to himself. I dare not expound his dealing as sorrow & misbelief often dictateth to me: I look often with bleared and blinde eyes to my Lords cross, & when I look to the wrong-side of his cross, I know I miss a step & slide: sure∣ly I see I have not legs of my own for carrying me to heaven, I must goe in at heavens gates borrowing strength from Christ. I am often thinking, Oh if he would but give me leave to love him, & if Christ would but open up his wares, & the infinite, infinite plyes & windings & corners of his soul-delighting-love, & let me see it back-side & fore-side, & give me leave but to stand beside it, like an hungry man be∣side 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 I consider not what honour it is to get leave to love Christ. O that he would pity a prisoner, & let out a flood upon the dry ground! it is nothing to him to fill the like of me, one of his looks would doe me meekle world's good & 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 meekle black hunger, & certainly I dow not but think, there is more of that love or∣dained for me, then I yet comprehend, & I know not the weight of the pension the King will give me; I shall be glad, if my hungry bill get leave to lie beside Christ waiting on an ans∣wer: now I would be full & rejoyce, if I got a poor man's almes of that sweetest love: but I confidently beleeve there is a bal made for Christ & me, & that we shall take our fill of love in it: & I often think, when my joy is run out & at the lowest ebbe, that I would seek no more but my rights past the King's great seal, & 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 pillowes 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 & wish, O that my ashes & the powder I shall be dissolved into, had well tuned tongues to praise him. Thus in haste, desiring your prayers & praises, I recommend you to my sweet, sweet Ma∣ster, my honourable Lord of whom I hold all. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JEAN BROWN. (57.)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am glad that ye goe on at Christ's back in this dark & cloudy time: It were good to sell other things for him; for when all these dayes are over, we shall finde it our advantage, that we have taken part with Christ. I confidently beleeve his enemies shall be his foot∣stool, & that he shall make green flowers dead withered hay, when the honour & 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 & the Gospel will come & sit down at our fire side, nay, but we must goe out of our warm houses & seek Christ & his gospel: It is not the sunny side of Christ that we must look to, & we must not forsake him for want of that, but must set our face against what may befall us in following on till he & we be through the briers & bu••hes on the dry ground: Our soft nature would be born through the troubles of this miserable life in Christ's arms: & it is his wisdom who knoweth our mould, that his bairns goe wet-shod & cold-footed to hea∣ven. O how sweet a thing were it for us, to learn to make our burdens light, by framing our hearts to the burthen and making our Lord's will a law! I finde Christ & his cross not so ill to please, nor yet such troublesom guests as men call them: Nay, I think patience should make Christ's water good wine;

& this dross good mettall: & we have cause to wait on, for ere it be long, our Master will be at us, & bring this whole world out before the sun & the day-light in their black's & white's: Happy are they who are found watching: Our sand-glass is not so long as we need to weary; time will eat away & root out our woes, & sorrow: our heaven is in the bud & growing up to an harvest; why then should we not follow on seeing our span length of time will come to an inch: Therefore I com∣mend Christ to you as your last living, & longest living husband, & the staff of your old age: let him have now the rest of your dayes; & think not much of a storm upon the ship that Christ saileth in, there shall no passenger fall over board, but the craised ship & the sea-sick passenger shall come to land safe. I am in as sweet communion with Christ as a poor sinner can be, & am onely pained that he hath much beauty and fairness, and I little love, he great power & mercy & I little faith, he much light & I bliered eyes. Oh that I saw him in the sweetness of his love & in his marriage clothes, & were over head & ears in love with that princely one Christ Jesus my Lord! Alas, my riven dish & running-out vessel can hold little of Christ Je∣sus. I have joy in this, that I would not refuse death before I put Christ's lawfull heritage in mens trysting, & what know I, if they would have pleased both Christ & me. Alas, that this land hath put Christ to open rooping, & to an any man more b•••• Blessed are they who would hold the crown on his head, & buy Christ's honour with their own losses. I rejoyce to hear your son Iohn is coming to visit Christ & taste of his love: I hope he shall not lose his pains or rue of that choice. I had alwayes [as I said often to you] a great love to dear Mr Iohn Brown because I thought I saw Christ in him more then in his brethren, fain would I write to him to stand by my sweet Master, & I wish ye would let him read my letter, & the joy I have, if he will appeare for, & side with my Lord Jesus. Grace, grace, be with you.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JEAN M^c MILLAN. (58)

Loving Sister.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I cannot come to you to give you my counsel, & howbeit I would come I can∣not stay with you; but I beseech you keep Christ, for I did what I could to put you within grips of him; I told you Christ's Testament & latterwill plainly, & I kept nothing back that my Lord gave me, & I gave Christ to you with good will: I pray you make him your own, & goe not from that truth I taught you in one hair breadth, that truth shall save you if ye fol∣low it: salvation is not an easie thing & soon gotten; I often told you few are saved, & many, many damned: I pray you make your poor soul sure of salvation, & make the seeking of heaven your daily task: if ye never had a sick night & 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 bet∣ter then the world, & would quite all the world for him then that saith the work is sound. O if ye saw the beauty of Je∣sus & felt the smell of his love, ye would run through fire & water to be at him: God send you him. Pray for me, for I cannot forget you. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Your loving Pastor, S. R.

To the Lady Busbie. (59)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you. I am glad to hear that Christ & ye are one, & that ye have made him your one thing: Whereas many are painfully t•…•…iled in seeking ma∣ny things & their many things are nothing. It's onely best, ye set your self apart as a thing laid up & out of the gate for Christ alone, for ye are good for no other thing but Christ, & he

hath been going about you these many years by afflictions, to engage you to himself, it were a pity & a loss to say him nay. Verily I could wish, that I could swim through hell & all the ill weather in the world & Christ in my arms; but it is my evil & folly, that except Christ come unsent for, I dow not goe to seek, him: When he & I fall in reckoning, we are both be∣hinde, he in payment, & I in counting, & so marches lie still unrid & counts uncleared betwixt us. O that he would take his own blood for counts & miscounts, that I might be a free man, & none had any claim to me, but onely, onely Jesus. I will think it no bondage to be rooped, comprised & posses∣sed by Christ, as his bond-man. Think well of the visita∣tions of your Lord: For I finde one thing I saw not well be∣fore, that when the saints are under trials & well humbled, little sins raise great cryes & war-shouts in the conscience; & in prosperity conscience is a Pope to give dispensations, & let out & in, & give latitude, & elbow-room to our heart. O how little care we for pardon at Christ's hand, when we make dispensations! And all is but bairns-play, till a cross without, beget an heavier cross within, & 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, & 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, jus∣tice & sin, as they are in themselves: For we have miscar∣rying light that parteth with childe, when we have good reso∣lutions: But God be thanked that Salvation is not rolled upon our wheels. O but Christ hath a saving eye! Salva∣tion is in his eye-lids: When he first looked on me, I was saved; It cost him but a look to make hell quite of me: O merits, free merits, & the dear blood of God, was the best gate that ever we could have gotten of hell! O what a sweet, O what a safe & sure way is it, to come out of hell leaning on a Sa∣viour! That Christ & a sinner should be one & have heaven betwixt them & be halvers of Salvation, is the wonder of Salva∣tion: What more humble could love be? & what an excel∣lent smell doeth Christ cast on his lower garden, where there

grow but wilde flowers, if we speak by way of comparison; but there is nothing but perfect garden flowers in heaven, & the best plenishing that is there, is Christ: We are all obliged to love heaven for Christ's sake, he graceth heaven & 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 & dead soul, let us then goe on to meet with him & to be filled with the sweetness of his love: Nothing will hold him from us; he hath decreed to put time, sin, hell, devils, men & death out of the way, & to rid the rough way betwixt us & him, that we may enjoy one another. It's strange & wonderfull that he would think long in heaven without us, & that he would have the company of sinners to solace & delight himself withall in heaven. & now the supper is abiding us: Christ the bride∣groom with desire is waiting on till the bride, the Lamb's wife, be busked for the marriage, & the great hall be rid for the meet∣ing of that joyfull couple. O fools, what doe we here? & why sit we still? Why sleep we in the prison? Were it not best to make us wings to flee up to our blessed match, our mar∣row & our fellow-friend? I think, Misterss, ye are looking there-away, & this is your second or third thought: make forward, your guide waiteth on you. I cannot but bless you for your care & kindness to the saints. God give you to finde mercy in that day of our Lord Jesus, to whose saving grace I recommend you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in our Lord Ie∣sus: S. R.

To WILLIAM RIGGE. Of Athernie. (60.)

Much honoured & worthy Sir.

YOur letter full of complaints bemoaning your guiltiness hath 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 Advocat, 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 your self: what ever 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 upon the old man, & 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 lie where the blame should be & let the new man be sure to say, I am comely as the tents of Kedar, how beit I be black & sun-burnt by sitting neighbour beside a body of sin: I seek no more here but room for Grace's defence & Christ's white throne wherto a sinner condemned by the law may appeal: But the use that I make of ••t, is, I am sorry that I am not so tender & thin skin'd, though I am sure Christ may finde employment for his calling in me, if in any living, seeing from my youth upward I have been making up the blackest process that any minister in the world, or any other can answer to: & when I had done this, I painted a providence of my own, & wrote ease for my self & a peaceable ministery & the sun shining on me, till I should be in at heaven's gates: Such green & raw thoughts had I of God. I thought also of a sleeping Devil that would pass by the like of me, lying in moores & out-fields: So I bigged the gook's nest, & dreamed of dying at ease & living in a fools paradise; but since I came hither I am often so, as that they would have much Rhetorick that would perswade me, that Christ hath not written wrath on my dumb & silent Sabbaths [which is a persecution of the latest edition, being used against none in this land, that I can learn of besides me] & often I lie under a non-en∣try, & would gladly sell all my joyes to be confirmed King Jesus's free tennent, & to have sealed assurances; but I see often blank papers: & my greatest desires are these two. 1. That Christ would take me in hand to cure me, & undertake for a sick man, I know I should not die under his hand: & yet in this, while I still doubt, I beleeve through a cloud, that sorrow which hath no eyes; hath but put a vail on Christ's love. 2. It pleaseth

him often since I came hither, to come with some short blenks of his sweet love, & then because I have none to help me to praise his love, & can doe him no service in my own person, [as I thought once I did in his temple] then I die with wishes & de∣sires, to take up house & dwell at the well-side & to have him praised & set on high: But alas, what can the like of me doe to get a good name raised upon my welbeloved Lord Jesus, suppose I could desire to be suspended for ever of my part of hea∣ven for his glory? I am sure, If I could get my will of Christ's love, & could be once over head & ears in the beleeved, appre∣hended, & seen love of the Son of God, it were the fulfilling of the desires of the onely happiness I would be at; but the truth is, I hinder my communion with him, because of want of both faith & repentance, & 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 & when I wait and look for him the upper way, I see his wisdom is pleased to play me a slip & come the lower way; so that I have not the right art of guiding Christ: for there is art & wisdom required in guiding of Christ's love aright, when we have gotten it. O how far are his wayes a∣bove mine! O how little of him doe I see! & when I am as dry as a burnt heath in a drouthy summer, & when my root is wither∣ed, howbeit I think then that I would drink a sea-full of Christ ere ever I would let the cup goe from my head; yet I get nothing but delayes, as if he would make hunger my daily food: I think my self also hungered of hunger; The rich Lord Jesus satisfie a famished man. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 10. Sept. 1637.

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

To his worthy & much honoured friend FULK ELIES. (61)

Worthy & much honoured in our Lord

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am glad of our more then paper-acquaintance: Seeing we have one father,

it reckoneth the less though we never saw one anothers faces. I profess my self most unworthy to follow the camp of such a wor∣thy & 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 naughtie, short & narrow love to him; surely it is not worth the up-taking. 2. As for our lovely and beloved Church in Ireland, my heart bleedeth for her deso∣lation; but I beleeve our Lord is onely lopping the vine∣trees, but not intending to cut them down or root them out. It is true, seeing we are heart-Atheists by nature, & can∣not take providence aright, [because we halt & crook ever since we fell] we dream of an halting providence, as if God's yard whereby he measureth joy & sorrow to the sons of men, were crooked & unjust, because servants are on horse-back & Princes goe on foot; but our Lord dealeth good & evil & some one por∣tion or other to both, by ounce-weights; & measureth them in a just and even ballance. It is but folly to measure the Gos∣pel by summer or winter-weather: The summer-sun of the saints, shineth not on them in this life: how should we have complained if the Lord had turned the same providence, that we now stomacke at, up-side down, & had ordered matters thus, that first the saints should have enjoyed heaven, glory, & ease, & then Methusalem's dayes of sorrow & daily miseries; we should think a short heaven no heaven: certainly his wayes pass finding out. 3. Ye complain of the evil of heart-atheism, but it is to a greater atheist then any man can be, that ye write to of that: Oh, light findeth not that reverence & fear as a plant of God's setting should finde in our soul! How doe we by na∣ture, as others, detain & captivat the truth of God in unrighte∣ousness, & so make God's light a bound prisoner, & even when the prisoner breaketh the jayle & cometh out in belief of a God∣head, & in some practice of holy obedience; how often doe we of new, lay h••nds on the prisoner and put our light again in fetters: Certainly there cometh great mist & clouds from the lower part of our soul, our earthly affections, to the higher part, which is our conscience, either naturall or renewed, as

smoke in a lower house breaketh up & 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 aw of God's light; lest light tell tales of us we de••re little to hear: but since it is not without God that light sitteth neighbour to will [a lawless Lord] no marvel that such a neighbour should l••aven our Judgement & darken our light. I see there is a necessity that we protest against the doings of the old man, & raise up a party against our worst half to accuse, condemn, sentence, & with sorrow bemoan the dominion of sin's Kingdom & withall, make Law in the new Covenant against our guiltness; for Christ once condemned sin in the flesh & we are to condemn it over again: & if there had not been such a thing as the grace of Jesus, I should have long since given up with heaven & with the expectation to see God: But grace, grace, free grace, the merits of Christ for no∣thing, white & fair & large Saviour-mercy [which is another sort of thing then 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 dryed up, & there∣fore we must resolve to apply peace to our soul from the new & living way, & Jesus who cleanseth & cureth the leprous••••oul, lovely Jesus, must be our song on this side of heavens gates: & even when we have won the castle, then must we eternally sing, Worthy, worthy is the Lamb, who hath saved us & washed us in his own blood. I would counsel all the ransomed ones to learn this song, & to drink & be drunk with the love of Jesus. O fairest, O highest, O loveliest one, open the well! O water the burnt & withered travellers with this love of thine! I think it's possible on earth to build a young new Jerusalem, a little new heaven of this surpassing love. God either send m••

more of this love, or take me quickly over the water, where I may be filled with his love: My softness cannot 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 pining & delaying the hungry on-waiters: For my self I could wish that Christ would let out upon me more of that love: Yet to say Christ is a nig∣gard to me, I dare not; & if I say, I have abundance of his love I should lye: I am half straitned to complain & cry, Lord Iesus hold thy hand no longer. Worthy Sir, let me have your prayers in my bonds. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 7 Septr, 1637.

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

To JAMES LINDSAY. (62.)

Dear Brother.

THe constant & daily observing of God's going alongst with you, in his coming, going, ebbing, flowing, em∣bracing & kissing, glooming & striking giveth me [a wit∣less & lazie observer of the Lord's way & working] an heavie stroke: could I keep sight of him, & know when I want, & carry as became me in that condition, I would blesse my case. But. 1. For desertions, I think them like lying-lay of lean & weak land, for some yeers, while it gather sap for a better crope: It is possible to gather gold where it may be had with moon light. Oh if I could but creep one foot, or half a foot neerer 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 onely gone away for triall, & for further humi∣liation, & not smoked out of the house with new provocations, I would forgive desertions, & 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 side, & what side then can I lie on? 3. I know as night & shaddows are good for

flowers, & moonlight, & dews are better then a continuall sun; so is Christ's absence of speciall use, & it hath some nourish∣ing vertue in it, & giveth sap to humility, & putteth an edge on hunger, & furnisheth a fair field to faith to put forth it self, & to exercise it's fingers in gripping, it seeth not what. 4. It is mercy's wonder, & grace's wonder, that Christ will lend a piece of the lodging, & a back-chamber be∣side himself to our lusts, & that he & such swine should keep house together in our soul: For suppose they couch & con∣tract themselves into little room, when Christ cometh in, & 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 naile or breaketh out again; & yet Christ beside this unruly & misnurtured neighbour can still be making heaven in the saints one way or other, may not I say, Lord Iesus, what doest thou here? Yet here he must be; but I will but lose my feet to goe on into this depth & won∣der, for free mercy & infinite merits took a lodging to Christ & us beside such a loath some guest as sin. 5. Sanctification & mortification of our lusts, are the hardest part of Christia∣nity: It is in a manner as naturall to us to leap when we see the new Jerusalem, as to laugh when we are tickled, joy is not under command, or at our nod when Christ kisseth: but O how many of us would have Christ divided in two halves, that we might take the half of him onely & take his office Iesus & salvation, but Lord is a cumbersome word, & to obey & work out our own salvation & to perfect holyness, is the cumbersome & stormy north-side of Christ, & that we eshew & shift. 6. For your question, the accesse that reprobats have to Christ [which is none at all, for to the Father in Christ neither can they, nor will they come, because Christ dyed not for them; & yet by law, God & justice overtaketh them] I say, First, there are with you more worthy & learned then I am Mrs Dickson, Blair, & Hamilton who can more fully satisfie you; but I shall speak in brief what I think of it in these assertions. 1. All God's jus∣tice toward man & Angels floweth from an act of the absolut soveraign free-will of God, who is our former & potter, &

we are but clay; for if he had forbidden to eat of the rest of the trees of the Garden of Eden, & commanded Adam to eat of the tree of knowledge of good & 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 & evil: The reason is, because his will is before his justice by order of nature, & what is his will, is his justice, & he willeth not things without himself because they are just: God cannot, God needeth not to hunt sanctity, holyness or righte∣ousness from things without himself, & so not from the ac∣tions of men or Angels; because his will is essentially holy and just, & the prime rule of holyness & justice: as the fire is naturally light, and inclineth upward & the earth heavie, & inclineth downward. The 2 assertion then is, that God saith to reprobats beleeve in Christ [who hath not dyed for your salvation] & ye shall be saved, is just & right, because his eternall & essentially just will, hath so enacted & decreed: Suppose naturall reason speak against this, this is the deep & speciall mystery of the Gospel. God hath obliged hard and fast all the reprobats in the visible Church to beleeve his promise, he that beleeveth shall be saved, & yet in God's decree and secret intention, there is no salvation at all decreed and intended to reprobats; and yet the obli∣gation of God being from his Soveraign free-will, is most just, as said is in the first assertion. 3. Assertion: The righteous Lord hath right over the reprobats & all reasonable creatures that violat his commandements, this is easie. 4. As∣sertion: the faith that God seeketh of reprobats, is, That they rely upon Christ as despairing of their own righteousness, lean∣ing wholly, & withall humbly, as weary & leaden, upon Christ, as on the resting stone laid in Sion; but he seeketh not that without being weary of their sin they rely on Christ, man∣kind's Saviour; for to rely on Christ & not to weary of sin, is presumption, not faith: faith is ever neighbour to a contrite spirit, & it's impossible that faith can be where there is not a casten down & contrite heart in some measure for sin: Now it is certain God commandeth no man to presume. 5. Asser∣tion: then Reprobats are not absolutly obliged to beleeve, that Christ dyed for them in particular; for in truth neither repro∣bats

nor others are obliged to beleeve a lye, onely they are ob∣liged to beleeve, Christ dyed for them, if they be first weary, burdened, sin-sick & condemned in their own consciences, & striken dead & killed with the law's sentence, & have indeed embraced him as offered, which is a second & subsequent act of faith, following after a coming to him, & closing with him. 6. Assertion: Reprobatsare not formally guilty of comtempt of God, & misbelief because they apply not Christ and the pro∣mises of the Gospel to themselves in particular, for so they should be guilty because they beleeve not a lye, which God never oblig∣ed them to beleeve. 7. Assertion: justice hath a right to punish reprobats, 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 doe, and men are guilty because they love their own inability & rest u∣pon themselves, & refuse to deny their own righteousness, & to take them to Christ, in whom there is righteousness for wearied sinners. 8. Assertion: It is one thing to rely, lean, & rest upon Christ in humility & weariness of spirit, & denying our own righteousness beleeving him to be the onely righteousness of wearied sinners, & it is another thing to beleeve Christ dyed for me, Iohn, Thomas, Anna, upon an intention & decree to save us by name. For 1. the first goeth first, the latter is alway after in due order 2. The first is faith, the second is a fruit of faith. 3. The first obligeth reprobats & all men in the visible Kirk, the latter obligeth onely the weary & leaden, & so onely the elect & effec∣tually called of God. 9. Assertion: It is a vain order, I know not if Christ dyed for me, Iohn, Thomas, Anna by name; & therefore I dare not rely on him? The reason is, because It is not faith, to be∣leeve God's intention & decree of election at the first, ere ye be wearied: look first to your own intention & soul, if ye finde sin a burden, and can, and doe rest, under that burden upon Christ; if this be once, now come & beleeve in particular or rather apply by sense [for in my judgement it is a fruit of belief, not be∣lief] & feeling the goodwill, intention, and gracious pur∣pose of God anent your salvation: Hence because there is ma∣lice

in reprobats 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 dyed not for them; but their sin is, that they love this their inability to come to Christ, and he who loveth his chains, deserveth chains: And thus in short remember my bonds.

Aberd. Sept, 7. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Earle of Cassills. (63)

My very honourable & Noble Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to your Lo: pardon me to expresse my earnest desire to your Lo: for Zions sake, for whom we should not hold our peace. I know your Lo: will take my pleading on this behalf in the better part, because the necessity of a falling & weak church is urgent. I beleeve your Lo: is one of Zion's friends, & that by obligation; for when the Lord shall count & write up the people, it shall be written this man was born there: Therefore because your Lo: is a born son of the house, I hope your desire is, that the beauty & glory of the Lord may dwell in the midst of the city, whereof your Lo: is a son. It must be without all doubt the greatest honour of your place & house, to kiss the son of God, & for his sake to be kind to his oppressed & wronged bride, who now in the day of her deso∣lation beggeth help of you that are the shields of the earth: I am sure ma••y Kings, Princes & Nobles in the day of Christ's second coming, would be glad to run errands for Christ, even bare footed thorow fire & water; but in that day he will have none of their service: Now he is asking if your Lo: will help him against the mighty of the earth, when men are setting their shoulders to Christ's fair & beautifull tent in this land, to loose it's stakes & to break it down, & certainly such as are not with Christ are against him: & blessed shall your Lo: be of the Lord, blessed shall your house & seed be, & blessed shall your Honour be, if ye empawnd & lay in Christ's hand the Earledom

of Cassills [& it is but a shaddow in comparison of the city made without hands] and lay it even at the stake, rather then Christ & born-down truth want a witness of you, against the apostasie of this land. Ye hold your lands of Christ, your charters are under his seal, & he who hath many crownes on his head, dealeth, cutteth, & carveth pieces of this clay-heritage to men at his pleasure. It is little your Lo: hath to give him, he will not sleep long in your common, but shall surely pay home your losses for his cause. It is but our bliered eyes that look thorow a false glass to this idol-god of clay & think some thing of it: They who are past with their last sentence to heaven or hell, and have made their reckoning & departed out of this smoky inne, have now no other conceit of this world, but as a piece of beguiling, wel-lustred clay: & how fast doeth time [like a flood still in mo∣tion] carry your Lo: out of it? & is not eternity coming with wings? Court goeth not in heaven as it doeth here. Our Lord, [who hath all you the Nobles lying in the shell of his ballance] esteemeth you, accordingly as ye are the bridegroom's friends or foes. Your Honourable Ancestors with the hazard of their lives brought Christ to our hands, & it shall be cruelty to the posterity if ye lose him to them. One of our tribes, Levi's Sons, the watchmen, are fallen from the Lord, & have sold their mother, & their father also, and the Lord's truth, for their new velvet-world, and there 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 Scot∣land'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 then Christ's coat. All this land, & every man's part of the play for Christ, & the tears of poor & friendless Zion [now going dool∣like in sackcloth] are up in heaven before our Lord, & there is no question but our king & Lord shall be master of the fields at length, & we would all be glad to divide the spoile with Christ, & to ride in triumph with him; but Oh how few will take a cold bed of straw in the camp with him! How fain would men have a wel-thatched house above their heads, all the way to

heaven? And many now would goe to heaven the land way [for they love not to be sea-sick] riding up to Christ upon foot∣mantles, & ratling coaches, & rubbing their velvet with the Princes of the Land, in the highest seats. If this be the way Christ called strait & narrow. I quite all skill of the way to sal∣vation. Are they not now rooping Christ & the Gospel? Have they not put our Lord Jesu to the market & he who out∣bideth his fellow, shall get him? O my Dear & Noble Lord, goe on [howbeit the wind be in your face] to back our prince∣ly Captain, be couragious for him: fear not these who have no subscribed lease of dayes, the worms shall eat kings, let the Lord Jehovah be your fear: And then, as the Lord liveth the victory is yours. It is true many are striking up a new way to heaven, but my soul for theirs, if they finde it, & if this be not the onely 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 & assurance of this: Let doctors & learned men cry the contrair, I am perswaded this is the way: the bottom hath fallen out of both their wit & 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, Oh poor and hungry is their paradise! Therefore let me entreat your Lo: 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, & eternity shall be∣night you] let your glory, honour & might worldly, be, for our Lord Jesus: And to his rich grace, & tender mercy, and to the never-dying comforts of his gracious Spirit I recommend your Lo: And Noble house.

Aberd. Sept. 9. 1637.

Your Lo: at all obe∣dience. S, R.

To the Lady Largirie. (64)

MISTRESS.

GRace, Mercy & Peace be to you. I hope ye know what conditions past betwixt Christ & you at your first meeting: Ye remember he said, your summer dayes would have clouds and your rose a prickly thorn bende 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 then Christ's cross, except I would raise a lving report on it: It is your part to take Christ as he is to be had in this life: Sufferings are like a wood planted round about his house, over 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 threeds of heaven and hell to all mankind, for certainly the threed will not break; and when he hath accomplished his work in mount Zion and hath refined his silver, he will bring new ves∣sels out of the furnace, and plenish his house and take up house again. I counsel you to free your self of clogging temptations, by overcoming some, & contemning 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 atten∣dance, now when Christ hath most adoe: to waste a little blood with Christ, and to put out part of this drossie world in pawne over in his hand, as willing to quite it for him, is the safest ca∣binet to keep the world in: But these who would take the world & all their flitring on their back & run away from Christ, they will fall by the way & leave their burden behinde them, & be taken captive themselves. Well were my soul to put all I have; life & soul, over in Christ's hands; let him be forth-coming for all. If any ask, how I doe? 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. Re∣member

my love to your husband & show him from me, I de∣sire that he may set aside all things & make sure work of salva∣tion, that it be not a seeking when the sand-glass is run out, & time & eternity shall tryst together: There is no errand so wieghty as this: O that he would take it to heart. Grace be with you.

Aberd.

Yours in Christ Iesus his Lord. S. R.

To the Lady DUNGUEIGH. (65)

MISTRESS.

I Long to hear from you, & how ye goe on with Christ: I am sure that Christ & ye once met: I pray you fasten your grips; there is holding & drawing & much sea-way to heaven, & we are often sea-sick; but the voyage is so needfull, that we must on any termes take shipping with Christ. I beleeve it is a good countrey we are going to, & there is ill lodging in this smoaky house of the world, in which we are yet living. Oh that we should love smoke so well & clay, that holdeth our feet fast! It were our happiness to follow on after Christ, & to anchor our selves upon the rock in the upper side of the vail. Christ & Satan are now drawing to parties, & they are blinde who see not Scotland divided in two camps, & Christ coming out with his white banner of love, & he hangeth that over the heads of his souldiers: And the other Captain, the Dragon, is coming out with a great black flag, & crieth, the world, the world, case, honour, & a whole skin, and a soft couch, & there lie they, & leave Christ to fend for himself: My counsel is that ye come out & leave the multitude & let Christ have your company: Let them take clay & this present world who love it: Christ is a more worthy & noble portion: Blessed are these who get him: It is good ere the storm rise to make ready

all, & to be prepared to goe to the camp with Christ, seeing he will not keep the house, nor sit at the fire-side with couchers: A showr for Christ is little enough Oh I finde all too little for him! Woe, woe, woe's me, that I have no propine for my Lord Jesus: My love is so feckless that it is a shame too 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 pers••ade you God is wringing grapes of red wine for Scotland, & this land shall drink & spue & fall: His enemies shall drink the thick of it & the grounds of it: But Scotland's withered tree shall blossom again, & Christ shall make a second marriage with her, & 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.

Aberd. 1637.

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

To JONET M^CCULLOCH. (66)

Loving Sister.

GRace, mercy, & 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, & tine not your Master Christ in the throng of this great market. Let Christ know how heavy & how many a stone weight you & your cares, bur∣dens, crosses, & sins are; let him bear all: Make the heri∣tage sure to your self, get charters & writs pass••d & through, & put on arms for the battel, & keep you fast by Christ, & then let the wind blow out of what airth it will, your soul will not blow in the sea. I finde Christ the most steadable friend and companion in the world to me now: the need & usefulness of Christ i seen best in trials. Oh if hebe not well worthy of his room! Lodge him in house & heart; & stir up your husband to seek the Lord: I wonder he hath never written to me: I doe not forget him. I taught you the whole counsel of God & delivered it to you, it will be inquired for, at your hands,

have it in readiness against the time that the Lord ask for it: make you to meet the Lord; & rest & sleep in the love of that fairest among the sons of men: Desire Christ's beauty: give out all your love to him & let none fall by: Learn in prayer to speak to him: help your mother's soul, & desire her from me to seek the Lord & his salvation, it's not soon found, many miss it. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Your Loving Pastor. S. R.

To my Lord CRAIGHALL. (67)

My Lord.

I cannot expound your Lo: contrary tides and these tentations wherewith ye are assaulted to be any other thing but Christ trying you, & saying unto you & will ye also leave me. 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 evidenc∣ing to your conscience, that this is the way of Christ wherein ye shall have peace, & the other, as sure as God liveth, the Antichrist's way: Therefore as ye fear God, fear your light & stand in aw of a convincing conscience: it is far better for your Lo: to keep your conscience, & to hazard in such a honourable cause, your place; then wilfully & against your light to come under guiltiness: Kings cannot heal broken consciences; & when death & judgement shall comprize your soul, your coun∣sellers & others cannot become caution to Justice for you. Ere it be long our Lord will put a finall determination to Acts of Parliament & mens laws, & will clear you before men & An∣gels of mens unjust sentences. Ye received honour, & place, & Authority, & riches & reputation from your Lord, to set forward & advance the liberties & freedom of Christ's Kingdom: Men whose consciences are made of stoutness, think little of such matters, which notwithstanding incroach directly upon

Christ's prerogative royal. So would men think it a light mat∣ter for VZZah 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 & pray beneath your breath: Ye make too great a d•••• with your prayers, so would a head-of-wit speak, if ye were in Daniel's place: But mens overguilded reasons will not help you when your conscience is like to rive with a double charge. Alas, alas, when will this world learn to submit their wisdom to the wisdom of God. I am sure your Lo: hath found the truth; goe not then to search it over again; for it is ordinary for men to make doubts, when they have a minde to desert the truth. Kings are not their own men, their wayes are in God's hand. I rejoyce & am glad that ye resolve to walk with Christ, howbeit his court be thin. Grace be with your Lo:

Aberd. Sept. 7. 1637.

Your Lo: in his sweet Master and Lord Iesus, S. R.

To WILLIAM RIGGE. of Atherny. (68)

Worthy & much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & 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 himself, & that his death & blood hath bought a blessing to our crosses aswell as to our selves. I am sure, troubles have no prevailing right 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 perswaded also, that they shall not goe over the bound-road, nor enter in to heaven with us; for they finde no welcome there, where there is no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither any more pain: & therefore we shall leave them behinde us. Oh if I could get as good a gate of sin, even this wofull & wretched body of sin, as I get of Christ's cross! Nay

indeed I think the cross beared b••th me & it self, rather then I it, in comparison of the tyranny of the lawless flesh & wicked nigh∣bour that dwelleth beside Christ's new creature: But Oh, this is that which presseth me down, & pai••eth me: Jesus Christ in his saints sitteth neighbour with an ill second, corruption, deadness, coldness, pride, lust, worldliness, self-love, secu∣rity, falshood, & a world of ••o•• the like, which I finde in me, that are daily doing violence to the new man. O but we have cause to carry low sails, & 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 & my soul half in, if free-will & corruption were absolute Lords of me, I should never win wholly in. O but the sweet, new & living way that Christ hath stroke up to our home, be a safe way! I finde now presence & acc••ss a greater dainty then b••fore, but yet the bridegroom looketh through the lattes & thorow the hole of the door. O if he & I were in fair dry land together in the other side of the water. Grace be with you.

Aberd. Sept. 30. 1637

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S R.

To the Lady KILCONQUHAIR. (69)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter: I am heartily content ye love & own this opp••essed and wronged cause of Christ, & that now wh••n so many are miscar∣ried, ye are in any measure taken with the love of Jesu••: weary not, but come in & see if there be not more in Christ then the tongue of men & Angels can express: If ye seek a gate to hea∣ven, the way is in him, or, he is it: What ye want is treasur∣ed up in Jesus, & he saith, all his are yours, even his Kingdom, he is content to divide it betwixt him & you, yea his throne &

his glory, Luk. 21. 29. Ioh. 17. 24. Rov. 3. 21. & There∣fore take pains to climb up to that bes••eged house to Christ: for devils, men & armies of temptations are lying about the house to hold out all that are out; & it is taken with violence: It is not a smooth & easie way, neit••er will your weather be fair & pleasant; but whosoever saw the invisible God & the fair city, make no reckoning of loss••s or crosses: in ye must be, cost you what it will; stand not for a price & for all that ye have, to win the castle; the rights to it are won to you, & it is disponed to you in your Lord Jesus's testament, & 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 poss••ss that good land: It is bet∣ter then a land of olives & wine-trees, for the tree of life that beareth twelve manner of fruits every moneth is there before you, & a pure river of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, is there. Your time is short, therefore lose no time: Gracious & faithfull is he who hath called you to his King∣dom & glory. The city is yours by free conquest & by promise, & therefore let no uncouth Lord-idol put you from your own. The devil hath cheated the simple heir of his Paradise, & by en∣ticing us to taste of the forbidden fruit, hath, as it were, bought us out of our kindly heritage: But our Lord, Christ Jesus, hath done more then bought the devil by, for he hath redeemed the wodset & made the poor heir free to the inheritāce. If we knew the glory of our elder brother in heaven, we would long to be there to see him, & to get our fill of heaven: We children think the earth a fair garden, but it is but God's out-field & wilde, cold, barren ground: All things are fading that are here: It is our hap∣piness to make sure Christ to our selves. Thus remembring my love to your husband & wi••king to him what I write to you, I commit you to God's tender mercy.

Aberd. Sepr. 13. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Lady CRAIGHALL. (70)

Honourable and Christian Lady.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I cannot but write to your La: of the sweet & glorious termes I am in with the most joyful King that ever was, under this well thrifing & pro∣sperous cross: it is my Lord's salvation wrought by his own right hand, that the water doeth not suffocat the breath of ••••pe & joyfull courage in the Lo••d Jesus: For his own person is still in the camp with his poor souldier. I see, the cross is tied with Christ's hand to the end of an honest profession: We are but fools to endeavour to loose Christ's knot. When I consid∣er the comforts of God, I durst not consent to sell or wod-set my short life-rent of the cross of the Lord Jesus. I know that Christ bought with his own blood a right to sanctified & blessed crosses, in as far, as they blow me over the water to my long desired home: & it were not good that Christ should be the buy∣er & I the seller. I know time & death shall take sufferings fairly off my hand: I hope we shall have an honest parting at night, when this piece cold & frosty afternoon-tide of my evil & rough day, shall be over: Well is my soul of either sweet or sowre that Christ hath any part or portion in: if he be at the one end of it, it hall be well with me. I shall die ere I libell faults against Christ's cross; it hall have my testimonial under my hand, as an honest & saving mean of Christ for mortifica∣tion & faith's growth. I have a stronger assurance since I came over Forth, of the excellency of Jesus then I had before. I am rather about him then 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 & try, what boundies joy it must be, to be over head & ears in my welbeloved Christ's love. O that fair one hath my heart for evermore! but alas, it is over little for him! O if it were better & more worthy for his sake! O if I might meet with him face to face in this side of eternity, & might have

leave to plead with him that I am so hungred & famished here, with the niggardly portion of his love that he giveth me! O that I might be carver & steward my sel•• at mine own will of Christ's love! [if I may lawfully wish this] then would I en∣large my vessel [alas, a narrow & ebbe soul] & take in a sea of i▪ love. My hunger for it is hungry & lean in beleeving that ever I shall be satisfied with that love, so fain would I have, what I know I cannot hold. O Lord Jesus, delight∣est thou, delightest thou to pine & torment poor souls with the want of thy incomparable loved. O if I durst call thy dispensa∣tion cruell! I know thou thy selfa••t mercy without either brim or bottom; I know tho•• art a God bankfull of mercy & love, but Oh alas, little of it cometh my way: I die to look a far off to that love, because I can get but little of it: But hope saith, this providence shall ere long look more favourably u∣pon poor bodies, & me also. Grace be with your La: Spirit.

Aberd. Sept. 10. 1637.

Yours La: in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr JAMES HAMILTON. (71)

Reverend & dear Brother.

PEace be to you from God our father and from our Lord Je∣sus: I am laid low when I remember what I am, and that my out-side casteth such a lustre when I finde so little within. It is a wonder that Christ's glory is not defiled in running through such an unclean & impure channel: But I see Christ will be Christ in the dreg and refuse of men: his art, his shining wis∣dom, his beauty speaketh loudest in blackness, weakness, dead∣ness, 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 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 others arms! O that the middle things betwixt us were removed!

I finde it a difficult matter to keep all stots with Christ: when he laugheth I scarce beleeve 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 I finde that I doe not advance in my journey as I would wish: Yet I trust he shall take me home against night. I marvel not that Antichrist in his slaves is so busie, but our crowned King seeth and beholdeth, and will arise for Zion's safety. I am exceedingly distracted with letters and company that vilite me; what I can doe, or time will permit, I shall not omit: Excuse my brevity, for I am straitned. Remember the Lord's prisoner: I desire to be mindfull of you. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. Sept. 7. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr GEORGE DUMBAR. (72)

Reverend & Dearly beloved in the Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: Because your words have strengthened many, I was silent expecting some lines from you in my bonds, & this is the cause why I wrote not to you: but now I am forced to break off and speak. I never beleeved till now, that there was so much to be found in Christ in this side of death and of heaven. O the ravishments of hea∣venly joy that may be had here, in the small gleanings of com∣forts that fall from Christ! what fools are we who know not and consider not the weight and the telling that is in the very earnest-penny & the first fruits of our hoped for harvest! How sweet, how sweet is our infeftment? O what then must person∣al possession be? I finde that my Lord Jesus hath not miscooked or spilt this sweet cross, he hath an eye on the fire and the melt∣ing gold, to separate the mettall 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 beleever in the fire to be half raw,

like Ephraim's unturned cake•• this is the wisdom of him who hath his fi••el•• Zion and his fur••ace in Jerusa••em. I need not either bud or flatter temptations, cr••sses, nor strive to buy the Devil or this malicious world by, or r••deem their kindness with half a han-breadth of truth: He who is sur••ty for his servant for good doeth power fully over-rule all that. I s••e my prison hath neither lock nor door; I am free in my bonds, and my chains are made of rotten straw, they shall not bide one pull of faith. I am sure they are in hell who would exchange their torments with our crosses, suppose they should nev••r be delivered, & give twenty thousand years torment to boot, to be in our bonds for ever: & therefore we wrong Christ who si•…•…h & fear & doubt & despond in them. Our suff••••ings are washen in Christ's blood as well as our souls; for Christ's merits bought a blessing to the crosses of the sons of God; and Jesus hath a back∣bond of all our temptations, that the free warders shall come out by law and justice, in respect of the infinite and great summe that the Redeemer paid. Our troubles ow us a free passage through them: devils and men and crosses are our debters, and death and all storms are our debters, to blow our poor tossed bark over the water fraught-fr••e, & to set the travellers in their own known ground: Therefore we shall die & yet live: we are over the water [some way] already; we are married, & our tocher-good is payed; we are already more then conquerours: If the devil and the world knew how the court with our Lord shall goe, I am sure they would hire death to take us off their hand; our sufferings are the onely w••ack & ruine of the black Kingdom: and yet a little & the Antichrist must play himself with the bones & slain bodies of the Lamb's followers; but with∣all we stand with the hundred fourty & four thousand who are with the Lamb upon the top of ••ount Sion: Antichrist & his followers are down in the valley ground, we have the advan∣tage of the hill: our temptation are alwayes beneath, our waters are beneath our breath; as dying and behold we live: I never heard before of a living death, or a quick death, but ours: our death i•• not like the common death; Christ's skill, his handy work & 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 singers, & that he casteth sugar among them, and casteth in, some ounce weights of heaven and of the spirit of glory [that resteth on suffering beleevers] in our cup in which there is no taste of hell. My dear Brother, ye know all these better then I: I send water to the sea, to speak of these things to you: But it easeth me to desire you to help me to pay tribute of praise to Jesus. O what praises I ow him! I would I were in my free heritage, that I might begin to pay my debts to Jesus. I entreat for your prayers & praises: I forget not you.

Aberd. Sept. 17. 1637

Your brother and fellow sufferer in and for Christ. S. R.

To Mr DAVID DICKSON. (73)

Reverend and welbeloved brother in the Lord.

I Bless the Lord who hath so wonderfully stopped the on-going of that lawless process against you. The Lord reigneth, & hath a saving eye upon you & your ministery, & therefore fear not what men can doe. I bless the Lord that the Irish ministers finde employment, & the professors comfort of their ministery: Beleeve me, I durst not, as I am now disposed, hold an ho∣nest brother out of the pulpit: I trust, the Lord shall guard you & hide you in the shadow of his hand: I am not pleased with a∣ny that are against you in that. I see this, in prosperity mens 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 eye water & troubled their peace. O how ready are we to incline to the world's-hand? Our arguments being well examined are often drawn from our skin: the whole skin & a peaceable tabernacle is a topick maxime in great request in our Logick. I finde a little breirding of God's seed in this town, for the which the Doctors have told me their minde, that they cannot bear with it, and have examined and threat∣ned the people that haunt my company: I fear I get not leave to winter here, and whether I goe, I know not; I am ready

at the Lord's call. I would I could make acquaintance with Christ's cross, for I finde, comforts lie to, & 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 & doe as they like best with it, when the wind of their ca∣lumnies hath blown away my good name from me in the way to heaven, I know Christ will take my name out of the mire & wash it & restore it to me again. I would have a minde (if the Lord would be pleased to give me it] to be a fool for Christ's sake. Sometimes while I have Christ in my arms, I fall asleep with the sweetness of his presence, & he in my sleep steal∣eth away out of my arms, & when I awake I mis•• him. I am much comforted with my Lady Pi••sligo, a good woman & ac∣quainted with God's wayes. Grace be with you.

Aberd. Sept. 11. 1637.

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

To the right honourable, my Lord LOWDOUN. (75.)

Right honourable.

GRace mercy & peace be to your Lo: I rejoyce exceedingly that I hear your Lo: hath a good minde to Christ & his now-born-down truth. My very dear Lord, goe on in the strength of the Lord to carry your honour & worldly glory to the new Ierusalem: For this cause your Lo: received these of the Lord: this is a sure way for the establishment of your house if ye be of these who are willing in your place to build Zion's old waste places in Scotland. Your Lo: wanteth not God's & man's law both, now to come to the streets for Christ: & suppose the bastard laws of man were against you, it is an honest & zealous errour, if here ye slip against a point or punctilio of standing po∣licy: when your foot slippeth in such known ground as is the royal prerogative of our high & most truly dread ••overaign [who hath many crowns on his head] & the liberties of his house, he will hold you up. Blessed shall they be who take Babel's little ones

& dash their heads against stones: I wish your Lo: 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 pullin up the stakes & loo••ng the cords of the tent of Christ: but I am pe∣swaded, that that wisdom is cried down in heaven, & shall never passe for true wisdom it•• the Lord, whose word crieth shame upon wit against Christ & truth: & accordingly it shall prove shame & confusion of face in the end. Our Lord hath given your Lo: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a better stamp, & learning also wherein yeare not be∣hinde th disputer and the s••••be. O what a bless••d thing i•• it to see No••ility, Learning & Sanctification, all co curre in one! For these ye ow your sel to Christ & his ••ingdom: God hath be-wildered & b••-misted the wit & the learning of the scribes & disputer of this time; they look asquint to the Bible: This blinding & be-•…•…ing world blindfoldeth mens light, that they are affraid to se straight out b••fore them, nay their very light playeth the knave, or wo••s, to truth. Your Lo: know∣eth, within a little while, Policy against trut•• will blu••h, & the works of men shall burn, even their spider-w••b, who spin out ma∣ny hundred ells & webs of indifferencie in the Lord's worship, moe then ever ••oses, who would have an••oof m••••t rial; & Daniel, who would have a look out at a wi••dow a matter of life & death, then ever [I say] these men of God dreamed of. Alas, that men dare shape, carve, cut & clippe our King's princ••ly Testa∣ment in length and breadth and in all dimensions answerable to the conceptions of such policy as a h ad-of-wit thinketh a safe and trim way of serving God. How have men for∣gotten the Lord, that they dàre goe against even that truth which once they preached themselves, howbeit their sermons now be as thin sown as strav-berri••s in a wood or wilderness. Certainly the s••eetest & safest course is, for this short time of the afternoon of this ol•• & declining world, to stand for Jesus: he hath said it & it is our part to beleeve it, that ere is be long Time shall be no more, and the heaven shall wax old as a garment: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Doe we not see it already an old hollie & threed-bare garment? doeth not or ple & la••e ature t••••l us, that the Lord will fold up the old garment, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and lay it aside, &

that the heavens shall be folded together as a scroll & this pest∣house shall be burnt with fire, & that both plenishing & walls shall melt with fervent heat? for at the Lord's coming he will doe with this earth as men doe with a leper house, he wil burn the walls with fire & the plenishing of the house also, 2 Pet. 3, 10, 11, 12. My very Daer Lord, how shall ye rejoyce in that day to have Christ, Angels, heaven, & your own conscience to smile upon you. I am perswaded one sick night through the terrors of the Al∣mighty, would make men [whose conscience hath such a wide throat as an image like a Chathedral Church would goe down it] have other thoughts of Christ and his wor∣ship then now they please themselves with. The scarcity of faith in the earth saith, We are hard upon the last nick of time: Blessed are these who keep their garments clean against the bridegroom's coming: There shall be spotted clothes & many defiled garments at his last coming; & therefore few found worthy to walk with him in white. I am perswaded, my Lord, this poor travelling woman, our pained Church, is with childe of victory & shall bring forth a man-childe that shall be caught up to God & his throne, howbeit the Dragon [in his followers] be attending the childe-birth-pain, as an Egyptian midwife, to receive the birth & strangle it: Isa. 29: 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 behold he awaketh & his soul is empty, or when a thirsty man dreameth, that he drinketh but behold he awaketh & is faint & his soul is not satisfied: so shall it be, I say, with the multitude of all the nations that fight against mount Zion. Therefore the weak, & feeble, these that are as signes & wonders in Israel, have chosen the best side, even the side that victory is upon; & I think, this is no evil policy. Verily for my self, I am so well pleased with Christ & his noble & honest-born cross, this cross that is come of Christ's house, & is of kin to himself, that I should weep if it should come to niffering & bar••••ring of lots & condition with these that are at ease in Zion: I hold still my choice & blesse my self in it. I see, & I beleeve there is salvation in this way that is every where spoken against: I hope to goe to eternity & to ven∣ture

upon the last evil to the saints, even upon death, fully per∣swaded that this onely, even this, is, the saving way for rackel consciences & for weary & laden sinners to finde ease & peace for evermore into: & 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 ••ntertainment that my good friends the Prelats, intend for me, which is banishment, if they shall obtain their desire & effectu at what they design; but let it come, I rue not that I made Christ my waile & my choice; I think him ay the longer the better. My Lord, It shall be good service to God to hold your noble friend & Chief upon a good course for the truth of Christ. Now the very God of peace establish your Lo: in Christ Jesu•• unto the end.

Aberd. Sept, 10. 1637.

Your Lo: in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Laird of GAITGIRTH. (76)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I can doe no more but thank you in paper, & remember you to him whom I serve, for your kindness & care of a prisoner. I ble••s the Lord, the cause I suffer for needeth not to blu••h before Kings: Christs white, honest & fair truth needeth neither wax pale for fear, nor blush for shame. I bless the Lord who hath graced you to own Christ now, when so many are affraid to profess him, & hide him for fear they suffer loss by avouching him. Alas that so many in these dayes are carried with the times: As if their conscience rolled upon oyled wheels so doe they goe any way the wind bloweth them, & because Christ is not market-sweet, men put him away from them. Worthy & much honoured Sir, goe on to own Christ & his oppressed truth: The end of sufferings for the Gospel is rest and gladness: light & joy is sown for the mourn∣ers

in Zion and the harvest [which is of God's making for time & manner] is neer: Crosses have right & claim to Christ in hs members, till legs & arms & whole mystical-Christ be in hea∣ven: There will be rain & hail & storm••••n the saints clouds, ever till God cleanse with fire the works of creation, & till he burn the botch-house of heaven & earth that mens sin hath sub∣jected unto vanity. They are blessed who suffer & sin not, for suffering is the badge 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 & wiles, shifts & laws will not finde out a way about the cross of Christ but we must through, one thing by experi∣ence my Lord hath taught me, that the waters betwixt this & heaven may all be ridden if ••e be well hors'd, I mean if we be in Christ, & not one shall drown by the way but such as love their own destruction. Oh if we could wait on for a time & be∣leeve in the dark the salvation of God! At least we are to beleeve good of Christ till he give us the slip [which is impossible] & to take his word for caution that he shall fill up all the blanks in his promises & give us what we want: but to the unbeleever Christ's Testament is white, blank, unwritten paper, worthy and dear Sir, set your face to heaven & make you to stoop at all the low entries in the way: that ye may receive the Kingdom as a childe: without this, he that knew the way said, there is no entry 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.

