,.oS  ^\^^ 
 
',y^-^(/Vi#n^t^ 
 
«  • 
 
 ^c4  4*13^0 
 
 -o> 
 
JOSHUA  REDIVIVUS; 
 
 .    O  1- 
 
 Three  Hundred  and  Fifty-two 
 
 RELIGIOUS  LETTERS, 
 
 BY  THE  LATE  EMINENTLY  PIOUS 
 
 Mr.  S  AMU  EL  RUTHERFOORD, 
 
 PROFESSOR  OF  DIVINITY  AT  St.  ANDREWS. 
 DIVIDED    INTO    THREE    PARTS. 
 
 THE   Fl^Sl"/ 
 
 Containing  thofe  which  were  writ- 
 ten from  Aberdeen,  where  he 
 was  confined  by  'a  fentence  of 
 the  High  Coinmiffion  drawn 
 forth  againft  him,  partly  upon 
 the  account  of  declining  them, 
 partly  upon  the  account  of  his 
 Nonconformity. 
 
 SECOND  AND  THIRt). 
 Containing  fome  which  were  writ- 
 ten from  Akwoth,  before  he 
 was  by  the  Prelates  perfecution 
 thruft  out  of  his  Vliniftry  ;  and 
 others  upon  divers  Occafions  af- 
 terward, from  St.  Andrews, 
 London,  &c. 
 
 TO    WHICH    IS    ADDED, 
 
 The  Author's  Testimony  to  the  covenanted  Work  of  Reformation, 
 between  1638  and  1649  And  aifo  his  Dying  Words,  contain- 
 ing fever;;l  i^dvices  to  fome  Miniflers  and  near  Relations. 
 
 THE  ELEVENTH  EDITION 
 
 GLASGOW: 
 
 PRINTED  BT  jyJLLIAM  BELL. 
 FOR  JOHN  KIRK,  THE  PUBLISHER,  CALTON. 
 
 MDCCXCVI. 
 
(    3     ) 
 
 Mr.  RUTHERFOORD^s  LIFE. 
 
 MR.  SAMUEL  RUTHERFOORD,  a  gentleman  by  extrac- 
 tu-n,  navinglpciit  fometime  at  the  grammar-fchool.  went 
 to  the  uiiverihy  of  E»1inbuigh,  where  he  was  fo  much  admired 
 for  his  p,egn»ncy  of  parrs,  and  defervedly  looked  upon  as  one  trom 
 whom  grcitt  things  might  be  exptClcd,  that  in  a  fhort  time  (tho' 
 but  then  very  young)  he  was  made  proftflbr  of  philofophy  in  that 
 univerfity. 
 
 Some  time  after  this  he  was  called  to  be  minifler  at  Anwoth  in 
 the  ibirc  of  Gallow,«y  unto  whicb  charge  he  entered  by  means  of 
 the  then  vilcount  of  Kenmuir  without  any  acknowledgment  or 
 engagement  to  the  bilhops.  There  he  laboured  with  great  dili- 
 gence and  fuccels,  both  night  and  day,  rifing  ufualiy  by  three  o'- 
 clock in  the  morning,  Ipendmgthe  whole  time  in  reading,  pray- 
 ing writing,  catechifing,  vifiting,  and  other  duties  belonging  to 
 the  minill'erial  profcibon  and  employment. 
 
 Here  he  wrote  his  exercitationes  de  gratia,  Ecc.  for  which  he  was 
 fummoned  .as  early  as  June  16^0)  before  the  high  commiffion 
 court,  but  the  wcaiher  was  fo  tempeftuous  as  to  obflrudl  the  pai- 
 fage  of  the  arch-bilhop  of  St.  Andrews  hither,  and  Mr  Colvil 
 one  of  the  judges  hiving  befriended  him,  the  diet  was  deferted. 
 -About  the  fame  time  his  fill  wife  died  after  a  fore  ficknels  ot 
 thirteen  months,  and  he  himfelf  being  fo  ill  of  a  tertian  fever  for 
 thirteen  weeks,  that  then  he  could  not  preach  on  the  Sabbath  day, 
 without  great  difbculty. 
 
 Again  in  April  16^54,  he  was  threatened  with  another  prcfe- 
 cuiion  at  the  inll.mce  of  the  bilhop  of  Galloway,  before  the  high 
 commiflion  cuuit  and  neither  were  thefe  threatenings  all  the 
 reafons  Mr  Rurherfoord  had  to  lay  his  account  with  fullering,  and 
 as  the  Lord  would  not  hide  from  his  faithful  fervant  Abrahaw 
 things  he  was  about  to  do,  neither  would  he  conceal  from  this 
 fon  of  Abraham  what  his  purpofes  were  concerning  him  ;  for  in 
 &  letter  to  the  provolt's  wife  of  Kirkcudbright,  dated  April  20». 
 16*33,  htrid  s,  "  That  upon  the  17th  and  18th  of  Aiiguit  he  ^^'t 
 2.  full  anlwei  of  his  Lord  to  be  a  graced  minifter,  and  a  chofen 
 arrow  hid  in  his  quiver  *.''  Accordingly  the  thing  he  looked  for 
 came  upon  him,  for  he  vras  again  fummoned  before  the  high 
 commifrion  court  for  his  non-conformity,  his  preaching  againll 
 the  tive  articles  of  Perth,  and  the  fore-mentioned  book  exeniiu- 
 iionej  aj^ologetica  pro  divifia  gi  atia,  which  book  they  alkdged  did 
 
 ♦  Sec  hii  letters,  part  iii.  let.  27. 
 A  1 
 
4  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  LIFE. 
 
 j:cfle<n:  upon  the  church  of  Scotland,  but  the  truth  was,  fays  a 
 late  hiftorianf,  the  argument  of  that  book  did  cut  the  finews  of 
 arminianifm,  and  galled  the  epifcopal  clergy  to  the  very  quick, 
 and  fo  b  (hop  Sydreleif  could  endure  him  no  longer.  When  he 
 came  before  the  commiflion  court  he  altogether  declined  them  as 
 s  lawful  judicatory,  and  would  not  give  the  chancellor  (being  a 
 clergyman)  and  the  bifhops  their  titles  by  lording  of  them,  yet 
 fome  had  the  courage  to  befriend  him,  particularly  the  lord  Lorn 
 (afterwards  the  famous  marquis  of  Argyle^,  who  did  as  much  for 
 him  as  was  within  his  power  to  do;  but  the  bifliop  of  Galloway, 
 threatening  that  if  he  got  not  his  will  of  him,  he  would  write  to 
 the  king  j  it  \vas  carried  againft  him,  and  upon  the  27th  of  July 
 16  j6.  he  was  diicharged  to  exercife  any  part  of  his  miniftry  with- 
 in the  kingdom  of  Scotland  under  pain  of  rebellion,  and  order- 
 ed within  fix  months  to  confine:  himfelf  within  the  city  of  Aber^ 
 deen,  <ijc,  during  the  king's  pleafure,  which  fcntence  he  obeyed^ 
 and  forthwith  went  toward  the  place  of  his  confinement. 
 
 From  Aberdeen  he  wrote  many  of  his  famous  letters,  from 
 which  it  is  evident  that  the  confolatjon  of  the  Holy  Spirit  did 
 greatly  abound  with  him  in  his  fufh'erings,  yea,  in  one  of  thefe 
 letters,  he  exprefies  it  in  the  ftrongeft  terms  when  he  fays, 
 *'  I  never  knew  before,  that  his  love  was  in  fuch  a  mealure.  If 
 he  leave  me,  he  leaves  me  in  pain,  and  fick  of  love,  and  yet  my 
 ficknefs  is  my  life  and  health.  1  have  a  fiie  within  me,  I  defy  all 
 the  devils  in  hell,  and  all  the  prelates  in  Scotland  to  cafl  water 
 oh  it."  Here  he  icmained  upwards  of  a  year  and  a  half,  by  which 
 time  he  made  the  doiStors  of  Aberdeen  know  th^  the  puritans 
 (as  they  called  them)  were  clergymen  as  well  as  they.  But  upon 
 notice  that  the  private  council  had  received  in  a  declmature  againft 
 the  high  commiflion  court  in  the  year  1638.  he advent\ired  tore- 
 turn  back  again  to  his  flock  at  Anwoth,  where  he  again  .took 
 great  pains,  both  in  public  and  in  private,  amongfl  that  people, 
 who  from  all  quarters  reforted  to  his  miniflry,  fo  that  th^t  whole 
 country  fide  might  account  themfelves  as  his  particular  flock,  and, 
 5t  being  then  at  the  dawning  of  the  reformation,  found  no  fmall 
 benefit  by  the  gofpel,  that  part  of  the  ancient  prophecy  being  far- 
 ther accomplilhed,  Jor  in  the  iviidermfs  Jball  waters  break  out, 
 crfdjlr earns  in  the  defer ty  ifa.  xxxv.  6. 
 
 He  was  before  that  venerable  alTembly  held  atGlafgowin  1638. 
 and  gave  an  account  of  all  thefe  his  former  proceedings  with  rc- 
 fpett  to  his  confinement,  and  the  caufcs  thereof.  By  them  he  was 
 appointed  to  be  profelTor  of  divinity  at  St.  Andrews,  and  col- 
 league in  the  miniitry  with  the  worthy  Mr  Blair,  who  was  tran(-« 
 
 t  See  Stevenfon's  hiflory,  vol.  I.  page  149.     Rowe's  hiftory, 
 
Mr  nUTHEnrOORD's  LIFE.  j 
 
 lated  hither  about  the  fame  time.  And  here  God  did  again  fo  fe- 
 cond  this  his  eminent  and  faithful  leivant,  that  by  his  indefa- 
 tigable pains  both  in  teaching  in  the  fchools  and  preaching  in  the 
 congregation,  that  ht  Andrews,  the  feat  of  the  arch-bifliop  (and 
 by  tivat  means  the  nurfery  of  all  luperftitioii,  error  and  profane- 
 ncfs)  foon  became  torthwith  a  Lebanon  out  of  which  were  taken 
 cedars,  lor  building  the  houfe  of  the  Lor(^,  almoll  through  the 
 whole  land,  many  of  whcm  he  guided  to  heaven  before  himfelf 
 (who  received  the  fpiritual  life  by  his  miniftiy},  and  many  others 
 did  walk  in  that  light  after  him. 
 
 And  as  he  was  mighty  in  the  public  parts  of  religion,  fo  he 
 was  a  great  pra6lifer  and  encourager  of  the  private  duties  thereof. 
 Thus  in  the  year  1650.  when  a  charge  was  foilted  in  before  the 
 general  aflembly  at  the  inftance  of  Mr  Henry  Guthrie  miniiter 
 at  Stirling  (afterward  bifliop  of  Dunkeld),  againfl  private  fociety 
 meetings  (which  were  then  abounding  in  the  land),  on  which 
 enfued  much  reafoning,  the  one  fide  yielding  that  a  paper  before 
 drawn  up  by  Mr  Hcnderfon  Ihould  be  agreed  unto  concerning  the 
 order  to  be  kept  in  thefe  meet  ngs,  ebr.  but  Guthrie  and  his  ad- 
 herents oppofing  this,  Mr  Ruiherfoord,  who  was  never  much 
 difpofed  to  fpeak  in  judicatories,  threw  in  this  fyllogifm,  **  What 
 the  fcriptures  dof  warrant  no  affcmbiy  may  difcharge;  but  private 
 meetings  for  religious  exercifes  the  fciiptures  do  warrant,  Mai.  v. 
 16.  Then  they  that  feared  the  Lord  /pake  often  one  to  another  y  &c, 
 James  v.  j  6^  Conjefs  your  fault  one  to  another^  and  pray  one  for  an- 
 ether,  &c.  Thefe  things  could  not  be  done  in  public  meetings, 
 &c."  And  although  the  earl  of  Seaforth  there  prefent,  and  thofe 
 of  Guthrie's  fa£lion  upbraided  th4s  goad  man  for  this,  yet  it  had 
 influence  upon  the  majority  of  the  members  that  ail  the  oppofite 
 p.irty  got  done,   was  an  a£t  anent  the  ordering  of  family-worfhip. 
 
 He  was  alio  oncol  the  Scots commiliioners  appointed  ^;27zo  1643. 
 to  the  VVcflminiter  affembly,  and  was  very  much  beloved  there 
 for  his  unparalleled  taithfulnefs  and  zeal  in  going  about  his  Ma- 
 iler's buljnefs.  It  was  during  this  time  that  he  publiflied  lex  rex^ 
 and  leveral  other  learned  pieces  againft  the  eraltians,  anabaptifls, 
 inciependents,  and  other  IccSlaries  that  began  to  prevail  and  in- 
 creale  at  that  time,  and  none  ever  had  the  courage  to  take  up  the 
 gauntlet  ot  defiance  throw'n  down  by  this  champion*. 
 
 When  the  principal  bufinefs  oi  this  afTeujbly  was  pretty  well 
 fettled,  MrRuiherloord  on  Odlober  24.  1647.  moved  that  it  might 
 be  record,  d  in  the  fcribe's  book,  that  the  aflembly  had  enjoyed 
 the  afhlbnce  of  thccommiffioners  of  the  church  of  Scotland,  all 
 
 *  It  IS  reported,  that  when  kiug  Charlts  faw  lex  rex  he  faid,  It 
 wotild  fcatccly  ever  get  an  anfwer  ;  n«ir  did  it  ever  get  any,  except 
 what  the  parliament  in  1661  gave  it,  when  they  caufed  it  to  be 
 burnt  at  the  crofs  of  Edinburgh,  by  the  bauds  of  the  hangman. 
 
6  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  LIFE. 
 
 the  time  they  hnd  been  debating  and  prrfeiSUng  thefe  {owrjthings 
 mentioned  in  the  folemn  league,  Ttz.  Their  conipofing  a  direc- 
 tory for  \v^)ilhip.  an  uniform  confeflion  of  faith,  a  form  of  church- 
 government  and  difcipline,  and  the  public  catechifm,  which  wag 
 done  in  about  a  week  atter  he  and  the  reft  returned  home. 
 
 Upou  the  de;uh  of  the  learned  Dcmatius  anno  165  i.  the  niagi^ 
 Urates  of  Utjccht  in  Molland,  being  abundantly  fatisfied  as  to  the 
 learning,  piety,  and  true  zeal  of  the  great  Mr  Rutherfoord,  in- 
 vited him  to  the  divinity  chair  there,  but  he  could  not  be  per- 
 luaded.  His  reafons  ellcwhere  (when  difl'uading  another  gentle- 
 man from  going  abroad)  fc em  to  be  exprtfftd  in  thefe  words. — 
 *'  Let  me  intreat  you  to  be  far  from  the  thoights  of  leaving  this 
 **  land  I  ft e  it  and  find  it,  that  the  Lord  hath  ccneied  the  whole 
 **  land  with  a  cloud  in  his  nnger,  but  though  1  have  been  tempt- 
 •*  ed  to  the  like,  I  had  rather  be  in  Scotland  befide  angiy  Jefu$ 
 **  Chrift  (knowing  he  mindeth  no  evil  to  us),  than  in  any  Eden 
 **  or  garden  on  the  earth  *."  From  which  it  is  evident  that  he 
 chofe  rather  to  fufFer  afRidlion  in  his  own  native  country,  than  to 
 leave  his  charge  and  flock  in  time  of  danger.  He  continued  with 
 them  till  the  day  of  his  death  in  the  free  and  faithful  difcharge  of 
 his  duty. 
 
 When  the  unhappy  difference  fell  out  between  thofe  called  the 
 protefters  and  the  public  rcloiutioneis  anno  [650.  and  i6;i,  he 
 efpoufed  the  protefters  quarrel,  and  g.ae  taithlul  warning  againft 
 thefe  public  refolutions,  and  likcwile  duiirg  the  time  ot  Crom- 
 \vel*s  ufurpation  he  contended  agamft  all  the  prevailing  fe^laries 
 that  then  u  hered  in  with  the  fe(ftaiies  by  virtue  oi^his  toleration  f. 
 And  fuch  was  his  unwearied  aflinuity  and  diligence,  that  hefeem- 
 cd  to  pray  conftantly,  to  preach  conftantiy,  to  catcchife  conftant- 
 ly.  and  to  vifit  the  fick  exhorting  them  from  houfe  to  houfe,  to 
 teach  as  much  in  the  ichools,  and  Ipend  as  much  time  with  the 
 Undents  and  young  men  in  fitting  them  for  the  miniftry,  as  if  he 
 had  been  fequeftrate  from  all  the  world  befides,  and  yet  withal  to 
 write  as  much  as  if  he  had  been  conftantly  (hut  up  in  his  ftudy. 
 
 But  no  fooner  did  the  reftoration  of  Charles  II.  take  place,  than 
 the  face  of  affairs  began  to  change,  and  alter  his  fore-rTientioned 
 book  lex  rex  was  burnt  at  the  crofs  of  Edinburgh,  and  atthe  gates 
 of  the  new  college  of  bt.  Andrews,  where  he  was  profeflbr  of  di- 
 
 *  See  his  letter  to  col    Gilb.   Ker,  part  IT.  let.  59. 
 
 f  Hetwixt  this  t  >leraiion  and  that  of  the  duke  of  York  there  was 
 this  difference;  in  this  a!!  fectb  and  religions  were  tolerated,  except 
 popery  a  id  prei'iry  ;  hut  in  that  of  York  thefe  two  were  r»nly  rols- 
 rated,  and  ail  others  except  thofe  who  profeffed  true  preftiyterian 
 covenanted  principles;  and  as  for  queen  Anne's  toleration,  it  was 
 nothing  elfe  than  a  reduplicatioa  upon  this  lo  rcftore  their  belov- 
 ed idol  prelacy  again. 
 
Mr  RUTHEnrOORD'?,  LIFE.  7 
 
 Tir.ity,  the  parliament  in  1661.  were  to  have  an  inc^i£lment  laid 
 before  them  againd  him,  ami  luch  was  their  humanity  (th  .t  when 
 every  body  knew  he  was  a-Hying)  that  they  caufed  fummon  him 
 to  appear  before  them  at  Edinburgh,  to  ^ini'wer  to  a  charge  ot  high 
 treaipn  *  :  But  ht  had  a  hij^htr  tribunal  to  appear  before,  where 
 his  judge  was  his  friend,  and  was  ^c;\i\  before  that  time  came,  be- 
 ing taken  away  from  the  evil  to  come. 
 
 When  on  his  death-bed  he  lamented  much  that  he  was  with- 
 held from  bearing  witnefs  to  the  work  of  reformation  fmce  the 
 year  i6.;8.  and  upon  the  28th  of  February  he  gave  a  large  and 
 faithful  icftimony  f  againfl  the  finful  courfes  of  that  time,  which 
 teftimony  he  fubfcribed  twelve  days  before  his  death,  being  full 
 of  joy  and  peace  in  believing. 
 
 During  the  time  of  his  laft  ficknefs,  he  uttered  many  favcury 
 fpeeches,  and  often  broke  out  in  a  kind  «f  facred  rapture,  exilting 
 and  commending  the  Lord  Jcfus,  efpecially  when  his  end  diew 
 near. 
 
 On  the  lyth  of  March  1661,  about  five  o'clock  In  the  morning 
 (as  he  himfeli  had  foretold)  it  was  faid  unto  him,  Come  up  hi- 
 ther, and  he  gave  up  the  ghoft  •,  and  the  renowned  eagle  took  its 
 flight  unto  the  mountain  oi  fpices. 
 
 Thus  died  the  famous  Mr  Piutherfoord,  who  may  juftly  be  ac- 
 counted among  the  fufferers  of  that  time  ;  for  furcly  he  was  a 
 martyr  both  in  his  own  defign  and  refolution,  and  by  the  defign 
 and  determination  of  men.  Few  men  ever  ran  fo  long  a  race  with- 
 out ceflT  tion,  fo  conftantly,  fo  unwearledly,  and  fo  unblameably. 
 Two  things  (rarely  to  be  found  in  one  man)  were  eminent  in 
 him,  viz.  a  quick  invention  and  found  judgment,  and  thefe  ac- 
 companied with  a  homely  but  clear  exprcflion,  and  graceful  elo- 
 cution ;  fo  that  fuch  as  knew  him  beft  were  in  a  ftrait  whether  to 
 admire  him  mofl  for  his  penetrating  wit  and  fubiime  genius  in 
 
 *  It  is  commonly  faid.  that  when  the  fammons  came  he  fpoke 
 rut  of  his  bed  and  l<iid,  Tell  them  I  have  got  fammons  already 
 before  a  fuperior  judge  and  judicatory,  and  f  behove  to  anfwer  my 
 firll  fummons  and  ere  your  d^y  come  I  will  he  where  few  kings 
 and  great  folks  come.  When  ihey  returned  and  told  he  was  a- 
 dying,  the  pHrli^mcnt  put  to  a  vote.  Whether  or  not  to  let  him 
 die  in  the  ct^llege.  It  carried.  Put  him  out,  only  a  fe\T  diflentlng. 
 My  lord  Burleigh  faid,  Ye  have  voted  that  h  >neft  man  out  of  the 
 college,  bnt  ye  cannot  vote  him  our  of  heaven.  Some  faid,  He 
 would  never  win  there,  hell  was  too  good  for  him.  Burleigh  faid, 
 I  wifli  I  were  as  Aire  of  he^ven  as  he  is,  I  would  think  myfelf 
 happy  to  get  a  grip  of  his  fleevc  to  hawl  me  in.  See  Walker's 
 rem.  page  171. 
 
 t  See  this  teftimony,  and  fomc  cf  his  lad  words,  pub!i(hcd  to 
 
8  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  LIFE. 
 
 the  fchools,  and  peculiar  exadnefs  in  difputes  and  matters  of  con- 
 troverfy,  or  his  familiar  condefcenfion  in  the  pulpit,  where  he 
 was  one  of  the  mod  moving  and  affectionate  preachers  in  his 
 time,  or  perhaps  in  any  age  of  the  church. — To  fum  up  all  in  a 
 word,  He  feems  to  be  one  of  the  mod  reiplcndent  lights  that  ever 
 arofe  in  this  horizon. 
 
 In  all  his  writings  he  breathes  the  true  fpirit  of  religion,  but  in 
 his  every-way  admirable  letters,  he  feems  to  have  outdone  him- 
 felf,  as  well  as  every  body  elfe,  which,  although  jelled  on  by  the 
 profane  wits  of  this  age,  becaufe  of  fome  homely  and  familiar  ex- 
 prefnons  in  them,  it  muft  be  owned  by  all  who  have  any  reliih 
 for  true  piety,  that  they  cc»ntain  fuch  fublime  flights  of  devotion, 
 that  they  muft  at  once  raviih  and  edify  every  fober,  ferious,  and 
 underftanding  reader. 
 
 Among  the  pofthumous  works  of  the  laborious  MrRutherfoord 
 are  his  letters  ;  the  trial  and  triumph  of  faith;  Chrift's  dying  and 
 drawing  of  {inners,  &c. ;  and  a  diicourfe  on  prayer;  all  in  odl'.vo. 
 A  diicourfe  on  the  covenant;  on  libert  of  confcience  ;  a  furvey 
 of  fpiritual  antichrift;  a  iurvey  of  antinomianifm  ;  antichriil  (form- 
 ed; and  feveral  other  controverted  pieces,  fuch  as  lex  rex ;  the 
 due  right  of  church-government;  the  divine  right  of  church-go- 
 vernment; and  peaceable  plea  for  prefbytery;  are  for  the  moft 
 part  in  quarto,  as  alfo  his  fummary  of  church  difcipline,  and  a 
 treatife  on  the  divine  influence  of  the  Spirit,  fhere  are  alfo  a  va- 
 riety of  his  fermons  in  print,  fome  of  which  were  preached  be- 
 fore both  houfes  of  parliament  <7;z/2/j  i  644  and  1645  He  wrote 
 alfo  upon  providence,  but  that  being  in  Latin,  is  only  in  the  hands 
 of  a  few;  as  are  alfo  the  greater  part  of  his  works,  being  fo  fel- 
 dom  republiihed.  .-^ 
 
 AN    EPITAPH     OS     HIS     GRAVE    STONE. 
 
 What  tongue!   What  pen,  or  fl4.ill  of  men 
 Can  famous  Rutherfoord  commend! 
 His  learning  juftly  rais'd  his  fame. 
 True  goodnefs  did  adorn  his  name, 
 He  did  converfe  with  things  above, 
 y^cquainted  with  EmmanuePs  love. 
 Moll  orthodox  he  was  and  found, 
 And  many  errors  did  confound. 
 For  Zion's  King,  and  Zion's  caufc, 
 And  Scotland's  covenanted  laws, 
 Moft  conftantly  he  did  contend, 
 Until  his  time  was  at  an  end. 
 At  laft  he  wan  to  the  full  fruition 
 Of  that  which  he  had  fecn  ia  vifion. 
 Oaober  9.  1735.  W.  W. 
 
(     9     ) 
 
 Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  LETTERS^ 
 
 EPISTLE    I. 
 
 To  Mr  ROBEP.T  CUNNINGH  AME,  Minifur  of  the  C*fpd  at 
 Holywood  in  Ireland. 
 
 Well-hchved  and  reverend  brcther^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace,  be  to  you :  upon  acquaintance  in 
 Chrift,  I  thought  good  xo  take  the  opportunity  ot  writing 
 to  you:  feeing  it  hath  feemed  good  to  the  Lord  of  the  harveft, 
 to  take  the  hooks  out  of  our  hands  for  a  time,  and  fo  lay  upon  us 
 a  more  honourable  fervicc,  even  to  luffer  for  his  name,  it  were 
 good  to  comfort  one  another  in  writing.  I  have  had  a  defire  to 
 fee  you  in  the  face,  yet  now  being  the  prifoner  of  Chrift,  it  is 
 taken  av\'ay.  I  am  greatly  comforted  to  hear  of  your  foldiert 
 lately  fpirit,  for  your  princely  and  royal  Captain  Jefus  Chrift  our 
 Lord,  and  of  the  grace  of  God  in  the  reft  of  our  dear  brethren 
 with  you.  You  have  heard  of  my  trouble,  I  fuppofe.  It  hath  pleaf- 
 ed  our  fwcet  Lord  Jefus  to  let  loofe  the  malice  of  thefe  intcrdidcd 
 lords  in  his  houfe,  to  deprive  me  of  my  miniftry  at  Anwoth,  and 
 to  conline  mc  eightfcore  miles  from  thence  to  Aberdeen:  and 
 alfo  (which  was  not  done  to  any  before)  to  inhibit  me  to  fpeak 
 at  all  in  Jefus  his  name,  within  this  kingdom,  under  the  pain  o£ 
 rebellion.  The  caufe  that  ripened  iheir  hatred  was  my  book  a- 
 gainft  the  Arminians,  whereof  they  accufcd  me  thcfe  three  days  I 
 appeared  before  them  ;  but  let  our  crowned  King  in  Zion  reign; 
 by  hi^  grace  the  lofs  is  theirs,  the  advantai:e  is  Chrift's  and  truth's. 
 Albeit  this  honeft  crofs  gained  fome  ground  on  me  by  my  heavi- 
 ncfs,  and  inward  challenges  of  confcience  foratim.e  were  ftiarp,  yet 
 now  for  the  encouragement  of  you  all,  1  dare  fay  it,  and  write 
 it  under  my  hand,  Welcome,  welcome,  fwect,  fweet  crofs  of 
 Chrift.  I  verily  think  the  chains  of  my  ]_ord  Jefus  are  all  overlaid 
 with  pure  gold,  and  that  his  crofb  is  pci  turned,  jiid  that  it  fmeileth 
 of  Chrift  ;  and  that  the  victory  ihall  be  by  the  blood  of  the  Lamb, 
 ^\\^  by  the  word  ot  his  truth  \  and  that  Chrift  lying  on  his  back, 
 in  his  weak  fervants,  and  opprciTed  truth,  fliall  ride  oxer  his  ene- 
 mies bellies,  and  ftiall  ftilke  through  kings  in  the  day  of  his 
 wrath.  It  is  time  to  laugh  when  he  hugheth  ;  and  feeing  he  is 
 now  pleafed  to  fjt  with  wrongs  for  a  time,  it  becometh  us  to  be 
 fiicnt,  until  the  Lord  hath  let  the  enem.ies  enjoy  their  hungry^ 
 lean,   and  fcckUfs  j-amdifc  :  llcfled  are  thcv  Y»'ho  arc  content  to 
 
 B 
 
1©  Mr  nUT^ERfOORD's  EpiH:.  i.] 
 
 take  ftrokcs  with  weeping  Chrifl;  falih  will  truft  the  Lord,  and 
 is  not  hafty,  nor  head-ftrongi  neither  is  faith  (o  timorous,  as  to 
 flatter  a  tentation,  or  to  bud  and  bribe  the  crofs.  It  is  little  up  or 
 little  down  that  the  Lamb  and  his  followers  can  get  no  law  lure- 
 ty,  nor  truce  with  croffes;  it  mud  be  fo,  till  we  be  up  in  our  Fa- 
 ther's houfe.  My  heart  is  woe  indeed  for  my  mother  church,  that 
 hath  played  the  harlot  with  many  lovers  ;  for  her  hufband  hath  a 
 mind  to  fell  her  for  her  horrible  tranfgreiTions,  and  heavy  will  the 
 hand  of  the  Lord  be  upon  this  backiliding  nation.  The  ways  of 
 cur  Zion  mourn,  her  gold  is  become  dim,  her  white  Nazarites 
 are  black  like  a  coal ;  how  fhall  not  the  children  weep,  when  the 
 hulband  and  the  mother  cannot  agree?  Yet  I  believe  Scotland's 
 ilcies  Ihall  clear  again,  and  that  Chrill  Pnall  build  again  the  old 
 wafte  places  of  Jacob,  and  that  our  dead  and  dry  bones  (hall  be- 
 come an  army  of  living  men*,  and  that  our  Well-beloved  may 
 yet  feed  among  the  lillies,  until  the  day  break,  and  the  fbadows 
 flee  away.  My  dear  brother,  let  us  help  one  another  with  our 
 prayers.  Our  King  iliall  mow  down  his  enemies,  and  Tnall  come 
 iVom  Bozra,  with  bis  garments  all  dyed  in  blood,  and  for  our  con- 
 folation  fhall  he  appear,  and  call  his  wife  Hephzibah,  and  his 
 land  Beula  •,  for  he  will  rejoice  over  us  and  marry  us,  and  Scot- 
 land {hall  fay,  What  have  t  to  do  any  more  with  idols  ?  Only  let 
 us  be  faithful  to  him  that  can  ride  through  hell  and  death  upon  a 
 windleftrae,  and  his  horfe  never  ftum.ble ;  and  let  him  make  of 
 me  a  bridge  over  a  water,  fo  that  his  high  and  holy  name  may 
 be  glorified  in  me :  flrokes  with  the  fvveet  Mediator's  hand  arc 
 very  fweet ;  he  has  always  been  fweet  to  my  foul ;  but  fince  I  buf- 
 fered for  him,  his  breath  hath  a  fweeter  fmell  than  before.  Oh 
 that  every  hair  of  my  head,  and  every  member,  and  every  bone 
 in  my  body,  were  a  man  to  witnefs  a  fair  confefhon  for  him,  I 
 would  think  all  too  little  for  him.  When  I  look  over  beyond  the 
 line,  and  beyond  death,  to  the  laughing  fide  of  the  world,  I  tri- 
 umph, and  ride  upon  the  high  places  of  Jacob,  howbeit  otherwife 
 I  am  a  faint  dead-hearted  cowardly  man,  oft  born  down,  and 
 hungry  in  waiting  for  the  marriage  fupper  of  the  Lamb  ;  never- 
 thelefs  I  think  it  the  Lord's  wife  love  that  feeds  us  with  h linger, 
 and  makes  us  fat  with  wants  and  defertions  :  I  know  not,  my  dear 
 brother,  if  our  worthy  brethren  be  gone  to  fea,  or  not;  they  arc 
 on  my  heart,  and  in  my  prayers  ;  if  they  be  yet  with  you,  falute 
 my  dear  friend  John  Stuart-,  my  v>^eil  beloved  brethren  in  the 
 Lord,  Mr  Blair,  Mr  Hamilton,  Mr  Livingfton,  and  Mr  M'Cle- 
 land,  and  acquaint  them  with  my  troubles,  and  intrcat  them  to 
 pray  for  the  poor  afHicled  prifoner  of  Chritt:  they  are  dear  to  my 
 foul;  I  feck  your  prayers  and  theirs  for  my  flock ;  their  remem- 
 brance breaks  my  heart:  I  defire  to  love  that  people,  and  others 
 my  dear  acquaintance  in  Chrifl  with  love  in  God^  and  as  God 
 
Epifl.  2.]  LETTERS.  ii 
 
 loveth  them  :  I  know  that  he  who  fen:  me  to  the  Weft  and  South 
 lends  me  alfo  to  the  North :  I  will  charge  my  foul  to  believe  and 
 to  wait  for  him,  and  will  follow  his  providence,  and  not  go  be- 
 fore it,  nor  flay  behind  it.  Now  my  dear  brother,  taking  farewcl  in 
 paper,  I  commend  you  all  to  the  word  of  his  grace,  and  to  the 
 work  of  his  Spirit,  to  him  who  holdeth  the  feven  ftars  In  his  right 
 hand,  that  you  may  be  kept  fpotlcfs  till  the  day  of  Jcfus  out 
 Lord.     I  am. 
 
 From  Irvine,  being  on  my  journey        Tour  brother  in  affli^ion 
 to  Chrift's  palace  in  Aberdeen^  in  ourfiveet  Lord  Jefus^ 
 
 Juguji  4,  1636.  S.  R. 
 
 2.     To  his  PARISHIONERS. 
 
 DE  ARLY-beloved  and  longed  for  in  the  Lord,  my  crown 
 and  my  joy  in  the  day  of  Chrift  :  grace  be  to  you,  and  peace 
 from  God  our  Father,  and  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  I  long  ex- 
 ceedingly to  know,  if  the  oft-fpoken  of  match  betwixt  you  and 
 Chrift  holdeth  •,  and  if  you  follow  on  (o  know  the  Lord.  My  day 
 thoughts  and  my  night  thoughts  are  of  you ;  while  ye  fleep  f  am 
 afraid  of  your  fouls,  that  they  be  off  the  rock :  next  to  my  Lord 
 Jefus  and  this  fallen  kirk,  ye  have  the  greateft  fhare  of  my  for- 
 row,  and  alfo  of  my  joy  ;  ye  are  the  matter  of  the  tears,  care, 
 fear,  and  daily  prayers  of  an  opprefled  prifoner  of  Chrift,  As  I 
 am  in  bonds  for  my  high  and  lofty  One,  my  royal  and  princely 
 Mafter,  my  Lord  Jefus;  fo  I  am  in  bonds  for  you  :  for  I  ftiould 
 have  fleeped  in  my  warm  neft,  and  kept  the  fat  world  in  m.y  arms, 
 and  the  cords  of  my  tabernacle  fliould  have  been  faftened  more 
 ftrongly,  I  might  have  fung  an  evangel  of  eafe  to  my  foul  and  you 
 for  a  time  with  my  brethren,  the  fons  of  my  mother,  that  were 
 iingry  at  me,  and  have  thruft  me  out  of  the  vineyard,  if  I  Ihould 
 have  been  broken,  and  drawn  on  to  mire  you  the  Lord's  flock, 
 and  to  caufe  you  eat  paftures  troden  upon  with  mens  feet,  and  to 
 drink  foul  and  muddy  waters  :  but  truly  the  Almighty  was  a 
 terror  to  me,  and  his  fear  made  me  afraid.  O  my  Lord,  judge  if 
 my  miniftry  be  not  dear  to  me,  but  not  fo  dear  by  many  degrees 
 as  Chrift  Jefus  my  Lord,  God  knoweth  the  heavy  and  fad  fab- 
 baths  1  have  had;  fince  I  laid  dov/n  at  my  Mailer's  fec^t  my  two 
 fhepherd's  ftaves,  1  have  been  often  faying,  as  it  is  written,  Lam, 
 iii.  52,53.  *  My  enemies  chafed  mc  fore  like  a  bird  without  caufe : 
 they  have  cut  off  my  life  in  the  dungeon,  and  caft  a  ilone  upon 
 me:'  for,  next  to  Chrift,  I  had  but  one  joy,  the  apple  of  the  eye 
 of  my  delights,  to  preach  Chrift  my  Lord,  and  they  have  violently 
 plucked  that  away  from  me,  and  it  was  to  me  like  the  poor  man's 
 «n«  e)e,  and  they  have  put  out  that  eye,  and  quenched  my  light 
 .n  the  inheritance  of  the  Lord ;  but  mv  eve  is  toward  the  Lcrd 
 
 li    2 
 
52  Mr    nurHERFOORD'%  Eplft.  2-1 
 
 I  know  I  fhall  fee  the  falvatlon  of  God,  and  that  my  hope  fliall  not 
 always  be  forgotten.  And  my  forrow  fnall  want  nothing  to  com- 
 plcat  it,  and  to  make  me  fay,  What  availeth  it  me  to  live  ?  If  yc 
 follow  the  voice  of  a  flranger,  of  one  that  comcth  into  the  fheep 
 fold  not  by  Chrilt  the  door,  but  climbeth  up  another  way.  If  the 
 man  build  his  hay  and  ftubble  upon  the  golden  foundation,  Chiift 
 Jefus,  already  laid  among  you,  and  ye  follow  him,  I  aflure  you, 
 the  man's  work  fnall  burn,  and  never  bide  God's  fire,  and  ye  and 
 lie  both  fhall  be  in  danger  of  everlafting  burning,  except  ye  re- 
 pent. O  if  any  pain,  any  forrow,  any  lofs  that  I  can  lufFer  for 
 Chrift,  and  for  yon,  were  laid  in  pledge  to  buy  Chrift's  love  to  you, 
 «nd  that  I  could  lay  my  deareft  joys  next  to  Chrift  my  Lord  in  the 
 gap,  betwixt  you  and  eternal  deftru£lion  !  O  if  I  had  paper  as 
 broad  as  heaven  and  earth,  and  ink  as  the  fea,  and  all  the  rivers 
 and  fountains  cf  the  earth,  and  were  able  to  write  the  love,  the 
 worth,  the  excellency,  the  fweetnefs,  and  due  praifes  of  our 
 deareft  and  faireft  Well-beloved  j  and  then  if  ye  could  read  and 
 underftand  it!  What  could  I  want,  if  my  minlftry  among  you 
 fliould  make  a  marriage  between  the  little  bride  in  that  bounds 
 and  the  Bridegroom  ?  O  how  rich  a  prifoner  were  I,  if  I  could 
 obtain  of  my  Lord  (before  whom  I  ftand  for  you)  the  falvation 
 of  you  all !  O  what  a  prey  had  I  gotten,  to  have  you  catched  in 
 Chrift's  net  !  O  then  1  had  caft  out  my  Lord's  lines  and  his  net 
 ^vith  a  rich  gain  !  O  then,  well-wared  pained  breaft  and  fore  back, 
 and  crazed  body,  in  fpeaking  early  and  late  to  you  !  My  witnefs  is 
 above,  your  heaven  would  be  two  heavens  to  me,  and  the  falvation 
 of  you  all  as  two  falvations  to  me ;  i  would  fubfcribe  a  fufpenfion, 
 and  a  frifting  of  my  heaven,  for  many  hundred  years,  (according 
 to  God's  good  pleafure)  if  you  wercfure  in  the  upper  lodging,  in 
 our  Father's  houfe,  before  me.  I  take  to  witnefs  heaven  and  earth 
 againft  you.  I  take  inftruments  in  the  hands  of  that  fun  and  day- 
 light that  beheld  us,  and  in  the  hands  of  the  timber  and  walls  of 
 that  kirk,  if  I  drew  not  up  a  fair  contrail  of  marriage  betwixt  you 
 »nd  Chrift,  if  I  went  not  with  offers  betwixt  the  Bridegroom  and 
 you  ;  and  your  confcience  did  bear  you  witnefs,  your  mouths  con- 
 ieffed,  that  there  were  many  fairtryfts  and  meetings  drawn  on  be- 
 twixt Chrift  and  you  at  comm.union  feafts,  and  other  occafions  ; 
 there  were  bracelets,  jewels,  rings,  and  love-letters,  fent  to  you 
 by  the  Bridegroom  •,  it  was  told  you  what  a  fair  dowry  ye  ftiould 
 have,  and  v/hata  houfe  your  hufband  and  ye  fhould  dwell  in,  and 
 what  was  the  bridegroom's  excellency,  fweetnefs,  might,  power; 
 the  eternity  and  glory  of  his  kingdom,  the  exceeding  deepncfs  of 
 his  love,  who  fought  his  black  wife  through  pain,  fires,  ftiamc, 
 death,  and  the  grave,  andfwimmed  the  fait  fca  for  her,  undergo- 
 ing the  curfe  of  the  law,  and  then  was  made  a  curfe  for  you,  and 
 yc'thcn  confented  and  faid,  Even  fo  I  take  him.    I  counfel  you. 
 
Epift.  2.3  LETTERS.  13 
 
 beware  of  the  new  and  flrange  leaven  of  mens  inventions,  befidc 
 and  againll  the  word  of  God,  contrair  to  the  oath  of  this  kirk, 
 now  coming  among  you  •,  I  inftructed  you  of  the  fuperlHtion  and 
 idolatry  of  kneeling  in  the  inftant  of  receiving  tht  Lord*s  fupper, 
 and  crofling  in  baptifm,  and  the  obferving  of  mens  days  without 
 any  warrant  of  Chrift  our  perieft  lawgiver :  countenance  not  the 
 furplice,  the  attire  of  the  mafs-prieft  the  garment  of  Baal's  priefts, 
 the  abominable  bowing  to  altars  of  tree  is  coming  upon  you  ;  hate, 
 and  keep  yourielves  from  idols;  forbear  in  any  cafe  to  hear  tha 
 reading  of  the  new  fatherlefs  fervice  book,  full  of  grofs  herefies, 
 popifh  and  fuperflitious  errors,  without  any  warrant  of  Chrift, 
 tending  to  the  overthrow  of  preaching :  you  owe  no  obedience 
 to  the  baltard  canons  ;  they  are  unlawful,  blafphenious  and  fuper- 
 ftitious :  all  the  ceremiOhies  that  lie  in  the  antichrifl's  foul  womb, 
 the  wares  of  that  great  mother  of  fornications,  the  kirk  of  Rome, 
 are  to  be  refufed  ;  ye  fee  Avhither  they  lead  you  ;  continue  (fill  in 
 the  doctrine  which  ^e  have  received  ;  ye  heard  of  me  the  whole 
 counfel  of  God,  few  no  clouts  upon  Chrifl's  robe  ;  take  Chrift  in 
 his  rags  and  loffis,  and  as  perfecuted  by  men,  and  be  content  to 
 (igh  and  pant  up  the  mountain,  with  Chriit's  crofs  on  your  back; 
 let  me  be  reputed  a  falfe  prophet  (and  your  confcience  once  faid 
 the  contrair)  if  your  Lord  Jefus  (hall  not  ftand  by  you,  and  main- 
 tain you,  and  maintain  your  caufe  againft  your  enemies.  I  have 
 heard  (and  my  foul  is  grieved  for  it)  that  fmce  my  departure  from 
 you,  many  among  you  are  turned  back  from  the  good  old  way, 
 to  the  dogs  vomit  again  ;  let  me  fpeak  to  thefe  men  :  it  was  not 
 without  God's  fpecial  direction,  that  the  hrlt  fentence  that  ever 
 my  mouth  uttered  to  you  ^vas  that  of  John  chap.  ix.  39.  '  And  Je- 
 fus faid,  For  judgment  came  I  into  the  world,  that  they  which 
 fee  not  might  fee,  and  they  which  fee  might  be  made  blind.*  It 
 is  podible,  my  firft  meeting  and  yours  be,  when  we  fliall  both 
 ftand  before  the  dreadful  judge  of  the  world  :  and  in  the  name  ?.nd 
 authority  of  the  Son  of  God,  my  gre.it  King  and  Maiter,  I  write, 
 by  thefe  prefents,  fummons  to  thefe  men,  i  ^rreft  their  fouls  and 
 bodies  to  the  day  of  our  compearance;  their  eternal  damnation 
 ftands  fubfcribed,  and  fealed  in  heaven,  by  the  hand-writing  of 
 the  great  judge  of  quick  and  dead;  and  I  am  ready  to  ftand  up,  as 
 a  preaching  witnels  againlt  fiich  to  their  face,  that  day,  and  to 
 fay  Amen  to  their  condemnation,  except  they  repent,  'i'he  ven- 
 j^eance  of  the  gofpel  is  heavier  nor  the  vengeance  of  the  law ;  th(f 
 Mediator's  malediction  and  vengeance  is  twice  vengeance,  and 
 that  vengeance  is  the  due  portion  of  fuch  men  ;  and  there  Tleavc 
 them  as  bound  men,  ay,  and  while  they  repent  and  amend.  Yoii 
 ■were  witneiTcs  how  the  Lord's  day  was  fpcnt  while  I  w<as  among 
 you  :  O  facrllegious  robber  of  God's  day,  what  wilt  thou  anfwer 
 ike  Almighty  when  he  fecketh  fo  many  fabbaths  back  again  frcrit 
 
14  m  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  2.] 
 
 thee  ?  What  will  the  curfer,  fwearer,  and  blafphemer  do,  when 
 his  tongue  (hall  be  roafled  in  that  broad  and  burning  lake  of  fire 
 and  brimftone ;  and  what  will  the  drunkard  do  when  tongue, 
 lights,  and  liver,  bones  and  all,  (hall  boil  and  fry  in  a  torturing 
 fire  ?  for  he  {hall  be  far  from  his  barrels  of  ftrong  drink  then,  and 
 there  is  not  a  cold  well  of  water  for  him  in  hell.  What  fhall  be 
 the  cafe  of  the  wretch,  the  covetous  man,  the  cppreflbr,  the  de- 
 ceiver, the  earth-worm,  v/ho  can  never  get  his  womb  full  of  clay, 
 when  in  the  day  of  Chrift,  gold  and  filver  muft  lie  burnt  inafhes, 
 and  he  muft  compear  and  anfwer  his  Judge,  and  quit  his  claley 
 ind  naughty  heaven  ?  Wo,  wo,  for  evermore,  be  to  the  time- 
 turning  Atlicifi:,  that  hath  one  God  and  one  religion  for  lummer, 
 and  another  God  and  another  religion  for  winter,  and  the  day  of 
 fanning,  when  Chriil  fanneth  all  that  is  in  his  barn  floor;  who 
 hath  a  confcience  for  every  fair  and  market,  and  the  foul  of  him 
 runneth  upon  thefe  oiled  wheels,  time,  cuflom,  the  world,  and 
 command  of  men  :  O  if  the  carelefs  Atheift,  and  fleeping  man, 
 who  edgeth  by  all,  (with,  God  forgive  our  pallors  if  they  lead  us 
 wrong,  we  muft  do  as  they  command)  and  lay  dovv'n  his  head  up-- 
 on  lime's  bofom,  and  giveth  his  confcience  to  a  deputy,  and 
 fleepeth  fo  while  the  fmoke  of  hell-fire  flee  up  in  his  throat,  and 
 caufe  him  ftart  out  of  his  dolefal  bed  !  O  if  fuch  a  man  would  a- 
 wake.  Many  woes  are  for  the  over  gilded  and  gold-plaiftered  hy- 
 pocrite. A  heavy  doom  is  for  the  liar  and  white-tongued  flatterer ; 
 and  the  flying  hook  of  God's  fearful  vengeance,  twenty  cubits 
 long,  and  ten  cubits  broad,  that  goeth  out  from  the  face  of  God, 
 iball  enter  into  the  houfe,  and  in  upon  the  foul  of  him  that  fteal- 
 cth  and  fweareth  falfely  by  God's  name,  Zech.  v.  2,  3.  Idenouncs 
 eternal  burning,  hotter  than  Sodom's  flames,  upon  the  men  that 
 boil  in  filthy  iufts  of  fornication,  adultery,  inceft,  and  the  like 
 wlckednefs ;  no  room,  no,  not  a  foot  broad  for  fuch  vile  dogi 
 within  the  clean  Jerufalem.  Many  of  you  put  off  all  with  this, 
 *  God  forgive  us  we  know  no  better:'  I  renew  my  old  anfwer, 
 2  ThefT.  i,  the  Judge  is  coming  *  in  flaming  fire,  with  all  his 
 mighty  angels,  to  render  vengeance  to  all  thofe  that  know  not 
 God  and  believe  not.'  I  have  often  told  you  fecurity  fliall  flay 
 you :  all  men  fay  they  have  faith,  as  many  men  and  women  now, 
 as  many  faints  in  heaven  ;  and  all  believe  (fay  ye;)  every  foul 
 dog  Is  clean  enough,  and  good  enough  for  the  clean  and  new  Je- 
 rufalem above.  Every  man  hath  converfion  and  the  new  birth ; 
 but  it  is  not  leel  come  ;  they  had  never  3  fick  night  for  lin  :  con- 
 verfion came  to  them  in  a  night  dream  :  In  a  word,  hell  will  be 
 empty  at  the  day  of  judgment,  and  heaven  panged  full :  alas  !  it 
 rs  neither  eafy  nor  ordinary  to  believe  and  to  be  faved :  many  muit 
 iland  in  the  end  at  heaven's  gates;  when  they  go  to  take  out  theic 
 liith,  they  take  out  a  fiir  nothing,  (or  as  yc  uied  to  fpeak)  able- 
 
Eplft.  2.3     .  LETTERS.  ^5 
 
 flume  :  O  lamentable  difappointment !  I  pray  you,  I  charge  you 
 in  the  name  of  Chrift,  make  faft  work  of  Chrill  and  falvation.  I 
 know  there  are  fome  believers  among  you,  and  1  write  to  you,  O 
 poor  broken-hearted  believers :  all  the  comforts  of  Chrift  in  the 
 Old  and  New  Teftament  are  yours.    O  what  a  father  and  huf- 
 band  you  have !   O  if  I  had  pen  and  ink,  and  engine,  to  write  of 
 him!  Let  heaven  and  earth  be  confolidate  in  maify  and  pure  gold, 
 it  will  not  weigh  the  thoufandth  part  of  Chrifl's  love  to  a  loul, 
 even  to  me  a  poor  prifoner :  O  that  is  a  mafly  and  marvellous  love  \ 
 Men  and  angels,  unite  your  force  and  ftrength  in  qne;  ye  ihall 
 not  heave  nor  poile  it  oiFthe  ground:  ten  thoufand  worlds,  as 
 many  worlds  as  angels  can  number,   and  then  as  a  new  world  of 
 angels  can  multiply,  \fould  not  all  be  the  balk  of  a  balance  to 
 weigh  Chrift's  excellency,  fweetnefs  and  love:  put  ten  earths  in 
 one,  and  let  a  rofe  grow  greater  than  ten  whole  earths,  or  ten 
 worlds,  O  what  beauty  would  be  in  it,  and  what  a  fmell  would 
 it  call!  but  a  blafl  of  the  breath  of  that  faired  rofe  in  all  God's 
 paradife,  even  of  Chrilt  Jefus  our  Lord,  one  look  of  that  fairefl: 
 lace  would  be  infinitely,  in  beauty  and  fmell,  above  all  imaginable 
 and   created  glory.    1  wonder  that  men  do  bide  off  Chrift.    I 
 would  eftccm  myi'elf  bleiTed,  if  I  could  make  an  open  proclama- 
 tion, and  gather  all  the  world,  that  are  living  upon  the  earth, 
 Jew  and  Gentile,  and  all  that  fiiall  be  born  to  the  blowing  of  the 
 lafl  trumpet,  to  Aock  round  about  Chrift,  and  to  ibnd  looking, 
 wondering,  admiring,  and  adorinr^  his  beauty  and  fweetnefs;  for 
 his  fire  is  hotter  than  any  other  lire,  his  love  fweeter  than  com- 
 mon love,  his  beauty  furpafieth  all  other  beauty.    When  I  am 
 heavy  and  fad,  one  of  his  love-looks  would  do  me  meikle  world's 
 good.  O  if  ye  would  fall  in  love  with  him  I  How  blefTed  were  1  ? 
 How  ghd  would  my  foul  be  to  help  you  to  love  him  ?  But  a- 
 mongll:  us  all  we  could  not  love  liim  enough  :   he  is  the  Son  of 
 the  Father's  love,  and  God's  delight,  the  Father's  love  lieth  all 
 upon  him  :  O  if  all  mankind  would  fetch  all  their  love,  and  lay 
 it  upon  him.  Invite  him,  and  take  him  home  to  your  houfes,  in 
 the  exercife  of  prayer,  morning  and  evening,  as  I  often  defireci 
 you;  efpecial'y  now,  let  him  not  want  lodging  in  your  houfes, 
 nor  ly  in  the  iidds,  when  he  is  (hut  out  of  pulpits  and  kirks.    If 
 ye  will  be  content  to  take  heaven  by  violence,  and  the  wind  on 
 your  face,  for  Chrill  and  his  crofs,  1  am  here  one  who  have  fome 
 trial  of  ChrilFs  crofs  ;  I  can  fay,  that  Chrilt  was  ever  kind  to  mc, 
 but  he  overcometh  himfelf  (if  I  may  fpeak  fo)  in  kindnefs  while 
 I  futFer  for  him  ;  I  give  you  my  word  lor  it,  Chrifl's  crofs  is  not 
 fo  evil  as  they  call   it;    it  is  fweet,  light,  and  comfortable:  I 
 would  not  want  the  vifitations  of  love,  and  the  very  breathings 
 of  Chrift's  mouth  when  he  kiffeth,  and  my  Lord's  delightfome 
 fmileg,  and  lovr-embrscenients,  under  my  fu fieri n^s  for  him,  for 
 
i5  'Mr  ftUTHERFOORD's  Epld.  2.] 
 
 m  mountain  of  gold,  nor  for  all  the  honours,  court,  and  gran- 
 deur of  velvet  kirk  men  ;  Chriil  hath  the  yolk  and  heart  of  my 
 Jove,  '  I  am  my  Beloved's,  and  my  Well-beloved  is  mine.*  O 
 that  ye  were  all  hand-faftened  to  Chrift !  O  my  dearly  beloved 
 in  the  Lord,  I  would  1  could  change  my  voice,  and  had  a  tongue 
 tuned  with  the  hand  of  my  Lord,  and  had  the  art  of  fpeaking  of 
 Chrift,  that  I  might  paint  out  unto  you  the  worth,  and  highrfefs, 
 and  greatnefs,  and  excellency  of  that  faireft  and  renowned  Bride- 
 groom !  I  befeech  you  by  the  mercies  of  the  Lord,  by  the  fighs, 
 tears,  and  heart's  blood  of  our  Lord  Jefus,  by  the  falvation  of  your 
 poor  and  precious  fouls,  fet  up  the  mountain,  that  ye  and  I  may 
 meet  before  the  Lamb's  throne,  amongft  the  congregation  of  the 
 flrft  born.  Lord,  grant  that  that  may  be  the  tryiling  place,  that 
 ye  and  I  may  put  up  our  hands  together,  and  pluck,  and  eat  the 
 apples  off  the  tree  of  life,  and  we  may  feaft  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  fpan-length  of  days  here  !  Your  inch  of 
 time  is  lefs  than  when  ye  and  I  parted  :  eternity,  eternity  is  com- 
 ing, porting  on  with  wings ;  then  fhall  every  man's  blacks  and 
 whites  be  brought  to  light.  O  how  light  will  your  thoughts  be  of 
 this  fair-Ilcinned  but  heart-rotten  apple,  the  vain,  vain,  fecklefs 
 world,  when  the  worms  fhall  make  their  houfcs  in  your  eye-holes, 
 j»nd  fliall  eat  off  the  fleih  from  the  ball  of  your  cheeks,  and  ihall 
 make  that  body  a  number  of  dry  bones  ?  Think  not  the  common 
 gate  of  ferving  Goc\y  as  neighbour  and  others  do,  will  bring  you 
 to  heaven  ;  few,  few  are  faved ;  the  devil's  court  is  thick  and 
 many;  he  hath  the  greateft  number  of  mankind  for  his  vafTals. 
 1  know  this  world  is  a  great  forefl  of  thorns  in  your  way  to  hea- 
 ven •,  but  you  niufl  through  it:  acquaint  yourfelvcs  with  the 
 Lord,  hold  fafl  Chrift,  hear  his  voice  only,  blefs  his  name,  fanc- 
 tify  and  keep  his  day;  keep  the  new  commandment,  *  Love  one 
 r.notheri'  let  the  holy  Spirit  dwell  in  your  bodies^and  be  clean  and 
 holy;  love  not  the  world,  lie- not,  love  and  follow  truth  ;  learn  to 
 know  God :  keep  in  mind  wh-t  I  taught  you;*  for  God  will  feek 
 liQ  account  of  it,  v/hen  I  am  f'.r  from  you :  abftain  from  all  evil, 
 and  ail  appearance  of  evil ;  follow  good  carefully,  and  feek  peace, 
 and  follow  after  it;  honour  your  king,  and  pray  for  him;  re- 
 member me  to  God  in  your  prayers,  1  do  not  forget  you.  I  told 
 you  often,  while  I  was  with  you,  and  now  I  write  it  again.  Hea- 
 vy, fad,  and  fore,  is  that  ftroke  of  the  Lord's  wrath  that  is  com- 
 ing upou  Scotland  :  wo,  wo,  wo  to  this  harlot  land ;  for  they 
 ftiall  take  the  cup  of  God's  wrath  from  his  hands,  and  drink,  and 
 fpue,  and  fall,  and  not  rife  again.  In,  in,  in  with  fpeed,  to  your 
 Aron^  bold,  ye  prifoners  of  hope,  and  hide  you  there,  while  the 
 tnger  c;  the  Lord  piifs  :  foUov/  not  the  puftors  of  this  land,  for 
 
Epiil  3.]  LETTERS.  17 
 
 the  fun  is  gone  down  upon  them  ;  as  the  Lord  Ilveth,  they  lead 
 you  from  Chrift,  and  from  the  good  old  way;  yet  the  Lord  vill 
 keep  the  holy  city,  and  make  this  withered  kirk  to  bud  again,  like 
 a  rofe.  and  a  field  blclTed  of  the  Lord.  The  grace  of  the  Lord  Jefus 
 Chrift  be  with  you  all.  The  prayers  and  blefPings  of  a  prifoner  of 
 Chrift,  in  bonds  for  him,  and  for  you,  be  with  you  all,  Amen. 
 Aberdeen^   July  14,  Tour  la-wi id  and  loving 
 
 1637-  pafior,  S.   R. 
 
 3.    To  the  Honourable y  Reverend^  and  Well-beloved  Pr of ejfors  of 
 Chrijt  and  his  Truth  in  Sincehtyt  in  Ireland. 
 
 DEARLY  beloved  in  our  Lord,  and  partakers  of  the  heavenly 
 calling,   Grace,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you,  from  God  our 
 Father,  and  from  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  I  always,  but  moft  of  all 
 now  in  my  bonds,  (moft  fweet  bonds  for  Chrift  my  Lordj  rejoice 
 to  hear  of  your  faith  and  love,  and  to  hear  that  our  King,  our 
 Weil-beloved,  our  Bridegroom,  without  tiring,  ftayeth  ftill  to  woo 
 you,  as  his  wiFej  and  that  perfecutions,  and  mockings  of  fmners 
 have  not  chafed  away  the  wooer  from  the  houfe.     I  perfuade  you 
 in  the  Lord,  the  men  of  God,  now  fcatteied  and  driven  from  you, 
 put  you  upon  the  right  fcent  and  purfuit  of  Chrift  5  and  my  fal- 
 vation  on  it,   (if  ten  heavens  were  mine)  if  this  way,  this  way 
 that  I  now  fuffer  for,  this  way  that  the  world  nicknameth  and  re- 
 proacheth,  and  no  other  v;ay^  be  not  the  King's  gate  to  heaven  ; 
 and  I  ftiall  never  fee  Gcd's  face,   (and,  alas,   I  were  a  beguiled 
 wretchjf  it  were  fo  !)  if  this  be  not  the  only  faving  way  to  heaven. 
 O  that  you  would  take  a  prifoner  of  Chrift's  word  for  it,   nay,  I 
 know  you  have  the  grcateft  King's  word  for  it,  that  it  fhall  not 
 be  your  wifdom  to  fpier  out  another  Chrift,  another  way  of  wor- 
 ftiipping  him,  than  is  now  favingly  revealed  to  you.    Therefore, 
 though  I  never  faw  your  iaces,   let  me  be  pardoned  to  write  to 
 you,  ye  honourable  perfons,  ye  faithful  paftcrs  yet  amongft  the 
 flocks,  and  ye  fincere  profeftois  of  Chrift's  truth,  or  any  weak, 
 tired  ftrayers,  who  cuft  but  halt'  an  eye  after  the  Bridegroom,  if 
 poflibly  1  could,  by  any  weak  experience,  confirm  and  ftrengtheri 
 you  in   this  good  way,  every  where  fpoken  againft.     I  can  with 
 {jreateft  alTurance  (to  the  honour  of  cur  highrft,  and  greateft, 
 and  dcareft  Lord,  let  it  be  fpoken)  aflcrt  (though  I  be  but  a  child 
 in  Chrift,  and  fcarce  able  ro  walk,  but  by  a  hold,  and  the  mean- 
 eft,  and  lefs  than  the  leaft  of  faints)  that  we  do  not  come  nigh 
 by  twenty  degrees,  to  the  due  love  and  eftimation  of  that  faireft: 
 amongft  the  fons  of  men  ;  for  if  it  were  poiTible  that  heaven,  yea, 
 ten  heavens,  were  laid  in  the  balance  with  Chrift,  I  would  think 
 the  fmell  of  his  breath  above  them  all :  furc  I  nm,  he  is  the  fcit  beft 
 half  of  he*ivcn  j  yea,  he  is  all  heaven,  and  more  than  all  heaven; 
 
 C 
 
iS  Mr  RVTHERFOORD'o  Epift.  3.] 
 
 and  my  teftimcny  cf  him  is,  that  ten  lives  of  black  furrow,  ten 
 deaths,  ten  hells  of  pain,  ten  furnaces  cf  brimftone,  and  all  ex- 
 quilite  torments,  wer;^  z\\  too  little  for  Clirift,  if  our  futlering 
 could  be  3  hire  to  buy  him ;  and  therefore  faint  not  in  your  fufFer- 
 ings  and  h?.zards  for  him.  I  proclaim  and  cry,  hell,  forrow,  and 
 Qiame  upon  all  lufls,  upon  all  by-lovers,  that  would  take  Chrift^s 
 room  over  his  bead,  in  this  little  inch  cf  love,  of  thefe  narrow- 
 fouls  of  ours,  that  is  due  to  fweeteft  jefus.  O  highefl:,  O  fairefl:, 
 O  deareft  Lord  Jefus,  take  thmeown  from  all  baftard  lovers.  O 
 that  we  could  wadfet  and  fell  all  our  part  of  time's  glory,  and 
 lime's  good  things,  for  a  leafe  and  tack  of  Chrift  for  all  eternity! 
 O  how  are  we  milled  and  mired  with  the  love  of  things  that  arc 
 on  this  fide  of  time,  and  on  this  fide  of  death's  water!  Where 
 can  we  fmd  a  match  to  Chrill:,  or  an  equal,  or  a  better  than  he, 
 among  created  things  ?  Oh,  this  world  is  out  of  all  conceit,  and 
 all  love  with  our  Beloved  ?  O  that  i  could  fell  my  laughter,  joy, 
 cafe,  and  all  for  him  !  and  be  content  of  a  ftraw  bed.  and  bread 
 by  weight,  and  water  by  meafure,  in  the  camp  of  our  weeping 
 Chrift  !  1  know  his  fackcloth  and  afhes  are  better  than  the  fool's 
 laughter,  which  is  like  the  crackling  of  thorns  under  a  pot.  But 
 ahs  !  we  do  not  harden  our  faces  againlt  the  cold  north  ftorms 
 which  blow  upon  Chrill's  fair  face,  we  well  love  fummer  religion, 
 and  to  be  that  which  f:n  hath  made  us,  even  as  thin-lkinned  as  if 
 w-e  were  made  of  white  paper,  and  would  fain  be  carried  to  hea- 
 ven in  a  clofe-covered  chariot,  wilhing  from  our  hearts  that 
 Chrift  would  give  us  furety,  and  his  hand  write,  and  his  feal  for 
 no'hing  but  a  fair  fummer,  until  we  be  landed  in  at  heaven's 
 gates  :  how  many  of  us  have  been  here  deceived  and  fainted  in 
 the  day  of  trial  ?  amongft  you  there  are  fome  of  this  ftam.p.  I  fhall 
 be  forry  if  my  aco^u.nnance  A.  T.  hath  Idx.  you;  I  will  not  believe 
 ht  dare  ftay  from  Chrift's  fide.  I  defire  that  ye  ftiew  him  this  from 
 mej  for  I  loved  him  once  in  Chrift,  neither  can  I  change  my  mind 
 fuddenly  of  him.  But  the  truth  is,  that  many  of  you,  and  too 
 many  alfo  of  your  neighbour  church  of  Scotland,  have  been  like  a 
 tenant  that  firteth  meal-free,  and  knov/cth  not  his  holding  while 
 his  rights  be  queftioncd  :  and  now  1  am  perfuaded,  it  will  be  alk- 
 ed  at  every  one  of  us,  on  what  terms  we  brook  Chrift;  for  we 
 have  fittcn  long  meal-free;  we  found  Chrift  without  a  wet  foot; 
 and  he,  and  his  gofpel,  came  upon  frnall  charges  10  our  doors: 
 but  now  we  muft  wet  our  feet  to  feek  him :  our  evil  manners,  and 
 the  bad  faftiions  of  a  people  at  eafe,  from  our  youth,  and  like  Moab, 
 not  caften  from  vcfi'el  to  veflll,  Jer.  xlviii.  'ii.  hath  made  usjikc 
 ftanding  waters,  to  gather  a  foul  fcum,  and  when  we  are  jumbled 
 our  dregs  come  up,  and  are  feen  :  many  take  but  half  a  grip  of 
 Chrift.  and  the  wind  bloweth  them  and  Chrift  afunder;  indeed 
 *'hen  the  maft  is  broken  »nd  blown  in  the  Tea,  it  is  an  art  then  to 
 
Epift.  30  LETTERS.  19 
 
 fwim  upon  Chrift  to  dry  hnd  ;  it  is  even  pofTible  th?.t  the  clsildren 
 of  God  in  a  hard  trial,  lay  themfelves  down,  as  hidden  in  the  lee- 
 fide  ot  a  bulb,  Avhile  Chrift  their  Mafter  be  taken,  as  Peter  did  5 
 and  lurk  there,  while  the  ilorm  be  overpait :  all  of  us  know  th« 
 way  to  a  whole  fkin  j  and  the  fingleft  heart  that  is  hath  a  by-purfc 
 that  will  contain  the  denial  of  Chrift,  and  a  fearful  backlliding. 
 O  how  rare  a  thing  is  it  to  be  loyal  and  honeft  to  Chrili,  when 
 }:e  hath  a  controverly  with  the  fliiclds  of  the  earth.  I  wilh  all  of 
 you  would  confider,  that  this  trial  is  from  Chrift,  it  is  come  upon 
 vou  unbought  (indeed  when  we  buy  a  temptation  with  our  own 
 money,  no  marvel  that  we  be  not  eafily  free  of  it,  and  that  God 
 be  not  at  our  elbow  to  take  it  ofF  our  hand)  j  this  is  Chrifl's  ordi- 
 nary houfe-fare  that  he  makes  ufe  of,  to  try  all  the  vefTels  of  his 
 houfe  withal,  and  Chriil  now  is  about  to  bring  his  treafure  out 
 before  fun  and  mcon,  and  to  tell  his  money,  and  in  the  telling  to 
 try  what  weight  of  gold,  and  what  weight  of  watered  copper  is 
 in  his  houfe.  Do  not  now  joak.  or  bow,  or  yield  to  your  adver- 
 faries  in  a  hair-breadth  :  Chrift  and  his  truth  will  not  divide  ;  and 
 his  truth  hath  not  latitude  and  breadth,  that  ye  may  take  fome  of 
 it,  and  leave  other  fome  of  it ;  nay,  the  gofpel  is  like  a  fmall  hair, 
 that  hath  no  breadth,  and  will  not  cleave  in  tv/o:  it  is  not  poiliblc 
 to  twift  and  compound  a  matter  betwixt  Chrift  and  Antichrift  ; 
 and  therefore,  ye  muft  either  be  for  Chrift,  or  ye  muft  be  ag-sinft 
 him.  It  was  but  iTian's  wit,  and  the  wit  of  P.  and  th<rir  godtjther 
 the  Pope  (that  man  without  law)  to  put  Chrift,  and  bis  preroga- 
 tives royal,  and  his  truth,  or  the  fmalieft  nail-t;readth  of  his  latter- 
 will,  in  the  new  kalendar  of  indilTerences ;  and  to  make  a  blank 
 of  un-inked  paper,  inChrift's  teftament  that  men  may  fill  up;  and 
 foftiuffle  the  truth,  and  matters  they  call  indiflerent,  thorow  other; 
 ?.nd  fpin  both  together  that  Anrichrift's  wares  may  fell  the  better. 
 This  is  but  the  device  and  forged  dream  of  men » whofe  confciences 
 are  made  of  ftoutnefs,  and  have  a  throat,  that  a  graven  image, 
 greater  than  -the  bounds  of  the  kirk-door,  would  gtit  free  paftage 
 into  :  I  am  fure,  when  Chrift  ihall  bring  all  out  in  our  blacks  and 
 whites,  at  that  day,  when  he  (hall  cry  down  time,  and  the  world, 
 and  when  the  glory  of  it  fnall  ly  in  white  aftics,  like  a  May-flower 
 cut  down  and  having  loft  the  blofibm.  there  ftiall  be  few,  yea  none, 
 that  dare  make  any  point,  that  toucheih  the  worftiip  anvl  honour 
 of  our  King  and  Law-giver,  to  be  indiftcrcnt.  O  that  this  nnile'd 
 and  blindfolded  world  would  fee,  that  Chrift  doth  not  rife  and  fail; 
 ftand  or  ly,  by  mens  appreherifions  !  What  is  Chrift  the  lighter  that 
 men  do  wirh  him  by  open  proclamation,  ss  men  do  with  clipped 
 and  light  money  i  They  are  now  crying  down  Chrift  fornc  grain 
 weights,  and  fome  pounds  or  ftiilling.«,  and  they  will  have  him  W 
 for  a  penny  or  a  pound,  for  one,  or  for  an  hundrttl,  according  ai 
 the  wind  blowcth  from  the  eaft  or  from  the  weft ;  bvt  the  Loid 
 
 C   z 
 
20  Ut  RUrifERFGORD'&  Epift.  3.I 
 
 hath  "w  .Ighed  him,  and  balanced  him  already;  *  This  is  my  be- 
 loved Son,  in  whom  I  am  weii  plealtd,  hear  ye  him-,'  his  worth 
 ;ind  his  weight  flandeth  ftill.  It  is  our  part  to  cry,  Up,  up  with 
 Chriil,  and  do^rn,  down  with  aii  created  glory  before  him.  O, 
 that  I  could  heighten  him,  and  heighten  his  name,  and  heighten 
 his  throne  !  I  know,  and  am  perfuaded,  that  Chrifl  fnall  again  be 
 high  and  great,  in  this  poor,  withered,  and  fun-burnt  kirk  of  Scotr 
 land;  and  that  the  fparks  of  our  hre  ihall  flee  over  fea,  and  round 
 about,  to  \varm  you  and  other  fifier-churches  *,  and  that  this  taber- 
 nacJe  of  David's  hcufe  that  is  fallen,  even  the  Son  of  David,  Wis 
 wafte  places  ihall  be  built  again  ;  and  I  know  the  prifon,  crefies, 
 perfecutions,  and  trials  of  the  two  Hain  witneii'es,  that  are  now- 
 dead  and  buried,  Rev.  xi.  and  of  the  faithful  proiefibrs,  have  a 
 back-door  Tind  back-entry  of  efcape  ;  and  that  death  and  hell,  and 
 the  v.'orld,  and  tortures,  fliall  all  cleave  and  iplit  in  twain,  and 
 give  us  free  padge  and  liberty  to  go  through  them  toll-free;  and 
 we  fhall  bring  all  God's  good  metal  out  of  the  furnace  again,  and 
 leave  behind  us  but  our  drofs,  and  otir  fcum  ;  we  may  then  before- 
 hand proclaim  Chrift  to  be  victorious.  He  is  crowned  King  in 
 mount  Zion;  God  did  put  the  cro'.vn  upon  his  h^ad,  Pfal.  ii.  and 
 who  dare  take  it  oti  again  ?  Out  cf  queilion,  he  hath  fore  and 
 grievous  quarrels  againft  his  church :  and  therefore  he  is  called, 
 Ifa.  xxxi.  9.  *  He  vrhcle  fiie  is  in  Zion,  and  whofe  furnace  is  in 
 Jerufahm."  But  when  he  hath  performed  his  work  on  mount 
 Zion,  ail  Zion'a  haters  fhall  be  as  the  hi:ngry  and  thirfly  man, 
 that  dreams  he  is  eating  and  drinking,  and  behold  when  he  awak- 
 eneth,  he  is  faint,  and  his  foul  empty  :  and  this  advantage  we  have 
 alfo,  that  he  will  not  bring  before  fun  and  moon  all  the  infirmi- 
 ties of  his  wife;  it  is  the  modefty  of  marriage,  anger,  or  huff 
 band-wrath,  that  our  tweet  Lord  Jefus  will  not  come  with  chid- 
 ing to  the  flreets,  to  let  all  the  world  hear  what  is  betwixt  him 
 and  us;  his  fweet  glooms  {lay  under  roof,  and  that  becaufe  he  ii 
 God.  Two  fpecial  things  ye  are  to  mind:  i.  Try  and  make  fur< 
 your  profefllon ;  that  ye  carry  not  empty  lamps :  ahs,  fccurity, 
 iecurlty  Is  the  bane  and  the  wreck  of  the  mofl  part  of  the  world  ! 
 Oh,  how  many  profefibrs  go  with  a  golden  luftre,  and  gold  like 
 before  men  (v/ho  are  but  witnefTes  to  our  white  fkin)  and  yet  are 
 hut  baftard  and  bafe  metal  I  Confjdcr  how  fair  before  the  wind 
 fome  do  ply  with  up-fails  and  white,  even  to  the  nick  of  illumin- 
 ations ?  Heb.  vi.  5.  *  And  tafiing  of  the  heavenly  ^ift;  and  si 
 fnare  and  part  of  the  holy  Gholl;  and  the  tafiing  of  the  good  word 
 of  God,  and  the  powers  of  the  world  to  comiC  :*  and  yet  this  is  but 
 a  faife  nick  of  renovation,  and  in  z  (hon  time  fuch  are  quickly 
 broken  upon  the  rocks,  and  never  fetch  the  harbour,  but  are  ftrand- 
 ed  in  the  bottom  of  hell.  O  make  your  heaven  furc,  and  try  how 
 ye  corns  by  converiion;  that  it  be  no^  ftolen  goods,  in  a  vyhiif 
 