Aberd. Sept. 7. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Lady GAITGIRTH. (77)

Much honoured & Christian Lady.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear how it goeth with you & 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, & ye shall come ere long to be within your arm∣length of the glorious crown. Your Lord Jesus did sweat & pant ere he got up that mount, he was at father save me with it, it was he who, Psal. 22: 14. said. I am poured out like water; all my bones are out of joynt [Christ wa•• as if they had broken him upon the wheel] my heart is like wax, it is melted in the midst of my bowels v. 15. My strength is dried up like a po••sheard: I am sure ye love the way the better that his holy feet trod it before you: Crosses have a smell of crossed & pained Christ. I beleeve your Lord will not leave you to die your alone in the way. I know ye have sad hours when the comforter is hid un∣der a vail & when ye inquire for him, & finde 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 fight, till God send Christ himself in his own sweet presence: make his sweet comforts your own, & be not strange & shame fast with Christ: homely deal∣ing 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 childe of joy, he will doe you good in the latter end. Take no heavier lift of your children then your Lord alloweth, give 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 bairns: 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 thr•…•… ••pples off his own trees before midsum∣mer & ere they get the harvest sun, & it would not be seemly

that his servant, the gardiner, 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 cof∣fered in heaven where our Lord's best jewely lie: They are all free goods that are there, death can have no law to arrest any thing that is within the walls of the new Ierusalem. All the saints, because of sin, are like old rusty horologies that must be taken down, & the wheels scoured & mended, & set up again in better case then before: Sin hath rusted both soul & body: our dear Lord by death taketh us down to scour the wheels of both, & to purge us perfectly from the root and remainder of sin, & we shall be set up in better case then before. Then pluck up your heart, heaven is yours, & that is a word few can say. Now the great Shepherd of the sheep & the very God of peace confirm & establish you to the day of the appearance of Christ our Lord.

Aberd. 7 Sept. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To his revend & very dear brother M^r GEORGE GILLESPIE. [78]

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 & water with his own, & cometh ere our breath goe out & ere our blood grow cold. Blessed are they whose feet escape the great golden net that is now spread: it is our hap∣piness to take the crabbed, rough & poor side of Christ's world, which is a lease of crosses & losses for him; for Christ's in comes & casualities that follow him are many: & it is not a little one, that a good conscience may be had in following him this is true gain & most to be laboured for & loved. Many give Christ for a shadow, because Christ was rather beside their con∣••cience

in a dead & reprobate light, then in their conscience. Let us be ballasted with grace, that we be not blowen over & that we staggar not. Yet a little while & Christ & his redeemed ones shall fill the field & come out victorious: Christ's glory of triumphing in Scotland is yet in the bud & in the birth, but the birth cannot prove an abortive: He shall not faint nor be discou∣raged till he have brought forth judgement unto victory. Let us still minde our Covenant: & the very God of peace be with you.

Aberd. 9. Sept. 1637.

Your Brother in Christ. S. R.

To Mr MATHEW MOWAT. (79)

Reverend & 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 doe 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 my self [my very dear brother, I speak not by any proud figure or trope] unworthy of it; nay I am not worthy to stand behinde the door: if my head & feet & 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 grieuing & love-sick desires. When I hear that the men of God are at work & speaking in our Lord Jesus his name, I think my self but an out-cast or out-law chased from the City to lie on the hills & live amongst the rocks & out-fields. O that I might but stand in Christ's out-house, or hold a can∣dle in any low vault of his house! But I know this is but the vapours that arise out of a quarrellous & unbeleeving heart, to darken the wisdom of God. And your fault is just mine, that I cannot beleeve my Lord's bare & naked word: I must either have an apple to play me with & shake hands with

Christ, & have seal, caution, & witness to his word, or else I count my self loose; how beit I have the word & faith of a King. Oh, I am made of unbelief & 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 & a cousener! We can make such a Christ as temptations [cast∣ing us in a night-dream] doeth feign & devise [& tempe∣ations represent Christ ever unlike himself] & we in our folly listen to the tempter. If I could minister one saving word to any, how glad would my soul be: But I my self [which is my greatest evil] often mistake the cross of Christ: For I know if we had wit & knew well that ease slayeth us fools, we would desire a market where we might barter or niffer our lazie ease with a profitable cross; howbeit there be an out-cast natur∣al betwixt our desires & tribulation: But some give a dear price & gold for physick which they love not & buy sickness, howbeit they wish rather to have been whole then to be sick. But surely. Brother, ye shall not have my advice [howbeit alas I cannot follow it my self] to contend with the honest & faithfull Lord of the house; for goe he or come he, he is ay gracious in his departure: There are grace & mercy & lov∣ing kindness upon Christ's back-parts: & When he goeth away, the proportion of his face, the image of that fair sun that staveth in eyes, senses & heart after he is gone, leaveth a mass of love behinde it in the heart. The sound of his knock at the door of his beloved after he is gone & past, leaveth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 share of joy & sorrow both: So we have something to feed upon till he return, & he is more loved in his departure, & after he is gone then before, as the day in the declining of the sun & toward's the evening is often most desired. And as for Christ's cross I never received evil of it, but what was of mine own making: when I miscooked Christ's physick, no marvel that it hurt me: For since it was on Christ's back it hath alwayes a sweet smell & these 1600 Years it keepeth the smell of Christ; nay it is elder then that too, for it is a long time since Abel first hansel'd the cross & had it laid upon his shoulders & 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, & that it is called the cross of our Lord Iesus, Gal. 6: v. 14. His reproaches, Heb. 13: 13. As if Christ would claim it as his proper goods, & 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 a∣way with wit, & will is up & wit down] that they would essay to lift up the stone laid in Zion: surely it is not laid in such sink∣ing ground as that they can raise it or remove it; for when we are in their belly & they have swallowed us down, they will be sick & spue us out again. I know Zion & her Husband can∣not both sleep at once: I beleeve our Lord once again shall water with his dew the withered hill of mount Zion in Scot∣land & come down & 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 light as sick folks beside meat & cannot make use of it. Grace be with you.

Aberd. Sept. 7. 1637.

Your brother in Christ, S. R.

To Mr JOHN MEINE. (80)

Dear Brother.

I Received your letter: I cannot but testifie under mine own hand, that Christ is still the longer the better, & that this time is the time of loves. When I have said all I can, others may be∣gin & say, I have said nothing of him. I never knew Christ to ebbe 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 & good

neighbourhood with such a second, & let him alone! My unbelief made many black lies, but my recantation to Christ is not worth the hearing. Surely he hath born with strange gâdes in me: He knoweth my heart hath not naturall wit to keep quarters with such a Saviour. Ye doe well to fear your own backsliding: I had stood sure, if I had in my youth borrow∣ed Christ to be my bottom: But he that beareth his own weight to heaven, shall not fail to slip & sink. Ye had no need to be bare-footed among the thorns of this apostat generation, lest a stob strike up in your foot & cause you to halt all your dayes: And think not, Christ will doe with you in the matter of suffering as the Pope doeth in the matter of sin: Ye shall not finde that Christ will sell a Dispensation or give a Dy∣vour's Protection against crosses: Crosses are proclaimed as common Accidents to all the saints, & in them standeth a part of our communion with Christ: But there lieth a sweet casua∣lity to the cross; even Christ's presence & his comforts when they are sanctified. Remember my love to your father & mo∣ther. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 7. Sept. 1637

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JOHN FLEEMING. Bailiffe of Leith. (81)

Much honoured in the Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am still in good termes with Christ, however my Lord's wind blow, I have the advantage of the calm & sunny side of Christ. Devils, & hell, & Devil's servants, are all blowen blinde 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 calling: This great fair & meeting of people will skaile, & 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 finde it hard to 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, & up shall down, & these that are weeping in sack-cloth shall triumph on white horses, with him whose name is The word of God. These dying idols, the fair: creatures that we whorishly love better then our Creator, will pass away like snow water. The Godhead, the Godhead, a communion with God in Christ, to be halvers with Christ of the purchased house & inheritance in heaven, should be your scope & aime. For my self, when I lay my counts, O what telling, O what weighing is in Christ! O how soft are his kisses! O love, love surpassing in Jesus! I have no fault to that love, but that it seemeth to deal niggardly with me: I have little of it. O that I had Christ's seen & read band, subscribed by himself, for my fill of it! What garland have I, or what crown, if I looked right on things, but Jesus? Oh there is no room in us on this side of the water for that love! This narrow bit earth & these ebbe & narrow souls can hold little of it because we are full of rifts. I would glory, glory would en∣large us [as it will] & make us tight, & close up our seams & rifts, that we might be able to comprehend it, which yet is incomprehensible. Remember my love to your wife. Grace be with you.

Aberd. Sept. 7. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To ALEXANDER GORDON Of Earlestoun. [82.)

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 not made of iron, they are softer and of

more gentle mettall: It is easy for God, to make a fool of the Devil the father of all fools. As for me, I but breath out what my Lord breatheth in: The scum & froth of my letters, I father upon my own unbeleeving heart. I know your Lord hath something to doe with you, because Satan & malice have shot sore at you; but your bowe abideth in it's strength. Ye shall not by my advice be a halver with Christ, to divide the glo∣ry of your deliverance betwixt your self & him; or any other second mean whatsoever: Let Christ [as it setteth him well] have all the glory, & triumph his alone. The Lord set him∣self on high in you: I see Christ can borrow a cross for some hours, & set his servants beside it, rather then under it, & win the plea too, yea & make glory to himself & shame to his ene∣mies & comfort to his children out of it: But whether Christ buy or borrow crosses, he is King of crosses, & King of Devils, & King over hell, & King over malice: When he was in the grave, he came out, & brought the keys with him: he is Lord-Jaylor, nay what say I, he is Captain of the castle, & he hath the keys of deaths hell; & what are our troubles but little deaths: & he who commandeth the great castle commandeth the little also. 2. I see, a hardned face & two skins upon our browes, against the winter hail, & stormy wind, is meetest for a poor traveller in a winter journey to heaven. O what art is it to learn to endure hardness & to learn to goe bare footed either through the devil's fiery coals or his frozen waters! 3. I am perswaded a sea-venture with Christ maketh great riches: Is not our King Jesus his ship coming home, & shall not we get part of the gold? Alas, we fools miscount our gain when we seem losers. Beleeve me, I have no challenges against this well-born cross, for it is come of Christ's house & is honourable & his propine, To you it is given to suffer. O what fools are we to undervalue his gifts, & to lightlie that which is true honour! For if we could be faith∣full, our tackling shall not loose, nor our mast break, nor our sails blow into the sea. The bastard crosses, the kinless & base-born crosses of worldlings for evil doing, must be heavie & grievous; but our afflictions are light & momentany. 4. I think my self happy that I have lost credit with Christ, & 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 salva∣tion: Let me stand in black and white in the Dyvour∣book be ore Christ, I am happy that my salvation is con∣credited to Christ's mediation: Christ oweth no faith to me, to lippen any thing to me; but O what faith & credit I ow to him! Let my name fall & let Christ's name stand in ho∣nour with man & angel. Alas, I have no room to spread out my affection before God's people, & I see not how I can shout out & cry out the loveliness, the high honour & the glory of my fairest Lord Jesus. Oh that he would let me have a bed to lie in, to be delivered of my birth, that I might paint him out in his beauty to men as I dow. 5. I wondered once at providence & called white providence black & unjust, that I should be smo∣thered in a town where no soul will take Christ off my hand: But providence hath another lustre with God, then with my bliered eyes. I proclaim my self a blinde body who know not black & white in the uncouth course of God's providence. Suppose Christ would set hell where heaven is & devils up in glory beside the elect Angels [which yet cannot be] I would I had a heart to acquiesce in his way without further dispute. I see, infinite wisdom is the mother of his judgements & his wayes pass finding out. 6. I cannot learn, but I desire to learn to bring my thoughts, will, & 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.

Aberd. Sept. 12. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus: S. R.

To ROBERT LENNOX. Of Disdove. [83]

Worthy & dear Brother.

I Forget you not in my bonds: I know ye are looking to Christ, & I beseech you, follow your look. I can say more of Christ now by experience [though he be infinitly above & be∣yond

all that can be said of him] then when I saw you. I am drowned over head & ears in his love. Sell, sell, sell all things for Christ. If this whole world were the balk of a ballance, it should not be able to bear the weight of Christ's love; man & angels have short arms to fathom it: Set your feet upon this piece blew & base clay of an over-guilded & fair plaistered world; an hours kissing of Christ is worth a world of worlds. Sir, make sure work or your salvation, build not upon sand, lay the foun∣dation upon the rock in Zion: strive to be dead to this world & to your will & lusts: Let Christ have a commanding power & a King throne in you: Walk with Christ, howbeit the wind should take the hide off your face: I promise you Christ will win the field: Your pastors cause you to erre; ex∣cept you see Christ's word, goe not one foot with them: Counte∣nance not the reading of that Romish Service-book: Keep your garments clean, as ye would walk with the Lamb clothed in white. The wrongs I suffer are upon record in heaven: our great Master & Judge will be upon us all, & bring us before the sun in our black's & white's: Blessed are they who watch & keep them∣selves in God's love. Learn to discern the Bridegroom's tongue, & to give your self to prayer & reading. Ye was often a hearer of me: I would put my heart blood upon the doctrine I taught, as the onely way to salvation: goe not from it, my dear Brother. What I write to your self, I write to your wife also. Minde heaven & Christ, & keep the spunk of the love of Christ you have gotten; Christ shall blow on it, if ye entertain it, & your end shall be peace. There is a fire in our Zion; but our Lord is but seeking a new Bride refined & 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 sinfull man write it to you, these people shall yet be in Scotland as a green olive-tree & a field blessed of the Lord, & it shall be proclaimed, up, up with Christ, & down, down with all contrary powers. Sir, pray for me, [I name you to the Lord] for further evil is determi∣ned against me. Remember my love to Christian Murray & her daughter: I desire her in the edge of her evening to wait a little, the King is coming, & he hath something, that

she never saw, with him: heaven is no dream: Come & see will teach her best. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. Sept. 13. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To MARION M^cKNAUGHT: [84]

Dearest in our Lord Iesus.

COunt it your honour that Christ hath begun at you to fine you first: Fear not, saith the Amen, the true & faith∣full witness: I write to you, as my Master liveth, upon the word of my royal King, continue in prayer & in watching, & 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 & fan then like chaff, Isa. 41. If ye slack your hands at your meetings & your watching to prayer, then it would seem our rock hath sold us; but be dili∣ligent & be not discouraged. I charge you in Christ rejoyce, give thanks, beleeve, be strong in the Lord: That burning bush in Galloway & Kirk•…•…dbright shall not be burnt to ashes; for the Lord is in the bush. Be not discouraged that banish∣ment is to be procured by the King's warrand to the Councel, against me: the earth is my Lord's; I am filled with his sweet love; & running over: I rejoyce to hear ye are in your jour∣ney: such newes as I hear of all your faith & love, rejoyce my sad heart. Pray for me, for they seek my hurt, but I give my self to prayer. The blessing of my Lord & a prisoner of Christ's blessing be with you. O chosen & 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, & hold not your peace till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in Christ Iesus his Lord. S. R.

To THOMAS CORBET. [85]

Dear friend.

I Forget you not: It shall be my joy that ye follovv after Christ till ye finde 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 high-vvay to our Bridegroom & our father's house: Thrice blessed are ye, my dear Brother, if ye hold the way: I beleeve, ye and Christ once met, I hope ye will not sunder with him: Follovv the counsel of the man of God Mr William Dalgl••ish. If ye depart from what I taught you in a hair-breadth, for f••ar or favour of men or desire of ease in this world, I take heaven & earth to witness that ill shall come upon you in end. Build not your nest here: This world is an hard ill made bed, no rest in it, for your soul: awake, awake, & 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, hovvbeit a storm follow him: howbeit this day be not yours & Christ's, the morrow will be yours & his. I would not ex∣change the joy of my bonds & imprisonment for Christ, with all the joy of this dirty & soul-skinned world. I have a love∣bed with Christ, & am filled with his love. I desire your vvife to doe what I write to you: Let her remember how dear Christ would be to her, when her breath turneth cold, & the eye-strings shall break. O how joyfull should my soul be, to know that I had brought on a marriage betvvixt Christ & that people, fevv or many: if it be not so, I vvill be woe to be a vvitness against them. Use prayer, love not the world, be humble and esteem little of your self; love your enemies & pray for them; make conscience of speaking truth when none knoweth but God. I never eat, but I pray for you all. Pray for me: Ye & I shall see one another up in our father's house. I rejoyce to hear that your eye is upon Christ.

Follow on, hing on, & quite him not. The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.

Aberd. 1637.

Your affectionat Brother in our Lord Iesus, S. R.

To ALEXANDER GORDON of Earlestoun. (86.)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter which refreshed me: Except from your son & my brother; I have seen few l••tters from my acquaintance in that countrey, which maketh me heavie: But I have the com∣pany of a Lord, who can teach us all to be kind & hath the right gate of it: though for the present I have seven up's & down's eve∣ry day, yet I am abundantly comforted & feasted with my King & welbeloved d••ily. It pleaseth him to come & dine with a sad prisoner, & a solitary stranger: His spikenard casteth a smell, yet my sweet hath some sowre mixed with it; where∣in 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? 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 vvas but child-hood & bairns-play. Since I departed from you, I have been scalded, vvhile the smoak of hell's fire vvent in at my throat, & I vvould have bought peace vvith a thousand years torment in hell: & I have been up also, after these deep dovvn-castings & sorrovvs, before the Lamb's vvhite throne in my father's inner court, the great King'•• dining∣hall, & Christ did cast a cove••ing of love over me, he hath casten in a coal in my soul, & it is s••oking ••mong the stravv & keeping the hearth warme: I look back to what I vvas before, & I laugh to see the sand-houses I built vvhen I vvas a child••. At first the re∣membrance of many fair feast-dayes vvith my Lord Jesus in

publike, wich are now changed into silent sabbaths, raised a great tempest, & [if I may speak so] made the Devil a doe in my soul: the devil came in, & would prompt me to make a plea with Christ, & to lay the blame on him as a hard master: But now these mists are blowen away, & I am not onely silenced as to all quarrelling, but fully satisfied. Now I wonder that any man living can laugh upon 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 com∣pany; he hath eased me when I saw it not, lifting the cross off my shoulders, so that I think it to be but a feather, be∣cause underneath are everlasting arms. God forbid, it came to bartering or niffering 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 I cannot get the daugh∣ters of Ierusalem to tell them of my bride-groom's glory: I charge you in the name of Christ, that ye tell all ye come to, of it, & yet it is above telling & understanding. Oh if all the kingdom were as I am, except my bonds! they know not the love-kisses that my onely Lord Jesus wasteth on a dâted prisoner. On my salvation, this is the onely 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 suffer∣ings with comforts. I write this to confirm you. I write now what I have seen as well as heard. Now & then my si∣lence 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 rejoyceth my heart. At other times, I am sad for 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 & my ac∣quaintance far from me: & it may be, I be forgotten in the place, where the Lord made me the instrument to doe some good. But I see this is vanity in me: Let him make of me what he pleaseth, if he make salvation out of it to me. I am tempted & troubled

that all the fourteen Prelats should have been armed of God against me onely, while the rest of my brethren are still preach∣ing: But I dare not say one word but this, it is good, Lord Iesus, beacuse thou hast done it. Wo is me for the virgin daughter, wo is me for the desolation of the virgin daughter of Scotland! O if my eyes were a fountain of tears to weep day & 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 & fury of the indignation of the Lord, that is hanging over the Land. Sir, write to mel beseech you: I pray you also, be kind to my ••fflicted bro∣ther. Remember my love to your wife: & The prayers & the blessin•• of the prisoner of Christ be on you. Frequent your meetings for prayer & communion with God, they would be sweet meerings to me.

Aberd. 16. Febr. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To ROBERT GORDON of Knockbrex. (87)

My Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be multiplied upon you: I am al∣most wearying, yea wondering that ye write not to me; though I know it is not forgetfulness. As for my self, I am every way well, all glory to God: I was before at a plea with Christ, but it was bought by me & unlawfull; because his whose providence was not yea & nay to my yea & nay, & because I beleeved Christ's outward look better then his faithfull pro∣mise: Yet he hath in patience waited on, while I'be come to my self, & hath not taken advantage of my weak apprehensions of his goodness: Great & holy is his name: He looketh to what I desire to be, & not to what I am. One thing I have learned, If I had been in Christ by way of adhesion onely, as many branches are, I should have beene burnt to ashes, & 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, & blow out Christ's candle; he took no thought of my stomacke, & fretting & grudging humour, but of his own grace: when he burnt the house he saved his own goods: And I beleeve, the devil & the persecuting world shall reap no fruit of me, but burnt ashes: for he will see to his own gold, & save that from being consumed with the fire. O what ow 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 & his oven, to be made bread for his own table: Grace tried is better then grace, & it is more then grace, it is glory in it's infancy. I now see, godliness is more then the out-side & this world's passements & their buskings: Who knoweth the truth of grace without a trial? O how little getteth Christ of us, but that which he winneth, [to speak so] with much toil & pains! And how soon would faith frieze 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? when Christ blesseth his own crosses with a tongue, they breath out Christ's love, wisdom, kindness & care of us. Why should I start at the plough of my Lord, that maketh deep fur∣rows on my soul? I know he is no idle husbandman, he pur∣poseth a crop. O that this white withered lay-ground were made fertile to bear a crop for him, by whom it is so painfully dressed, & that this fallow ground were broken up! Why was I [a fool] grieved that he put his garland & his rose upon my head, the glory & honour of his faithfull witnesses? I desire now to make no moe pleas with Christ: Verily he hath not put me to a loss by what I suffer, he oweth me nothing; for in my bonds, how sweet & comfortable have the thoughts of him been to me: where in I finde a sufficient recompence of reward! How blinde are my adversaries who sent me to a banquetting house, to a house of wine, to my lovely Lord Jesus his love∣feasts, & not to a prison or place of exile? Why should I smother my husband's honesty, or sin against his love, or be a

niggard in giving out to others, what I get for nothing. Brother, eat with me & give thanks: I charge you before God, that ye speak to others, & invite them to help me to praise. Oh my debt of praise, how weighty is it, & how far run up! Oh that others would lend me to pay, & learn me to praise! Oh, I a drown∣ed Dyvour! Lord Jesus, take my thoughts for payment. Yet I am in this hot summer-blenk 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 bre∣thren: My mother hath born me a man of contention. Write to me your minde anent Y. C. I cannot forget him, I know not what God hath to doe with him: & your minde anent my Parishoners behaviour, & how they are served in preaching, or if there be a Minister as yet thrust in upon them, which I desire greatly to know, & which I much fear. Dear Brother, ye are in my heart, to live & to die with you. Visite me with a let∣ter; Pray for me: Remember my love to your wife. Grace, grace be with you: & God who heareth prayer visite you, & set it be unto you according to the prayers of.

Aberd. Jan. 1. 1367.

Your own Brother & Christ's Prisoner. S. R.

To my welbeloved & reverend brother Mr ROBERT BLAIR. [88]

Reverend & dearly beloved Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace from God our father & from our Lord Jesus Christ be to you: It is no great wonder, my Dear Brother, that ye be in heaviness for a season, & that God's will in crossing your design & desires to dwell amongst a people whose God is the Lord, should move you: I deny not, but ye have cause to enquire what his providence speaketh in this to you; but God's directing & commanding will, can by no good logick, be concluded from events of providence. The Lord

sent Paul many errands for the spreading of his Gospel, where he found lions in his way: a promise was made to his people of the holy land & yet many nations in the way fighting against, & ready to kill them who had the promise, or keep them from poss••ssing that good land which the Lord their God had given them. I know ye have most to doe with submission of spi∣rit; but I perswade my self, ye have learned in every condi∣tion wherein ye are cast, therein to be content, & to say, good is the will of the Lord, let it be done. I beleeve, the Lord tackleth his ship often to fetch the wind, & that he purposeth to bring mercy out of your sufferings & silence, which [I know from mine own experience] is grievous to you: s••eing he knoweth our willing minde to serve him, our wages & stipend is running to the fore with our God; even as some tick souldiers get their pay when then they are bed-••ast & not able to goe to the fields with others. Though Israel be not gathered yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord & my God shall be my strentgh, Isa. 49: 3. & we are to beleeve it shall be thus ere all the play be played, Ier. 51: 35. The violence done to me & my flesh, be upon Babylon, & the great whore's lovers, shall the inhabitants of Zion say, and my blood be upon Caldea, shall Ierusalem say & Zech. 12: 2. Behold, I will make Ierusalem a cap of trembling to all the people about, where they shall be in the siege bosh against Iudah and Ierus them v. 3. And is that day, I will make Ierusalem a burden so〈…〉〈…〉 stone for all peo∣ple, 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 & swallowed us up, they shall be sick & vomit us out living men again: the devil's stomack cannot digest the Church of God. Suffering is the other half of our ministry, howbeit the hardest: For we would be content our King Jesus would make an open proclamation & cry down crosses; & cry up joy, glad∣ness, ease, honour, & peace; but it must not be so; through many af∣f••ctions we must enter into the Kingdom of God: not onely by them, but through them must we goe: & 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 confined in Aberd•…•…n, threatned to be removed to Caithness, because I

desire to edifie in this town; & I am openly preached against in the pulpits in my hearing, & tempted with disputations by the Doctors, especially by D. B. Yet I am not ashamed of my Lord Jesus his garland & crown: I would not exchange my weeping with the fourteen Prelat, painted laughter. At my first coming here, I took the Dorts at Christ & would forsooth summond him for unkindness; I sought a plea of my Lord & was tossed with challenges, whether he loved me or not? & disputed all over again that he had done to me; because his word was a fire shut up in my bowels & 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 miskend all & did bear with my foolish jealousies & miskend that ever I wronged his love, and now he is come again with mercy under his wings: I past from my [O witless] summonds: he is God [I see] & I am man. Now it hath pleased him to renew his love to my soul, & to dâte his poor prisoner. Therefore, my dear Brother, help me to praise, & shew the Lord's people with you, what he hath done to my soul, that they may pray & praise: & I charge you, in the name of Christ, not to omit it; for, for this cause I write to you that my suf∣ferings may glorifie my royal King & edifie 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 ye doe it not; But I hope the Lord will move your heart to proclaim in my behall, the sweetness, excellency & 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. O if Scotland & Ireland had part of my feast! & 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. Refresh me with a letter from you: Few know what is be∣twixt Christ & me. Dear Brother, upon my salvation, this is his truth that we suffer for: Christ would not seal a blank charter to souls. Courage, courage, joy, joy for ever∣more! O joy unspeakable & glorious! Oh for help to set my crowned King on high! O for love to him who is alto∣gether

lovely! That love which many waters cannot quench, neither can the floods drown! I remember you, & I bear your name on my breast to Christ: I beseech you forget not his afflicted prisoner. Grace, mercy & peace be with you. Salute in the Lord from me Mr Cuninghame, Mr Livingston, Mr Ridge, Mr Colwart, &c.

Aberd. Feb. 7. 1637.

Your Brother & fellow prisoner. S. R.

To JOHN KENNEDY Bailiffe of Ayr. (89:)

Worthy & welbeloved Brother

GRace mercy & peace be unto you: I am yet waiting what our Lord will doe for his afflicted church, & for my re∣entry to my Lord's house. Oh that I could hear the forfeiture of Christ [now casten out of his inheritance] recalled & taken off by open proclamation, & that Christ were restored to be a Free holder and a landed Hieritour in Scotland: & That the courts fenced in the name of the bastard Prelats [their God∣father's the Pop's Bailiffes & Sherifes] were cryed down! 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 his throne! I shall think it mercy to my soul, if my faith shall out-watch all this winter night & not nod or slumber, till my Lord's summer day dawn upon me. It is much if faith & hope in the sad nights of our heavie trial escape with a whole skin, & without crack or crook: I confess unbelief hath not reason to be either father or mother to it: [for unbelief is alwayes an irrationall 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? But God be thanked that Christ in his chil∣dren can endure a stress & storm: howbeit soft nature would fall down in peices. Oh that I had that confidence as to rest

rest on this, though he should grind me into small powder, & bray me into dust, & scatter the dust to the four winds of hea∣ven; that my Lord would gather up the powder & make me up a new vessel again to bear Christ's name to the world: I am sure that love bottomed & seated upon the faith of his love to me would desire & endure this, & would even claim & thriep kindness upon Christ's strokes, & kiss his lovely glooms: & both spell & read salvation upon the wounds made by Christ's sweet hands. Oh that I had but a promise from the mouth of Christ, of his love to me; & then howbeit my faith were as ten∣der as paper I think longing & dwining & griening of sick desires would cause it bide out the siege, till the Lord came to fill the soul with his love: & I know also in that case faith should abide green & sappy at the root, even at mid winter, and stand out against all stormes: However it be I know Christ winneth heaven in dispite of hell; But I ow as many praises & thanks to free grace as would lie betwixt me & the ut∣most border of the highest heaven, suppose ten thousand hea∣vens 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, & the strength of our salvation is anchored & fastened upon free grace: and I am sure Christ hath by his death & blood casten the knot so fast that the fingers of devils & hel-fuls of sins cannot loose it; & that bond of Christ [that never yet was nor never shall nor can be registrat∣ed] standeth surer then heaven or the dayes of heaven, as that sweet pillar of the covenant, whereupon we all hang: Christ and all his little ones under his two wings, & in the com∣passe or circle of his arms, is so sure, that cast him and them in the ground of the sea, he shall come up again & not loose one: An odde one cannot, nor shall not be lost in the telling. This was alwayes God's aime since Christ came in the play be∣twixt him & us, to make men dependent creatures, and in the work of our salvation to put created strength, & arms, & legs of clay, quit out of play, & out of office & court: & now God hath substituted in our room & accepted his Son the mediator

for us & all that we can make. If this had not been I would have skinked over & foregone my part of paradise & salvation, for a break-fast of dead moth-eaten earth; but now I would not give it, nor let it go for more then I can tell: & truly they are silly fools, and ignorant of Christ's worth [& so full ill trained and tutoured] who tell heaven & Christ over the board, for two feathers or two straws of the devil's painted plea∣sures, onely lustred in the utter side. This is our happiness now, that our reckonings at night when eternity shall come upon us, cannot be told; we shall be so far gainers & so far from being su∣per expended [as the poor fools of this world are, who give out their money & get in but black hunger] that Angels cannot lay our counts nor summe our advantage & in-comes. Who know∣eth how far is it to the bottom of our Christ, & to the ground of our heaven? Who ever weighed Christ in a pair of bal∣lances? Who hath seen the foldings, & plyes, and the heights and depths of that glory which is in him and kept for us? Oh for such a heaven as to stand afar off and see & love and long for him; while time's threed 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 re-entry to me into the Lord's house, if it be his good will:

Aberd. Jan. 6. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus: S. R.

To ELIZABETH KENNEDY. (90)

MISTRESS.

GRace mercy and peace be unto you: I have long had a purpose of writing to you, but I have been hindred: I heartily desire that ye would minde your journey; & consider to what airth your soul setteth it's face; for all come not home at night, who suppose they have set their face heaven-ward:

it is a woefull thing to die & misse heaven, & to lose house-room with Christ at night: It is an evil journey where travellers are benighted in the fields. I perswade my self that thousands shall be deceived & 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 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 blowen out & never lighted again! I see ordinary profession, & to be ranked amongst the children of God, & to have a name among men, is now thought good enough to carry professors to heaven; but certainly a name is but a name, & will never bide a blast of God's storm: I counsell you not to give your soul or Christ rest, nor your eyes sleep, till ye have gotten something that will bide the fire & stand out the storm. I am sure if my one foot were in heaven & then he would say, fend thy self, I will hold my grips of thee no longer: I should goe no further; but presently fall down in as many Pieces of dead nature. They are happy for evermore who are over head & ears in the love of Christ, & know no sickness but love-sick∣ness for Christ: & feel no pain but the pain of an absent & hidden welbeloved. We run our souls out of breath & tire them in coursing & galloping after our own night-dreams [such are the rovings of our miscarrying hearts] to get some created good thing in this life & on this side of death: We would fain slay & spin out a heaven to our solves in this side of the water; but sorrow, want, changes, crosses & sin are both woof & warp in that ill-spun web. O how sweet & dear are these thoughts that are still upon the things which are above! & how happy are they who are longing to have little sand in their glass & to have time's threed cut & can cry to Christ, Lord Iesus have over, come & fetch the driry passenger! I wish our thoughts were more frequently then they are on our countrey. O but heaven casteth a sweet smell afar off, to these who have spirituall smel∣ling! God hath made many fair flowers, but the fairest of them all is heaven, & the flower of all flowers is Christ. O why doe we not flee up to that lovely one? Alas that there is such

scarcity of love, & 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 & fair persons; and doe not pine & melt away with love for Christ. O would to God I had more love for his sake. O for as much love as would lie be∣twixt me & heaven for his sake. O for as much love as would goe round about the earth & over the heaven, yea the heaven of heavens & ten thousand worlds, that I might let all out upon fair, fair, onely 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 & hand-breadth of love. If men would have something to doe with their hearts & their thoughts that are alwayes rolling up & down, like men with oares in a boat after sinfull vainities, they may finde great & sweet employment to their thoughts upon Christ: If these frothie fluctuaring & restless hearts of ours, would come all about Christ & look in to his love, to bottomless love, to the depth of mercy, to the unsearchable riches of his grace, to enquire after & search into the beauty of God in Christ; they would be swallowed up in the depth, & height, length, & breadth of his goodness. Oh if men would draw the curtains & look in to the inner side of the arke, & behold how the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily! O who would not say let me die, 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 high∣ten the market & raise the price to the double for him: But alas if men & Angels were rouped & sold at the dearest price, they would not all buy a night's love or a four & twentie 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 & as well hea∣ven'd as the best of them, if Christ were my heaven. I can write no better thing to you, then to desire you, if ever ye laid Christ in a count; to take him up & count over again; and weigh him again and again: And after this have no other to court your love, and to wooe 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 upper∣most circle of the heaven of heavens. To our Lord Jesus & his love I commend you.

Aberd. 1637

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JONET KENNEDY. (91)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: Ye are not a little oblig∣ed to his rich grace who hath separat you for himself, & for the promised inheritance with the saints in light, from this condemned & guilty world: Hold fast Christ, contend for him, it is a lawfull plea to goe to holding & drawing for Christ; & 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 & stormes for salvation: Nature would have heaven come sleeping to us in our beds: we would all buy Christ, sobeing we might make price our selves; but Christ is worth more blood & lives then either ye or I have to give him. When we shall come home & enter to the possession of our brother's fair kingdom, & when our heads shall finde the weight of the eternall crown of glory, & when we shall look back to pains & sufferings; then shall we see life, & sorrow, to be less then one step or stride from a pri∣son to glory: & 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! O how weighty & of what worth shall every one of Christ's love-smiles be! O when once he shall thrust a wearied traveller's head be∣twixt his blessed breasts, the poor soul shall think one kiss of Christ hath fully paid home fourtie or fiftie yeers wet feet, & all it's sore hearts & light sufferings it had in following after Christ! O thrice blinded souls whose hearts are charmed & betwitched with dreams, shadows, feckless things, night-vanities & night fancies of a miserable life of sin! Shame on us who sit still fetter∣ed

with the love & liking of the loan of a piece dead clay. O poor fools who are beguiled with painted things & this world's fair weather & smooth promises, & rotten worm-eaten hopes! may not the devil laugh to see us give out our souls & get in but corrupt & counterfeit pleasures of sin. O for a sight of eterni∣ty's glory, & a little tasting of the Lamb's marriage-supper! halt a draught or a drop of the wine of consolations that is up in our banquetting house, out of Christ's own hand would make our stomacks loath the brown bread & the sowre drink of a miserable life. O how far are we berest or wit, to chase & hunt & run, till our souls be out of breath after a condemned happiness of our own making! & doe we not sit far in our own light, to make it a matter of bairns-play to skink & drink over paradise & the heaven that Christ did sweat for, even for a blast of smoke & for Esau's morning break-fast? O that we were out of ourselves & dead to this world, & this world dead & crucified to us, & then we should be close out of love & conceit of any masked & fairded lover whatsoever: then Christ would win & conquer to himself a lodging in the inmost yolk of our heart: then Christ should be our night-song & our morning-song: then the very noise & din of our welbeloved's feet when he cometh, & his first knock or rap, at the door should be as the newes of two heavens to us. Oh that our eyes & our soul's-smelling should goe after a blasted & sun-burnt flower, even this plaistered fair out-sided world, & then we have neither eye nor smell for the flower of I••sse, for that plant of renown, for Christ the choisest, the fairest, the sweetest rose that ever God planted! O let some of us die to feel the smell of him, & let my part of this rotten world be forfeited & sold for evermore, providing I may anchor my tot∣tering soul upon Christ! I know it is sometimes at this, Lord, what wilt thou have for Christ? But O Lord canst thou be budded or propined with any gift for Christ? O Lord, can Christ be sold, or rather may not a poor needy sinner have him for nothing? If I can get no more, O let me be pained to all eternity with longing for him. The joy of hungring for Christ, should be my heaven for e∣vermore. Alas that I cannot draw souls & Christ together: but I desire the coming of his Kingdō, & that Christ [as I assuredly hope

he shall] would come upon withered Scotland as rain upon the new mowen grass. O let the king come! O let his Kingdom come! O let their eyes rot in their eye holes who will not receive him home again to reign & rule in Scotland! Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

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

To his Reverend & Dear Brother, Mr DAVID DICKSON. (92)

Reverend & dearest. Brother.

WHat joy have I out of heaven's gates, but that my Lord Jesus be glorified in my bonds? Blessed be ye of the Lord who contribut any thing to my obliged & indebted praises: dear Brother help me a poor dyvour to pay the interest, for I can∣not come nigh to render the principall: It is not jest nor sport which maketh me to speak & write as I doe: I never before came to that nick or pitch of a communion with Christ that I have now attained unto, for my confirmation. I have been these two Sabbaths or three in privat, taking instruments in the name of God, that my Lord Jesus & I have kissed each other in Aberden, 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, & am content to suspend & frist glory while supper time: I know this world will not last with me; for my moon-light is noon-day light, & my four-hours above my feasts when I was a preacher; at which times also, I was em∣braced very often in his armes: But who can blame Christ to take me on behinde 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 dated Davie in his armes, & carry him over a ditch or a mire? my short legs could not step over this laire or sinking mire & therefore my L: Jesus will bear me thorow: If a change

come & 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 physick behooved to have sugar, my faith was fallen a swoon, and Christ but held up a swooning man's head: Indeed I pray not for a Dâted Bairn's diet, he knoweth I would have Christ sowre or sweet; any way. sobeing 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 joyes, 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 masse or bundle of joyfull sense under my chinne; at lest to venture albeit I should be ducked. Now for my case I think the Councel should be essayed, and the event referred to God: Duties are ours and events are God's. I shall goe through yours upon the Covenant at leisure, & write to you my minde thereanent; & anent the Arminian Contract betwixt the father & the son. I be∣seech you set to, to goe through scripture: yours on the He∣brews is in great request with all who would be acquaint with Christ's Testament. I purpose God willing to set about Hosea & to try if I can get it to the presse here. It refresheth me much that ye are so kind to my brother, I hope your counsel shall doe him good, I recommend him to you, since I am so far from him: I am glad that the dying servant of God, famous and faithfull Mr Cuninghame sealed your ministry before he fell asleep: Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 7. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Much honoured WILLIAM RIGGE of Athernie. (93)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your long∣looked-for & short letter; I would ye had spoken more to me who stand in need: I finde Christ as ve write ay the longer the better, & therefore cannot but rejoyce in his salvation, who hath made my chains my wings, & hath made me a King over my crosses & over my adversaries: glory, glory, glory to his high, high & holy name: Not one ounce, not one grain-weight more is laid on me, then he hath enabled me to bear: And I am not so much wearied to suffer as Sion's haters are to persecute. Oh if I could finde 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 a feather, his horse will neither stumble nor fall: The worm Jacob is made by him a new sharp threshing instrument hav∣ing teeth to thresh the mountains, & beat them small, & to make the hills as chaff & to fan them, so as the wind shall carry them away, & the whirlwind shall scatter them. Isa. 41: 14, 15, 16. Christ's enemies are but breaking their own heads in pieces upon the rock laid in Zion, & the stone is not removed out of it's place: Faith hath cause, to take courage from our very afflictions, the devil is but a whet-stone to sharpen the faith & patience of the saints: I know he but heweth & polisheth stones all this time for the new Jerusalem: 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, wherewith I am sick, pained, fainting & 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 coole & my fever goe away, at least I should know the heat of the fire of com∣placencie, which would coole the scorching heat of the fire of desire] & yet I have no penurie of his love, & so I dwin, I die, & he seemeth not to rue on me. I take instruments in his hand that I would have him; but I cannot get him, & my best chear is black hunger: I blesse him for that feast. Secondly, old challenges now & then revive & cast all down, I goe halting & sighing, fearing there be an unseen processe yet coming out, & that heavier then I can answer: I cannot read distinctly my Surtie's act of cautionrie for me in particular, & my discharge; & sense rather then faith assureth me of what I have: So unable am I to goe but by an 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 professe & suffer for. Thirdly, woe, woe is me for the virgin daughter of Scotland and for the fearfull desolation & wrath appointed for this land; And yet all are sleeping, eating and drinking, laughing and sporting, as if all were well. Oh our dim gold, our dumb, blinde pastors, the sun is gone down upon them, and our Nobles bid Christ send for himself if he be Christ: It were good we should learn in time the way to our strong hold. Sir howbeit not acquainted remember my love to your wife, I pray God establish you.

Aberd. March. 9 1637

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JOHN EWART Bailiffe of Kirkcudbright. (94)

My very worthy & dear Friend.

I Cannot but most kindly thank you for the expressions of your love: your love & respect to me is a great comfort to me.

I blesse his high & glorious name that the terrors of great men, have not affrighted me from open avouching of 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 sailes to a ship to car∣ry 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, & keep my conscience safe in these dangerous times: for wrath from the Lord is coming on this sinfull Land. It were good that we prisoners 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, & by your compearance before the sin-revenging Judge of the world, keep your garments clean & stand for the truth of Christ, which ye professe: When the time shall come that your eye strings shall break, your face wax pale, your breath grow cold, & this house of clay shall totter, & your one foot shall be over the march in eternity, it shall be your comfort & joy that ye gave your name to Christ. The greatest part of the world think heaven at the next door, & that Christianity is an easie 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 doe, hath had much adoe in the day of my trial; & there∣fore lay up a sure foundation for the time to come. I cannot re∣quite you for your your undeserved favours to me & my now∣afflicted brother; but I trust to remember you to God: remem∣ber me heartily to your kinde wife.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Yours in his onely Lord Iesus. S. R.

To VVILLIAM FULLERTON. Provest of Kirkcudbright. (95)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy and peace be to you: I am obleiged to your love in God: I beseech you Sir let nothing be so dear to

you as Christ's truth, for salvation is worth all the world; & therefore be not afraid of men that shall die: the Lord shall doe for you in your suffering for him, & shall blesse your house & seed, & ye have God's promise that ye shall have his presence in fire, water & in seven tribulations. Your day will wear to an end, & your sun goe down: in death it will be your joy that ye have ventured all ye have for Christ, & 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, & therefore no wonder the world smile on it's own; but better things are laid up for hi•• lawfully begotten bairnes; whō the world hateth: I have experience to speak this: for I would not exchange my prison & sad nights with the court, honour, & ease of my adversaries: My Lord is pleased to make many un∣known faces to laugh upon me, & to provide a lodging for me: & he himself visiteth my soul with feasts of spiritual comforts. O how sweet a Master is Christ! Blessed are these who lay down all for him. I thank you kindly for your love to my distressed brother. Ye have the blessing & prayers of the prisoner of Christ to you, your Wife & Children. Remember my love & blessing to William & Samuel: I desire them in their youth to seek the Lord & fear his great name, to pray twice a day [at least] to God, & to read God's word, to keep themselves from cursing, lying & filthie talking. Now the onely wise God & the presence of the Son of God be with you all.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the worthy & much honoured Mr ALEXANDER COLVILL, Of Blair. (96)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: The bearer hereof M. R. F. is most kinde to me; I desire you to thank him:

But none is so kinde as my onely royal King & Master, whose cross is my garland: The King dineth with his prisoner & his spikenard casteth a smell: He hath led me up to such a pitch & nick of joyfull communion with himself, as I never knew before: When I look back to by-gones, I judge my self to have been a childe at A, B, C. with Christ. Worthy Sir, pardon me, I dare not conceal it from you, it is as a fire i•• my bowels: In hi•• pres••nce who seeth me I sp••ak it, I am pained, pained with the love of Christ; he hath made me sick & wound∣ed me: Hunger for Christ out-runneth faith: I miss faith more then love. O if the three Kingdoms would come & 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; & yet I get my meat from Christ with nurture; for seven times a day I am lifted up & casten down. My dumb Sabbaths burthen my heart & make it bleed: I want not fearful chal∣lenges & jealousies sometimes of Christ's love, that he hath casten me over the dike of the vineyard as a dry tree: But this is my infirmity: By his grace I take my self in these ravings: It is kindly that faith & love both be sick, & fevers are kindly to most joyful communion with Christ. Ye are blessed who avouch Christ openly before the Princes of this Kingdom, whose eyes are upon you: It is your glory to lift him up on his throne, to carry his tr••in & bear up the hem of his robe royal: He hath an hiding place for M. A. C. against the storm: goe on & fear not what man can doe: The saints seem to have ••he worst of it, [for apprehensions can make a lye of Christ & of his love] but it is not so: Providence is not rolled upon unequal & crooked wheels: All things work tog••ther for the good of these who love God & 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 & kindness. Sir, the prisoner's blessings & prayers I trust shall not goe by you. He that is able to keep you & to

present you before the presence of his face with joy, establish your heart in the love of Christ.

Aberd. 19. Febr. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To EARLESTOWN Younger. (97)

Honoured & Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & 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 summonds of unkindness libelled against Christ my Lord: He is not such a Lord & Master as I took him to be, verily he is God, & I am dust & ashes: I took Christ's glooms to be as good as Scripture speaking wrath, but I have seen the other side of Christ & the white side of his cross now. I behooved to come to Aberdeen to learn a new mystery in Christ, that his promise is better to be beleeved then his looks, & that the devil can cause Christ's glooms speak a lie to a weak man: Nay, verily I was a childe before, all by-gones are but b••irns play: I would I could begin to be a Christian in sad earnest: I n••ed not blame Christ if I be not one, for he hath shewed me heaven & hell in Aberdeen: But the truth is, for all my sorrow, Christ is nothing in my debt; for his comforts have refreshed my soul: I have heard & s••en him in his sweetness, so, as I am almost saying, it is not he that I was wont to meet with: He laugheth more chearfully, his kisses are more sweet & soul-refreshing then the kisses of the Christ I saw before were [though he be the same] or rather, the King hath led me up to a measure of joy & communion with my Bridegroom, that I never attained to before; so that often I think, I will neither borrow nor lend with this world, I will not strike sail to crosses nor flatter them, to be quite of them as I have done. Come all crosses, welcome, welcome! So I may get my heartfull of my Lord Jesus. I have been so near him as I have said, I take instruments

this is the Lord, leave a token behinde thee that I may never forget this. Now what can Christ doe more to dâte one of his poor prisoners? Therefore, Sir, I charge you in the name of my Lord Jesus, praise with me & shew to others what he hath done unto my soul. This is the fruit of my sufferings that I de∣sire Christ's name may be spread abroad in this Kingdom in my behalf. I hope in God not to slander him again; yet in all this I get not my feasts without some mixture of gall; neither am I free of old jealousies, for he hath removed my lovers & friends far from me, he hath made my congregation desolate & taken away my crown: & my dumb sabbaths are like a stone tied to a bird's foot that wanteth not wings, they seem to hinder me to fleo: Were it not that I dare not say one word, but, Well done, Lord Iesus. We can in our prosperity sport our selves & 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 & quarrell Christ, to nickname 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 ••et Christ alone & give him leave to doe with me what he pleas∣eth, if he would smile upon me. Verily we know not what an evil it is to spill & indulge our selves, & 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 crumbs & pairings under his table: I was once that I would make the house adoe, if I saw not the world carved & set in order to my liking; now I am silent when I see God hath set servants on horseback, & is fatning & feeding the children of perdition. I pray God I never finde my will again: Oh if Christ would subject my will to his & trample it under his feet, & liberate me from that lawless Lord. Now Sir, in your youth gather fast, your sun will mount to the Meridian quickly & thereafter decline: Be greedy of grace: Study above any thing, my dear Brother, to mortifie your lusts. Oh but pride of youth, vainty, lust, idolizing of the world & charming pleasures, take long time to root them out! As far as ye are advanced in the way to heaven, as neer as ye are to Christ as

much progress as ye have made in the way of mortification, ye will finde that ye are far behinde & have most of your work before you. I never took it to be so hard, to be dead to my lusts & to this world: When the day of visitation cometh & your old idols come weeping about you, ye will have much adoe not to break your heart, it's best give up in time with them, so as ye could at a call quite 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, threed bare coat: I purpose to lay it aside being now hollie & old. O for my house above not made with hands! Pray for Christ's prisoner & write to me: Re∣member my love to your mother: Desire her from me to make for removing; the Lord's tide will not bide her; & to seek an heavenly minde, that her heart may be often there. Grace, be with you.

Aberd. Feb. 20. 1637.

Yours & Christ's priso∣ner. S. R.

To ROBERT GLENDINING [98]

My Dear Friend

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I thank you most kindly for your care of me, & your love and respective kindness to my brother in his distresse: I pray the Lord ye may finde mercy in the day of Christ, & I entreat you Sir to consider the times ye live in, & that your soul is of more worth to you then the whole world, which in the day of the blowing of the last trumpet shall lie in white ashes, as an old castle burnt to nothing: & Remember that judgement & eternity is before you. My dear & worthy friend, let me entreat you in Christ's name, & by the salvation of your soul, & by your compearance before the dreadful & sin-revenging judge of the world, make your accounts ready: read them ere ye come to the water side; for your after-noon will wear short, & your sun fall low and goe down: & ye know that this long time your Lord hath waited

on you: O how comfortable a thing shall it be to you when time shall be no more & your soul shall depart out of the house of clay to vaste & endlesse eternity, to have your soul dressed up & prepared for your bridegroom! No losse is comparable to the losse of the soul, there is no hope of regaining that losse. O how joyfull would my soul be to hear that ye would start to the gate, & contend for the crown, & leave all vanities, & make Christ your garland! Let your soul put away your old lovers & let Christ have your whole love: I have some experience to write of this to you: My witnesse is in heaven, I would not ex∣change my chains & bonds for Christ, & my sighs ••or ten worlds glory. I judge this clay-idol that Adam's sons are roup∣ing & 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! Mayflowers & morning vapours & summer mist posteth not so fast away as these worm-eaten pleasures that we follow: We build castles in the air, & night dreams are our day idols that we dote on: Salvation, Salvation is our onely one necessarie thing. Sir, call home your thoughts to this work, to inquire for your welbeloved: This earth is the portion of bastards, seek the sons inheritance, & let Christ's truth be dear to you. I pawnd my salvation on it that this is the honour of Christ's Kingdom, I now suffer for [& this world I hope shall not come between me & my garland] & that this is the way to life. When ye & I shall lie lumps of pale clay upon the cold ground, our pleasures that we now naturally love, shall be lesse then no∣thing in that day: dear Brother, fulfill my joy & betake you to Christ without further delay, ye will be fain at length to seek to him or doe infinitly worse. Remember my love to your wife, grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To WILLIAM GLENDINING. [99]

Welbeloved & dear Brother.

GRace, mercy and peace be to you: I thank you most kindly for your care & love to me, & in particular to my brother in hi•• distresse in Edinburgh: Goe on thorow your waters without wearying, your guide knoweth the way, follow him & cast your ca••es & tentation upon him: & let not wormes, the sons of men affright you; they shall die & the moth shall eat them: keep your garland, there is no lesse at the stake in this game betwixt us & the world then our conscience & salvation: we have need to take heed to the game, & not to yield to them: Let them take other things from us; but here, in mat∣ters of conscience we must hold & draw with Kings, & set our selves in termes of opposition with the shields of the earth. O the sweet communion for evermore that hath been between Christ & his poor prisoner! He wearieth not to be kinde: He is the fairest sight I see in Aberd: or any part that ever my feet were in. Re∣member my hearty kindness to your wife, I desire her to be∣leeve & lay her cares on God, & make fast work of salvation. Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Yours in his onely Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JEAN BROWN. [100]

Welbeloved and dear Sister.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter, which I esteem an evidence of your Christian affection to me, & of your love to my honourable Lord & Master. My desire is that your communion with Christ may grow, & that your reckonings may be put by hand with your Lord, ere ye come to the water side. O who knoweth how sweet Christs' kisses are! who hath been more kindly embraced & kissed then

I his banished prisoner? If the comparison could stand, I would not exchange Christ with heaven it self: He hath left a dart & arrow of love in my soul, & it paineth me till he come & take it out: I finde pain of these wounds because I would have posses∣sion. I know now this worm-eaten apple, the plaistered rot∣ten world, that the silly Children of this world are beating & buffetting & pulling others ears for; is a portion for bastards good enough: & that is all they have to look for. I offend not that my adversaries stay at home at their own fire-side with more yearly rent then I; should I be angry that the good-man of this house of the world casteth a dog a bone to hurt his teeth? he hath taught me to be content with a borrowed fire-side & an uncouth bed: & I think I have lost nothing, the in come is so great. O what telling is in Christ! O how weighty is my fair garland, my crown, my fair supping-hall in glory, where I shall be above the blowes and buffettings of Prelats! Let this be your desire & let your thoughts dwell much upon that blessednesse that abideth you in the other world: The fair side of the world will be turned to you quickly, when ye shall see the crown: I hope ye are neer your lodging: O but I would think my self blessed for my part to win the house before the shower come on! For God hath a quiver full of arrowes to shoot at & shower down upon Scotland. Ye have the prayers of a prisoner of Christ. I desire Patrick to give Christ his young love even the flower of it, and 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.

Aberd. March. 7. 1637.

Yours in his onely Lord Iesus, S. R.

To Mr JOHN FERGUSHILL. [101]

Reverend and welbeloved in the Lord.

I Was refreshed with your letter: I am sorry for that lingering and long some visitation that is upon your wife; but I know

ye take it as a mark of a lawfully begotten childe & not of a bas∣tard to be under your father's rod: till ye be in heaven it will be but foul weather, one shower up & another down: The lintel-stones & pillars of the new Jerusalem suffer moe knocks of God's hammer & tool, then the common side-wall stones: & if twenty crosses be written for you in God's book, they will come to ninteen & then at last to one, & after that nothing but your head betwixt Christ's breasts for evermore: & his own soft hand to dry your face & wipe away your teares. As for publike suf∣ferings for his truth, your Master also will see to these: Let us put him in his own office, to comfort & deliver: the gloom of Christ's crosse is worse then it self. I cannot keep up what he hath done to my soul: My dear Brother, will I not get help of you to praise & to lift Christ up on high? He hath pained me with his love, & hath left a love arrow in my heart that hath made a wound & swelled me up with desires, so, that I am to be pitied for want of reall possession: love would have the compa∣ny of the party loved: & my greatest pain is the want of him, not of his joyes & comforts, but of a neer union, & commu∣nion. This is his truth I am fully perswaded I now suffer for: For Christ hath taken upon him to be witnesse to it, by his sweet comforts to my soul; & shall I think him a false witnesse, or that he would subscribe blank paper? I thank his high and dreadfull name, for what he hath given, I hope to keep his seal & his pawne till he come & loose it himself. I defie hell to put me off it, but he is Christ & he hath met with his prisoner: & I took instruments in his own hand, that it was he & no other for him. When the Devil fenceth a bastard court in my Lord's ground & giveth me forged summonds, it will be my shame to misbeleeve after such a fair broad seal: & yet Satan & my ap∣prehension sometimes make a lye of Christ, as if he hated me; but I dare beleeve no evil of Christ: if he would cool my love∣fever for himself with reall presence & possession, I would be rich; but I dare not be mislearned and seek more in that kinde; how∣beit it be no shame to beg at Christ's door. I pity my adver∣saries, I grudge not that my Lord keepeth them at their own fire-side, & hath given me a borrowed b••d & a borrowed fire-side.

Let the good-man of the house cast a dog a bone why should I offend? I rejoyce that the broken bark shall come to land, & 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 passe thorow God's sieve. Praise, praise, & pray for me; for I cannot forget you: I know ye will be friendly to my afflict∣ed brother, who is now embarked in the same cause with me: Let him have your counsel & comforts. Remember my love in Christ to your wife, her health is coming and her salva∣tion sleepeth not. Ye have the prayers and blessing of a priso∣ner of Christ Sowe fast, deal bread plentifully: The pantry door will be locked on the bairns in appearance ere long. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 7. 1637.

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

To his reverend & dear Brother, Mr ROBERT DOUGLASS. [102]

My very reverend and dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to see you in pa∣per. I cannot but write to you that this which I now suffer for, is Christ's truth; because he hath been pleased to seal my sufferings with joy unspeakable & glorious: I know he will not put his seal upon blank paper: Christ hath not dumb seals, neither will he be witness to a lye. I beseech you, my dear Bro∣ther, help me to praise & to lift Christ up on his throne above the shields of the earth. I am astonished & confounded at the great∣ness of his Kindness to such a sinner. I know, Christ & 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 reall possession: & hell cannot quench this coal of God's kindling. I wish no man slander Christ or his crosse for my cause; for I have much cause

to speak much good of him: He hath brought me to a nick & degree of communion with himself that I knew not before. The din & gloom of our Lord's cross, is more fearfull & hard then the cross it self: He taketh the bairns in his arms when they come to a deep water, at least when they lose ground, & are put to swim, then his hand is under their chin. Let me be helped by your prayers, & remember my love to your kinde wife. Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 7. 1637.

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

To his loving friend JOHN HENDERSON. (103.)

Loving friend.

COntinue in the love of Christ & the doctrine which I taught you faithfully & painfully according to my measure: I am free of your blood: Fear the dreadfull, name of God: Keep in minde the examinations which I taught you, & love the truth of God. Death, as fast as time flyeth, chaseth you out of this life: It is possible ye make your reckon∣ing with your judge before I see you; let salvation be your care night & day, & set aside hours & times of the day for prayer. I rejoyce to hear that there is prayer is your house: See that your servants keep the Lord's day. This dirt & god of clay, I mean the vain world, is not worth the seeking. An hireling pastor is to be thrust in upon you, in the room to which I have Christ's warrand & 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 hear∣tily to her. The grace of God be with you.

Aberd. March. 14. 1637.

Your loving friend and Pastor. S. R.

To Mr HUGH HENDERSON. (104)

My reverend and dear Brother.

I hear ye bear the marks of Christ's dying about with you, & that your brethren have cast you out for your Master's sake: Let us wait on till the evening & till our reckoning in black & 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 for of devil we have need of: It is best Satan be in his own skin & look like himself: Christ weeping looketh like himself also, with whom Scribes & Pharisees were at yea & nay & sharpe contradiction. Ye have heard of the patience of Iob, when he lay in the ashes, God was with him clawing & curing his scabs, & letting out his boils, & comforting his soul, & he took him up at last: That God is not dead yet, he will stoop & take up fallen bairns: many broken legs since Adam's dayes hath he spelked, & many weary hearts hath he refreshed. Bless him for comfort: Why? None cometh dry from David's well; let us goe amongst the rest & cast down our toom buck∣ets into Christ's Ocean & suck consolations out of him: We are not so sore striken, but we may fill Christ's hall with weep∣ing: We have not gotten our answer from him yet: Let us lay up our broken plea's to a full sea, & 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 & 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 contempt done to the Son of God? We must doe as these who keep the bloody napkin to the Bailiffe & let him see blood: we must keep our wrongs to our Judge & let him see our bluddered & foul faces: Prisoners of hope must run to Christ with the gutters that tears have made on their cheeks. Brother, for my self, I am Christ's dâted one for the present, & I live upon no deaf nuts [as we use to speak] he hath opened fountains to me in the wilderness: Goe look to my Lord Jesus, his love to me

is such that I defie the world to finde either brim or bottom in it. Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Your Brother in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Lady ROBERTLAND. [105.]

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I shall be glad to hear that your soul prospereth & that fruit groweth upon you after the Lord's husbandry & pains in his rod, that 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 needfull winnowing is to us, & 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 & lumps of pride, and self-love, & idol-love, & world-love must be hammered off us, that we may throng in, stooping low & creeping thorow that narrow & thorny entry. And now for my self, I finde it the most sweet & heavenly life, to take up house & dwelling at Christ's fire-side, & set down my tent upon Christ that founda∣tion-stone, who is sure & faithfull ground & hard under foot. Oh if I could win to it & proclaim my self not the world's debt∣er, nor a lover obliged to it; & that I minde not to hire or bud this world's love any longer; but defie the kindness & feud of God's whole creation whatsomever; especially the lower vault & clay part of God's creatures, this vain earth: For what hold I of his world? A borrowed lodging & some years house∣room, & bread & water, & fire & bed & candle, &c. are all a part of the pension of my King & Lord to whom I ow thanks & not to a creature. I thank God that God is God, & Christ is Christ, & the earth the earth, & the Devil the devil, and the world the world, & that sin is sin, and that every thing is what it is: Because he hath taught me in my wilderness not to shuffle my Lord Jesus, nor to intermix him with creature-va∣nities,

nor to spin or twine Christ or his sweet love in one web, or in one threed 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 & triple and augment and heighten to millions the price & worth of Christ! I am [if I durst speak so & might lawfully complain] so hungredly tutour∣ed by Christ Jesus my liberall Lord, that his nice love which my soul would be in hands with, flyeth me; & yet I am trained on to love him, & lust & long & die for his love whom I cannot see: it is a wonder to pine away with love for a covered & hid lover, & to be hungred 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 the world: But sure if we were tutours and stewards and Masters, and Lord∣carvers of Christ's love, we should be more lean & worse fed then we are: Our meat doeth us the more good, that Christ keepeth the keys, & that the wind & the air of Christ's sweet breathing & 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, & waiting on: They thrive who wait on his love & the blowing of it & the turning of his gra∣cious wind; & they thrive who in that on-waiting make haste and din and much adoe for their lost and hidden Lord Jesus: However it be, God feed me with him any way. If he would come in, I shall not dispute the matter, where he got a hole, or how he opened the lock: I should be content 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 & 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 gate of his own beyond the thoughts of men, that no foot hath skill to follow him: But we are still ill Scholars and will goe in at heavens gates wanting the half of our lesson, and shall still be bairns 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 ma••

our own fair heaven and our salvation, and how Christ is every day putting in one bone or other in these fallen souls of ours, in the right place again: and that in this side of the new Ierusalem, we shall still have need of forgiving and healing grace. I finde crosses Christ's carved work that he marketh out for us, and that with crosses he figureth & pourtraieth us to his own image, cut∣ting away pieces of our ill & corruption: Lord cut, Lord carve, Lord wound, Lord doe any thing that may perfect thy Father's image in us & 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 & tell what I have heard & seen of him. Forget not Zion that is now in Christ's calmes & in his forge: God bring her out new work. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. Jan. 4. 1638.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Earle of Cassills. [106]

Right honourable & my very good Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to your Lo: I hope your Lo: Will be pleased to pardon my boldness, if [upon report of your zealous & forward minde that I hear our Lord hath given you in this his honourable cause, when Christ & his Gospel are so foully wronged] I speak to your Lo: in paper, entreating your Lo: to goe on in the strength of the Lord toward, and against a storm of Antichristian wind, that bloweth upon the face of this your poor mother-Church, Christ's lilie amongst the thorns. It is your Lo: Glory & 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 beholders, see∣ing the Question indeed [if it were rightly stated] is about the Prerogative royal of our princely & royal law-giver, our Lord

Jesus, whose ancient march-stones & land-bounds our bastard Lord's, the earthly generation of tyrannizing Prelats, have boldly & shamefully removed: & 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 ambitous and climbing Diotrephes's [who love the goat's life to climb till they cannot finde a way to set their soles on ground again] that hath made such a wide breach in our Zion's beautifull walls: and these are the men who seek no hire for the crucifying of Christ, but his coat. Oh how forlorn & 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 & imprisoned; Truth weeping in sackcloth before the Judges, Parliament & the Rulers of the land? But her bill is cast by them, & Holiness hideth it self, fearing the streets for the reporoaches & persecution of men: Justice is fallen a swoon in the gate, & the long shadows of the evening are stretched out upon us: Woe, woe to us, for our day flyeth away: what remaineth but that the Antichrist set down his tent in the midst of us, except your Lo: & others with you read Christ's supplication, & 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 jus∣tice for God's sake. O therefore, my noble & dear Lord, as ye have begun, goe on in the mighty power and strength of the Lord, to cause our Lord in his Gospel and afflicted members laugh, & to cause the Christian Churches [whose eyes are all now upon you] to sing for joy, when Scotland's moon shall shine like the light of the sun, & the sun like the light of seven dayes in one: ye can doe noless then run & bear up the head of your dying & swooning mother-Church, & 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 & the robber, not by the door Christ; & now their song is, Authority, Authority, obedience to Church-Governours. When such a bastard & lawless pretended step-dame as our prelacy is gone mad, it is your place who are the Nobles to rise &

binde them; at least, law should fetter such wilde bulls as they are, who push all who oppose themselves to their domina∣tion. Alas! What have we lost since Prelats were made Master coiners to change our gold in brass, and to mix the Lord's wine with their water? Blessed for ever shall ye be of the Lord if ye help Christ against the mighty, and shall deliver the flock of God scattered upon the mountains in the dark & cloudy day, out of the hands of these idol-shepherds. Fear not men that shall be moth-eaten-clay that shall be rolled up in a chest, & casten under the earth: Let the holy one of Israel be your fear, & be couragious for the Lord and his truth. Remember your accounts coming upon you with wings, as fast as time posteth away: Remember what peace with God in Christ & the presence of the Son of God in the re∣vealed & felt sweetness of his love, will be to you, when eter∣nity shall put time to the door, & ye shall take good-night at Time, & this little shepherd's tent of clay, this Innes of a bor∣rowed earth. I hope your Lo: is now & then sending out thoughts to view this world's naughtiness & vanity & the ho∣ped-for glory of the life to come, & that ye resolve that Christ shall have your self & all yours at command for him, his ho∣nour & Gospel. Thus trusting your Lo: Will pardon my boldness, I pray that the onely wise God, the very God of peace, may preserve, strengthen & establish you to the end.

Aberd. 1637.

Your Lo: at all command & obedience in Chrst. S. R.

To the Lady ROVVALAND. [107]

MADAM.

THough not acquainted I am bold in Christ to speak to vour La: in paper: I rejoyce 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 & minde to you, now, when so many are shut up in unbelief. O the sweet change ye have made, in leaving the black kingdom of this world & sin, & coming over to our bridegroom's new kingdom, to know & to be taken with the love of the beautifull Son of God. I beseech you, Madam, in the Lord make now sure work, & see that the old house be casten down, & razed from the foun∣dation, and that the new building of your soul be of Christ's own laying; for then wind and storm shall neither loose it, nor shake it asunder. Many now take Christ by guess: Be sure that it be he, and onely he whom ye have met with: His sweet smell, his lovely voyce, his fair face, his sweet working in the soul will not lye, they will soon tell if it be Christ indeed [& I think your love to the saints speaketh that it is he] & there∣fore I say, be sure that ye take Christ himself, & take him with his father's blessing: his father alloweth him well upon, you, your lines 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 & excellent as the thing ye have lighted on, & therefore hold you with Christ: Joy, much joy may ye have of him: But take his cross with himself cheerfully: Christ and his cross are not separable in this life; howbeit Christ & his cross part at hea∣ven's door, for there is no house-room for crosses in heaven: one tear, one sigh, one sad heart, one fear, one losse, or thought of trouble cannot finde lodging there: they are but the markes of our Lord Jesus down in this wide innes & stormy countrey on this side of death: Sorrow & the saints are not married to∣gether, of suppose it were so, heaven shall make a divorce. I finde his sweet presence eateth out the bitterness of sorrow & suffering. I think it a sweet thing that Christ saith of my cross Halfmine, & that he divideth these sufferings with me & taketh the largest share to himself; nay that I & my whole cross are wholly Christ's. O what a portion is Christ! O that the saints would dig deeper in the treasures of his wisdom & excellency! Thus recom∣mending

your La: to the goodwill & tender mercies of our Lord, I rest

Aberd. Sept. 7. 1637

Yours La: in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To ROBERT GORDON. Of Knockbrex. (108)

My very worthy & dear Friend.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto 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 goe betwixt Christ and me: I finde my Lord going and coming seven times a day: His visits are short, but they are both frequent & sweet. I dare not for my life think of a challenge of my Lord: I hear ill tales, & hard reports of Christ from the Tempter and my flesh; but love beleeveth no evil: I may swear that they are lyars, and that apprehensions make lyes 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 Anwoth, from which I am banished. Temptations that I supposed to be striken 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 & boast as much, as if he had more court with Christ then I have, & as if he had charmed & blasted my ministery that I shall doe no more good in publike; but his wind shaketh no corn: I will not beleeve 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 had done; Nay, since I came to A∣berden I have been taken up to see the new land, the fair pa∣lace

of the Lamb: And will Christ let me see heaven to break my heart, & never give it to me? I shall not think my Lord Jesus giveth a dumb earnest, or putteth his seal•• 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 pro∣mises, but when I come, I am like a hungry man that wanteth teeth, or a weak stomack having a sharp appetite that is filled with the very sight of meat; or lik 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 dow doe is to hold out a lame faith to Christ, like a begger holding out a stump in stead of an arm or leg and cry Lord Iesus work a miracle. O what would I give to have hands & arms to grip strongly & fold heart somly about Christ's neck, & to have my claim made good with reall posses∣sion! I think my love to Christ hath feet abundance, & ruin∣neth swiftly to be at him, but it wanteth hands and fingers to apprehend him. I think I would give Christ every morning my blessing, to have as much faith as I have love & hunger; at least I miss faith more then love & hunger. 2. I see mortifica∣tion, & to be crucified to the world is not so highly accounted of by us as it should be. O how heavenly a thing is it to be dead & dumb & deaf to this world's sweet musick! 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; & I wonder what they are a doing there: As I am at this present I would scorn to court such a feckless & petty Princesse, or buy this world's kind∣ness with a bow of my knee. I scarce now either hear or see what it is that this world offereth me; I know it's little it can take from me, & as little it can give me. I recommend Mortifica∣tion to you above any thing: For alas we but chase feathers flying in the air, & tire our own spirits for the froth & over∣guilded

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 t••ing that I might take up at my foot, I thought the very remembrance of the honesty of the cause would be enough; but I was a fool in so thinking: I have much adoe now, to win to one smile; but I see joy groweth up in heaven, & it is above our short arm: Christ will be steward & dispenser himself, & non•• else but He: Therefore, now, I count much of one dram weight of spirituall joy; one smile of Christ's face, is now to me as a Kingdom, & yet he is no niggard to me of com∣forts: 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: & in my very swoonings he holdeth up my head, & stayeth me with flagons of wine & comforteth me with apples: My house & bed is strowed with kisses of love. Praise, praise with me. O if ye & 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 neer, I hope ye will be kinde to him & give him your best counsel: Remember my love to your Brother, to your wife & G. M. desire him to be faithfull & repent of his hypocrisie, and say that I wrote it to you: I wish him salvation: Write to me your minde anent. C. E. And C. Y. And their wives. & 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.

Aberd. Feb, 9. 1637.

Your Brother in the Lord Iesus▪ S. R.

To my Lord. BALMERINOCH. [109]

My very Noble & truly honourable Lord.

I Make bold to write newes to your Lo: from my prison, though your Lo: have experience more then I can have. At my first entry here, I was not a little casten down with challenges for old unrepented of sins, & Satan & my own apprehensions made a lye of Christ, that he had casten a dry withered tree over the dike of the vineyard; but it was my folly, blessed be his great name the fire cannot burn the dry tree: He is pleased no•• to feast the exiled prisoner with his lovely presence, for it suiteth Christ well to be kinde, & he dineth & suppeth with such a sin∣ner as I am. I am in Christ's tutouring here; He hath made me content with a borrowed fire-side, & it casteth as much heat, as mine own: I want nothing at all but reall possession of Christ: And he hath given me a pawne of that also, which I hope to keep till he come himself to loose the pawne. I cannot get help to praise his high name: He hath made me a King over my losses, imprisonment, banishment & onely my dumb sabbaths stick in my throat: But I forgive Christ's wisdom in that: I dare not say one word: He hath done it & I will lay my hand upon my mouth: If any other had done it to me, I could not have born it. Now My Lord, I must tell your Lo: That I would not give a drink of cold water for this clay idol, this plaistered world. I testifie & give it under mine own hand, that Christ is most worthy to be suffered for. Our lazie 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 i will not forget what he hath done for your soul: I think ye are n Christ's count-book as his obliged debter. Grace, grace be with your spirit.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Your Lo: obliged Servant, S. R.

To ALEXANDER GORDON. Of Knockgray. (110)

Dear. Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace, be to you: I long to hear how your soul prospereth: I expected letters from you ere now. As for my self I am here in good case, well feasted with a great King: At my first coming here, I was that bold as to to take up a jealousie of Christ's love: I said I was cast over the dike of the Lord's vineyard as a dry tree; but I 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: & now as if Christ had done the wrong, he hath made the mends, & hath miskent my ravings [for a man under the water can∣not well command his wit, far less his faith & love] because it was a fever, my Lord Jesus forgave me that among the rest: He knoweth, in our afflictions we can finde a spot in the fairest face that ever was, even in Christ's face: I would not have be∣leeved that a gloom should have made me to misken my old Master; But we must be whiles sick: Sickness is but kindly to both faith & Love. But O how execedingly is a poor dâted prisoner obliged to sweet Jesus! My tears are sweeter to me, then the laughter of the fourteen Prelats to them: The worst of Christ, even his chaff, is better then the world's corn. Dear Brother, I beseech you, I charge you in the name & authority of the Son of God, help me to praise his highness, & I charge you also to tell all your acquaintance, that my Master may get many thanks. O if my hairs, all my members and all my bones, were well tuned tongues to sing the high praises of my great & glorious King! Help me to lift Christ up upon his throne, & to lift him up above all the thrones of the clay Kings, the dying scepter-bearers of this world. The prisoner's blessing, the blessing of him that is separated from his brethren, be upon them all who will lend me a lift in this work: Shew this to that people with you to whom sometimes I preached. Brother, my

Lord hath brought me to this, that I will not flatter the world for a drink of water: I am no debter to clay, Christ hath made me dead to that: I now wonder that ever I was such a Childe long since, as to beg at such beggers: Fy upon us, who wooe such a black skinned harlot; when we may get such a fair, fair match up in heaven. Oh that I could give up with this clay-idol, this masked painted overguilded dirt, that Adam's sons adore! We make an idol of our Will: as many iusts 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 & false Gods. Scot∣land hath cast her crown off her head: The virgin Daughter hath lost her garland: woe, woe to our harlot mother: Our day is coming, a time when women shall wish they had been child∣less, & fathers shall bless miscarrying wombs & dry breasts: many houses, great & fair, shall be desolate. This Kirk shall sit on the ground all the night & 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, & hide themselves for a little till the indignation be overpast. Commend me to your Wife, your Daughters, your Son in law, & to A. T. write to me of the case of your Kirk. Grace be with you. I am much moved for my Brother, I entreat for your kindness & counsel to him.

Aberd. Feb. 23. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To my Lady MARRE Younger. (111.)

My Very noble & dear Lady.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your La: letter, which hath comforted my soul. God give you to finde mercy in the day of Christ. I am in as good termes and court with Christ, as an exiled oppressed prisoner of Christ can be: I am still welcome to his house, he knoweth my knock &

letteth in a poor friend: Under this black rough tree of the cross of Christ, he hath ravished me with his love, & taken my heart to heaven with him: well & long may he bruik it. I would not niffer Christ with all the joyes that man or Angel can devise beside him. Who hath such cause to speak honourably of Christ as I have? Christ is King of all crosses & he hath made his saints little Kings under him, & he can ride & triumph upon weaker bodies then I am [if any can be weaker] & his horse will neither fall nor stumble. Madam, your La: hath much adoe with Christ for your soul, husband, children, & house: Let him finde much employment for his calling with you; for he is such a friend as delighteth to be burdened with sutes and em∣ployments, and the more ye lay on him and the more homely ye be with him, the more welcome. O the depth of Christ's love! It hath neither brim nor bottom. O if this blinde world saw his beauty! When I count with him for his mercies to me, I must stand still & wonder & goe away as a poor dyvour who hath nothing to pay: Free forgiveness is my payment. I would I could get him set on high, for his love hath made me sick & I die except I get reall possession. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 13. 1367.

Your La: at all obedience in Christ. S. R.

To JAMES Mc ADAM. (112)

My very dear & worthyfriend.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear of your growing in grace, & of your advancing in your journey to heaven: It will be the joy of my heart to hear that ye hold your face up the brae & wade through tentations without fearing what man can doe. Christ shall, when he ariseth, mowe down his enemies & lay bulks [as they use to speak] on the green & fill the pits with dead bodies, Psal. 110: 6. they shall lie like handfulls of withered hay when he ariseth to the prey. Salva∣tion, Salvation is the onely necessary thing: this clay-idol, the

World, is not to be sought, it is a morsel not for you, but for hunger-bitten bastards. Contend for Salvation: Your Mas∣ter Christ, won heaven with strokes: It is a besieged castle, it must be taken with violence. Oh, this world thinketh hea∣ven but at the next door, & that godliness may sleep in a bed of downs till it come to heaven; but that will not doe it. For my self, I am as well as Christ's prisoner can be: For by him, I am master & King of all my crosses; I am above the prison & the lash of mens tongues: Christ triumpheth in me. I have been casten down & heavie with fears & hunted with challenges, I was swimming in the depths; but Christ had his hand under my chin all the time & took good heed that I should not lose breath: And now I have gotten my feet again, & there are love-feasts of joy & spring-tides of consolation betwixt Christ & 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 pray∣ers, 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.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To my very dear Brother VVILLIAM LIVINGSTONE. (113)

My very dear Brother.

I Rejoyce to hear that Christ hath run away with your young love & that ye are so early in the morning matched with such a Lord; for a young man is often a dressed lodging for the de∣vil to dwell in: be humble and thankfull for grace, & weigh it not so much by weight as if it be true: Christ will not cast wa∣ter on your smoking coal, he never yet put out a dim candle that was lighted at the sun of righteousness. I recommend to

you prayer & watching over the sins of your youth; for I know missive letters goe between the Devil & young blood; Satan hath a friend at court in the heart o•• youth, & there, pride, lux∣ury, lust, revenge, forgetfulness of God are hired as his a∣gents: happy is your soul if Christ man the house & take the keys himself & command all [as it suiteth him full well to rule all where ever he is] keep him & entertain Christ well, cherish his grace, blow upon your own coal, & let him tutour you. Now for my self, know I am fully agreed with my Lord: Christ hath put the father & me in other's arms, many a sweet bargain he made before, & 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 defie Hell's iron gates: God hath past over my quarrelling of him at my entry here, & now he feedeth & feasteth with me: praise, praise with me & let us exalt his name together.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Your brother in Christ, S. R.

To WILLIAM GORDON. of VVhite parke. (114)

Worthy Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: I long to hear from you: I am here the Lord's prisoner & patient, handled as softly by my Physician as if I were a sick man under cure. I was at hard terms with my Lord & pleaded with him; But I had the worst side: It is a wonder he should have suffered the like of me to have nicknamed the Son of his love Christ, & to call him a changed Lord who had forsaken me; but misbelief hath never a good word to speak of Christ. The dross of my cross, gathered a scum of fearsin the fire, doubtings, impatience, unbelief, challenging of providence as sleeping, & not regarding my sorrow; but my gold smith Christ was pleased to take off the scum & burn it in the fire: And blessed be my finer he hath

made the metall better & furnished new supply of grace to cause me hold out weight & I hope hath not loosed 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 him∣s••lf paineth me: I have sick nights & frequent fits of love-fevers for my welbeloved: Nothing paineth me now but want of presence: I think it long till day: I challenge time as too slow in it's pace, that holdeth my onely, onely fair one, my love, my welbeloved from me: O if we were together once! I am like an old crazed ship that hath endured many storms & that would fain be in the lee of the shore, & feareth new storms: I would be that nigh heaven, that the shadow of it might break the force of the storm & the crazed ship might win to land. My Lord's s••n casteth a heat of love & beam of light on my soul. My blessing thrice every day upon the sweet cross of Christ: I am not ashamed of my garland The banished ••inister. [which is the term of Aberden] Love, Love defieth reproaches: The love of Christ hath a croslet of proof on it, & arrows will not draw blood of it: We are more then conquerours through the blood of him that hath loved us, Rom. 8. The devil, & the world they cannot wound the love of Christ. I am further from yeelding to the course of defection then when I came hither: sufferings blunt not the fiery edge of love: Cast love in 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 lyne my heart with the love of my Lord Jesus, that as if the field were already won, & I on the other side of time, I laugh at the world's golden pleasures & at this dirtie 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 & your wife: I salute her & your children with blessings: I am glad that ye are still hand-fasted with Christ: goe on in your journey & take the city by vio∣lence: Keep your garments clean: Be clean virgins to your husband the Lamb: the world shall follow you to heaven's gates; & ye would not wish it to goe in with you: Keep fast

Christ's love: Pray for me as I doe for you: the Lord Jesus be with your Spirit.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr GEORGE GILLESPIE. [115]

Reverend & dear Brother.

I Received your letter: as for my case Brother, I bless his glo∣rious name, my losses are my gain, my prison a palace, & my sadness joyfulness. At my first entry, my apprehensions wrought so upon my cross, that I bec••me jealouse of the love of Christ, as being by him thrust out of the vineyard, & I was under great challenges, [as ordinarily melted gold casteth first a drossie scum, & Satan & our corruption form the first words that the heavy cross speaketh & say ••od is angry. He loveth you not.] But our apprehensions are not cannonicall: they dite lyes' of God & Christ's love; but since my spirit was setled, & the clay fallen to the bottom of the well, I see better what Christ was doing: And now my Lord is returned with salvation under his wings, now I want little of half a heaven, & I finde Christ every day so sweet, comfortable, lovely & Kinde, as three things onely trouble me. 1. I see not how to be thankfull, or how to get help to praise that royall King who raiseth up these that are bowed down. 2. His love paineth me & woundeth my soul, so as I am in a fever for want of reall presence. 3. An excessive desire to take instruments in God's name, that this is Christ & his truth I now suffer for, yea the apple of the eye of Christ's ho∣nour, even the Soveraignity & royall priviledges of our King & law-giver Christ: & therefore let no man scar at Christ's cross, or raise an ill report upon him or it; for he beareth the sufferer & it both. I am here troubled with the disputes of the great Doctors [especially with D. B. in Ceremoniall & Armi∣nian controver••••es 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 nor I, & who can be more weak? But his grace is sufficient for me. Brother remember our old Covenant, & pray for me, & write to me your case. The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JOHN MEINE. (116)

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: I wonder ye sent me ••ot an answer to my last letter; for I stand in need of it: I am still 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some piece of court with our great King, whose love would cause a dead man speak & live: whether my court will con∣tinue or not, I cannot well say; but I have his ear frequently & [to his glory onely I speak it] no penurie of the love-kisses of the Son of God: He thinketh good to cast apples to me in my prison to play withall; lest I should think long & faint: I must give over all attempts to fathom the depth of his love: all I can doe is but to stand beside his great love, & look & won∣der: my debts of thankfulness affright me: I fear my Creditor get a Dyvour-bill & a ragged account: I would be much the better of help: O for help, & 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, & pain in the feeling of his love, while I am sick again for real presence, & reall possession of Christ; yet there is no gooked [if I may speak so] nor fond love in Christ: He casteth me down sometimes with challeng∣es for old faults, & I know, he knoweth well that sweet com∣forts are swelling & therefore sorrow must make a vent to the wind: my dumb sabbaths are undercotting wounds: The condition of this oppressed kirk, & my brother's case [I thank you & your wife for your kindness to him] hold my sore smart∣ing & keep my wounds bleeding; but the ground-work stand∣eth

sure. Pray for me. Grace be with you. Remember meto your wife.

Aberd. March. 14. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr THOMAS GARVEN. (117)

Reverend and dear Brother.

I Blesse you for your letter: it was a shower to the new mow∣en grass: The Lord hath given you the tongue of the Learn∣ed: Be fruitfull & 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 fire is not hot, my water dry land, my loss rich loss. O if the walls of my prison be high, wide & large, & the place sweet! No man knoweth it, no man I say knoweth it [my Dear Brother] so well, as he & I, no man can put it down in black & white as my Lord hath sealed it in my heart: My poor stock is growen since I came to Aberden: And if any had known the wrong I did in being jealous of such an honest lover as Christ, who witheld 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 re∣compense him is folly: If I had as many Angel's tongues as there have fallen drops of rain since the creation, or as there are leaves of trees in all the forrests of the earth, or stars in the hea∣ven to praise; yet my Lord Jesus would ever be behinde with me: We will never get our accounts sitted: A pardon must close the reckoning; for his comforts to me in this his honour∣able 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 masse & 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 niggards almes when he is pleased to give. O that I could invite all the nation to love him! Free grace is an unknown thing: This world hath heard but a bare name of Christ & no more: There are infinite plyes in his love, that the saints will never win to unfold: I would it were better known & that Christ got more of his own due then de doeth. Brother, ye have chosen the good part who have taken part with Christ: Ye will see him win the field, & ye shall get part of the spoile 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 it better th••n their twelve-hours-sun: We have gotten the new heavens & as a pledge of that the bridegroom's love-ring: The children of the wedding chamber have cause to skip & leap for joy, for the marriage supper is drawing nigh & we finde the fours-hours sweet & comfortable. O time be not slow! O sun move speedily, & hasten our banquet? O bridegroom be like a roe, or a young hart upon the mountains! O welbeloved run fast that we may once meet! Brother, I contain my self for want of time: Pray for me: I hope to remember you. The goodwill of him who dwelt in the bush, the tender mercies of God in Christ enrich you: Grace be with you.

Aberd. March 14. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To BETHAIA AIRD. [118]

Worthy Sister.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: I know ye desire news from my prison, & I shall shew you news. At my first entry hither, Christ & I agreed not well upon it: The devil made a plea in the house & I laid the blame upon Christ; for my heart was fraughted with challenges, & I feared that I was an outcast, & that I was but a withered tree in the vine∣yard, & but held the sun off the good plants with my idle

shadow, & therefore my Master had given the evil servant ••he fields to fend him: Old guiltiness said [as witness] all is true: My apprehensions were with childe of faithless fears, & unbelief put a seal & Amen to all. I thought my self in a hard case: Some said I had cause to rejoyce that Christ had honour∣ed me to be a witness for him: & I said in my heart these are words of men who see but mine outside & cannot tell if I be a false witness or not. If Christ had in this matter been as wil∣full & short as I was, my faith had gone over the brae & broken it's neck; But we were well met, a hastie fool & a wise patient & meek Saviour: he took no law-advantage of my folly, but waited on till my ill blood was fallen & my drumbled & troubled well began to clear: He was never a whit angry at the fever∣ravings of a poor tempted sinner; but he mercifully forgave, & came (as it well becometh him) with grace & new comfort to a a sinner, who deserved the contrary: And now he is content to kiss my black mouth, to put his hand in mine, & 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 born me up, one grain weight less would have casten the ballance. Now, who is like to that royall king crowned in Zion? where will I get a seat for royall Majesty to set him on? If I could set him as far above the heavens as thousand thousands of heights devised by men & 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 pass••th all naturall understanding: I goe to fathom it with my arms, but it is, as if a childe would take the globe of sea & land in his two short arms: Blessed & holy is his name. This must be his truth I now suffer for, for he would not laugh upon a lye, nor be witness with his comforts to a night-dream. I entreat for your prayers, & the prayers & blessing of a prisoner of Christ be upon you. Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 14. 1637.

Yours in his s••eet Lord Iesus S. R.

To ALEXANDER GORDON Of Knockgray. (119)

Dear Brother.

I Have not leisure to write to you: Christ's wayes were known to you, long before I [who am but a childe] knew any thing of him. What wrong & violence the Prelats may by God's permission doe unto you for your trial, I know not; but this I know that your ten dayes tribulation will end: Con∣tend to the last breath for Christ. Banishment out of these Kingdomes is determined against me as I hear; this land dow not bear me: I pray you, recommend my case & bonds to my brethren & sisters with you: I intrust more of my spirituall comfort to you & them that way, my dear Brother, then to many in this Kingdom besides. I hope, ye will not be wanting to Christ's prisoner. Fear nothing, for I assure you, Alex∣ander Gordon of Knockgray shall win away & get his soul for a prey: And what can he then want that's worth the having? Your friends are cold [as ye write] & so are these in whom I trusted much: Our husband doeth well in breaking our idols in pieces: dry wells send us to the fountain. My life is not dear to me, sobeing I may fulfil my course with joy. I fear you must remove if your new hireling will not bear your discountenanc∣ing of him; for the Prelat is affraid Christ get you, & that he hath no will of. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord & Master, S. R.

To JOHN FLEMING, Bailisse of Leith [120]

Worthy & dearly beloved in the Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: I received your let∣ter: I wish I could satisfie your desire in drawing up and

framing for you a Christian directory: But the learned have done it before me more judiciously then I can; especially Mr Rodgers, Greenhame & Perkins; not withstanding, I shall shew you what I would have been at my self [howbeit I I came alwayes short of my purpose.] 1. That hours of the day less or more time, for the word & prayer, be given to God, not sparing the twelfth hour or midday, howbeit it should then be the shorter time. 2. In the midst of wordly employments, there would be some thoughts of sin, judgement, death & eternity, with a word or two of ejaculatory prayer [at least] to God. 3. To beware of wandering of heart in privat prayers. 4. Not to grudge howbeit ye come from pray∣er without sense or joy: Down-casting, sense of guiltiness & hunger is often best for us. 5. That the Lord's day from morning to night be spent alwayes either in private or publike worship. 6. That words be observed, wandering and idle thoughts be avoided, sudden anger & desire of revenge, even of such as persecute the truth, be guarded against; for we often mix our zeal with our own wilde fire. 7. That known, disco∣vered & revealed sins that are against the conscience be eshewed as most dangerous preparative, to hardness of heart. 8. That in dealing with men, faith & truth in covenants & traffiquing be regarded, that we deal with all men in sincerity, that con∣science be made of idle & lying words, & 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 challeng∣ed. 1. For not referring all to God as the last end: That I doe not eat, drink, sleep, journey, speak and think for God. 2. That I have not benefited by good company, & that I left not some word of conviction even upon naturall and wicked men, as by reproving swearing in them, or because of being a silent witness to their loose carriage, & because I in∣tended not in all companies to doe good. 3. That the woes & calamities of the Kirk & particular professors have not moved me. 4. That the reading of the life of David, Paul & the like when it humbled me, I [coming so far short of their holi∣ness] 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 & lamented for. 6. That sudden stirrings of pride, lust, revenge, love of honours were not resisted & mourned for. 7. That my charity was cold. 8. That the experiences I had of God's hearing me in this & the other Par∣ticular, being gathered; yet in a new trouble I had alwayes [once at least] my faith to seek, as if I were to begin at A. B. C. Again. 9. That I have not more boldly contradicted the ene∣mies speaking against the truth, either in publike church-meet∣ings, or at tables, or ordinary conference. 10. That in great troubles I have received false reports of Christ's love & misbeleeved him in his chastning, whereas the event hath said all was in mercy. 11. Nothing more moveth me & weighteth my soul, then 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 & 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 blow∣en away as chaff before the wind. 13. That practice was so short & narrow, & light so long & broad. 14. That death hath not been often meditated upon. 15. That I have not been carefull of gaining others to Christ. 16. That my grace & gifts bring forth little or no thankfulness. There are somethings also whereby I have been helped: As, 1. I have be∣nefited by riding alone a long journey, in giving that time to prayer. 2. By abstinence & giving dayes to God. 3. By praying for others; for by making an errand to God for them; I have gotten something for my self. 4. I have been really confirmed in many particulars that God heareth prayers, and therefore I used to pray for any thing of how little importance soever. 5. He enabled me to make no question that this mocked way, which is nicknamed, is the onely way to heaven. Sir, these & many moe occurrences in your life would be look∣ed unto: &, 1. Thoughts of Atheisme would be watched over as If there be a God in heaven: Which will trouble & assault the best at some times. 2. Growth in grace would be cared for above all things, & falling from our first love mourned for.

3. Conscience made of praying for the enemies who are blind∣ed. Sir, I thank you most kindly for your care of my brother & me also: I hope it is laid up for you and remembred in hea∣ven. 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 cannot cast water on to quench or extinguish it. Help me to praise and pray for me: for ye have a prisoner's blessing & prayers. Re∣member my love to your wife. Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 15. 1367.

Yours in Christ Ie∣sus S. R.

To ROBERT GORDON of Knokbrex. (121)

My very dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: I thought to have answered your two letters upon this occasion; though I cannot say all that I would. Your timeous word [not to de∣light in the cross, but in him who sweetneth it] came to me in due time: I finde the consolations & off-fallings that follow the cross of Christ so sweet, that I almost forget my self: my de∣sire & purpose is, when Christ's honey combs drop, neither to refuse to receive & feed upon his comforts, nor yet to make joy, my bastard-god, or my new found heaven: But what shall I say? Christ very often in his sweet comforts cometh un∣sent for, & it were a sin to close the door upon him: It is not unlawfull to love & delight in Christ's apples, when I am not dottingly wooing, nor eagerly begging kisses: but when they come clean from the timber [like kindness it self that cometh of it's own accord] then I cannot but laugh upon him, who laugheth upon me: If joy & comforts came single & alone, without Christ himself, I think I would send them back again the gate they came, and not make them wel∣come; But when the King's train cometh, and the King in the midst of the company, O how am I overjoyed with floods of love! I fear not that too great speats,

of love wash away the growing corn, & loose my plants at the roots: Christ doeth no skaith where he cometh; but certainly I would wish such spirituall wisdom as to love the bride∣groom better then his gifts, his propines, or drink-money. I would be further in upon Christ then at his joyes; they but stand in the utter side of Christ: I would wish to be in as a seal on his heart, in where his love & mercy lodgeth, beside his heart. My welbeloved hath ravished me; but it is done with consent of parties, & it is allowable enough: But my dear Brother, ere I part with this subject, I must tell you, [that ye may lift up my King in praises with me] Christ hath been keeping something these fourteen years for me, that I have now gotten in my heavy dayes, that I am in for his name sake; even an open∣ed coffer of perfumed comforts & fresh joyes coming new, & green, & powerfull from the fairest, fairest face of Christ my Lord. Let the sowre law, let crosses, let hell be cryed down: Love, love hath shamed me from my old wayes. Whether I have a race to run or some work adoe, I see not; but I think, Christ seemeth to leave heaven [to say so] & his court, & come down to laugh & play & sport with a daft bairn. I am not this plain with many I write to: It is possible I be misconstructed & 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 propine sent by the Bridegroom our tocher-good; nor our earnest our principal summe: But I trow few of us know how much may be had of Christ for a four-hours & a propine & earnest: We are like the young heir who knoweth not the whole bounds of his own Lordship. Certainly it is more then my part to say, O sweetest Lord Iesus, what ho•• beit I were split & broken in five thousand sheards or bits of clay, so being every sheard ••ad a heart to love thee, & every one as many tongues as there are stars in heaven to sing praises to thee, before man & angel for evermore? Therefore if my sufferings cry good∣ness, & praise, & honour upon Christ, my stipend is well payed. Each one knoweth not what a life Christ's love is: Scar not at suffering for Christ, for Christ hath a chair & a

cushion & sweet peace for a sufferer: Christ's trencher from the first mess of the high-table is for a sinfull witness. O then Brother, who but Christ! Who but Christ? Hold your tongue of lovers where he cometh out! O all flesh, O dust & ashes, O Angels, O glorified spirits, O all the shields of the world, be silent before him, come hither & behold our Bridegroom, stand still & wonder for evermore at him! Why cease we to love & wonder, to kiss & adore him? It is a hard matter that dayes lie betwixt me & him & hold us asunder. O 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 & miss a step. Ye write to me, hall bi••ks are slippery: I doe not think my dâting world will still last, & that feasts will be my ordinary food: I would have humlity, patience & faith, to set down both my feet when I come to the north-side of the cold & thorny hill. It is ill my common to be swier to goe an errand for Christ, & 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 & subscribe my writes. My Dear Brother, ye complain to me ye cannot hold sight of me; but were I a foot∣man I should goe at leisure, but sometimes the King taketh me into his coach, & draweth me; & then I ontrun myself; but alas I am still a forlorn transgressour: O how unthankfull! I will not put you off your sense of deadness, but let me say this, who gave you Proctor-fee, to speak for the law, that can speak for it self, better then ye can doe? I would not have you to bring your dittay in your own bosom with you to Christ: Let the old man & the new man be summoned before Christ's white throne, & let them be confronted before Christ, & let each one of them speak for themselves: I hope howbeit the new man complain of his lying among the pots, which maketh the beleever look black; yet he can say also, I am comely as the tents of Kedar: Ye shall not have my advice not to bemoan your deadness: but I finde by some experience [which ye knew be∣fore I knew Christ] it suiteth not a ransomed man of Christ's buying, to goe & plea for the sowre law, our old forecaste••

husband; for we are now not under the law [as a covenant] but under grace: Ye are in no man's common but Christ's: I know he bemoaneth you more then ye doe your self: I say this, because I am wearied of complaining. I thought it had been hu∣mility to imagine that Christ was angry with me, both because of my dumb sabbaths & my hard heart, but I feel now nothing but aking wounds: my grief whether I will or not swelleth up∣on 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 & Prince to give me Repentance Act. 5•• 31. When Christ bindeth a challenge upon us, we must binde a promise back upon him: Be woe & lay your self in the dust before God [which is suitable] but withall let Christ take payment in his own hand, & pay himself, off the first end of his own merits; else he will come behinde for any thing we can doe. I am every way in your case, as hard heart∣ed & dead as any man; but yet I speak to Christ through my sleep: Let us then proclaim a free market for Christ & swear our selves bare, & desire, & cry on him to come without money & buy us, & take us home to our ransom-payer's fire∣side, & let us be Christ's free-boarders: because we dow not pay the old, we may not refuse to take on Christ's new debt of mercy: Let us doe our best, Christ will still be behinde with us, & 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 this far in his common of new, as to desire to kiss his feet: I know not how to win to a heartsom fill & feast of Christ's love; for I dow neither buy, nor beg, nor borrow: & yet I cannot want it: I dow not want it. O if I could praise him! yea I would rest content with a heart submissive & dying of love for him; & howbeit I won never personally in at heaven's gates; O would to God I could send in my praises to my in∣comparable welbeloved, or cast my love-songs of that match∣less Lord Jesus over the walls, that they might light in his lap

before men & Angels! Now, grace, grace be with you. Remember my love to your wife & daughter & brother Iohn.

Aberd. June. 11. 1638.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To ALEXANDER GORDON, Of Earlestown. (122)

Much honoured & worthy Sir.