Epift.  3]  letters:  11 
 
 and  wcll-luftereii  profcfilon  !  A  white  fiin  over  old  wounds  mak- 
 eth  an  undercoating  confcience  :  falfc  under  water  not  feen  is 
 dangerous,  and  that  is  a  leak  and  rift  in  the  bottom  of  an  enligfet-. 
 encd  confcience,  often  falling,  and  finning  againft  light.  Wo,  wo 
 Is  me,  that  the  holy  profeHion  cf  Chrid  is  made  a  ftage  garment 
 by  many  to  bring  home  a  vain  fame  :  and  Chrifl  is  made  to  ferve 
 mens  ends:  that  is,  as  it  were,  to  itop  an  oven  with  a  king's  robes. 
 Know,  2.  Excellent  men  martyr  and  H.j  the  body  of  fin  in  fanc- 
 tified  fclf-denial,  they  lliall  never  be  Chrift's  martyrs  and  faithful 
 witnefies.  Oh  if  I  could  be  malfer  of  that  houfe  idol,  myfelf,  my 
 own.  mine,  my  own  will,  wit,  credit  and  cafe  I  How  bleffed  werts 
 I !  O  bet  we  have  need  to  be  redeenied  from  ourfelves,  rather 
 than  from  the  devil  and  the  v/crld  I  Learn  to  put  cut  yourfelves, 
 and  to  put  in  Chrift  for  yourfelves  •,  I  iliculd  make  a  fweet  bar- 
 tering and  nitfering,  and  give  old  forjiew,  if  I  could  fhufflc  out 
 felf.  and  fubftitute  Chrilt  my  Lord  in  place  of  m.yfelf ;  to  fay.  Not 
 I,  but  Chrift,  not  my  will,  but  Chrift's  ;  not  my  cafe,  not  my 
 lull,  not  my  fecklefs  credit,  but  Chiift,  Chrill.  But  alas  !  in  leav- 
 ing ourfelvcs,  in  fetting  Chrilt  before  our  idol,  (feif)  we  have  yet 
 a  glaiked  back-look  to  our  old  idol.  O  wretched  idol,  myfelf  I 
 when  ihall  I  fee  thee  wholly  decourted,  and  Chrift  wholly  put  in 
 thy  room.''  O  if  Chrift,  Chrift  had  the  full  place  and  room  of 
 myfelf  I  that  all  my  aims,  purpofes,  thoughts,  and  defires,  would 
 coaft  and  larid  upon  Chrift,  and  not  upon  myfelf!  and  howbeit  wc 
 cannot  attain  to  this  denial  of  me  and  mine  5  that  we  can  fay,  I 
 am  not  m^yfelf,  myfelf  is  not  myfelf,  mine  own  is  no  longer  mine 
 own  ;  yet  our  aiming  at  this  in  all  we  do  iball  be  accepted  :  for, 
 alas,  I  think  I  ftiall  die,  but  minting  and  aiming  to  be  a  chriftian ; 
 Is  it  not  our  comfort.  th?.t  Chrift  the  Mediator  oi  the  new  covenant 
 is  come  b«twixi  God  and  us  in  the  bufinefs,  10  that  green  and 
 young  heirs,  the  like  of  iinners,  have  now  a  tutor,  that  is  God. — 
 And  now,  God  be  thanked,  our  falvation  is  bottomed  on  Chrift; 
 fure  I  am,  the  boctom  ihall  never  fail  out  of  heaven  2nd  happiuefs 
 to  us :  I  would  give  over  the  bargj'in  a  thouland  times,  v/ere  it  not 
 that  Chrift  his  irec  grace  hath  taken  our  falvation  in  hand.  Pray, 
 pray,  and  contend  with  the  Lord,  for  your  fifter-church  ;  for  it 
 would  appear,  the  Lord  is  about  to  aik  for  his  fcattered  ftieep,  in 
 the  dark  and  cloudy  day.  O  that  it  would  pleafe  our.Lord  to  fer  up 
 again  David's  old  wafted  and  fallen  tabernacle  in  Scotland,  that 
 we  might  fee  the  giory  of  the  fccoiid  temple  in  this  land.  O  that 
 jny  little  heaven  were  wridfet,  to  redeem  the  honour  of  my  Lord 
 Jcfus  among  Jev.s  and  Gentiles.  Ltt  never  dew  ly  upon  my 
 branches,  and  Itt  my  poor  flower  wither  at  the  root,  fo  bein^ 
 Chrift  were  enthroned,  and  his  glory  advanced  m  all  the  worlds 
 and  elpecially  in  thefe  three  kin;:doms:  but  I  know  be  hath  r.o 
 ?iecd  Oi  mej  uij^t  can  I  add  to  him  .?  but  ch  that  he  v.'Ould  caiii«; 
 
11  Ut  RUTffEnFOORD's  Epift.4.3 
 
 his  high  and  pure  glory  run  through  fuch  a  foul  channel  as  i  am  ! 
 and  howbeit  he  hath  ciufed  the  bloflbm  fall  off  my  one  poor  joy, 
 that  was  oa  this  fule  of  heaven,  even  my  liberty  to  preach  Chri(i 
 to  his  people,  yet  I  am  dead  to  that  now,  fo  being  he  would  hew 
 and  c  trve  glory,  glory  for  evermore,  to  my  royal  King,  out  of  my 
 filence  and  fufferings.  Oh  that  I  had  my  fill  of  his  love;  but  I 
 know  ill  manners  make  an  uncouth  and  ftrange  bridegroom.  I 
 intreat  you  earnetlly  for  the  aid  of  your  prayers,  for  I  forget  not 
 you;  and  I  falute  with  my  foul  in  Chrift  the  faithful  pnftors,  and 
 honourable  and  worthy  profefibrs  in  that  land.  Now  the  God  of 
 peace,  that  brought  again  our  Lord  Jefus  from  the  dead,  the  great 
 Shepherd  of  the  llieep,  by  the  blood  of  the  everlalfing  covenant, 
 make  you  perfeft  in  every  good  work,  to  do  his  will;  working  in 
 you  that  which  is  well-pleafing  in  his  fight.  Grace,  grace  be  with 
 you. 
 
 Aberdeen.  Feb.  4.  Yours  in  his  fweeteji  Lord  Jtfus, 
 
 I6j8.  S.  R. 
 
 4.    To  the  truly  rwb/e  and  elea  Lady,  my  Lady  VISCOUNTESS 
 of  KENMURE. 
 Noble  and  ele&  Lady^ 
 
 THAT  honour  that  I  have  prayed  for  thefe  fixteen  years,  with 
 -  fubmiflion  to  my  Lord's  will,  my  kind  Lord  hath  now  be- 
 ftowed  upon  me ;  even  to  fufFer  for  my  royal  and  princely  King 
 Jefus,  and  for  his  kingly  crown,  and  the  freedom  of  his  kingdom 
 that  his  Father  h.ith  given  him.  The  forbidden  lords  have  fen- 
 tenced  me  with  deprivation,  and  confinement  within  the  town  of 
 Aberdeen.  I  am  charged  in  the  king's  name,  to  enter  againfl  the 
 twentieth  day  of  Auguft  next,  and  there  to  remain  during  the 
 king's  pleafure,  as  they  have  given  it  out.  Howbeit  Chrifl's  green 
 crofs,  newly  laid  upon  me.  be  foni'swhat  heavy,  while  I  call  to 
 mind  the  many  fair  dav?,  fweet  and  comfortable  to  my  foul,  and 
 to  the  fouls  of  many  others,  and  how  young  ones  in  Chnft  are 
 pJucked  from  the  breaft,  and  the  inheritance  of  God  laid  wafte ; 
 yet  that  fweet  fmelled  nnd  perfumed  crofs  of-  Clirift  is  accompanied 
 with  fweet  retVeilr.nenr,  with  the  kifies  of  a  King,  with  the  joy 
 ©f  the  holy  GhoO:,  with  faith  that  the  Lord  hears  the  fighing  of 
 a  prifontr,  with  undoubted  hope,  (as  fure  as  my  Lord  liveth)  af- 
 ter this  night  to  fee  da', light,  and  Chrifl's  iky  to  clear  up  again 
 upon  me,  and  his  poor  kirk,  and  that  in  a  ilrange  land,  amongll 
 ftrans^e  faces:  he  will  give  favour  in  the  eyes  of  men  to  his  poor 
 opprelTed  fervant,  who  do  not  but  lOve  that  lovely  one,  that  prince- 
 ly one,  Jefus  the  comforter  of  his  foul  All  would  be  well,  if  I 
 were  free  of  old  challenges  for  guiltinefs,  and  for  neglect  in  my 
 calling,  and  for  fpeaking  too  little  for  my  Weli-beloved's  crown, 
 
Epift.  4.]  LETTERS.  ij 
 
 honour,  and  kingdom.  Oh  for  a  day  In  the  afTembly  of  the  faints  to 
 advocate  for  King  Jcfus !  II  my  Lord  go  on  now  to  quarrels  alfo^  I 
 die,  I  cannot  endure  it :  but  I  look  lor  peace  from  him  ;  becaufc 
 he  knowcth  I  do  bear  mens  feud,  but  I  do  not  bear  his  feud.  This 
 is  my  only  exercife,  that  I  fear  I  have  done  little  good  in  my  mi- 
 niftry :  but  1  dare  not  but  fay,  1  loved  the  bairns  of  the  wedding- 
 chamber,  and  prayed  for,  and  defired  the  thriving  of  the  marri- 
 age, and  coming  of  his  kingdom.  I  apprehend  no  lefs  than  a 
 judgment  upon  Galloway  ;  and  that  the  Lord  Inall  vifit  this  whole 
 nation,  for  the  quarrel  ot  the  covenant.  But  what  can  be  laid  up- 
 on me,  or  any  the  like  of  me,  is  too  light  for  Chrifti  Chrift  do 
 bear  more,  and  would  bear  death  and  burning  quick,  in  his  weak 
 fervants,  even  for  this  honourable  caufe,  that  I  now  fuffcr  for. 
 Yet  tor  all  my  complaints  (and  he  knoweth  that  I  dare  not  now 
 difTemble]  he  was  never  fweeter  and  kinder  than  he  is  now  .  one 
 kils  no\r  is  fweeter  than  ten  lung  fince;  fweet,  fweet  is  his  crofs; 
 light,  light  and  eafy  is  his  yoke.  O  what  a  fweet  ftep  were  it  up 
 to  my  Father's  houfe,  through  ten  deaths,  for  the  truth  and  caufe 
 of  that  unknown,  and  fo  not  half  well  loved  plant  of  renown, 
 the  man  called  the  Branch,  the  chief  among  ten  thoufands,  the 
 fairefl  among  t?he  fons  of  men  !  O  what  unfeen  joys,  how  many 
 hidden  heart-burnings  of  love  are  in  the  remnants  of  the  fufFerings 
 of  Chrift  !  My  dear  worthy  Lady,  I  give  it  to  your  Ladyfhip  under 
 my  hand,  (my  heart-writing  as  well  as  my  hand)  welcom.e,  wel- 
 come, fweet,  fweet,  and  glorious  crofs  of  Chrift;  welcome  fweet 
 Jcfus,  with  thy  light  crofs,  thou  halt-  now  gained  and  gotten  all 
 my  love  from  me,  keep  what  thou  hnft  gotten.  Only,  wo,  wo  is 
 me,  for  my  bereft  flock,  for  the  lajnbs  of  Jekis,  that  I  fear  {hall 
 be  fed  with  dry  brcafts  •,  but  I  fpare  now.  Madam,  I  dare  not 
 promife  to  fee  your  ladyfhip,  becaufc  of  the  little  time  I  have  al- 
 lotted me,  and  I  purpofe  to  obey  the  kinci:,  who  hath  power  over 
 my  body ;  and  rebellion  to  kings  is  unbcfeeming  Chrift's  minifters. 
 Be  pleafed  to  acquaint  my  Lady  Mary  with  my  eafe  :  I  will  look, 
 your  Ladyfhip  and  that  good  Lady  will  be  mindful  to  God  of  the 
 Lord's  prilbncr,  not  for  my  caufe,  but  for  the  gofpel's  fake.  Ma- 
 dam, bind  me  more  (if  more  can  be',  to  ^ our  Ladylhip  :  and  write 
 thanks  to  your  brother,  my  Lord  of  Lome,  for  what  he  hath  done 
 for  me,  a  poor  unknown  ftranger  to  his  IjOrdfliip,  1  fiiall  pray  ior 
 him  and  his  houfe,  while  I  live:  it  is  his  honour  to  open  his 
 mouth  in  the  ftreets  for  his  wronged  and  oppreiTed  Mafter  Chrift 
 Jelus.  Now,  Madam,  commending  your  Ladyftiip,  and  the  fweet 
 child  to  the  tender  mercies  of  mine  own  Lord  Jefus,  and  his  good 
 iriil  who  dwelt  in  the  bulh;  1  reft 
 
 EiUnburgh,  July  ii5,  Tvurs,  in  his  own  fvjcctejl  Lord 
 
 1636.  Jcfus,  S.  R. 
 
 M    0  iai  j-^  v" 
 
M  Ui  RUTHERFOORD't  Epift.  5.] 
 
 5.    To  the  Noble  and  Chriftmn  Lady,  the  VISCOUKTESS  of 
 KENMUUE. 
 
 My  very  honmirabJe  and  dear  Ladyfiip^ 
 
 GRACE,   mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.     J  cannot  forget  ycur 
 Ladyfhip,  and  that  fweet  child.    I  defire  to  hear  what  the 
 Lord  is  doing  to  you  and  him  :  to  write  ro  me  were  charity ;  I 
 cannot  but  write  to  my  friends,  thatChrift  hath  tryfted  me  in  A- 
 berdeen  -,  and  my  adverfaries  have  fent  me  hcfe  to  be  feafied  with 
 love-banquets,  with -my  royal,  high,  high,  and  princely  King  Je- 
 fus.  Madam,  why  fliould  f  fmothcr  Chrift's  honefty  ?  I  dare  not 
 conceal  his  goodnefs  to  my  foul ;  he  looked  framm'd  and  un- 
 couth like  upon  me,  when  I  came  firft  here  ;  but  I  believe  himfelf 
 better  than  his  looks  :  I  (hall  not  again  quaireiChriil  for  a  gloom, 
 now  he  hath  taken  the  maCc  off  his  face,  and  faith,  Kifs  thy  fill ; 
 and  what  can  I  have  more,  while  I  get  great  heaven  in  my  little 
 arms  ?  O  how  fweet  are  the  fuirerings  of  Chrilt  for  Chrift!  God  for- 
 give them  that  raife  an  ill  leport  upon  the  fweet  Crofs  of  Chrift;  it 
 is  but  our  weak  and  dim  eyes  that  look  but  to  the  black  (\dt,  that 
 makes  us  miltake:  thofe  who  can  take  that  crabbed  tree  handfome- 
 ly  upon  their  back,  and  faften  i:  on  cannily,  fhall  find  it  fuch  a 
 burden  as  wings  unto  a  bird,  or  fails  to  a  fliip.    Madam,  rue  not 
 of  your  having  chofen  the  better  part :  upon  my  falvation,  this  is 
 Chrift*s  truth  I  now  fuffer  for ;  if  I  found  but  cold  comfort  in  my 
 fufFerings,  I  would  not  beguile  others ;  I  would  have  told  you 
 plainly;  but  the  truth  is,  Chrifl's  crown,  his  fccpter,  and  the  free- 
 dom of  his  kingdom,  is  that  which  is  nov/  called  in  queflion:  be- 
 caufe  we  will  not  allow  that  Chrilt  pavs  tribute,  and  he  a  vafTal 
 to  the  (hields  of  the  earth,  therefore  the  fons  of  our  mother  are 
 »ngry  ?.t  us.  But  it  becometh  not  Chrift  to  hold  any  man's  (tirrup : 
 it  were  a  fweet  and  honourable  death,   to  die  for  the  honour  of 
 that  royal  and  princely  King  Jefus  :  this  love  is  a  myftery  to  the 
 world:  I  would  not  have  believed  that  there  was  fo  much  in  Chrift 
 as  there  is:   Come  and  fee,  maketh  Chrift  to  be  known  in  his 
 excellency  and  glory.   I  wifii  all  this  nation  knew  how  fweet  his 
 breath  is  :  it  is  little  to  fee  Chrift  in  a  book,  as  men  do  the  world 
 in  a  card :  they  talk  of  Chrill  by  the  book,  and  the  tongue,  and  no 
 i^orc ;  but  to  come  nigh  Chrid,  and  haufle  him,  and  embrace 
 him,  is  another  thing.    Madam,  I  write  to  your  honour,  for  your 
 encouragement  in  that  honourable  profelTion  Chrift  hath  honoured 
 you  with:  yc  have  gotten  the  funny  fide  of  the  brae,  and  the  beft 
 of  Chrifl's  good  things-;  he  hath  not  given  you  the  baftard*3  por- 
 tion -,  and  hcwDcit  ye  get  ftrokes  and  four  ]ooks  frcmr  your  J^rd, 
 yet  bilieve  his  love  more  than  your  own  f;;eling,  for  this  world 
 tan  take  oothing  from  you  th«:t  h  trjly  your*,  and  death  can  dq 
 
Epift.  6.]  LETTERS.  25 
 
 you  no  wrong :  your  rock  doth  not  ebb  2nd  fiov/,  but  your  fea  : 
 that  which  Chrift  hath  faid  he  will  bide  by  it;  he  will  be  your 
 tutor;  you  (hall  not  get  your  charters  of  heaven  to  play  you  with; 
 it  is  good  that  yc  have  iolt  your  credit  with  Chrift,  and  that  lord 
 Freewill  (hall  not  be  your  tutor  :  Chrift  will  lippen  the  taking 
 of  you  to  heaven,  neither  to  yourfelf,  nor  aiiV  deputy,  but  onljr 
 to  himreli;  blefflid  be  your  tutor:  when  your  head  iliall  appear, 
 your  Bridegroom  and  Lord,  your  day  fhall  then  dawn,  snd  it 
 Ihall  never  have  an  afternoon,  nor  an  evening  ftiadow.'  Let  your 
 child  be  Chrift's,  let  him  ftay  befidc  you  as  the  Lord's  pie'^ge, 
 tha:  you  ftiall  willingly  render  again,  if  God  wilL  IMadani,  I 
 find  folks  here  kind  to  me,  but  in  the  nighty  and  unaer  their 
 breath  ;  my  mafter's  caufe  may  not  come  to  the  crown  of  the 
 caufeway:  others  are  kind  according  to  their  faPaion :  many  think 
 me  a  ftrange  man,  and  my  caufe  not  good ;  but  I  care  not  much 
 for  man's  thoughts  or  approbation ;  I  think  no  fhame  of  the  crofs, 
 the  preachers  of  this  town  pretend  great  love,  but  the  P.  have 
 added  to  the  reft  this  gentle  cruelty  (for  fo  they  think  of  it)  to 
 difcharge  me  of  the  pulpits  of  this  town.  The  people  murmur, 
 and  cry  out  againft  it  j  and  to  fpeak  truly  (howbeit  Chrift  is  moll 
 indulgent  to  me  otherwife,  yet)  my  ftlencc  on  the  Lord's  day 
 keeps  me  from  being  exalted  above  meafure,  and  from  ftartling 
 in  the  heat  of  my  Lord's  love.  Some  people  affecl:  me;  for  the 
 which  caufe,  I  hear  the  preachers  here  parpofe  to  have  my  con- 
 finement changed  to  another  place  ;  fo  cold  is  northern  love  :  but 
 Chrift  and  I  will  bear  it.  I  have  wreftled  long  with  this  fad  fi- 
 lence :  I  faid,  what  aileth  Chrift  at  my  fervice  ?  and  my  foul 
 hath  been  at  a  pleading  with  Chrift,  and  at  yea  and  nay ;  bat  I 
 will  yield  to  him,  providing  my  fuft'ering  may  preach  more  than 
 my  tongue  did;  for  I  gijve  not  Chrift  an  inch,  but  for  tv/ice  as  good 
 again  :  in  a  word,  I  am  a  fool  and  he  is  God.  1  will  hold  my 
 peace  hereafter.  Let  me  hear  from  your  Lndyfliip,  and  your  dear 
 child:  pray  for  a  prifoner  of  Chrift,  who  is  mindful  of  your  La- 
 dyftiip.  Rememher  my  obliged  obedience  to  my  good  Lady 
 Marr.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you.  1  write,  and  pray  bicliings  to 
 your  fwect  ehild, 
 
 y^herdeni,   Nov,  22,  Tours  in  all  dutiful  obedience  in 
 
 1  6  -A.  his  onlv  Lord  J  ejus,      8.  R. 
 
 6.    To  the  Right  Honourable  and  Chri/lian  Lad\\  my  Lady  VIS- 
 COUNTESS of  KENMURE. 
 JMadam^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.    I  received  your  Lndy- 
 fliip's  letter,   it  refreftied  me  in  my  heavincfs  :   the  blcfling 
 .vid  prayers  of  a  prifoner  oi  Chrift  come  upon  you.     bincc  xiiy 
 
 D 
 
26  Ur  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  6.] 
 
 coming  hither,  Galloway  fent  me  not  a  line,  except  what  my 
 l^rolher  EarHloun  and  his  fon  did  write;  I  cannot  get  my  papers 
 tranfported  :  but  Madi^m,  I  want  not  kindnefs  of  one  who  hath 
 the  gate  of  it,  Chrift  (if  he  had  never  done  more  for  me  fince  I 
 TA-as  born)  hath  engaged  my  heart,  and  gained  my  bleiTing,  in  this 
 houfe  of  my  pilgrimage.    It  pleafeth  my  Well-beloved  to  dine 
 with  a  poor  prifoner,  and  the  King's  fpikenard  cafteth  a  fragrant 
 fmell :  nothing  grieveth  me  but  that  1  eat  my  fcafts  alone    and 
 that  I  cannot  edify  his  faints :  O  that  this  nation  knew  what  is 
 betwixt  him  and  me*  none  would  fkar  at  thecrofs  of  Chrift  !  My 
 f-lence  eats  me  up;  but  he  hath  told  me  he  thanketh  me  no  lefs, 
 than  if  I  were  preaching  daily ;   he  fees  how  gladly  1  would  be  at 
 it;  and  therefore  my  wages  afe  going  to  the  fore  up  in  heaven,  as 
 if  I  were  ftiii  preaching  Chrift.   Captains  pay  duly  bedfaft  foldiers, 
 howbcit  they  do  not  march  nor  carry  armour;  *  Though  Ifrael 
 be  not  gathered,  yet  fhall  I  be  glorious  in  the  eyes  of  my  Lord, 
 and  my  Lord  ihall  be  my  ftrength,*  Ifa.  xlix.   5.  my  garland. 
 The  baniftied  minifter,   (the  term  of  Aberdeen)  afhameth  me 
 not :  I  have  feen  the  white  fide  of  Chrift'S  crofs ;  how  lovely  hath 
 he  been  to  his  opprefTed  fervant .''  Pfal.  cxlvi.  7,  8,  9.  *  The  Lord 
 executeth  judgment  for  the  opprefTed  ;  he  givcth  food  to  the  hun- 
 gry :  the  Lord  loofeth  the  prifoner ;  the  Lord  raifeth  them  that 
 are  bowed  down  :  the  Lord  prefervcth  the  ftranger.'     If  it  were 
 come,  to  exchanging  of  crofl'fs  I  would  not  exchange  my  crofs  with 
 any  :  I  am  well  pleafed  with  Chrift,  and  he  with  me;  1  hope  none 
 fhall  hear  us.     It  is  true,  for  all  this  I  get  my  meat  with  many 
 ftrokes,  and  am  feven  times  a  day  up  and  down,  and  am  often 
 anxious  and  caft  down  for  the  cafe  of  my  opprcfTcd  brother ;  yeC 
 I  hope  the  Lord  will  be  furety  for  his  fervant.    But  now,  upon 
 fome  weak,  very  weak,  experience,  I  am  come  to  love  a  rumbling 
 and  raging  devil  beft :  feeing  we  muft  have  a  devil  to  hold  the 
 faints  waking,  I  wifii  a  cumberfome  devil,  rather  than  a  fecure 
 and  lleeping  one.    At  my  firft  coming  hither,  I  took  the  dorts 
 at  Chrift,  and  took  up  a  ftomach  againft  him  ;  I  faid  he  had  caft 
 me  over  the  dyke  of  the  vineyard  like  a  dry  tree ;  but  it  was  his 
 mercy,  I  fee,  that  the  fire  did  not  burn  the  dry  tree :  and  now,  as 
 if  my  Lord  Jefus  had  done  that  fault  and  not  I  (who  belied  my 
 Lord)  he  hath  made  the  firft  mends,  and  he  fpake  not  one  word 
 againft.  me ;  but  he  hath  come  again  and  quickned  my  foul  with 
 his  prefence :  nay,  ncv/  I  think  the  very  annuity  and  cafua'ties  of 
 the  crofs  of  Chrift  Jefus  my  Lord,  and  tbefe  comforts  that  ac- 
 company it,  better  than  the  world's  fet  rent.    O  how  many  rich 
 off-fallings  are  in  my  King's  houfe  I    I  am  perfuaded,   and  dare 
 pawn  my  faWation  on  it,  that  it  is  Chrift's  truth  I  now  fufFerfor; 
 I  know  his  comforts  arc  no  dreams ;  he  would  not  put  his  feal  on 
 blank  paper,  nor  deceive  his  aiHidted  ones  that  truft  in  him.  Your 
 
Eplfl.  7.]  LETTERS.  27 
 
 Ladydiip  wrote  to  me  that  ye  are  an  ill  fcholar:  Machm,  ye  mult 
 go  in  at  heaven's  gc^.tes,  and  your  book  in  your  hand,  ftlll  learn- 
 ing :  you  have  had  your  large  fhare  of  troubles,  and  a  double 
 portion  j  but  u  faith  your  Father  counteih  you  not  a  baftard ;  full 
 begotten  bairns  are  nurtured  Heb.  xii.  1  long  to  hear  of  the  child, 
 I  write  the  blefTmgs  of  Chrift's  prifoner  and  the  mercies  of  God 
 to  him  :  let  him  be  Chrift's  and  yours  betwixt  you,  but  let  Chrifr 
 be  whole  play-maker;  let  him  be  the  lender,  and  ve  the  borrow- 
 er, not  an  owner.  Madam,  it  is  not  long  fince  I  did  write  to  your 
 Ladylh  p  that  Chrift  is  keeping  mercy  for  you ;  and  I  bide  by  it 
 ftlll,  and  now  1  write  it  under  my  hand;  love  him  dearly;  win 
 in  to  fee  him  ;  there  is  in  him  that  Avhich  you  never  faw  ;  he  is 
 ay  nigh,  he  is  a  tree  of  life,  green  and  bloiioming,  both  fummer 
 and  winter:  there  is  a  nick  in  Chriflianity,  to  the  which  whofo- 
 cvcr  cometh,  they  fee. and  feel  more  than  others  can  do.  I  invite 
 you  of  new  to  come  to  him;  Come  and  fee,  will  fpeak  better 
 things  of  him,  than  I  can  do :  come  nearer  will  i:>.y  much  :  God 
 thought  never  this  world  a  portion  worthy  of  you:  he  would  not 
 even  you  to  a  gift  of  dirt  and  clay  :  nay,  he  will  not  give  you 
 Efau's  portion  ;  but  referves  the  inheritance  of  Jacob  for  you  :  arc 
 ye  not  well  married  now  ?  have  you  not  a  good  Hufband  now  ? 
 My  heart  cannot  exprefs  what  fad  nights  I  have  for  the  vir<:in. 
 daughter  of  my  people  :  wo  is  me,  for  our  time  is  coming.  Ezek. 
 TJi.  10.  '  Behold  the  day,  behold  it  is  come,  the  morning  hath 
 gone  forth,  the  rod  hath  bloflbmed,  pride  hath  budded,  riolencc 
 ii  rifen  up  in  a  rod  of  wickednefs,  the  fun  is  gone  down  upon  our 
 prophets.'  A  dry  wind  upon  Scotland,  but  neither  to  fan  nor 
 cleanfe:  but  out  of  all  qiieftion,  when  the  Lord  hath  cut  down 
 his  forefl,  the  alter-growth  of  Lebanon  fhall  flourifli,  *  They  (hall 
 plant  vines  in  our  mountain,  and  a  cloud  (hall  yet  fill  the  temple.' 
 Now  thc-blefTing  of  our  deareft  Lord  Jefus,  and  the  bleffing  of 
 him  that  is  fcparate  from  his  brethren,  come  upon  you. 
 j^herdeen^  Tours  at  A'oet-d^eny  the  prijcner  of  Chrift y 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 7.  To  the  Honourahk  and  truh  NoMe  Lady,  T"/;.- VISCOUNTESS 
 of  KENMURE. 
 Mad  am  ^ 
 
 GR.  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  LadyDiip.  I  long  to 
 hear  from  you.  1  am  here  waiting  if  a  good  wind,  long- 
 looked  for,  fl:iall  at  length  blow  in  Chrifl's  fails  in  this  land  :  but 
 I  wonder  if  Jefus  be  not  content  to  futFer  more  yet  in  his  mem- 
 bers and  caufs,  and  beauty  of  his  houfe,  rather  than  he  IhouUi 
 not  be  avenged  upon  this  land,  1  hear  many  wo'thy  men  (who 
 fee  more  in  the  Lord's  dealing,  than  I  can  take  yp  with  iDy  dim 
 
 D  2 
 
2S  M-c  TcUTffERFOORD's  Epift.  8.] 
 
 fight)  arc  of  a  contrary  miad,  aiui  do  believe  the  Lord  is  coming 
 home  again  to  his  houfe  in  Scotland :  I  hope  he  is  on  his  journey 
 that  vv-ay ;  yet  I  look  not  but  that  he  ihall  feed  this  land  with 
 their  own  blood,  before  he  eftabli/li  his  throne  amongft  us.  I 
 know  your  honour  is  not  looking  after  things  hereaway;  ye  have 
 no  great  caufe  to  think,  that  your  ftock  and  principal  is  under 
 tne  roof  of  thefe  vifible  heavens ;  and  I  hope  ye  would  think 
 yourfclf  a  beguiled  and  cozened  loui,  if  it  were  io.  I  would  be 
 forry  to  counftl  yoiar  Ladyfliip  to  make  a  covenant  with  time*  and 
 this  life  i  but  rather  defire  you  to  hold  in  fair  generals,  and  far  ofr 
 from  this  ill-founded  haven,  that  is  on  this  fide  of  the  water.  It 
 fpeaketh  fomewhat,  when  our  Lord  bloweth  the  bloom  oi?  our 
 daft  hopes  in  this  life,  and  loppeth  the  branches  off  our  worldly 
 joys  v/ell  nigh  ti:e  root,  on  purpofe  that  they  fnould  not  thrive. 
 Lord,  fplll  my  foci's  heaven  in  this  life,  that  I  may  be  faved  for 
 ever.  A  forfeiture  of  the  faints  part  of  the  yolk  and  marrow  of 
 fnort  laughing  happinefs  worldly,  is  not  fuch  a  real  evil  as  our 
 blinded  eyes  do  conceive.  I  am  thinking  long  now  for  fome  deli- 
 verance, more  than  before;  but  I  know  I  am  in  an  error  :  it  is 
 poilibic  I  am  not  come  to  that  meafme  of  trial,  that  the  Lord  is 
 leeking  in  his  work  :  if  my  friends  in  Galloway  would  cffe£laally 
 do  for  my  deliverance,  I  would  exceedingly  rejoice ;  but  I  knovr 
 not  but  the  Lord  hath  a  way,  whereof  he  will  be  the  only  reaper 
 ot  praifes.  Let  me  know  with  the  bearer,  how  the  child  is.  The 
 Lord  be  his  tutor,  and  your  only  comforter.  There  is  nothing 
 liere  where  I  am,  but  profanity  and  atheilm.  Grace,  giacc  be 
 with  your  Lady  {hip. 
 
 ^berdeeuy  Feb.  13.  l^cur  LadyJJjip^s  at  all  obliged 
 
 1637.  obtdwuce  in  Chrijt,   S.   R.. 
 
 8.  To  the  Noble  and  Chnjiian  L.uh.  the  VISCOUNTESS 
 of  IIENMURE. 
 
 P^ladam, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  would  not  omit  the 
 occafion  to  write  to  your  Ladylhip  with  the  bearer.  I  am 
 glad  the  child  is  well ;  God's  favour,  even  in  the  eyes  of  men,  be 
 fcen  upon  him.  I  hope  your  Ladyibip  is  thinking  upon  thefe 
 fad  and  woful  days  wherein  we  now  live;  when  our  Lord,  in  his 
 righteous  judgment,  is  fending  the  kirk  the  gate  fhe  is  going,  to 
 B-ome's  brothel  houfe.  to  feek  a  lover  of  her  own,  feeing  flie  hath 
 given  up  with  Chrift  her  hufband.  O  vv'hat  fweet  com  tort,  what 
 rich  falvation  is  laid  up  for  thofe,  who  had  rather  wafh  and  roll 
 their  garments  in  their  own  blood,  than  break  out  from  Chrift  by 
 dpc-rrafy  !  Keep  yourfelf  in  the  love  of  Chrifl:,  and  fl2nd  far  aback 
 from  the  pollutions  of  the  world  :  Hue  net  wi:h  thefe  tiii^es,  and 
 
E p'lil.  80  LETTERS.  29 
 
 hold  from  coming  nigh  the  figns  of  a  confpiracy  with  thofc  that 
 are  now  come  out  againlt  Chrill;  that  ye  mny  be  one  kept  for 
 Chriftonly.  I  know  your  Ladyfhip  thinkcth  upon  this,  and  how 
 you  may  be  humbled  for  yourfelf  and  this  backfliding  land  ;  for 
 I  aTOuch,  that  wrath  from  the  Lord  is  gone  out  agai nil:  Scotland* 
 I  think  ay  the  longer  the  better  of  my  royal  and  worthy  Mafter : 
 he  is  become  a  new  well  beloved  to  me  now,  in  renewed  confo- 
 lations,  by  the  prefence  of  the  Spirit  of  grace  and  glory.  Chrift'V 
 garments  fmell  of  the  powder  of  the  merchant,  -when  he  cometh 
 out  of  his  ivory  chambers :  O  his  perfumed  face,  his  fair  face, 
 his  lovely  and  kmdly  kilies,  h^.ve  made  me  a  poor  prifoner  fee, 
 there  is  more  to  be  had  of  Chi  i it  in  this  life,  than  I  believed. 
 V/e  think  all  is  hut  a  little  earneft,  a  four-hours,  a  fm*li  tailing, 
 we  have,  or  is  to  be  had  in  this  life;  (which  is  true,  compared 
 %vith  the  inheritance)  but  yet  I  know,  it  is  more,  it  is  the  king- 
 dom of  God  within  us.  Wo,  wo  is  me,  that  I  have  not  ten  loves 
 for  that  one  Lord  Jelus ;  and  that  love  faileth,  and  drieth  up  in 
 loving  him;  and  that  I  find  no  way  to  fpend  my  love  defires, 
 and  the  yolk  of  my  heart,  upon  that  faireft  and  deareft  one  :  I  tm 
 far  behind  with  my  narrow  heart.  O  how  ebb  a  foul  have  I  to 
 take  in  Chriit's  love!  for  let  worlds  be  multiplied  according  to 
 angels  underftanding,  in  millions,  while  they  weary  themfelves; 
 thefe  worlds  would  not  contain  the  thoufandth  part  of  his  love. 
 O  if  I  could  yoke  in  umon;_4rt  the  thick  of  angels,  and  feraphims, 
 and  nov/  glorihed  faints,  and  could  raife  a  new  love-long  of  Chrift, 
 before  all  the  world  !  I  am  pained  with  wondering  at  new-open- 
 ed treafures  in  Chrift. :  if  every  linger,  member  bone,  and  joint, 
 were  a  torch  burning  inthe  hottefl  nre  in  hell,  I  would  they  could 
 all  fend  out  love  praifes,  high  foiigs  of  praife  for  evermore,  to  that 
 plant  of  renown,  to  that  royal  and  high  Prince,  Jefus  my  Lord: 
 but  alas  !  his  love  fwelleth  in  me,  and  lindeth  no  vent;  alas  I 
 what  can  a  dumb  prifoner  do  or  fay  for  him  ?  O  for  an  engine  to 
 write  a  book  of  Chrill  and  his  love  !  nay,  I  am  left  of  him  bound, 
 2nd  chained  with  his  love ;  1  cannot  find  a  locfed  foul  to  lift  up 
 his  praifes,  and  give  them  out  to  others.  But  oh  my  day-light 
 hath  thick  ciouda  ;  I  cannot  ihine  in  his  praifes.  I  am  often  like 
 a  Ihip  plying  about  to  feekthe  wind  ;  1  fail  at  great  leifure,  and 
 cannot  be  blown  upon  that  lovelieft  Lord  :  oh  if  I  could  turn  my 
 fails  to  Chrilt's  right  alrth ;  and  that  I  had  my  heart's  wlihes  of 
 his  love  !  Hut,  I  but  marr  his  praifes;  nay,  1  know  no  comjxjrifoti 
 of  what  Chrill  is,  anci  what  his  wortl)  is:  all  the  angels,  and  all 
 the  glorified,  praife  him  not  fo  much  as  in  halves;  who  can  ad- 
 vance him  or  utter  all  his  praifes?  i  want  nothing;  unknown 
 f.ices  favour  me;  enemies  mult  fpeak  good  of  the  truth ;  my 
 Mailer's  caufc  purchafeth  ccrmmendaiions.  T\w  hopes  of  my  en 
 krgcment,  fiom  appearances,  urc  cold:  Mv  fiith  haih  no  bcU 
 
3©  Mr  n UTHE TlFOOR D'$  Epift.  9,] 
 
 to  fleep  upon,  but  orr.nipotency.  The  jrood  will  of  the  Lord, 
 and  his  fweetefi;  prefencc,  be  with  you  and  that  child.  Grace  and 
 peace  be  yours. 
 