GRace, Mercy & peace be unto you: I long to hear from 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 & me standeth between love & jealousie, faith & suspicion 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 unchange∣able love hath said, I defie thee to break me & change me: If Christ had such changeable & new thoughts of my salvation as I have of it, I think I should then be at a sad loss: He humour∣eth not a fool like me in my unbelief, but rebuketh me & ••athereth kindness upon me: Christ is rather like the poor friend & needy prisoner [begging love] then 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 bride∣groom tireth not of wooing: Honour to him he is a wilfull suiter 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 & free love towards me: Oh that I might read with watery eyes! O that he would give me the interest of interest to pay back! Or rather my soul's desire is, that he would comprize my person, soul & body, love, joy, [confidence, fear, sorrow & desire, & drive the Puynd, & let me be roup∣ed, & sold to Christ, & taken home to my creditor's house & his fire-side. The Lord knoweth, if I could, I would sell

my self without reversion to Christ. O sweet Lord Jesus make a market, & over-bid 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 covering that is over it, & let my griening soul see it! I would break the door & be in upon him, to get an wombfull of love; for I am an hungered & ••amished soul. Oh Sir, if ye 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 dote [if I may make use of that word in this case] as much upon himself as I doe upon his love: It is a pity that Christ himself, should not rather be my heart's choice then Christ's manifested love: It would satisfie me in some measure, if I had any bud to give for his love; shall I offer him my praises? Alas he is more then 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 tēpting him to see if there be both love & anger in him against me. I am plucked from his flock [dear to me] & from feeding his lambs: I goe therefore in sackcloth as one who hath lost the wife of his youth: Grief & sorrow are suspicious & spue out against him the smoke of jea∣lousies, & I say often, Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me? Tell me Lord, read the process against me: but I know I cannot answer his alleagance: I will lose the cause when it com∣eth to open pleading. Oh if I could force my heart to beleeve dreams to be dreams! Yet when Christ giveth my fears the lye & saith to me thou art a lyar, then I am glad. I resolve to hope to be quiet & to lie on the brink upon my side, till the wa∣ter fall & the foord be ridable, & howbeit there be pain upon me in longing for deliverance, that I may speak of him in the great congregation; yet I think there is joy in that pain & on wait∣ing: & I even rejoyce that he putteth me off for a time & shift∣eth me: Oh if I could waite on for all eternity, howbeit I should never get my soul's desire, sobeing he were glorified! I would wish my pain & my ministery could live long to serve him, for I know I am a clay vessel & made for his use. O if my very broken sheards could serve to glorifie him! I desire Christ's grace to be willingly content, that my hell [excepting his hat∣red

& 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 & ever! When all is done what can I adde to him? or what can such a clay-shadow as I doe? I know he needeth not me: I have cause to be grieved and to melt away in tears [if I had grace to doe it, Lord grant it to me] to see my wel∣beloved's fair face spitted upon by dogs, to see lowns pulling the crown off my royall King's head, to see my harlot-mother & 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, harlot Scotland would rue upon her provoked Lord; & pity her good husband, who is broken with her whor∣ish 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 & worm's meat: Let Truth & Christ get no wrong in your hand: it is your gain, if Christ be glorified, & your glory to be Christ's witness: I perswade you, your sufferings are Christ's advantage & 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 & blessing of Christ's prisoner be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

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

To his Reverend & loving Brother. Mr JOHN NEVAY. (123)

Reverend & Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: I received yours o•••• Aprile 11. As I did another of March 25. 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, & that we are hiring lovers, & giving gift; to the great mother of fornications: Alas that our husband is like to quite 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 & keep him in this land; for I know him to be a sweet second, & a lovely com∣panion to a poor prisoner: I finde my extremity hath sharpned the edge of his love & Kindness, so as he seemeth to devise new wayes of expressing the sweetness of his love to my soul: Suf∣fering for Christ is the very element wherein Christ's love liveth, & exerciseth it self, in casting out flames of fire & sparks of heat, to warm such a frozen heart as I have: And if Christ weeping in sackeloth be so sweet, I cannot finde any imaginable thoughts to think what he will be, when we clay-bodies [having put off mortality] shall come up to the marriage-hall, & great Palace, & behold the King clothed in his robes royall, 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 re∣newed feasts of love with Christ, & liberty now & 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 willingly subscribe an am∣ple resignation to Christ of the fourteen Prelacies of this land, & of all the most delightfull pleasures on earth, & forfeit my part of this clay-God, this earth which Adam's foolish children worship, to have no other exercise but to lie in a love-bed with Christ, & fill this hungred, & famished soul with kissing, embracing & reall enjoying of the Son of God: And I think then I might write to my friends. That I had found the golden world, & look out & laugh at the poor bodies who are slaying one another for feathers: For verily, Brother, since I came to his prison I have conceived a new & extraordinary opi∣nion of Christ which I had not before; for I perceive we frist all our joyes to Christ, till he & we be in our own house above, as married parties; thinking that there is nothing of it here to be sought or found, but onely hope & fair promises: & that Christ will give us nothing here but tears, sadness, crosses: & that we shall never feel the smell of the flowers of that high

garden of Paradise above, till we come there: Nay, but I finde it is possible to finde young glory & a young green Paradise of joy even here: I know Christ's kisses will cast a more strong & refreshfull smell of incomparable glory & joy in heaven; then they doe here: Because a drink of the well of life up at the wel••'s head, is more sweet & fresh by far, then that which we get in our borrowed, old, running-out vessels & our wooden dishes here; yet I am now perswaded it is our folly to f••••st all, till the term day; seeing abundance of earnest, will not diminish any thing of our principal summe: We dream of hunger in Christ's house while we are here, although he alloweth feasts upon all the bairns within God's houshold: It were good then to store our selves with moe borrowed kisses of Christ, & with moe borrowed visites till we enter Heirs to our new inhe∣ritance, & our Tutour put us in possession of our own, when we are past minority. Oh that all the young heirs would seek more & a greater & a nearer communion with my Lord-tutour, the prime heir of all, Christ! I wish for my part I could send you & that gentleman, who wrote his commendations to me, in to the kings innermost cellar & house of wine, to be filled with love: A drink of this love is worth the having indeed: We carry our selves but too too nicely with Christ our Lord, & our Lord loveth not niceness & dryness & uncouthness in friends: Since need force we must be in Christ's common, then let us be in his common; for it will be no otherwayes. Now for my present case in my imprisonment, deliverance [for any appearance I see] looketh cold like: My hope if it looked to or leaned upon men, should wither soon at the root like a May-flow∣er: Yet I resolve to ease my self with on-waiting on my Lord, & to let my faith swim where it looseth ground: I am under a necessity either offainting [which I hope my master of whom boast all the day shall avert] or then to ••ay my faith upon om∣nipotency, & to wink & stick by my grip: And I hope my ship shall ride it out, seeing Christ is willing to blow his sweet wind in my sailes & mendeth & closeth the leks in my ship, & ruleth all: It will be strange if a beleeving passenger be casten ••ver beard. As for your Master, My Lord & my Lady I will

be loath to forget them: I think my prayers [such as they are] are due debt to him, & I shall be fa•• more engaged to his Lo: if he be fast for Christ (as I hope he will) now when so many of his coat & quality slip from Christ's back & leave him to send for himself. I entreat you remember my love to that wo thy Gentleman A. C. who salated 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 & more fall in love with Christ. Now for your question as far as I rawly conceive: I think God is praised two wayes: First, by a concional profession of his high∣ness before men, such as is the very hearing of the word, & re∣ceiving of either of the Sacraments, in which acts by profes∣sion, we give out to men, that he is our God, with whom we are in covenant, & our Lawgiver: Thus eating & drinking in the Lord's supper, is an annunciation & profession before men, that Christ is our slain Redeemer: Here because God speaketh to us, not we to him, it is not a formal thanks giving; but an annunciation, or predication of Christ's death, concionall, not adorative; neither hath it God for the immediat object, and therefore no kneeling can be here. Secondly, there is another praising of God, formal, when we are either formally blessing God, or speaking his praises: And this I take to be twofold: 1. When we directly & formally direct praises and thanks∣giving to God: This may well be done kneeling in token of our recognizance of his highness; yet not so, but it may be standing or sitting, especially seeing joyfull elevation [which should be in praising] is not formally signified by kneel∣ing. 2. When we speak good of God, & declare his glorious nature & attributes, extolling him before men, to excite men to conceive highly of him: The former I hold to be worship every way immediat, else I know not any immediat worship at all: the latter hath God for the subject, not properly the object, seeing the predication is directed to men immediatly, rather then to God; for here we speak of God by way of praising, rather then 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 praedicatio Dei & Christ••, non laudatio aut benedictio Dei: But observe that it

is formal praising of God & not meerly concional, as I distin∣guished in the first member: for in the first member any speaking of God or of his works of creation, providence & redemption, is indirect & concional praising of him, & formally preaching or an act of teaching, not an act of predication of his praises; for there is a difference betwixt the simple relation of the vertues of a thing, which is formally teaching, & the extolling of the worth of a thing by way of commendation, to cause others to praise with us. Thus recommending you to God's grace, I rest.

Aberd. June. 15. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr J. R. (124.)

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: upon the report I hear of you [without any further acquaintance except our strait∣est bonds in our Lord Jesus] I thought good to write unto you, hearing of your danger to be thrust out of the Lord's house for his name sake: Therefore my earnest & humble desire to God is, that ye may be strengthned in the grace of God, & by the power of his might to goe on for Christ, not standing in aw of a worm that shall die. I hope ye will not put your hand to the ark to give it a wrong totch & to overturn it, as many now doe, when the archers are shooting sore at Joseph, whose bowe shall abide in it's strength: We ow to our royall King & Princely Master a testimony. O how blessed are they who can warde a blow off Christ & his born-down truth! Men think Christ a gone man now, & that he shall never get up his head again: And they beleeve his court is failed, because he suf∣fereth men to break their spears & swords upon him, and the enemies to plow Sion, & make long & deep their furrows on her back: But it would not be so, if the Lord had not a sowing for his plowing: What can he doe, but melt an old drossie Kirk, that he may bring out a new bride out of the fire again 〈◊〉〈◊〉

I think Christ is just now reparing his house, & exchanging his old vessels with new vessels, & is going through this land and taking up an inventure & a roll of so many of Levi's sons & 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 doe with them: It is possible he doe worse to them then lay them by: & I think the vengeance of the Lord & the venge∣ance of his temple shall be upon them: I desire no more but to keep weight when I am past the fire: & I can now in some weak measure give Christ a testimonial of a lovely & loving compa∣nion under suffering for him. I saw him before but afar off; his beauty to my eye's sight groweth: a fig, a straw for ten worlds plaistered glory & 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 & 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 & I had a love-bed, not of mine but of Christ his own making; that we might lie together among the lilies, till the day break & the shadows flee away. Who knoweth how sweet a drink of Christ's love is? O 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 & fair: & the cross receiveth a beautifull lustre & a perfumed smell from Jesus, Mydear Brother, scar not at it. While ye have time to stand upon the watch tower & to speak, contend with this land, plead with your harlot-mother, who hath been a treacherous half-marrow to her husband Iesus: For I would think liberty to preach one day, the root & top of my desires, & 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 crazed clay-house in his ser∣vice & saving of souls: But I hold my peace because he hath done it: my shallow & ebbe thoughts are not the compass

Christ saileth by: I leave his wayes to himself for they are far, far above me: Onely I would contend with 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 too's and fro's in his wayes which blinde bodies like us cannot see. This much for further acquaintance: So recommending you & what is before you to the grace of God, I rest.

Aberd. June 16. 1637.

Your very loving Brother in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To Mr WILLIAM DALGLEISH. (125)

Reverend & welbeloved Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be unto you: I have heard some∣what of your trials in Galloway: I bless the Lord who hath begun first in that corner to make you a new Kirk to him∣self: Christ hath the less adoe behinde, when he hath refined you. Let me entreat you, my dearly beloved, to be fast to Christ: My witness is above, My dearest Brother, that ye have added much joy to me in my bonds, when I hear that ye grow in the grace and zeal of God for your Master. Our ministery whether by preaching or suffering, will cast a smell through the world both of heaven & hell, 2 Cor. 2: 15, 16. I perswade you, my dear Brother, there is nothing out of hea∣ven, next to Christ, dearer to me then my ministery, & the worth of it in my estimation is swelled & paineth me exceed∣ingly; yet I am content for the honour of my Lord, to surrender it back again to the Lord of the vineyard:

let him doe with me & it both what he thinketh good: I think my self too little for him: & let me speak to you, how kinde a fellow prisoner is Christ to me! Beleeve me, this kinde of cross [that would not goe by my door, but would needs visite me,] is still the longer the more welcome to me: It's true my silent sabbaths have been & are still as glassy yee, whereon my faith can scarce hold it's feet, & I am often blowen on my back, and off my feet, with a storm of doubting; yet truly my bonds all this time cast a mighty and ranck smell of high and deep love in Christ: I cannot indeed see through my cross to the far end; Yet I beleeve I am in Christ's books, & in his decree [not yet unfolded to me] a man triumphing, dancing & singing over on the other side of the red sea, & laugh∣ing & praising the lamb over beyond time, sorrow, depriva∣tion, prelat's indignation, losses, want of friends & death: Heaven is not a foul flying in the air (as men use to speak of things that are uncertain) nay it is well paid for, Christ's comprizement lieth on Glory, for all the mourners in Zion, & shall never be loosed: Let us be glad & rejoyce that we have blood, losses, & wounds to show our Master & Captain at his appearance, and what we suffered for his cause. Woe 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, & that my faithless fears say, Oh I am a dry tree that can bear no fruit, I am an useless body who ••an beget no children to the Lord in his house. Hopes of delive∣rance look cold & uncertain & afar off, as if I had done with it: it is much for Christ [if I may say so] to get Lawborrows of my sorrow, & of my quarrelous 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 cumbersom neighbour to Christ: It is a wonder that he dwel∣leth beside the like of me; yet I often get the advantage of the hill above my temptations, & then I despise the temptation, even hell it self & the stink of it, & 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: & I think a willfull & stiff contention with my Lord Jesus for his love

very lawfull: it's sometimes hard to me to win my meat upon Christ's love, because my faith is sick, & my hope withereth, & my eyes wax dim, & unkinde & comfort-eclipsing clouds goe over the fair, & bright, & light S••n-Jesus: And then when I & my temptation tryste the matter together, we spill all through unbelief: Sweet, sweet for evermore would my life be, if I could keep faith in exercise: But I see my fire cannot alwayes 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 fair sun shined without a cloud: Hot & burning hath Christ's love been to me: I have no vent to the expression of it: I must be content with stoln & smothered desires of Christ's glory: O how far is his love behinde 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 se••••e upon his person: Except Christ would se••••e upon my self, & make the readiest payment that can be of my heart & love to himself, I have no other thing to give him: If my sufferings could doe beholders good, & edifie his Kirk, & proclaim the incomparable worth of Christ's love to the world, O then how would my soul be overjoyed, & 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, & the bottom fallen out of the profession of that parish, & none stand by Christ, whose love I once preached, as clearly & plainly as I could [though far below it's worth & excellency] to that people; if so, how can I bear it? & If another make a foul harvest where I have made a painfull & honest sowing, it will not soon digest with me: but I know his wayes pass finding out: Yet my witness both within me & above me knoweth, & my pained breast upon the Lord's day at night, my desire to have had Christ awfull & a∣miable & sweet to that people, is now my joy: & it was my desire & aime to make Christ & them one: If I see my hopes die in the bud ere they bloom a little, & come to no fruit I die with grief. O my God seek not an account of the violence done to me by my brethren; whose salvation I love & desire: I pray that they & I be not heard as contrary parties in the day of our

compearance before our judge, in that process led by them a∣gainst my ministery, which I received from Christ: I know a little inch, & less then the third part of this span-length & hand∣breadth of time which is posting away will put me without the stroke & above the reach of either brethren or foes: And it is a short-lasting injurie done to me & to my pains in that part of my Lord's vineyard: O how silly an advantage is my de∣privation to men, seeing my Lord Jesus hath many wayes to recover his own losses, & is irresistible to compass his own glo∣rious ends, that his lilie may grow amongst thorns, & his little Kingdom exalt it self, even under the swords & spears of con∣trary powers! But, my dear Brother, goe on in the strength of his rich grace whom ye serve: Stand fast for Christ: De∣liver the Gospel off your hand, & your ministery to your Master with a clean & undefiled conscience: Loose not a pin of Christ's tabernacle: Doe not so much as picke with your naile at one board or border of the ark: Have no part or deal∣ing upon any terms, in a hoof, in a closed window, or in a bowing of your •…•…nce, in casting down of the temple: But be a mourning & speaking witness again them who now ruine Zion. Our Master will be on us all in a clap ere ever we wit: That day will discover all our white's & our black's concerning this controversie of poor oppressed Zion: Let us make our part of it good, that it may be able to abide the fire when hay and stuble 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: La∣mentation, mourning & woe abideth th•••• O Scotland: O Scot∣land, the fearfull quarrell of a broken Covenant standeth good with thy Lord. Now, remember my love to all friends, & to all my parishoners as if I named each one of them particular∣ly: I recommend you & God's people committed by Christ to your trust, to the rich grace of our alsufficient Lord. Remember my bonds: Praise my Lord who bear∣eth me up in my sufferings: As ye sinde occasion [accor∣cording 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 & dearest Master may be magnified in my sufferings I rest.

Aberd. June 17. 1637.

Your brother in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To MARION M^CKNAUGHT. (126)

Dearly beloved in our Lord Iesus Christ.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: Few know the heart of a stranger & prisoner, I am in the hands of mine enemies: I would honest & lawfull means were essayed for bringing me home to my charge, now when Mr A. R. & Mr H. R. are re∣stored. It concerneth you of Galloway most to use supplica∣tions 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 pri∣son: However it b••, 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 dayes flee away & I doe no service to my Lord in his house, now when his harvest and the souls of perishing people require it; but his ways are not like my wayes, neither can I finde 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 ballance 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; How beit I have been casting my self under Christ's feet, and wrestling to beleeve under a hidden and covered Lord; yet my fainting cometh before I eat, and my faith hath bowed with the sore 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

& wormwood since that day, my Master laid bonds upon me to speak no more: I speak not this because the Lord is un∣couth to me, but because beholders that stand on dry land see not my sea-storm: The witnesses of my cross are but strangers to my sad dayes & nights. O that Christ would let me alone & speak love to me & come home to me & bring summer with him! O that I might preach his beauty & glory as once I did, before my clay-tent be removed to darkness, & that I might lift Christ off the ground & my branches might be watered with the dew of God, & my joy in his work might grow green a∣gain & bud & send out a flower! But I am but a short sighted creature & my candle casteth not light afar off: He knoweth all that is done to me, how that when I had but one joy & no more, & one green flower that I esteemed to be my garland, he came in one hour & dried up my flower at the root, & took away mine onely eye, & mine onely one crown & garland: What can I say? Surely my guiltiness hath been remembered before him, & he was seeking to take down my sails & to land the flower of my delights, and to let it lie on the coast like an old broken ship that is no more for the sea: But I praise him for this wailed stroke, I welcome this surnace, God's wisdom made choice of it for me, & 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, & she was like a traveller forced to take house in the morning of his journey: & now her adversaries are the chief men in the land, her wayes 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 & dry the face of his weeping spouse & com∣fort 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 & forget me not: Oh that my Lord would bring me again amongst you with abundance of the Gospel of Christ! But O that I may set down my de∣sires where my Lord biddeth me! Remember my love in the Lord to your husband, God make him faithfull to Christ, &

my blessing to your three children. Faint not in prayer for this Kirk: Desire my people not to receive a stranger & intruder upon my ministery: let me stand in that right & station that my Lord Jesus gave me. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord and Master, S. R.

To JOHN GORDON. At Risco. (127)

Dear Brother.

I Earnestly desire to know the case of your soul, & to under∣stand that ye have made sure work of heaven & salvation. 1. Remember, Salvation is one of Christ's dainties he giveth but to a few. 2. That it is violent sweating & striving that taketh heaven. 3. That it cost Christ blood to purchase that house to sinners & to set mankinde down, the King's free ten∣ants & free-holders. 4. That many make a start toward heaven who fall on their back & win not up to the top of the mount, it plucketh heart & legs from them, & they sit down & give it over, because the devil setteth a sweet smelled flower to their nose [this fair busked World] wherewith they are be∣witched & so forget or refuse to goe forward. 5. Remember, many goe far on & reform many things & can finde tears as Esau did, & suffer hunger for the truth as Iudas did, & wish & desire the end of the righteous as Balaam did, & profess fair & fight for the Lord as Saul did, & desire the saints of God to pray for them as Pharaoh & Simon Magus did, & prophesie & speak of Christ as Caiaphas did, walk softly & mourn for fear of judgement as Ahab did, & put away gross sins & idolatry as Iehu did, & hear the word of God gladly & reform their life in many things according to the word as Herod did, & say, Mas∣ter, to Christ, I will follow thee whither soever thou goest, as the man who offered to be Christ's servant, Math. 8. & may taste of the

vertues of the life to come & be partaker of the wonderfull gifts of the holy spirit & taste of the good word of God, as the Apostates who sin against the Holy Ghost, Heb 6. & yet all these are but like gold in clink & colour & watered brass & base mettall. These are written that we should try our selves & not rest till we be a step nearer Christ then sun-burnt & withering professors can come, 6. Consider, it is impossible that your Idol-sins & ye, can goe to heaven together, & that they who will not part with these, can indeed love Christ at the bottom; but onely in word & shew: which will not doe the business. 7. Remember how swiftly God's post, time, flieth away, & that your forenoon is already spent, your afternoon will come & then your even∣ing & at last night, When ye cannot see to work: let your heart be set upon finishing of your journey, & summing & laying your accounts with your Lord. O how blessed shall ye be, to have a joyfull welcome of your Lord at night! How blessed are they who in time take sure course with their soul! Bless his great name for what ye possess in goods & children, ease & worldly contentment, that he hath given you; & seek to be like Christ in humility & lowliness of minde, & be not great & intire with the world: make it not your God nor your lover that ye trust into; for it will deceive you: I recommend Christ & his love to you in all things, let him have the flower of your heart & your love, set a low price upon all things but Christ, & cry down in your thoughts clay & dirt that will not comfort you, when ye get summonds to remove, & 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 sanctifie God in your speaking, for holy and reverend is his name: & be temperate & sober, compani∣onry [as it is called] is a sin that holdeth men out of heaven. I will not beleeve that ye will receive the ministry of a stranger, who will preach a new & uncouth doctrine to you: Let my salvation stand for it, if I delivered not the plain & whole coun∣sel of God to you in his word. Read this letter to your wife, & remember my love to her, & request her to take heed to doe what I write to you: I pray for you & yours. Remember me

in your prayers to our Lord, that he would be pleased to send me amongst you again. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Your lawfull & loving Pastor, S. R.

To Mr HUGH HENDERSON. (128)

Reverend and dear Brother.

WHo knoweth but the wind may turn in to the West again upon Christ & 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, & could not finde law or justice for himself & his truth these many years. I am sure, the wheels of this crazed & broken Kirk run all upon no other axel-tree, nor is there any other to roll them, & cogge them, & drive them, but the wisdom & good pleasure of our Lord: And it were a just trick & glorious, of never-sleeping providence, to bring our brethrens darts they have shot at us, back upon their own heads: Suppose they have two strings in their bow, & can take one as another saileth them, yet there are moe then three strings upon our Lord's bowe; and besides he cannot miss the white that he shooteth at. I know, he shuffleth up & down in his hand the great body of heaven & earth, & that Kirk & Commonwealth are in his hand, like a stock of Cards, & that he dealeth ••he play to the mourners in Zion and these that say, lye down, that we may goe over you, at his own soveraign plea∣sure: And I am sure, Zion's adversaries in this play shall not take up their own stakes again. O how sweet a thing it is to trust in him! When Christ hath sleeped out his sleep [if I may speak so of him who is the watch-man of Israel that neither slumbereth 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 & double amongst the hat∣ers of Zion. It may be we see him sow and send down maledic∣tions

& vengeances as thick as drops of rain or hail upon his ene∣mies: For our Lord oweth them a black day & he useth duely to pay his debts neither his friends & followers, nor his foes & adver∣saries shall have it to say, that he is not faithfull & exact in keep∣ing his word. I know no bar in God's way but Scotland's guil∣tiness, & he can come over that impediment & break that bar also, & then say to guilty Scotland as he said Ezek. 36. Not for your sakes, &c. On-waiting had ever yet a blessed issue, & to keep the word of God's patience keepeth still the saints dry in the water, cold in the fire, & breathing & blood-hot in the grave. What are prisons of iron walls & gates of brass to Christ? Not so good as feal dikes, fortifications of straw, or old tottering walls: If he give the word, then the chains will fall off the arms & legs of his prisoners. God be thanked that our Lord Jesus hath the tutouring of King and Court and Nobles, and that he can dry the gutters and the mires in Sion, and lay causeys to the Temple with the carcases of bastard Lord-Prelats & idol-shepherds: The corn on the house-tops got never the hus∣band-man's prayers, & so is seen on it, for it filleth not the hand of mowers. Christ & truth & innocency worketh even under the earth, & verily there is hope for the righteous: We see not what conclusions pass in heaven anent all the affaris 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 importune Christ & double our knocks at his gate, & cast our cries & shouts over the wall, that he might come out & make our Ierusalem the praise of the whole earth, & give us Salva∣tion for walls & bulwarks! If Christ bud & grow green and bloom & bear seed again in Scotland. & his father send him two summers again in one year, & bless his crop; O what cause have we to rejoyce in the free salvation of our Lord & to set up our banners in the name of our God! O that he would hasten the confusion of the leprous strumpet, the mother & mistress of abominations in the earth, & take graven images out of the way, & come in with the Iews in troops, & agree with his

old out cast & forsaken wife, & take them in again to his bed of love! Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in our Master and Lord, S. R.

To the Lady LARGIRIE. [129.]

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I exhort you in the Lord to goe on in your journey to heaven, & to be content of such fare by the way as Christ & his followers have had before you; for they had alwayes the wind on their faces, & our Lord hath not changed the way to us for our ease; but will have us following our sweet guide. Alas how doeth sin dog us in our journey & retard us! What fools are we to have a by-god or an other lover or match to our souls beside Christ? It were best for us like ill bairns [who are best heard at home] to seek our own home, & to sell our hopes of this little clay Innes & idol of the earth, where we are neither well summered nor well wintered. Oh that our souls would fall so at oddes with the love of this world, as to think of it as a traveller doeth 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 nothing! O that we had as soon done with this world and could as quickly dispatch the love of it! But as a childe cannot hold two apples in his little hand, but the one putteth the other out of it's room; so neither can we be masters and Lords of two loves: Blessed were we if we could make our selves masters of that invaluable treasure the love of Christ; or rather suffer our selves to be mastered and subdued to Christ's love, so as Christ were our all things, & all other things our nothings & the refuse of our delights. O let us be ready for shipping against the time our Lord's wind & tide call for us! Death is the last thief that shall come without din or noise of feet, & take our souls away, & we

shall take our leave at Time & f••ce Eternity, & our Lord shall lay together the two sides of this earthly Tabernacle & fold us & lay us by, as a man layeth by his clothes at night, & put the one half of us in a house of clay, the dark grave, & the other half of us in heaven or hell. Seek to be found of your Lord in peace & gather in your flitting & put your soul in order, for Christ will not give a nail-breadth of Time to our little sand-glass. Pray for Zion, & for me his prisoner, that he would be pleas∣ed to bring me amongst you again full of Christ & fraughted & laden with the blessings of his Gospel. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his onely Lord and Master, S. R.

To EARLESTOWN Younger [130]

Worthy & dearly beloved in the Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear from you: I remain still a prisoner of hope, & doe think it service to the Lord to wait on still with submission, till the Lord's morn∣ing-skie break & his summer day dawn: for I am perswaded it is a piece of the chief errand of our life, that God sent us for some years down to this earth among devils & men, the fire-brands of the devil, & temptations, 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 countrey, without letting us set down our feet in this knotty and thorny life; but seeing a piece of suffer∣ing is carved to every one of us, less or more, as infinite wisdom hath thought good, our part is to harden and habituat our soft and thin skinned nature to endure fire and water, devils, lions, men, losses, woe hearts, as these that are looked upon by God, Angels, men & devils. O what folly is it to sit down & weep upon a decree of God, that

is both dumb & deaf at our tears, & must stand still as unmov∣able as God who made it, for who can come behinde our Lord to alter or better what he hath decreed & done? It were better to make windows in our prison & to look out to God & our countrey Heaven, & to cry like fettered men who long for the King's free air, Lord, let t••y Kingdom come: O let the Bride∣groom come! And O day, O fair day, O everlasting summer day, dawn and shine out, break out from under the black night skie and shine! I am perswaded, if every day, a little stone in the prison walls were broken, & thereby assurance given to the chained prisoner lying under twenty stone of irons upon arms & legs, that at length his chain should wear in two pieces, & 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 & break his chains: The Lord's hopefull prisoners under their trials are in that case: Years & moneths will take out now one little stone, then another, of this house of clay, & 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 fil•• off by little and little our iron bolts, which are now on legs and arms, & out-date and wear our troubles threed-bare and hollie, and then wear them to nothing: For what I suffered yesterday I know shall never come again to trouble me. O that we could breath out new hope and new submission every day in Christ's lap! For certainly a weight of glory well weighed [yea encreasing to a far more exceeding and eternall weight] shall recompence both weight and length of light and clipped and short-dated crosses: Our waters are but ebbe and come neither to our chin nor to ••he 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 adver∣sity and scorn our short-born and soon-dying temptations: I rejoyce in the hope of that glory to be revealed, for it is no un∣certain glory we look for; our hope is not hung upon such an untwisted threed as, I imagine so, or it is likely; but the cable, the strong tow of our fastened anchor, is the oath and the promise of him who is eternall verity, our Salvation is fastened with God's

own hand and with Christ's own strength to the strong stoup of God's unchangeable nature. Mal 3. 6. I am the Lord, I change not, and therefore ye sons of Iacob are not consumed: We may play and dance and leap upon our worthy and immoveable rock: the ground is sure and good and will bide hell's brang∣ling and devils brangling and the world's assaults. Oh if our faith could ride it out against the high and proud winds and waves, when our sea seemeth all to be on fire! O how oft doe I let my grips goe! I am put to swimming and half sinking: I finde the devil hath the advantage of the ground in this battel, for he fighteth in known ground in our corrupt na∣ture: Alas that is a friend neer of kin and blood to himself, and will not fail to fall foul upon us: And hence it is that he 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, & then I must come with my ill raveled work to Christ to cumber him [as it were] to right it & to seek again the right end of the threed, & to fold up again my eternall glory with his own hand, & to give a right cast of his holy & gra∣cious hand to my marred & spilt salvation: Certainly it is a cumbersom thing to keep a foolish childe from falls & broken brows, & weeping for this & that toy, & rash running & sickness & bairns diseases; ere he win through them all, and win out of the mires, he costeth meekle black cumber and fashrie to his keepers: And so is a beleever a cumbersom piece of work and an ill raveled hesp [as we use to say] to Christ: But God be thanked, for many spilt salvations and many ill raveled hesps hath Christ mended since first he entered tutour to lost mankinde. O what could we bairns doe 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 of us: it is our heaven to lay many weights and burdens upon Christ, and to make him all we have, root and top, beginning and ending of our salvation: Lord hold us ••ere. Now to this tutour and rich Lord I recommend you:

Hold fast till he come and remember his prisoner. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his and your Lord Iesus, S. R.

To Mr WILLIAM DALGLEISH. [131]

Reverend & dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter. I bless our high and onely wise Lord who hath broken the s••are that men had laid for you, & 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 Ierusalem shall yet be filled with young men & with old men & boyes & women with childe & that they shall plant vines in the mountains of Samaria. I am sure, the wheels, paces & motions of this poor Church, are tempered & ruled not as men would, but according to the good pleasure & infinite wisdom of our onely wise Lord. I am here waiting in hope, that my innocency in this honourable cause shall melt this cloud that men have casten over me. I know my Lord had his own quarrels against me & that my dross stood in need of this hot furnace; but I rejoyce in this, that fair truth, beautifull truth, [whose glory my Lord cleareth to me more & more] bearth me company, & that my weak aimes to honour my Mas∣ter in bringing guests to his house, now swell upon me in comforts, & that I am not affraid to want a witness in heaven, that it was my joy to have a crown put upon Christ's head in that countrey. O what joy would I have to see the wind turn upon the enemies of the cross of Christ, & to see my Lord Je∣sus restored with the voice of praise to his own f••ee throne again, & to be brought amongst you to see the beauty of the Lord's house! I hope that countrey will not be so silly, as to suffer men to pluck you away from them, & that ye will use means to keep my place empty & to bring me back again to the peo∣ple to whom I have Christs right and his Church's lawfull

calling. Dear Brother, let Christ be dearer & dearer to you, let the conquest of souls be top and root, flower and bloom of your joyes and desires in 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, & the last pickle of sand shall be at the nick of falling down in your watch-glass, & the master shall call the servants of the vincyard to give them their hire; ye will esteem the bloom of this world's glory like the colours of the rain-bow, that no man can put in his purse & treasure: Your labours & pains shall then smile upon you. My Lord now hath given me experience [howbeit weak & 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 supper-time & the high table, up in the high palace: This world deserveth nothing but the utter court of our soul. Lord hasten the marriage-supper of the Lamb. I finde it still peace to give up with this present world as with an old decourted & cast-off lover: My bread & drink in it, is not so much worth, that I should not loath the Innes, & pack up my desires for Christ, that I have sent out to the feck∣less creatures in it. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Your affectionat Brother & Crhist's prisoner. S. R.

To the Laird of CALLY. (132)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear how your soul prospereth: I have that confidence that your soul mind∣eth Christ & salvation: I beseech you in the Lord give more pains & diligence to fetch heaven, then the countrey-sort of lazie professors; who think their own faith & their own godliness, because it is their own, best; & content themselves with a coldrife custom & course, with a resolution to summer &

winter in that sort of profession, that the multitude and the times favour most, and are still shaping and clipping and car∣ving their faith, according as it may best stand with their sum∣mer-sun and a whole skin; and so breath 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, in stead of a better. Worthy & dear Sir, separate your self from such, and bend your self to the utmost of your strength & breath, in run∣ning fast for salvation, and in taking Christ's Kingdom, use vio∣lence: 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, & lving down with us, that we might goe to heaven in warm clothes; but all that came there ••ound wet feet by the way, & sharp storms that did take the hide off their face, & ••ound to's & fro's & up's & down's & many enemies by the way. 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 we to forgoe our packalds & burdens that hinder us to run our race with patience! It is no small work to displease & anger nature, that we may please God. O if it be hard to win one foot or half an inch out of our own will, out of our own wit, out of our own ease & worldly lusts, & so to deny our self, & 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 & what a death is it to nature, to turn me, my self, my lust, my ease, my credit, over in, my Lord, my Saviour, my King & my God, my Lord's will, my Lord's grace! But alas that idol, that whorish creature my self, is the master-idol we all bow to: What made Evah miscarry? & what hurried her headlong upon the forbidden fruit, but that wretched thing her self? What drew that brother-murtherer to kill Abel? That wilde himself What drove the old world on to corrupt their wayes? Who but themselves, & their own pleasure? What was the cause of Solomon's falling into

idolatry & multiplying of strange wives? What but himself, whom he would rather pleasure then God. What was the hook that took David & snared him first in adultery but his self-lust, & then in murther but his self-credit & self-honour? What led Peter on to deny his Lord? Was it not a piece of himself & self-love to a whole skin? What made Iudas sell his Mat∣ter for 30 pieces of money, but a piece of self-love idolizing of avaritions self? What made Demas to goe off the way of the Gospel, to embrace this present world? even self love & 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 & lieth in every man's bosom, is that idol that kil∣leth all, himself. O blessed are they who can deny themselves & put Christ, in the room of themselves! O would to the Lord, I had not a my self, but Christ; nor a my lust, but Christ, no•• a my ease, but Christ; nor a my honour, but Christ! O sweet word, Gal. 2: 20. I live no more, but Christ liveth in me! O if e∣very one would put away himself, his own self, his own ease, his own pleasure, his own credit, & 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 & to your self-lust & self-idol that ye set up in the lusts of youth above Christ. Worthy Sir, pardon 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 & your evening skie and sun-setting nearer then when I saw you last: Strive to end your task before night, and to make Christ your-self, and to acquaint your love and your heart with the Lord Stand now by Christ and his truth, when so many fail 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 then of a crown of gold and a free Kingdom lying to it. Sir, I remember you in my prayers to the Lord, •…•…ding to my promise: Help me with your prayers that our Lord would be pleased to bring me a∣mongst

you again with the Gospel of Christ: Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweetest Lord and Master, S. R.

To JOHN GORDON Of Cardoness younger. (133).

Dearly beloved in our Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long exceedingly to hear of the case of your soul which hath a large share both of ••y prayers & carefull thoughts. Sir, remember that a pre∣cious treasure & prize is upon this short play that ye are now up∣on, even the eternity of well or woe to your soul standeth upon the little point of your ill or well employed short & 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 or sil∣ver of as much bounds as would cover the highest heavens round about, cannot buy it: To live as others doe & to be free of open sins that the world crieth shame upon, it will not bring you to heaven: as much civility & countrey-discretion as would lye between you & heaven, will not lead you one foot or one inch above condemned nature: & therefore take pains upon seeking of salvation, & give your will, wit, hu∣mour the green desires of youth's pleasures, off your hand to Christ, It is not possible for you to know, till experience teach you, how dangerous a time Youth is: It is like green & wet timber; when Christ casteth fire on it, it taketh not fire: There is need here of more then ordinary pains; for corrupt na∣ture hath a good back-friend of Youth, & sinning against light will put out your candle & stupifie your conscience & bring up∣on it moe coverings & skins & less feeling & sense of guilti∣ness, & when that is done the Devil is like a mad horse that hath broken the bridle & runneth away with his rider whither he listeth. Learn to know that which the Apostle knew, the

deceitfulness of sin: strive to make prayer & reading & holy com∣pany & holy conference your delight, & when delight cometh in, ye shall by little & little smell the sweetness of Christ, till at length your soul be over head & ears in Christ's sweetness: then shall ye be taken up to the top of the mountain with the Lord, to know th•• ravishments of spiritual love & the glory & excel∣lency of a s••en, revealed, felt & embraced Christ: & then ye shall not be able to loose your self off Christ & to binde your soul to old lovers: then & never till then are all the paces, motions, walkings & wheels of your soul in a right tune & in a spiritual temper: But if this world & the lusts thereof be your delight, I know not what Christ can make of you, ye cannot be mettall to be a vessel of glory & mercy: as the Lord liveth, thousand thousands are beguiled with security, because God & wrath & judgement is not terrible to them: stand in aw of God, & of the warnings of a checking & rebuking conscience: make o∣thers to see Christ in you moving, doing, speaking & think∣ing; 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 na∣ture, that leades birds to build their nests & bring up their young & love such & such places as woods, forests & wildernesses better then other places: The instinct of nature maketh a man love his mother-countrey above all countreys: The instinct of renewed nature & supernatural grace, will lead you to such & such works, as to love your countrey above, to sigh to be clothed with your house not made with hands, & to call your borrowed prison here below a borrowed prison, & to look upon it servant-like & pilgrim-like: And the pilgrim's eye & look, is a disdainfull like discontented cast of his eye, his heart crying after his eye, Fy, fy, t•• is is not like my countrey. I re∣commend to you the mending of a hole & reforming of a failing, one or other, every week, & put off a sin or a piece of it, as of anger, wrath, lust, intemperance, every day, that ye may more easily master the remnant of your corruption. God hath given you a wife, love her & let her breasts satisfie you, & for the Lord's sake drink no waters 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 finde your self in that case, that ye dare look death in the face & durst hazard your soul upon e∣ternity. I am sure many ells & inches of the short threed of your life are by hand, since I saw you: and that threed hath an end, and ye have no hands to cast a knot & adde one day or a finger-breadth to the end of it: When hearing and seeing and the utter walls of the clay-house shall fall down & life shall render the besieged castle of clay to death & judgement, & ye finde your time worn ebbe & run out, what thoughts will ye then have of idol-pleasures, that possibly are now sweet? what bud or hire would ye then give for the Lord's favour? & what a price would ye then give for pardon? It were not amiss to think, what if I were to receive a doom & to enter into a sur∣nace of fire & brimstone? What if it come to this: that I shall have no portion but utter darkness? And what if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be brought to this, to be banished from the presence of God & to be given over to God's serjeants, the Devil & the power of the second Death? Put your soul by supposition in such a case, & •…•…sid∣er what horrour would take hold of you & what then ye would esteem of pleasing your self in the course of sin! O dear Sir, for the Lord's sake awake to live righteously & love your poor soul, & after ye have seen this my letter, say with yourself, the Lord will seck an account of this warning I have received. Lodge Christ in your family. Receive no stranger hireling as your Pastor. I bless your children. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Your lawful and loving Pastor. S. R.

To my Lord BOYD. [134]

My very honourable & good Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to your Lo: Out of the worthy report that I hear of your Lo: zeal for this born down

& oppressed Gospel, I am bold to write to your Lo: beseeching you by the mercies of God, by the honour of our royal and princely King Jesus, by the sorrows, tears & desolation of your afflicted mother-church, & by the peace of your con∣science & your joy in the day of Christ, that your Lo: would goe on in the strength of your Lord and in the power of his might, to bestir your self 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! I dare promise in the name of our Lord that this shall fasten & fix the pillars & the stakes of your own honourable house upon earth, if ye lend & lay in pledge in Christ's hand [upon spiritual hazard] life, estate, house, honour, credit, moyen, friends, the favour of men [suppose King's with three crown••] sobeing ye may bear witness & acquit your self as a man of valour and courage to the Prince of your salvation, for the purging of his temple & s•…•…eeping out the Lordly Diotrephes's, time-courting Demas's, corrupt Hymeneus's & Philetus's & other such oxen that with their dung defile the Temple of the Lord. Is not Christ now crying, Who will help me? Who will come out with me, to take part with me & share in the honour of my victory over these mine enemies who have said: Wee ••ill not have this man to rule over us; My very honourable and dear Lord, joyn, joyn [a•• ye do••] with Christ, he is more worth to you & your posterity then this world's May flowers & withering Riches & Honour, that shall goe away as smoke & evanish in a night∣vision, & shall in one half hour after the blast of the Archangel's trumpet, lie in white ashes. Let me beseech your Lo: to draw by the lap of Time's curtain & look in through that win∣dow to great & endless Eternity, & consider if a worldly price [suppose this little round clay globe of this ashie & 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 & soul ravishing coun∣tenance, in that day when so many joints and knees of thousand thousands wailing shall stand before Christ trembling, shouting & making their prayers to hills & mountains to fall upon them and hide them from the face of the Lamb. O how many

would sell Lordships & Kingdoms that day & buy Christ! But Oh the market shall be closed & ended ere then. Your Lo: hath now a blessed venture of winning court with the Prince of the Kings of the earth: He himself weeping, truth born down, & fallen in the streets & an oppressed Gospel, Christ's bride with watery eyes & spoiled of her vail, her hair hanging about her eyes forced to goe in ragged apparel, the banished, silenced & im∣prisoned prophets of God, who have not the favour of liberty to prophesie 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 & shall fight for you: thus shall ye cause the blessing of these who are ready to perish come upon you, & ye shall make the heart of this your mother-Church to sing for joy. The Lamb & his armies are with you & the Kingdoms of the earth are the Lord's. I am perswaded there is not another Gospel nor another saving truth, then that which ye now contend for, I dare hazard my heaven & salvation upon it, that this is the onely saving way to glory. Grace, grace be with your Lo:

Aberd. 1637.

Your Lo: at all respective obedience in Christ. S. R.

To ROBERT GORDON. Bailiffe of Ayr. (135)

Worthy Sir.

GRace, mercy & 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 & deliverance of his own, who are truly blessed on-waiters: What is the dry & miscarrying hope of all them who are not in Christ, but confusion & wind? O how pitifully and miserably are the children of this world beguiled, whose wine cometh home to them water, & their gold brass & tin! And what wonder that hopes builded upon sand,

should fall & sink? It were good for us all to abandon the forlorn & blasted & withered hope we have had in the creature, & let us henceforth come & drink water out of our own well, even the fountain of living waters, & build our selves & our hope upon Christ our rock: But alas that naturall 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 of our heart! Our poor lean and empty dreams of confidence in some-thing beside God are no further travelled then up & down the naughty & feckless creatures. God may say of us, as he said, Amos 6: 13. Ye rejoyce in a thing of noug••t. Surely we spin our spider's web with pain, and build our rotten and tottering house upon a lye and falshood and vanity. O when will we learn to have thoughts higher then the sun and moon, and learn our joy, hope, confidence and our soul's desires to look up to our best countrey, and to look down to clay tents set up for a night's lodging or two, in this unknown land, & laugh at our childish conceptions & imaginations that suck our joy out of creatures, woe, sorrow, losses & grief. O sweetest Lord Jesus! O fairest Godhead! O flower of man & angels, why are we such strangers to, & far-off beholders of thy glory? O it were our happiness for evermore, that God would cast a pest, a botch, a leprosie upon our part of this great whore, a fair and well busked World, that clay might no longer deceive us! but O that God may burn and blast our Hope hereaway, rather then our Hope should live to burn us! Alas the wrong side of Christ [to speak so] his blackside, his suffering side, his wounds, his bare coat, his wants, his wrongs, the oppressions of men done to him, are turned towards mens eyes & they see not the best & fairest side of Christ, nor see they his amiable face and his beauty, that man and angels wonder at. Sir, lend your thoughts to th••se things, & learn to contemn this world, & to turn your eyes and heart away from 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 & seeking after night and day: Fire will flee over the earth and all that is in it, even destruction from the Almighty: Fy, fy upon that hope that shall be dryed up by the root! Fy upon the drunken night-bargains, And the drunken and mad covenant that sinners make with death and hell after cups, and when mens souls are mad and drunken with the love of this lawless life! 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, & in the morning when the last trumpet shall awake them, then they rue the block. It is time & high time for you to think upon death and your accounts, and to remember what ye are, where ye will be before the year of our Lord 1700. I hope ye are thinking upon this: pull upon your soul and draw it aside from the company that it is with, and round & whisper in to it newes of eternity, death, judgement, heaven and hell. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To ALEXANDER GORDON, Of Earlestown. (136)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: It is like if ye the Gentry & Nobility of this nation, be men in the streets [as the word speaketh] for the Lord, that he will now deliver his flock & gather & rescue his scattered sheep from the hands of cruel & rigorous Lords, that have ruled over them with force. O that mine eyes might see the moon-light turn to the light of the sun! But I still fear the quarrel of a broken Covenant in Scotland standeth before the Lord: However it be, I avouch it before the world, 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 flesh, but that Christ & his Kingdom might be great amongst Jews & Gentiles, & that the Isles [& amongst them, overclouded & darkned Britan] might have the glory of a noon-day's sun! Oh that I had any thing [I will not ex∣cept my part in Christ] to wodset or lay in pledge to redeem & buy such glory to my highest & royal Prince, my sweet Lord Jesus! my poor little heaven were well bestowed, if it could stand a pawne 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 it's alone, all the eternal glory of th•• blessed Angels & of all the spirits of just & perfect men glorified & to be glorified, Oh alas, how far am I engaged to forgoe it for, and give it over to Christ; sobeing he might thereby be set on high above ten thousand thousand millions of heavens, in the conquest of many, many nations to his Kingdom! Oh that his King∣dom would come! O that all the world would stoop before him! O blessed hands that shall put the crown upon Christ's head in Scosland! But alas, I can scarce get leave to ware my love on him: I can finde no wayes to ••u•• my h••at upon Christ & my love that I with my soul bestow on him, it is like to die upon my hand, & I think it no bairns-play to be hung∣red with Christ's love: To love him & 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 & as wide a soul answerable to comprehend it, till I cried, hold Lord, no more: But I finde he will not have me to be mine own steward nor mine own carver: Christ keepeth the keys of Christ [to speak so] & of his own love, and he is a wiser distributer then I can take up: I know there is more in him then would make me run over like a coast-full-sea. I were happy for evermore to get leave to stand but beside Christ and his love, and to look in, suppose I were interdic∣ted of God to come near hand, touch or embrace, kiss or set too my sinfull head and drink my self drunken with that love∣ly thing. God send me that I would have, for I now verily

see, more clearly then before, our folly in drinking dead wa∣ters & in playing the whore with our soul's love upon running∣out wells, & broken sheards of creatures of yesterday, whom Time will unlaw with the penalty of losing their being & na∣tural ornaments. O when a soul's love is itching [to speak so] for God, and when Christ in his boundless and bottom∣less love, beauty and excellency cometh & rubbeth up & excit∣eth that love, what can be heaven if this be not heaven? I am sure this bit feckless, narrow & short love of regenerated sinners was born for no other end, but to breath & live and love & dwell in the bosom and betwixt the breasts of Christ: Where is there a bed or a lodging for the saints love but Christ? O that he would take our selves off our hand, for neither we nor the creatures can be either due conquest or lawfull heritage to love! Christ & none but Christ is Lord & proprietour of it. Oh alas, how pitifull 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 deep of bottomless, and unsearchable providence, that the saints are suffered to play the whore from God, and that their love goeth a hunting, when God knoweth it shall rost no∣thing of that at supper-time: The renewed would have it otherwise; & why is it so, seeing our Lord can keep us with∣out nodding, tottering or reeling, or any fall at all? Our desires I hope shall meet with perfection; but God will have our sins an office-house for God's grace, & hath made sin a matter of an unlaw & penalty for the Son of God's blood; & howbeit sin should be our sorrow, yet there is a sort of acquiescing & resting upon God's dispensation required of us, that there is such a thing in us as Sin, whereupon mercy, forgiveness, healing, cur∣ing, in our sweet Physician, may finde a field to work upon. O what a deep is here, that created wit cannot take up! However matters goe, it is our happiness to win new ground daily in Christ's love, and to purchase a new piece of it daily and to adde conquest to conquest, till our Lord Jesus & we be so near other, that Satan shall not draw a straw or a threed betwixt us. And for my self, I have no greater joy in my welfa∣voured bonds for Christ, then that I know, time shall put him

& me together; & that my love & longing hath room & liberty amidst my bonds & foes [whereof there are not a few here of all ranks] to goe visit the borders & utter coasts of my Lord Jesus's countrey & see at least afar off & darkly, the countrey 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 & largeness of the sweet earnest & of the sweet green sheaves before the har∣vest, that might be had on this side of the water, if we should take more pains: And that we all goe to heaven with less earnest & lighter purses of the hoped-for summe, then other∣wise we might doe, if we took more pains to win further in upon Christ, in this pilgrimage of our absence from him. Grace, grace & glory be your portion.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JOHN LAWRIE. (137)

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 & poor body: But if the tinkling of my Lord Jesus's iron chains on legs & arms could sound the high praises of my royall King, whose prisoner I am, O how would my joy run over! If my Lord would bring edificatiō to one soul by my bonds, I am satis∣fied; but I know not what I can doe to such a princely & beauti∣full welbeloved: He is far behinde with me: Little thanks to me to say to others, his wind bloweth on me who am but withered & dry bones: 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 doe nothing for a prisoner. I am fully confirmed that it is the honour of our Law-giver I suffer for now: I am not a∣shamed to give out letters of recommendation of Christ's love to as many as will extoll the Lord Jesus & his cross. If I had

not sailed this sea-way to heaven, but had taken the land-way as many doe, 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 up∣on a withered creature whether I would or not; [& yet by coming it procured from me a welcome] A heart of iron & iron doors will not hold Christ out: I give him leave to break iron locks & come in, & that is al: & now I know not whether pain of love for want of poss••ssion, or sorrow that I dow not thank him, paineth me most: but both work upon me. For the First, O that he would come & satisfie the longing soul & fill the hungry soul with these good things? I know indeed my guiltiness may be a bar in his way, but he is God, & ready to forgive: And for the other, woe, woe is me that I cannot finde a heart to give back again my unworthy little love for his great sea-full of love to me: O that he would learn me this piece of gratitude! O that I could have leave to look in thorow the hole of the door to see his face & 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 communion with him, one of his love-looks should be my begun heaven: I know he is not Lordly, neither is the bridegroom's love proud, though I be black & unlovely & unworthy of him. I would seek but leave, & withall, grace, to spend my love upon him: I counsel you to think highly of Christ & of free, free grace more then ye did before; for I know that Christ is not known amongst us; I think I see more of Christ then ever I saw, & yet I see but little of what may be seen: O that he would draw by the curtains & that the King would come out of his gallerie & his palace, that I might see him! Christ's love is young glory & young heaven: It would soften hell's pains to be filled with it: What would I refuse to suffer, if I could but get a draught of love at my hearts desire? O what price can be given for him! Angels cannot weigh him, O his weight, his worth, his sweetness, his overpassing beauty! If men & Angels would come & look to that great & Princely one, their ebbeness would never take up his depth, their narrowness would never comprehend his breadth height &

length: If ten thousand thousand worlds of Angels were creat∣ed, they might all tire themselves in wondering at his beauty, & begin again to wonder of new. O that I could win nigh him to kiss his feet, to hear his voice, to finde the smell of his oint∣ments! But Oh alas I have little, little of him; yet I long for more! Remember my bonds & help me with your prayers for I would not niffer or exchange my sad hours with the joy of my velvet-adversaries. Grace be with you.

Aberd. June. 10. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr JAMES FLEMING. (138)

Reverend & welbeloved in our Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter, which hath refreshed me in my bonds. I cannot but testifie unto you, my dear Brother, what sweetness I finde in our Mas∣ter's cross; but alas, what can I either doe 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 welbeloved; but my pain and my sorrow is above my sufferings, that I finde not wayes how 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 knoweth whom I love to serve in the spirit, what I would doe & suffer by his own strength, sobeing I might make my Lord Jesus lovely & 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 man & Angels, & so many glorious crea∣tures to proclaim his goodness, power & wisdom, if I were burnt to ashes, out of the smoke and powder of my dissolved

body he could raise glory to himself: His glory is his end, Oh that I could joyn with him to make it my end! I would think that fellowship with him sweet & 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 rejoyce in this that my sweet Lord Jesus hath found something adoe, even a ready market for his free grace and incomparable and matchless mercy in my wants: Onely my loathsom wretchedness and my wants have qua∣lified me for Christ and the riches of his glorious grace, he be∣hooved to take me for nothing or else to want me: Few know the unseen & private reckonings betwixt Christ and me; yet his love, his boundless love would not bide away nor stay at home with himself, & yet I dow not make it welcome as I ought, when it's come unsent for and without hire. How joyfull is my heart that ye write ye are desirous to joyn with me in praising; for it is 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 summes un∣payed: But it easeth my heart that ••is dear servants will but speak of my debts to such a sweet creditour. I desire he may lay me in his own ballance & 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 I know, we shall not all be able to come neer his excellency with eye, heart or tongue; for he is above all created thoughts; All nations before him are as nothing & as less then nothing, he ••itteth in the circuit of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth are as grashoppers 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] for this cause, that I might express & make it known to others: but I never finde my self nearer Christ and with that royal and Princely One, then after a great weight and sense of dead∣ness & gracelesness! I think the sense of our wants, when withall we have a restlesness and a sort of spirituall impatience under them and ••an make a din because we want him whom our

soul loveth, is that which maketh an open door to Christ: & when we think we are going backward because we feel deadness, we are going forward: For the more sense the more life, & no sense argueth no life. There is no sweeter fellowship with Christ, then to bring our wounds & our sores to him. But for my self, I am ashamed of Christ's goodness & love since the time of my bonds, for he hath been pleased to open up new treasures of love & felt sweetness, & give visitations of love & access to himself in this strange land. I would think a fill of his love, young & green heaven: & when he is pleased to come, & the tide is in, & the sea full, & the King & a poor prisoner together in the house of wine, the black tree of the cross is not so heavie as a feather. I cannot, I dow not but give Christ an honourable and glorious testimony: I see, the Lord can ride through his enemies bands & triumph in the sufferings of his own, & that this blinde world seeth not, that Suffering is Christ's ar∣mour wherein he is victorious: & they that contend with Zion, see not what he is doing when they are set to work as under-smiths & servants to the work of refining of the saints [Satan's hand also by them is at the melting of our Lord's vessels of mercy] and their office in God's house, is to scour & cleanse vessels for the King's table. I marvel not to see them triumph & 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 & his fire in Ierusalem: but little know the adversaries the counsel & the thoughts of the Lord. And for your complaints of your ministry, I now think all I did too little: Plainness, freedom, watchfulness, fide∣lity, shall swell upon you in exceeding large comforts in your sufferings: The feeding of Christ's lambs in private visitations, & catechising, in painfull preaching, & fair, honest & free warning of the flock is a sufferer's garland. O ten thousand times blessed are they, who are honoured of Christ to be faithfull and painfull in wooing a Bride to Christ! My dear Brother. I know ye think more on this then I can write, & I rejoyce that your purpose is, in the Lord's strength to back your wrong∣ed Master & to come out & call your self Christ's man, when

so many are now denying him, as fearing that Christ cannot doe for himself & them. I am a lost man for ever, or this, this is the way to Salvation, even this way that they call Heresie, that men now doe mock & scoff at. I am confirmed now that Christ will accept of his servants sufferings as good service to him at the day of his appearance, & that ere it be long he will be upon us all, & men in all their black's & white's shall be brought out before God Angels and men. Our Master is not far off: Oh if we could wait on & be faithfull! The good will of him who dwelt in the bush, the tender favour & love, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Help me with your pravers, & desire from me, other brethren to take courage for their Master.

Aberd. Aug. 15. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To Mr JOHN MEINE. (139)

Worthy & dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I have been too long in answering your letter, but other business took me up. I am here waiting if the fair wind will turn upon Christ's sails ••o Scotland, & if deliverance be breaking out to this overclouded & benighted Kirk. Oh that we could contend by prayers & supplications with our Lord for that effect! I know he hath not given out his last doom against this land. I have little of Christ in this prison, but groanings & longings & desires: All my stock of Christ is some hunger for him [And yet I cannot say but I am rich in that] my faith & hope & holy practice of new obedience are scarce worth the speaking of: But blessed be my Lord who taketh me, light & clipped & naughty & feck∣less as I am. I see Christ will not prig with me nor stand upon stepping stones, but cometh in at the broad side without cere∣monies or making it nice, to make a poor ransomed one his own. O that I could feed upon his breathing & kissing and

embracing, & upon the hopes of my meeting and his, when love-letters shall not goe betwixt us, but he shall be messenger himselfthen: But there is required patience on our part till the summer-••••uit in heaven be ripe for us; it is in the bud, but there be many things to doe before our harvest come: And we take ill with it & can hardly endure to set our paper-face to one of Christ's storms, and to goe to heaven with wet feet & pain & sorrow: We love to carry heaven to heaven with us, & would have two summers in one year, and no less then two heavens; but this will not be for us, one, & such an one, may suffice us well enough: The man Christ got but one onely, and shall we have two? Remember my love in Christ to your Father & help me with your prayers. If ye would be a deep Divine, I recommend to you Sanctification: Fear him, & he shall reveal his Covenant to you. Grace be with you.

Aberd. Jan. 5. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To CARDONNESS Elder. (140)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I have longed to hear from you & to know the estate of your soul & 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 & sure work of your salvation & try upon what ground-stone ye have builded. Worthy & dear Sir, if ye be upon sinking sand, a storm of death & a blast will loose Christ & 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 & all ye have need of, ere ye take shipping; for no wind can blow you back again. Re∣member when the race is ended & the play either won or lost & ye are in the utmost circle & border of time & shall put your

foot within the march of eternity & all your good things of this short night-dream shall seem to you like the ashes of a bleaze of thorns or straw, & 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 & homely smiles; then if ye had the charters of three worlds for all eternity. Let pleasures & gain, will & desires of this world be put over in God's hands, as arrested and fenced goods that ye cannot intromet with: Now when ye are drinking the ground of your cup & ye are upon the utmost ends of the last link of time, & old age like death's long shadow is casting a covering upon your days, it is no time to court this vain life, & to set love & heart upon it: It is near after supper, seek rest & ease for your soul in God through Christ: Beleeve me I finde it hard wrestling to play fair with Christ & to keep good quarters with him, & keep love to him in integrity & life, & to keep a constant course of sound & solid daily communion with Christ: temptatations are daily break∣ing the threed of that course, & it is not easie to cast a knot again, & 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 professours cast a golden lustre, as if they were pure gold, & yet are under that skin & cover but base & reprobate mettall! And how many keep breath in their race many miles, & yet come short of the prize & the garland! Dear Sir, my soul would mourn in secret for you, if I knew your case with God to be but false work: Love to have you anchored upon Christ maketh me fear your tottering & slips: False under-water not seen in the ground of an enlightned conscience, is dangerous; so is often failing & sinning against light: Know this, that these who never had sick nights nor days in conscience for sin, cannot have but such a peace with God, as will undercot & break the flesh again and end in a sad war at death. O how fearfully are thousands beguiled with false hide growen over old sins, as if the soul were cured and healed! Dear Sir, I saw ever nature mighty, lofty, heady & strong in you, & it was more for you to be mortified & dead to the world then another common man: Ye

will take a low ebbe, & a deep cut & a long lanc•• to goe 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 & worthy Brother, with your topsail: Stoop, Stoop, it is a low entry to goe in at heaven's gates: There is infinite Justice in the party ye have to doe with, it is his nature not to acquit the guilty & the sinner: The Law of God will not want one farthing of the sinner: God forgetteth not both the Cautioner & the sinner, & 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 lie down under Christ's feet, to quite will, pleasure, wordly love, earthly hope & an itching of heart af∣ter this fairded & overguilded world, & to be content that Christ trample upon all. Come in, come in to Christ and see what ye want & finde it in him: He is the short cut [as we use to say] and the nearest way to an outgate of all your bur∣dens: 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 daresay, Angels pens, Angels tongues, nay as ma∣ny worlds of Angels as there are drops of water in all the seas & fountains and rivers of the earth, cannot paint him out to you: I 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 outmost circle of the highest heaven that containeth all, to con∣tain his love! And yet I could hold little of it. O world's wonder! O if my soul might but lie within the smell of his love, suppose I could get no more but the smell of it! O but it is long to that day when I shall have a free world of Christ's love! O what a sight to be up in heaven in that fair orchard of the new Paradise, & to see and smell and touch and kiss that fair field-flower, that ever green tree of life! His bare sha∣dow were enough for me, a sight of him would be the earnest of heaven to me: Fy, sy upon us, that we have love lying rusting beside us, or which is worse, wasted away upon loathsom ob∣jects, & Christ should lie his alone. Woe, woe is me, that Sin hath made so many mad men, seeking the fool's Paradise,

fire under ice, & some good and desireable thing without, and apart from Christ: Christ, Christ, nothing but Christ can cool our love's burning languor: O thirsty love, wilt thou set Christ the well of life to thy head & drink thy fill; drink and spare not, drink love & be drunken with Christ: Nay alas, the distance betwixt us and Christ is a death: O if we were clasped in other's arms! We should never twin again except heaven twinned and sundered us, & 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 & happy, and come & take Christ & all things with him: Let them beware of glassy & slippery youth, of foolish young motions, of worldly lusts, of deceivable gain, of wicked company, of cursing, lying, blaspheming and foolish talking: Let them be filled with the Spirit, ac∣quaint themselves with daily praying, & with the store-house of wisdom and comfort, the good word of God. Help the souls of the poor people: O that my Lord would bring me again among them, that I might tell uncouth & great tales of Christ to them! Receive not a stranger to preach any other doctrine to them. Pray for me his prisoner of hope, I pray for you without ceasing: I write my blessing, earnest prayers, the love of God & the sweet presence of Christ to you and yours and them. Grace, grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Your lawful and loving Pastor. S. R.

To the Earle of LOTHIAN. (141)

Right honourable & my very worthy and Noble Lord.

OUt of the honourable & good report that I hear of your Lo: goodwill & kindness in taking to heart the honoura∣ble cause of Christ & his afflicted Church & wronged truth in this land, I make bold to speak a word in paper to your Lo: at

this distance, which I trust your Lo: will take in good part. It is your Lo: honour & credit to put to your hand [as ye doe, all honour to God] to the fa••ling & tottering tabernacle of Christ in this your mother-Church, & to own Christ's wrongs as your own wrongs. O blessed hand which shall wipe and dry the watery eyes of our we••ping Lord Jesus, now going mourning in sackcloth in his members, in his spouse, in his truth & in the prerogative royal of his Kingly power! He needeth not service and help from men, but it pleaseth his wis∣dom to make the wants & losses, sores and wounds of his spouse, a ••ield & an office-house for the zeal of his servants to exercise themselves in: Therefore, my noble & dear Lord, goe on, goe on in the strength of the Lord against all opposi∣tion to side with wronged Christ: The defending & 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, stor∣my & full of thorns: Many would follow Christ, but with a reservation, that by open proclamation Christ would cry down crosses, & cry up fair weather & a summer-skie & sun till we were all fairly landed at heaven. I know your Lo: hath not so learned Christ, but that ye intend to fetch heaven, suppose your father were standing in your way, & to take it with the wind on your face; for so both storm & wind was on the fair face of your lovely fore-runner Christ all his way. It is pos∣sible the success answer not your desire in this worthy cause: what then? Duties are ours but events are the Lord's: & I hope, if your Lo: & others with you shall goe on, to dive to the lowest ground & bottom of the knavery & perfidious trea∣chery to Christ, of the cursed & wretched Prelats, the Anti-Christ's first-born & the first fruit of his foul womb, & shall deal with our Soveraign [Law going before you] for the rea∣sonable & impartial hearing of Christ's bill of complaints, & set your selves singley to seek the Lord & his face, your righ∣teousness shall break through the clouds, that prejudice hath drawn over it: & ye shall in the strength of the Lord bring our banished & departing Lord Jesus home again to his Sanctuary. Neither must your Lo: advise with flesh & blood in this, but

wink, & in the dark reach your hand to Christ & follow him. Let not mens fainting discourage you, neither be afraid of mens canny wisdom, who in this storm take the nearest shore & goe to the lee & calm side of the Gospel, & hide Christ [if ever they had him] in their cabinets, as if they were ashamed of him, or as if Christ were stoln wares & would blush before the sun. My very dear & noble Lord, ye have rejoyced the hearts of many, that ye have made choice of Christ & his Gospel, whereas such great temptations doe 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 ho∣nour, in this overlustred world with all it's paintry & fairding any thing else, when they are laid in the ballance with Christ; but feathers, shadows, night-dreams & straws. O if this world knew the excellency, sweetness & beauty of that high & lofty one, that fairest among the sons of men! verily they should see, if their love were bigger then 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 & Eternity, and ye shall see the utmost border of Time & shall draw the curtain & look in to Eternity, & shall one day see God take the hea∣vens in his hands & fold them together like an old holly gar∣ment, & set on fire this clay-part of the creation of God, & consume away in smoke & ashes the idol-hopes of poor fools, who think there is not a better countrey then this low coun∣trey of dying clay. Children can not make comparison aright betwixt this life and that to come; & therefore the babes of this world who see no better, mould in their own brain a heaven of their own coyning, because they see no further then the nearest side of Time. I dare lay in pawne my hope of heaven that this reproached way, is the onely way of peace: I finde it is the way that the Lord hath sealed with his comforts now in my bonds for Christ: & I verily esteem & finde chains & fet∣ters for that lovely one Christ, to be watered over with sweet consolations & the love-smiles of that lovely Bridegroom, for

whose coming we wait: & when he cometh, then shall the black's & white's of all men come before the sun, then shall the Lord put a finall decision upon the pleas that Zion hath with her adversaries: And as fast as Time posteth away [which nei∣ther sitteth, nor standeth, nor sleepeth] as fast is our hand∣breadth of this short winter-night flying away & the skie of our long lasting day drawing near it's breaking. Except your Lo: be pl••ased to plead for me against the tyranny of Pre∣lats, I shall be forgotten in this prison: for they did shape my doom according to their new lawless Canons, which is, that a deprived minister shall be utterly silenced & not preach at all, which is a cruelty contrary to their own former practices. Now the onely wise God, the very God of peace confirm, strength∣en & establish your Lo: upon the stone laid in Zion & be with you for ever.

Aberd. 1637.

Your Lo: at all respective obedience in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JEAN BROWN. (142)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy and peace be to you: I long to hear how your soul prospereth: I earnestly desire your on-going to∣ward your countr••y: I know ye see your day melteth away by little & little, & that in short time ye will be put beyond Time's bounds; for life is a post that standeth not still, & our joyes here are born weeping rather then laughing & they die weeping: Sin, Sin, this body of sin and corruption, imbittereth & poisoneth all our enjoyments. O that I were where I shall sin no more! O to be freed of these chains & iron fetters that we carry about with us! Lord loose the sad prisoners. Who of the children of God have not cause to say, that they have their fill of this vain life, & like a full and sick stomack to wish at mid-supper, that the supper were ended & the table drawen, that the sick man might win to bed and enjoy rest? We have cause to tire at 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 & 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 fi••th, Christ having payed the fraught: Happy are they who have past their hard and wearisom time of ap∣prentiship, and are now free-men and citizens in that joyfull high city, the new Ierusalem. Alas that we should be glad of, and rejoyce in our fetters & our prison-house & this dear Innes, a life of sin, where we are absent from our Lord and so far from our home. O that we could get bonds & law-suretiship of our love, that it fasten not it self on these clay-dreams, these 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 heart and our thoughts are here: If we could haunt up with God, we should smell of heaven and of our countrey above, & we should look like our countrey 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, & if there be any smoke in the house, it bloweth upon our eyes: all our part of the table is scarce worth a drink of water, & when we are striken we dare not weep, but steal our grief away betwixt our Lord and us, and content our selves with stoln sorrow behinde backs. God be thanked we have many things that so stroake us against the hair, as we may pray, God keep our better home, God bless our Father's house, & not this smoke that bloweth 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 Innes cry the more, that God would send a fair wind to •…•…nd us hungred & 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 & stoups of our tent, & take our tent on our back & goe with our flit∣ting to our best home, for here we have no continuing city! I am waiting in hope here, to see what my Lord will doe with me:

Let him make of me whath he pleaseth; providing he make glory to himself out of me, I care not. I hope, yea I am now sure, that I am for Christ, & all that I can or may make is for him: I am his everlasting debter or dyvour, & still shall be; for alas I have nothing for him & he getteth little service of me! Pray for 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.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To ROBERT STUART. (143.)

My Very dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: Ye are heartily wel∣come to my world of suffering & heartily wel-come 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 faithfull 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 breath 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 & your weights by faith upon Christ: Ease your self & let him bear all: he can, he dow, he will bear you, howbeit hell were upon your back. I rejoyce that he is come & hath chosen you in the furnace, it was even there where ye & he set tryst, that is an old gate of Ch••ist's, he keepeth the good old fashion with you, that was in Hosea's days, Hos. 2, 14. Therefore behold I will allure her & bring her to the wilderness and speak to her heart: There was no talking to her heart while he & she were in the fair & flourishing city & at ease; but out in the cold, hungry, waste wilderness, he allureth her, he whis∣pered in newes into her ear there, & said, Thou art mine. What would ye think of such a bed? Ye may soon doe worse then

say, Lord holds all, Lord Iesus a bargain be it, it shall not goe 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: Like a fool as I was, I suffered my sun to ••e 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 lazie, set as quickly up the b••ae on hands & feet, as if the last pickle of sand were running out of your glass, & death were coming to turn the glass: & be very carefull to take heed to your feet in that slippery & dangerous way of youth, that ye are walking in: The devil & temptations now have the advantage of the brae of you, & are upon your wand-hand & your working hand: Dry timber will soon take fire: Be covetous & greedy of the grace of God, & beware that it be not holiness that com∣eth on••ly from the cross, for too many are that way disposed, Psal. 78. 34. When he slew them then they sought him & they r••turned & enquired early after God. v. 35. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth and they lyed unto him with their tongues. It is a part of our hypocrisie to give God ••air white words, when he hath us in his grips [if I may speak so] & to flatter him till we win to the fair fields again. Try well green godliness, and ex••mine what it is ye love in Christ: if ye love but Christ's sunny side, & would have onely summer∣weather & a land-gate, not a sea-way to heaven, your pro∣fession will play you a slip, and the winter-well will goe dry again in summer: Make no sports nor bairns-play of Christ: But labour for a sound & lively sight of sin, that ye may judge your self an undone man, a damned slave of hell & sin, one dying in your own blood, except Christ come and rue upon you, & take you up; and therefore make sure & fast work of conversion: Cast the earth deep; and down, down with the old work, the building of confusion that was there before, & let Christ lay new work & 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, & if ye can pant & fall a swoon & be like to die for that lovely one, Jesus: I know Christ will not to be hid

where he is, grace will ever speak for it self, be fruitfull in weldoing: The sanctified cros, is a fruitfull tree, it bringeth forth many apples. If I should tell you by some weak experi∣ence what I have found in Christ, ye or others could hardly beleeve me: I thought not the hundred part of Christ long since that I doe now, though alas my thoughts are still in∣finitely below his worth. I have a dwining, sickly and pained life for a reall 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 alwayes God's ha∣tred] 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 goe home empty: But I have casten this work upon Christ to get me himself: I have his faith & truth & promise [as a pawne of his] all engaged, that I shall obtain that which my hungry desires would be at, & I esteem that the choice of my happiness: And for Christ's cross, especially the garland & the flower of all crosses, to suffer for his name, I esteem it more then 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 countrey, & Christ [who ever be one] is still at the heavy end of this black tree, & so it is but as a feather to me: I need not run at leisure because of a burthen on my back, my back never bare the like of it, the more heavily crossed for Christ, the soul is still the lighter for the journey. Now would to God, all cold∣blooded, faint-hearted souldiers of Christ, would look again to Jesus & to his love, & when they look, I would have them to look again & again, & fill themselves with beholding of Christ's beauty, & I dare say then, that Christ should come in great court & request with many: The virgins would flock fast about the Bridegroom, they would embrace and take hold of him & not let him goe. But when I have spoken of him till my head rive, 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 worlds of angels and elect men, & double them in number, ten thousand, thousand, thousand

times, let their heart & tongues be ten thousand, thousand times more agile & large, then the heart & tongues of the Se∣raphims that stand with six wings before him, Isa. 6. 2. When they have said all for the glorifying & praising of the Lord Je∣sus, they have but spoken little or nothing: his love will bide all possible creatures to praise. Oh if I could wear this tongue to the stump in extolling his highness! but it is my daily grow∣ing sorrow, that I am confounded with his incomparable love, & he doeth so great things for my soul, & 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 & what I doe to him again. I am sure, Christ hath many drowned Dyvours in heaven beside him, & when we are conveened, man & 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 doe 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 per∣swade you to grow sick for Christ & to long after him, & be pained with love for himself; but his tongue is in heaven, who can doe it! To him & his rich grace I recommend you. I pray you, pray for me & forget not to praise.

Aberd. June. 17. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Lady GAITGIRTH. (144)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to know how matters stand betwixt Christ and your soul: I know ye finde him still the longer the better: time cannot change him in his love: ye may your self ebbe & flow, rise & fall, wax & wane, but your Lord is this day as he was yesterday: & it is your comfort that your salvation is not rolled upon wheels of your own making, neither have ye to doe with

a Christ of your own shaping: God hath singled out a Media∣tor, strong & mighty, if ye & your burdens were as heavy as ten hills or hells, he is able to bear you & save you to the utt••r∣most: Your often seeking to him cannot make you a burden to him. I know, Christ compassionateth you & maketh a moan for you in all your dumps, & under your downcastings; but it is good for you that he hideth himself sometimes, it is not niceness dri∣ness, nor coldness of love, that causeth Christ withdraw & slip in under a curtain & a vail, that ye cannot see him; but he know∣eth, ye could not bear with up-sailes, a fair gaile, a full moon & a high spring-tide of his felt love, & alwayes a fair sum∣mer-day & a summer-sun of a felt & poss••ssed & embracing Lord J••sus: His kisses & his visits to his dearest o••es are thin sowen: He could not let out his rivers of love upon his own, but th••se rivers would be in hazard to loose a young plant at the root; & he knoweth this of you: Ye should therefore first Christ's kindness as to it's sensible and full manife••••ations, till ye and he be above sun & moon: that is the countrey where ye will be enlarged for that love which ye dow not now con∣tain. Cast the burden of your sweet babes upon Christ, & lighten your heart by laying your All upon him, he will be their God. I hope to s••e you up the mountain yet, & glad in the salvation of God: Frame your self for Christ & gloom not upon his cross. I finde him so sweet, that my love, suppose I would charge it to remove from Christ, it would not obey me: His love hath stronger fingers then to let goe it's grips of us bairns, who cannot goe but by such a hold as Christ. It is good that we want legs of our own, since we may borrow from Christ: & it is our happiness that Christ is under an act of cautionry for heaven, & that Christ is booked in heaven as the principal debter for such poor bodies as we are. I request you, give the Laird your husband thanks for his care of me, that he hath appeared in publike for a prisoner of Christ: I pray & write mercy & peace & blessings to him & his. Grace, grace be with you for ever.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus S. R.

To Mr JOHN FER GUSHILL. (145.)

Reverend & Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: My longings & desires for a sight of the new builded tabernacle of Christ again in Scotland, that tabernacle that came down from heaven, hath now taken some l••fe 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 wonderfull mercy; but I know he must doe, when ever it is done, without hire. I finde the grief of my silence & my f••ar to be holden at the door of Christ's house swelling upon me: & the truth is, were it not that I am dâted now & then with pieces of Christ's sweet love & comforts, I fear I should have made an ill browst of this honourable cross, that I know such a soft & silly∣minded body as I am, is not worthy of: For I have little in me but softness & superlative & excessive apprehensions of fear & sadness & sorrow, & often God's terrors doe surround me, because Christ looketh not so favourably upon me, as a poor witness would have him: And I wonder how I have past a year & a quarter's imprisonment without shaming my sweet Lord, to whom I desire to be faithfull; & I think I shall die but even minting & aiming to serve & honour my Lord Jesus: Few know how toom & empty I am at home; but it is a part of Marriage-love & husband love, that my Lord Jesus goeth not to the streets with his chiding against me: It is but stoln & concealed anger that I finde & feel, & his glooms to me are kept under roof, that he will not have mine enemies hearing what is betwixt me & Christ: And beleeve me, I say the truth in Christ, the onely gall and wormwood in my cup, & that which hath filled me with fear; hath been, lest my sins, that sun & moon & the Lord's children were never witness to, should have moved my Lord to strike me with dumb sabbaths: Lord pardon my soft & weak jealousies, if I be here in an error. My very dear Brother, I would have looked for more large & more particular letters from you, for my comfort in this; for your words before have strengthned me: I pray you, mend this: & be thankfull

& pain••ull 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 & wait upon the Lord. I am sure while Christ lives I am well enough friend-stead: I hope he will extend his Kindness & power for me; but God be thanked, it is not worse with me then a cross for Christ & his truth. I know he might have pitched upon many more choise & worthy witnesses, if he had pleased; ••ut I seek no more [be what timber I will, suppose I were made of a piece of hell] then that my Lord in his infinite art, hew glory to his name & enlargement to Christ's Kingdom out of me. C•• that I could attain to this, to desire that my part of Christ might be laid in pledge for the heightning of Christ's throne in Bri∣tain! Let my Lord redeem the pledge, or, if he please, let it sink & drown unredeemed: But what can I adde to him? Or what way can a smothered and born-down prisoner set out Christ in open market as a lovely & desireable Lord to many souls? I know he sieth to his own glory better then my ebbe thoughts can dream of, & that the vvheels & paces of this poor distempered Kirk are in his hands, & that things shall roll as Christ will have them: Onely, Lord tryst the matter so, as Christ may be made a housholder & Lord again in Scotland, and wet faces for his departure, may be dried at his sweet & much desired welcome-home. I see in all our trials, our Lord will not mix our wares & his grace over head through other; but he will have each man to know his own, that the like of me ma•• say in my sufferings, This is Christ's grace, & this is but my course stuff, this is free grace & this is but nature and 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 of us, is, to know we are grace's debters, or grace's dy∣vours, & that nature is of a base house & blood, & grace is better born & of•• in & blood to Christ & of a better house. Oh that I were free of that Idol that they call my self, & that Christ were for myself, & my self a decourted cipher & a denied & for∣sworn thing! But that proud thing my self, will not play except it ride up side for side with Christ, or rather have

place before him. O my self, another devil, as evil as the prince of devils, if thou could give Christ the way & take thine own room, which is to sit as low as nothing or corruption! O but we have much need to be ransomed & redeemed by Christ from that master-tyrant, that cruel & lawless Lord, our self! Nay, when I am seeking Christ & out of my self, I have the third part of a squint eye upon that vain, vain thing, my self, my self, & 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 & lost flock: I see not how it can be; except the Lords would procure me a liberty to preach; & they have reason: 1. Because the opposers & my adversaries have practised their new Canons upon me, whereof one is, That no deprived Minister preach under the pain of excommunication. 2. Because my op∣posing of these Canons was a special thing that incensed Sidserf against me. 3. Because I was indicially accused for my book against the Arminians, & commanded by the Chancellour to acknowledge I had done a fault in writing against Dr Iackson, a wicked Arminian. Pray for a room in the house to me. Grace, grace be, [as it is] your portion.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JOHN STUART. Provest of Ayr, (146.)

Worthy Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long for the time when I shall see the beauty of the Lord in his house, & would be as glad of it, as of any sight on earth, to see the halt, the blinde & the lame, come back to Zion with supplications, Ier. 31, 8, 9. going & weeping & seeking the Lord, asking the way to Zion with their faces thitherward Ier. 50. 5, 6. & to see the woman tra∣velling in birth, delivered of the man childe, of a blessed Reforma∣tion.

If this land were humbled, I would look that our skie should clear & our day dawn again, & ye should then bless Christ who is content to save your travel, & 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, & 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. I see the Lord making use of this fire to scour his vessels from their rust. Oh that my will were silent & as a childe weaned from the breasts! Psal. 130. But alas, who hath a heart that will give Christ the last word in flyting, & will hear & not speak again? Oh contestations & quarrelous replies [as a soon sadled spirit, I doe well to be angry, even to the death, Ion. 4: 9.] Smell of the stink of strong corruption! O blessed soul that could sacrifice his will & goe to heaven having lost his will & made resignation of it to Christ! I would seek no more but that Christ were absolute King over my will, & that my will were a sufferer in all crosses, with∣out meeting Christ with such a word, why is it thus? I wish still that my love had but leave to stand beside beautifull Jesus, & to get the mercy of looking to him & burning for him, sup∣pose possession of him were suspended & fristed, till my Lord fold together the leaves & two sides of the little shepherds tents of clay. Oh what pain is in longing for Christ under an over∣clouded and eclipsed assurance! What is harder then to burn and dwine with longings and deaths of love, & then to have blanks & uninked paper for assurance of Christ in real fruition or possession? O how sweet were one line or half a letter of a 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 beleeve, but for a sinner to be∣leeve is two miracles. But O what obligations of love are we under to Christ, who beareth with our wilde apprehensions, in suffering them to nick-name sweet Jesus & to put a lye upon his good name! If he had not been God; and if long-suffering in Christ were not like Christ himself, we should long agoe have

broken Christ's mercies in two pieces, & put an iron bar upon our own salvation, that mercy should not have been able to break or overleap; but long-suffering in God, is God himself, & that is ou•• salvation, & the stability of our heaven is in God: He knew (who said Christ in you the hope of glory. Col. 1. 27. For our hope & the bottom & pillars of it is Christ-God] sinners are an∣chor-fast & made stable in God: So that if God doe not change (which is impossible] then my hope shall not fluctuat. O sweet, stability of su••e-bottomed salvation! Who could win heaven if this were not? & who could be saved if God were not God, & if he were not such a God as he is? O God be thanked that our Salvation is coasted & landed & shored upon Christ, who is master of winds & storms! & what sea-winds can blow the coast or the land out of it's place? Bulwarks are often casten down, but coasts are not removed; but suppose that were, or might be, yet God cannot reel nor remove. Oh that we goe from this strong & unmoveable Lord, & that we loose our selves (if it were in our power) from him! Alas, our green & young love hath not taken with Christ, as being un∣acquainted with him: He is such a wide & broad & deep & high & surpassing sweetness, that our love is too little for him: But O if our love, little as it is, could take ba••d with his great & huge sweetness and transcendent excellency! O thrice blessed & eternally blessed are they, who are out of themselves & a∣bove themselves, that they may be in love united to him! I am often rolling up & down the thoughts of my faint & sick de∣sires of expressing Christ's glory before his people; but I see not through the throng of impediments, & cannot finde 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, & 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, & that nothing will be done without him: But I am often thinking & saying within my self, that my dayes flee away, and I see no good, neither yet Christ's work thriving; and it is like the grave shall prevent the ans∣wer of my desires of saving souls as I would: But alas I cannot

make right work of his wayes, I neither spell nor read my Lord's providence aright: My thoughts goe a way, that I fear they meet not God; for it is like God will not come the way of my thoughts: & I cannot be taught to crucifie to him my wisdom & desires, & to make him King over my thoughts; for I would have a Princedom over my thoughts & would bold∣ly & blindly prescribe to God, & guide my self in a way of my own making: But I hold my peace here, let him doe his will. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweetest Lord and Master, S. R.

To CARSLUTH. (147)

Much honoured Sir.

I Long to hear how your soul prospereth. I earnestly desire you to try how matters stand between your soul & 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 reall assurance & Christ's rights confirmed & sealed to your soul: The com∣mon faith & countrey-holiness & week-day's 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 mens labours & conquests & idol-riches lying in ashes, when the earth & 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 seek Christ with up-sun, & to read over your papers & soul-accounts with fair day-light: It will not be time to cry for a lamp when the Bridegroom is entred into his chamber & the door shut. Fy, fy upon blinded & base souls who are com∣mitting

whoredom with this idol-clay & hunting a poor wretch∣ed hungry heaven, a hungry break-fast, a day's meat, from this hungry world, with the forfeiting of God's favour & the drinking over their heaven over the board [as men use to speak] for the laughter & sports of this short forenoon! All that is under this vault of heaven & betwixt us & death, & in this side of sun & moon, are but toyes, night-visions, head-fancies, poor shadows, watery froth, godless vanities at their best, & black hearts & salt & sowre miseries sugared over & confected with an hour's laughter or two & the conceit of riches, honour, vain, vain Court & lawless plea∣sures. Sir, if ye look both to the laughing side & the weeping side of this world, & if ye look not onely upon the skin and colour of things, but in to their inwards & the heart of their excellency, ye shall see that one look of Christ's sweet & lovely eye, one kiss of his fairest face, is worth ten thousand worlds of such rot∣ten stuff as the foolish sons of men set their heart upon. Oh Sir, turn, turn your heart to the other side of things, & get it once free of these entanglements, to consider Eternity, Death, the clay-bed the Grave, awsom Judgement, everlasting burn∣ing quick in Hell, where Death would give as great a price [if there were a Market where Death might be bought & sold] as all the world. Consider heaven & glory: But alas, why speak I of considering 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 & mercy that are in Christ, & ye shall then cry down the whole world & all the glory of it, even when it is come to the summer-bloom, & ye shall cry up with Christ, up with Christ's father, up with eternity of glory. Sir, there is a great deal of less sand in your glas•• then when I saw you, & your afternoon is nearer even-tide now then it was. As a flood carried back to the sea, so doth the Lord's swi••t post, Time, carry you & your life with wings to the grave: Ye eat & drink, but Time stand∣eth not still; ye laugh, but your day fleeth away, y•• sleep, but your hours are reckoned & put by hand. O how soon will Time shut you out of the poor & cold & hungry Innes of this life! & then what will yesterday's short-born pleasures doe to you, but be

as a snow-ball melted away many years since, or worse; for the memorie of these pleasures useth to fill the soul wit•• bitternesse: Time & experience will prove thi•• to be true, & dying men, if they could speak, would make this good: Lay no more on the creatures then they are able to carry: Lay your soul and your weights upon God: Make him your onely, onely best beloved: Your errand to this life is to make sure an eternity of glory to your soul, & to match your soul with Christ: your love, if it were more then all the love of Angels in one, is Christ's due: Other things worthy in themselves, in respect of Christ are not worth a windlestraw, 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 bulke then it is worth, & that then it shall couche & be contracted into nothing, & ye shall see Christ longer, higher, broader & deeper then ever he was. O blessed conquest to lose all things & 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 f••ee heritage, holding it of no man of clay, if Christ be not yours? O seek all midses, lay all oars in the water, put forth all your power, & bend all your endeavours to put away & part with all things, that ye may gain & enjoy Christ: try & search his word, & stri••e to goe a step above & beyond ordinary professours, & resolve to sweat more & run faster then they doe for Salvation: mens mid-way, cold and wise courses in godliness, and their neighbour-li••e cold & wise pace to heaven, will cause many a man want his lodging at night & li•• in the fields. I recom∣mend Christ & his love to your seeking, & yourself to the tender mercy & rich grace of our Lord. Remember 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 h••r con∣sider what jo•• the smiles of God in Christ will be, & what the love-kisses of sweet, sweet Jesus, & a welcome home to the new Ierusalem from Christ's own mouth, will be to her soul; when Christ shall fold together the clay tent of her body and lay it by his hand for a time, till the fair morning of the generall resur∣rection. 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 niffer him with ten heavens: If heaven could be without him, what could we doe there. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

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

To CASSINCARRIE. (148.)

Much honoured 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 & his love & favour more then ordinary professours, who scarce see Christ with half an eye, because their sight is taken up with eying & liking the beauty of this over-guileded world that promiseth fair to all it's 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 doe to a market, to see and be seen, or as some come to behold a May-game, and onely to behold and to goe home again: Ye came hither to treat with God & to tryst with him in his Christ, for salvation to your soul, & to seek recon∣cilation with an angry and wrathful God in a covenant of peace made to you in Christ, & this is more then 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 & your com∣pearence before Christ, doe this in sad earnest, & let not salvati∣on be your by-work or your holy-day's task onely, or a work by the way: For men think that this may be done in three dayes space on a feather-bed, when death & they are fallen in hands together, and that with a word or two they shall make their soul-matters right: Alas, this is to ••it loose and unsure in the matters of our salvation: Nay, the seeking of this world & the glory of it, is but an odde & by-errand that we may slip, sobeing we make salvation sure. Oh when will men learn to

be that heavenly wise as to divorce from & free their soul of all Idol-lovers, and make Christ the onely onely One, and trim & make ready their lamps while they have time and day! How soon will this house skail and the Innes where the poor soul lodgeth fall to the earth! How soon will some few years pass away, & then when the day is ended & this life's lease expired, what have men of world's glory, but dreams & thoughts? O how bles∣sed a thing is it to labour for Christ & 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 Gos∣pel, 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 incomparable jewel of gold that ye should seek, howbeit ye should sell, wod-set & forfeit your few years portion of this life's joyes. O happy soul for evermore who can rightly compare this life with that long-lasting life to come, & can ballance the weighty glory of the one, with the light gold∣en vanity of the other! The day of the Lord is now near hand, & all mē shall come out in their black's & white's as they are: There shall be no borrowed lying colours in that day, when Christ shall be called Christ & no longer nicknamed: now men borrow Christ & his white colour & the lustre & fairding of Christianity; but how many counterfeit masks will be burnt in the day of God, in the fire, that shall burn the earth & the works that are in it: 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 ex∣change Christ's prison, bands & chains, with the gold chains & Lordly rents, & smiling & happy-like heavens of the men of this world. I am far from thoughts of repenting because of my losses & 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 that 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.

Abord. 1637.

Yours in his onely Lord & Master, S. R.

To his Parishoners at Anwoth. (149).

Dearly beloved in our Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace from God our father & from our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied upon you: I long exceed∣ingly to hear of your on-going & advancement in your journey to the Kingdom of God: My onely joy out of heaven is, to hear that the seed of God sowen among you is growing & coming to an harvest; for I ceased not while I was among you, in season & out of season [according to the measure of grace given unto me] to warn & stir up your mindes, & 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 & warn you in the great & dreadfull name, and in the soveraign 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 ap∣pearance 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 dayes are come & coming when many forsake Christ Jesus, & he saith to you, will ye also leave me? Re∣member that I forewarned you to forbear the dishor ouring of the Lord's blessed name, in swearing, b••••spheming, cursing, And the prefaning of the Lord's sabbath; willing you to give that day from morning to night to praying, praising, hearing of the word, conferring, and speaking not your own words but God's word, thinking and meditating on God's nature, word and works; And that every day at morning and at right [at least] ye should sanctifie the Lord by praying in your hous∣es publickly 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 banquetters, at one table with our King, & eat & drink, & divide the elements one

to another: The timber & 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 baptisme was unlawfull and against Christ's ordinances; And that no day [besides the sab∣bath which is of his own appointment] should be kept holy, and sanctified with preaching & the publick worship of God for the memory of Christ's birth, death, resurrection & ascension; seeing such dayes so observed are unlawfull, wil-worship, and not warranted in Christ's word; And that every thing in God's worship not warranted by Christ's Testament & word, was unlaw∣full; And also, that Idolatry, worshipping of God before hallowed creatures, & adoring of Christ by kneeling before bread & wine was unlawfull; And that ye should be humble, sober, modest, for∣bearing pride, envy, malice, wrath, hatred, contentim, de∣bate, lying, slandering, stealing, & defrauding your neighbours in grass, corn or cattell, in buying or selling, borrowing or lending, taking or giving, in bargains or covenants; And that ye should work with your own hands, & be content with that which God hath given you; That ye should studie to know God & his will, and keep in minde the doctrine of the Catechisme which I taught you care∣fully, 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 beleeve in the Son of God and obey his commandments, and learn to make your accounts in time with your judge, because death & judgement are before you: And if ye have now penury and want of that word which I delivered to you in abun∣dance; yea [to God's honour I speak it, without arrogating any thing to my self, 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 & re∣pent: My soul pitieth you that ye should suck dry breasts, & be put to draw at dry wells. O that ye would esteem highly of the lamb of God, your welbeloved Christ Jesus, whose ver∣tues and praises I preached unto you with joy, & which he did countenance & accompany with some power; and that ye would call to minde the many fair dayes and glorious feasts in our Lord's house of wine, that ye and I have 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 in∣to wantoness; I here under my hand in the name of Christ my Lord, write to such persons all the plagues of God & the curses that ever I preached in the pulpit of Anwoth against the childrens of disobedience: And as the Lord liveth the Lord Jesus shall make good what I write unto you: Therefore, Dearly beloved, ful∣fill my joy: Fear the great and dreadfull name of the Lord: seek God with me, Scotland's judgement sleepeth not, awake & repent: the sword of the Lord shall goe from the North to the South, from the East to the West and through all the corners of the land, and that sword shall be drunk with your blood amongst the first; & I shall stand up as wit∣ness against you, if ye doe not amend your wayes and your doings, and turn to the Lord, with all your heart: I be∣seech you also my beloved in the Lord, my joy & my Crown, offend not at the sufferings of me, the prisoner of Jesus Christ; I am filled with joy and with the comforts of God: Upon my sal∣vation I know & am perswaded it is for God's Truth and the Honour of my King & Royall 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 & 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, svveet have his comforts been to my soul: my pen, tongue and heart have not vvords to express the kindness, love & mercy of my vvelbeloved to me in this house of my pilgrimage. I charge you to fear & love Christ, & to seek a house not made vvith hands, but your father's house above: This laughing and white skinned world beguileth you; & if ye seek it more then God, it shall play you a slip, to the endless 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, & to com∣mend him to you [which as it was your sin, so it is my sorrow] yet once again suffer me to exhort, beseech & obtest you in the Lord, to think of his love & to be delighted 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 & day, I cannot forget you: I doe not eat, I doe not drink, but I pray for you all: I entreat you all & every one of you to pray for me. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. Sept. 23. 1636.

Your lawfull & loving Pastor, S. R.

To the Lady CARDONNESS. [150]

MISTRESS.

I Beseech you in the Lord Jesus make every day more & more of Christ, & try your growth in the grace of God, & what new ground ye win daily on corruption; for travellers are day by day either advancing further on, & nearer home, or else they goe not right about to compass their journey: I think still the better & better of Christ: Alas I know not where to set him, I would so fain have him high! I cannot set heavens above heav∣ens till I were tired with numbering, & set him upon the highest step & story of the highest of them all: But I wish I could make him great through the world, suppose my loss & pain & shame were set under the soles of his feet, that he might stand upon me. I request you faint not because this world & ye are at yea & nay, & because this is not a home that laugheth upon you, The wise Lord who knoweth you will have it so, because he casteth a net for your love to catch it & gather it in to him∣self; therefore bear patiently the loss of children and bur∣dens 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 & choice, & the flower of your delights 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 hap∣py twice, and to have an upper-heaven and an under-heav∣en too: Christ our Lord & his saints were not so; & there∣fore

let goe your grip of this life & of the good things of it: I hope your heaven groweth not hereaway: Learn daily both to possess & miss Christ in his secret bridegroom-smiles: He must goe & come because his infinite wisdom thinketh it best for you: we will be together one day: We shall not need to borrow light from sun, moon or candle: There shall be no complaints on eiher side in heaven: There shall be none there but He & we, the bridegroom & the bride; Devils, temptations, trials, de∣sertions, losses, sad hearts, pain & death shall all be put out of play, & the Devil must give up his office of Tempting: O 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 un∣der the covering of heaven we can build upon, is but ill ground, & a sandy foundation: Every good thing except God wanteth a bottom, & cannot stand it's alone; how then can it bear the weight of us? Let us not lay a load upon a windlestraw, there shall nothing finde my weight or found my happiness, but God: I know all created power should sink under me, if I should lean down upon it; & therfore it is better to rest on God then sink or fall: & we weak souls must have a bottom & being-place; for we cannot stand our alone: let us then be wise in our choice, & chuse & waile our own blessedness, which is to trust in the Lord: Each one of us hath a whore & idol besides our husbend Christ: But it is our folly to divide our narrow & little love: It will not serve two, best then hold it whole & together, & give it to Christ; for then we get double interest for our love, when we lend it to, & lay it out upon Christ, & 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 then I, I am banished from you & chased away: The Lord give you mercy in the day of Christ: It may be God clear my sky again; howbeit there is small appearance of my de∣liverance: But let him doe with me what seemeth good in his own eyes: I am his clay, let my porter frame & fashion me as he pleaseth. Grace be with you,

Aberd. 1637.

Your lawfull & loving Pastor, S. R.

To SIBILLA Mc ADAM. (151)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I can bear witness in my bonds that Christ is still the longer the better, & no worse, yea, inconceivably better then he is, or can be called: I think it half an heaven to have my fill of the sm••ll of his sweet breath, & to sleep in the arms of Christ my Lord with his left hand under my head, & his right hand embracing me: There is no great reckoning to be made of the withering of my flower, in comparison of the foul & manifest wrongs done to Christ: Nay, let never the dew of God lie upon my branches again, let the bloom fall from my joy and let it wither, let the Almighty blow out my candle; sobeing the Lord might be great among Jews & Gentiles, and his oppressed church delivered: Let Christ fare well, 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 marrie Himself, to marrie the crosses, losses, & reproaches also that follow him; for mercy followeth Christ's cross: His prison for beauty is made of marble & ivory, his chains that are laid on his prisoners are golden chains, & the fighes of the prisoners of hope are perfumes with comforts, the like whereof cannot be bred of found in this side of sun & moon: Follow on after his love, ••ire not of Christ; but come in and see his beauty & excellency, & feed your soul upon Christ's sweetness: This world is not yours, neither would I have your heaven made of such mettall as mire & clay: Ye have the choice & waile of all lovers in heaven or out of heaven when ye have Christ, the onely delight of God his father: Climb up the mountain with joy & faint not; for time will cut off, the men who pursue Christ's followers: Our best things here have a worm in them: Our joyes besides God; in the inner half are but woes & sorrowes: Christ, Christ is that which our love and desires, can sleep sweetly & rest safely upon. Now, the very God of peace

establish you in Christ: Help a prisoner with your pray∣ers, and entreat that our Lord would be pleased to visite me with a fight of his beauty in his house, as he hath sometimes done. Grace, be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Laird of CALLY. (152)

Worthy Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I have been too long I confess in writing to you. My sute now to you in pa∣per [since I have no access to speak to you as formerly] is, that ye would lay the foundation sure in your youth: When ye begin to seek Christ, try I pray you upon what terms ye co∣venant to follow him, and lay your accounts 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 & be honest and faithfull that he finde not a crack in you. Surely ye are now in the throng of temptations: When youth is come to it's fairest bloom, then the Devil & the lusts of a deceiving world & sin are upon horse-back and follow with up sails: If this were not, Paul needed not to have written to a sanctified & holy youth Timothy [a faithfull preacher of the Gospel] flee the lusts of youth. Give Christ your virgin-love, ye can∣not put your love & heart in a better hand. O if ye knew him & saw his beauty! Your love, your liking, your heart, your desires would close with him & cleave to him. Love by nature when it seeth, cannot but cast out it's spirit and strength upon amiable objects & good things & things love-worthy: and what fairer thing then Christ? O fair sun and fair moon and fair stars, and fair flowers and fair roses and fair lilies, and fair creatures; but O ten thousand thousand times fairer Lord

Jesus! Alas, I wronged him in making the comparison this way! O black sun & moon, but O fair Lord Jesus! O black flowers & black lilies & roses, but O fair, fair, ever fair Lord Jesus! O all fair things, black & deformed without beauty, when ye are beside that fairest Lord Jesus! O black heaven, but O fair Christ! O black Angels, but O surpassingly fair Lord Jesus! I would seek no more to make me happy for evermore, but a through & clear sight of the beauty of Jesus my Lord: Let my eyes enjoy his fairness & store him for ever in the face, & I have all that can be wished. Get Christ rather then gold or silver, seek Christ howbeit ye should lose all things for him: They take their marks by the moon & look asquint in looking to fair Christ, who resolve for the world & their ease, & for their honour & court & credit, or for fear of losses & a sore skin that they will turn their back upon Christ & his truth. Alas, how many blinde eyes & squint-lookers look this day in Scotland upon Christ's beauty, & they see a spot in Christ's fair face! Alas, they are not worthy of Christ who look this way upon him, & see no beauty in him why they 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 eag∣er 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 & weary not, faint not, resolve upon suffer∣ing for Christ, but fear not ten dayes tribulation, for Christ's sowre cross is sugared with comforts & hath a taste of Christ himself. I esteem it my glory, my joy & my crown, & I bless him for this honour, to be yoked with Christ & married with him in suffering, who therefore was born & 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. O happy soul, that crosseth nature's stomack, & delighteth to gain that fair garland & crown of glory! What a feckless loss is it for you to goe through this wilderness & never taste of sin's sugared plea∣sures! What poorer is a soul to want pride, lust, love of

the world & the vanities of this vain & worthless world! Nature hath no cause to weep at the want of such toyes 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 & sails to the soul, & like wings when the feet come out of the share. O for what stay we here! Up, up, after our Lord Je∣sus, this is not our rest nor our dwelling: What have we to doe in this prison, except onely to take meat & house-room in it for a time? Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Your soul's welwisher & Christ prisoner, S. R.

To WILLIAM GORDON. At Kenmure. (153

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I have been long in an∣swering your letter, which came in good time to me. It is my aim & hearty desire that my furnace, which is of the Lord's kindling, may sparkle fire upon standers 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 & black cross, is sweeter to me then Kings golden crowns & their time-eaten plea∣sures: I should be a liar & false witness, if I should not give my Lord Jesus a fair testimonial 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 Oh that I could raise him the height of heaven & the breadth & length often heavens in the estimation of all his young lovers! for we have all shapen Christ but too narrow & too short, & formed conceptions of his love in our conceit very unworthy of it. Oh that men were taken & catched with his beauty & fairness! They would give over playing with idols, in which there is not halfroom for the love of one soul to exspatiat itself, & man's love is but heart-hungered

in gnawing upon bare bones & sucking at dry breasts: It is well wared they want who will not come to him who hath a world of love & goodness & bounty for all. We seek to thawe our frozen hearts at the cold smoke of the short-timed creature, & our souls gather neither heat nor life nor light, for these can∣not give to us what they have not in themselves. Oh that we could thrust in through these thorns & this throng of bastard∣lovers, & be ravished & sick of love for Christ! We should sinde some footing & some room & sweet ease for our tottering & wirless souls in our Lord. I wish it were in my power after this day, to cry down all love but the love of Christ, & to cry down all Gods but Christ, all Saviours but Christ, all welbe∣loveds but Christ, & all soul-suters, all love-beggers but Christ. Ye complain that ye want a mark of the sound work of grace & love in your soul. For answer, consider for your satisfaction (till God send more) 1. Ioh. 3: 14. And as for your complaint of Deadness & Doubtings, Christ I hope will take your deadness & you together: They are bodies full of holes, running boils, & broken bones that need mending, that Christ the Physician taketh up: whole vessels are not for the Me∣diator Christ's art: Publicans, sinners, whores, harlots, are ready market-wares for Christ: The onely thing that will bring sinners within a cast of Christ's drawing arm, is, that which ye write of, some feeling of death & Sin that bringeth forth complaints: & therefore out of sense complain more, & be more acquaint with all the cramps, stitches & soul-swoonings that trouble you: The more pain & the more night-watching & the moe fevers, the better: A soul bleeding to death till Christ were sent for & cried for in all haste to come & stem the blood & close up the hole in the wound, with his own hand & balm, were a very good disease when many are dying of a whole heart. We have all too little of hell-pain & terrours that way: Nay, God send mesuch a hell as Christ hath promised to make a heaven out of. Alas, I am not come that far on in the way as to say in sad earnest, Lord Iesus, great & soveraign Physician, here is a pained patient for thee. But the thing that we mistake, is the want of victory, 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 & 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 & binde 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 & doing and sighing and mourning: For prayer putteth not Paul's devil [the prick 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 send himself by God's help, God keep∣ing the stakes & moderating the play: And ye doe well not to doubt if the ground-stone be sure, but to try if it be so, for there is great ods between doubting that we have grace & try∣ing 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 & making sure work of Christ: Holy fear is a searching the camp that there be no enemy within our bosom to betray us, & a seeing that all be fast & sure: For I see many lecking vessels fair before the wind, & professours who take their conversion upon trust, & they goe on securely & see not to the under-water till a storm sink them: Each man had need twice a day & oftner, to be ryped & 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.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord & Master, S. R.