 Aherdeeuy   1637.  Tour  Lady fiip's  in  all  duty ^  in  his 
 
 fweet  Lord  Jefus,  S.  R. 
 
 9.    To  the  Right  Honourable  and  Chrijlian  Lady,  the  VIS- 
 COUNIESS  of  KENMURE. 
 
 Madam  ^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Ladyfhip.  I  would 
 not  omit  to  write  a  line  with  the  Chriftian  bearer,  one  in 
 your  Ladyfliip's  own  cafe,  driven  near  to  Chrifk,  in  and  by  her 
 affliction.  I  wiQi  that  my  friends  in  Galloway  forget  me  not; 
 however  it  be,  Chrift  is  fo  good,  that  I  will  have  no  other  tutor, 
 fuppofe  I  could  have  wail  and  choice  of  ten  thoufand  befide.  I 
 think  now  five  hundred  heavy  hearts  for  him  too  little.  I  wifn 
 Chrift,  now  weeping,  futFering,  and  contemned  of  men,  were 
 more  dear  and  defirable  io  many  fouls  than  he  is  :  I  am  fure  if  the 
 faints  wanted  Chrift's  crofs,  fo  profitable  and  fo  fweet,  they  might, 
 for  the  gain  and  glory  of  it,  wifh  it  were  lawful,  either  to  buy  or 
 borrow  his  crofs ;  but  it  is  a  mercy  that  the  faints  have  it  laid  to 
 their  hand  for  nothing  ;  for  I  know  no  fweeter  way  to  heaven, 
 than  through  free  grace,  and  hard  trials  together-,  and  one  of 
 thefe  cannot  well  want  another.  O  that  time  would  poft  fafter, 
 and  hadeR  our  looked-for  communion  with  that  faireft,  faireft 
 among  the  fons  of  men  I  O  that  the  day  would  favour  us,  and 
 come,  and  put  Chrift  and  us  in  other's  axvcis  ?  I  am  fure  a  few 
 years  will  do  our  turn,  and  the  foldier's  hour-glafs  will  foon  run 
 out.  Madam,  look  to  your  lamp,  and  look  for  your  Lord's  com- 
 ing, and  let  your  heart  dwell  aloof  from  that  child.  Chrift's  jea- 
 loufy  will  not  admit  two  equal  loves  in  your  Ladyfliip's  heart ; 
 he  muft  have  one,  and  that  the  grcateft;  a  little  one  to  a  creature 
 may,  and  muft  fuftice  a  foul  married  to  him.  *  Your  Maker  is 
 your  Hufband.'  Ifa.  liv.  I  would  wifli  you  well,  and  my  obliga- 
 tions thefe  many  years  bygone  fpeak  no  lefs  to  me ;  but  more  I 
 can  neither  wiQi,  nor  pray,  nor  defire  for  to  your  Ladyfhip,  than 
 Chrift  fmgled  and  wailed  out  from  all  created  good  things ;  or 
 Chrift,  howbeit  wet  in  his  own  blood,  and  wearing  a  crown  of 
 thorns.  I  am  fure,  the  faints,  at  their  beft,  are  but  ftrangers  to 
 the  weight  and  worth  of  the  incomparable  fwectnefs  of  Chrift. 
 He  is  fo  new,  fo  frefh  in  excellency,  every  day  of  new,  to  thofe 
 that  fcarch  more  and  more  in  him,  as  if  heaven  could  furnifh  us  as 
 many  new  Chrifts  (if  I  may  fpeak  fo)  as  there  are  days  betwixt 
 him  and  us,  and  yet  he  is  one  and  the  fame.  Oh,  we  love  an  un- 
 l^nown  Jovcr,  when  we  love  Chrift  I  Let  ms  hear  how  the  child  is 
 
Eplft.   10.]  LETTERS.  31 
 
 every  way  ;  the  prayers  of  a  prifoner  of  Chrift  be  upon  him. 
 Grace  for  evermore,  even  while  glory  perfetl  it,  be  with  your 
 Lad  villi  p. 
 
 Aberdeen,   163^.  2'oiirs  in  his  fweet  Lord 
 
 Jejus,  S.   R. 
 
 10.   To  the  NrMc  and  Chnjlian  Lady,   The  VISCOUNTilSS  of 
 KENMUilE. 
 
 Madam^ 
 
 NOTwithftanding  the  great  haftc  of  the  bearer,  I  would 
 blefs  your  Ladyihip  in  paper,  defiring,  that  fince  Chrift 
 hath  ever  envied,  that  the  world  fliould  have  your  love  by  him, 
 that  ye  give  yourfelf  out  for  Chrift,  and  that  ye  may  be  for  no  o- 
 ther.  I  know  none  worthy  of  you  but  Chrift.  Madam,  I  am 
 cither  fufFering  for  Chrift,  and  this  is  either  the  fure  and  good 
 way,  or  I  bave  done  Avith  heaven,  and  will  never  fee  God's  face 
 (which,  I  bicfs  him,  cannot  be).  I  write  my  bleffing  to  that 
 fweet  child,  that  ye  have  borrowed  from  God;  he  is  no  heritage 
 to  you,  but  a  loan;  love  him  as  folks  do  borrowed  things.  My 
 heart  is  heavy  for  you.  They  fay  the  kirk  of  Chrift  hath  neither 
 fon,  nor  heir;  and  therefore  her  enemies  (hall  poflefs  her;  but  I 
 know  fhe  is  not  that  ill  friended,  her  Huft^and  is  her  heir,  and  ftic 
 his  heritage.  If  my  Lord  would  be  plcafcd,  I  would  denre  fome 
 were  dealt  with,  for  my  return  to  Anwoth  ;  but  if  that  never  be, 
 1  thank  God,  Anwoth  is  not  heaven,  preaching  is  not  Chrift,  I 
 hope  to  wait  on.  Let  me  hear  how  the  child  is,  and  your  Lady- 
 Ihip's  mind  and  hopes  of  him  ;  for  it  would  eafe  my  heart  to  knosr 
 that  he  is  well.  lam  in  good  terms  with  Chrift;  but  oh  my 
 guiltinefs  !  yet  he  bringeth  not  pleas  betwixt  him  and  me  to  the 
 ftrcets.  and  before  the  fun.  Grace,  grace  for  evermore  be  witk 
 your  Ladyfhip. 
 
 Aberdeen^  1637.  Tour  Ladyfliip's  at  all  obedience  in  Chrifl, 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 II.  Tq  the  Right  Honourable  and  Chrijiran  Lady^  My  Lady 
 VISCOUNTESS  of  KENMURE. 
 
 Madam^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  to  you:  I  am  rcfreftied  with 
 your  letters.  The  right  hand  ot  him,  to  whom  belong  the 
 ifiues  from  death,  hath  been  gracious  to  that  fweet  child:  I  do 
 not,  I  do  not  forget  him  and  your  Ladyfliipin  my  prayers.  Ma- 
 dam, for  your  own  cafe,  1  love  careful,  and  withal  doing  com- 
 plaints of  want  of  praclice;  becaufe  I  obferve  many,  who  think 
 it  holinefs  enough  to  complain  and  fct  themfelves  at  nothing,  as  if 
 
33  Mr  RUTHERFOORD'5  Epifl.  ri.] 
 
 to  fay  I  am  fick,  would  curs  them  ;  they  think  complaints  a  good 
 charm  for  guiltinefs.  I  hope  you  are  wrefllmg  and  ftruggling  on, 
 in  this  dead  age,  wherein  folks  have  loft  tongue,  and  legs,  and 
 arms  for  Chrift.    I  urge  upon  you,  Madam,  a  nearer  communion 
 with  Chrift,  and  a  growing  comm^union*     There  are  curtain??  to 
 be  drawn  by,  in  Chrift,  that  v/e  never  faw,  and  new  foldings  of 
 love  in  him.    I  dcfpair  that  ever  1  iliall  win  to  the  far  end  of  that 
 love,  there  are  fo  many  plies  in  it.    Therefore  dig  deep;  and 
 fweat,  and  labour,  and  take  pains  for  him;   and  fet  by  fo  much 
 time  in  the  day  for  him  as  you  can :  he  will  be  won  with  labouT. 
 I,  his  exiled  prifoiier,   fought  him,   and  he  hath   rued  upon  me, 
 and  hath  made  a  moan  for  me,  as  he  doth  for  his  own,  Jer  xxxi. 
 20.  Ifa  xlv.  I  I.   and  I  know  not  what  to  do  with  Chrift>   his  love 
 furroundeth  and  furchargeth  me.    I  am  burdened  with  it,  but  O 
 bow  fweet  and  lovely  is  that  burden  !  I  do  not  keep  it  within 
 me  :  I  am  fo  in  love  with   his  love,  that  if  his  love  were  not  in 
 heaven,  I  would  be  unwiHing  to  go  there.    O  what  weighing  and 
 ■what  telling  is  in  Chrifl's  love  !   I  fear  nothing  now  fo  much  as  the 
 laughing  of  Chrifl's  crofs,  and  the  love  fliowers  that  accompany 
 it.    I  wonder  what  he  meaneth  to  put  fuch  a  Have  at  the  board- 
 head,  at  his  own  elbow.     O  that  I  fhculd  lay  my  black  mouth 
 *to  fuch  a  fair,  fair,   fair  face  as  Chrift  !   but  dare  not  refufe  to  be 
 loved  ;  the  caufe  is  not  in  me  why  he  hath  looked  upon  me,  and 
 loved  me,  for  he  got  neither  budd  nor  hire  of  me,  itcoft  me  no- 
 thing, it  is  good  cheap  love.    O  the  many  pound  weights  of  his 
 love,   under  which  I  am  fwcetly  prefTed !  Now,  Madam,  I  per- 
 fuade  you,  the  greateft  part  but  play  with  Chriftianity,  they  put 
 it  by  hand  eafily.     I  thought  it  had  been  an  eafy  thing  to  be  a 
 Chriftian,  and  that  to  feck  God  had  been  at  the  next  door;  but 
 oh  the  windings,   the  turnings,  the  ups  and  the  downs,  that  he 
 hath  led  me  through  ;  and  I  fee  yet  much  way  to  the  foord  :  he 
 fpeaketh  with  my  reins  in  the  night  feafon ;  and  in  the  morning, 
 when  I  awake,  I  ftnd  his  love-arrows,  thnt  he  fhot  at  me,  ftick- 
 ing  in  my  heart :  who  will  help  me  to  praife .''  who  will  come  lift 
 with  me,  and  fet  on  high  his  great  love.''  and  yet  I  find,   that  a 
 fire-flaught  of  challenges  will  come  out  at  midfummer,  and  que- 
 ftion  me ;  but  it  is  only  to  .keep  a  (inner  in  order.  As  for  friends, 
 I  fliall  not  think  the  world  to  be  the  v/orld,  if  that  well  go  not 
 dry.    I  truft  in  Goj.1,  to  ufe  the  world  as  a  canny  or  cunning  ma- 
 iler doth  a  knave-fervant  (at  leaft  God  give  me  grace  to  do  fo)  he 
 giveth  him  no  handling  or  credit,  only  he  entrufteth  him  with 
 common  errands,  wherein  he  cannot  play  the  knave.  I  pray  God^ 
 I  may^not  give  this  world  credit  of  my  joys,  and  comforts,  ?nd 
 confidence:    that  were  to  put  Chrift  out  of  his  office:    nay,  I 
 counfcl  you,  Madam,  from  a  little  experience,  1ft  Chrift  keep  the 
 great  feal,  and  entruft  him  fo,  as  to  hing  your  vcftVls  great  and 
 
Epid.  12.]  LETTERS.  '  33 
 
 ipv^ll,  and  pin  your  burdens  upon  the  nail  hCtericd  la  David"*; 
 himfc,  Ifa.  xxii,  23.  Let  me  not  be  well,  if  ever  they  get  the  tu- 
 toring of  my  comforts :  away,  a\Tay  with  irrefponfil  tutor?,  that 
 >vouid  play  me  a  flip,  and  then  Chrift  wouKl  laug-h  at  me,  and 
 fay,  Well-wared,  try  again  e'er  ye  truft.  Now  wo  is  me,  for  my 
 whoriih  mother,  the  church  of  Scotland;  oh  who  will  bewail 
 her !  Now  the  prcfenct  of  the  great  angel  of  the  covenant  be  with 
 you  2nd  that  fweet  child. 
 
 Jberdeen^  March  7,  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord 
 
 1637.  Jefus,  S.   R. 
 
 I  2.   71?  the  Right  Honourable  nvd  ChriJIian  Ladyy  my  Lady  KEN- 
 
 IMUllE. 
 Miid.imy 
 T  TPON  the  oficred  opportunity  of  this  worthy  bearer,  I  could 
 KJ  not  omit  to  anfwer  the  heads  of  your  letter,  ifl:,  I  t'link 
 not  much  to  fet  down  in  paper  fonic  good  things  anent  Chrill, 
 th.-;t  fealed  and  holy  thing;  and  to  ictA  my  foul  with  raw  wlfnes 
 to  be  one  with  Chriil;  for  a  wifli  is  but  broken  and  half  love;  but 
 verily  to  obey  this,  Come  and  fee,  is  a  harder  matter  I  But  do 
 oh  I  have  rather  fmoke  than  fire,  and  gueflings  rather  than  real  af- 
 furances  of  him  :  I  have  little  or  nothing  to  fay,  but  that  I  am  as 
 one  who  hath  found  favour  in  his  eyes  ;  but  there  is  fome  pining 
 and  mifmannered  hunger,  that  maketh  me  mlfcal  and  nickname 
 Chrift,  as  a  changed  Lord  :  but  alas  !  it  is  ill  fiitten.  I  cannot  be- 
 lieve without  a  ple;Ige,  I  cannot  take  GodV,  v/ord  without  a  cau- 
 tion, as  if  Chrift  had  loft  and  fold  his  credit,  and  were  not  in  my 
 books  refponfal  and  law-biding:  but  this  is  my  way;  for  his  way 
 is,  Eph.  i.  I  3. '  After  that  ye  believed,  ye  were  fealed  with  the  Holy 
 Spirit  of  promife.'  2d,  Ye  write  that  I  am  filled  with  knowledge, 
 and  ftand  not  in  need  of  thefe  warnings;  but  certainly  my  light  is 
 dim,  when  it  cometh  to  handy-grips;  and  how  many  have  full 
 coffers,  and  yet  empty  bellies!  light,  and  the  faving  ufe  of  light, 
 are  far  different.  O  what  need  then  have  I  to  have  the  afhes  blown 
 away  from  my  dying-oat  fire!  I  may  be  a  book-man,  and  be  an 
 idiot  and  ftark  fool  in  Chrift's  way;  learning  will  not  beguile 
 Chrift;  the  Bible  beguiled  the  Pharifces,  and  fo  may  I  be  nufleci. 
 Therefore,  as  night  watches  hold  one  another  waking,  by  fneak- 
 in-g  to  one  another,  fo  have  we  need  to  hold  one  another  on  fooc : 
 fleep  ftealeth  away  the  light  of  watching,  even  the  light  that  reprov- 
 eth  fieeping.  I  doubt  not  but  rrcre  ibould  fetch  heaven,  if  they  be- 
 lieved not  heaven  to  be  at  the  next  door:  the  w^orld's  negative  holi- 
 nefs,  no  adulterer,  no  murderer,  no  thief,  no  cozener,  maketh  men 
 believe  they  are  already  glorified  faints:  but  the  6th  chapter  to  the 
 Hebrews  may  affVight  iis  all,  when  w€  hear  th^t  men  may  take  of 
 
 E 
 
34  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  13.3 
 
 the  gifts  and  common  graces  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  a  tafte  of  the 
 j^ov>rers  of  the  life  to  come,  to  hell  with  them:  here  is  reprobate 
 filver,  which  yet  feemeth  to  have  the  King's  image  and  fuperfcrip- 
 tlon  upon  it.  3d,  I  find  you  complaining  of  yourfelf,  and  it  be- 
 Cometh  a  finncr  fo  to  do,  I  am  not  againft  that;  fenfe  of  death  is 
 a  fib  friend,  and  of  kin  and  blood  to  life ;  the  more  fenfe,  the  more 
 life;  the  more  fenfe  of  fin,  the  lefs  fin.  I  would  love  my  pain, 
 and  forenefs,  and  my  wounds,  howbcit  thefe  fnould  bereave  me  of 
 niy  night's  flcep,  better  than  my  wounds  without  pain.  O  how 
 fweet  a  thing  it  is,  to  give  Chrift  his  handful  of  broken  arms,  and 
 Ifgs,  and  disjointed  bones  !  4th,  Be  not  afraid  for  little  grace, 
 Chrift  foweth  his  living  feed,  and  he  will  not  lofe  his  feed;  if  he 
 have  the  guiding  of  my  (lock  and  fhate,  it  fhall  not  mifcarry.  Our 
 fpilt  works,  lofles,  deadnefs,  coidnefs,  wretchednefs,  are  the  ground 
 which  the  good  hufbandman  laboureth.  5ih,  Ye  write  that  his 
 companions  fail  not,  notwithflanding  that  your  fervice  to  Chrift 
 mifcarrieth :  to  the  which  I  anfwer,  God  forbid  that  there  were 
 buying  and  felling,  and  blocking  for  as  good  again,  betwixt  Chrifl 
 and  us;  for  then  free  grace  might  go  play  it,  and  a  Saviour  fing 
 dumb,  and  Chrift  go  and  deep;  but  we  go  to  heaven  with  light 
 ihouldcrs,  and  all  the  bairn-time;  and  the  vellcls  great  and  fmall 
 that  we  have,  are  faftened  upon  the  fure  nail,  Ifa.  xxii.  24.  The 
 only  danger  is,  that  we  give  grace  more  ado  than  'God  giveth  it, 
 that  is,  by  turning  his  grace  into  wantcnnefs.  6th,  Yc  write, 
 few  fee  your  guiltineis,  and  ye  cannot  be  free  with  many,  as  with 
 me  :  I  anfwer,  blcfiedbe  God,  Chrift  and  we  are  not  heard  before 
 mens  courts ;  it  is  at  home  betwixt  him  and  us,  that  pleas  are  ta- 
 ken away.     Grace  be  v/ith  you. 
 
 Aberdeen*  Tours  iu  his  piueet  Lord 
 
 Jefusy  S.  R. 
 
 13.    To  the  Right  Honourable  and  Chri/Iian  Lady ^  my  Lady 
 
 KENMURE. 
 Ala  dam, 
 
 C~^  RACE,  mercy  and  p«ace  be  to  your  Ladyflitp :  God  be  thank- 
 J  ed,  ye  arc  yet  in  pofieffion  of  Chrift  and  that  fweet  child.  I 
 pray  God  the  former  may  be  fure  heritage,  and  the  latter  a  loan 
 for  your  comfort,  while  ye  do  good  to  his  poor  afflicted,  withered 
 mount  Sion :  and  who  knoweth,  but  our  Lord  hath  comforts  laid 
 up  in  ftore  for  her  and  you  ?  I  am  perfuaded  Chrift  hath  bought 
 you  by  the  devil,  and  hell,  and  fin,  that  they  have  no  claim  to  you ; 
 and  that  is  a  rich  and  invaluable  mercy.  Long  fince,  ye  were  half 
 challenging  death's  cold  kindnefs,  in  being  io  flow  and  fwier  to 
 come  loofe  a  tired  prifoner :  but  ye  ftand  in  need  of  all  the  crofies, 
 loiles,  changes,  and  fad  hearts  that  befel  you  fincc  that  time. 
 
Epift.  13.3  LETTERS.  35 
 
 Chrift  knoweth  the  body  of  fin  unfubdued  will  tnk<r  them  all  and 
 more  :  we  know  that  Paul  had  need  of  the  devil's  fervice,  to  buf* 
 fet  him  ;  and  far  more  we.  But  my  dear  and  honourable  Lady, 
 Ipend  your  fand-glafs  well :  I  am  fure  you  have  law  to  raife  a  fu- 
 Ipenfion  againft  all  that  devils,  men,  friends,  worlds,  loflcs,  hell 
 or  fm  can  decree  againft  you.  It  is  good  your  croiT^s  will  but 
 convey  you  to  heaven's  gates  :  in  can  they  not  go,  the  gates  fliail 
 be  clofed  upon  them,  when  ye  fhall  be  admitted  to  the  throne. 
 Time  flandeth  not  11111,  eternity  is  hard  at  our  door,  O  what  is 
 laid  up  for  you  !  Therefore  harden  your  face  againft  the  wind : 
 and  the  Lamb  your  hufband  is  m»aking  ready  for  you  *,  the  Bride- 
 groom would  fain  have  that  day,  as  gladly  as  your  honour  would 
 with  to  have  it;  he  hath  not  forgotten  you  I  have  heard  a  ru- 
 mour of  the  P  s  purpofe  to  banifh  me  ;  but  let  it  come,  if  God  fo 
 will ;  the  other  nde  of  the  fea  is  my  Father's  ground,  as  well  as 
 this  lide  :  I  owe  bowing  to  God,  but  no  fervile  bowing  to  croiTcs  •, 
 I  have  been  but  too  foit  in  that :  I  am  comforted  that  I  am  pur- 
 fuaded  fully,  that  Chrift  is  haiver  with  me  in  this  well  born  and 
 honcft  crofs  :  and  if  he  claim  right  to  the  bcft  half  of  my  troubles 
 (as  I  know  he  doth  to  the  whole)  I  fhall  remit  it  over  to  Chrift, 
 what  I  fnall  do  in  this  cafe ;  I  know  certainly  my  Lord  Jefus  will 
 not  mar  nor  fpill  my  fufterings,  he  hath  \i(e  for  them  in  his  houfe. 
 O  v/hat  it  worketh  on  me,  to  remember  that  a  ftrr.nger,  who 
 Cometh  not  in  by  the  door,  fnall  build  hay  and  ftubble  upon  the 
 golden  foundation  I  laid  amongft  that  people  at  Anwoth  !  Biit  I 
 know  providence  looketh  not  afquint,  but  iooketh  ftraignt  out, 
 and  thorow  all  mens  darknefs:  O  that  I  could  wait  upon  the 
 Lord!  I  had  but  one  eye,  one  joy,  one  delight,  even  to  preach 
 Chrift;  and  my  mother's  fons  were  angry  at  me,  and  have  put  out 
 the  poor  man's  one  eye,  and  what  h^ive  I  behind?  I  am  lure  this 
 four  world  hath  loft  my  heart  defervediy,  but  oh  that  there  were 
 a  days-man  to  lay  his  hand  upon  us  borh,  and  determine  upon  my 
 part  of  it.  Alas  !  that  innocent  :md  lovely  tiuth  ftrould  be  fold  1 
 My  tears  are  little  worth,  but  yet  this  thinoj  I  weep;  I  weep,  alas ! 
 that  my  fair  and  lovely  Lord  Jefus  ftiouid  be  miiient  in  his  own 
 houfe  !  It  reckoneth  little  of  five  hundred  the  like  of  me  :  yet  the 
 water  goeth  not  over  faith's  breadth,  yet  our  King  liveth.  1  write 
 the  prifoncr's  bleftings;  the  good-will,  and  iJrig-lafiing  kindntfs, 
 ivith  the  comforts  of  the  very  God  of  peace  be  to  your  Lauyfnip, 
 and  to  your  fv.-eet  child  :  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 jiberdcen^  Sept,  7,         Tour  Honctir'^s  at  al!  chedience,  in 
 
 1637.  his fwegt  Urd  Jefus,  S.  R, 
 
 E  t 
 
26  Mr  nUTHERFOORD'i  Epld.  14.] 
 
 14.  Tc  the  much  honoured ]0U^  GORDON  cf  Cardonefs ,  Eldir. 
 
 MUCK  honoured  and  dearefl:  in  my  Lord,  grace,  mercy  and 
 ,  .  peace  be  to  you.  My  lord  longeth  exceedingly  to  hear  how 
 matters  go  betwixt  you  and  Chriit :  and  whether  or  net  there  be 
 any  work  of  Chrift  in  that  pariih,  that  will  bide  the  trial  of  fire 
 and  water :  let  mc  b^  weighed  of  my  JLord  in  a  juil  balance,  if 
 your  fouls  ly  not  weighty  upon  nic  :  you  go  to  bed  and  you  rife 
 with  me:  thoughts  of  your  foul  (my  dearcft  in  our  Lord)  ilcpart 
 not  from  me  in  my  ilcep;  ye  have  a  great  part  of  my  tears,  fighs, 
 Supplications,  and  prayers:  O  if  I  could  buy  your  foul's  falvation 
 with  any  fufferin;]j  whatfoever,  •iinL\  that  ye  and  1  niight  meet  with 
 joy  up  in  th-  raitibow,  when  we  fliali  ftand  before  cur  Judge  !  O 
 my  Lord  forbid,  I  hjive  anv  hard  thing  to  depone  acrr.init:  vcu  in 
 that  day  !  O  that  h^r  who  uuickeneth  the  dead,  would  give  life 
 to  m.y  fowing  among  you  !  Wh..t  joy  ia  there  (next  to  Chrift)  that 
 iiandeth  on  this  fide  of  death,  would  comfort  me  more,  than  that 
 the  fouls  of  that  poor  people  were  in  fafcty,  and  beyond  all  haz- 
 ard of  lofing  r  Sir,  diew  the  people  this:  lor  when  I  write  to  you, 
 I  think  I  v^iice  to  you  all,  old  Am\  young:  fulfil  my  joy,  and  feck 
 the  Lord:  fure  I  am,  once  I  discovered  my  lovely,  royrd,  princely 
 Lord  Jefas  to  you  all :  wo,  wo,  wo  fliall  be  your  pai  c  of  it  for 
 evermore,  if  the  gofpel  be  not  the  favour  of  life  unto  life  to  you: 
 23  many  fermons  as  1  preached,  2s  many  fcntenccs  as  I  uttered,  as 
 many  points  of  dittay  fiiall  they  be,  when  the  Lord  Ihall  plead 
 uith  the  world,  for  the  evil  of  their  doings.  Believe  me,  1  find 
 heaven  a  city  hard  to  be  won  •,  *  Tiie  righteous  will  fcarccly  be 
 faved  ;*  O  what  violence  of  thronging  will  heaven  take  !  Alas  !  I 
 fee  many  deceiving  themfelvcs  ;  lor  we  will  all  to  heaven  j  nov/ 
 every  foul  dog  with  his  foul  feet  will  in  at  the  ncareft.  to  the  new 
 and  clean  Jerufalcm  :  all  fay  they  have  faith,  and  the  greateft  part 
 in  the  world  know  not,  and  will  not  confidcr,  that  a  flip  in  the 
 matter  of  their  faivation,  is  the  molt  pitiful  flip  that  can  be  ;  and 
 that  no  lofs  is  comparable  to  this  lols.  O  then  fee  that  there  be 
 not  a  loole  pin  in  the  woik  of  \our  faivation  !  for  ye  will  not  be- 
 lievc  how  quickly  the  Judge  will  come :  and  for  yourlelf,  I  know 
 that  death  is  wailing  and  hovering,  and  lingering  at  God's  com.- 
 rnand,  that  ye  may  be  prepared.  Then  ye  hiid  need  to  flir  your 
 time,  and  to  take  eternity,  and  death,  to  your  riper  advifement; 
 a  wrong  Itep  in  going  out  of  this  life,  in  one  property,  is  like  the 
 lin  againft  the  Holy  Gholt,  and  can  never  be  forgiven,  bcca-ufe 
 ye  cannot  come  back  again  thorow  the  laft  water  to  mourn  for  it. 
 i  know  your  counts  arc  many,  and  will  fake  telling,  and  laying, 
 and  lickcning  betv.'ixt  you  uud  ycur  Lord  5  fit  your  counts,  and 
 
Eplft.  140  LETTERS.  37 
 
 order  tiiem  j  lofe  not  the  lafl  play  whatever  ye  do,  for  in  that  play 
 with  death  your  precious  foul  is  the  prize  :  for  the  Lord's  fake 
 fpill  not  the  pl.iy,  and  lofe  not  fuch  a  treafure.  Ye  know,  out  of 
 love  I  bad  to  your  foul,  and  out  of  defire  I  had  to  make  an  hon- 
 eft  count  for  you,  I  ttritified  my  difpleafure  and  difliking  of  your 
 ways  very  often,  both  in  private  and  public  :  I  am  not  now  a  wit- 
 nefs  of  your  doings,  but  your  Judge  is  always  your  witnefs.  I  be- 
 fcech  you  by  the  mercies  of  God,  by  the  falvation  of  your  foul, 
 by  your  comforts  when  your  eycftrings  (IrAl  break,  and  the  face 
 wax  pale,  and  the  foul  fhall  tremble  to  be  out  of  the  lodging  of 
 cl;^.y,  and  by  your  compearance  before  your  awful  judge,  after 
 the  light  of  tliis  letter,  take  a  new  courfs  with  your  ways ;  and 
 now  in  the  end  of  your  day  make  fure  of  heaven.  Examine  your- 
 felf  if  ye  be  in  good  earneii  in  Chrift  j  for  fome,  Heb.  vi.  4.  *  arc 
 partakers  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  tafte  of  the  good  word  of  God, 
 and  of  the  powers  of  the  life  to  come,*  and  yet  have  no  part  in 
 Chrift  at  all.     Many  think  they  believe,  but  never  tremble  -,  the 
 devils  are  further  on  than  thefe,  Jam.  ii.  10.   Make  fure  to  your- 
 Iclf  that  ye  are  above  ordinary  proftriibrs ;  the  fixth   part  of  your 
 fpan-lcngth  and  hand-breadth  of  your  days  is  fcarcely  before  you : 
 haltc,  haile,  for  the  tide  will  not  bide.  Put  Chnfi:  upon  all  your 
 r.ccounts,  and  your  fecrets.    Better  it  is  that  ye  give  him  your 
 counts,  in  thia  life,  out  of  your  ov/n  hand,  than  thrit  after  this  life 
 he  take  them  from  you.    I  never  knew  {o  well  what  fui  was  as 
 fincc  I  came  to  Aberdeen,  howbeit  I  was  preaching  of  it  to  you. 
 To  feel  the  fmoke  of  hclTs  lire  in  the  throat  for  half  an  hour  ;  to 
 fland  before  a  river  of  fire  and  brimftone  broader  than  the  earth  ; 
 «n*d  to  think  to  be  bound  hand  and  foot,  and  caiten  in  the  midll:  of 
 it  quick,  ^nCi  then  to  have  God  locking  the  prifon  door,  never  to 
 be  cpeneil  for  all  eternity;  O  hov/  will  it  fnake  a  confciencc  that 
 hath  any  life  in  it?  I  tind  the  fruits  of  my  pains  to  have  Chrilt 
 and  that  people  once  fairly  met,  now  meet  my  foul  in  my  fad 
 hours  -,  and  I  rejoice  that  I  gave  fair  warning  of  all  the  corruptions 
 now  entering  in  Chrift's  houfe ;  and  now  many  a  fv/cet,  fwcet, 
 fot't  kifsj  many  perfumed,  v/vll-fmelled  kiflcs,  and  cmbracements, 
 have  i  received  of  my  royal  mnfter.   He  and  I  have  had  much  love 
 together.    1  have  for  the  prefcnt  a  fick  d wining  life,   with  much 
 pain,  and  much  lovc-ficknefs  for  Chrift:  O  v/hat  I  MTuld  give  to 
 have  a  bed  made  to  my  wearied  foul,  in  his  bofom  !   I  would  frift 
 heaven  for  many  years,  to  have  my  HU  of  Jefus  in  this  life,  and  to 
 have  occafion  to  offer  Chriil  to  my  people ;  and  to  woo  many 
 people  to  Chrift.   I  cannot  tell  you  what  fweet  pain,  and  delight- 
 fome  torments  are  in  Chrilt's  love:  I  often  challenge  lime  that 
 holdeth  us  fundry.  1  profefs  to  you  I  have  no  reft,  1  have  no  cafe, 
 while  1  be  over  i)cad  and  ears  in  lovc*s  ocean.    It  Chriit's  lore, 
 (that  fouiitaia  of  delight)  were  laid  as  opjn  to  mc  as  1  would  widi. 
 
38  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epifl.  14.] 
 
 O  how  TTould  I  drink,  and  drink  abundantly !  O  how  drunken 
 would  this  my  foul  be  !  I  half  call  his  abfence  cruel,  and  the  mafk 
 and  vail  on  ChrilVs  face  a  cruel  covering,  that  hideth  fuch  a  fair 
 face  from  a  fick  foul.  I  dare  not  challenge  himfelf,  but  his  ab- 
 fence is  a  mountain  of  iron  upon  my  heavy  heart.  O  when  will 
 we  meet  ?  O  how  long  is  it  to  the  dawning  of  the  marriage  day  ? 
 O  fweet  Lord  Jefus,  take  wide  fteps  :  O  my  Lord,  come  over 
 mountains  at  one  ftride  !  O  my  Beloved,  flee  like  a  roe,  or  young 
 hart,  on  the  mountains  of  feparation  :  O  if  he  would  fold  the 
 hei^vens  together  like  an  old  cloke,  and  (hovel  time  and  days  out 
 of  the  way,  and  make  ready  in  hade  the  lamb's  wife  for  her  huf- 
 band  !  Since  he  looked  upon  me  my  heart  is  not  mine  own,  he 
 bath  run  away  to  heaven  with  it ;  I  know  it  was  not  for  nothing 
 that  I  fpake  fo  meikle  good  of  Chrift  to  you  in  public.  O  if  the 
 heaven,  and  the  heaven  of  heavens  were  paper,  and  fca  ink,  and 
 the  multitude  of  mountains  pens  of  brafs,  and  I  w^ere  able  to  write 
 that  paper,  within  and  without,  full  of  the  praifes  of  my  faireft, 
 my  deareft,  my  loveliefl,  my  fweeteft,  my  matchlefs,  and  my 
 molt  marrovrlefs  and  marvellous  Well-beloved  !  Wo  is  me,  I 
 cannot  fet  him  cut  to  men  and  angels.  O  there  arc  few  tongues 
 to  fing  love-fongs  of  his  incomparable  excellency  !  What  can  I 
 poor  prifoner  do  to  exalt  him  ?  or  what  courfe  can  I  take  to  ex- 
 tol my  lofty,  and  lovely  Lord  Jefus  ?  I  am  put  to  my  wit's  end, 
 how  to  get  his  name  made  great.  Blefied  they  who  would  help 
 me  in  this  !  How  fweet  are  Chrifl's  back-parts  .^  O  what  then  is  in 
 his  face  ?  Thefe  that  fee  his  face,  how  do  they  get  their  eye  pluck- 
 ed off  him  again  ?  Look  up  to  him  and  love  him  :  O  love  and  live. 
 It  were  life  to  me,  if  ye  would  read  this  letter  to  that  people,  and 
 if  they  did  profit  by  it.  O  if  I  could  caufe  them  die  of  love  for  Je- 
 fus !  I  charge  them  by  the  falvation  of  their  fouls,  to  hang  about 
 Chrift's  neck,  and  take  their  fill  of  his  love,  and  follow  him,  as  I 
 taught  them.  Part  by  no  means  with  Chrift;  hold  faft  what  yc 
 have  received;  keep  the  truth  once  delivered;  if  ye  or  that  people 
 quit  it  in  an  hair  or  in  an  hoof,  ye  break  your  confcicnce  in  twain  -, 
 and  who  then  can  mend  it,  and  caft  a  knot  on  it  .^^  My  deareft  in 
 the  Lord,  ftand  faft  in  Chrift  :  keep  the  faith  ;  contend  for  Chrift; 
 wreftle  for  him,  and  take  mens'  feud  for  God's  favour;  there  is  no 
 comparifon  betwixt  thefe.  O  that  my  Lord  would  fulfil  my  joy, 
 and  keep  the  young  bride  to  Chrift,  that  is  at  Anwoth.  And  now, 
 whoever  they  be,  that  have  returned  to  the  old  vomit  fince  my  de- 
 parture, I  bind  upon  their  back,  in  my  Maftcr's  name  and  autho- 
 rity, the  long-lafting,  weighty  vengeance,  and  curfe  of  God ;  in  my 
 Lord's  name,  1  give  them  a  black,  unmixed,  pure  wrath,  which  my 
 IMafter  ftiali  ratify  and  make  good,  when  we  ftand  together  before 
 him,  except  they  timeoully  repent  and  turn  to  the  Lord.  And  I 
 wricc  to  thcC;  poor  mourning  and  broken-hearted  believer,  h^ 
 
Epift.  15-]  LETTERS.  3^ 
 
 who  thou  will,  of  the  free  falvation  ;  Chrlfl's  fwcct  balm  for  thy 
 ■wounds,  O  poor  humble  believer;  Chrift's  klfics  for  thy  watery 
 cheeks  ;  Chrift's  blood  of  atonement  for  thy  guilty  foul;  ChriiTs 
 heaven  for  thy  poor  foul,  though  once  baniflicd  out  of  paradife ; 
 and  my  Mafter  ftiall  make  good  my  word  e'er  long.  O  that  peo- 
 ple were  wife  !  O  that  people  were  wife !  O  that  people  would 
 fpier  out  Chrift,  and  never  reft  while  they  find  him  !  O  how  fhall 
 my  foul  mourn  in  fecret,  if  my  nine  years  pained  head,  and  fore 
 breaft,  and  pained  back,  and  grieved  heart,  and  private  and  pub- 
 lic prayers  to  God,  (hall  all  be  for  nothing  among  that  peo- 
 ple !  Did  my  Lord  Jcfus  fend  me  but  to  fummon  you  before  your 
 Judge,  and  to  leave  your  fummons  at  your  houfes  ?  Was  I  fent  as 
 SL  witnefs  only  to  gather  your  dittays.  O  my  God  forbid  !  Often  did 
 I  tell  you  of  a  fan  ot  God*s  word  to  come  among  you,  for  the  con- 
 tempt of  it ;  I  told  you  often  of  wrath,  wrath  from  the  Lord,  to 
 come  upon  Scotland  ;  and  yet  I  bide  by  my  Mafter's  word  ;  it  is 
 quickly  coming,  defolation  for  Scotland,  becaufe  of  the  quarrel  of 
 a  broken  covenant.  Now,  worthy  Sirs,  my  dear  people,  my  joy, 
 and  my  crown  in  the  Lord,  let  him  be  your  fear,  feek  the  Lord, 
 and  his  face,  fave  your  fouls.  Doves,  flee  to  Chrift's  windows ;  pray 
 for  me,  and  praife  for  me.  The  blcfting  of  my  God,  the  pray- 
 ers and  blelTmg  of  a  poor  prifoncr,  and  your  lawful  paftor,  be 
 upon  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  June  1 6.  Tour  laivful  and  loving  pafior^ 
 
 163J.  S.  R. 
 
 1 5.  To  the  Right  Honourable  andChriJiian  Lady,  my  Lady  BOYD. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you,  from  God  our  Father, 
 and  from  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  I  cannot  but  thank  yoar 
 Ladyfhip  for  your  letter  that  hath  refreftied  my  foul.  I  think  my- 
 felf  many  ways  obliged  to  your  Ladyfliip  for  your  love  to  my  af- 
 fli£ted  brother,  now  embarked  with  me  in  that  fame  caufe.  His 
 Lord  hath  been  pleafed  to  put  him  on  truth's  fide ;  1  hope  your 
 Ladyfliip  will  befriend  him  with  your  counfel  and  countenance 
 in  that  country  where  he  is  a  ftrangcr ;  and  your  Ladylhip  need- 
 cth  not  fear  but  your  kindnefs  to  his  own  fnall  be  put  up  in  Chrift'^ 
 accounts.  Now,  Madam,  for  your  Ladyfliip's  cafe  I  rejoice  ex- 
 ceedingly, that  the  Father  of  lights  hath  made  you  fee  that  there 
 is  a  nick  in  Chriftianity,  which  ye  contend  to  be  at ;  and  that  is, 
 to  quit  the  right  eye,  and  the  right  hand,  and  to  keep  the  Son  of 
 God  :  I  hope  your  defirc  is  to  make  him  your  garland,  and  you: 
 eye  looketh  up  the  mount,  which  certainly  is  nothing  but  the  new 
 creature.  Fe;ir  not,  Cbrift  will  not  caft  water  upon  your  fmok- 
 ing  coal ;  and  then,  who  cife  dare  do  it  if  h;  fay  nay  }  Be  forry  at 
 
40  Mr  RUrHEnFOORD's  Epift.  15] 
 
 corruption,  and  not  fecure  ;  that  companion  lay  with  you  in  your 
 mother's  womb,  and  wzs  as  early  friends  with  you  as  the  breiith 
 of  life :  and  Chrifl  will  not  have  it  otherwife ;  for  he  delighteth 
 to  take  up  fallen  bairns,  and  to  mend  broken  brows;  binding  up 
 of  wounds  is  his  ofEce,  Ifa.  Ixi.  i  ft.  I  am  glad  Chrifl  will  get  em- 
 ployment of  his  calling  in  ycu :  many  a  whole  foul  is  in  heaven, 
 which  was  ficker  than  ye  are  :  he  is  content  yc  lay  broken  arms 
 and  legs  on  his  knee,  that  he  may  fpclk  them.  2dly.  Hiding  of 
 his  fdce  is  wife  love ,  his  love  is  not  fond,  doating,  and  reafon- 
 Icfs,  to  give  your  head  no  other  pillow,  while  yc  be  in  at  heaven's 
 gates,  but  to  ly  betv/ixt  his  brcafts,  and  lean  upon  his  bofom  : 
 nay,  his  bairns  muft  often  have  the  frofty  cold  liilc  cf  the  hill, 
 and  fct  down  both  their  bare  feet  among  thorns :  his  love  hath 
 eyes,  and  in  the  mean  time  is  looking  on.  Our  pride  muft  have 
 winter  weather  to  rot  it.  But  I  know  Chrlft  and  ye  fliall  not  be 
 heard;  ye  will  whifper  it  ov'er  betwixt  yourfelves,  and  agree  a- 
 gain  ;  for  the  anchor-tow  abideth  faft  within  the  vail ;  the  end  of 
 it  is  in  Chrift*s  ten  fingers:  who  dare  pull  if  he  hold.''  '  I  the 
 J.ord  thy  God  will  hold  thy  right  hand,  faying.  Fear  not,  I  will 
 help  thee,  lia.  xli.  13.  Fear  not,  Jacob.'  The  fei-fick  paiTenger 
 fliall  come  to  land ;  Chrift  will  be  the  firft  that  will  meet  you  on 
 the  (horc.  I  hope  your  Ladyfliip  will  keep  the  king's  highv/ay; 
 go  on  in  the  ftrength  of  the  Lord  in  hafte,  as  if  ye  had  not  lei- 
 fure  to  fpeak  to  the  inn-keepers  by  the  way  :  he  is  over  beyond 
 time  in  the  other  fide  of  the  water,  who  thijiketh  long  for  you. 
 For  my  unfaithful  feif,  Madam,"!  muft  fay  a  word.  At  my  ftrft 
 coming  hither,  the  devil  made  many  a  black  lie  of  my  Lord  Jcfus, 
 and  faid,  the  court  was  changed,  and  he  was  angry,  and  would 
 give  an  evil  fcrvant  his  leave  at  mid-term  ;  but  he  gave  me  grace 
 not  to  take  my  leave  ;  I  refoi  ved  to  bide  fummons,  and  fit,  how- 
 belt  it  was  fuggefted  and  faid,  What  (liould  be  done  with  a  wi- 
 thered tree,  but  over  the  dike  with  it  ?  But  now,  now,  (I  dare 
 not,  I  dow  not  keep  it  up)  who  is  feafted  as  his  poor  exiled  prifon- 
 er  ?  I  think  ftiame  of  the  board-head  and  the  firft  mefs,  and  the 
 royal  King's  dining-hall,  and  that  my  bhck  hand  fliould  come  on 
 fiich  a  ruler's  table:  but  I  cannot  mend  it,  Chrift  muft  have  his 
 will :  only  he  paineth  my  foul  fo  fometimes  with  his  love,  that  I 
 have  been  nigh  to  pals  modefty,  and  to  cry  out;  he  hath  left  a 
 fmokirg  burning  coal  in  my  heart,  and  gone  to  the  door  himfelf 
 and  left  me  and^ it  together;  yet  it  is  not  defertion  :  I  know  not 
 what  it  is,  but  I  was  never  fo  iick  for  him  as  now.  I  durft  not 
 challenge  my  Lord,  if  I  got  no  more  for  heaven,  it  is  a  dawting 
 crofs.  I  knew  he  hath  ether  things  to  do  than  to  play  with  me, 
 and  trundle  an  apple  with  me,  and  that  this  feaft  will  end.  O 
 for  inftruments  in  God's  name,  that  this  is  he!  and  that  I  may 
 make  ufe  of  it,  when  it  may  be,  i  near  friend  within  me  will  fay, 
 
Eplfl.  i6.]  LETTERS.  4^ 
 
 ?na  when  it  will  be  faid  by  a  challenging  devil,  Where  is  thy  God  ? 
 Since  I  know  it  will  not  laft,  I  defire  but  to  keep  broken  meat: 
 but  let  no  man  after  me  flander  Chrift  for  his  crofs.  The  great 
 Lord  of  the  covenant,  v/ho  brought  from  the  dead  the  great  Shep- 
 herd of  his  (heep.  by  the  blood  of  the  eternal  covenant,  eitabliili 
 you,  and  keep  you  and  yours  to  his  appearance. 
 
 Aberdeen,  March'],  Tsun  in  his  fweet  L^jrd 
 
 1637.  J^fii^,  S.  R. 
 
 16.    To  Mr  ALEXANDER  HENDERSON. 
 
 My  reverend  and  dear  brother , 
 
 I  Received  your  letters:  they  arc  apples  of  gold  to  me,  for  with 
 my  fv/eet  itAiis  (and  they  are  above  the  deferving  of  fuch  a 
 finncr,  high  and  out  of  meafure)  I  have  fadnefs  to  ballaft  me, 
 and  weight  me  a  little.  It  is  but  his  boundlefs  wifdom  who  hath 
 taken  the  tutoring  of  his  witlefs  child ;  and  he  knoweth  to  be 
 drunken  with  comforts  is  not  fafeft  for  our  fiomachs.  However 
 it  be,  the  din,  and  noife,  and  glooms  of  Chrift's  crofs  are  weigh- 
 tier than  itfelf.  I  protelt  to  you,  (my  witnefs  is  in  heaven)  I  could 
 wifn  many  pound  weights  added  to  my  croff,  to  know  that  by 
 my  fufferings,  Chrift  were  fet  forward  in  his  kingly  office  in  this 
 land.  Oh  !  what  is  my  Ikin  to  his  glory  5  or  my  lofies,  or  my  fad 
 heart,  to  the  apple  of  the  eye  of  our  Lord,  and  his  beloved  fpoufe, 
 his  precious  truth,  his  roy;d  privileges,  the  glory  of  manifefted 
 juftice  in  giving  of  his  foes  a  dafh,  the  teftimony  of  his  faithful 
 fervants,  who  do  glorify  him,  when  he  rideth  upon  poor  weak 
 worms,  and  triumpheth  in  them  ?  I  defire  you  to  pray,  that  I  may 
 come  out  of  this  furnace  with  honeftyi  and  that  I  may  leave  Chrift's 
 truth  no  worfe  than  I  found  it;  znd  that  this  molt  honourable  caufe 
 may  neither  be  (lained  nor  weakened.  As  for  your  cafe,  my  reve- 
 rend and  deareft  brother,  ye  are  the  talking  of  the  north  and  fouth; 
 and  looked  to  fo,  as  if  ye  were  all  chryftal  glafs  ;  your  motes  and 
 duft  fhould  foon  be  proclaimed,  and  trumpets  blown  at  your 
 flips:  but  I  know  ye  have  laid  help  upon  one  that  is  mighty.  In- 
 truft  not  your  comforts  to  men's  airy  and  frothy  applaufe,  neither 
 lay  your  down-cailings  on  the  tongues  of  fait  mockers  and  re- 
 proachers  of  godlinefs:  as  deceivers,  and  yet  true;  as  unknown, 
 and  yet  ftill  known.  God  hath  called  you  to  Chrlft*s  fide,  and 
 the  wind  is  now  in  Chrilt's  face  in  this  land;  and  feeing  ye  arc 
 with  him,  ye  cannot  expect  the  Ice-fide,  or  the  funny  fide  of  the 
 brae :  but  I  know  ye  have  refolved  to  take  Chrift  upon  anv  terms 
 whatfoever  :  I  hope  ye  do  not  rue,  though  your  caufe  be  hated, 
 and  that  prejudices  are  taken  up  againft  it  The  ihields  of  the 
 world  think  our  Mailer  cumberfome  wares,  and  that  he  maketh 
 too  gxtM  din,  and  that  his  cords  and  yokes  make  blains  and  deep 
 
 F 
 
^5  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  17.I 
 
 fcores  in  tlieir  neck ;  therefore  they  kick,  they  fay,  This  man 
 (lip.ll  not  reign  over  us.  Let  us  pray  one  for  another:  he  who 
 hath  made  you  a  chofen  arrow  in  his  quiver,  hide  you  in  the  hol- 
 low of  his  hand.     I  am 
 
 Jberdcen,  March  9,  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord 
 
 1637.  Jcfus,  S.  R, 
 
 17.   To  the  Right  Honourable  my  Lord  LOW  DON, 
 
 My  very  noble  and  honourable  Lord, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  make  bold  to  write  to 
 your  Lordiliip,  that  you  may  know  the  honourable  caufe  ye 
 are  graced  to  profefs,  is  Chrifl's  own  truth.  Ye  are  many  ways 
 hlefied  of  God,  who  hath  taken  upon  you  to  come  out  to  the 
 ftreets  with  Chrlft  on  your  forehead,  when  fo  many  arc  afliamed 
 of  him,  and  hide  him,  as  it  were,  under  their  cloak,  as  if  he  were 
 a  ftoien  Chrill.  If  this  faithlefs  generation  (and  efpecially  the  no- 
 bles of  this  kingdom)  thought  not  Chrifl  dear  wares,  and  religioij. 
 expenfive,  hazardous  and  dangerous,  they  would  not  flip  from 
 his  caufe  as  they  do,  and  ftand  looking  on  with  their  hands  fold- 
 ed behind  their  back,  when  lowns  are  running  away  with  the 
 fpcll  cf  Zion  on  their  back,  and  the  boards  of  the  Son  of  God's 
 tabernacle.  Law  and  juftice  are  to  be  bad  to  any,  efpecially  for 
 money  and  moyen  -,  but  Chrift  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  op- 
 prefled  Spoufe,  as  fp.r  as  zeal  and  ftanding  law  will  go  wit1i  you. 
 Tour  ordinary  logic  from  the  event  (that  it  will  do  no  good)  to 
 the  caufe  (and  therefore  filence  is  beft,  till  the  Lord  put  to  his 
 oxvn  hand)  is  not  (with  reverence  to  your  Lordfhip's  learning) 
 worth  a  ftravv :  events  are  God*s ;  let  us  do  and  not  plead  againft 
 God's  office;  let  him  fit  at  his  own  helm,  who  moderateth  all  e- 
 vents ;  it  is  not  a  good  courfe  to  complain,  that  we  cannot  get  a 
 providence  of  gold,  when  our  lazinefs,  cold  zeal,  temporizing, 
 and  faithiefs  fearfuhiefs  fpilleth  God's  providence.  Your  Lordihip 
 will  pardon  me;  I  am  not  of  that  mind,  that  tumults  or  arms  is 
 the  way  to  put  Chrift  on  his  throne;  or  that  Chrift  will  be  ferved, 
 and  truth  vindicated  only  with  the  arm  of  flelh  and  blood;  nay, 
 Chrift  doth  his  turn  with  lefs  din  than  with  garments  rolled  in 
 tlood.  But  I  would  the  zeal  of  God  were  in  the  nobles  to  do 
 their  part  for  Chrift :  and  I  muft  be  pardoned  to  write  to  your 
 Lordfliip  this,  I  dow  not,  I  dare  not  but  fpeak  to  others  what  Go'd 
 hath  done  to  the  foul  of  his  poor,  afflicted,  exiled  prifoner:  his 
 comfort  is  more  than  I  ever  knew  before ;  he  hath  fealed  the  hon- 
 ourable caufe  I  now  fuFer  for,  and  I  {hall  not  believe  that  Chrift 
 ^vill  put  his  Amen  and  ring  upon  an  imagination:  he  hath  made 
 
 TV\3  (xAMaui 
 
Epift.  18.]  LETTERS.  42 
 
 all  his  promifes  good  to  me,  and  hath  filled  up  all  the  blanks  with 
 his  own  hand  ;  I  would  not  exchange  my  bonds  with  the  plaiiler- 
 ed  joy  of  this  whole  world  :  it  hath  plcaied  him  to  make  a  finner, 
 the  like  of  me,  an  ordinary  banqueter  in  his  houfe  of  wine,  with 
 that  royal,  princely  one,  Chrift  Jefus.  O  what  weighing  !  O 
 what  telling  is  in  his  love !  ho-^  fweet  muft  he  be,  when  that 
 black  and  burdenfome  tree,  his  own  crofs,  is  fo  perfumed  with 
 joy  and  gladnefs  !  O  for  help  to  lift  him  up  by  praifes  on  his  roysl 
 throne !  I  feck  no  more  but  that  his  name  may  be  fpread  abroad 
 in  me,  that  meikle  good  may  be  fpoken  of  Chrift  on  my  behalf: 
 this  being  done,  my  lofles,  place,  ftipend,  credit,  eafe,  and  li- 
 berty, fhall  ail  be  made  up  to  my  full  contentment  and  joy  of 
 heart.  I  will  be  confident  your  Loidlhip  will  go  on  in  the  ftr^ngth 
 of  the  Lord,  and  keep  Chrift  and  avouch  him,  that  he  may  read 
 your  name  publickly  before  men  and  angels.  I  will  in  treat  your 
 Lordfhip  to  exhort  and  encourage  that  nobleman  your  chief  to  do 
 l^e  fame ;  but  I  am  wo,  many  of  you  find  a  new  wifdom,  which 
 deferveth  not  fuch  a  name  -,  it  were  better  that  men  fliould  fee 
 that  their  wifdom  be  holy,  and  their  hulinefs  wife.  I  muft  he 
 bold  to  defire  your  Lordfliip  to  add  to  your  former  favours  to  me 
 (for  the  which  your  Lordlbip  hath  a  prifoner's  blefTing  and  pray- 
 ers) this,  that  ye  would  be  pleafed  to  befriend  my  brother,  now 
 fuffering  for  the  fame  caufe ;  for  he  is  to  dwell  nigh  your  Loru- 
 fhip's  bounds;  your  Lordihip's  word  and  countenance  may  help 
 him.  Thus  recommending  your  Lordfliip  to  the  faving  grace, 
 and  tender  mercy  of  Chrift  Jefus  our  Lord,  I  reft 
 
 ^berdceiiy  March  9,  Tour  Lordfoip' s  obliged  ferxmnt 
 
 1637.  mChriJiy         S.  R.. 
 
 18.  To  Mr  WILLIAM  DALGLISH,  Mimficr  of  the  go/pel. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  Brother, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  v/ell-,  my  Lord 
 Jefus  is  kinder  to  me  than  ever  he  was;  it  pleafcth  him  to 
 dine  and  fup  with  his  afHidced  prifoner:  a  Kin^  feafttth  me,  and 
 his  fpikenard  cafteth  a  fweet  fmell.  Put  Clu  ift's  love  to  the  trial, 
 and  put  upon  it  burdens,  and  then  it  will  appciu  Jove  indeed  :  v/e 
 employ  not  his  love,  aud  therefore  we  know  it  not.  1  verily  count 
 more  of  the  fufferings  of  my  Lord,  than  of  this  world's  iuftered 
 and  over-gilded  glory.  I  dare  not  fay  but  my  Lord  jefus  hath  fuU 
 ly  recompcnfed  my  fadncfs  with  his  joys;  my  lolVes  with  his  own 
 prefence.  I  find  it  a  fweet  and  rich  thing  to  exchange  my  fur*- 
 rows  with  Chrift's  joys,  my  adliclions  with  ihut  fweet  ptttacc  1  hvive 
 with  himfelf.  Brother,  this  is  his  own  truth  I  iK)w  fufter  for;  he 
 hath  fealed  my  fufferings  with  his  own  comforts,  and  I  know  he 
 will  not  put  hifi  feal  upon  blank  paper :  his  feals  arc  net  dumb^ 
 
 V  2. 
 
44  l^lr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplfl.  19,] 
 
 nor  delufive,  to  confirm  imaginations  and  lies.  Go  on,  my  dear, 
 brother,  in  the  ftrcngth  of  the  Lord,  not  fearing  man  that  is  a 
 worm,  nor  the  fon  of  man  that  will  die.  Providence  hath  a  thou- 
 fcind  keys  to  open  a  thoufand  fundry  doors,  for  the  deliverance  of 
 his  own,  when  it  is  even  come  to  a  conclamatum  eji.  Let  us  be 
 faithful,  and  care  for  our  own  part,  which  is  to  do  and  fuffer  for 
 him,  and  lay  Chrift's  part  on  himfelf,  and  leave  it  there.  Duties 
 are  ours,  events  are  the  Lord's:  vv-hen  our  faith  goeth  to  meddle 
 with  events,  and  to  hold  a  court  (if  Lmay  fo  fpeak)  upon  God's 
 providence,  and  bcginneth  to  fay,  How  wilt  thou  do  this  and 
 that?  we  lofe  ground,  we  have  nothing  to  do  there,  it  is  our  part 
 to  let  the  Almighty  exercife  his  own  ofhce,  €ind  ftir  his  own 
 helm  ;  there  is  nothing  left  us,  but  to  fee  how  we  may  be  ap- 
 proved of  him,  and  hov/  we  may  roll  the  weight  of  our  weak 
 fouls  (in  well  doiupj  upon  him  who  is  God  oinnipot?ent:  and 
 when,  what  we  thus  eflny  mifcarrieth,  it  (hall  neither  be  our  fin 
 nor  crofs.  Brother,  remember  the  Lord's  v/ord  to  Peter,  *  Simon, 
 loved  thou  me  ?  feed  my  flieep  :'  no  greater  teftimony  of  our  love 
 to  Chrift  can  be,  than  to  ittA  painfully  and  faithfully  his  lambs.  I 
 am  in  no  better  neighbourhood  with  the  minifiers  here  than  be- 
 fore ;  they  <:annot  endure  that  any  fptak  of  me,  or  to  me.  Thus  I 
 am,  in  the  mean  time,  filcnt,  which  is  my  greateft  grief.  Dr.  Bar- 
 ion  hath  difputed  with  me,  efpecialiy  about  Arminian  controver-!' 
 iies,  and  for  the  ceremonies :  three  yokings  laid  him  by ;  and  1  have 
 not  been  troubled  with  him  fince.  Now  he  hath  appointed  a  difpute 
 before  witnefies ;  I  truft  Chrift  and  truth  fhall  do  for  themfelves. 
 I  hope,  brother,  ye  will  help  my  people,  ^qd  write  to  me  what  yc 
 bear  t\\Q  bifnop  is  to  do  with  them.      Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen.  Your  brother  i?i  bonds,  S.  R. 
 
 19.    To  Mr  HUGH  M'KAIL,  Minijer  of  the  Go/pel, 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother, 
 
 IBlefs  you  for  your  letter :  he  is  come  down  as  rain  upon  the 
 mown  grafs,  he  hath  revived  my  withered  root,  and  he  is  as 
 the  dew  of  herbs.  I  am  moll  fecure  in  this  prifon  :  falvation  is  for 
 w^alls  in  ir,  and  what  think  ye  of  thefe  walls?  he  maketh  the  dry 
 plant  to  bud  as  the  lilly,  and  to  blofibm  as  Lebanon :  the  great 
 liufbandman's  bleffing  cometh  down  upon  the  plants  of  righteouf- 
 nefs.  Who  may  fay  this,  my  dear  brother,  if  I,  his  poor  exiled 
 flranger  and  priibner,  may  not  fay  it?  Howbeit  all  the.  world 
 Ihould  be  filent,  I  cannot  hold  my  peace.  O  how  many  black 
 counts  hath  Chrift  and  I  rounded  over  together  in  the  houfe  of  my 
 pilgrimage!  and  how  fat  a  portion  hath  he  given  to  a  hungry 
 foul !  I  had  rather  huve  Chrilt's  four-hours,  than  have  dinner  and 
 flipper  both  in  one  from  any  ether :  his  c|ealing,  and  the  way  of 
 
Epift.  20.3  LETTERS.  45 
 
 his  judgments  are  pafl  finding  out.    No  preaching,  no  book,  no 
 learning  could"glvc  me  that,  which  I  behoved  to  come  and  get 
 in  this  town.    But  what  of  all  this,  if  I  were  not  mifled  and  con- 
 founded, and  aftoniihed  how  to  be  thankful,  and  how  to  get  him 
 praifed  for  evermore  ?   And  which  is  more,  be  hath  been  pleafed 
 to  pain  me  with  his  love,  and  my  pain  groweth  through  want  cf 
 real  pofTefiion.'    Some  have  written  to  rne,  that  I  am  poffibly  too 
 joyful  of  the  crofs,  but  my  joy  overleapeth  the  crofs,  it  is  bounded 
 and  terminate  upon  Chrift.    I  know  the  fun  will  over-cloud  and 
 ecJipfe,  and  I  (hall  again  be  put  to  walk  in  the  (Iradow:  but  Chrift 
 niuft  be  v/elcome  to  come  and  go  as  he  tbinketh  meet  j  yet  he 
 would  be  more  welcome  to  me,  1  trow^,  to  ^oi-ne  than  go:   and,  I 
 hope,  he  pitieth  and  pawdoneth  me,  in  calling  apples  to  me,  atfuch 
 a  famting  time  as  this;  holy  and  blefled  is  his  name.    It  was  not 
 my  flattering  of  Chrift,  that  drew  a  kifs  from  his  mouth  ;  but  he 
 would  fend  me  as  a  fpy  into  this  wildernefs  of  fufFering,  to  fee  the 
 land,  and  to  try  the  ford :  and  I  cannot  make  a  lie  of  Chrift^s  crofs; 
 I  can  report  nothing  but  good  both  of  him  and  it,  left  others  fhould 
 faint.  I  hope,  when  a  change  cometh,  to  caft  anchor  at  midnight 
 i]pon  the  Rock  (which  he  hath  taught  me  to  know  in  this  day-light) 
 whither  I  may  run,  when  I  muft  fay  my  leflbn  without  book,  and 
 beJieve  in  the  dark.    I  am  fure  it  is  fm  to  tarrow  of  Chrift's  good 
 meat,  and  not  to  eat  when  he  faith,  '  Eat,  O  well-beloved,  and 
 drink  abundantly.'  If  he  bear  me  on  his  back,  or  carry  me  in  his 
 arms  over  this  water,  I  hope  for  grace  to  fet  down  my  feet  on  dry 
 ground,  when  the  wav  is  better:  but  this  is  ilippery  ground;  my 
 Lord  thought  good  I  fliould  go  by  an  hold,  and  Jean  on  my  Well- 
 beloved's  fhoulder  :  it  is  good  to  be  ever  taking  from  him.    I  de-f 
 fire  he  may  get  the  fruic  of  pralfes,  for  dav/ting  and  thus  dandling 
 me  on  his  knee  :  and  I  may  give  my  bond  of  tbankfulnefs,  fo  be- 
 ing I  have  Chrift's  back-bond  again  for  my  relief,  that  I  fhall  be 
 ftrengthened  by  his  powerful  grace,  to  pay  my  vows  to  him.    But  ^ 
 truly  1  find  we  have  the  advantage  of  ihe  brae  upon  our  enemies  : 
 we  arc  more  than  conquerors,  through  him  who  hath  loved  us; 
 and  they  know  not  wherein  our  ftrength  lieth.    Piay  for  me ;  grace 
 be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen.  Your  iroiher  in  Chriji,   S.  R, 
 
 20.    To  my  Lady  BOYD. 
 M.'jdam, 
 
 R.  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  The  Lord  bath  brought 
 _  "  me  to  Aberdeen,  where  I  fee  God  in  few.  This  town  hath 
 been  advifed  upon  of  purpofe  for  me:  it  connftcth  of  Papifts,  or 
 men  of  Gallio's  naughty  f^irh  :  it  is  counted  wifdom  in  the  mcft, 
 Hot  to  countenance  a  confined  minifterl  but  I  find  Chrifl  neither 
 
 G 
 
46  Mr  n  UTHERFO  0  R  D's  Eplft.  20.3 
 
 ftrange  nor  unkind;  for  I  have  found  many  faces  fmile  upon  mc 
 fince  I  came  hither.  I  am  heavy  and  fad,  confidering  what  is  be- 
 twixt the  Lord  and  my  foul,  which  none  feeth  but  he.  I  find  men 
 have  miilakcn  me  :  it  would  be  no  art  (as  I  now  fee),  to  fpin 
 fmall,  and  make  hypocrify  feem  a  goodly  web,  and  go  through 
 the  market  as  a  faint  among  men,  and  yet  Ileal  quietly  to  hell, 
 without  obfervation ;  fo  eafy  is  it  to  deceive  men.  1  have  difputed 
 whether  or  no  I  ever  knew  any  thing  of  Chiiftianity,  fave  the  let- 
 ters of  that  name.  Men  fee  but  as  men,  and  they  call  ten  twenty, 
 and  twenty  an  hundred;  but,  O !  to  be  approved  of  God  in  the 
 heart,  and  in  fmcerity,  is  not  an  ordinary  mercy.  My  neglects 
 while  I  had  a  pulpit,  and  other  things  whereof  I  am  afhamed  to 
 fpeak,  meet  me  now,  fo  as  God  maketh  an  honeft  crofs  my  daily 
 forrow;  and,  for  fear  of  fcandal  and  flumbling,  I  muft  hide  this 
 day  of  the  law's  pleading:  I  know  not,  jf  this  court,  kept  within 
 my  foul,  be  fenced  in  Chrift's  name.  If  certainty  of  falvation 
 were  to  be  bought,  God  knoweth  if  I  had  ten  earths,  I  would  not 
 prig  with  God  like  a  fool.  I  believed,  under  fufferings  for  Chrift, 
 that  I  myfelf  fliould  keep  the  key  of  Chrift's  treafures,  and  take 
 out  comforts,  when  I  lifted,  and  eat,  and  be  fat ;  but  I  fee  now 
 a  fuirerer  for  Chrift  will  be  made  to  know  himfelf,  and  will  be 
 holden  at  the  door,  as  well  as  another  poor  fmner ;  and  will  be 
 fain,  to  eat  with  the  bairns,  and  take  the  by-board,  and  glad  fo. 
 My  blelling  on  the  crofs  of  Chrift,  that  hath  made  me  fee  this. 
 Oh  if  we  could  take  pains  for  the  kingdom  of  heaven  !  but  we  fit 
 down  upon  fome  ordinary  marks  of  God's  children,  thinking  we 
 have  as  much  as  will  fepajrate  us  from  a  reprobate,  and  there- 
 upon we  take  the  play,  and  cry  Holyday  :  and  thus  the  devil  caft- 
 eth  water  on  our  fire,  and  blunteth  our  zeal  and  care ;  but  I  fee 
 heaven  is  not  at  the  next  door ;  and  I  fee,  howbeit  my  challenges 
 be  many,  I  fufter  for  Chrift  and  dare  hazard  my  falvation  upon 
 it;  for  fometimes  my  Lord  cometh  with  a  fair  hour,  and  O  but 
 his  love  be  fweet,  delightful  and  comfortable  !  Half  a  kifs  is  fweet : 
 but  our  doating  love  will  not  be  content  of  a  right  to  Chrift,  un- 
 iefs  we  get  poffefiion ;  like  the  man  who  will  not  be  content 
 of  rights  to  bought  land,  except  he  get  alfo  the  ridges  and  acres 
 jaid  upon  his  back,  to  carry  home  with  him.  However  it  be, 
 Chrift  is  wife ;  and  we  are  fools  to  be  browden  and  fond  of  a  pawn 
 in  the  loof  of  our  hand :  living  on  truft  by  faith  may  well  content 
 us.  Madam,  I  know  your  ladyiliip  knoweth  this,  and  that  made 
 me  bold  to  write  of  it,  that  others  might  reap  fomewhat  by  my 
 bonds  for  the  truth  ;  for  I  (hould  defire,  and  aim  at  this,  to  have 
 my  Lord  well  fpoken  of  and  honoured,  howbeit  he  fliould  make 
 nothing  of  me,  but  a  bridge  over  a  water.  Thus  recommending 
 your  Ladyftiip,  your  fon,  and  children  to  his  grace,  who  hath 
 
Eplft.  21].  LETTERS.,  47 
 
 honoured  you  with  a  name  and  room  among  the  living  in  Jeru- 
 falem,  and  wifhing  grace  to  to  be  with  your  Ladyihip,  I  reft, 
 Aberdeen.  Tour  Ladyjhip^s  in  his  fweet  Lord  J  ejus  y 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 21.    To  Mr  DAVID  DICKSON. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother ^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  find  great  men,  efpe- 
 cially  old  friends,  Ticar  to  fpeak  for  me;  but  my  kingly  and 
 royal  Mafter  biddeth  me  try  his  moyen  to  the  uttermoft,  and  I 
 fliall  find  a  friend  at  hand  :  I  dill  depend  upon  liim  ;  his  court  is 
 as  before;  the  prifoner  is  welcome  to  him;  the  black  crabbed  tree 
 of  my  Lord's  crofs  hath  made  Chrift  and  my  foul  very  entire;  he  is 
 my  fong  in  the  night.  1  am  often  laid  in  the  dufi:  with  challenges, 
 and  apprehenfions  of  his  anger ;  and  then,  if  a  mountain  of  iron 
 were  laid  upon  me,  I  cannot  be  heavier:  and  with  much  wreftling 
 I  win  into  the  King's  houfe  of  wine,  and  for  the  moft  part,  my  life 
 is  joy,  and  fuch  joy  through  hit  comforts,  as  I  have  been  afraid 
 to  fliame  myfelf,  and  to  cry  out,  for  I  can  fcarce  bear  what  I  get: 
 Chrift  hiveth  me  a  meafure  heaped  up,  prefied  down,  and  runninp- 
 over.  And,  believe  it,  his  love  paineth  me  more  than  prifon  and 
 banifhment.  I  cannot  get  a  gate  of  Chrift's  love.  Had  I  known 
 what  he  was  keeping  for  me  I  would  never  have  been  fo  faint- 
 hearted. In  my  heavieft  times,  when  all  is  left,  the  memory  of 
 his  love  maketh  me  think  Chrift's  glooms  are  but  for  the  fafhion  : 
 I  feek  no  more  but  a  vent  to  my  wine  ;  I  am  fmothered  and  ready 
 to  burft-  for  v/ant  of  vent.  Think  not  much  of  perfecution  :  it  is 
 before  you  ;  but  it  is  not  as  men  conceive  of  it ;  my  fugared  crofs 
 forceth  me  to  fay  this  to  you,  ye  fhall  have  wailed  meat ;  the  fick 
 bairn  is  oftentimes  the  fpilt  bairn :  ye  ftiall  command  all  the  houfe. 
 I  hope  ye  help  a  tired  prifoner  to  pray  and  praife:  had  I  but  the 
 annual  of  annual  to  give  to  my  Lord  Jefus,  it  iliould  eafe  my  pain  ; 
 but,  alas,  I  have  nothing  to  pay,  he  will  get  nothing  of  poor 
 me  :  but  I  am  wo,  I  have  not  room  enough  in  my  heart  for  fuch 
 a  ftranger.  I  am  not  caft  down  to  go  further  North,  I  have  good 
 caufe  to  work  for  my  Mafter,  for  I  am  well  paid  before  the  hand; 
 I  am  not  behind,  howbeit  I  ftiould  not  get  one  fmile  more  till 
 my  feet  be  up  within  the  King's  dining  hall.  I  have  gone  through 
 yours  upon  the  Covenant ;  it  hath  edified  my  foul,  and  refreftied 
 an  hungry  man  :  I  judge  it  fliarp,  fweet,  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  furc  that  I  may  give  you  and  them  a  commiflion  (and  I  will 
 bide  by  it)  that  you  tell  my  beloved,  I  am  fick  of  love.  I  hope 
 in  God  to  leave  feme  of  my  ruft  and  fuperfluities  in  Aberdeen ;  I 
 
48  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift- 22.] 
 
 cannot  get  an  houfe  in  this  town  wherein  to  leave  clrlnk-filver  in 
 my  Mailer's  name,  lave  one  only  ;  there  is  no  fale  for  Chrifl:  in 
 the  North  ;  he  is  like  to  lie  long  on  my  hand  ere  any  accept  him. 
 Grace  be  with  you,  • 
 
 Aberdeen,  Tours  in  his  fvjeet  Lord  Jefus,     S.  R. 
 