To MARGARET FULLERTON. (154)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am glad that ever ye did cast your love on Christ, fasten more and more love every day upon him. O if I had a river of love, a sea of love that would never goe dry, to bestow upon him! But alas the pity, Christ hath beauty for me, but I have not love for him. O what pain is it to see Christ in

his beauty, & then to want a heart & love for him! But I see, want we must, till Christ lend us, never to be payed again. O that he would empty these vaults and lower houses of these poor souls, of these bastard and base lovers which we fol∣low! And verily I see no object in heaven or in earth that I could ware this much of love upon that I have, but upon Christ. Alas that clay and time and shadows run away with our love, which is ill spent upon any but upon Christ: each fool at the day of judgement shall seek back his love from the creatures, when he shall see them all in a fair fire, but they shall prove irresponsall debters: And therefore best here look ere we leap, and look ere we love. I finde now un∣der his cross that I would fain give him more then I have to give him, if giving were in my power: But I rather wish him my heart then give him it, except 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 home∣ly with my soul's love, and to come in to my soul and take his own! But when he goeth away & 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 Christ onely by the eyes and the nose! That is, to love him onely in as far as fond & foolish sense carrieth me & no more: And when I see not, & smell not, and touch not, then I have all to seek. I cannot love parquier, nor rejoyce parquier: But this is our weakness till we be at home & shall have aged mens stomacks 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.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To WILLIAM GLENDINING. (155.)

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 & crown, & if the Lord should ask of me my blood & life for this cause, I would gladly in his strength pay due debt to Christ's honour & glory in that kinde. Acquaint your self with Christ's love & ye shall not miss to finde new goldē mines & treasures in Christ: Nay truly, we but stand beside Christ, we goe not in to him to take our fill of him. But if he should doe two things, 1. Draw the curtains & make bare his holy face, & then 2. Clear our dim & bleared eyes to see his beauty & glory, he should finde many lovers. I would seek no more happiness but a sight of him so near hand as to see, hear, smell, & touch & embrace him: But oh, closed doors & vails & curtains & thick clouds hold me in pain while I finde the sweet burning of his love that many waters cannot quench! O what sad hours have I when I think, that love of Christ scarreth at me & 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 thou∣sand years in hell, to have a wide soul enlarged & 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 & lofty One! I think the Angels may blush to look upon him, & what am I to file such infinite brightness with my sinfull eyes? O that Christ would come near & stand still & give me leave to look upon him! For to look seemeth the poor man's priviledge, since he may for nothing & without hire behold the sun. I should have a King's life, if I had no other thing to doe, but for ever∣more to behold & eye my fair Lord Jesus: Nay, suppose I were holden out, at heaven's fair entry, I should be happy for evermore to look through an hole in the door & see my dearest & fair∣est Lord's face. O great King, why standest thou aloof? Why remainest thou beyond the mountains? O wel∣beloved, why doest thou pain a poor soul with delayes?

a long time out of thy glorious presence is two deaths & two hells to me; We must meet, I must see him, I dow not want him: hunger & 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 dow not want him: For I cannot master or command Christ's love: nay, hell [as I now think] & 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 or 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, & live upon Christ's love it's alone: Let me have no joy but the warmness & fire of God's love, I seek no other: God knoweth, if this love be taken from me, the bottom is fallen out of all my happiness & joy; & therefore I beleeve, Christ will never doe me that, as to bereave a poor pri∣soner of his love, it were cruelty to take it from me, & he who is kindness it self 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: rejoyce in his cross: Your deliverance sleepeth not, he that will come is not slack of his promise: Wait on for God's time∣ous salvation, ask not when or How long? I hope he shall lose nothing of you in the furnace, but dross: Commit your cause in meekness [forgiving your oppressours] to God, and your sentence shall come back from him laughing: Our Bride∣groom's day is posting fast on, & this world, that seemeth to goe with a long and a short foot, shall be put in two ranks: Wait till your ten dayes be ended and hope for the crown, Christ will not give you a blinde in the end. Commend me to your wife and father, & to Bailiffe M. A. And send this letter to him. The prayers of Christ's prisoner be upon you, & the Lord's presence accompany you.

Aberd. July. 6. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To ROBERT LENNO X. of Disdove. (156.)

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I beseech you in the Lord Jesus make fast and sure work of life eternall: Sow not rotten seed, every man's work will speak for it self what his seed hath been. O 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 & white for judgement. I recom∣mend to you holiness & sanctification, & that ye keep your self clean from this present evil world: We delight to tell our own dreams, & to flatter our own flesh with the hope we have: It were wisdom for us to be free, plain, honest & sharp with our own souls, and to charge them to brew better, th••t they may drink well and fare well, when time is melted away like snow in a hot summer. O how hard a thing is it 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 it's 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 & the powers of it are up in heaven, & there, their hearts live, de∣sire, enjoy, rejoyce. Oh mens souls have no wings, and therefore night and day they keep their nest and are not ac∣quaint with Christ! Sir, take you to your one thing, to Christ, that ye may be acquainted with the taste of his sweetness & ex∣cellency, & charge your love not to dote upon this world; for it will not doe your business in that day, when nothing will come in good stead to you, but God's favour: Build upon Christ some good, choice & fast work; for when your soul for ma∣ny years hath taken the play & hath posted & wandered through the creatures ye will come home again with the wind: They are not good, at least not the souls good, it is the infinite Godhead that must allay the sharpness of your hunger after happiness:

otherwise there shall still be a want of satisfaction to your de∣sires: And if he would cast in ten worlds in your desires, all shall fall thorow, & 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 & seven desires in you. Oh if I could make my Lord Jesus market-sweet, lovely desireable & fair to all the world both to Jew and Gentil! O let my part of heaven goe for it, sobeing he would take my tongue to be his instru∣ment, to set out Christ in his whole braveries of love, vertue, grace, sweetness & matchless glory, to the eyes & hearts of Jews & 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 little doeth this world see of him, & 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 I could put many in at the bride∣groom's chamber door to see his beauty, & to be partakers of his high and deep and broad and boundless love. O let all the world come nigh and see Christ, and they shall then see more then I can say of him! O if I had had a pledge or pawne to lay down for a sea-full of his love! that I could come by somuch of Christ, as would satisfie griening and long∣ing for him, or rather increase it, till I were in full possession! I know we shall meet & therein I rejoyce. Sir, stand fast in the truth of Christ, that ye have received: Yeeld not to winds, but ride out & let Christ be your anchor & the onely He, whom ye shall look to see in peace: Pray for me his prisoner, & that the Lord would send me among you to feed his people. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JOHN FLEMING Bailiffe of Leith. (157)

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 finde his cross easie and light, and I hope he shall 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 the com∣mon 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 sweet∣er possession of Christ, then ever I had before: Onely the memory of the fair dayes I had with my welbeloved amongst the flock intrusted to me, keepeth me low, and sowreth my unseen joy: But it must be so, and he is wise who tutoureth me 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 offendeth that his father giveth 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 then upon hire. Thus remem∣bring my love to your worthy and kinde wife: I bless you and her and all yours in the Lord's name.

Aberd. Sept 20. 1637.

Yours in his on••ly, onely Lord Iesus. S. R.

To WILLIAM GLENDINING. Bailiffe of Kirkcudbright. [158]

Worthy Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am well, honour be to God, & aswell as a r••joycing prisoner of Christ can be, hoping that one day He for whom I now suffer shall enlarge me, & put me above the threatnings of men: I am sometimes sad, heavy & casten down at the memory of the fair dayes I had with Christ in Anwoth, Kirk cudbright & cet: The remem∣brance of a feast encreaseth hunger in a hungry man; but who knoweth but our Lord will yet cover a table in the wilderness to his hungry bairns & build the old waste places in Scotland, & bring home Zion's captives: I desire to see no more glorious sight, till I see the Lamb on his throne, then to see Mount Zion all green with grass, & the dew lying upon the tops of the grass, & the crown put upon Christ's head in Scotland again: And I be∣leeve it shall be so, & that Christ shall mowe down his ene∣mies & fill the pits with their dead bodies. I finde people here dry & uncouth: A man pointed at for suffering dare not be countenanced; so that I am like to sit mine alone upon the ground: But my Lord payeth me well home again, for I have neither tongue nor pen nor heart to express the sweetness & excellency of the love of Christ: Christ's honey-combs drop hony & sloods of consolation upon my soul: My chains are gold: Christ's cross i•• all overguilded and perfumed: His prison is the garden and orchard of my delights: I would goe through burning quick to my lovely Christ: I sleep in his arms all the night & my head betwixt his breasts: My wel∣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, countrey, credit, had been an Earledom, a Kingdom, ten Kingdoms and a whole earth, all were too little for the crown and scepter of my royall King: Mine enemies, mine enemies have made me blessed: They ave sent me to the bridegroom's chamber: Love is his ban∣ner

over me: I live a Kings life: I want nothing but heaven, and the 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 dis∣tressed 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 prisoner.

Aberd. Sept. 21. 1637

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To ROBERT GORDON. Of Knockbrex. (159]

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am by God's mercy come now to Aberden, the place of my confinement, & setled in an honest man's house: I finde the town's-men cold & generall & dry in their kindness, yet I finde a lodging in the heart of many strangers: My challenges are revived again, & I finde old sores bleeding of new; so dangerous & painfull is an un∣dercotted conscience; yet I have an eye to the blood that is phy∣sick for such sores: But verily I see Christianity is conceived to be more easie & lighter then it is; so that I sometimes think I never knew any thing, but the letters of that name; for our nature contenteth it self with little in godliness. Our Lord, Lord, seemeth to us ten Lord Lords: little holiness in our bal∣lance is much because it is our own hol••ness, & we love to lay small burdens upon our soft natures, & to make a fair court∣way to heaven: And I know it were necessary to take more pains then we doe, & not to make heaven a city more easily taken then God hath made it: I perswade my self many runners shall come short & get a disappointment. Oh how easie is it to deceive our selves, & to sleep & wish that heaven may fall

down in our laps! Yet for all my Lord's glooms I finde him sweet, gracious, loving, kinde, & I want both pen & words to set forth the fairness, beauty & sweetness of Christ's love, & the ho∣nour of this cross of Christ, which is glorious to me, though the world thinketh shame thereof: I verily think that the cross of Christ would blush & think shame of these thin-skined world∣lings, who are so married to their credit that they are a∣shamed of the sufferings of Christ. O the honour to be scourg∣ed, stoned with Christ, & to goe through a furious-faced death to life eternall! But men would have Lawborrows against Christ's cross. Now, My dear Brother forget not the prisoner of Christ; for I see very few here who kindely fear God. Grace be with you. Let my love in Christ & hearty affection be remembred to your kinde wife, to your Brother Iohn & to all friends. The Lord Jesus be with your Spirit.

Abed. Sept. 20. 1636.

Yours in his onely, onely Lord Iesus, S. R.

To EARLESTOWN Younger. 160.

Much Honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am well, Christ triumph∣eth in me, blessed be his name: I have all things, I burden no man: I see this earth and the fullness thereof is my father's: sweet, sweet is the cross of my Lord: The blessing of God upon the cross of my Lord Jesus: My ene∣mies have contributed [beside their designe] to make me blessed: This is my palace, not my prison, especially, when my Lord shineth & smileth upon his poor afflicted & sold Joseph, who is separated from his brethen: But often he hideth himself, & there is a day of law, & court of challenges within me; I know not if fenced in God's name, but Oh my neglects! Oh my unseen guiltiness! I imagined that a sufferer for Christ kept The keys of Christ's treasure, & might take out his womb-full of comforts when he pleased; but I see a sufferer &

witness will be holden at the door aswell as another poor sinner, & be glad to eat with the bairns & to take the by-board. This cross hath let me see that heaven is not at the next door & that it is a castle not soon taken: I see also, it is neither pain nor art to play the hyprocrite: We have all learned to sell our selves for double price & to make the people who call ten twen∣ty, & twenty an hundred esteem us half-gods, or men fallen out of the clouds: But Oh sincerity, sinc••rity, if I knew what sincerity meaneth. Sir, lay the foundation thus & ye shall not soon shrink nor be shaken: Make tight work at the bottom, & your ship shall ride against all storms, if with all your anchor be fastned upon good ground, I mean with in the vail; & verily I think this is All, to gain Christ: All other things are shadows, dreams, fansies & nothing. Sir, remember my love to your mother: I pray for mercy & 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.

Aberd. Sept. 22. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JOHN GORDON. (161)

Worthy & dear Brother.

GRace, mercy and peace be to you: I have been too long in writing to you, but multitude of letters tak∣eth 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 re∣proaches and in his cross; I cannot but vote with the first, that all that is in him, both cross & crown, kisses & glooms, embracements and frownings and strokes are sweet and glo∣rious: God send me no more happiness in heaven or out

of heaven, but Christ: For I finde this world when I have looked upon it on both sides, within & without, & when I have seen even the laughing and lovely-like 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 mouth-full of brown bread. I wish my Hope may take a running-leap & skip over Time's pleasures, Sin's plaistering & gold-••o••e, this vain earth, & 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 handfull 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 the thoughts of such a crack-brain? Verily they have but an hand∣full of water & are but like a childe clasping his two hands about a night-shadow, who idolize any created hope, but God. I now ligh lie & put the price of a dream or fable or black nothing upon all things, but upon God & that desireable & love-worthy one my Lord Jesus: Let all the world be nothing [for nothing was their seed & mother] & let God be all things. My very dear Brother, know ye are as near heaven as ye are far from your self & far from the love of a bewitching & whorish world: For this World in it's gain and glory, is but the great and no∣table common whore that all the sons of men have been in fancy & lust withall these 5000 years: the children that they have begotten with this uncouth & lustfull lover are but vanity, dreams, golden imaginations & night-thoughts: For there is no good ground here under the covering of heaven for men & poor wearied souls to set down their foot upon. O he who is cal∣led God, that one whom they term Iesus Christ, is worth the having indeed, even if•• had given away all without my eye-holes, my soul and my self for sweet Jesus my Lord! O let the claim be cancelled that the creatures have to me, except that claim my Lord Iesus hath to me! Oh that he would claim poor me, my silly, light & worthless soul! O that he would pur∣sue his claim to the utmost point & not want me! For it is my pain & remediless sorrow to want him. I see nothing in this life

but sinks & mires & dreams & beguiling ditches & ill ground for us to build upon. I am fully perswaded of Christs vic∣tory in Scotland, but I fear this land be not yet ripe and white for mercy: Yet I dare be halfer [upon my sal∣vation] with the losses of the church of Scotland, that her foes afternoon shall sing dole & sorrow for evermore, and that her joy shall once again be cried up & her skie shall clear: But vengeance & burning shall be to her adversaries & the sinners of this land. Oh that we could be awakened to prayers & humi∣liation! Then should our sun shine like seven suns in the hea∣ven, then should the temple of Christ be builded upon the mountains tops, & the land from coast to coast should be filled with the glory of the Lord. Brother, your day-task is wear∣ing short, your hour-glass of this span-length and hand-breadth of life will quickly pass, & therefore take order & course with matters betwixt you and Christ before it come to open pleading there are no quarters to be had of Christ in open judgement. I know ye see your threed wearing short, & that there are not ma∣ny inches to the threed's end, and therefore lose not time. Re∣member 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.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr HUGH Mc KAILL. (162)

Reverend & dear Brother.

I thank you for your letter: I cannot but shew you that as I never expected any thing from Christ but much good & kind∣ness, so he hath made me to finde it in the house of my pilgri∣mage? And beleeve me, Brother, I give it to you under mine own hand-writ, that who so looketh to the white side of Christ's cross and can take it up handsomly with faith and courage

shall finde it such a burden as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are to a ship or wings to a bird. I finde my Lord hath overguilded that black tree & hath perfumed it & oiled it, with joy & consolation. Like a fool once I would chide & plead with Christ & slander him to others of unkindness, but I trust in God not to call his glooms unkinde again, for he hath taken from me my sackcloth, & I verily cannot tell you what a poor sold Ioseph & prisoner [with whom my mother's children were angry] doeth now think of kinde Christ: I will chide no more, providing he will quite me all by-gones; for I am poor. I am taught in this ill wea∣ther to goe on the lee-side of Christ & to put him in between me and the storm, & 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 feasts & love-blenks & visites that the Prelats have sent me unto! I will verily give my Lord Jesus a free dis∣charge of all that I like a fool, laid to his charge, & beg him pardon to the mends. God grant that in my temptations I come not on his 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 feast to me, 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, al∣beit their synagogues will need force cast me out. A letter were a work of charity to me. Grace be with you. Pray for me.

Aberd. Novemb. 22. 1636.

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

To JAMES MURRAY. (163)

Dear Brother.

I Received your letter: I am in good health of body, but far better in my soul. I finde my Lord no worse then his word, I will be with him in trouble is made good to me now: He hear∣eth

the sighing of the prisoner. Brother, I am comforted in my royal Prince and King: This world knoweth not our life, it is a mysterie 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 finde my prison the sweetest place that ev r I was in, my Lord Jesus is kinde to me, and hath taken the mask off his face, and is content to quite me, all by-gones: I dare not complain of him. And for my silence, I lay it before 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 & 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 wofull 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 & sad dayes I have had for his absence who is now come. I finde Christ dow not be long unkinde, our Ioseph's bowels yern within him, he cannot smother love long, it must break out at length. Praise, praise with me Brother, & desire my acquaint∣ance to help me: I dare not conceal his love to my soul, I wish you all a part of my feast, that my Lord Jesus may be ho∣noured: I allow you not to hide Christ's bountie to me, when ye meet with such as know Christ. Ye write nothing to me what are the cruel mercies of the Prelats towards me: The mi∣nisters of this town, as I hear, intend that I shall be more strickly confined, or else transported, because they finde some people affect me. Grace be with you.

Aberd. Nov. 21. 1637.

Yours in the Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JOHN FLEMING. Bailiffe of Leith. (164)

My very worthy friend.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter: I bless my Lord through Jesus Christ, I finde his word good, Isa, ••8, ••0. I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. And Psal. 91. 15. I will be with him in trouble. I never exp••ct∣ed other at Christ's hand, but much good & comfort, & I am not disappointed: I finde my Lord's cross overguilded & oiled with comforts: My Lord hath now showen me the white side of his cross: I would not exchange my weeping in prison with the fourteen Prelats laughter amidst their hungry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lean joyes. 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 Prelats to adde this gentle cruelty to my former sufferings [••or it is gentle to them] to inhibite the Ministers of the town to give me the liberty of a pulpit: I said, what adeth Christ at my service? But I was a fool, he hath chided himself friends with me: If ye & others of God's children shall praise his great name who ma∣keth worthless men witnesses for him, my silence & sufferings shall preach more then my tongue could doe; if his glory be seen in me I am satisfied; for I want no kindness of Christ: And Sir, I dare not smother his liberality: I write it to you, that ye may praise, & desire your brother & others to joyn with me in this work. This land shall be made desolate, our iniquities are full: the Lord saith, we shall drink & spue & fall. Remember my love to your good kinde wife. Grace be with you.

Aberd. Nov. 23. 1636.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To EARLESTOVVN ELDER. Rev. 12: 11. And they overcame the Dragon by the blood of the Lamb & the word of their testimony, & they loved not their lives unto the death. (165)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to see you in pa∣per & to be refreshed by you. I cannot but desire you & charge you to help me to praise him, who feedeth a poor prison∣er with the fatness of his house. O how weighty is his love! O but there is much telling in Christ's kindness! The Amen, the faithfull & true witness hath payed me my hundred fold well told & one to the hundred: I complained of him, but he is ow∣ing me nothing now. Sir, I charge you to help me to praise his goodness, & to proclaim to others my Bridegroom's kind∣ness, whose love is better then wine. I took up an action a∣gainst Christ & bought a plea against his love, & libelled un∣kindness against Christ my Lord, & I said, this is my death, he hath forgotten me: But my meek Lord held his peace & be∣held me, & would not contend for the last word of flyting, & now hath chided himself friends with me: And now I see, he must be God & I must be flesh: I pass from my summonds, I acknowledge he might have given me my fill of it & never troubled himself: But now he háth taken away the mask, I have been comforted, he could not smother his love any longer to a prisoner & a stranger: God grant that I may never buy a plea against Christ again, but may keep good quarters with him. I want no kindness, no love-token; but Oh, wise is his love! for notwithstanding of this hot summer-blenk, I am keeped low 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, & the heathen entred into the sanctuary, and my belly is pained and my soul in heaviness, because the Lord's people is gone into captivity & because of the fury of the Lord & 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 & com∣fort him. Yet in this mist I see & beleeve, the Lord will heal this halting Kirk & will lay her stones with fair colours & her foundations with Saphires, & will make her windows of Agates & her gates Carbuncles, Isa. 54. 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 use Let us be glad & rejoyce in the Lord, for his Salvation is near to come. Remember me to your wife & your son Iohn: And I entreat you to write to me. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. Decemb. 30. 1636.

Yours in his onely, onely Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr JOHN FERGUSHILL. [166]

Reverend & welbeloved in our Lord Iesus.

I Must still provoke you to write by my lines, whereat ye need not wonder; for the cross is full of talke, & speak it must, either good or bad: Neither can grief be silent. I have no dittay nor inditement to bring against Christ's cross, seeing he hath made a friendly agreement betwixt me & it, & we are in terms of love together: If my former miscarriages, & my now∣silent sabbaths seem to me to speak wrath from the Lord, I dare say, it is but Satan borrowing the use & loan of my cowardly & feeble apprehensions, which start at straws: I know faith is not so saint & foolish, as to tremble at every false alarm; Yet I gather this out of it, Blessed are they who are grac'd of God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 guide a cross well, & that there is some art required herein. I pray God I may not be so ill friend-stead, as that Christ my Lord should leave me to be my own Tutour & my own Physi∣cian. 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, & that he will fill his own chair? For in this is his office, to comfort us, & thes that are casten down in all their tribulations. 2 Cor. 1. 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 pre sent to Christ at his appearance, yet I pray God I may be able with joy, faith & constancy, to shew the Captain of my savation in that day, a bloody head that I received in his service: howbeit my faith hang by a small tack & threed, I hope the tack shall not break: & howbeit my Lord get no service of me but broken wishes; yet I trust these shall be accepted upon Christ's account. I have no∣thing to comfort me, but that I say, Oh will the Lod disappoint an hungry on-waiter? The smell of Christ's wine & apples which surposse the uptaking of dull sense, bloweth upon my soul, & I get no more for the mean time: I am sure to let a famish∣ing body see meat & give him none of it, is a double pain: Our Lord's love it not so cruell as to let a poor man see Christ & hea∣ven & never give him more, for want of money to buy; nay, I rather think Christ such fair market-wares, as buyers may have ••it out money & without price: And thus I know it shall not stand upon my want of money; for Christ upon his own charg∣es must buy my wedding garment, & redeem the inheritance which I have forfeited, & give his word for one the like of me, who am not law-biding of my self: Poor folks must either borrow or beg from the rich, & the onely thing that com∣mendeth sinners to Christ is extream necessity & want: Christ's love is ready to make & provide a ransome & money for a poor body who hath lost his his purse. Ho, ye that have no money come & buy Isa: 55. 1. That is the poor man's market. Now Brother I see old crosses would have done nothing at me, & therefore Christ hath takē a new fresh rod to me, that seemeth to talk with my soul, & make me tremble. I have often more adoe now with faith when I lose my compasse, & am blowen on a rock, then these who are my beholders standing upon the shore are aware of: a counsel to a sick man is sooner given then taken: Lord send the wearied man a borrowed bed from Christ: I think often it is after supper with me, & I am heavie: O but I would sleep soundly with Christ's left hand under my head & his right hand embrac∣ing 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 bairn that it pitied & bemoaned: I

desire no more till I be in heaven; but such a feast & fill of Christ's love as I would have: This love would be fair & adorn∣ing passements, which would beautifie & set forth my black unpleasant cross: I cannot tell, my Dear Brother, what a great lead I would bear if I had a hearty fill of the love of that love∣ly one, Christ Iesus: Oh if ye would seek & pray for that to me! I would give Christ all his love stiles and titles of honour if he would give me but this; nay, I would sell my self (if I could) for that love. I have been waiting to see what friends of place & power would doe for us; But when the Lord looseth the pins of his own Tabernacle, he will have himself to be ac∣knowledged as the onely builder up thereof, & therefore I would take back again my hope that I lent and laid in pawne in mens hands & 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 or all my hope, though it were as weighty as both heaven & earth: Happy were I, if I had any thing that Christ would seek or ac∣cept of: But now alas I see not what service I can doe to him, except it to be talk a little & bable upon a piece of paper, con∣cerning the love of Christ. I am often as if my faith were wed∣set so that I cannot command it, and then when he hid∣eth himself, I run to the other extream, in making each wing and toe of my case as big as a mountain of i∣ron: And then misbelief can spin out an hell of heavy & desponding thoughts; then Christ seeketh law-borrows of my unbeleeving apprehensions, & chargeth me to beleeve his day-light at midnight: But I make pleas with Christ, though it be ill my common so to doe: It were my happiness when I am in his house of wine & when I finde a feast-day, if I could hearken & hear for the time to come, Isa: 42. 3. But I see we must be off our feet in wading a deep water; & then Christ's love findeth time••us employment at such a dead lift as that: And besides, after broken brows, bairns learn to walk more circumspectly: If I come to heaven any way, howbeit like a tired traveller upon my guide's shoulder, it's good enough for these who have no legs of their own for such a journey: I never

thought there had been need of so much wrestling to win to the top of that ste••p mountain as now I finde. Woe's me for this broken & backsliding Church, it is like an old bowing wall, leaning to the one side, & there is none of all her sons who will set a prop under her: I know I need not bemoan Christ; for he careth for his own honour more then I can doe; but who can blame me to be woe [〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had grace so to doe] to see my welbeloved', fair face spitt••d upon, & his crown plucked off hi•• head, & the ark of God taken & carryed in the Philistins ca••t, and the ••ine 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 your self for a fight with beast, ye will not get leave to steel quietly to heaven in Christ's company with∣out a conflict & a cross. Remember my bonds, & praise my second, & fellow prisoner, Christ. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in Christ Iesus his Lord. S. R.

To WILLIAM GLENDINNING. (167)

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: Your ease is unknown to me, whether ye be yet our Lord's prisoner at W••gton or not: However it be, I know our Lord Iesus hath been enquiring for you, & that he hath honoured you to bear his chains, which is the golden end of his cross, & so hath wail∣ed out a chosen & honourable cross for you: I wish you much joy & comfort of it, for I have nothing to say of Christ's cross but much good, I hope my ill word shall never meet ei∣ther Christ or his sweet & easie cross. I know he seeketh of us an out-cast with this house of clay, this mother-prison, this earth, that we love fall well: & verily, when Christ snuffeth my candle & causeth my light to shine upward, it is one of my greatest wonders that dirt & clay hath so much court with a soul not made of clay, & that our soul goeth out of kinde 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 doeth our ship sail! And how fair a wind hath Time to blow us off these coasts & this land of dying & perishing things! And alas, our ship saileth one way & fleeth many miles in one hour to hasten us upon eternity, & our love & hearts are sailing close back over & swimming towards ease, lawless pleasure, vain honour, perishing riches, & to build a fool's nest I know not where, & to lay our egges within the sea-mark, & fasten our bits of broken anchors upon the worst ground in the world, this fleetting & perishing life; & in the mean while, time & tide carry us upon another life, & there is daily less & less oile in our lamp, & less & less sand in our watch-glass. O what a wise course were it for us, to look away from the false beauty of our borrow••d prison, & to minde & eye & lust for our countrey! Lord, Lord, take us home. And for my self, I think, if a poor, weak, dying sheep seek for an old dike & 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 & a well made bed, & an old crazed bark at a shore, & a wearied traveller at home & a breathless horse at the rink's end. I see nothing in this life but sin & the sowre fruits of sin: And O what a burden is sin; & what a slavery & miserable bondage is it, to be at the nod & yea's & nay's of such a lord-ma∣ster as a body of sin! Truly when I think of it, it is a wonder that Christ maketh not fire & ashes of such a dry branch as I am. I would often lie down under Christ's feet, & bid him trample upon me, when I consider 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 bairns, & must cumber the Lord of the house with with the rest, till my Lord take the fetters off legs & arms, & destroy this body of sin, & make a hole or a breach in this cage of earth, that the bird may flee out and the imprisoned soul be at liberty. 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 joyfull on-waiting, that when Christ's summer-birds shall sing

upon the branches of the tree of life, I shall be tuned by God him∣self to help them to sing the home-coming of our welbeloved & his Bride to their house together. When I think of this, I think winters & summers & years & dayes & time doe me a plea∣sure that they shorten this untwisted & weak threed of my life, & that they put sin & miseries by hand, & that they shall carry me to my Bridegroom within a clap. Dear Brother, pray for me, that it would please the Lord of the vineyard to give me house-room to preach his righteousness again to the great con∣gregation. Grace, grace be with you. Remember me to your wife.

Aberd. 1637

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Lady CULROSS. Rev. 7: 14. These are they vvhich came out of great tri∣bulation, & have vvashed their robes & made them vvhite in the blood of the Lamb. [168]

MADAM.

GRace, mercy & peace be multiplied upon you: I great∣ly long to be refreshed with your letter: I am now [all ho∣nour & glory to the King eternal, immortal & invisible] in better terms with Christ then I was. I like a fool summoned my husband & Lord, & libelled unkindness against him, but now I pass from that foolish pursuit, I give over the plea, he is God & I am man: I was loosing a fast stone & digging at the ground∣stone [the love of my Lord] to shake & unsettle it, but God be thanked, it is fast, all i•• sure: In my prison he hath showen me day∣light; he dought not hide his love any longer: Christ was dis∣guised & masked, & I apprehended it was not he, & he hath said It is〈…〉〈…〉, be not afraid: And now his love is better then wine. Oh that all the virgins had part of the Bridegroom's love, whereupon he maketh me to feed! Help me to praise: I charge you, Madam, help me to pay praises, & tell others, the daughters of Jerusalem, how kinde Christ is to a poor prisoner: he hath payed me my hundred

fold, it is well told me & one to the hundred: I am nothing behin∣de with Christ: Let not fools, because of their lazie soft flesh, raise a slander & an ill report upon the cross of Christ, it is sweet∣er then fair: I see, grace groweth best in winter: This poor, p••rsecuted Kirk, this lilie amongst the thorns, shall blossom and laugh upon the gardiner, the husband-man's blessing shall light upon it. Oh if I could be free of jealousies of Christ after this, & beleeve & keep good quarters with my dearest husband! for he hath been kinde to the stranger: & yet in all this fair hot summer-weather, I am keeped from say∣ing 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is good to be here, with my silence, & with grief to see my mother wou ded & her vail taken from her, & the fair Temple casten down: & my belly is pained, my soul is heavy for the captivity of the daughter of my people, & because of the fury of the Lord & 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 quart∣ers 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 glorifie Chri••t, but to make an open proclamation of his love, and of his his soft and sweet kisses to me in the fur∣nace, & of his fidelity to such as suffer for him. Give it me under your hand that ye will help me to pray & praise, but rather to praise & rejoyce in the salvation of God. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. Dec. 30. 1636.

Yours in his dearest & onely, onely Lord Iesus, S. R

To the Lady CARDONNESS. (169)

My dearly beloved & longed for in the Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear how your soul Prospereth & how the Kingdom of Christ thriveth in

you. I exhort you & 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, countrey, credit, health, wealth, honour, may be wanted; but Heaven is your one thing ne∣cessary, the good part that shall not be taken from you: See that ye buy the field where the pearl is, sell all & make a pur∣chase of salvation: think it not easie, 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 for∣mer things. Oh 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 & tell his money, & then he findeth his pack but poor & light in the day of a heavy trial. I found I had not to bear my expences, and should have fainted if want & penury had not chased me to the store-house of all. I beseech you, make couscience of your wayes, deal kindly & with conscience with your Tenants: to fill a breach or a hole make not a greater breach in the consci∣ence: 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 blowen, the world & all its glory will be like an old house that is burnt to ashes, & like an old fallen castle without a roof. Fy, fy upon us fools who think our selves debters to the world. My Lord hath brought me to this, that I would not give a drink of cold water for this world's kindness: 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 cut conscience & to get in clay again, is a strange bargain. I have written my minde 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 speak∣eth & apply your self in the fear of God to him, & then ye will remove a pound weight of your heavy cross that way, &

so it shall become light. When Christ hideth himself, wait on & make di•• till he return, it is not time then to be care∣lesly patient; I love it to be grieved when he hideth his smiles: yet beleeve his love in a patient on-waiting and beleeving in the dark: Ye must learn to swim & hold up your head a∣bove the water, even when the sense of his presence is not with you, to hold up your chin: I trust in God, he shall bring your ship safe to land. I counsel you to study sanctifica∣tion, & to be dead to this world: urge kindness on Knock∣brex, labour to benefite by his company, the man is acquaint with Christ. I beg the help of your prayers, for I forget not you: counsel your husband to fulfill my joy & to seek the Lord's face, shew him from me that my joy & desire is to hear he is in the Lord, God casteth him often in my minde, I can∣not forget him, I hope Christ & he have something to doe to∣gether: Bless Iohn from me, I write blessings to him & to your husband & the rest of your children. Let it not be said, I am not in your house, through neglect of the Sabbath-exercise.

Aberd. Febr. 20. 1637.

Your lawfull & loving Pasior in his onely, onely Lord, S. R.

To JONET M^cCULLOCH. [170]

Dear Sister.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear how your soul prospereth. I am as well as a prisoner of Christ can be, feasted & made fat with the comforts of God: Christ's kisses are made sweeter to my soul then ever they were. I would not change my Master with all the Kings of clay upon the earth. O, my welbeloved is altogether lovely & loving! I care not what flesh can doe. I perswade my soul, I delivered the truth of Christ to you, slip not from it for no boasts or fear of men: If ye goe 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 sinfull

world: Let not this clay-portion of earth take up your soul, it is the portion of bastards, & ye are a childe of God, therefore seek your father's heritage, send up your heart to see the dwel∣ling house & fair rooms in the new City: Fy, sy upon these who cry up with the World & down with Conscience & Hea∣ven: We have bairns wits, & therefore we cannot prize Christ aright. Counsel your husband & mother to make them for eternity, that day is drawing nigh. Pray for me the prisoner of Christ; I cannot forget you.

Aberd. Febr. 20. 1637.

Your lawfull Pasior & Brother, S. R.

To my Lord CRAIGHALL. [171]

My Lord.

I Received Mr Ls letter with your Lo: & his learned thoughts in the matter of Ceremonies: I ow respect to the man's learn∣ing, for that I hear him opposite to Arminian Heresies: but [with reverence of that worthy man] I wonder to hear such popish-like expression as he hath in his letter, as, Your Lo: may spare doubtings when the King & Church have agreed in the settling of such orders, & the Church's direction in things indifferent & circumstantial [as if Indifferent & Circumstantial were all one] should be the rule of every private Christian. I onely viewed the papers in two hour, space, the bearer hasting me to write. I finde the worthy man not so seen in this controversie, as some turbu∣lent men of our countrey, as he calleth refusers of conformity: And let me say it, I am more confirmed in non-conformity, when I see such a great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it play the agēt so slenderly; but I will lay the blame on the weakness of the cause, not on the meanness of Mr Ls. learning. I have ever been & stil I am confident that Britain cannot answer one argument a scandalo, & I longed much to hear Mr L. speak to the cause, & I would say, if some ordina∣ry Divine had answered as Mr L. doeth, that he under∣stood not the nature of a Scandal: but I dare not vilifie, that wor∣thyman

so. I am now upon the heat of some other employment, I shall, but God willing, answer this to the satisfying of any not prejudged. I will not say that every one is acquaint with the rea∣son in my letter from God's presence & bright shining face in suffering for this cause, Aristotle never knew the medium of the clusion, & Christ saith few know it. See Rev. 2. 17. I am sure a con∣science standinginaw of the Almighty, & 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 & highest Lord Jesus: And my witness is in heaven, I saw neither pleasure nor profit nor honour to hook me or catch me in entring in prison for Christ, but the wind on my face for the present: & if I had loved to sleep in a whole skin with the ease & present delight that I saw on this side of sun & moon, I should have lived at ease in good hopes to fare as well as others. The Lord knoweth, I preferred preaching of Christ & still doe, to any thing next to Christ himself, & their new Canons took my one, my one joy from me, which was to me as the poor man's one eye that had no moe, & alas, there is little lodging in their heart for pity or mercy, to pluck out a poor man's one eye for a thing indifferent, id est, for knots of straws & things [as they mean] off the way to heaven. I desire not that my name take journey & goe a pilgrim to Cambridge, for fear I come in the ears of Authority: I am sufficiently burnt already. In the mean time be pleased to try if the Bishop of St Andrewes, & Glasgow, Galloway's Ordinary, will be pleased to abate from the heat of their wrath and let me goe to my charge. Few know the heart of a prisoner, yet I hope the Lord shall hew his own glory out of as knotty timber as I am. Keep Christ, my dear & worthy Lord: pretended paper-argu∣ments from angering the mother-Church that can reel & nod & stagger, are not of such weight as peace with the father & husband: let the wife gloom, I care not, if the husband laugh, Remember my service to my Lord your father, & Mother, & your Lady. Grace be with you.

Aberd. Jan. 24. 1637.

Yours at all obodience in Christ, S, R.

To his Reverend & dear Brother Mr ROBERT BLAIR. (172).

Reverend & dear Brother.

THe reason ye gave for your not writing to me, affecteth me much & 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 my self, O what penury doe I finde, and how feckless is my supposed stock, & how little have I! He to whom I am as crystal & who seeth through me & perceiveth the least mote that is in me, knoweth that I speak what I think & am convinced of: But men cast me through a gross & wide sieve: my very dear Brother, the 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 & sick one: His relation to me, is, that I am sick & He is the physician of whom I stand in need: Alas, how often play I fast & loose with Christ: He bindeth I loose, he buildeth I cast down, he t••immeth up a salvation for me & I mar it, I cast out with Christ & he agreeth with me again twenty times a day, I forfeit my Kingdom & heritage, I lose what I had; but Christ is at my back, and following on to stoop & take up that falleth from me: Were I in heaven & had the crown on my head, if Freewill were my tutour I should lose heaven; seeing I lose my self, what wonder I should let goe & lose Jesus my Lord: O well to me for evermore that I have cracked my credit with Christ, & cannot by law at all borrow from him upon my feckless & worthless bond & faith! for my faith & reputation with Christ, is, that I am a creature that God will not put any trust into; I was, & am bewildered with temptations, & wanted a guide to heaven. O what have I to say of that excellent, surpassing & supereminent thing they call The Grace of God, the way of free redemption in Christ! And when poor poor I, dead in law, was sold, fettered & im∣prisoned in Justice's closest ward, which is hell & damnation;

when I a wretched one lighted upon noble Iesus, eternally kinde Iesus, tender hearted Iesus, nay, when he lighted upon me first & 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 armie of the redeemed ones sit rent-free in heaven: Our holding is better then Blench: We are all Free-holders, & seeing our eternall feu∣duty is but thanks, Oh woefull me that I have but spilt thanks & broken, lame & miscarried praises to give him, & so my silver is not good & current with Christ, were it not that free merites have stamped it & washen it & me both! And for my silence, I see somewhat better through it now: If my high & lofty one, my princely & Royall Master say, Hold, hold thy peace, I lay bonds on thee thou speak none, I would fain be content, & 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 doe well to follow it: The camp in Christ's ordinary bed: A carried bed is kindly to the Beloved down in this lower house: It may be, & who knoweth but our Lord hath some Centurions ye are sent to: Seeing your angry mother denieth you lodging & house-room with her, Christ's call to unknown faces must be your second wind, seeing ye cannot have a first. O that our Lord would water again with a new visite this piece withered & dry hill of our widow-mount Zion! my Dear Brother, I will think it comfort if ye speak my name to our welbeloved: wherever ye are I am mindefull of you. O that the Lord would yet make the light of the moon in Scotland like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun seven fold brighter. For my self, as yet I have received no answer whither to goe: I wait on: O that Jesus had my love! Let matters frame as they list, I have some more to doe with Christ; yet I would fain we were nearer. Now, the great shepherd of the sheep, the very God of peace, esta∣blish & confirm you till the day of his coming.

Aberd. Sept. 9, 1637.

Yours in his lovely & sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Lady CARLETON. (173)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy and peace be to you: My soul longeth once again to be amongst you, & 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 waves seeth it expedient for his glory; I ow my Lord [I know] submission of spirit, suppose he should turn me into a stone or pillar o•• 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? How little am I [though my feathers stood out as broad as the morning ligh••] to such a high, to such a lofty, to such a never-enough admired & glorious Lord? My trials are heavy, b••cause of my sad sab∣baths; but I know they are less then my high provocations: I seek no more but that Christ may be the gainer and I the loser, that he may be raised and hightned, and I cryed down, and my worth made dust before his glory. Oh that Scot∣land, all with one shout, would cry up Christ, and that his name were high in this land! I finde the very utmost borders of Christ's high excellency and deep swe••tness heaven and earth's wonder. O what is he, if I could win in to see his inner side! Oh I am run d••y of loving and wondering and adoring of that greatest & most admirable one! Woe, woe is me I have not half-love for him! Alas what can my drop doe to his great sea! What gain is it to Christ that I have casten my little sparkle in his great fire! What can I give to him? Oh that I had love to fill a thousand worlds, that I might emptie my soul of it all upon Christ! I think I have now just reason to quite my part of any hope or love that I have to this scum and the refuse of the dross of God's work-man••hip, this vain earth: I ow to this

stormy world [whose kindness 〈◊〉〈◊〉. heart to me hath been made of iron, or of a piece of a wilde sea-Island, that never a creature of God yet lodged in] not a look: I ow it no love, no hope; & therefore Oh if my love were dead to it, & my soul dead to it! What am I obliged to this house of my pilgrimage? A straw for all that God hath made, to my soul's liking, except God & that lovely one Iesus Christ: Seeing I am not this world's debt∣er, I desire I may be striped of all confidence in any thing but my Lord, that he may be for me, & I for my onely, onely, onely Lord; that he may be the morning & evening-tide, the top & the root of my joyes, & the heart & flower & yolk of all my soul's delights. O let me never lodge any creature in my heart & confidence! Let the house be for him: I rejoyce that sad dayes cut off a piece of the lease of my short life, & that my shadow [even while I suffer] weareth long, & my evening hasteneth on: I have cause to love home with all my heart, & 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 am, in Christ's bosom, & betwixt his breasts: Our prison cannot be our best coun∣trey: This world looketh not like heaven & the happiness that our tired souls woul be at; & therefore it were good to seek about for the wind, & hoise up our sailes towards our new Jeru∣salem, for that is our best. Remember a prisoner to Christ. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his onely Lord & Master, S. R.

To my Lord CRAIGHALL. (174)

My Lord.

I Received one letter of your Lo: from C & another of late from A. B. wherein I finde your Lo: in perplexity what to doe: But let me entreat your Lo: not to cause your self mistake Truth & Christ, because they seem to encounter with your peace & ease: My Lord, remember that a prisoner ••ath 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 beautifull tab••rnacle of Christ in this land, & joyn hands with th••m in one hair-breadth to welcome Antichrist to Scotland, there is wrat•• gone out from the Lord against you & your house. If the terror of a King hath overtaken you, & your Lo: looketh to sleep in your nest in peace & to take the nearest shore, there are many wayes, too too many wayes how to shift Christ with some ill-washen and foul distinctions; but assure your self, suppose a King should as∣sure you he would be your God [as he shall never be, for that piece of service] your clay-god shall die and your carnall counsellers, when your conscience shall storm against you, & ye complain to them, they will say, What is that to us? Be∣leeve 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 black's and white's before our Judge, Eternity is nearer to you then ye are aware of: To goe on in a course of defection, when an enlightned conscience is stirring, & looking you in the face, & crying within you, That ye are going in an evil way, is, a step to the sin against the holy 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, & the King's high-way to salvation, I beleeve there is not a way at all: There is not such breadth and elbow-room in the way to heaven as men beleeve, Howbeit

this day be not Christ's, the morrow shall be his: I beleeve assuredly our Lord shall repair the old ••a••e places and his ruined house in Scotland; & this wilderness shall yet blossom as the rose. My very worthy & dear Lord, Wait upon him who hideth his face from the house of Jacob & look for him: wait patiently a little upon the bridegroom's return again, that your soul may live and ye may rejoyce with the Lord's in∣heritance: I dare pawnd my life and soul for it, if ye take this storm with bor••-down Christ, your skie shall quickly clear, & you•• fair morning dawn. Think [as the truth is] that Christ is just now saying, And will ye also leave me? Ye have a fair occasion to gratifie Christ now, if ye will stay with him, & want the night's sleep with your suffer∣ing Saviour one hour, now when Scotland hath fallen asleep and leaveth Christ to fend for himself. I profess my self 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 en∣counter, and I am little better yet; but since, I finde furni∣ture, armour and strength from the consecrated Captain, the Prince of our salvation, who was perfected though suffer∣ing, I esteem suffering for Christ a King's life: I finde that our wants qualifie us for Christ; & howbeit your Lo: write, ye despair to attain to such a communion & 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 recompense: Venture upon Christ's come, and I dare swear ye shall say as it is Psal: 16: 7. I bless the Lord who gave me counsel. My very worthy Lord, many eyes in both the kingdoms are upon you now, and the eye of our Lord is upon you, acquite your self manfully for Christ: Spill not this good play: Subscribe a blank submission, and put it in Christ's hands: Win, win the blessings and pray∣ers of your sighing and sorrowfull 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

past a promise to a King to make a slip to Christ [if we look to flesh & blood I wonder not of it, possibly. I might have done worse my self, but] adde not further guiltiness to goe on in such a scandalous and foul way: Remember that there is a wee, ••oe to him by whom offences come: This woe came out of Christ's m••ut••, and it is heavier then the woe of the Law: It is the Mediato••'s vengeance, & that is two vengeances to these who are enlightned: Free your self from unlawfull anguish about advising and resolving: When the truth is come to your hand, hold it fast, goe not again to make a new search and enquiry for truth: It is easie to cause consci∣ence beleeve as ye will, not as ye know: It is easie for you to cast your light into prison, and detain God's truth in un∣righteousn••ss; But that prisoner will break ward to your in∣comparable torture: Fear your light, and stand in aw of it, for it is from God: Think what honour it is in this life also to ••e ••nrolled to the succeeding ages amongst Christ's wit∣nesses, standing against the re-entry of Antichrist: I know certainly your light looking to two wayes, and to the two sides, cryeth shame upon the course that they would counsel you to follow: The way that is halfer and compartner with the smoke of this fat world & with ease, smelleth strong of a foul & false way. The Prince of peace, he who brought again from the dead, the great shepherd of his sheep, by the blood of the eternall covenant, establish you, and give you sound light, & counsel you to follow Christ. Remember my oblig∣ed service to my Lord your Father, & Mother, & your Lady. Grace be with you.

Aberd. Agust. 10. 1637,

Your Lo: at all obliged obedience in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JEAN GORDON. (175)

My very dear & loving Sister.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear from you: I exhort you to set up the brac to the King's city that must be taken with 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, & let the world 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? Give hours of the day to prayer: Fash Christ [If I may speak so] and im∣portune him, be often at his gate, give his door no rest; I can tell you he will be found: O what sweet fellowship is betwixt him and me! I am imprisoned, but he is not imprisoned: He hath shamed me with his kind∣ness: He hath come to my p••ison & run away with my heart & all my love: Well may he brooke it: I wish my love get never an owner but Christ: Fy, fy upon old lov∣ers that held us so long asunder! We shall not parr now: He & I shall be heard before he win out of my grips: I resolve to wrestle with Christ ere I quite him: But my love to him hath casten my soul in a fever, & there is no cooling of my fe∣ver till I get r••all possession of Christ: O strong, strong love of Jesus, thou hast wounded my heart with thine arrows! O pain! O pain of love io•• Christ! Who will help me to praise? Let me have your prayers. Grace be with you,

Aberd. March. 13. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To GRISSAL FULLERTON. (176)

Dear Sister.

I Exhorr you in the Lord to seek your one thing, Marie's good part that shall not be taken from you: Set your heart & soul on the Childrens inheritance: This clay-idol the world, is but for Bastards & ye are his lawfull begotten childe: Learn the way [as your dear mother hath hath gone before you] to knock at Christ's door: Many an almes of mercy hath Christ given to Her, & hath abundance behinde to give to you: Ye are the seed of the faithfull & 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 & unbolt my welbeloved's door, & he maketh a poor stanger welcome when he cometh to his house: I am swelled up & satisfied with the love of Christ that is better then wine: It is a fire in my soul; let hell & the world cast water on it, they will not mend themselves: I have now gotten the right gate of Christ: I recommend him to you above all things: Come & finde the smell of his breath: See if his kisses be not sweet: He desireth no better then to be much made of: Be homely with him & ye shall be the more welcome: Ye know not how fain Christ would have all your love. Think not this is imagi∣nations & bairns-play we make din for: I would not suffer for it if it were so: I dare pawnd my heaven for it, that it is the way to glory: Think much of truth, & abhorre these wayes devised by men in God's worship. The Grace of Christ be with you.

Aberd. March. 14. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To PATRICK CARSEN, (177)

Dear & loving friend.

I Cannot but upon the opportunity of a bearer exhort you to re••gn•• the love of your youth to Christ, & 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 necessa∣ry for you as Christ: And ye cannot be ignorant but your day will end, & the night of death will call you from the pleasures of this life, & a doom given out in death standeth for ever as long as God liveth. Youth ordinarily is a Post & ready servant for Satan to run errands; for it is a nest for lust, cursing, drunken∣ness, blaspheming of God, lying, pride & vanitie. O that there were such an heart in you as to fear the Lord, & to de∣dicate your soul & body to his service: When the time cometh that your eye-strings shall break, & your face wax pale, and legs & arms trem••le, & your breath grow cold, & your poor soul look out at you•• prison-hous•• of clay to be set at liberty; then a good conscience & your Lord's favour shall be worth all the world's glory: Seek it as your garland & crown. Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 14. 1636.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To JOHN CARSEN. (178)

My welbeloved & dear friend.