 22.  To  Mr  iMAirHEW  MO  WAT. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  Bret  her  ^ 
 
 Am  a  very  f?.r  miftaken  man  ;  it  others  knew  how  poor  my 
 ftock  were  they  would  not  think  upon  the  like  of  me,  but 
 wiih  compaflion  ;  for  I  am  as  one  kept  under  a  ftridl  tutor  :  I 
 would  have  more  than  my  tutor  alloweth  upon  me,  but  it  is  good 
 that  a  bairn's  wit  is  not  the  rule  which  regulatcth  my  Lord  Jefus: 
 Let  him  give  what  he  will,  it  ihall  ay  be  above  merit,  and  my 
 ability  to  gain  therewith.  I  would  not  wifh  a  better  flock  (while 
 heaven  be  my  ftock)  than  to  live  upon  credit  at  Chriil's  hands, 
 'daily  borrowing:  furely  running-over  love,  that  vaft.  huge,  bound- 
 lefs  love  of  Chrifl  (that  there  is  telling  in  for  man  and  angel)  is 
 the  only  thing  I  faineft  would  be  in  hands  with  :  he  knoweth  I 
 have  little  but  the  love  of  that  love;  and  that  I  fhall  be  happy, 
 fuppofe  I  never  get  another  heaven*  but  only  an  eternal  lafting 
 feail  of  that  love  :  but  fuppofe  my  wifhes  were  poor,  he  is  not 
 poor :  Chrift  all  the  feafons  of  the  year  is  dropping  fweetnefs  :  if 
 I  had  veffels  I  might  fill  them,  but  my  old  riven,  and  running- 
 out  difh,  even  when  I  am  at  the  well,  can  bring  little  away  :  no- 
 thing but  glory  will  make  tight  and  fafi:  our  lecking  and  rifty  vef- 
 ftls.  Alas,  I  have  fkailed  more  of  ChrilVs  grace,  love,  faith,  hu- 
 mility, and  godiy  forrow,  than  I  have  brought  with  me.  How 
 little  of  the  fea  can  a  child  carry  in  his  hand  !  as  little  do  I  take 
 away  of  my  great  Tea,  my  boundlefs  and  running-over  Chrift  Je- 
 fus. I  have  not  lighted  upon  the  right  gate  of  putting  Chrifl 
 to  the  bank,  and  making  myfelf  rich  v/ith  him  :  my  mifguiding 
 and  childifh  trafBcking  with  that  marchiefs  pearl,  that  heaven's 
 jevrel,  the  jewel  of  the  Father's  delights  hath  put  me  to  a  great  Jofs. 
 O  that  he  would  take  a  loan  of  me,  and  my  ftock,  and  put  his 
 name  in  all  my  bonds,  and  ferve  himfeif  heir  to  the  poor  mean 
 portion  I  have,  and  be  countable  for  the  talent  himfeif!  Gladly 
 would  I  put  Chrift  in  my  room,  to  guide  all  -,  and  let  me  be  but 
 a  fervant  to  run  err>^nds,  and  do  by  his  direction,  let  me  be  his 
 interdicted  heir.  Lord  Jefus  work  upon  my  minority,  and  let  him 
 v/in  a  pupil's  ble fling.  Oh  how  would  I  rejoice  to  have  this  work 
 of  my  falvation  legally  faftened  upon  Chrift !  A  back-bond  of  my 
 Lord  Jefus,  that  it  fnould  be  forth-coming  to  the  orphan,  fhould 
 be  my  happinels  :  dependency  on  Chrift  were  my  fureft  way;  if 
 Chriik  >vere  my  bottom  I  were  fure  enough.    I  thought  guiding 
 
Epift.  22.]  LETTERS.  49 
 
 of  grace  had  been  no  art,  I  thought  It  would  come  of  will ;  but  I 
 would  Ipill  my  own  heaven  yet,  if  I  had  not  burdened  Chrift  with 
 all.  I  but  lend  my  bare  name  to  the  fweet  covenant  j  Chrift  be- 
 hind and  before,  and  on  either  fide,  maketh  all  fure.  God  will 
 not  take  an  Arminian  cautioner  free-will,  a  v/eather-cock,  turn- 
 ing at  a  ferpent*s  tongue,  a  tutor  that  couped  our  father  Adam  un- 
 to us,  and  brought  down  the  houfe,  and  fold  the  land  j  and  fent 
 the  father  and  mother,  and  all  the  bairns  through  the  earth,  to 
 beg  their  bread  :  nature  in  the  gofpel  hath  cracked  credit.  O  well 
 to  my  poor  foul  for  evermore,  that  my  Lord  called  grace  to  the 
 council,  and  put  Chrift  Jefus  with  free  merits,  and  the  blood  of 
 God,  foremoft  in  the  chace,  to  draw  finners  after  a  ranfomer !  O 
 what  a  fweet  block  was  it,  by  way  of  buying  and  felling,  to  give 
 and  tell  down  a  ranfon  for  grace  and  glory  to  dyvours  !  O  would 
 to  my  Lord  I  could  caufe  paper  and  ink  fpeak  the  worth  and  excel- 
 lency, the  high  and  loud  praifes  of  a  brother-ranfomer  !  O  the 
 ranfomer  needs  not  my  report ;  but  oh,  if  he  v/ould  take  it,  and 
 make  ufe  of  it !  I  fhould  be  happy !  if  I  had  an  errand  to  this 
 world,  but  for  fome  few  years,  to  fpread  proclamations  and  out- 
 cries, and  love  letters,  of  the  highnefs  (the  highnefs  for  evermore) 
 the  glory  (the  glory  for  evermore)  of  the  Ranfomer,  whofe  clothes 
 were  wet,  and  dyed  in  blood ;  howbeit,  after  1  had  done  that,  my 
 foul  and  body  fliould  go  back  to  the  mother  nothing,  that  their 
 Creator  brought  them  once  out  from,  as  from  their  beginning. 
 But  why  fliould  I  pine  away,  and  pain  myfeif  with  wifnes,  and 
 not  believe  rather,  that  Chrift  will  hire  fuch  an  out-caft  as  I  am, 
 a  mafterlefs  body,  put  out  of  the  houfe  by  the  fons  of  my  mother, 
 and  give  me  employment  and  a  calling,  one  way  or  other,  to  out 
 Chrift  and  his  wares  to  country  buyers,  and  propofe  Chrift  unto, 
 and  prefs  him  upon  fome  poor  fouls,  that  fainer  than  their  life 
 would  receive  him  ?  You  complain  heavily  of  your  ihiort  coming 
 in  practice,  and  venturing  on  fufFering  for  Chrift:  you  have  ma- 
 ny marrows.  For  the  firft,  I  would  not  put  you  off  fenfe  of  wrerch- 
 ednefs  ;  hold  on,  Chrift  never  yet  flew  a  fighing,  groaning  child ; 
 more  of  that  would  make  you  won  goods,  and  a  meet  prey  for 
 Chrift.  Alas  !  I  have  too  little  of  it,  for  venturing  on  fuffering; 
 I  had  not  fo  much  free  gear,  when  I  came  to  Chrift's  camp,  as 
 to  bily  a  fword;  a  wonder  that  Chrift  (hould  not  laugh  at  fuch  a 
 foldier:  I  am  no  better  yet;  but  faith  liveth  and  fpendeth  upon 
 our  Captain's  charges,  who  is  able  to  pay  for  all :  we  need  not 
 pity  him,  he  is  rich  enough.  Ye  define  me  alfo  not  to  miftake 
 Chrift  under  a  mafic  ;  1  blefs  you,  and  thank  God  for  it ;  but  alas  ! 
 mafked  or  bare-faced,  kilTing  or  glooming,  I  miftake  him  r  yea, 
 I  miftake  him  furtheft  when  the  mafic  is  off;  for  then  I  play  me 
 with  his  fweetnefs:  I  am  like  a  child  that  hath  a  golden  book, 
 that  playeth  more  with  the  ribbons,  and  the  glldid^-,  and  the  pic- 
 
 G 
 
50  Mi-  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  23.] 
 
 ture  in  the  firil  page  :  readeth  the  contenis  of  it.  Certainly  if  my 
 tkfires  to  my  Weil-beioved  were  fuiiiiled,  I  could  provoke  devils, 
 and  crofTes,  aad  the  world,  and  tentations  to  the  field  :  but  oh, 
 my  poor  weaknefs  makes  me  ly  behind  the  bulli  and  hide  me.  Re- 
 i-nembcr  my  fervice  and  my  bleffmg  to  my  Lord;  1  am  mindful 
 Di  him  as  1  am  able  •,  defire  him  from  a  prifoner,  to  come  and  vi- 
 lit  my  good  mailer,  and  feel  but  the  fmell  cf  his  love.:  it.  fets  him 
 well,  howbeit  he  be  young,  to  make  Chrifl  his  garland  :  1  could 
 not  wi(h  him  in  a  better  cafe,  than  in  a  fever  of  love-fickncfs  for 
 Chrift.  Remember  my  bonds.  The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 Aberdeen f  Tours  in  his  fiveet  Lord  Jefus ^ 
 
 161,1.  S.  R. 
 
 23.    To  WILLIAM  HALLID AY. 
 
 Loving  Friend, 
 
 J  Received  your  letter:  I  wiiTi  ye  take  pains  for  falvation ;  mif- 
 taken  grace,  and  fomewhat  like  converfion,  which  is  not  con- 
 verfion,  is  the  faddeft  and  molt  doleful  thing  in  the  world  :  make 
 iure  of  falvation,  and  lay  the  foundation  fure,  for  many  are  be- 
 guiled: put  a  low  price  upon  the  world's  clay,  put  a  high  price 
 upon  Chrift :  temptations  will  come,  but  if  they  be  not  made 
 •welcome  by  you,  ye  have  the  bed  of  it  I  be  jealous  over  yourfelf, 
 and  your  own  heart,  and  keep  touches  with  God;  let  him  Ti-ct  hava 
 a  faint  and  feeble  foldier  of  you ;  fear  not  to  back  Chrill,  for  he 
 will  conquer  and  overcome :  let  no  man  (kar  at  Chrift,  for  I  have 
 no  quarrels  at  his  crofs ;  he  and  his  crofs  are  too  good  guefts,  and 
 worth  the  lodging  :  men  would  fain  have  Chrift  good  cheap,  but 
 the  market  will  not  come  down  ;  acquaint  yourfelf  with  prayer; 
 make  Chrift  your  Captain  and  your  armour ;  make  confcience  ot 
 finning  when  no  eye  feeth  you.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 .  Aberdeen,  Yours  in  Chrift  Jefus,  S.  H« 
 
 24.    To  a  Gentlewoman,  after  the  death  of  hsr  Husband, 
 
 Dear  and  loving  Sifter^ 
 
 I  Know  ye  are  minding  your  fweet  country,  and  not  taking  your 
 inns  (the  place  of  your  banilliment)  for  your  home ;  this  life 
 is  not  worthy  to  be  the  thatch  or  out-wall  of  your  Lord  Jt-fus  his 
 paradvfe,  that  he  did  fweat  for  to  you,  and  that  he  keepeth  for  you ; 
 and  filly  and  fand-blind  were  our  hope,  if  it  could  not  look  over 
 the  water  to  cur  beft  heritage,  and  if  it  ftaid  only  at  home  ai>out 
 the  doors  of  our  clay  houlc.  I  marvel  nor,  my  dear  filler,  that  ye 
 complain,  that  ye  come  fhort  of  your  old  wreftlings,  you  h?.d  for 
 a  blefling,  and  that  now  you  find  it  not  fo :  bairns  are  but  hired  to 
 learn  their  leflbn  when  they  firft  go  to  fchool ;  and  it  is  enough 
 
Hpift.  24-]  LETTERS.  51 
 
 that  thefe  who  run  a  race  fee  the  gold  only  at  the  ftarting  place ; 
 and  poflibly  they  fee  little  more  of  of  it,  or  nothing  at  all,  till  they 
 win  to  the  rink's-end,  and  get  the  gold  in  the  loof  of  their  hand. 
 Our  Lord  maketh  delicates  and  dainties  of  his  fweet  prefence  and 
 love-vihts  to  his  own,  butChrift's  love  under  a  vail  is  love;  if  ye 
 get  Chrifl,  howbeit  not  the  fweet  and  pleafant  way  ye  would  have 
 him,  it  is  enough  ;  for  the  Weil-beloved  conicth  not  our  way,  he 
 muit  wail  his  own  gate  himfelf.  -For  worldly  things,  Iceing  they  are 
 meadows  and  fair  flowers  in  your  way  to  heaven,  a  fmcU  in  ths 
 by-going  is  fufficient:  he  that  would  reckon  and  tell  all  the  ftones 
 in  his  way,  in  a  journey  of  three  or  four  hundred  miles,'  and  write 
 up  in  his  count-book  all  the  herbs  and  the  flowers  growing  in  his 
 way,  might  come  fliortof  his  journey.  You  cannot  ftav  in  your 
 inch  of  time  to  lofe  your  day  (feeing  you  are  in  hafte,  and  the  night 
 and  your  afternoon  will  not  bide  you)  in  fetting  your  heart  on 
 this  vain  world  :  it  were  your  wifdoni  to  read  your  count-book, 
 and  to  have  in  readinefs  your  buflnefs  againfi  the  time  \ou  come 
 to  death's  water-fide.  I  know  your  lodging  is  taken ;  your  fore- 
 runner Chrift  hath  not  forgotten  that,  and  therefore  you  muft  fee 
 yourfelf  to  one  thing,  which  ye  cannot  well  want.  In  that  our 
 Lord  took  your  hulband  to  himfelf,  I  know  it  was  that  he  might 
 make  room  for  himfelf;  he  cutteth  off  your  love  to  the  creature, 
 That  ye  might  learn  that  God  only  is  the  right  owner  cf  your  love, 
 forrow,  lofs  fadnefs,  tleath,  or  the  worll  things  that  are,  except 
 iin ;  but  Chrifl  knoweth  well  what  to  make  of  them,  and  can  put 
 his  own  in  the  crofs's  common,  that  we  fhill  be  oblij^ed  to  afl^dc- 
 tion,  and  thank  God,  who  learned  us  to  make  our  acquaintance 
 with  fuch  a  rough  companion,  who  can  bale  us  to  Chrift.  You 
 rfiuft  learn  to  make  your  evils  your  great  good.  ;md  to  fpin  rut 
 comforts,  peace,  joy,  communion  with  Chrilt,  our  of  vour  troul.Mes 
 that  are  ChriiVs  wooers,  fent  to  fpeak  for  you  to  himfelf.  it  is  ea- 
 licr  to  get  good  words,  and  a  comfortable  meiTage  from  our  Lord, 
 even  from  fuch  ferjeants,  as  divers  tempratioiis.  Thanks  to  God 
 for  crofl~es.  ^Vhen  we  count  and  reckon  our  Icucs  in  fceking  God, 
 we  f\nvl  godlinefs  is  great  gain.  Great  partners  of  a  iliiplul  of 
 gold  are  glad  to  fee  the  ihip  come  to  the  harbour :  furely  we  and 
 our  Lord  Jefus  together  have  a  Tnipful  of  gold  coming  hon^e,  and 
 our  gold  is  in  that  fliip.  Some  are  fo  in  love,  or  rather  in  luft  with 
 this  life,  that  they  fell  their  part  of  the  Ihip  for  a  little  thing:  I 
 would  counfel  you  to  buy  hope,  but  fell  it  not,  and  give  not  r.- 
 way  your  crofles  for  nothing;  the  infule  of  Chrift's  crofs  is  white 
 .  and  joyful,  and  the  far  end  of  the  black  crofs  is  a  fuir  and  glorious 
 heaven  of  eafe :  and  feeing  Chrill  h  ith  fallened'  heaven  to  the  far 
 end  of  the  crofs,  and  he  will  not  loofe  the  knot  himfelf,  and  none 
 fife  can  (for  wlien  Chrifl:  calteth  a  knot,  all  the  world  cannot  ioofc 
 
 G  2 
 
SZ  Mr  RUTHERfOORD'i  Epift.  25.I 
 
 it),  let  us  then  count  it  exceeding  joy,  when  we  fall  into  divers 
 temptations.  Thus  recommending  you  to  the  tender  mercy  and 
 grace  of  our  Lord,  I  reft, 
 
 Jberdcen.  Tour  loving  Drothery     S.  R. 
 
 25.    To  JOHN  GORDON  of  Cardonefs ,  younger. 
 
 Honoured  and  dear  Brother y 
 
 I  Wrote  of  late  to  you:  multitudes  of  letters  burden  me  now.  \ 
 am  ret'refhed  with  your  letter.  I  exhort  you  in  the  bowels  of 
 Chrifl,  fet  to  work  for  your  foul,  and  let  thefe  bear  weight  with 
 you,  and  ponder  them  ferioufly;  ift.  Weeping  and  gnaihing  of 
 teeth  in  ucter  darknefs  or  heaven's  joy.  2d,  Think  what  ye  would 
 give  for  an  hour,  when  ye  fnall  ly  iike  dead,  cold,  blackened  clay. 
 3d,  There  is  fand  in  your  glafs  yet,  and  your  fun  is  not  gone  down. 
 4th,  Confider  what  joy  and  peace  is  in  Chrift's  fervice.  5th, 
 Think  what  advantage  it  will  be  to  have  angels,  the  world,  life 
 and  death,  crolfes,  yea,  and  devils,  all  for  you,  as  the  King's  ferje- 
 ants  and  fervants,  to  do  your  bufmefs.  6th,  To  have  mercy  on 
 your  feed,  and  a  blefling  on  your  houfe.  7th,  To  have  true  hon- 
 our, and  a  name  on  earth  that  calls  a  fweet  fmell.  8th,  How  ye 
 will  rejoice  when  Chrilt  layeth  down  your  head  under  his  chin, 
 and  betwixt  his  breails,  and  drieth  your  face,  and  weicometh  you 
 to  glory  and  happinefs.  9th,  Imagine  what  pain  and  torture  is  a 
 guilty  confcience ;  what  llavery  to  carry  the  devil's  diihoneft  loads, 
 loth,  Sin's  joys  are  but  night  dreams,  thoughts,  vapours,  ima- 
 ginations and  Ihadows.  nth,  What  dignity  it  is  to  be  a  fon  of 
 God.  1 2th,  Dominion  and  mallery  over  tentations,  over  the 
 world  and  fm.  13th,  That  your  enemies  ihould  be  the  tail,  and 
 you  the  head.  For  your  bairns  nov/'  at  reft,  I  fpcak  to  you  and 
 your  wife  (and  caufe  her  read  this),  ift,  I  am  witnefs  of  Barbara's 
 glory  in  heaven.  2d,  For  the  reft,  I  write  it  under  my  hand,  there 
 are  days  coming  on  Scotland,  when  barren  wombs  and  dry  breafts, 
 and  childlefs  parents,  fnall  be  pronounced  blefled :  they  are  then 
 in  the  lee  of  the  harbour,  e'er  the  ftorm  come  on.  3d,  They  are 
 not  loft  to  you,  that  are  laid  up  inChrift's  treafury  in  heaven.  4th, 
 At  the  refurredion  ye  ftiall  meet  with  them  \  there  they  are  fent. 
 before,  but  not  fent  away.  5th,  Your  Lord  loveth  you,  who  is 
 homely  to  take  and  give,  borrow  and  lend.  6th,  Let  not  bairns 
 be  your  idols ;  for  God  will  be  jealous  and  take  away  the  idol, 
 becaufe  he  is  greedy  of  your  love  wholly.  I  blefs  you,  your  wife 
 and  children.    Grace  for  ever  more  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen*  Tour  loving  pqflor,     S.  R. 
 
Jpift.  26.]  LETTERS.  ^3 
 
 26.  To  JOHN  GORDON  of  Cardonefs^  elder. 
 
 Honaured  and  dcareji  in  the  Lord, 
 
 YOUR  letter  hath  refrefhed  my  fouL  My  joy  is  fulfilled,  if 
 Chrift  and  ye  be  fall  together:  ye  are  my  joy  and  crown  ; 
 ye  know  1  have  recommended  his  love  to  you.  I  defy  the  world, 
 Satan  and  fm.  His  love  hath  neither  brim  nor  bottom  in  it.  My 
 deareft  in  Chrift,  I  write  my  foul's  defire  to  you ;  heaven  is  not  at 
 the  next  door:  I  find  Chriftianity  an  hard  talk:  fet  to  it  in  your 
 evening  ;  we  would  all  keep  both  Chrift  and  our  right  eye,  our 
 right  hand  and  loot ;  but  it  will  not  be  with  us.  I  befeech  you, 
 by  the  mercies  of  God,  and  your  compearance  before  Chrift,  look 
 Chrift's  count-book  and  your  own  together,  and  collation  them  : 
 give  the  remnant  of  your  time  to  your  foul.  This  great  idol-god, 
 the  world,  will  be  lying  in  white  afties,  in  the  day  of  your  comr 
 pearance  j  and  why  ihould  night-dreams,  and  day-fhadows,  and 
 water- froth,  and  May-flowers  run  away  with  your  heart  ?  When 
 \^t  win  to  the  water-fide,  and  black  death's  river-brink,  and  put 
 our  foot  in  the  boat,  we  fhall  laugh  at  our  folly.  Sir,  I  recom- 
 mend unto  you  the  thoughts  of  death,  and  how  ye  could  wifh  your 
 ioui  to  be  when  ye  fhall  ly  cold,  blue,  ill-fmcUing  clay.  For  any 
 hireling  to  be  intruded,  I,  being  the  king's  prifoner,  cannot  fay 
 much  ;  but,  as  God's  minifter,  I  defire  you  to  read  A^s  i.  15, 
 16,  to  the  end,  and  A£ls  vi.  2,  3,  4,  5,  and  ye  ftiall  find  God's 
 people  liiould  have  a  voice  in  chufing  church-rulers  and  teachers. 
 I  fliall  be  forry,  if  willingly  ye  fnall  give  way  to  his  unlawful  in-^ 
 truuon  upon  my  labours  ;  the  only  wife  God  dire£^  you.  God's 
 grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  Tour  loving  Pafior,  S.  R. 
 
 27.  To  EARLSTOUN,  younger. 
 
 Much  honoured  and  'luell-helovcd  in  the  Lcrd^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Your  letters  give  a  dafii 
 to  my  lazinefs  in  writing.  1  muft  firft  tell  you,  there  is  not 
 fuch  a  glaffy,  icy,  and  flippery  piece  of  way  betwixt  you  and  hea- 
 ven, as  youth :  I  have  experience  to  fay  with  me  here,  and  feai 
 what  1  afTert;  the  old  afhes  of  the  fins  of  my  youth  are  now  fire 
 of  forrow  to  me  :  I  have  feeo  the  devil,  as  it  were,  dead  and  bu- 
 ried, and  yet  rife  again,  and  be  a  worfe  devil  than  ever  he  was. 
 Therefore,  my  brother,  bev/are  of  a  green  young  devil  th;»t  hath 
 never  been  buried  :  the  devil  in  his  flowers  (I  mean  the  hot  fiery 
 lufts  and  paffions  of  youth)  is  much  to  be  feared:  better  ^oke  with 
 :an  old  grey-haired,  withered,  dry  devil :  for  in  youth  he  findeth 
 dr}'  ftitks,  and  dry  coals,  and  an  hot  hearth  ftone;  and  how  focn 
 c<an  he  with  his  flint  caft  fire,  and  with  his  bellows  blow  it  up. 
 
54  Mr  nUTHEHFOOnn's  EpTft.  27.] 
 
 and  fir<5  the  houfe  ?  San£lified  thoughts,  thoughts  made  confci- 
 ence  of,  and  called  in,  and  kept  in  awe,  are  green  fu^l  that  burn 
 not,  and  are  a  water  for  Satan's  coal  Yet  I  inuft  tell  you,  the  whole 
 faints  now  triumphant  in  heaven,  and  (landing  before  the  throne, 
 are  nothing  but  Chrift's  forlorn  and  beggarly  dyvours.  What  are 
 they  but  a  pi^ck  of  redeemed  fumers  ?  but  their  redemption  is  not 
 only  pad  the  feals,  but  compleated ;  and  yours  is  on  the  wheels, 
 and  in  doing :  all  Chrift's  good  bairns  go  to  heaven  with  a  broken 
 brow,  and  with  a  crooked  leg.  Chrift  hath  an  advantage  of  you, 
 and  I  pray  you  let  him  have  it,  he  (hall  find  employment  for  his 
 calling  in  you :  if  it  were  not  with  you  as  you  write,  grace  fliould 
 find  no  fale  nor  market  in  you;  but  ye  muft  be  content  to  give 
 Chrift  fomewhat  ado;  I  am  glad  that  he  is  employed  that  way  5 
 let  your  bleeding  foul  and  your  fores  be  put  in  the  hand  of  this 
 expert  Phyllcian  ;  let  young  and  ftrong  corruptions  and  his  free 
 grace  be  yoked  together,  and  let  Chrift  and  your  fins  deal  it  bi- 
 twixt  them.  1  will  be  loth  to  put  you  off  your  fears,  and  your 
 fenfe  of  deadnefs ;  (I  vrifli  it  were  more) ;  there  be  fome  wounds 
 of  that  nature,  that  their  bleeding  fliould  not  be  foon  ftopped  :  ye 
 muft  take  a  houfe  befide  the  Phyfician  ;  it  fhall  be  a  miracle  if 
 ye  be  the  firft  fick  man  he  put  away  uncured,  and  worfe  than  he 
 found  you.  Nay,  nay,  Chrift  is  honeft,  and  in  that,  flyting  &ee 
 with  finners,  John  vi.  37.  *  And  him  thatcometh  to  me  1  will  in 
 no  wife  caft  out.'  Take  ye  that:  it  cannot  be  prefuraption  to  take 
 that  as  your  own,  when  ye  find  your  wounds  Itound  you:  prc- 
 fumption  is  ever  whole  at  the  heart,  and  hath  but  the  truant-fick- 
 nefs,  and  groaneth  only  for  the  fafliion  ;  faith  hath  fenfe  of  fick- 
 nefs,  and  looketh  like  a  friend  to  the  promifes  *,  and  looking  to 
 Chrift  therein  is  glad  to  fee  a  known  face.  Chrift  is  as  full  a  feaft 
 as  ye  can  have  to  hunger.  Nay,  Chrift,  I  fay,  is  aot  a  full  man's 
 leavings ;  his  mercy  fends  always  a  letter  of  defiance  to  all  your 
 fins,  if  there  were  ten  thoufand  more  of  them.  I  grant  you  it  is 
 a  hard  matter  for  a  poor  hungry  man  to  win  his  meat  upon  hid- 
 den Chrift  :  for  then  the  key  of  his  pantry  door,  and  of  the  houfs 
 of  wine  is  a  feeking,  and  cannot  be  had  ;  but  hunger  muft  break 
 through  iron  locks.  I  bemoan  them  not  who  can  make  a  din,  and 
 all  the  fields  ado,  for  a  loft  Saviour :  ye  muft  let  him  hear  it,  to- 
 fay  fo,  upon  both  the  fides  of  his  head,  when  he  hideth  himfelf ; 
 it  is  not  time  then  to  be  bird-mouth'd  and  patient.  Chrift  is  rare 
 indeed,  and  a  delicate  to  a  finner;  he  is  a  miracle,  and  world's 
 *  wonder  to  a  feeking  and  a  weepirig  finner;  but  yet  fuch  a  mi- 
 racle as  will  be  feen  by  them,  who  will  come  and  fee  :  the  feek- 
 er  and  figher  is  at  laft  a  finger  and  enjoyer-,  nay,  I  have  (ecn  a 
 dumb  man  get  an  alms  from  Chrift.  He  that  can  tell  his  tale, 
 and  fend  fuch  a  letter  to  heaven  as  he  hath  fcnt  to  Aberdeen, 
 it  is  very  like  he  will  co-^ne  fpecd  with  Chiift  j  it  bodcih  Gcd'i 
 
Epift.  :Z7-3  LETTERS.,  55 
 
 mercy  to  complain  heartily  for  fin.  Let  vreftllrg  be  with  Chrrft, 
 till  he  lay,  how  is  it  Sir,  that  I  cannot  be  quit  of  ycu'i  bills^  and 
 your  millearned  cries?  and  then  hope  for  Chrift's  bltiriiig,  and 
 his  blefTing  is  better  than  other  ten  blcfnngs.  Think  not  fl)ame 
 becaufe  of  your  guiltinefs  :  neccflity  mud  not  blufli  to  beg:  it 
 ftandetlj  you  hard  to  want  Chrift;  and  therefore  thr.twhich  idle 
 on-waiting  cannot  do,  mifnurtured  crying  and  knocking  will  do. 
 And  for  doubtings,  becaufe  you  are  not  as  you  were  long  fince 
 with  your  mafter,  ccnfider  three  things  :  id.  What  if  Chrifl  had 
 fuch  tottering  thoughts  of  the  bargain  of  the  new  covenant  betwixt 
 you  and  him,  as  you  have  ?  2d.  Your  heart  is  not  the  compals 
 Chrifl  faileth  by ;  he  will  give  you  leave  to  fing  as  you  pleafe,  but 
 he  will  not  dance  to  your  daft  fpring.  It  is  not  referred  to  yoi* 
 and  your  thoughts  what  Chrifl:  will  do  with  the  charters  betwixt 
 you  and  him  :  your  own  mifbelief  hath  tern  them  ;  but  he  hath 
 the  principal  in  heaven  with  himfclf :  your  thoughts  are  no  parts 
 of  the  new  covenant;  dreams  change  not  Chrift.  3d.  Doubtings 
 are  your  fins,  but  they  are  Chrifl  drugs  and  ingredients  that  the 
 PhyGcian  maketh  ufe  of  for  the  curing  of  your  pride.  Is  it  not 
 fuitable  for  a  beggar  to  fay  at  meat,  God  reward  the  winners  ? 
 for  then  he  frith,  he  knoweth  uho  bcaretli  the  charges  of  the 
 houfe.*  I^  is  alfo  meet  ye  fnould  know  by  experience  that  faith 
 is  nqt  nature's  ill-gotten  baftard,  but  yor.r  Lord's  free  gift  that  lay 
 in  the  womb  of  God's  free  grace :  praifed  be  the  winner.  I  may 
 add  a  fourth,  In  the  pafTing  of  your  bill  and  your  charters,  whea 
 they  went  through  the  I\lediator's  great  feal,  and  were  concluded, 
 faith's  advice  was  not  fought :  faith  hath  not  a  vote  befide  Chrift's 
 inciits;  blood,  blood,  dear  blood,  that  canie  from  your  cautioner's 
 holy  body,  maketh  that  fure  work.  The  ufe  then  which  ye  have 
 cf  faith  now  (having  already  clofed  with  Jefus  Chrifl  for  juflitica- 
 tion)  is,  to  take  out  a  copy  of  your  pardon  ;  and  fo  ye  have  peace 
 with  God  upon  the  account  of  Chrill :  for,  fince  faith  apprehend- 
 cth  pardon,  but  never  payeth  a  penny  for  it,  no  marvel  that  fiil- 
 vation  iloih  not  die  and  live,  ebb  or  flow  with  the  working  of  faith. 
 But,  becaufe  it  is  your  Lord's  honour  to  believe  his  mercy  and 
 his  fideliiy,  it  is  infinite  goodnefs  in  cur  Lord,  that  mifbclief  giv- 
 eth  a  dafii  to  our  Lord's  glory,  and  not  to  our  falvation.  And 
 fo,  whoever  want,  (yea,  bowbeit  Goil  here  bear  with  the  want  of 
 what  we  are  obliged  to  give  him,  even  the  glory  of  his  grace  by 
 believing,  yet)  a  poor  covenanted  finner  wantcth  not:  butif  guil- 
 tinefs were  removed,  doubtings  would  find.no  friend,  nor  life; 
 and  yet  faith  is  to  believe  the  removal  of  guiltinefs  in  Chrifl:.  A 
 reafon  why  ye  get  lefr,  now  (as  ye  think)  than  before  (as  I  take  it) 
 is,  becaufe,  at  our  firfl:  cor.verfion,  our  Lord  putteth  the  meat  ia 
 young  bairns'  mouths  with  his  own  hand  ;  but  when  we  grow  to 
 lome  further  perfe£tiQn,  we  mufl;  take  heaven  by  violence,  and 
 
J5  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  £piil.  27.] 
 
 take  by  violence  from  Chrift  what  we  get ;  and  he  can,  and  doth 
 jhold,  becaufe  he  will  have  us  to  draw.  Remember,  now  ye  muft 
 live  upon  violent  plucking.  Lazinefs  is  a  greater  fault  now  than 
 long  fmce  ;  v/e  love  always  to  have  the  pap  in  our  mouth.  Now 
 for  myfeif  *,  alas !  I  am  not  the  man  I  go  for  in  this  nation  ;  men 
 have  not  juft  weights  to  weigh  me  in.  Oh,  but  I  am  a  filly  feck- 
 lefs  body,  and  overgrown  with  v^-eeds ;  corruption  is  rank  and  fat 
 in  me.  O  if  I  were  anfiverabie  to  this  holy  caufe,  and  to  that  ho- 
 nourable Prince's  love  for  whom  I  now  fufFer  !  If  Chrift  would 
 refer  the  matter  to  me,  (in  his  prefence  I  fpeak  it)  I  might  think 
 fiiame  to  vote  my  ov/n  falvation  :  I  think  Chnft  might  fay,  Think'it 
 thou  not  fhame  to  claim  heaven,  who  doft  fo  little  for  it !  I  am 
 very  often  (o,  that  I  know  not  whether  I  fink  or  fwini  in  the  wa- 
 ter ;  I  find  myfeif  a  bag  of  light  froth ;  I  would  bear  no  weight, 
 (but  vanity  and  nothings  weigh  in  Chrift's  balance)  if  my  Lord 
 caft  not  in  borrowed  weight  and  metal,  even  Chrift's  righteouf- 
 nefs,  to  weigh  for  me.  The  ftock  I  have  is  not  mine  own  ;  I  am 
 but  the  merchant  that  traffics  with  other  folks  goods  :  if  my  credi- 
 tor Chrift  would  take  from  me  what  he  hath  lent,  I  would  not 
 long  keep  the  caufeway ;  but  Chrift  hath  made  it  mine  and  his. 
 I  think  it  manhood  to  play  the  coward,  and  jouk  in  the  lee-fide  of 
 Chrift  ;  and  thus  I  am  not  only  faved  from  my  enemies,  but  I  ob- 
 tain the  viftory.  I  am  fo  empty,  that  I  think  it  were  an  aims- 
 deed  in  Chrift,  if  he  would  win  a  poor  prifoner's  blefling  for  ever- 
 more, and  fill  me  with  his  love.  I  complain  when  Chrift  cometh, 
 he  cometh  always  to  fetch  fire,  he  is  ever  in  hafte,  he  may  not 
 tarry;  and  poor  I  (a  beggarly  dyvour)  get  but  a  ftanding  vifit  and 
 a  ftanding  kifs,  and  but,  How  doeft  thou  ?  in  the  bygoing.  I 
 dare  not  fay  he  is  lordly,  becaufe  he  is  made  a  king  now  at  the 
 right  hand  of  God;  or  is  grown  miikenning  and  dry  to  his  poor 
 friends-,  (for  he  cannot  make  more  of  his  kifles  than  they  arc 
 worth:)  but  I  think  it  my  happinefs  to  love  the  love  of  Chrift: 
 and  when  he  goeth  away,  the  memory  of  his  fweet  prefence  is 
 like  a  feaft  in  a  dear  fummer.  I  have  comfort  in  this,  that  my 
 foul  defireth  that  every  hour  of  my  imprifonment  were  acompaTiy 
 of  heavenly  tongues  to  praife  him  on  my  behalf;  howbeit,  my 
 bonds  were  prolonged  for  many  hundred  years.  O  that  I  could  be 
 the  man  who  could  procure  my  Lord's  glory  to  flow  like  a  full  fea, 
 and  blow  like  a  mighty  wind  upon  all  the  four  airths  of  Scotland, 
 England  and  Ireland  !  O  if  I  could  write  a  book  of  his  praifes  !  O 
 faireft  among  the  fons  of  men,  why  ftayeft  thou  fo  long  away? 
 O  heavens,  move  faft !  O  time,  run,  run,  and  haften  the  marri- 
 age-day !  for  love  is  tormented  with  delays.  O  angels,  O  feraphims 
 who  ftand  before  him,  O  blelFed  fpirits  who  now  fee  his  face,  fet 
 him  on  high !  for  when  ye  have  worn  your  harps  in  his  praifes, 
 all  is  too  little,  and  Is  nothing,  to  caft  the  fmeil  of  the  praife  c£ 
 
Epift.  28.]  LETTERS.  57 
 
 that  fair  flower,  that  fragrant  rofe  of  Sharon,  through  many 
 vorliis!  Sir,  take  my  hearty  commendations  to  him,  and  tell 
 him  that  I  am  fick  of  love,  Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 j^berdeetiy  June  lO,  Tours  in  his  fi^eet  Lord  Jcfus, 
 