EVery one ••eeketh not God, & far fewer finde him, because they seek amiss: He is to be sought for above all things, if men would finde what they seek: Let feathers & shadows alone to children & goe seek your welbeloved: Your onely errand to the world, is, to wooe Christ; therefore put other lovers from about his house, & let Christ have all your love, without miniching or dividing it: It is little enough if there were more

of it: The serving of the world & sin hath but a base reward, & smoke in stead of pleatures, & but a night-dream for true case to the soul: Goe where ye will your soul shall not sleep sound but in Christ's bosom: Come in to him & lie down & rest you on the slain Son of God & enquire for him: I sought him, & now a fig for all the worm-eaten pleasures, & moth-eaten glo∣ry out of heaven, since I have found him, & in him all I can want or ••ish: He hath made me a King over the world: Princes cannot overcome me: Christ hath given me the marri∣age-kiss, & he hath my ma••••ing -love: We have made up a full bargain that shall not goe back on either side: O if ye and all in that countrey knew what sweet terms of mercy are betwixt him & me! Grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 11. 1637,

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To my Lady BOYD. [179]

MADAM.

I Would have written to your La: ere now, but peoples be∣leeving there is in me that which I know there is not, hath put me out of love with writing to any; for it is easie to put religion to a market & publick fair, but alas it is not so soon made eye∣sweet for Christ: My Lord seeth me a tired man far behinde: I have gotten much love from Christ, but I give him little or none again: My whiteside cometh out in paper to men, but at home & within, I finde much black work, & great cause of a low sail & of little boasting; & yet Howbeit I see challenges to be true, the manner of the Tempter's pressing of them is unhonest, & in my own thoughts knavish-like: My peace is, that Christ may finde sale & ••uting of his wares in the like of me, I mean for saving grace: I wish all professors to fall in love with Grace; All ou•• songs should be of his free-Grace: We are but too lazie and careless in seeking of it: It is all

our riches we have here, & glory in the bud: I wish I could set out ••ree Grace: I was the Law's man & under the Law, & under a curse; but Grace brought me from under that hard Lord, & I rejoyce that I am Grace's Free-holder: I pay tribute to none for heaven, seeing my land & 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 heaven then the old way that was in Adam's dayes: It hath this fair ad∣vantage that no man's emptiness & want layeth an inhibition upon Christ or hindereth his salvation: [& that is far best for me] but our new Land-Lord putteth the names of Dyvours & Adam's forlorn Heirs, & beggers & crooked & blinde in the free charters: Heaven & Angels may wonder that we have gotten such a gate of sin & hell: Such a back-entry out of hell as Christ made & brought out the captives by, is, more then my poor shallow thoughts can comprehend: I would think suffer∣ings, glory [& I am sometimes not far from it] if my Lord would give me a new almes of free grace. I hear that the Prelats are intending banishment for me; but for more grace, & no other hire, I would make it welcome: The bits of this clay-house, the earth, & 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 former∣ly: The sea is out, & the wind of his Spirit calm, & I can∣not buy a wind, or by requesting the sea cause it to flow again; onely I wait on, upon the banks & shore-side, till the Lord send a full sea, that with up-sailes I may lift up Christ: Yet sorrow for his absence is sweet, & sighes with Saw ye him whom my soul loveth, have their own delights: Oh that I might gather hunger against his long-looked for return! Well were my soul if Christ were the element, mine own element, & that I loved & breathed in him, & if I could not live without him: I allow not laughter upon my self when He is away; yet He never leaveth the house, but the leaveth drink-money behinde him, & a pawne that he will return: Woe, woe to me if he should goe away & 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 & care & languishing & sighes, either dry or wet as they may be, because he hath no leisure (if I may sp••a•• so) to make a visite, or to see a poor friend, sweetneth & refre••heth the thoughts of the heart: A mistie dew will stand for rain, & doe some good, & keep some greenness in the herbs, till our Lord's clouds ••ue upon the earth, & send down a water∣ing of rain: Truly I think Christ's mistie dew a welcome mes∣sage from heaven till my Lor••'s rain fall: Woe, woe is me for the Lord's vineyard in Scotland: Howbeit the Father of the house embrace a childe, & feed him & kiss him; yet it is sor∣row and sadness to the children, that our poor mother hath gotten her leave, & that our Father hath given up house: It is an unheartsom thing to see our Father & mother agree so ill, yet the Bastards if they be fed care not: O Lord cait not wa∣ter on Scotland's smoking coal. It is a strange gate the saints goe to heaven, our enemies often eat & drink us, & we goe to heaven through their bellies & stomacks, & they vomit the church of God undigested among their hands, & even while we are shut up in prisons by them, we advance in our j••urney. Remember my service to my Lord, your kinde Son, who was kinde to me in my bonds, & 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 sute him well to give Christ his young & green love: Christ's stamp and seal would goe 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 Grace of God our Father, & the goodwill of him who dwelt in the bush be with your La.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the Lady CARDONNESS ELDER. (180.)

Worthy & welbeloved in the Lord

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear from you in paper, that I may know how your soul prospereth: My desire & longing in, to hear that ye walk in the truth, & that ye are content to follow the despised, but most lovely Son of God: I cannot but recommend him unto you as your hus∣band, your welbeloved, your portion, your comfort & your joy: I speak this of that lovely one, because I praise & commend the foord [as we use to speak] as I finde it: He hath watered with his sweet comforts an oppressed prisoner: He was alwayes kinde to my soul, but never so kinde as now in my greatest extremittes: I dine & sup with Christ: He visiteth my soul with the visitations of love in the night-watches. I perswade my soul that this is the way to heaven, & his own Truth, I now suffer 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 your day draweth nigh to an end: Many slide back now, who seemed to be Christ's friends, & prove dishonest to him: But be ye faithfull to the death, & ye shall have the crown of life: This span-length of your dayes, whereof the Spirit of God speaketh, Psal. 39. will within a short time, come to a finger-breadth & at length to nothing: O how sweet & comfortable shall the feast of a good conscience be to you, when your eye-strings shall break, your face wax pale, & the breath turn cold, & your poor soul come sighing to the windows of the house of clay of your dying body, & shall long to be out, & to have the jaylor to open the door, that the prisoner may be set at liberty: Ye draw nigh the water-side, look your ac∣counts: Ask for your guide to take you to the other side: Let not the world be your portion; What have ye to doe with dead clay? Ye are not a bastard but a lawfull begotten childe; there∣fore set your heart on the inheritance; Goe up before hand

and see your lodging: Look through all your 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 kinde to the house ye are going to, & see it often: Set your heart on things that are above, where Christ is, at the right hand of God: Stir up your husband to minde his own countrey at home: Counsel him to deal mercifully with the poor people of God under him: They are Christ's & not his; therefore desire him to shew them mercifull dealing & kindness, & 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 dow, not, I doe not forget them: They'are my sighes in the night & my tears in the day: I think my self like an husband plucked from the wife of his youth: O Lord be my Judge what joy it would be to my soul to hear, that my ministery hath left the Son of God among them, & that they are walking in Christ! Remem∣ber my love to your Son and Daughtre: Desire them from me to seek the Lord in their youth, and to give him the morning of their dayes: Acquaint them with the word of God & prayer. Grace be with you. Pray for the prisoner of Christ: In my heart I forget you not.

Aberd. March. 6. 1637.

Your lawfull & loving Pastor, in his onely Lord Iesus, S. R.

To Mr. JAMES HAMILTON. (181)

Reverend & dearly beloved in our Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: Our acquaintance is nei∣ther in bodily presence, nor in paper, but as sons of the same father & 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 & imprisonment, is, If Iesus should reign over his Kirk or not?

Oh if my sinfull arm could hold the crown on his head, howbeit it should be striken off from the shoulder-blade. For your ensuing & feared trial, my very dearest in our Lord Iesus, Alas what am I to speak, to comfort a souldier of Christ, who hath done an hundred times more for that worthy & honourable cause then I can doe? But I know these whom the world was not worthy of, wandered up & down in deserts & in mountains & in dens & caves of the earth, & that while there is one mem∣ber 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 Ierusalem, which he will not fail to doe at last; for not one toe or finger of that body but it shall be take in with∣in the city. What can be our part in this pitched battel betwixt the Lamb & the Dragon? But to receive the darts in patience, that rebound off us on upon our sweet Master, or rather light first upon him & 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 & then lighteth upon our sinfull & black faces: When once the wind bloweth off him upon me, I think it hath a sweet smell of Christ, & so must besome more then a single cross. I know ye have a guard about you, & your attendance & train for your safety, is far beyond your pursuers force or fraud: It is good under feud to be near our war-house & strong hold: We can doe but little to resist them who persecut us & oppose him, but keep our blood & 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 doe in my bonds when now & 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, & emptie reed, let no man impute it to me that the free & unbought wind [for I gave nothing for it] bloweth upon an empty reed: I am his overburdened debter. I cry down with me, down, down with all the excellency of the world, & 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. O how glad would I be if his glory would grow out & spring up out of my bonds

& sufferings! Certainly since I became his prisoner, he hath won the yolk & heart of my soul: Christ is even become a new Christ to me & his love greener then it was, & now I strive no more with him, his love shall carry it away: I lay down my self under his love, I desire to sing & to cry & to proclaim my self even under the water, in his common, & eternally in∣debted to his kindness: I will not offer to quite commons with him [as we use to say] for 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, in the yonder side of crosses & beyond mens wrongs. I had but one eye & that they have put out: My one joy, next to the flower of my joyes, Christ, was to preach my sweetest, sweetest Master and the glory of his 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, & I am trying if a dumb man's tongue can raise one note or one of Zion's springs to advance my Welbeloved's glory: Oh if he would make some glory to himself out of a dumb prisoner! I goe with childe 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, adde to them praises: As I am able I pay you home. I commend your diving in Christ's Testa∣ment, I would I could set out the dead man's goodwill to his friends in his sweet Testament: Speak a prisoner's hearty com∣mendations to Christ: fear not, your ten dayes will over. These that are gathered against mount Zion, their eyes shall melt a∣way in their eye-holes and their tongues consume away in their mouthes, & 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.

Aberd. July. 7. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To MISTRESS STUART. [182]

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & 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 in the fire, I should melt away & 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's in me (as I dare not deny some of his work) it is but a spunk of borrowed fire that can scarce warm my self & hath little heat for standers by: I would sain have that which ye and others beleeve I have, but ye are onely witnesses to my utter side and to some words in paper. Oh that he would give me more then paper∣grace or tongue-grace! Were it not that want paineth me, I should have skailed house & gone a begging long since, but Christ hath left me with some hunger that is more hot then wise, & is ready often to say, If Christ longed for me as I doe for him, we should not be long in meeting, and if he loved my company aswell as I doe his, even while I am writing this letter to you, we should flee in other's arms: But I know there is more will then wit in this languor & pining love for Christ, & no marvel; for Christ's love would have hot harvest long ere mid-summer: But if I have any love to him, Christ hath both love to me & wit to guide his love: & I see, the best thing I have, hath as much dross beside it, as might curse me & it both; & if it were for no more, we have need of a Saviour to pardon the very faults and diseases & weakness of the new man, & to take away [to say so] our godly sins, or the sins of our sanctification & the dross & scum of spiritual love: woe, woe is me! O what need is there then of Christ's calling to scour & cleanse & wash away an ugly old body of sin, the very image of Satan! I know nothing surer then that there is an office for Christ among us: I wish for no other heaven in this side of the last sea, that I must cross, then 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: O what spots are yet unwashen! O that I could change the skin of the leopard and the Moor, and niffer it with some of Christ's fairness! Were my blackness & Christ's beauty carded through other [as we use to speak] his beauty & holiness would eat up my filthiness: But Oh I have not casten old Adam's hew & colour yet! I trow the best of us hath a smell yet of the old loathsom body of sin & guiltiness: Happy are they for evermore who can employ Christ & set his blood & death on work, to make clean work to God, of foul souls: I know, it is our sin, that we would have sanctification on the sunny side of the the hill, & holiness with nothing but summer, & no crosses at all: Sin hath made us as tender as if were made of paper or glass. I am often thinking what I would think of Christ & burning quick together, of Christ & tor∣turing & hot melted lead poured in at mouth & navel: yet I have some weak experience [but very weak indeed] that suppose Christ & hell's torments were married together & if there were no finding of Christ at all, except I went to hell's furnace, that there & in no other place I could meet with him, I trow, if I were as I have been since I was his prisoner, I would beglodging for God's sake in hell, hottest furnace, that I might rub souls with Christ: But God be thanked I shall finde him in a better lodging: We get Christ better cheap then so, when he is rouped to us, we get him but with a shower of summer∣troubles in this life, as sweet & as soft to beleevers as a May-dew. I would have you & my self helping Christ mystical to weep for his wife, & O thatf we could mourn for Christ buried in Scot∣land, & for his two slain witnesses killed, because they prophe∣sied! If we could so importune & solicit God, our buried Lord & his two buried witnesses should rise again: Earth & clay and stone will nto bear down Christ & the Gospel in Scot∣land. I know not if I will see the second temple & 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 & love be on the home-co∣mer. I finde no better use of suffering then that Christ's win∣nowing putteth chaff & 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 & this is yours: The scum & the grounds, thy stomack against the perse∣cuters, thy impatience, thy unbelief, thy quarreling, these are thine: And faith, on-waiting, love, joy, courage, are mine. Oh let me die one of Christ's on-waiters & one of his attendants: I know your heart & Christ are married together, it were not good to make a divorce: Rue not of that meet∣ing & marriage with such a husband: Pray for me his prisoner. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To Mr HUGH Mc KAILL. (183)

Reverend & dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter, I bless you for it: My dry root would take more dew & sum∣mer-rain then it getteth, were it not Christ will have driness & deadness in us to work upon: If there were no timber to work upon, art would die & never be seen: I see, grace hath a field to play upon & to course up & down in our wants, so that I am often thanking God, not for guiltiness, but for guil∣tiness for Christ to whet & sharpen his grace upon: I am half content to have boils for my Lord Jesus's plaisters: sick∣ness hath this advantage that it draweth our sweet Physician's hand & his holy & soft fingers to touch our withered & leper skins: it is a blessed fever that fetcheth Christ to the bed-side: I think my Lord's How doest thou with it, sick body? Is worth all my pained nights: Surely I have no more for Christ but emptiness & want; take or leave, he will get me no other wise. I must sell my self & my wants to him, but I have no price to give for him: If he would put a fair & a real seal upon his love to me, & 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 it self] I should goe on sighing & singing under his cross: But the worst is, many take me for some-body, because the wind bloweth upon a withered prisoner: But the truth is, I am both lean and thin in that wherein many beleeve I abound. I would [if bartering were in my power] niffer joy with Christ's love & faith, & in stead of the & hot sun∣shine, becontent to walk under a cloudy shadow with more grief & sadness, to have more faith & a fair occasion of setting forth & commending Christ, & to make that lovely One, that fair One, that sweetest and dearest Lord Jesus, market-sweet for many ears & hearts in Scotland: and if it were in my power to roup Christ to the three Kingdoms & withall to perswade buyers to come, and to take such sweet wares as Christ, I would thin•• to have many sweet bargains betwixt Christ & the sons of men. I would I could be humble & goe with a low sail, I would I had desires with wings & running upon wheels, swift & active & speedy in longing for Christ's honour: But I know my Lord is as wise here, as I dow be thirsty, & infinitely more zealous of his honour then I can be hungered for the manifestation of it to men & angels: But Oh that my Lord would take my desires off my hand, & adde a thousand-fold more unto them, and sowe spiritual inclinations upon them, for the coming of Christ's Kingdom to the sons of men, that they might be higher and deeper & longer & broader! For my longest measures are too short for Christ, my depth is ebbe, & the breadth of my affections to Christ narrow & pinched. Oh for an ingine & a wit to prescribe wayes to men how Christ might be all, in all the world! Wit is here behinde affection, & affection behinde obligation. Oh how little dow I give to Christ: and how much hath he given me! Oh that I could sing grace's praises, & love's praises! Seeing I was like a fool, solisting the Law & making moyen to the Law's court for mercy, & found chal∣lenges that way; but now I deny that Judge's power; for I am 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 & terrours. I praise the new court, & the new Land-lord, & the new Salvation pur∣chased

in Jesus his name & at his instance: Let the old man, if he please, goe make his moan to the Law & seek acquain∣tance thereaway, because he is condemned in that Court: I hope, the new man & I, & Christ together shall not be heard: and this is the more soft and the more easie way for me & for my cross together: Seeing Christ singeth my welcome-home, and taketh me in & maketh short counts & short work of reckoning betwixt me & my Judge, I must be Christ's man & his Tennant & subject to his Court: I am sure, suffering for Christ could not be born otherwise: But I give my hand & my faith to all who would suffer for Christ, they shall be well handled & fare well in the same way, that I have found the cross easie & light. Grace be with you.

Aberd. July. 8. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To ALEXANDER GORDON. Of Garlock. (184)

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: If Christ were as I am, that time could work upon him to alter him, or that the morrow could be a new day to him, or bring a new minde upon him, as it is to me a new day, I could not keep a house or a cove∣nant with him: But I finde Christ to be Christ, & that he is far, far, even infinite heavens height above man: And that is all our happiness. Sinners can doe 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, & make deaths that he may quicken them, & spin out & dig hells to themselves that he may ransom them: Now I will bless the Lord that ever there was such a thing as the free Grace of God & a free ransom given for sold souls: Onely, alas guiltiuess mak∣eth me ashamed to apply Christ, & to think it pride in me to put out my unclean & 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 a shore upon Christ:

Suppose once I be guilty, need force I cannot, I dow not goe by Christ: We take in good part that pride, that beggers beg from the richer: & who is so poor as we, & who is so rich as he who selleth fine gold, Rev. 3: 18. I see then, it is our best [let guiltiness plead what it listeth] that we have no mean un∣der the covering of heaven but to creep in lowly & submissively with our wants to Christ: I have also cause to give his cross as good name & report. O how worthy is Christ of my feckless & light suffering, & how hath he deserved it at my hands, that for his honour & glory I should lay my back under seven hells pain in one, if he call me to that! but alas my soul is like a ship run on ground through ebbeness of water: I am sanded, and and my love is sanded: I finde 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: woe, woe is me, I have a lover Christ, & yet I want love for him: I have a lovely & desirable Lord who is love∣worthy, & who beggeth my love & heart & I have nothing to give him. Dear Brother, come further in on Christ & see a new treasure in him: come in & look down & see Angels won∣der, & heaven & earth's wonder of love, sweetness, majesty & excellency in him. I forget you not, pray for me that our Lord would be pleased to send me among you again, fraughted & full of Christ. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To JOHN BELL Elder. (185)

My very loving friend

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I have very often & long expected your letter, but if ye be well in soul & body I am the less solicitous: I beseech you in the Lord Jesus to minde your country above, & now when old age, the twilight going be∣fore the darkness of the grave, & the falling low of your sun be∣fore your night, is now come upon you, advise with Christ ere ye put your foot in the ship & turn your back on this life: Many are

beguiled with this, that they are tree of scandalous & crying abo∣minations; but the tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is for the fire: the man that is not born again cannot enter into the king∣dom of God: common 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 terrours of God in their soul or a sore heart for sin: I know the Lord hath given you light & the knowledge of his will, but that is not all, neither will that doe your turn: I wish you an awakned soul, & that ye be∣guile not your self in the matter of your salvation. My dear Brother, search your self with the candle of God, & try if the life of God & Christ be in you: Salvation is not casten to every man's door: Many are carried over see & land to a far countrey in a ship, whileas they sleep much of all the way: but men are not landed at heaven sleeping: The righteous are scarcily saved, and many run as fast as either ye or I, who miss the prize and the crown: God send me salva∣tion, and save me from a disappointment, and I seek no more: Men think it but a stryde or a step over to heaven, but when so few are saved, even of a mumber like the sand of the sea, but a handfull & a remnant (as God's word saith) what cause have we to shake our selves out of our selves & to ask our poor soul, whether goest thou? where shalt thou lodge at night? Where are thy charters and writes of thy heavenly inheritance? I have known a man turn a key in a door & lock it by: Many men leap over [as they think] & leap in. O see! see that ye give not your salvation a wrong cast, & think all is well & leave your soul loose & uncertain: look to your building, & to your ground∣stone, & what signes of Christ are in you, & set this world be∣hinde your back: It is time now in the evening, to cease from your ordinary work, & high time to know of your lodging at night: It is your Salvation that is in dependence, & that is a great & weighty business, though many make light of the mat∣ter. Now, the Lord enable you by his grace to work it out.

Aberd. 1637.

Your lawfull and loving Pastor, S. R.

To WILLIAM GORDON Of Robertovvn. (186)

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: So often as I think on our case in our souldiers night-watch, & of our sighting life in the fields, while we are here: I am forced to say, prisoners in a dun∣geon condemned by a judge, to want the light of the sun and moon & candle, till their dying day, are no more, nay not so much to be pitied as we are; for they weary of their life, they hate their prison: But we fall to in our prison, where we see little, to drink our selves drunk with the night-pleasures of our weak dreams, & we long for no better life then this; but at the blast of the last trumpet, & the shout of the Archangel, when God shall take down the shepherd's tent of this fading world, we shall not have somuch as a drink of water of all the dreams that we now build on. Alas that the sharp & bitter blasts on face & sides which meet us in this life, have not learned us mortifi∣cation, & made us dead to this world! We buy our own sorrow, & we pay dear for it, when we spend out our love, our joy, our desires, our confidence upon an handfull of snow & ice that time will melt away to nothing, & go thirstie out of the drunk∣en Innes when all is done: Alas that we enquire not for the clear fountain; but are so foolish as to drink foul muddy & rotten wa∣ters even till our bed-time; & then in the resurrection when we shall be awakned, our yesternight's sowre drinke & swinish dregs shall rift up upon us, and sick, sick shall many a soul be then: I know no wholesom fountain but one: I know not a thing worth the buying but heaven: And my own minde is, if com∣parison were made betwixt Christ & heaven, I would sell heaven with my blessing & buy Christ. Oh if I could raise the market for Christ, & heighten the market a pound for a penny, & cry up Christ in mens estimation ten thousand talents more then

men think of him! But they are shaping him & crying him down & valuing him at their unworthy half-penny, or else ex∣changing & bartering Christ with the miserable old fallen house of this vain world, or then they lend him out upon interest & play the usurers with Christ: Because they profess him & give out before men that Christ is their treasure & stock, & in the mean time, praise of men, & a name, & case, & the summ∣mer-sun of the Gospel is the usury they would be at, so when the trial cometh, they quite the stock for the interest & loose all: Happy are they who can keep Christ by himself alone, and keep him clean and whole till God come & 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, & cast them by hand as we doe old clothes: We may make a cross old in time, new in use, & as fruitfull as in the beginning of it: God is where and what he was seven years agoe, what ever 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 your self in this sleepy age, & remember fruitfully of Christ's first wooing and suiting of your love both with fire & water, & try if he got his answer, or if ye be yet to give him it: For I finde in my self that water run∣neth not faster through a sieve, then our warnings slip from us; for I have lost & casten by hands many summonds the Lord sent to me, & 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, that he may save me from this perishing world: how plentifull God is in means of this kinde is esteemed by many, one of God's unkinde mercies; but Christ's cross is neither a cruel nor unkinde mercy, but the love-token of a father. I am sure a lover chasing us for our well & to have our love, should not be run away from or fled. God send me no worse mercy then the sanctified cross of Christ portendeth, & I am sure I should be happy & blest. Pray for me that I may finde house-room in

the Lord's house to speak in his name. Remember my dearest love in Christ to your wife. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1636.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To my Lady BOYD. (187)

MADAM.

GRace, mercy & peace from God our father & from our Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied upon you. I have reasoned with your son at large, I rejoyce 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 souldiers and shall not be able to doe for himself. Madam, our debts of obligation to Christ are not small, the freedom of grace & sal∣vation is the wonder of man 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 in his white's, & the Idolatry and Apostacy of the time well washen with fair pretences, but the skin is black & the water foul: It were art, I confess, to wash a black Devil and make him white. I am in strange up's & down's, & seven times a day I lose ground, I am put often to swimming, and a∣gain my feet are set on the rock that is higher then my self: He hath now let me see 4 Things I never saw before 1. The supper will be great chear that is up in the great hall with the royal King of glory, when the four-hours, the standing drink in this driery wilderness is so sweet: When he bloweth a kiss a far off to his poor heart broken mourners in Zion, and sendeth me but his hearty commendations till we meet, I am con∣founded 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 sinfull cheeks of poor sinners.

O time, time, goe swiftly & hasten that day! Sweet Lord Jesus post, come flying like a young Hart or a Roe upon the mountains of separation. I think we should tell the hours carefully & look often how low the sun is: For love hath no ho, it is pained, pained in it self, till it come in grips with the party beloved. 2. I finde Christ's absence love's sickness & love's death: The wind that bloweth out of the airth where my Lord Jesus reigneth, is sweet-smelled, soft, joyfull, & heartsom to a soul burnt with absence. It is a painfull battel for a soul sick of love to fight with absence & delayes: Christ's not yet, is a stounding of all the joynts & liths of the soul: a nod of his head when he is under a mask would be half a pawne: to say, fool, what aileth thee? He is coming, would be life to a dead man. I am often in my dumb sabbaths seeking a new plea with my Lord Jesus, God forgive me: & I care not, if there be not two or three ounce weight of black wrath in my cup. For the 3 Thing, I have seen my abomina∣ble vileness: If I were well known there would none in this Kingdom ask how I doe: Men take my ten to be an hundred, but I am a deeper hypocrite & shallower professour then every one beleeveth, God knoweth I feigne not: But I think, my reckonings on the one page written in great letters, & his mercy to such a forlorn & wretched Dyvour on the other, more then a miracle. If I could get my finger ends upon a full assurance, I trow I should grip fast: But my cup wanteth not gall, & upon my part despair might be almost excused, if every one in this land saw my inner side: But I know I am one of them who have made great sale & a free market to free grace: If I could be saved, as I would fain beleeve, sure I am I have given Christ's blood, his free grace & the bowels of his mercy, a large field to work upon, & Christ hath manifested his art [I dare not say, to the uttermost; for he can, if he would, for∣give all the Devils & damned reprobates in respect of the wide∣ness of his mercy] I say, to an admirable degree. 4. I am striken with fear of unthankfulness: This Apostate Kirk hath played the harlot with many lovers; they are spitting in the face of my lovely King and mocking him and I

dow not mend it, & they are running away from Christ in troops, and I dow not mourn & be grieved for it: I think Christ lieth like an old forecasten castle forsaken of the inhabi∣tants, all men run away now from him: Truth, innocent Truth goeth mourning & wringing her hands in sackcloth & ashes. Woe, woe, woe is me, for the virgin-daughter of Scotland: Woe, woe to the inhabitants of this land, for they are gone back with a perpetual backsliding: 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 lovers & dear acquain∣tance & my poor flock,] finde no room in my sorrow: I have no spare of odde sorrow for these: Onely 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, then my closed mouth: But let me be miserable my self alone, God keep my dear bre∣thren from it: But still I keep breath, & when my royal and never, never-enough praised King returneth to his sinfull pri∣soner, I ride upon the high places of Iacob, I divide Shechem, I triumph in his strength: If this Kingdom would glorifie the Lord in my behalf, I desire to be weighed in God's even bal∣lance in this point, if I think not my wages payed to the full: I shall crave no more hire of Christ. Madam, pity me in this, & help me to praise him: For what ever I be, the chief of sinners, a devil & a most guilty devil, yet it is the apple of Christ's eye, his honour & glory as the head of the church, that I suffer for now, & that I will goe 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 La: and your children have a prisoner's prayers. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. May. 1. 1637.

Your La: at all obedience in Christ, S. R.

To Mr THOMAS GARVEN. (188.)

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I rejoyce that ye can∣not be quite of Christ [if I may speak so] but he must, he will have you: Betake your self to Christ, my dear Brother: It is a great business to make quite of superfluities & of these things which Christ cannot dwell with. I am content with my own cross, that Christ hath made mine by an eternal lot, because it is Christ's & mine together. I marvel not that winter is with∣out 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 & the high sun & the fair garden & the King's great citie up above these visible heavens! What God layeth on, let us suffer: For some have one cross, some seven, some ten, some half a cross, yet all the saints have whole & full ioy, & seven crosses have seven ioyes. Christ is cumbred with me [to speak so] & my cross, but he falleth not off me, we are not at variance. I finde the very glooms of Christ's wooing a soul, sweet & lovely: I had rather have Christ's buffet and love-stroke then 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 in heaven and earth to ex∣toll him! I wish his praises goe not down amongst us: Let not Christ be low & lightly esteemed in the midst of us, but let all hearts & all tongues cast in their portion & contribute some∣thing to make him great in mount Zion. Thus recommending you to his grace, & remembring my love to your wife & mo∣ther & your kinde brother R. & entreating you to remember my bonds, I rest.

Aberd. Sept. 8. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the Laird of MONCRIEFE. (189)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: Although not acquaint, yet at the desire of your worthy sister, the Lady Ley's, & upon the report of your kindness to Christ & his oppressed truth, I am bold to write to you, earnestly desiring you to joyn with us [so many as in these bounds profess Christ] to wrestle with God one day of the week, especially the Wedensday, for mercy to this fallen & decayed Kirk, and to such as suffer for Christ's name, & for your own necessities & the necessities of others who are by covenant engaged in that business: For we have no other armour in these evil times but prayers, now when wrath from the Lord is gone out against this back-sliding land: for ye know we can have no true publike fasts, neither are the true caus∣es 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 publike to bear Christ's name before men, when the great men think Christ a cumbersom neighbour and that religion carrieth hazards, trials & persecutions with it. I per∣swade my self, it is your glory & your garland & shall be your joy in the day of Christ, & the standing of your house & seed to inherit the earth, that ye truly & sincerely profess Christ: Neither is our King, whom the father hath crowned in mount Zion, so weak, that he cannot doe for himself & his own cause. I ve∣rily beleeve, 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 all the land to follow him. It is wisdom now to take up and discern the devil & the Antichrist coming out in their whites, & the Apostacy & Idolatry of this land washen with foul

water: I confess it is art to wash the Devil till his skin be white: For my self, 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 sor∣row hath not eyes to read love written upon the cross of Christ, & therefore I pass from my rash plea: Woe, woe is me that I should have received a slander of Christ's love to my soul: & for all this, my Lord Jesus hath forgiven all, as not willing to be heard with such a fool, & is content to be as it were confined with me & to bear me company & to feast a poor oppressed pri∣soner. And now I write it under my hand, Worthy Sir, that I think well & honourably of this cross of Christ: I wonder that he will take any glory from the like of me: I finde that when he but sendeth his hearty commendations to me, & but bloweth a kiss afar off, I am confounded with wondering what the supper of the Lamb will be, up in our father's dining-palace of glory, since the four-hours in his dismall wilderness, & when in pri∣sons & in our sad dayes a kiss of Christ is so comfortable, O how sweet & glorious shall our case be, when that fairest among the sons of men shall lay his fair face to our now sinfull faces, & wipe away all tears from our eyes! O Time, Time, run swiftly & hast∣en that day! O sweet Lord Jesus, come flying like a roe or a young hart! Alas that we blinde fools are fallen in love with moon-shine & 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. Oh if I had help to praise him! He knoweth if my sufferings glori∣fie his name, & encourage others to stand fast for the honour of our supream Law-giver Christ, my wages then are payed to the full. Sir, help me to love that never-enough praised Lord. I finde now that the faith of the saints under suffering for Christ is fair before the wind & with full sails carried upon Christ, & I hope to lose nothing in this furnace but dross; for Christ can triumph in a weaker man then I am, if there be any such: And when all is done, his love paineth me & leaveth me under such debt to Christ as I can neither pay principal nor interest. Oh

if he would comprize my self, & if I were sold to him as a bond-man, & that he would take me home to his house & 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 in patience to wait on, & to lie upon the brink till the water fill & flow: I know he is fast coming. Sir, ye will excuse my boldness, & till it please God I see you, ye have the prayers of a prisoner of Christ, to whom I recommend you & in whom I rest.

Aberd. May, 14. 1637.

Yours at all obedience in Christ, S. R.

To JOHN CLARK. (190.)

Loving Brother.

HOld fast Christ without wavering, & contend for the faith, because Christ is not easily gotten nor kept: The lazie professour hath put heaven [as it were] at the very next door, & thinketh to flye up to heaven in his bed and in a night-dream; but truly that is not so easie a thing as most men beleeve: Christ himself did sweat ere he won this city, howbeit he was the free∣born Heir. It is Christianity, My heart, to be sincere, unfeign∣ed, honest & upright-hearted before God, & to live & serve God, suppose there were 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 & true: Ye may put a difference betwixt you and reprobats if ye have these markes. 1. If ye prize Christ & his truth so, as ye will sell all & buy him & suffer for it. 2. If the love of Christ keepeth you back from sinning more then the Law or fear of hell. 3. If ye be humble, & deny your own will, wit, credit, ease, honour, the world & the vainity & glory of it. 4. Your profession must not be barren & void of good works. 5. Ye must in all things aime 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 your self an enemy to sin, and reprove the works of darkness, such as drunkenness, swearing & lying, albeit the company should hate you for doing so. 7. Keep in minde the truth of God that ye heard me teach, and have no∣thing to doe with the corruptions and new guises entred into the house of God. 8. Make conscience of your calling, in cove∣nants, in buying & selling. 9. Acquaint your self with daily praying, commit all your wayes & actions to God by prayer, supplication & thank giving, and count not much of being mocked; for Christ Jesus was mocked before you. Perswade your self that this is the way of peace and comfort I now suffer for, I dare goe to death & in to eternity with it, though men may possibly seek another way. Remember me in your prayers, & the state of this oppressed Church. Grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Your soul's Well-wish∣er. S. R.

To CARDONNESS Elder. (191)

Much honoured Sir.

I long to hear how your soul prospereth: I wonder that ye write not to me, for the holy Ghost beareth me witness, I cannot, I dare not, I dow not forget you, nor the souls o these with you, who are redeemed by the blood of the greaf Shepherd: Ye are in my heart in the night watches, ye are my•• joy & crown in the day of Christ: O Lord bear witness, if my soul thirsteth for any thing out of heaven, more then for your salvation: Let God lay me in an even ballance & try me in this. Love heaven let your heart be on it: Up, up & visit the new land & view the fair city & the white throne & the Lamb, the bride's husband, in his bridegroom's clothes sitting on it: It were time your soul should cast it self & all your burdens upon Christ. I beseech you by the wounds of your Redeemer, & by your compearance before him & by the salvation of your

soul, lose no more time, run fast for it is late: God hath sworn by himself who made the world and time, that time shall be no more, Rev. 10 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 & delivered unto you the whole counsel of God, & I have stood before the Lord for you, & I shall yet still stand: awake, awake to doe righteously: Think not to be eased of the burthens & debts that are on your house, by oppressing any or being rigorous to these that are under you: remember how I endeavoured to walk before you in this matter as an example: behold here am I, wit∣ness against me, before the Lord & his Anointed, whose ox or whoseass have I taken? Whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Who knoweth how my soul feedeth upon a good conscience, when I remember how I spent this body in feeding the lambs of Christ? At my first entry hither, I grant, I took a stomack against my Lord, because he had casten me over the dike of the vineyard as a dry tree, & would have no more of my service: My dumb sabbaths broke my heart, and I would not be comforted: but now he whom my soul love this 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 hath taught me in Aberden by six moneths imprisonment. I charge you in Christ's name help me to praise & shew that people & countrey, 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 then before, what it is to be crucified to the world: I would not now give a drink of cold water for all the world's kindness: I ow no service to it: I am not the flesh's debter: My Lord Jesus hath dâted his prisoner, & hath thoughts of love concerning me: I would not exchange my sighs with the laughing of my adver∣saries. Sir, I write this to inform you, that ye may know it is the truth of Christ I now suffer for, & he hath sealed nay sufferings with the comforts of his spirit on my soul, & I know

he putteth not his seal upon blank paper. Now, Sir, I have no comfort earthly, but to know that I have espoused, and shall pre∣sent 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 & see what ye have to render back again, ye cannot be enough perswaded of the shortness of your time: I charge you to write to me, & in the fear of God be plain with me, whether or no ye have made your salvation sure, I am confident & hope the best, but I know your reckonings with your Judge are many and deep. Sir, be not beguiled, neglect not your one thing [Philip. 3, 13] your one necessary thing [Luke 10: 42] the good part that shall not be taken from you. Look beyond time: things here are but moon-shine, they have but Childrens wit who are delighted with shadows & deluded withfeathers flying in the air. Desire your children in the morn∣ing of their life to begin & seek the Lord, & to remember their Creator in the dayes of their youth [Eccles. 12: 1.] to cleanse their way by taking heed thereto according to God's word [Ps. 119: 9.] youth is a glassy age: Satan findes a swept chamber [for the most part] in youth-hood, & a garnished lodging for himself & 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, & that this life is nothing in comparison of eternity: They will have much need of God's conduct in this world, to guide them by these rocks upon which most men split; but far more need when it cometh to the hour of death & their compear∣ance before Christ. O that there were such a heart in them to fear the name of the great & dreadfull God, who hath laid up great things for these that love & fear him! I pray that God may be their portion. Show others of my parishoners, that I write to them my best wishes and the blessings of their lawfull Pastor: Say to them from me, that I beseech them by the bow∣els of Christ, to keep in minde the Doctrine of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which I taught them; that so they may lay hold on eternal life, striving together for the faith of the Gospel, & making sure salvation to themselves: Walk in love & doe righ∣teousness: seek peace, love one another, wait for the coming of our

Master & Judge: Receive no doctrine contrary to that which I delivered to you: If ye fall away & forget it & that Catechisme which I taught you, & so forsake your own mercy, the Lord be judge betwixt you & me, I take heaven & earth to witness, that such shall eternally perish; but if they serve the Lord, great will their reward be, when they & I shall stand before our Judge. Set forward up the mountain to meet with God: climb up, for your Saviour calleth on you. It may be, God call you to your rest when I am far from you, but ye have my love & the desires of my heart for your souls wel-fare. He that is holy, keep you from falling & establish you, till his own glori∣ous appearance.

Aberd. 1637.

Your affectionat & lawfull Pastor, S. R.

To CARDONNESS Younger. (192.)

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 minde, & make you ready for meeting the Lord. I have often summoned you, & now I summond you again, to compear before your Judge, to make a reckoning of your life: while ye have Time, look upon your papers & consider your wayes: O that there were such an heart in you, as to think what an ill conscience will be to you, when yeare upon the border of eternity, & 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, & consider the necessity of salvation: & tell me [in the fear of God] if ye have made it sure: I am perswaded ye have a con∣science that will be speaking somewhat to you: Why will ye die & destroy yourself? I charge you in Christ's name to rouze

up your conscience, & begin to indent & contract with Christ in time while salvation is in your offer: This is the accepted time, this is the day of salvation: play the marchant, 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, fulfill my joy, & begin to seek the Lord while he may be found: Forsake the follies of deceiving & vain youth: Lay hold upon eternall life: Whoring, night-drinking, & mispending of the sabbath, & neglecting of prayer in your house, & refusing of an offered salvation, will burn up your soul with the terrours of the Almighty, when your awak∣ened conscience shall flee in your face. Be kinde & 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 your father's 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∣living creature, under the law of time; within less then fifty yeers, when ye look back to it, ye shall laugh at the evanishing vanities thereof, as feathers flying in the air, and at 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 a trial of Christ, look unto him & his love shall so change you, that ye shall be taken with him & never chuse to goe 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 & tears with the laughing of the fourteen Prelats: 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 & spilt- resolutions, but to it, & to it again: Wooe 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, & 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 dayes, & if ye turn aside after the fashions of this world, & if ye goe not in time to the kirk to wait on the publike worship of God, & if ye tarry not at it, till all the exercises of religion be ended: Give God some of your time both morning & evening & afternoon, & in so doing, rejoyce the heart of a poor oppressed prisoner. Rue upon your own soul, & 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 eternall Covenant, establish your heart with his grace, & present you before his presence with joy.

Aberd. 1637.

Your affectionat & loving Pastor, S. R.

To CARLETOWN. (193)

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 grow∣eth in his kindess: It hath pleased his holy Majesty to take me from the pulpit & teach me many things in my exile & prison that were mysteries to me before: As, 1. I see his bottomless & boundless love & kindness, & my jealousies & ravings, which at my first entry into this furnace were so foolish & bold, as to say to Christ, who is truth it self, in his face, thou liest. I had well nigh lost my grips: I wondered if it was Christ or not, for the mist & smoke of my perturbed heart, made me mistake my Mas∣ter Jesus: My faith was dim & hope frozen & cold, & my love which caused jealousies, it had some warmness & heat & smoke but no flame at all: yet I was looking for some good of Christ's old claim to me: I thought I had forfeited all my rights, but the tempter was too much upon my counsels & was still blowing the coal: Alas I knew not well before how good skill my Intercessor and advocate, Christ, hath of pleading, and pardoning me such follies: Now he is returned to my soul with healing under his wings, and I am nothing behinde

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 man∣ner he was challenging his unkindness & repented him of his glooms, & 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. I am now brought to some mea∣sure of submission, and I resolve to wait till I see what my Lord Jesus will doe with me: I dare not now nick name or speak one word against the all-seeing & 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, & to sleep still till my gray hairs, and to lie on the sunny side of the mountain in my ministery at Anwoth: But now I have nothing to say against a borrowed fire-side & another man's house, nor Kedars tents where I live, being removed far from my ac∣quaintance, my lovers & my friends: I see God hath the world on his wheels & casteth it as a potter doeth a vessel on the wheel: I dare not say that there is any inordinat or irregular motion in Providence; The Lord hath done it, I will not goe to law with Christ, for I would again nothing of that. 3. I have learned some greater mortification & 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 banquettor who is not for common chear. What have I to doe to fall down upon my knees & worship mankind's great idol, The World? I have a better God then any clay-God; Nay, at present as I am now disposed, I care not much to give this world a discharge of my life-rent of it, for bread & water: I know it is not my home, nor my father's house; it is but his foot∣stool, the outer clo••ster of his house, his out-field & moor∣ground: Let bastards take it, I hope never to think my self in it's common for honour or riches, nay now, I say to laughter, Thou art madness. 4. I finde it most true, that the greatest temp•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is to live without temptations

if my waters should stand, they would rot: Faith is the better of the free air, & of the sharp winter-storm in it's 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, & when I have him to seek seven times a day. I am a dry & withered branch & a piece of a dead carcase, dry bones & not able to step over a straw: The thoughts of my old sins are as the summonds of death to me: And of late my Brother's case hath striken me to the heart; when my wounds are closing, a little rifle, causeth them to bleed afresh: So thin-skin'd 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 of the prize, if his grace were not sufficient for me. Woe's me for the day of Scotland, Woe, woe is me for my harlot-mother; for the decree is gone forth: women of this land shall call the childless & miscarrying wombs blessed: The anger of the Lord is gone forth & shall not return till he perform the purpose of his heart against Scotland: Yet he shall make Scotland a new sharp instrument having teeth to thresh the mountains & fan the hills as chaff. The prisoners blessing be upon you.

Aberd. March. 14. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the Lady BUSBIE. (194)

MTSTRESS.

I Know ye are thinking sometimes what Christ is doing in Zion, & that the haters of Zion may get the bottom of our cup & the burning coals of our furnace, that we have been tryed in these many yeers by gone. O that this Nation would be awakened to cry mightily unto God, for the setting up of a

new ••abernacle to Christ in Scotland. O if this Ki••gdom kne•• how worthy Christ were of his room! His worth wa•• eve•• above man's ••stimation of him: And for my self I a•• pained at the heart, that I cannot finde my self disposed to leav•• myself & goe wholly in to Christ: Alas that there should b•• o••e bit o•• me out of him, and that we leave too much liberty and la∣titude for our selves, and our own ease, and credit, & plea∣sures; & so little room for All-love-worthy Christ! O what pains & charges it costeth Christ ere he get us, & when all is done we are not worth the having: It is a ••ond••r that he should seek the like of us, but love overlooketh blacknes and ••ecklesness; for if it had not been so, Christ would never have made so fair & blessed a bargain with us, as the covenant of Grace is. I finde that in all our sufferings, Christ is but ••iddi••g marches, that every one of us may say, Mine & T••ine, and that men may know by their crosses, how weak a bottom nature is to stand under a trial; that then, which our Lord intendeth in all our sufferings, is, to bring Gra••e in ••••uit a••d r••qu••st amongst us: I would succumb and ••••me sho••t of hea en, if I had no more but my own strength to s••pport me, and if Christ should say to me, Eit••••r doe or die, it were easie to de∣termine what should become of me, the ch••ice were easie, for I b••hooved to die, if Christ should passe by wit•• strai••ned bowel▪ and who then would take us up in our str••its? I know we may say that Christ is kindest in his love, when we are at our weak∣est, and that if Christ had not been to the fore in our sad day∣es, the waters had gone over our soul: His mercy ha••h a ••et period and appointed place, how far & no further the s••a of affliction shall flow, and where the waves thereof shall be st••yed; he prescribeth how much pain and sorrow both for weight and measure, we must have: Ye have then good cause to r••call your love from all lovers and give it to Christ: He who is afflicted in all your afflictions, looketh not o•• you i•• your sad hours with an in∣sensible heart or dry eyes: All the Lords saints may see, that it is lost love wh••ch is bestowed upon this perishing world: death & judge∣ment will make men lament that ever their miscarrying heart▪ ••arryed them to lay & lavish out their love upon false appearances

right-dreams. Alas that Christ should fare the worse, because o•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 own goodness, in making peace & the gospel to ride together, & that w•• have never yet weighed the worth of Christ in his ordi∣nances, & that now we are like to be deprived of the well, ere we have tasted the sweetness of the water: it may be with water•• eyes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a w••t face and wea••i••d feet, we seek Christ & shall not find•• him. ••h that this land were humbled in time, and by pray∣ers, ••••ye & humiliation, would bring Christ in at the church∣door again, now, when his back is turned toward us, and he is gone to the threshold & his one foot [as it wer••] is out of the ••oor: I am sure his departure is our deserving, we have bought it with our iniquities; for even the Lord's own chil∣dren are fallen asleep: And alas professours are made all of shews & fashions, and are not at pains to recover themselves again: Every one hath his set measure of faith & holiness, and co••te••teth himself with a stinted measure of godliness, as if that were ••••ough 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 yeers agoe; for this were to mock the Lord and to make price with him as we list. O what difficulty is there in our christian journey, & how often come we short of many thousand things that are Christ's due, and we consider not how far our dear Lord is behinde with us! Mistress, I cannot render you thanks as I would for your kindness to my Brother, ••n oppr••ss••d stranger; but I remember you unto the Lord as I am able: I entreat you think upon me his prisoner, & pray that the Lord would be pleased to give me ••oom to speak to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 people in his name. Grace grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637

Yours in his sweet Lor•• and Master. S. R.

To FULWOOD Younger. (195)

Much honoured Sir

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: Upon the report of this worthy bearer concerning you, I thought good to spea•• a wo••d 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 & hand-breadth of time with vaste Eternity, & your thoughts of this now fair, bloom∣ing and green world, with the thoughts ye shall have of it, when corruption & worms shall make their houses in your eye∣holes, & shall eat your flesh & make that body dry bones; if ye doe so, I know then, that your light of this world's vanity shall be more clear then now it is: And I am per∣swaded ye shall then think, that mens labours for this clay-idol are to be laughed at: Therefore come near and take a view of that transparent beauty that is in Christ, which would busie the love of ten thousand millions of world's & Angels, & hold them all at work: Surely I am griev∣ed that men will not spend their whole love upon that royal & princely Welbeloved, that High & lofty One: For it is cursed love that runneth another way then upon him. And for my self, if I had ten loves & ten souls, O how glad would I be if he would break in upon me & take possession of them all! Woe, woe is me, that He & I are so far asunder! I hope we shall be in one countrey & one house together: truly pain of love-sick∣ness for Jesus, maketh me to think it long, long, long to the dawning of that day. Oh that he would cut short years & mo∣neths & hours, & overleap Time, that we might meet! And for this truth, Sir, that ye profess, I avow before the world of men & Angels, that it is the way & onely way to our countrey, the rest are by-wayes; & that what I suffer for, is the apple of Christ's eye, even his honour as Law-giver & King of his Church. I think death too little ere I forsook it. Doe not, Sir, I beseech you in the Lord, make Christ's court thinner by draw∣ing back from him, it is ••oo thin already; for I dare pledge my heaven upon it, he shall win this plea, & the fools that plea a∣gainst

him shall lose the wager which is their part of salvation, except they take better heed to their wayes. Sir, free grace that we give no hire for, is a jewel our Lord giveth to few: Stand fast in the hope ye are called unto: Our Master will rend the clouds & will be upon us quic••ly, & clear our cause, & bring us all out in our black's & white's: 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, & ye will laugh at the feathers that children are chasing in the air. I ve••••ly judge that this Inne••, men are building their nest in, is not worth a drink of cold water. It is a rainny and smoky house, b••st we come out of it, lest we be choked with the smoke thereof. O that my adversaries knew how sweet my sighs for Christ are, & what it were for a sinner to lay his head between Christ's breasts, & to be over head & ears in Christ's love! Alas, I cannot cause paper speak the height & breadth & depth of it! I have not a ballance to weigh my Lord Jesus's worth, heaven, ten heavens would not be the beam of a bal∣lance, to weigh him in. I must give over praising of him, Angels 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 hea vens, cleave in two, that, that bright face & head may set it self through the clouds! O that the corn were ripe & this world prepared for his hook! Sir, be pleased to remember a prisoner's bonds. Grace be with you.

Aberd. July. 10. 1637,

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To Mr HUGH M^C KAILL. (196)

My very dear Brother.

YE know, that men may take their sweet fill of the sowre Law in Grace's ground & betwixt the Mediator's breasts,

and this is sinners 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 finde a sore enough doom in the Gospel to humble & to cast me down: It is [I grant] a good rough friend to follow a traitour to the bar & to back him till he come to Christ: We may blame our selves who cause the Law to crave well paid debt, to scar us away from Jesus & dispute about a righteousness of our own, a world in the moon, a chim••rd, & a night-dream, that pride is Father & mother to: There cannot be a more humble soul then a beleever, it is no pride for a drowning man to catch hold of a rock. I rejoyce that the wheels of this confused world, are rolled & cogged & driven according as our Lord will: Out of whatever ai••th the wind blow, it will blow us on our Lord: No wind can blow our sailes over-board; because Christ's skill, & the honour of his wisdom are empawned & 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 doe for you, when it cometh to the worst: He will keep his grace till ye be at a strait, & 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 & distractions of friends prepare what I would for the times: I have not one hour of spare time, suppose the day were fourtie hours long. Remember me in prayer: Grace be with you.

Aberd. Sept. 5. 1637.

Your in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R,

To his Reverend & Dear Brother Mr DAVID DICKSON. (197)

My Reverend & Dear Brother.

I Fear ye have never known me well: If ye saw my inner∣side, it is possible ye would pitie me, but ye would hard∣ly give me either love or respect: Men mistake me the whole length of the heavens: My sins prevaile over me & the ter∣rors of their guiltiness: I am put often to ask, if Christ & I did ever shake hands together in earnest, I mean not that my feast-dayes are quite gone; but I am made of extremities: I pray God ye never have the woefull & driery experience of a closed mouth; for then ye shall judge the sparrows that may sing in the Church of Irwin, blessed birds: But my soul hath been refreshed & watered, when I hear of your courage & 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! I dare say in God's presence, That this shall never hasten your suffering, but shall be David Dick∣son's feast and speaking joy, that while he had time and leisure, he put many to work, to lift up Iesus, his sweet Master, high in the skies. O man of God, goe on, goe on, be valiant for that plant of renown, for that chief among ten thousands, for that Prince of the Kings of the earth: It is but little that I know of God, yet this I dare write, Christ shall be glorified in David Dickson, howbeit Scotland be not gathered: I am pained, pained, that I have not more to give my sweet bride∣groom: 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 Bracelets of the Bridegroom: The Bridegroom himself is better then all the ornaments that are about

him. Now, I would not so much have these, as God him s••l••, & to be swallowed up of love to Christ: I see in delight∣ing in a communion with Christ, we may make moe Gods then one••, but however, all was but bai••ns-play between Christ & me till now: If one would have sworn unto me, I would not have beleeved, what may be found in Christ: I hope ye pitie my pain that much in my prison, as to help me your self, & to cause others help me a Dyvour, a sinfull wretched Dy your to pay some of my debts of praise to my great King: Let my God be judge & witness, if my soul would not have sweet ease & comfort, to have many hearts confirmed in Christ, & enlarg∣ed with his love, & many tongues set on work to set on high my Royal & princely welbeloved. O that my sufferings could pay tribute to such a King! I have given over wondering 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 employment, & sweet sale, & a goodly market for his honourable calling of showing mercy, on me the chief of sinners: Every one knoweth not so well as I doe, my woefully often∣broken covenants: My sins against light working in the very act of sinning, hath been met with admirable mercy: But Alas! He will get nothing back again but wretched unthank∣fulness! I am sure, if Christ pitie any thing in me, next to my sin, it is pain of love for an armfull & soul-full of himself, in faith, love & begun fruition: My sorrow is, that I cannot get Christ lifted off the dust in Scotland, & set on high above all the skies & heaven of heavens.

Aberd. May. 1. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To His Reverend & dear Brother Mr JOHN LIVINGSTONE. (198)

My Reverend & dear Brother

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear from you, & to be refreshed with the comforts of the bride of our Lord Jesus in Ireland: I suffer 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 befallen you: Hold your peace & stay your selves upon the holy one of Israel: heark∣en what he saith in crossing of your desires, he will speak peace to his people. I am here removed from my flock, & silenced & confined in Aberden, for the testimony of Jesus: And I have been confined in spirit also with desertions & challenges: I gave in a bill of quarrels & complaints of unkindness against Christ, who seemed to cast me over the dike of the vineyard as a dry tree, & separated me from the Lord's inheritance: But high, high & loud praises be to our royal crowned King in Zion, that he hath not burnt the dry branch: I shall yet live & see his glory. Your Mother-church for her whoredom is like to be cast off: The bairns may break their heart to see such chiding betwixt the husband & the wife. Our Clergie is upon a Reconci∣liation with the Lutherians, & the Doctors are writing books, & drawing up a Common Confession at the Councel's command: Our Service-book is proclaimed with sound of trumpet: The night is fallen down upon the P'rophets: Scotland's day of visitation is come: It is time for the bride to weep, while Christ is a saying, He will chuse another wife: But our skie will clear again: The dry branch of cut-down Lebanon will bud a∣gain & be glorious, & they shall yet plant vines upon our moun∣tains. 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 withered dry stranger & his broken-in-heart prisoner, in to his house of wine: O! O, If ye & all Scotland, & all our brethren with you, knew how I am feasted! Christ's hon••∣combs drop comforts: He dineth with his prisoner, & the King's spikenard casteth a smell: The Devil cannot get it deni∣ed, but we suffer for the apple of Christ's eye, his royal pre∣rogatives as King & Law-giver: Let us not fear or faint, He will have his Gospel once again rouped in Scotland, & have the matter going to voices, to see who will say, let Christ be crown∣ed King in Scotland: It is true, Antichrist stirreth his tail, but I love a rumbling & raging Devil in the kirk [••nc•• the Church militant cannot, or may not want a Devil to trouble her] rather then a subtile or sleeping Devil: Christ never yet go•• a bride without stroke of sword: It is now nigh the bridegroom's entring in to his chamber, let us awake & goe in with him: I bear your name to Christ's door: I pray you, Dear Brother, forget me not: Let me hear from you by Letter, & I charge you, smother not Christ's bounty towards me: I write what I have found of him in the house of my pilgrimage. Remember my love to all our brethren & sisters there. The keeper of the vineyard watch for his besieged city & for you.

Aberd. Feb. 7. 1637.

Your brother & fellow sufferer, S. R.

To Mr EPHRAIM MELVIN. (199)

Reverend & dear Brother.

I Received your letter & am contented with all my heart that our acquaintance in our Lord continue. I am wrestling as I dow, up the mount with Christ's cross: My second is kinde & able to help. As for your questions, because of my manifold distractions, & 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 questions: therefore spare me a little; for the Service-book would take a great time••

but I think, Sicut deosculatio religio sà imaginis aut etiam el••∣mentorum, est in se idololatria externa, etsi intentio deosculandi tota quanta in actu est, feratur in Deum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, it a geniculatio coram pane, quando nempe ex instituto totus homo externus & inter∣nus ver sar•• debeat circa elementaria signa, est adoratio relativa, & adoratio•• sius panis. Ratio: Intentio adorandi objectum materia∣le, non est de essentiâ externae adorationis, ut pate•• i•• deosculatio∣ne religio sà. Sic geniculatio coram imagine Babylonicâ, est ex∣terna adoratio imaginis, etsitr••s pueri mente intendissent adorare Iehovam. Sic qui ex metu solo, aut spe pretij aut inanis gloria, geniculatur coram aureo vitulo Ieroboami (quod ab ipso rege, qui nullà religione induct••s, sed libidine domin••ndi tantum, vitu∣lumerexit, factitatum esse, textus satis luculenter clamat) ado∣rat vitulum externâ adoratione, esto quod putaret vitulum esse meram creaturam, & honore nullo dignum: quia geniculatio, sive nos nolum••s sive volumus, ex instituto Dei & naturae, in actu religioso, est symbolum religiosae adorationis: Ergo sicut panis signat corpus Christi etsi absit actus omnis nostrae intentionis, sic reli∣giosae geniculatio sublatâ omni intentione humanâ, est externae adoratio paniscoram quo adoramus, ut coram signo vicario & reprae∣sentativo Dei: Thus recommending you to 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.

Aberd. 1637.

Your Brother in Christ Iesus, S. R.

To a Gentle woman upon the death of her husband. [200]

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I cannot but rejoyce, and withall be grieved at your case: It hath pleased the Lord to remove your husband, [my friend, & this Kirk's faith∣full professor] soon to his rest; but shall we be sorry, that our

losse is his gain, seeing his Lord would want his company no longer; think not much of short summonds, for seeing he walked with his Lord in his life & 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, & withall he is homely with you, who cometh at his own hand to your house and intrometeth as a friend with any thing that is yours: I think he would fain borrow & lend with you. Now he shall meet with the solacious company, the fair flock and blessed bairn-time of the first-born, banquetting at the marriage-supper of the Lamb. It is mercy that the poor wand. i••g sheep get a dike-fide in this storn i•• day, and a lecking ship a safe harbrie, & a sea-sick passenger a sound and soft bed a shore. Wrath, wrath, wrath from the Lord i•• coming upon this land that he hath left behinde him: know therefore that your Lord Jesus his wounds, are the wounds of a lover, and that he will have compassion upon a sad hearted servant and that Christ hath said, he will have the husband's room in your heart, he loved you in your first husband's time, and he is but wooeing you still, give him heart and chair, house and all; he will not be made com∣panion 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 & satisfying, laid up for you, wait on, first Christ, he is an honest debter. Now for mine own case, I think some poor body would be glad of a dâted pri∣soner's leavings, I have no scarcitie of Christ's love, he hath wasted moe comforts upon his poor banished servant, then would have refreshed many souls: my burden was once so hea∣vie that one cunce weight would have casten the ballance & broken my back, but Christ said, hold, hold to my sorrow, & hath wiped a bluchered face, which was foul with weeping. I may joyfully go•• my Lord's errands with wages in my hands; deferred hopes need not to make me dead swier [as we use to say] my crosse is both my crosse & my reward, Oh that men would sound his high praises! I love Christ's worst reproaches, his glooms, his crosse, better then all this world's plastered glory,

my heart is not longing to be back again from Christ's countrey, it' a sweet soil I a•• co••e 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 a••! Oh if all the three Kingdoms were wit∣nesses to ••y pained, pained soul, overcome & wounded with Christ's love! I thank you most kindly, my dear Sister, for your love & render care to my brother, I will think my self obliged to you if ye continue his friend, he is more to me then a brother now, being engaged to suffer for so honourable a master and cause. pray for Christ's prisoner, and Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. March. 7. 16••6.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To His reverend & dear Brother Mr JOHN NEVAY. (201)

My reverend & dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I have exceeding many ••w••ite to, else I would be kinder in paper. I rejoyce that my sweet Master hath any to oack him: Thick, thick may my royal Kings 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 dayes for the most part I have a King's life with Christ, he is all perfumed with the powders of th•• marchant, he hath a King's face & a King'•• smell, his chariot wherein be carrieth his poor prisoneri of the wood of Lebanon, it is paved with love, is not that soft ground to walk or lie on? I think better of Christ then ever I did, my thoughts of his love grow & swell on me, I never write to any of him so much as I have felt. Oh if If could write a book of Christ & of his love! Suppose I were made white ashes & burnt for this same truth that men count but as knots of straws, it were my gain, if my ashes could proclaim the worth, excellency & love of my Lord Jesus:

There is much telling in Christ, I give over the weighing of him, Heaven would not be the beam of a ballance 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 fools coat & act a fools part to the rest of this nation: If I can set my welbelov∣ed on high & witness fair for him, a fig for their Hosanna: If I can roll my self in a lap of Christ's garment, I will ••e there & laugh at the thoughts of dying bits of clay. Brother, we have cause to weep for our harlot-mother, her husband is send∣ing her to Rome's brothell-house, which is the gate she liketh well: Yet I perswade you, there shall be a fair after-growth for Christ in Scotland, & 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 gun, but I bless the father of lights they draw not blood of truth. I finde no lodging in the heart 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 & I have one Master. Remember my bands, & present my service to my Lord & my Lady: I wish Christ may be dearer to them, then to many of their place. Grace be with you.

Aberd. July. 5. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To my Lady BOYD. [202.]

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: Few [I beleeve] kn••w the pain & 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 oars in the water for a banquet or feast o•••• Christ's love. I cannot think but it must be uptaking & sweet to see the white & red of Christ's fair face; for he is white & ruddy & the chiefest among ten thousands. Cant, 5, 10. I am sure that

must be a well made face of his, heaven must be in his visage; glory, glory for evermore must ••it on his countenance. I dare not curse the mask & covering that is on his face, but O if there were a hole in it! O if God would tear the mask! Fy, fy upon us, we were never shamed till now•• that we doe not proclaim our pining & languishing for him. I am sure, nev••r tongue spake of Christ as he is: I am still of that minde and still will be, that we wrong & undervalue that holy, holy One in having such short and shallow thoughts of his weight & worth. O if I could have but leave to stand beside & see the Father weigh Christ the Son, if it were possible! But how every one of them comprehendeth another, we who have eyes of clay cannot comprehend: But it is pity for evermore & more then shame, that such an one as Christ, should sit in heaven his alone for us: To goe up thither one's errand and on purpose to see, were no small glory. O that he would strike out windows & fair and great lights in this old house, this fallen down soul, and then set the soul near hand Christ, that the rays & beams of light & th soul-delighting glances of the fair, fair God-head, might shine in at the windows & fill the house! A fairer & more near & direct sight of Christ would make room for his love, for we are but pinched & straitned in his love: Alas it were easy to mea∣sure & weigh all the love that we have for Christ by inches and ounces! Alas that we should love by measure & weight, and not rather have floods & feasts of Christ's love! Oh that Christ would break down the old narrow vessels of these narrow & ebbe souls; & make fair, deep, wide & broad souls, to hold a sea & a full tide flowing over all it's banks, of Christ's love! Oh that the Almighty would give me my request! That I might see Christ come to his temple again [as he is minting & it's like minding to doe] & if the land were humbled, the judgements threatned are with this reservation I know, if we shall turn and repent. O what heaven should we want on ear••h, to see Scot∣land's moon like the light of the Sun & 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 & healeth the stroke of their wounds! Isa. 30: 26. Alas that we will not pull & draw

Christ to his old tents again, to come & feed among the lilies till the day break & shadows flee away! O that the Nobl••s would goe on in the strength & courage of the Lord to bring our law∣full King Jesus home again! I am perswaded he shall return again in glory to this land, but happy ••ere they who could help to convoy him to his sanctuary & set him again up upon the mercy-seat betwixt the Cher••b••ms. O Sun return to darkned Britain! O fairest among all the sons of men! O most ex∣cellent One, come home again, come home & win the praises & blessings of the mourners in Zion, the prisoners of hope that wait for thee! I know he can also triumph in suffering, & weep & reign, & die & triumph, & remain in prison & yet subdue his enemies: But how happy were I to s••e the corona∣tion day of Christ, to see his mother who bare him put the crown upon his head again, & cry with shouting till the earth should ring, Let Iesus our King live & reign for evermore! Grace, grace be with your La.

Aberd. 1637.

Your La: at all obedience in Christ, S. R.

To Mr ALEXANDER COLVILL. Of Blair. (203.)

Much honoured Sir.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I would desire to know how my Lord took my letter I sent him, & how he is: I desire nothing but that he be fast and honest to my royal Master & King. I am well every way, all praise to him in whose books I must stand for ever as his debter: Onely my silence paineth me: I had one joy out of heaven next to Christ my Lord, & that was to preach him to this faithless generation, & they have taken that from me: It was to me as the poor man's one eye & they have put out that eye. I know the violence done to me & his poor be-rest Bride, is come up before the Lord:

& suppose I see not the other side of my cross, or what my Lord will bring out of it; yet I beleeve the vision shall not tarry, & 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, I am pained with his love, because I want reall pos∣session, when Christ cometh he stayeth not long, but cer∣tainly the blowing of his breath upon a poor soul is heaven up∣on earth, & when the wind turneth into the North & he goeth away, I die till the wind change in the West & he visite his pri∣soner: But he holdeth me not often at his door. I am richly repayed for suffering for him. O if all Scotland were as I am, except my bonds! O what pain I have, because I cannot get him praised by my sufferings! O that heaven, within and without, & the earth were paper, & all the rivers, fountains & s••as were ink, & I able to write all the paper within & with∣out, full of his praises & love & excellency, to be read by man & Angel! Nay this is little, I ow my heaven for Christ, & to desire, howbeit I should never enter in at the gates of the new Ierusalem, to send my love & my praises over the wall to Christ. Alas that Time & Days lie betwixt him & me, & adjourn our meeting! It is my part to cry, O when will the night be past & the day dawn, that we shall see one another! Be pleased to remember my service to my Lord to whom I wrote, & shew him, that for his affection to me, I cannot but pray for him & earnestly desire that Christ miss him not out of the roll of these who are his witnesses, now, when his kingly honour is called in question: It is his honour to hold up Christ's royal train & to be an instrument to hold the crown upon Christ's head: Shew him, because I love his true honour & standing, that this is my earnest desire for him. Now I bless you, & the prayers of Christ's prisoner come upon you, & his sweetest pre∣sence whom ye serve in the spirit accompany you.

Aberd. June. 23. 1637.

Yours at all obliged obed••ince in Christ, S. R.

To Mr JOHN ROW. (204)

Reverend & dear Brother.

I Received yours: I bless his high & great name, I like my sweet Master still the longer the better: A sight of his cross is more awsom then the weight of it. I think the worst things of Christ, even his reproaches & his cross [when I look on these not with bleared eyes] far rather to be chosen then, the laughter & worm∣eaten joys of my adversaries. Oh that they were as I am, ex∣cept my bonds! My witness is above, my Ministery next to Christ is dearest to me of any thing; but I lay it down at Christ's feet for his glory & his honour as supreme 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 dis∣semble for the world, I beleeve certainly & expect thanks from the Prince of the Kings of the earth, for my poor hazards [such as they are] for his honourable cause, whom I can ever enough extoll for his running-over love to my sad soul, since I came hither. O that I could get him set on high & praised! I seek no more as the top & root of my desires, but that Christ may make glory to himself & edification to the weaker out of my sufferings. I desire ye would help me both to pray & praise, Grace be with you.

Aberd. July. 8. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.

To the Lady CULROSS. (205)

MADAM.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am much refreshed with your letter, now at length come to me. I finde my

Lord Jesus cometh not in that precise way that I lay wait for him, he hath a gate of his own: O how high are his wayes above my wayes! I see but little of him: It is best not to offer to learn him a lesson, but to give him absolutely his own will in coming, going, ebbing, flowing & in the manner of his gracious working. I want nothing but a back burthe•• of Christ's love: I would goe through hell & the thick of the damned Devils to have a hearty feast of Christ's love, for he hath fettered me with his love, & run away & left me a chained man. Woe is me that I was so loose, rash, vain & graceless in my unbeleeving thoughts of Christ's love: But what can a soul under a non-entry [when my rights were wod-set and lost] doe else, but make a false libel against Christ's love? I know your self, Madam, and many moe 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 my self: I have not learned as I should doe, to put my stock & all my treasure in Christ's hand, but I would have a stock of mine own, & ere I was aware, I was tak∣ing hire to be the Law's advocate, to seek Justification by works: I forgot that grace is the onely garland that is worn in heaven upon the heads of the glorified. And now I half rejoyce that I have sickness for Christ to work upon: since I must have wounds, well's 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 & the tide is far out when my Beloved goeth away; & then I cry, Oh cruelty! to put out the poor man's one eye & that, that was my joy next to Christ, to preach my welbeloved, then I make a noise about Christ's house, looking uncouth-like in at his window & casting my love & my desires over the wall, till God send better. I am often content my bill lie in heaven, till the day of my de∣parture, 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 & empty hand withall, 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 yeeld to

his stream, & row with Christ & not against him. But while I live, I see, that Christ's Kingdom in me will not be peaceable, so many thoughts in me rise up against his honour & kingly power. Surely I have not expressed all his sweet kindness to me, I spare to doe it lest I ••e deemed to seek my self; but his breath hath sinelled of the powder of the merchants & of the King's spikenard. I think I conceive new thoughts of heaven, because the Carde & the Mappe of Haven that he letteth me now see, is so fair, & so sweet: I am sure we are niggards & 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. O that my love∣sickness would put me to a business, when all the world are sound sleeping, to cry & knock! But the truth is, since I came hither, I have been wondering, that after my impor∣tunity to have my fill of Christ's love, I have not gotten a reall sign, but have come from him crying, hunger, hunger. I think Christ letteth me see meat in my extremity of hunger, & giveth me none of it: When I am near the apple he draweth back his hand & goeth away, to cause me follow: And again when I am within an arm-length to the apple he maketh a now break to the gate, & I have him to seek of new: He seem∣eth not to pity my dwining & my swooning for his love. I dare sometimes 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, sobeing I might enjoy him: But my hunger is fed with want & absence: I hunger & I have not, but my com∣fort is to lie & wait on, & to put my poor soul & my sufferings in Christ's hand: Let him make any thing out of me, sobeing 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 me! I will not be at ease, while I but stand so far aback: O if I were near him & 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 ••••r•• as he hath written to me, and his wife is his encourager, which should make you rejoyce. For your son, who is your grief, your Lord waited on you and me till we were ••ipe and brought us in: It is your part to pray & wait upon him; When he i•• ripe he will b•• spoken for, who can command our Lord's wind to blow? I know it shall be your good in the latter end: That is one of your waters to heaven, ye could not goe about it, there are the fewer behinde. I remember you & him & yours, as I am able: But alas, I am beleeved to be something, & I am no∣thing but an emptie reed: Wants are my best riches, because I have these supp•…•…ed by Christ, Remember my dearest love to your brother: I know he pleadeth with his harlot-mother for her Apostasie. I know also ye are kinde to my worthy Lady Kenmure. a woman beloved of the Lord, who hath been very mindfull of my bonds: The Lord give her to finde mercy & her childe in the day of Christ. Great men are dry and cold in doing for me, the tinckling 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 Lor••: I wish him mercy. Remember my bonds with praises, and pray for me that my Lord my leaven the North by my bands & sufferings. Grace be with you.

Aberd. July 9. 1637,

Yours ••his s swe Lord Iesus, S. R.

To ALEXANDER GORDON. Of Knockgray. (206.)

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you. There is no question but our mother-church hath a father & that she shall not die with∣ont

an heir, that her enemies▪ hall not make mount Zion the•• heritage. We see, whethersoever Zion's enemies goe, suppose they dig many miles under the ground, yet our Lord findeth them out, and he hath vengeances laid up in ••or•• for them, & the poor & needy shall not alwayes be forgotten. Our hope was drouping & withering, & man was saying, what can God make out of the old dry bones of this buried Kirk? The Prelats & their followers were a grave above us: it is like our Lord is to open our graves & purposeth to cause his two slain witnesses rise the third day, O how long wait I to hear our weeping Lord Jesus sing again & triumph & rejoyce & divide the spoil! I finde it hard work to beleeve when the course of providence goeth cross-wayes to our faith, & when misted souls in a dark night cannot know East by West, & our sea Compass seemeth to fail us: Every man is a beleever in day-light: A fair day seemeth to be made all of faith & hope: What a trial of gold is it to smoke it a little a∣bove the fire? But to keep gold perfect ••ellow-coloured amidst the flames & to be turned from vessel to vessels, & yet to cause out furnace sound & speak & cry the praises of the Lord, is another matter. I know my Lord made me not for fire, howb••it he hath fitted me in some measure for the fire. I bless his high name that I wax not pale, neither have I lost the colour of gold and that his fire hath made me somewhat thin & that my Lord may pour me in any vessel he pleaseth: For a small wager I may justly quite my part of this world's laughter, & give up with time, & cast out with the pleasures of this world. I know a man who wondered to see any in this life laugh & sport: surely our Lord seeketh this of us, as to any rejoycing in present perishing things. I see above all things, & that we may sit down & fold legs & arms & stretch our selves upon Christ & laugh at the fea∣thers that children are chasing here: For I think the men of this world like children in a dangerous storm in the sea, that play & make sport with the white foam of the waves thereof, coming in to sink & drown them; so are men making fool's sports with the white pleasures of a stormy world that will sink ••em. But alas, what have we to doe with their sports that they make! If Solomon said of Laughter that it was madness,

what may we say of this world's laughing & sporting themselves with gold & silver & honours & court & broad large conquests, but that they are poor souls in the height and rage of a fever gone mad? Then a straw, a fig for all created sports and re∣joycing out of Christ: Nay I think that this world at it's prime & perfection, when it is is come to the top of it's excellen∣cy and to the bloom, might be bought with an half penny, & that it would scarce weigh the worth of a drink of water: There is nothing better then to esteem it our crucified idol, that is dead & slain, as Paul did; ••al. 6, 14. Then let pleasures be crucified, & riches be crucified, & court & honour be crucified, & since the Apostle faith, the world is crucified to him, we may put this world to the hanged man's doom and to the gal∣lowes, & who will give much for a hanged man? & as little should we give for a hanged & 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? Fools are pulling it off the gallowes and contending for it. O when shall we learn to be mortified men, & to have our fill of these things that have but their short summer-quarter of this life! If we saw our father's house and that great and fair citie, the new Ierusalem which is up above sun & moon, we would cry to be over the water & to be carried in Christ's arms out of this borrowed pri∣son. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To the ••aird of CARLETOUN. (207)

Worthy Six.

GRace, mercy and peace be to you: I received your letter & am heartily glad that our Lord hath begun to work for the apparent delivery of this poor oppressed

Kirk: O that salvation would come for Zion! I am for the present hanging by hope, waiting what my Lord will doe with me, & if it will please my sweet Master to send me amongst you again, & keep out a hireling from my poor people & flock: It were my heaven till I come home, even to spend this li••e in gathering in some to Christ. I have still great heaviness for my silence & my forced standing idle in the market, when this land hath such a plentifull thick harvest; but I know, his judge∣ments who hath done it, pass fi•…•…ding out: I have no now∣ledge to take up the Lord in all his strange wayes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 p••ssages of deep & unsearchable providences, for the Lord is b••fore me & I am so be-misted that I cannot follow him: He is behinde me and following at the heels and I am not aware of him, he is above me, but his glory so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my twilight of short knowledge▪ that I cannot look up to him: He is upon my right hand, and I see him no: He is upon my left hand and within me and goeth and com••th, & his going & coming are a dr••a•…•… to me: He is round about me & comp•…•…th ••l my going•• a••d still I have him to eek: He is every way higher & d••eper & broad••r then the shallow & ebbe hand-breadth of my sho••t & d•…•… light can take up, & therefore I would my heart could be silent & sit down in the learnedly-ig∣norant wondering at that Lord, whom m n & Ang••ls ca••not comprehend. I know, the noon-day-light of the highest Angels, who see him face to face, seeth not the borders of his infiniteness: They apprehend God near hand, but they can∣not comprehend him: And therefore it is my happiness to look afar off and to come near to the Lord's back parts, & to light my dark candle at his brightness, & to have leave to sit & content my self with a traveller's light, without the clear vision of an enjoyer. I would seek no more till I were in my coun∣trey, but a little watering & sprinkling of a withered soul, with some half out breakings & half-outlookings of the beam and small ravi••hing smiles of the fairest face of a revealed & beleeved on Godhead: A little of God would make my soul bank-full. O that I had but Christ's odde off fallings, that he would let but the meanest of his love-rayes & love-beams fall from him, so,

as I might gather & 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 blowen 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 & joyfull, till the summer-sun of an eternall glory break up. O that I had any thing of Christ! O that I had a sip or half a drop out of the hollow of Christ's hand, of the sweetness & excellency of that lovely One! O that my Lord Jesus would ••ue upon me, & give me but the meanest almes of felt & beleeved salvation! O how little were it for that infinite sea, that infinite fountain of love & 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 finde it true that a poor soul find∣ing half a smell of the Godhead of Christ, hath desires paining & wounding the poor heart 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 then thus to lie dying twenty deaths under these felt wounds for the want of him? O where is he! O fairest! Where dwellest thou? O never enough admired Godhead! how can clay win up to thee? How can creatures of yesterday be able to enjoy thee? O what pain is it, that time & sin should be as so many thousand miles betwixt a loved & longed-for Lord & a dwining & love-sick soul, who would rather then all the world have lodging with Christ! O let this bit love of ours, this inch & half span-length of heavenly long∣ging, meet with thy infinite love! O 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 be swallowed up with his ful∣ness. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. May. 1. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.

To ROBERT GORDON. Of Knockbrex. (208)

Dear Brother.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter from Edinburgh. I would not wish to see another heaven wh••••e I get mine own heaven, but a new moon like the light of the sun, & a new sun like the light of seven days shining upon my poor self & the Church of Iews & Gentiles, & upon my wither∣ed & sun-burnt mother, the Church of Scotland, & upon her sister Churches, England & Ireland; & to have this done to to the setting on high our great King: it maketh not, how∣beit I were separate from Christ & had a sense of ten thousand years pain in hell, if this were. O blessed Nobility, O glo∣rious renouned Gentry, O blessed were the tribes in this land to wipe my Lord Jesus's weeping face, & to take the sackcloth off Christ's loins & to put his kingly robes upon him! O if the Almighty would take no less wager of me then my heaven, to have it done! But my fears are still for wrath once upon Scotland: But I know her day shall clear up & glory shall be upon the top of the mountains and joy at the noise of the mar∣ried wife once again. O that our Lord would make us to con∣tend & plead & wrestle by prayers & tears for our husband's restoring of his forfeited heritage in Scotland. Dear Brother, I am for the present in no small battel betwixt felt guiltiness and pining longings & high fevers for my welbeloved's love. Alas! I think Christ's love playeth the niggard to me, & 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 & working of hunger for Christ, that I am often at this, that if I had no other heaven but a continuall 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 pitifull, a melting-hearted love: But suspension of that love▪ I think it half a hell, & the want of it more then a whole hell. When I look to my guiltiness, I see my salvation one of our Saviour's greatest miracles either in heaven or earth: I am sure, I may defie any m••n 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. O if he would be pleased to be compassionat and pitifull hearted to my pining fevers of longing for him, o•• then give me a reall pawne to keep, out of his own hand, till God send a meeting betwixt him & me! But I finde neither as yet; howbeit he who is absent be not cruel nor unkinde, yet his absence is cruel and unkinde: His love is like it self, his love is his love; but the cove••ing & the cloud, the vail & the mask of his love, is more wise then kinde, if I durst speak my appre∣hensions. I lead no process now against the suspension & delay of God's love: I would with all my heart frist till a day, ten heavens and the sweet manifestations of his love: Cer∣tainly I think I could give Christ much on his word: But my whole pleading is about intimated & born-in assurance of his love. O if he would perswade me of my heart's desire of his love at all, he should have the term-day of pay∣ment at his own carving: But I know, raving unbeleef speak∣eth it's pleasure; while it looketh upon guiltinesse and this body of corruption. O how loathsom & burdensom is it to carry a∣bout a dead corps, this old carrion of corruption! O how steadable a thing is a Saviour to make a sinner rid of his chains & fetters! I have now made a new question, Whether Christ be more to be loved for giving Sanctification, or for free Jus∣tification? And I hold he is more & most to be loved for S••n••∣tification: it is in some respect greater love in him to sanctifie then to justifie, for he maketh us most like himself in his own essential pourtraiture & image, in sanctifying us: Justifica∣tion doth but make us happy, which is to be like the Angels onely: Neither is it such a misery to lie a condemned man & under unforgiven guiltiness, as to serve sin & work the works of the Devil; & therefore I think Sanctification cannot be bought,

it's above all price, God be thanked for ever that Christ was a told down price for Sanctification: Let a sinner [if possible] lie in hell for ever, if he make him truly holy, & let him lie there burning in love to God, rejoycing in the Holy Ghost, hanging upon Christ by faith & hope; that is heaven in the heart and bottom of hell. Alas, I finde a very thin harvest here & few to be saved! Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. 1637.

Yours in his lovely & longed∣for Lord ••••sus, S. R.

To my Lord CRAIGHALL. (209)

My Lord.

I Perswade my self, notwithstanding of the greatness of this temptation, 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 mens additions to his worship, & with the truly learned & withall the sanctified in this land, & with that warner within you [that will not fail to speak against you in God's time, if ye be not now fast & fixed for Christ] I hope then your Lo: will acquit your self as a man of courage for Christ, & refuse to bow your knee superstitiously & idolatrously to wood or stone or any creature whatsoever. I perswade my self when ye shall take good-night at this world, ye shall think it God's truth I now write. Some fear your Lo: have obliged your self to his Maj: by promise to satisfie his desire: If it be so, my dear & worthy Lord, hear me for your soul's good: Think upon swimming a shore after this ship wrack, & be pleased to write your humble Apologie to his Majestie, 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 & extorted by the terrour of a King, should binde you to wrong your Lord Jesus. But for my self,

I give no faith to that report, but I beleeve ye shall prove fast 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ: To his grace I recommend you.

Aberd. July. 8. 1637.

Your Lo: at all obedience in Christ. S. R.

To my Lord CRAIGHALL. (210.)

My Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I am not onely content but I exceedingly rejoyce, that I finde any of the Rulers of this Land, & especially your Lo: so to affect Christ and his truth, as ye dare for his name come to yea & nay with Monarchs in their face. I hope he who hath enabled you for that, will give more, if ye shew your self couragious, & as his word speaketh, a man in the streets for the Lord: But I pray your Lo: give me leave to be plain with you, as one who loveth both your honour & your soul. I verily beleeve, there was never Idolatry at Rome, never Idolatry condemned in God's word by the Prophets, if religious kneeling before a con∣secrate creature standing in room of Christ crucified, in that very act, & 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 Iehovah, that is, for the golden Calf, should not have been guilty of Idolatry; for he intended onely to decline the lash of the people's fury, not to honour the Calf: Your intention to honour Christ is nothing, seeing religious kneeling by God's institution doeth necessarily import religious & divine adorati∣on, suppose our intention were both dead & sleeping: Other∣wise kneeling before the Image of God, directing prayer to God, were lawfull, if our intention goe right. My Lord, I cannot in this bounds dispute, but if Cambridge & Oxford & the learning of Britain will answer this argument, & the argument

from active scandal, which your Lo: seemeth to stand upon, I will turn a formalist & call my self an arrant fool by doing what I have done in my suffering for this truth. I doe much reve∣rence Mr Ls. learning, but my Lo: 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 arguments for the most part, are drawn from their own skin, & are not worth a straw for your conscience. A Marquess or a King's word, when ye stand before Christ's tribunal, shall be lighter then wind. The Lord knoweth I love your true honour & the standing of your house, but I would not your honour or house were established upon sand, & hay & stubble. But let me, my very dear & worthy Lord, most humbly beseech you by the mercies of God, by the consolations of his Spirit, by the dear blood & wounds of your lovely Redeemer, by the salvation of your soul, by your compearance before the awfull face of a sin-revenging & dread∣full Judge, not to set in comparison together your soul's peace, Christ's love & 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 beleeve, Christ is now begging a testimony of you, & is saying, And will ye also leave me. It is possible the wind shall not blow so fair for you all your life, for coming out & appearing before others to back & countenance Christ the fairest among the sons of men, the Prince of the Kings of the earth. Isa. 51. 7. Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be afraid of their revilings. v. 8. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, & the worm shall eat them like wool. When the Lord shall begin, he shall make an end, & mow down his ad∣versaries, and they shall lie before him like withered hay, & their bloom shaken off them. Consider how many thousands in this Kingdom veshall cause to fall & stumble, if ye goe with them, & that ye shall be out of the prayers of many who doe stand before the Lord for you & your house: & further, when the time of your accounts cometh, & your one foot shall be within the border of eternity, & the eye-strings shall break, & the face wax pale, & the

soul shall look out at the windows of the house of clay, longing to be out, & ye shall finde your self arraigned before the Judge of quick & dead to answer for the putting to your hand with the rest, confederate against Christ, to the overturning of his Ark & the loosing of the pins of Christ's tabernacle in this land, & shall certainly s••e your self mired in a course of Apostasie, then, then a King's favour & your worm-eaten honour shall be miser∣able comforters to you. The Lord hath enlightened you with the knowledge of his will: & as the Lord liveth, they lead you and others to a communion with great Babel, the mother of fornications: & God said of old, & continueth to say the same to you, Come out of her my people, lest ye be partakers of her plagues: will ye then goe with them, & set your lip to the whore's golden cup, & drink of the wine of the wrath of God Almighty with them? O poor hungry honour! O cursed pleasures! And O damnable ease, bought with the loss of God! How many shall pray for you! What a sweet presence shall •…•…efinde of Christ under your sufferings, if ye shall lay down your honour & 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 rotten 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] & for life everlasting also: Make not Christ a liar, in distrusting his promise. Kings of clay cannot back you when ye stand before him, a straw for them & their hungry heaven that standeth on this side of time, a fig for the dayes-smile of a wo••m. Consider who have gone before you to eternity & would have given a world for a new occasion of a vouching that truth: It's true, they call it not substantial, and we are made a scorn to these that are at ease, for suffering these things for it; but it is not time to judge of our losses by the morning, stay till the evening & we shall count with the best of them. I have found by experience since the time of my impri∣sonment [my witness is above] Christ fealing this honourable cause with another & a nearer fellowship then ever I knew be∣fore, and let God weigh me in an even ballance 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, ven∣ture to take the wind on your face for Christ: I beleeve, if he should come from heaven in his own person, & seek the chart∣ers of Craighall from you, & a dimission of your place, & ye saw his face, ye would fall down at his feet and say, Lord Iesus, it is too little for •…•…ee. If any man think it not a truth to die for, I am against him: I dare goe to eternity with it, that this day the honour of our royal Law-giver & King in the Government of his own free Kingdom [who should pay tri∣bute to no dying King] is the true state of the question. My Lord, be ye upon Christ's side of it, & take the word of a poor prisoner, nay the Lord Jesus be surety for it; ye have incom∣parably made the wisest choice: for my own part, I have been in this prison that I would be half a hamed to seek more, till I be up at the well-head. Few know in this world the sweetness 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 goe to heaven by dry land & love not sea-storms: But I write it under my hand [& would say more, if possibly a reader would not deem it hypocrisie] My obligation to Christ for the smell of his garments, for his love∣kisses these thirty weeks, standeth so great, that I should, & I desire also to chuse to suspend my salvation, to have many tongues loosed in my behalf to praise him: & suppose in person I never entered within the gates of the new ••erusalem, yet so∣being Christ may be set on high & I had the liberty to cast my love & praises for ever over the wall to Christ, I would be si∣lent & content. But O he is more then my narrow praises! O time, time, flee swiftly, that our communion with Jesus may be perfected. I wish your Lo: would urge Mr L. to give his minde in the Ceremonies & be pleased to let me s••e it as quickly as can be, & it shall be answered. To his rich grace I recom∣mend your Lo: & shall remain.

Aberd. Juny 8. 1637.

Yours at all respective obedience in Christ, S. R.

To the Lady CULROSS. (211)

MADAM.

YOur letter came in due time to me, now a prisoner of Christ & in bonds for the Gospel: I am sentenced with deprivation, & confinement within the town of Aberdeen: but Oh my guiltiness, the follies of my youth, the neglects in my calling, & especially in not speaking more for the Kingdom, crown & scepter of my royal & princely King Iesus, doe so stare me in the face, that I apprehend anger in that which is a crown of rejoycing to the dear saints of God! This before my com∣pearance [which was three several dayes] did trouble me, & burdeneth me more now; howbeit Christ, & in him, God reconciled, met me with open arms, & trysted me precisely at the entry of the door of the Chancellour's hall, & assisted me to answer so, as the advantage that is, is not their's but Christ's. Alas! There is no cause of wondering that I am thus born down with challenges, for the world hath mistaken me, & no man knoweth what guiltiness is in me, so well as these two [who keep my eyes now waking & my heart heavie] I mean, my Heart & Conscience, & my Lord who is greater then my Heart. Shew your brother that I desire him while he is on the watch-to∣wer to plead with his mother, & to plead with thi••land, & spare not to cry for my sweet Lord Jesus his fair crown, that the inter∣dited & forbidden Lords are plucking off his royal head. If I were free of challenges & a High Commission within my soul. I would not give a straw to goe to my father's house through ten deaths for the truth & cause of my lovely, lovely one▪ Iesus: But I walk in heaviness now. If ye love me & Christ in me, my dear Lady, pray, pray for this onely, that by-gones betwixt my Lord & me may be by-gones, & that he would pass from the summonds of his High Commission, & seek nothing from me, but what he will doe for me & work in me. If your La: knew me as I doe my self, ve would say, Poor soul, no marvel. It is not my appre∣hension that createth this cross to me, it is too real & hath sad &

certain grounds. But I will not beleeve that God will take this advantage of me, when my back is at the wall: He who for∣biddeth to adde affliction to affliction, will he doe it himself? Why should ••e pursue a dry lea•• & stubble? Desire him to spare me now. Also the memory of the fair feast-dayes that Christ & I had in his banquetting house of wine, & the scattered flock once committed to me & now taken off my hand by himself, be∣cause I was not so faithfull 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 adde sorrow to my sorrow. Now my Lord hath onely given me this to say, & I write it under mine own hand [be ye the Lord's ser∣vant's witness] Welcome, welcome, sweet, sweet cross of Christ: wel∣come fair. fair, lovely, royal King with thine own cross: Let us all three goe to heaven together. Neither care I much to goe from the South of Scotland to the North, & to be Christ's prisoner amongst 〈◊〉〈◊〉 couth faces, a place of this Kingdom which I have little rea∣son to be in love with. I know, Christ shall make Ab••rdeen my garden of delights. I am fully perswaded that Scotland shall ••at Ez••kiel's book that is written within & without; Lamen•…•… & mourni••g & ••oe. Ezek. 2, 10. But the saints shall get a drink of the well that goeth through the streets of the n••w Ierusalem to put it down. Thus hoping ye will think upon the poor prisoner of Christ, I pray, Grace, grace be with you.

Edinb. July. 30. 1636.

Your La: in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

To ALEXANDER GORDON. of Earlestovvn. (212)

Much honoured Sir.

I Finde small hopes of Qs. business: I intend after the Coun∣cel-day to goe on to Aberdeen: The Lord is with me, I care not what man can doe. I burden no man, & I want nothing: No King is better provided then I am: Sweet, sweet & easie is the

cross of my Lord: All men I look in the face [of whatsoever rank, Nobles & poor, acquaintance & strangers] are friendly to me. My welbeloved is some kinder & more warmly then ordinary, & cometh and visiteth my soul: My chains are overguilded with gold. Onely the remembrance of my fair dayes with Christ in Anwoth, & of my dear flo•••• [whose case is my heart's sorrow] is vinegar to my sugared wine, yet both sweet & sowre feed my soul: No pen, no words, no ingine can express to you, the loveliness of my onely, onely Lord Jesus. Thus in haste, making for my palace at Aberdeen, I bless you, your wife, your eldest son & other children. Grace, grace be with you.

Edinb. Sept. 5. 1636.

Your in his onely, onely Lord Iesus. S. R.

To ROBERT GORDON of Knockbrex. (213.)

My dearest Brother.

I See Christ thinketh shame [if I may speak so] to be in such a poor man's common as mine. I burden no man, I want no∣thing, no face hath gloomed upon me since I left you. God's son & fair weather conveyeth me to my time- Paradise in Aberdeen. Christ hath so handsomely fitted for my shoulders this ••••ugh ••••ee of the cross, as that it hurteth me no wayes. My treasure is up in Christ's ••••ffers, my comforts are greater then ye can beleeve: my per shall ye for p••••ury of words to write of them. God knoweth▪ I am filled with the joy of the Holy Ghost. Onely the memory of you, my dearest in the Lord, my flock & others▪ keepeth me under, & from being exalted above measure: Christ's sweet sa•…•… hath this sowre mixed with it; but O such a sweet & plea∣sant taste! I finde small hopes of Qs: matter. Thus in haste. Re∣member me to your wife, & to William Gordon. Grace be with you.

Edinb. Sept. 5. 1636.

Yours in his onely, onely Lord Iesus, R. S.

To my Lord LOWDOUN. (214)

Right honourable & my very worthy Lord.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: Hearing of your Lo: zeal & courage for Christ our Lord, in owning his ho∣nourable cause, I am bold [& I plead pardon sor it] to speak in paper by a line or two to your Lo: [since I have not access any other way] beseeching your Lo: by the mercies of God, & by the everlasting peace of your soul, & by the tears & prayers of our mother-Church, to goe on as ye have worthily begun, in pur∣ging of the Lord's house in this land & plucking down the sticks of Antichrist's filthy nest, this wretched Prelacy, & that black Kingdom, whose wicked aims have ever been & still are, to make this fat world the onely Compass they would have Christ and Religion to sail by, and to mount up the man of sin, their god-father the Pope of Rome, upon the high∣est stair of Christ's throne, and to make a velvet-Church [in regard of Parliament-grandour & wordly pomp, whereof alwayes their stinking breath smelleth] & to put Christ & truth in sack-cloth & prison, & to eat the bread of adversitie and drink the water of affliction: Half an eye of any not misted with the darkness of Antichristian smoke, may see it thus in this land: & now our Lord hath begun to awaken the Nobles & others to plead for born-down Christ & his weeping Gospel: My dear & noble Lord, the eye of Christ is upon you; the eyes of many noble, many holy, many learned & worthy ones in our neigh∣bour Churches about are upon you: This poor Church, your mother & Christ's spouse, is holding up her hands & heart to God for you, and doeth beseech you with tears to plead for her husband, his Kingly Scepter, & for the liberties that her Lord & King hath given to her, as to a free Kingdom, that oweth spi∣ritual tribute to none on earth, as being the free-born Princess & daughter to the King of Kings. This is a Cause that before God, his Angels, the World, before Sun & Moon, needeth not to

blush. O what glory & true honour is it to lend Christ your hand & service, & to be amongst the repairers of the breaches of Sion's walls, & to help to ••uild the old waste places, and stretch forth the curtains & strengthen the stakes of Christ's tent in this land! O blessed are they, who, when Christ is driven away, will bring him back again & lend him lodging! And blessed are ye of the Lord; your name & honour shall never rot or wither in heaven [at least] if ye deliver the Lord's sheep that have been scattered in the dark & cloudy day, out of the hands of strange Lords & hirelings, who with rigour & cruel∣ty, have caused them to eat the pastures troden upon with their foul feet, & to drink muddy water, & who have spun out such a world of yards of ••ndifferencies in God's Worship, to make & weave a web for the Antichrist [that shall not keep any from the cold] as they minde nothing else, but that by the bring∣ing in of the Pope's foul tail first upon us [their wretched and beggerly Ceremonies] they may thrust in after them, the An∣tichrist's legs & thighs & his belly, head & shoulders, & then cry down Christ & the Gospel & up the merchandise & wares of the great whore. Fear not, my worthy Lord, to give your self & all ye have, out for Christ & his Gospel: No man dare say who ever did thus hazard for Christ, that Christ payed him not his hundred fold in this life duely, & in the life to come, life ever∣lasting. 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, & to plead that Christ, who is the King's Lord, may be heard in a free court to speak for himself, when the standing & established laws of our nation can strongly plead for Christ's crown in the pulpits, & his chair as Law-giver in the free Government of his own house: But Christ shall never be content & pleased with this land, neither shall his hot fiery indignation be turned away, so long as the Prelate, [the man that l••y in Antichrist's foul womb & the Antichrist's Lord Bai∣liffe] shall sit Lord-carver in the Lord Jesus his courts: The Prelate is both the egge & the nest to cleck & bring forth Pope∣ry: Plead therefore in Christ's behalf for the plucking down of the nest & crushing of the egge, & let Christ's Kingly Office

suffer no more unworthy indignities. Be valiant for your roy∣al King Jesus, contend for him; your adversaries shall be moth-eaten worms, and shall die as men: Christ and his ho∣nour now lieth upon 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, & remember the sand in your night-glass will run out: Time with wings will flye a∣way, Eternity, is hard upon you, & what will Christ's love∣smiles & the light of his lovely & soul delighting countenance be to you in that day, when God shall take up in his right hand this little lodge of heaven [like as a shepherd lifteth up his little tent] & sold together the two leaves of his tent, & put the earth & all the plenishing of it into a fire, & turn this clay-Idol, the god of Adam's sons, in to smoke & white ashes! O what hire & how many worlds would many then give to have a favour∣able decreet of the Judge! Or what moneyes would they not give to buy a mountain to be a grave above both soul & body, to hide them from the awsom looks of an angry Lord & Judge! I hope, your Lo: thinketh upon this, & that ye minde loyal∣ty to Christ & to the King both. Now the very God of peace, the onely wise God, establish & strengthen you upon the rock laid in Zion.

Aberd. Jan. 4. 1638.

Your Lo: at all obedience in Christ, S. R.

To a Christian Gentlewoman. (2••5)

MISTRESS.

GRace, mercy & peace be to you: Though not acquaint∣ed, yet at the desire of a Christian brother, I thought good to write a line 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 visitations and your own sense should dream hard things of his love and favour: Our Lord never getteth so kinde a look of us, nor our love in such a degree, nor our faith in such a

measure of stedfastness, as he getteth out of the furnace of our tempting fears & sharp trials. I verily beleeve [& 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 bond∣age that may humble us & make us sad, till we be in that coun∣trey where we shall need no Physick at all. O what violent means doth our Lord use to gain us to him, as if indeed we were a prize worthy his fighting for! And be sure if leading would doe the turn, he would not use pulling of hair and drawing: But the best of us will bide a strong pull of our Lord's right arm ere we follow him: Yet I say not this as if our Lord alwayes measured afflictions by so many ounce weights answer∣able to the grain weights of our guiltiness: I know he doeth in many [and possibly in you] seek nothing so much as faith that can endure summer and winter in their extremity. O how precious to the Lord is faith and love, that when thresh∣ed, beaten, and chased away, and boasted [as it were] by God himself, doeth yet look warm-like, love-like, kind∣like, and life-like home-over to Christ, & would be in at him, ill & well as it may be! Think not much that your husband or the dearest to you in the world, proveth to have the bowels & mercy of the Ostrich, hard & rigourous & cruel: For Psal. 27. 10. The Lord taketh up such fallen ones as these. I could not wish a more sweet life nor more satisfying expressions of kind∣ness till I be up at that Prince of kindness, then the Lord's saints finde when the Lord taketh up mens refuse & lodgeth this world's out-lawes whom no man seeketh after: His breath is never so hot, his love casteth never such a flame, as when this world and these who should be the helpers of our joy, cast water on our coal: It is a sweet thing to see them cast out, & God take in, & to see them throw us away as the refuse of men, & God take us up as his jewels & his 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 & place. God be thanked that this world hath 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 & stamp we bear, will have us: Christ hath no miscarrying ballance. Thank your Lord, who chaseth your love through two King∣doms & followeth you & it over sea, to have you for himself, as he speaketh Hos. 3. For God layeth up his saints as the waile & the choice of all the world for himself, & this is like Christ & 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, & make ten thousand heavens of good & glori∣ous things, & of new joyes devised out of the deep of infinite wisdom, he could not make the like of Christ, for Christ is God, & God cannot be made: & therefore let us hold us with Christ, howbeit we might have our waile & will of an host of lovers, as many as three heavens could contain. O that he & we were together! O when Christ & ye shall meet about the outmost march & borders of time & the entry into eternity, ye shall see heaven in his face at the first look, & salvation & glory sitting in his countenance & betwixt his eyes! Faint not, the miles to heaven are but few & short: he is making a green bed [as the word speaketh Cant. 1.] of love for himself & you: There are many heads lying in Christ's bosom, but there is room for yours among the rest: And therefore goe on & let hope goe before you: Sin not in your trials, & the victory is yours: pray, wrestle & beleeve, & ye shall overcome & pre∣vail with God as Iacob did: No windle-straws, no bits of clay, no temptations which are of no longer life then 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 righte∣onsness in the great congregation, if it may seem good in his sight. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberd. Jan. 6. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus, S. R.