 1637.  .      S-  ^- 
 
 28.  7o  his  honoured  and  dear  brother  ALEXANDEPv  GORDON 
 of  Knock^^ray, 
 
 Deareft  and  truly  honoured  Brother, 
 
 GR.  A  CE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  feen  no  letter  from 
 you  fince  1  came  to  Abertlecn :  I  will  not  interpret  it  to  be 
 forgetful nefs.  I  am  here  in  a  fair  prifon.  Chrift  is  my  fweet  and 
 honourable  fellow-prifoner,  and  I  his  fad  and  joyful  Lord-prifoner, 
 (if  I  may  fpeak  fo).  I  think  this  crofs  becometh  me  well,  and  is 
 fuitable  to  me  in  refpeft  of  my  duty  to  fuffer  for  ChriA  \  howbeit 
 not  in  regard  of  my  deferving  to  be  thus  honoured.  However  it 
 be,  I  fee  Chrift  is  ftrong,  even  lying  in  the  duft,  in  prifon,  and 
 in  banifhment,  LolTes  and  difgraccs  are  the  wheels  of  Chrift's 
 triumphing  chariot:  in  the  fulFerings  of  his  own  faints,  as  he  in- 
 tendeth  their  good,  fo  he  intendeth  his  own  glory,  and  that  is 
 the  butt  his  arrows  (hoot  at ;  and  Chrift  iliooteth  not  at  the  rov- 
 ers, he  hittc«-h  what  he  purpofcth  to  hit :  therefore  he  doth  make 
 his  own  fecklefs  and  weak  nothings,  and  thcfe  who  are  the  con- 
 tempt of  men,  *  a  new  fbarp  threlhing  inftrument  having  teeth, 
 to  threfh  the  mountains,  and  beat  them  fmall,  and  to  make  tb>i 
 hills  as  chaff,  and  to  fan  them/  Ifa.  xli.  15,  16.  What  harder 
 Huff,  or  harder  grain  for  threihing  out,  than  high  end  rocky 
 mountains  .''  but  the  faints  are  God's  threftiing  infiruments  to  beat 
 them  all  in  chaft':  are  we  notCrod's  leem  veiicls  !  and  yet  v^'hen 
 they  caft  us  over  nn  houfe  we  are  not  b.-oken  in  flieards  :  we  creep 
 in  under  our  Lord's  wings  in  the  great  (hower,  and  the  water 
 cannot  go  through  thefe  wings.  It  is  folly  then  for  m.en  to  fay, 
 this  is  not  Chrift's  plea,  he  will  lofe  the  wcd-fee;  men  are  like  to 
 beguile  him  :  that  were  indeed  a  ftrange  play.  Nay,  I  dare  pledge 
 my  foul,  and  lay  it  in  pawn  on  Chrift's  iidc  of  it,  ?nd  be  half- 
 tiner  half-winner  with  my  mafter:  let  fools  laugh  the  fool's  laugh- 
 ter, and  fcorn  Chrift,  and  bid  the  weeping  cnptives  in  Babylon 
 Ting  us  one  of  the  fojig.^  of  Zion,  play  a  fpring  to  chear  up  your 
 fad-hearted  God;  we  may  fmg  upon  luck's  head  before-hand, 
 even  in  our  wintcr-ftorm,  in  the  expe£latic;n  of  a  fummer  fun  at 
 the  turn  of  the  year;  no  created  pov/ers  in  hell,  or  out  of  hell, 
 can  mar  our  Lord  Jefus  his  mufic,  nor  fpiJi  our  fong  of  joy ;  let 
 us  then  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  the  falvation  of  our  Lord  :  for  f-^iib 
 had  never  yet  caufc  to  have  wet  checks,  and  harijjirg  down  brows, 
 er  to  diucn  or  die;  what  can  ail  f^ith,  feeing  Cluifi  fuilcreih 
 
 H 
 
58  Mt  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  ^8-3 
 
 hinifelf  (with  reverence  to  him  be  it  fpoken)  to  be  commanded  by 
 it,  and  Chrilt  commandeth  all  things?  Faith  may  dance  becaufc 
 Chrill  fings  •,  and  we  may  come  in  the  quire,  and  lift  our  hoarfe 
 and  rough  voices,  and  chirp  and  fing,  and  fliout  for  joy  with  our 
 Loril  Jefus.     We  fee  oxen  go  to  the  fhambles  leaping  and  llartle- 
 ing  ;  \vc  fee  God*s  fed  oxen,  prepared  for  the  day  of  flaughter,  go 
 dancing  and  fmging  down  to  the  black  chambers  of  hell ;  and  why 
 fliould  vv'e  go  to  heaven  weeping,  as  if  we  were  like  to  fall  down 
 through  the  earth  for  forrow  ?  If  God  were  dead  (if  I  may  fpeak 
 fo,  with  reverence  of  him  vvrho  liveth  for  ever  and  ever)  and 
 Chrifl  buried,  and  rotten  among  the  worms,  we  might  have  caufe 
 to  look  like  dead  folks  ;  but   •  the  Lord  liveth,  and  blefled  be  the 
 rock  of  our  faivation."  Pfalm  xvili.  46.     None  have  right  to  joy- 
 but  we  ;  for  joy  is  fown  for  us,  and  an  ilJ  fummer  or  harveft  will 
 not  fpill  the  crop.    The  children  of  this  world  have  much  robbed 
 joy  that  is  not  well  come :  it  is  no  good  fport  they  laugh  at :  they 
 Iteal  joy,  as  it  were,  from  God  •,  for  he  commandeth  them  to 
 mourn  and  howl-,  then  let  us  claim  our  leel  come  and  hwfully- 
 conquifhed  joy.     My  dear  brother,  I  cannot  but  fpeak  wh^^t  I 
 have  felt;  feeing  my  Lord  Je^us  hath  broken  a  box  of  fpikenard 
 upon  the  head  of  his  poor  prifoner,  and  it  is  hard  to  hide  a  fweet 
 fmell ;  it  is  a  pain  to  fmother  Chrid's  love  ;  it  will  be  out  whe- 
 ther wc  will  or  not.  If  we  did  but  fpeak  according  to  the  matter, 
 a  crofs  for  Chrift  lliould  have  another  name;  yea,  a  crofs  efpeci- 
 aily  when  he  comeih  with  his  arms  full  of  joys,   is  the  happieft 
 haul  tree  that  ever  was  laid  upon  my  weak  Iboulder.    Chrift  and 
 his  crofs  together  are  fweet  company,  and  a  blefled  couple.    My 
 prifon  is  my  palace,  my  forrow  is  with  child  of  joy,  my  lofTes  are 
 rich  lofles,  my  pain  cafy  pain,  my  heavy  days  are  holy  and  happy 
 days.  1  may  tell  a  new  tale  of  Chrifl  to  my  friends.   Oh  if  I  could 
 make  a  love-fong  of  him,  and  could  commend  Chrift,  and  tune 
 his  praifes  aright !  O  it  I  could  fct  all  tongues  in  Great  Britain 
 and  Ireland  to  work,  to  help  me  to  fing  a  new  fong  of  my  Well- 
 beloved  f  O  if  I  could  be  a  bridge  over  a  water  for  my  Lord  Jefus 
 to  walk  upon,  and  keep  his  feet  dry  !   O  if  my  poor  bit  heaven 
 could  go  betwixt  my  Lord  and  blafphemy,  and  difhonour  !    (upon 
 condicion  he  loved  me.)     O  that  my  heart  could  fay  this  word, 
 and  bide  by  it  for  ever !  is  it  not  great  art  and  incomparable  wif- 
 dom  in  my  Lord,  who  can  bring  forth  fuch  fair  apples  out  of 
 this  crabbed  tree  of  the  crofs  ."^  Nay,  my  Father's  never-enough 
 admired  providence  can  make  a  fair  feaft  out  of  a  black  devil ;  no- 
 thing can  come  wrong  to  my  Lord  in  his  fweet  working.  I  would 
 even  full  found  alleep  in  Chrift's  arms,  and  my  finful  head  on  hij 
 holy  breaft,  while  he  kilTeth  me ;  were  it  not  that  often  the  wind 
 turneth  to  the  north,  and  whiles  my  fweet  Lord  Jefus  is  fo,  that 
 he  will  neither  give  nor  take,  borrow  nor  lend  with  r?ie.    I  com- 
 
Epift.  29.]  L  E  T  T  E  R  Si  SP 
 
 plain  he  is  not  foclal ;  I  half  ciill  him  proud  and  lordly  of  his 
 company,  and  nice  of  his  looks  ;  which  yet  is  not  true.  It  would 
 content  mc  to  give,  howbeit  he  (houUl  not  take ;  I  (liould  be  con- 
 tent to  want  his  kiiles  at  fuch  times,  providing  he  would  be  con- 
 tent to  come  near  hand,  and  take  my  werfh,  dry,  and  fecklefs 
 kifTes :  but  at  that  time  he  will  not  be  entreated,  but  lets  a  poor 
 foul  (land  flill  and  knock,  and  never  let  on  him*  that  he  hearelh  : 
 and  then  the  old  leavings  and  broken  meat,  and  dry  fighs,  are  great- 
 er cheer  than  I  can  tell :  all  I  have  then  is,  that  hovvbeit  the  lav/ 
 and  wrath  have  gorten  a  decreet  againft  me',  I  yet  lippen  that 
 meikle  good  in  Chrift  as  to  get  a  fufpenfion,  and  to  bring  my 
 caufe  in  reafoning  ajjain  before  my  AV^ell-beloved.  I  defire  hut  to 
 be  heard,  and  at  laft  he  is  content  to  come  and  agree  the  rj^atter 
 with  a  fool,  and  forgive  freely,  becaufe  he  is  God.  Oh,  if  men 
 would  glorify  him,  and  tafte  of  Chrift's  fweetnefs  !  Brother,  ye 
 have  need  to  be  bufy  with  Chrid  for  this  whorifh  kirk  :  I  fear  left 
 Chrift  cafl  water  upon  Scotland's  coal  j  nay,  I  know  Cbrift  and 
 bis  wife  will  be  heard,  he  will  plead  for  the  broken  covenant. 
 Arm  you  againft  that  time.  Grace  be  with  you.  _ 
 j^herdccn.   June  16,  Yours  in  his  f wee  t  Lord  J  ejus  y 
 
 1637.  '3.  R. 
 
 29.    To  the  Lady  KILCONQIJHAIR. 
 
 MIflrefs, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  am  glad  to  hear  that 
 you  have  your  face  homeward  towards  your  Father's  houfc, 
 now  when  fo  many  are  for  a  home  nearer  hand  :  but  your  Lord 
 calieth  you  to  another  life  and  glory  than  is  to  be  found  herea- 
 way:  and  therefore  I  v/ould  counfcl  you  to  make  furc  the  char- 
 ters,and  rights  which  ye  have  to  falvation.  You  came  to  this  life 
 •about  a  necclTary  and  weighty  bufmefs,  to  tryfl  with  Chrifl  anent 
 your  precious  foul,  the  eternal  falvation  of  it :  this  is  the  moft  ne- 
 ctfiary  bufmefs  ye  have  in  this  life  \  and  your  other  adoes,  befide 
 thl'^,  are  but  toys,  and  feathers,  and  dreams,  and  fancies:  this 
 is  in  the  greateft  hade,  and  Ihould  be  done  fird.  Means  are  ufed 
 in  the  golpcl  to  draw  on  a  meeting  betwixt  Chrifl:  and  you  :  if  ye 
 neglccl  your  part  of  it,  it  is  as  if  you  would  tc^ar  the  contract:  be- 
 fore Chrilt's  eyes,  and  give  up  the  match,  that  there  fliall  be  no 
 more  communing  of  that  bufmefs.  I  know  other  lovers  befide 
 Chrifl:  arc  in  fuit  of  you,  and  your  foul  wanteth  not  many  wooers ; 
 but  I  pray  you  mak-:;  a  challe  virgiji  of  your  foul,  and  let  it  love 
 but  one  •,  moil  wortliy  is  Chrifb  alone  of  all  your  foufs  love,  howr 
 beit  your  love  were  higher  than  the  heayen,  and  deeper  than  the 
 lowed  of  this  earth,  and  broader  than  this  world.  Many,  alas  ! 
 too  many,  make  a  common  iwrumpet  of  their  foul,  for  every  lovc:r 
 
6o  Mr  x'iUTHSRFOORD'i  Eplft.  29.I 
 
 that  comcth  to  the  boufe.  Marriage  with  Chrifl:  would  put  your 
 love  and  your  heart  by  the  gate  out  of  the  way,  and  out  of  the 
 eye  of  all  other  unlawful  fuitors  ;  and  then  you  had  a  ready  an* 
 fwer  for  all  others,  I  am  already  promlfcd  away  to  Chrift,  the 
 match  is  concluded,  my  foul  hath  a  hufband  already,  and  it  can- 
 not have  two  hufbands.  Oh  if  the  world  did  but  knew  what  a 
 fmell  the  ointments  of  Chrilt  calt,  and  how  ravilliing  his  beauty, 
 even  the  beauty  of  the  faireft  of  the  fons  of  men,  js,  and  how 
 fweet  and  powerful  his  voice  is,  the  voice  of  that  one  Well-belov- 
 ed; certainly  r/here  Chrifl:  com.eth  he  runneth  away  with  the 
 foui's  love,  fo  that  they  cr.nnot  command  it.  I  would  far  rather  look 
 but  through  the  bole  of  Chriirs  door,  to  fee  but  the  one  half  of 
 his  faireft  and  moft  comely  face,  (for  he  Icoketh  like  heaven) 
 fuppofe  I  lliould  never  win  in  to  lee  his  excellency  and  glory  to 
 the  full,  than  to  enjoy  the  flower,  the  bloom,  and  chiefeft  excel- 
 lency of  the  glory  and  riches  of  ten  worlds.  Lord  fend  me,  for 
 my  part,  but  the  n-.eanefl:  ("hare  of  Chrifl:  that  can  be  given  to  any 
 of  the  in-dwellers  of  the  new  Jerufalem.  But  I  know  my  Lord  is 
 no  niggard;  he  can,  and  it  btcometh  him  well  to  give  more  than 
 my  narrow  foul  can  receive.  If  there  were  ten  thou'and  thoufand 
 millions  of  worlds,  and  as  m.any  heavens  full  of  men  and  angels, 
 Chrifl:  would  not  be  pinched  to  fujoply  all  our  wants,  and  to  fill 
 ns  all.  Chrifl:  is  a  well  of  life,  but  who  knowtih  how  deep  it  is 
 to  the  bottom  r  This  foul  of  our&  hath  love,  and  cannot  but  love 
 fome  fair  one:  and  O  what  a  fair  one,  what  an  only  one,  what 
 an  excellent,  lovely,  ravifhing  one  is  Jefus  !  Put  the  beauty  of 
 ten  thoufand  thoufand  worlds  of  paradifes  like  the  garden  of  Eden 
 in  one ;  put  all  trees,  all  flowers,  all  fmells,  all  colours,  all  faftes, 
 7i]\  joys,  ail  fwectnefs,  all  lovelinefs  in  one:  O  what  a  fair  an<l 
 excellent  thing  would  that  be  ?  And  yet  it  fhouid  be  lefs  to  that 
 fair  and  dearell  Vveil-bcloved  Chriif,  than  one  drop  of  rain  to  the 
 v>'holc  feas,  rivers,  lakes,  and  fountains  of  ten  thoufand  earths. 
 O  but  Chrifl:  is  heaven's  wonder,  and  earth's  wonder  !  What  mar- 
 vel that  his  bride  faith,  Cant.  v.  16.  '  He  is  altogether  lovely  ?' 
 Oh  that  black  fouls  will  not  come  and  fetch  all  their  love  to  this 
 fair  one  !  O  if  I  could  invite  and  perfuade  thoufands,  and  ten 
 thoufoud  times  ten  thoufand  of  Adam's  fons,  to  flock  about  my 
 Lord  Jcfus,  and  to  come  and  take  their  fill  of  love  !  Oh  pity  for 
 evermore,  that  there  fhouid  be  fuch  an  one  ns  Chrifl:  Jefus,  fo 
 boundlefs,  fo  bottomlcfs,  and  fo  incomparable  in  infinite  excel- 
 lency and  fweetnels,  and  fo  few  to  take  him!  Oh,  oh,  ye  poor 
 .  clrv  and  dead  fouls,  why  will  ye  not  come  hither  with  your  toom 
 veflels,  and  your  empty  fouls,  to  this  huge,  and  fair,  and  deep, 
 snd  fweet  well  of  life;  and  fdl  all  your  toom  veflels  ?  Oh  that 
 Chiifl:  (hould  be  fo  large  in  fweetnefs  and  worth,  and  we  fo. 
 narrcw,  fo  pinched,  fp  ebb,  and  fo  void  of  all  happinefs,  an4 
 
Epift.  29-1  LETTEP.  S.  6i 
 
 yet  men  will  net  take  bim  I  they  lofe  their  love  miferably,  who 
 will  not  btftow  it  upon  this  lovely  One.  Alas !  thefe  five  thoufand 
 Years,  Adam's  fools,  his  waller  heirs,  have  been  wafting  and  lav- 
 ifiiing  out  their  love  and  their  aiTedlions  upon  black  lovtrs,  and 
 black  harlots,  upon  bits  of  dead  creatures,  and  broken  idols,  upon 
 this  and  that  fecklefs  creature;  and  have  not  brought  their  love 
 End  their  heart  to  Jcfus.  O  pity,  thatfairnefs  bath  fo  few  lovers? 
 O  wo,  wo  to  the  fool^of  this  v*^orld,  v»'ho  run  by  Chrifb  to  other 
 lovers!  Oh  mifery,  mifcry,  mifery,  that  comelinefs  can  fcarce  get 
 three  or  four  hearts  in  a  tov.n  or  country  !  Oh  that  there  is  fo  much 
 fpoken,  and  fo  much  written,  and  fo  much  thcught  of  creature- 
 vanity  j  and  fo  little  fpoken,  fo  little  wiitten,  fo  litcle  thought  of 
 my  great,  and  incomprehenfible,  and  never-er.ouga-wondered  at 
 Lord  Jefus  !  Why  fljould  I  not  curfe  this  forlorn,  and  wretched 
 world,  that  fufiereth  my  Lord  Jefus  to  ly  his  alone  ?  O  damned 
 fouls!  O  milkenning  v.'orid !  O  blind!  O  beggarly,  and  poor 
 fouls  !  O  bewitched  foois  1  what  aileth  you  at  Chriit,  that  you  run 
 fo  from  him  ?  I  dare  not  challenge  providence,  that  there  arc  fo 
 few  buyers,  ?.nd  fo  lirtie  (At  for  fuch  an  excellent  one  as  Chrift.  O 
 the  depth,  and  O  the  height  of  my  Lord's  vays,  that's  paft  finding 
 cut !  but  oh  if  men  vrould  once  be  wife,  and  not  fall  fo  in  love 
 v/iih  their  own  hell,  as  to  pafs  by  Chrifc.  and  miiken  him  !  but 
 Lt  us  come  nenr,  and  fill  ourfclves  v^riih  Chrift,  and  let  his  friends 
 drink,  and  be  drunken,  ?.nd  fatisfy  our  hollow  and  deep  defires  with 
 Jefus.  Oh  come  all  and  drink  at  this  living  well ;  come  drink  and 
 live  for  evernr^ore,  come  drink  and  v/elcome;  welcome,  faith  our 
 faireft  Bridegroom  :  no  man  getteth  Chrift  with  ili-vrill,  no  man 
 Cometh  and  is  not  welccmiC;  no  man  cometh,  and  rueth  his  voy- 
 age: all  men  fpeak  well  of  Chrift,  who  have  been  at  him  ;  men 
 and  angels  who  know  him  will  fay  more  than  I  do,  and  think  more 
 of  him  than  they  can  fay.  O  if  1  were  mifted  and  bewildered  in 
 my  Lord's  love  !  O  if  I  were  fettered  and  chained  to  it!  O  fweet 
 pain,  to  be  pained  for  a  fight  of  him!  O  living  death!  O  good 
 death  !  O  lovely  death,  to  die  for  love  of  Jefus  !  O  that  I  fliould 
 have  a  fore  heart  and  a  pained  foul,  for  the  wanting  of  the  love  of 
 tliis  and -that  idol !  Wo,  wo  to  the  miftaking  or  my  mifcarryin;j 
 heart,  that  gapeth  and  cricth  for  creatures,  and  i^  not  pained,  and 
 cutted,  and  tortured,  and  in  forrow  for  the  v/ant  of  a  foul-fiil  of 
 Chrift!  Oh  that  thou  wouldft  com*e  near,  my  Beloved!  O  my 
 faireft  One,  why  ftanddft  thou  afar!  come  hither,  that  I  mr.y  be  fii- 
 tiated  with  thy  excellent  Icvc  :  O  for  an  union  !  O  for  a  fellow fl>ip 
 with  Jcfus !  O  that  I  could  buy  v^-ith  a  price  that  lovely  One,  fu[-« 
 pofe  hell's  torments  for  a  while  were  the  price  1  I  cannot  believe' 
 but  Chrift  will  rue  upon  his  pained  lovers,  and  come  and  cafe  fick 
 hearts,  who  figh  and  fwoon  for  want  of  Chrift:  who  dow  bicic 
 ChriPvi  love  to  be  nice  ?  What  heaven  can  thae  be  liker  to  hcll» 
 
^i  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epfft.  30.] 
 
 than  to  luft,  and  grein,  and  dwine,  and  fall  afwoon  for  Chrlft's 
 love,  and  to  want  it?  is  not  this  hell,  and  heaven  woven  through 
 other?  is  not  this  pain  and  joy,  fweetnefs  and  fadnefs  to  be  in  one 
 web,  the  one  the  weft,  the  other  the  warp  ?  therefore  I  would  Chrift 
 would  let  us  meet  and  join  together,  the  foul  and  Chrifl  in  others 
 arms.  O  what  meeting  is  like  this,  to  fee  blacknefs  and  beauty, 
 contemptiblenefs  and  glory,  highnefs  and  bafenefs,  even  a  foul 
 and  Chrift  kifs  one  another!  Nay,  but  when  all  is  done,  I  may  be 
 wearied  in  fpeaking  and  writing ;  but  O  how  far  am  I  from  the 
 right  expreffion  of  Chrift  or  his  love  i  I  can  neither  fpeak,  nor 
 write  feeling,  nor  tafting,  norfmelling:  come  feel,  and  fmeli,  and 
 tafte  Chrift  and  his  love,  and  ye  fliali  call  it  more  than  can  befpo- 
 ken:  to  write  how  fweet  the  honey-comb  is,  is  not  fo  lovely  as  to 
 cat  and  fuck  the  honey-comb:  one  night's  reft  in  a  bed  of  love 
 with  Chrift,  will  fay  more  than  heart  can  think,  or  tongue  can  ut- 
 ter. Neither  need  we  fenr  crofTv^s,  or  figh,  or  be  fad  (or  any  thing 
 that  is  on  this  fide  of  heaven,  if  we  have  Chrift  :  our  crolles  will 
 never  draw  blood  of  the  joy  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  peace  of  con- 
 fcience;  cur  joy  is  laid  up  in  fuch  a  high  place,  as  temptations 
 cannot  climb  up  to  take  it  down:  this  world  may  boaft  Chrift,  but 
 they  dare  not  ftrike;  or  if  they  ftrike,  they  break  their  arm  in  fetch- 
 ing a  ftroke  upon  a  rock.  O  that  we  could  put  our  treafure  in 
 Chrift's  hand,  and  give  him  our  gold  to  keep,  and  our  crown. 
 Strive,  Miftrefs,  to  throng  through  the  thorns  of  this  life,  to  be  at 
 Chrift;  lofe  not  fight  of  him  in  this  cloudy  and  dark  day;  deep 
 with  him  in  your  heart  in  the  night;  learn  not  at  the  world  to 
 ferve  Chrift,  but  aflc  himfelf  the  way;  the  world  is  a  falfe  copy, 
 and  a  lying  guide  to  follow.  Remember  my  love  to  your  huf- 
 band  ;  I  wiih  all  to  him  I  have  written  here.  The  fweet  prefence, 
 thelong-lafting  good- will  of  our  God,  the  warmly  and  lovely  com- 
 forts of  our  Lord  Jefus  be  with  you.  Help  me  his  prifoner  in  your 
 prayers  ;  for  I  remember  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,   Aug.  d,  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus  ^ 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 30.    To  the  Lady  FORRET. 
 
 Worthy  Mijirefs, 
 
 (^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  long  to  hear  from 
 y  you ;  I  hear  thrift  hath  been  that  kind  as  to  vlfit  you  with 
 ficknefs,  and  to  bring  you  to  the  door  of  the  grave:  but  ye  found  the 
 door  fhut  (blelTed  be  his  glorious  name)  while  ye  be  riper  for  eter- 
 nity :  he  will  have  more  fervice  of  you  :  and  therefore  he  feeketh 
 of  you,  that  henceforth  ye  be  honcftto  your  new  Hufba>nd,  the  Son 
 of  God.  We  have  all  idol-love,  and  are  whorilhly  inclined  to  love 
 other  things  behdc  our  Lord,  and  therefore  our  Lord  huntcth  for 
 
Epirt.  31.  32-3  LETTERS.  6^ 
 
 our  love  more  ways  than  one  or  two.  Oh  that  ChriH:  ha^  his  own 
 of  us !  I  know  he  will  not  want  you,  and  that  is  a  fvseet  wilful- 
 ncfs  in  his  love  •,  and  ye  have  as  good  caufe  on  the  other  part  to 
 be  headitrong  and  peremptory  in  your  love  to  Chrift,  and  not  to 
 part  or  divide  your  love  betwixt  him  and  the  world  :  if  it  were 
 more,  it  is  little  enough,  yea,  too  little  for  Chrift.  I  am  now  eve- 
 ry way  in  good  terms  with  Chrift.  he  hath  fet  a  banifhed  prifoner 
 as  a  feal  on  his  heart,  and  as  a  bracelet  on  his  arm  :  that  crabbed 
 and  black  tree  of  the  crofs  laugheth  upon  me  now  •  the  alarming 
 noife  of  the  crofs  is  worfe  than  itfelf.  I  love  Chrifl*s  glooms  better 
 than  the  world's  worm-eaten  joys.  Oh  if  aJl  the  kingdom  were 
 as  I  am,  except  theCe  bonds  !  My  lofs  is  gain  ;  my  fadnefs  joyful ; 
 my  bonds,  liberty;  my  tears  comfortable:  this  world  is  not  worth 
 a  drink  of  cold  water.  O  but  Chrift's  love  cafleth  a  great  heat; 
 hell,  and  all  the  fait  fea.  and  the  rivers  of  the  earth  cannot  quench 
 it  I  remember  you  to  God  ;  ye  have  the  prayers  of  a  prifoner  of 
 Chrift.    Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 ^berdeeiij  March  9,  Tours  in  hh  fivcet  Lord  JffuSy 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 21.    To  the  Lady  KASKIBERRY. 
 J\Lidamy 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your 
 Ladyftiip  is.  1  know  not  how  to  requite  your  Ladyftiip's  kind- 
 nefs;  but  your  love  to  the  faints,  Madam,  is  laid  up  in  heaven  : 
 I  know  it  is  for  your  Well-beloved  Chrift's  fake,  that  ye  make  his 
 friends  fo  dear  to  you,  and  concern  yourfelf  fo  much  in  them.  I 
 am  in  this  houfe  of  pilgrimage,  every  way  in  good  cafe;  Chrift 
 is  moft  kind  and  loving  to  my  foul.  It  pleafeth  him  to  feaft  with 
 his  unfeen  confolations,  a  ftranger,  and  an  exiled  prifoner :  and 
 I  would  not  exchange  my  Lord  Jefus,  with  all  the  comforfout  of 
 heaven;  his  yoke  is  eafy,  and  his  burden  is  light.  This  is  his 
 truth  I  now  fulter  for ;  for  he  hath  fealed  it  with  his  blefted  prc- 
 fence :  I  know  Chrift  (hall  yet  win  the  day,  and  gain  the  battle 
 in  Scotland.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  March  7,  Tours  in  his  fwcet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 32.    To  Mr  JAMES  BRUCE,  Minijler  of  the  CxfpeL 
 Reverend  and  weli-behvcd  Brother, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Upon  the  nci^reft  ac- 
 quaintance, that  we  are  Father  s  children,  I  thou;^ht  gooi 
 to  write  to  you.  My  cafe  in  my  bonds,  for  the  honour  of  iny  roy- 
 al Piincc  and  King  Jcfus,  is  as  good  as  becomcth  the  witnefs  of 
 
<r4  m  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  33.] 
 
 fucb  a  fovcrcign  King-  At  my  firft  coming  hither,  I  was  in  great 
 heaviuefs,  wreftling  with  challenges,  being  burdened  in  heart  (as  I 
 am  yet)  for  my  filent  fabbaths,  and  for  a  bereft  people,  young  ones, 
 new-born,  plucked  from  the  breads,  and  the  children's  table 
 drawn.  I  thought  I  was  a  dry  tree  caft  over  the  dike  of  the  vine- 
 yard :  but  my  fecret  conceptions  of  Chrlfl's  love,  at  his  fweet  and 
 long-defired  return  to  my  foul,  were  found  to  be  a  lie  of  Chrift's 
 love,  forged  by  the  tempter,  and  my  own  heart,  and  I  am  perfuaded 
 it  was  fo.  Now  there  is  greater  peace  and  fecurity  within  than  be- 
 fore )  tbe  court  is  raifcd  and  dirmiffed,  for  it  was  not  fenced  in 
 God's  name.  I  was  far  miflaken,  who  fliould  have  furnmoned 
 Chrift  for  unkindnefs  ;  mlftcd  faith,  and  my  fever  conceived  amif« 
 of  him :  now,  now,  he  is  plcafed  to  feaft  a  poor  prifoner,  and  to  re- 
 frefli  me  with  joy  unfpeakable  and  glorious  ;  fo  as  the  Holy  Spirit 
 is  witnefs,  that  my  fuil^erings  are  for  ChrilVs  truth  j  and  God  for- 
 bid I  Ihould  deny  the  teftimony  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  ami  make  him 
 a  falfe  witnefs.  Now  I  ttftify  under  my  hand,  out  of  Ibme  fmall 
 experience,  that  Chrift's  caulc  (even  with  the  crofs)  is  better  than 
 tbe  king's  croAn;  and  that  his  reproaches  are  fweet,  his  crofs 
 perfumed,  the  walls  of  my  prifon  fair  and  large,  my  lofies  gain. 
 I  defire  you,  m.y  dear  brother,  help  me  to  praife,  and  remember 
 me  in  your  prayer  to  God.  Grace,  grace  be  w^ith  you. 
 
 JberdeeUy  March  14,  Tours  in  bis  Jiveet  Lordjefus^ 
 
 .637.  S.  R. 
 
 33.    To  tbe  Lady  EARLVfOUN. 
 MiftrefSf 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  longtohear  how  your 
 foul  profpereth.  I  exhoit  you  to  go  on  in  your  journey; 
 your  day  is  (bort,  and  your  afternoon-fun  will  foon  go  down :  make 
 an  end  of  your  accounts  with  your  Lord  ;  for  death  and  judgment 
 are  tides  that  bide  no  man  :  falvation  is  fuppofed  to  be  at  the  door, 
 and  Chriftianlty  is  thought  an  eafy  talk  ;  but  I  find  it  hard,  and 
 the  way  ftrait  and  narrow,  were  it  not  th;\t  my  guide  is  content  to 
 wait  on  me,  and  io  care  for  a  tired  traveller.  Hurt  not  your  con- 
 fcitfnce  with  any  known  fin.  Let  your  children  be  as  fo  many 
 flowers,  borrowed  from  God  :  if  the  flov/ers  die  or  wither,  thank 
 God  for  a  fummer's  loan  of  them,  and  keep  good  neighbourhood, 
 to  borrow  and  lend  with  him.  Set  your  heart  upon  heaven,  and 
 trouble  not  your  fpirit  with  this  clay-idol  of  the  world,  which  is 
 but  vanity,  and  hath  but  the  luflre  of  the  rain-bow  in  the  air, 
 which  cometh  and  goeth  wiih  a  flying  March-flower :  clay  is  the 
 idol  of  baftards,  not  the  inheritance  of  the  children.  My  Lord 
 \.2X\\  been  pleafed  to  make  many  unknown  faces  laugh  upon  me, 
 and  bath  made  me  well  content  of  a  borrowed  fire-Ode,  and  a  bof- 
 
Epift.  34.]  LETTERS.  65 
 
 rowed  bed  :  I  am  feafted  with  the  joys  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and 
 my  roy-il  King  beareth  my  charges  honourably.  I  love  the  fmeli 
 ot  ChiiPt^s  I'weet  breath,  better  than  the  world's  ^old.  I  would  I 
 had  help  to  praife  him.  The  great  meiTcnger  of  the  covenant,  the 
 Son  ot  God,  cftablifh  you  on  your  Rock,  and  keep  you  to  the  day 
 of  his  coming. 
 
 Aberdeen,   March  j.  Tours  in  his  fwcet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 i<-.37.  S.  R. 
 
 j4.     lo  CARi.£iOUiN. 
 
 Worthy  and  much-honoured^ 
 
 GRACE  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  I  received  your  letter 
 from  my  brother,  to  which  I  now  anfvver  particularly.  I 
 confcfs  two  things  ot  myfclf :  ift,  Wo,  wo  is  me  that  men  (hould 
 think  there  is  any  thing  in  me  !  He  is  my  wiaiefs  before  whom 
 I  am  as  chryftal,  that  the  fecret  houfe-devils,  that  bear  me  too 
 often  company,  that  this  fink  of  corruption  which  I  find  within, 
 maketh  me  go  with  low  fails ;  and  if  others  faw  what  I  fee,  they 
 would  look  by  me,  but  not  to  me.  2d  I  know  this  fhower  of  his 
 free  grace  behoved  to  be  on  me,  otherwnys  I  would  have  wither- 
 ed. 1  know  alfo  that  I  have  need  of  a  buffeting  tempter,  that  grace 
 may  be  put  to  eccrcife,  and  1  kept  low.  Worthy  and  dear  brother 
 in  our  Lord  Jefus,  I  write  that  iiom  my  heart  which  ye  now  read. 
 I  ft,  I  vouch  that  Chrift,  and  fweating  and  fighing  under  his  crofs, 
 is  fweeter  to  me  by  far  than  all  the  kingdoms  in  the  world  could 
 poflibly  be.  2d.  If  you  and  my  deareft  acquaintance  in  Chrift, 
 reap  any  fruit  by  my  lufFeri?ig.  let  me  be  weighed  in  God's  even 
 balance,  if  my  joy  be  not  fulfilled.  What  am  I,  to  carry  the  marks 
 of  fuch  a  great  King  ?  But  howbeit  I  am  a  fink  and  finful  mafs,  a 
 wretched  captive  of  fin,  my  Lord  Jefus  can  hew  heaven  out  of 
 worfe  timber  than  I  am  (if  worfe  can  be.)  3d.  I  now  rejoice  with 
 joy  unfpeakable  and  gioiicus,  that  I  never  purpofcd  to  bring 
 Chrift,  nor  the  leaft  hoof  or  hair-breadth  of  truth  under  tryfting:  £ 
 defircd  to  have  and  keep  Chrift  all  alone,  and  that  he  lliould  ne- 
 ver rub  clothes  with  that  black  Ikinned  harlot  oi  Rome.  1  am  now 
 fully  paid  home,  fo  that  nothing  aileth  me  for  the,  prefent,  but 
 lovc-ficknefs  for  a  real  pofieffiGn  of  my  faireft  Well-beloved  ;  I 
 would  give  him  my  bond  under  my  faith  and  hand,  to  frift  hea- 
 ven an  hundred  years  longer,  fo  being  he  v/ould  lay  his  holy  face 
 to  my  fometimes  wet  cheeks.  Oh,  who  would  not  pity  me,  to 
 know  how  fain  I  would  hav:  the  King  ihaking  the  tree  of  life 
 upon  me.  or  letting  me  into  the  well  of  life  with  my  old  A\\i\.  that 
 I  might  be  drunken  with  the  fountain  here  in  the  houfe  of  my 
 pilgrimage  !  I  cannot,  nay,  I  would  not  be  quit  of  Chrlft's  love. 
 He  bath  left  the  maik  behind  where  he  gripped;  he  goeth  away. 
 
66     '  ^Ir  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  34] 
 
 and  leavetb  mc  and  his  burning  love  to  wreftle  together,  and  I 
 can  fcarce  win  my  meat  of  his  love,  becaufe  ot  abfence  r  m.y  Lord 
 giveth  nie  but  hungry  half-kiflVs,  which  fcrve-'  to  feed  pain,  and 
 incrcafc  hunger,  but  do  not  fatisiy  my  defircs;  his  dieting  of  my 
 foul  for  this  r  )ce  maketh  me  lean.  I  have  gotten  the  vv^^il  T^nd 
 choice  of  ChriftV  cr(  iles.  even  the  tythc  and  the  flower  ot  the  gold 
 of  all  crofles,  to  bear  witneis  to  the  truth  ;  and  herein  find  I  liber- 
 ty, joy,  accefs,  life,  comfort,  love,  faith,  fubmiflion,  patience  and 
 icfolution  to  take  delight  in  on-waiting;  and  withal  in  m.y  race  . 
 he  hath  come  near  me,  and  let  me  fee  the  gold  and  crown  :  what 
 then  want  I,  but  fruition  and  re<^l  enjoyment,  which  is  referved 
 to  m.y  country  ?  Let  no  man  think  he  (liall  Jofe  at  Chrifl's  hands 
 in  fuftering  tor  him.  4th  For  thtfe  prefcnt  trials,  they  are  moll 
 dangerous;  for  people  fhall  be  ftolen  olT their  feet  with  well-wafti- 
 en  and  white-fkinned  ptetences  of  indifferency  ;  but  it  is  the'pow- 
 er'of  the  great  Anticlnift  working  in  this  land.  Wo,  wo,  wo  be 
 to  apollcite  Scotland  ;  there  is  wrath  and  a  cup  of  the  red  wine 
 of  the  wrath  ot  God  Almighty  in  the  Lord's  hand,  thnt  they  fliall 
 drink  and  fpue,  and  fall  and  not  rife  again.  The  ftar  called  wormi- 
 wood  and  gall,  is  fallen  in  the  fountains,  and  rivers,  and  hath 
 made  them  bitter  :  the  fword  of  the  Lord  is  furbilhed  againft  the 
 idol-fliepherds  of  the  land;  women  (hall  blefs  the  barrel  womb 
 and  mifcarrying  breafts ;  all  hearts  (liall  be  faint,  and  all  kn^es 
 fhall  tremble  :  an  end  is  coming;  the  Leopard  and  the  Lion  fliall 
 watch  over  our  cities;  houfes  great  and  fair  (hall  be  defolate  with- 
 out an  inhabitant:  the  Lord  hnth  faid,  *  Pray  not  for  this  people, 
 for  I  have  taken  my  peace  from  them  :'  yet  the  Lord's  third  part 
 (hall  come  through  the  fire,  as  refined  gold  for  the  trei^fure  of  the 
 Lord,  and  the  outcafts  of  Scotland  fhall  be  gathered  together  again, 
 and  the  wildernefs  fliall  blolTom  as  the  flower,  and  bud.  and  grow 
 as  the  rofe  of  Sharon,  and  great  fhail  be  the  glory  of  the  Lord  up- 
 on Scotland.  5th.  I  am  here  affaulted  with  the  learned  and  preg- 
 nant wits  of  this  kingdom  ;  but,  all  honour  be  to  m.y  Lord,  truth 
 but  laughs  at  bemifted  and  blind  fcribes,  and  diiputers  of  this 
 world  ;  and  God's  wnfdom  confoundeth  them,  and  Chrift  iriumph- 
 cth  in  his  own  ftrong  truth,  that  fpeaketh  for  itfelf.  6th.  I  doubt 
 not  but  my  Lord  is  preparing  me  for  heavier  trials :  I  am  moft 
 ready  at  the  good  pleafure  of  m.y  Lord,  in  the  ftrength  of  his  grace, 
 for  any  thing  he  (hall  be  pleafed  to  call  me  to:  neither  ihall  the 
 laft  black-faced  mtfienger,  death,  be  holden  at  the  door,  when  it 
 fhall  knock.  If  my  Lord  will  take  honour  of  the  like  of  me,  how- 
 glad  and  joyful  fhall  my  foul  be  !  Let  Chrift  come  out  with  me 
 to  an  hotter  b.^ttle  than  this,  and  1  fliall  fear  no  flefh.  I  know  that 
 my  Maftcr  will  win  the  day,  and  that  he  hath  taken  the  ordering 
 of  my  fufi^erings  in  his  own  hand.  7th.  As  for  my  deliverance, 
 that  mifcarrieth  j  I  am  here,  by  my  Lord's  grace,  to  lay  my  hand. 
 
Epift.  ^4  ]  LETTERS.  67 
 
 on  my  mouth,  to  be  filent  and  wait  en  :  my  Lord  Jefus  is  on  his 
 journey  tor  my  deliverance;  I  will  not  grudge  that  he  runneth 
 not  l"o  taft  as  \  would  have  him  :  on-w  liting  till  the  fweiling  ri- 
 vers tall,  and  till  my  lord  arife  as  a  mighty  man  after  flrong  wine, 
 ihall  be  my  beO: ;  1  have  not  yet  rcfirted  to  blood.  8th.  O  how 
 oUen  an)  1  laid  in  the  duft,  and  urged  by  the  t*-mpter,  (who  can 
 ride  his  own  errands  upon  our  lying  apprehenlionSi  to  fin  agriinft 
 thf  urich^ngcabJe  love  of  my  Loid  :  when  I  think  upon  ttie  fpar- 
 ro v'o  and  fwallows,  that  build  their  neftb  in  the  kirk  01  A n woth,  and 
 of  M  -  dumb  fabbaths,  my  forrowful  blear'd  eyes  look  aiquint  up- 
 on _  iirift,  and  prefent  him  as  angiy.  But  in  this  trial,  all  honour 
 to  our  princely  and  royal  king,  iaith  laileth  fair  before  the  wind, 
 with  top-fail  up,  and  carrieth  the  prilVengcr  through.  I  lay  inhi- 
 bitions upon  my  thoughts,  that  they  receive  no  ilanders  of  my 
 only,  only  beloved:  let  him  even  fay  out  of  his  own  mouth. 
 There  is  no  hope ;  vet  I  will  die  in  that  1  weet  btguile.  It  is  not 
 fo  :  I  (hall  fee  the  falvation  of  God.  Let  me  be  deceived  reaily, 
 and  never  win  to  dry  land  j  it  is  my  j  y  to  believe  under  the  wa- 
 ter, and  to  die  wiih  faith  in  my  hand  gripping  Chrilt:  let  my 
 conceptions  of  Chiiit's  love  go  to  the  grave  with  me,  and  to  hell 
 with  me,  I  may  not,  1  dare  not  quit  them.  I  hope  to  keep  Chrifl's 
 pawn :  if  he  never  come  to  loofe  it,  let  him  fee  to  his  own  pro- 
 mife.  I  know,  prefumption,  howbeit  it  be  made  of  ftoutnefs, 
 will  not  thus  be  wilful  in  heavy  trials.  Now,  my  dearefl  in  Chrift, 
 the  great  meflenger  or  the  covenant,  the  only  wife  and  all-fuffiti- 
 cnt  Jehovah,  elfablifh  you  to  the  end.  I  hear  the  Lord  hath, 
 been  at  your  houfe,  and  hath  called  home  your  wife  to  her  reft. 
 I  know.  Sir,  ye  fee  the  Lord  loofmg  the  pins  of  your  tabernacie, 
 ?nd  wooing  your  love  from  this  plaifiercd  and  over-gilded  world, 
 and  calling  upon  you  to  be  making  yourfeif  ready  to  go  to  your 
 Fathers  country,  which  fhall  be  a  fweet  fruit  of  that  vifitation. 
 Ye  know,  to  fend  the  comforter,  was  a  King's  word  when  he  af- 
 cended  on  high :  ye  have  claim  to  and  intereft  in  that  promifc. 
 Remember  my  love  in  Chrilt  to  your  father;  (hew  him  it  is  late 
 and  black  night  with  him  ;  his  long  lying  at  the  water  fide  is, 
 that  he  may  look  his  papers  ere  he  take  Ibipping,  and  be  at  a  point 
 for  his  l.iil  anfwer  before  his  Judge  and  Lord.  All  love,  all  mer- 
 cy, all  grace,  and  peace,  all  multipiied  faving  confohtions,  ail 
 joy  and  faith  in  Chrift,  all  ftability  and  eonhrming  rtrength  of 
 grace,  and  the  good-will  cf  him  that  dweit  in  the  bulh  bs  with 
 you. 
 
 j4berdeen,  June  1 5,  Tcur  unworthy  brother  in  his 
 
 1637.  J'weet  Lord  JffuSj     S.  R* 
 
€^  Uv  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  35.^ 
 
 3;.    To  MARION  M«NAUGHT. 
 
 Worthy  and  Jeareft  in  the  Lordy 
 
 Iiiver  loved  (fince  I  knew  you)  that  little  vineyard  of  the  Lord's 
 planting  in  Galluw.iy  but  now  much  more,  fince  I  have  hcaid 
 that  he  who  hath  his  fiie  m  Zion,  and  his  furnace  in  Jeruiaiem, 
 hath  been  pleated  to  fct  up  a  turnace  amongft  you  with  the  firft 
 in  this  kingdom  :  he  who  maketh  old  things  new,  feeing  Scot- 
 lan<i  an  old  diuify  and  rulled  kirk,  is  beginning  to  make  a  new 
 clean  bride  of  her.  and  to  bring  a  young  chalte  wife  to  himfelf 
 out  of  the  fiie.  ThisS  fire  Ihail  be  quenched,  fo  foon  as  Chrift 
 hath  brought  a  clean  fpoufe  thorough  the  fire!  Therefore,  my 
 dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord,  fear  not  a  worm  ;  fear  not,  worm  Ja- 
 cob ;  Chrift  is  in  that  plea,  ^nd  (hall  win  the  plea  :  charge  an  un- 
 believing heart,  under  the  p<iin  of  treafon  againft  our  great  and 
 royal  Kmg  Jefus,  to  dependence  by  taith,  and  quiet  on-waiting 
 on  our  Lord  ;  get  you  into  your  chambers,  and  ihut  the  doors  a- 
 bout  you;  in.  in  with  fpeed  to  vcur  itrong  hold,  ye  piiloners  of 
 hope:  ye  doves,  flee  unto  Chrifi's  windows  lill  the  indij^nition  be 
 over,  and  the  ftorm  be  p.ilt :  glorit  the  Lord  in  your  fuffcrings, 
 2nd  take  his  banner  of  love  an.l  Iprcad  over  you  \  others  will  fol- 
 low you  if  they  fee  you  Itrong  in  the  Lord;  their  courage  Hiall 
 take  life  from  your  Lhriftian  carriage  :  look  up  «nd  fee  who  is 
 coming,  lift  up  your  head,  he  is  coming  to  fave,  in  garments  dy- 
 ed in  blood,  and  travelling  in  the  greatncts  of  his  ftrength.  I  laugh, 
 I  fmile,  1  leap  for  joy,  to  fee  Chi  ill  coming  to  fave  you  fo  quick- 
 ly. O  fuch  wide  Heps  Chrift  taketh  !  three  or  four  hills  are  but  a 
 fiep  to  him ;  he  (kippeth  over  the  mountains.  Chrift  hath  fet  a 
 battle  betwixt  his  poor  weak  faints  and  his  enemies,  he  waileth 
 the  weapons  for  both  parties,  and  faith  to  the  enemies,  take  you  a 
 fwordoffteel,  law,  authority,  parliaments,  and  kings  upon  your 
 fide,  that  is  your  armour :  and  he  faith  to  his  faints,  t  give  you  a 
 fecklels  tree-fword  in  your  hand,  and  that  is,  fuffering,  receiving 
 of  flrokes,  fpoiiing  of  your  goods  ;  and  with  your  tree-lword  ye 
 fhajl  get  and  gain  the  victory.  Was  not  Chrill  driigged  through 
 the  ditches  of  deep  diftrefTes,  and  gieat  ilraits  ?  and  yet  Chrift, 
 who  is  your  head,  hath  win  through  with  his  life,  howbcit  not 
 with  a  whole  Ikin.  Ye  are  Chrift's  members,  and  he  is  drawing 
 his  members  thorough  the  thorny  hedge  up  to  heaven  after  him: 
 Chrift  one  day  vv'ill  not  have  fo  much  as  a  pained  toe ;  but  there 
 are  great  pieces  and  portions  of  Chrift's  myftical  body,  not  yet 
 within  the  gates  of  the  great  high  city,  the  new  Jerufaiem  :  and 
 the  dragon  will  ftrike  at  Chrill,  fo  long  as  there  is  one  bit  or 
 member  of  Chrifl's  body  out  of  he.wen.  I  tell  you,  Chrift  will 
 rnake  new  work  out  of  old  for-Caltea  Scotland^  and  gather  the 
 
Epift.  3  0  LETTERS.  6p 
 
 oil!  broken  hoarrls  of  his  tabernacle,  and  pin  them,  and  nail  thena 
 t.  gather  but  bills  and  luppbc  ticns  arc  up  in  heavtn,  Chnft 
 h  :;ih  toftVrs  lul  oi  them  ;  tlure  is  mercy  on  the  other  fide  ot  this 
 hi.s  culsj  a  jjood  .<nh\ei  to  ^11  cur  bills  is  agrt^eil  upon.  I  muft 
 tell  vou  what  lovely  J^ius.  tair  Jefus,  King  Jefus  hath  done  to 
 my  foul :  Ibtrieiimc  s  he  lendeth  !iic  our  a  it.-nu;ng  drir.k,  and 
 whilpcreth  a  wor.l  ihruugn  the  wall  j  and  Ian  wc-il  conicnt  of 
 kmilnel's  at  the  k\ond  h  nd  ;  his  bode  is  ever  welcome  to  me, 
 be  what  it  will ;  but  at  other  times  he  will  be  mtfTcnger  himieit, 
 and  I  get  the  cup  of  \dvation  out  ot  his  own  hand,  (he  drinking 
 to  mej  and  we  cannot  reit  till  we  be  in  others  arms ;  and  O  now 
 fweet  is  a  frefh  kils  from  his  holy  mouth  !  his  breathing  that  go- 
 cth  before  a  kifs  upon  my  poor  loul,  is  fweet,  and  hath  no  tault, 
 but  that  it  is  too  fhort,  I  am  carelels,  ami  fl.Hnd  not  much  on  this, 
 howbeit  loins,  and  back,  and  ihouldes  and  head  rive  in  pieces, 
 in  ftepping  up  to  my  Father's  houfe  I  know  my  Lord  can  make 
 long,  and  broad,  and  high,  and  deep  gi^ry  to  his  name,  out  of 
 this  bit  fecklefs  boH  ;  tor  Chi  id  lookcth  not  what  Ituff  he  mak- 
 eth  giory  out  ol.  My  dearly  bclo\ed,  ye  have  orten  rehelhed  me, 
 but  this  is  put  up  in  my  Mailer's  accompts  i  ye  have  him  debtor 
 for  me  :  but  if  yc  will  do  any  thing  tor  me,  ^as  1  know  ye  will) 
 now  in  my  extremity,  tell  A\  my  dear  iriends,  that  a  prifoner  is 
 fettered  and  chained  in  Chrlft's  love  ;  Lord  never  loofe  the  tetters; 
 and  ye  and  they  together  take  my  heartieit  commendations  to  my 
 Lord  Jefus,  and  thank  him  for  a  poor  friend.  1  defirt  your  huf- 
 band  to  read  this  letter ;  1  fend  him  a  prifoner's  bleflingi  1  will  be 
 obliged  to  him,  if  he  will  be  willini;  to  fuffer  for  my  dear  Malter; 
 fufFering  is  the  profeiTor's  golden  garment ;  there  fhall  be  no  lofTes 
 on  Chrilf's  fide  of  it.  Ye  have  been  witncfles  of  much  joy  betwixt 
 Chrifl:  and  me  at  communion-fi^arts,  the  remembrance  whereof 
 (howbeit  I  be  feafted  m  lecrct)  holdeth  m.y  heart ;  for  I  am  put 
 from  the  board  head,  and  the  King's  firft  mefs  to  his  by-board, 
 and  his  broken  meat  is  fweet  unto  me.  1  thank  my  Lord  for  bor- 
 rowed crumbs,  no  kfs  than  when  I  was  feafled  at  the  communion- 
 table in  Anwoth  and  Kircudbright  Pray  that  I  may  get  one  day 
 of  Chrill  in  public,  as  i  have  had  lon^  fince,  before  my  eyes  be 
 clofcd.  Oh  that  m.y  Mailer  would  take  up  houfe  ag  an,  and  lend 
 me  the  keys  of  his  wine  cell. r  again,  and  od  fend  me  borrowed 
 drink  till  then  !  Remember  my  love  to  Chrifl's  kinfmen  with 
 you.  I  pray  for  Chrill's  Father's  bleifing  to  them  all.  Grace  be 
 •with  you  i  a  prifoner's  blciTmg  be  with  you  :  I  write  it,  and  abide 
 by  it,  God  Ihall  be  glorious  in  Marion  M'Naught,  when  this 
 ftormy  bl.ift  ihall  be  over.  O  woman  be!  ned  of  God,  believe, 
 j£joicc,  be  ilrong  in  the  Lord  !   Grace  is  thy  portion. 
 
 j^terdcen,  June  1 5,         Tour  btotUr  in  his  Jwcet  Lord  J<'fus^ 
 1637.  6.  R. 
 
7«  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  36.] 
 
 36.  To  JOHN  GORDON  atKifco  in  Galloway. 
 
 My  ivorthy  and  dear  Brother, 
 
 M  [SPEND  not  your  (hort  fand-glafs;  which  runneth  very 
 faft  :  feek  your  Lord  in  time  Let  me  obtain  ot  you  a  let- 
 ter under  your  hand,  for  a  promife  to  God,  by  his  grace,  to  take  a 
 T\tw  courfe  of  walking  with  God :  heaven  is  not  at  the  next  door  ; 
 I  find  it  hard  to  be  a  Chriftian ;  there  is  no  little  thrulling  and 
 thronging  to  thruft  in  at  heaven's  gates;  it  is  a  caftle  taken  by 
 force  :  *  Many  fhali  drive  to  enter  in,  and  fhall  not  be  able.  1 
 befeech  and  obteft  you  in  the  Lord,  make  confcience  of  ralli  and 
 pafTionate  oaths,  of  raging  and  fudden  avenging  anger,  of  night- 
 drinlcing,  of  needlefs  companionry,  of  fabbath-breaking,  of  hurt- 
 ing any  under  you  by  word  or  deed,  of  hating  your  very  enemies. 
 *  Except  ye  receive  the  kingdom  of  God  as  a  little  child,  (and  be 
 -as  meek  and  fober-minded  as  a  babe)  ye  cannot  enter  into  the 
 kingdom  of  God  :'  that  is  a  word  which  (hould  touch  you  near, 
 and  make  you  (loop  and  cafl  yourfelf  down,  and  make  your  great 
 fpirit  fall.  I  know  this  will  not  be  eafily  done ;  but  1  recommend 
 it  to  you,  as  you  tender  your  part  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven, 
 ■Brother,  I  may,  from  new  experience,  fpeak  of  Chriit  to  you. 
 Oh  if  ye  faw  in  him  what  I  fee  !  A  river  of  God's  unfeen  joys 
 have  flowed  from  bank  to  brae  over  my  foul  fmce  I  parted  with 
 you  :  I  wiib  I  wanted  part,  fo  being  ye  might  have ;  that  your 
 foul  might  be  (ick  of  love  for  Chrift,  or  rather  fatiate  with  him: 
 this  clay-idol,  the  world,  would  feem  to  you  then  not  worth  a 
 fig  ;  time  will  eat  you  out  of  pofTefhon  of  it :  when  the  eye-firings 
 break,  and  the  breath  groweth  cold,  and  the  imprifoned  foul 
 looketh  out  of  the  windows  of  the  clay  houfe,  ready  to  leap  out  in- 
 to eternity,  what  would  ye  then  give  for  a  lamp-full  of  oil  ?  O  feek 
 it  now.  I  defire  you  to  correct  and  curb  banning,  fwearing,  ly- 
 ing, drinking,  fabbath-breaking,  and  idle  fpending  of  the  Lord's 
 day  in  abfence  from  the  kirk,  as  far  as  your  authority  reacheth  in 
 that  parilh.  I  hear  a  man  is  to  be  thruft  into  that  place,  to  the 
 which  I  have  God's  right;  I  know  ye  fnould  have  a  voice  by  God's 
 word  in  that,  A6ts  i.  15,  16.  to  the  end,  and  A6ls  vi.  3,  5.  Ye 
 would  be  loth  that  any  prelate  fhould  put  you  out  of  your  pofTef- 
 fion  earthly,  and  this  is  your  right.  I  write  to  your  wife.  Grace 
 be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  March  i^y  Tour  loving  Pajlor, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
Epift.  37-]  LETTERS.  71 
 
 37.    To  the  Lady  HALHILL. 
 
 Dear  and  Chrijlian  Lady^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  longed  much  to  write 
 to  your  Ladythip;  but  now,  the  Lord  offering  a  fit  occa- 
 fion  I  would  not  omit  to  do  it.  I  cannot  but  acquaint  your  Lady- 
 ibip  with  the  kind  dealing  of  Chnft  to  ray  foul,  in  this  houfe  of 
 my  pilgrimage,  that  your  Ladyfliip  may  know  that  he  is  as  good 
 as  he  is  called  :  for  at  my  firft  entry  into  this  trial,  (being  caften 
 down  and  troubled  with  challenges  and  jealoufies  of  his  love, 
 ■whofe  name  and  teftimony  I  now  bear  in  my  bonds;  I  feared  no- 
 thing more  than  that  1  v/as  caflen  over  the  dike  of  the  vineyard, 
 as  a  dry  tree ;  but,  blefl'ed  be  his  great  name,  the  dry  tree  was  in 
 the  fire  and  was  not  burnt,  his  dew  came  dov/n  and  quickened 
 the  root  of  a  withered  plant ;  and  now  he  is  come  again  with  jcy, 
 and  hath  been  pleafed  to  feafl:  his  exiled  and  afflicted  prifoner  with 
 the  joy  of  his  confolations  :  now  I  weep,  but  am  not  fad;  I  am 
 chaflened,  but  I  die  not;  I  have  lofs,  but  1  want  nothing:  this 
 water  cannot  drown  me,  this  fire  cannot  burn  me,  becaufe  of  the 
 good-will  of  him  that  dwelt  in  the  bulb.  The  worft  things  of 
 Chrift,  his  reproaches,  his  crofs,  is  better  than  Egypt's  treafures. 
 He  hath  opened  his  door,  and  taken  into  his  houfe  of  wine  a  poor 
 finner,  and  hath  left  me  fo  fick  of  love  for  my  Lord  Jefus,  that 
 if  htraven  were  at  my  difpofing,  I  would  give  it  for  Chrift,  and 
 would  not  be  content  to  go  to  heaven,  except  I  were  perfuaded 
 Chrift  were  there  :  I  would  not  give  nor  exchange  my  bonds  for 
 the  P.  velvets  \  nor  my  prifon  for  their  coaches  *,  nor  my  fighs  for 
 all  the  world's  laughter;  this  clay-idol,  the  world,  hath  no  great 
 court  in  my  foul :  Chrift  hath  come  and  run  away  to  heaven  with 
 my  heart  and  my  love^  (b  that  neither  heart  nor  love  is  mine  ;  I 
 pray  God  Chrift  m?.y  keep  both  without  reverfion.  In  my  efti- 
 mation,  as  I  am  now  difpofed,  if  my  part  of  this  world's  clay  were 
 rouped  and  fold,  I  would  think  it  dear  of  a  drink  of  water.  1  fee 
 Chrift's  love  is  fo  kingly,  that  it  will  not  abide  a  marrow  ;  it  muft 
 have  a  throne  hII  alone  in  the  foul ;  and  I  fee  apples  beguile  bairns, 
 howbcit  they  be  worm-eaten  ;  the  moth-eaten  pleafures  of  this 
 prefent  world  make  bairns  believe  ten  is  a  hundred,  and  yet  ail 
 that  are  here  are  but  ftiadows  ;  if  they  would  draw  by  the  curtain 
 that  is  hanged  betwixt  them  and  Chi  1ft,  they  fhould  think  them- 
 felves  fools  who  have  fo  long  milkenned  the  iSon  of  God.  I  feek 
 no  more,  next  to  heaven,  but  that  he  may  be  glorified  in  a  prif- 
 oner of  Chrift;  and  that  in  my  behalf  many  would  praife  his  high 
 and  glorious  name,  who  heareth  the  fjghing  of  the  prifoner.  Re- 
 member my  fcrvice  to  the  Laird  your  huftiand,  and  to  \our  Son 
 Hiy  acquaintance:  I  wiili  Chrift  had  his  young  love,  and  that  in 
 
7^  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Ep'ift.  38.] 
 
 the  morning  he  would  ftart  to  the  gate,  to  feek  that  which  this 
 world  knoweth  not,  and  therefore  doth  not  feek  it.  The  grace  ot 
 our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  March  14,  'fours  in  his  five  et  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 16^7.  S.  R. 
 
 38.     To  thd  Ri^ht  Honourable  my  Lord  LINDSAY. 
 
 Right  Honourable  and  my  very  good  Lordy 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Lordflilp;  pardon  my 
 boldnefs  to  trxpreis  n-yfelt  to  your  Lordfhip;  at  this  fb  need- 
 ful a  time,  when  vour  wearied  and  friendlels  mother-kirk  is  look- 
 ing round  about  her    to  fee  if  any  of  her  Tons  doth  really  benione 
 her  defolation  :  Therelore,  my  dear  and  worthy  Lord,  I  befeech 
 you  in  the  boxvels  of  Chrift,  pity  thit  widnwlike  fifter  and  fpoufe 
 of  Chrift.   I  know,  her  huib.md  is  not  dead,  but  he  feemeth  to  be  in 
 another  country,  and  fectn  well,  and  beholdeth  who  are  his  true 
 and  tender  hearted  friends,  who  dare  venture  under  the  water  to 
 bring  out  to  dry-land  (inking  truth,  and  who  ot  the   nobles  will 
 caft  up  th^ir  arm    10  ward  a  blow  off  the  crowned   head  of  our 
 royal  Lawgiver  who  reignerh  in   Zion,   who   will  plead  and  con- 
 tend for  Jacob   in  the  day  of  hts  controverfy.     It  is  now  time,  my 
 worthy  and   noble    Lord,   tor  you   who  are  ihe  little  nurfe-fathers 
 (under  our  fovereign  Prince'  to  put  on  courage  for  the  Lord  Je- 
 fus, and  to  take  up  a  fallen   orphan,   fpcaking  out  of  the  duft, 
 and  to  embrace  in  your  arms  Chnfl's  bride:   he  hath  no  more  in 
 Scotland  that  is  the  delight  of  his  eyes,  but  that  one  little  filler, 
 whofe  breafts  were  once    ^ell-Mfhioned  ;  Ihe  once  ravifhed  her 
 Well-beloved  with  her  eyes    -  n('.  overcame  him  with  her  beauty  j 
 <  She  looked  forth  as  the  mommg,  fair  as  the  moon,  clear  as  the 
 fun,  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners:  her  ftature  was  like  the 
 palm-tree,  and  her  breafts  like  clufters  of  grapes,  and  (he  held 
 the  king  in   his  galleries,*  Cant.  iv.  9.  and  vi.  10.  and  vii    5.  7. 
 But  now  the  crown  is  fallen  from  her  head,    and  her  gold  waxed 
 dim,  and  our  whiti  Nazaiites  are  become  black  as  the  coal.   BlelTcd 
 are  they  who  will  come  out  and  help  Chiift  againff  the  mighty: 
 the  (hields  of  the  earth  and  the  nobles  are  debtors  to  Chrift   for 
 their  honour,  and    fhould   bring  their  glory  and  honour  to  the 
 new  Jerufalem  ^  Rev.  xxi.  24      Alas  that  great  men  ftiould  be 
 fo  far  from  fubj^ding  themfelvcs  to  the  fweet  yoke  of  Chrift,  that 
 they  burft  his  bonds  afunder,  and  think  they  dow  not  go  on  foot 
 when  Chrift  is  on  horfeb-ick,  and  that  every  nod  of  Chrift,  com- 
 manding  as  a  king    is  a  load  like  a  mountain  of  iron  ;  and  there- 
 fore they  fay,  This  man  Oiall  not  reign  over  us,  we  muft  have 
 another  king  than  Chrift  in   his  own  houfe.    Therefore  kneel  to 
 Chrift,  and  kifs  his  Son,  and  let  him  hiive  your  Lordftiip's  vote. 
 
Epift.  38.]  LETTERS.  73 
 
 vote,  as  your  alone  law-giver.  I  am  fure,  when  you  leave  thi* 
 old  waftc  JHRS  of  this  perilhing  life,  and  iliall  reckon  with  your 
 hoft,  and  depart  hence,  and  take  fliipping,  and  make  over  for 
 eternity,  which  is  the  yonder  fide  of  time,  and  a  fand-glafs  of 
 threefcore  fhort  years  is  running  out ;  to  look  over  your  fhoulder 
 then,  to  that  which  ye  have  done,  Ipoken,  and  fufiered  for  Chiiit, 
 his  dear  bride,  y^that  he  ranfomcd  with  that  blood  which  is  more 
 precious  than  goid)  and  for  truth,  and  the  freedom  of  Chrift's 
 kingdom  ;  your  accounts  (hall  more  fweetly  fmile  and  laugh  up- 
 on you,  than  if  you  had  two  worlds  of  gold  to  leave  to  your  pof- 
 terity.  O  my  dear  Lord,  confider  that  our  Mafter,  eternity,  and 
 judgment,  and  the  lad  reckoning,  will  be  upon  us  in  the  twink- 
 ling of  an  eye:  the  blaft  of  the  laft  trumpet,  now  hard  i)t  hand, 
 will  cry  down  all  acls  of  parliament,  all  the  determinations  oif 
 pretended  affemblies,  againfl  Chrift  our  law-giver  :  there  will  be 
 ihortly  a  proclamation  by  one  {landing  in  the  clouds,  that  time 
 ihall  be  no  more,  and  that  courts  with  kings  of  clay  fhall  be  n^ 
 more ;  and  prifons,  confinements,  forfeitures  of  nobles,  wratU 
 of  kings,  hazard  of  lands,  houfes,  and  name  for  Chrift,  fhall  be 
 no  more.  This  world's  fpan-length  of  time  is  drawn  now  to  lefs 
 than  half  an  inch,  and  to  the  point  of  the  evening  of  the  day  of 
 this  old  gray  hair'd  world :  and  therefore  be  fixed  and  faft  for 
 Chrift  and  his  truth  for  a  time ;  and  fear  not  him  whofe  life  go- 
 cth  out  at  his  noftrils,  who  fhall  die  as  a  man.  I  am  perfuaded 
 Chrift  is  refponfal,  and  law-biding,  to  make  rccompence  for  any 
 thing  that  is  hazarded  or  given  out  for  him  :  loffes  for  Chriit 
 are  but  our  goods  given  out  in  bank  in  Chrift's  hand.  Kings 
 earthly  are  well  favoured  little  clay  gods,  time's  idols  ;  but  a  fight 
 of  our  invifibl^  K.ing  fnall  decry  and  darken  all  the  glory  of  thi? 
 world.  At  the  day  of  Chrift,  truth  (hall  be  truth,  and  not  trea- 
 fon  :  alas!  it  is  pitiful,  that  filencc,  when  the  thatch  of  our 
 Lord's  houfe  hath  taken  fire,  is  now  the  flower  and  bloom  of  the 
 court  and  ftate-wifdom  ;  and  to  caft  a  covering  over  a  good  pro- 
 feflion,  (as  if  it  biufJied  at  light)  is  thought  a  c^mny  and  fure  way 
 through  this  life:  but  the  faleft  way,  I  am  perfuaded,  is  to  tine 
 and  win  with  Chrift,  and  to  hazard  fairly  for  him  ;  for  heaven 
 is  but  a  company  of  noble  venturers  for  Chrift.  I  dare  hazard  my 
 foul,  Chrift  (liall  grow  green  and  blofibm  as  the  rofe  of  Sharon 
 yet  in  Scotland  ;  howbcit  now  his  leaf  feemeth  to  wither,  and  his 
 root  to  dry  up.  Your  noble  anceftors  have  been  inrolled  amongit 
 the  worthies  of  this  nation,  as  the  fure  friends  of  the  Bridegroom, 
 and  valiant  for  Chrift:  I  hope  ye  will  follow  en  to  come  to  the 
 ftreets  for  the  fame  Lord.  1  he  world  is  ftill  at  yea  and  nay  with 
 Chrift.  It  Ihall  be  your  glory,  and  the  fure  foundation  of  your 
 houfe,  (now  when  houfes  are  tumbling  down,  and  birds  bu'ld- 
 ing  their  nefts,  and  thorns  and  briars  are  growing  up,  where 
 
 K 
 
74  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  39.3 
 
 nobles  did  fpread  a  table)  if  you  engage  your  eftate  and  nobility 
 for  this  noble  King  Jefus,  with  whom  the  created  powers  of  the 
 world  are  ftill  in  tops  ;  all  the  world  fhall  fall  before  him,  and 
 (as  God  iiveth)  every  arm  lifted  up  to  take  the  crown  oft  his  roy- 
 al head,  or  that  refufeth  to  hold  it  upon  his  head,  fhall  be  bro- 
 ken from  the  fhoulder-blade :  the  eyes  that  behold  Chrift  weep 
 in  f^xkcloth,  and  wallow  in  his  blood,  and  will  not  help,  even 
 thefe  eyes  (hall  rot  away  in  their  eye-holes.  O  if  ye,  and  the  no- 
 bles of  this  land,  faw  the  beauty  of  that  world's  wonder,  Jefus 
 our  King,  and  the  glory  of  him,  who  is  angels'  wonder,  and  hea- 
 ven's wonder  for  excellency  !  Oh  what  would  men  count  of  clay- 
 eftates,  of  time-eaten  life,  of  worm-eaten  and  moth-eaten  world- 
 ly glory,  in  comparifon  of  that  faireft  of  Clod's  creation,  the  Son 
 of  the  Father's  delights.  I  have  but  fmall  experience  of  fufFering 
 for  him  ;  but  let  my  judge  and  witnefs  in  heaven  lay  my  foul  in 
 the  balance  of  juftice,  if  I  find  not  a  young  heaven,  and  a  little 
 paradife  of  glorious  comforts  and  foul-delighting  love-kiflTes  of 
 Chrift  here  beneath  the  moon,  in  fufFering  for  him  and  his  truth: 
 and  that  the  glory,  joy,  and  peace,  and  fire  of  love,  I  thought 
 had  been  kept  while  «upper-time,  when  we  fhall  get  Icifure  to 
 feaft  our  fill  upon  Chrift ;  I  have  felt  it  in  glorious  beginnings, 
 in  my  bonds  for  this  princely  Lord  Jefus.  Oh  !  it  is  my  forrow, 
 my  daily  pain,  thvit  men  will  not  come  and  fee:  1  would  not  be 
 afliamed  to  believe,  that  it  fhould  be  poftible  for  any  foul  to  think 
 that  he  could  be  a  lofer  for  Chrift,  fuppofe  he  fhould  lend  Chrift 
 the  Lordfliip  of  Lindfay,  or  fome  fuch  great  worldly  eftate. 
 Therefore,  my  worthy  and  dear  Lord,  fet  now  your  face  againft 
 the  oppofite  of  Jefus,  and  let  your  foul  take  couri^ge  to  come  un- 
 der his  banner,  to  appear  as  his  foldier  for  him  ;  and  the  ble flings 
 of  a  falling  kirk,  the  prayers,  of  the  prifoners  of  hope  who  wait 
 for  Zion's  joy,  and  the  good  will  of  him  who  dwelt  in  the  bufti, 
 iand  it  burned  not,  fliall  be  with  you.  To  his  faving  grace  I  re- 
 commend your  Lordfnip,  and  your  houfe,  and  ftill  am  Chrift's 
 prifoner,  and 
 
 yiberdeen,  Sept.  7,  Tour  Lordftjip's  obliged fcrvant 
 
 1637.  in  his  fiueet  Lord  Jefus i     S.   R. 
 
 39.    ro  my  Lord  BOYD. 
 
 ?\Iy  very  Honourable  and  good  Lord, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you,  I  am  glad  to  hear  that 
 you,  in  the  morning  of  your  fhort  day,  mind  Chrift;  and 
 that  you  love  the  honour  of  his  crown  and  kingdom.  I  befeech 
 your  Lordfhip,  begin  nov/  to  frame  vour  love,  and  to  caft  it  in 
 no  mould  but  one,  that  it  may  be  for  Chrift  only  ;  for  when  your 
 love  is  now  in  the  framing  and  making,  it  will  take  bcift  vvith 
 
Epift.  39.]  LETTERS.  75 
 
 Chrift;  if  any  other  than  Jefus  get  a  grip  of  it,  when  it  is  green 
 and  young,  Chrift  will  be  an  uncouth  and  (Irange  world  to  you. 
 Promife  the  lodging  of  your  foul  firft  away  to  Chrift,  and  ftand 
 by  your  firft  covenant,  and  keep  to  Jefus,  that  he  may  find  you 
 boneft.  It  is  eafy  to  mailer  an  arrow,  and  to  fet  it  right,  ere  the 
 ftring  be  drawn  ;  but  when  once  it  is  fl^*ot  and  in  the  air,  and  the 
 fiight  begun,  then  ye  have  no  power  at  all  to  command  it :  it  were 
 a  blefled  thmg,  if  your  love  could  now  level  only  at  Chrift,  that 
 bis  fair  face  were  the  black  of  the  mark  ye  fliot  at:  for  when  your 
 love  is  ioofed,  and  our  of  your  grips,  and  in  its  motion  to  fetch 
 home  an  idol,  and  hath  taken  a  whorilli  gadding  journey,  to  feek 
 an  unknown  and  ftrange  lover,  ye  fliall  not  then  have  power  to 
 call  home  the  arrow,  or  to  be  m^fter  ot  your  iove;  and  ye  ihall 
 hardly  give  Chrift  what  ye  fcarcely  have  yourfelf.  I  fpeak  not  this, 
 as  if  youth  itfelf  could  fetch  heaven  and  Chrift :  believe  it,  my 
 Lcrd,  it  is  hardly  credible  what  a  neft  of  dangerous  temptations 
 youth  is  i  how  inconfiderate,  foolifti,  proud,  vain,  heady,  raili, 
 profane,  and  carelefs  of  God,  this  piece  of  your  life  is ;  fo  that 
 the  devil  findeth  in  that  age  a  garni Ihed  and  fvvcpt  houfe  for  him- 
 felf,  and  fevea  devils  worfe  than  him  felt,  for  then  afrc£lions  are 
 on  horfeback,  lofty  and  ftirring;  then  the  old  man  hath  blood, 
 luft,  much  will,  and  little  wit,  and  hands,  feet,  wanton  eyes, 
 profane  ears,  as  his  fervants,  and  as  king'^  oiTicers  at  command, 
 to  come  and  go  at  his  will ;  then  a  green  confcience  is  as  fcr.ple 
 as  the  twig  of  a  young  tree  ;  it  is  for  every  way,  every  religion, 
 every  lewd  courfe  prevaikth  with  it :  and  therefore,  O  what  a 
 fweet  couple,  what  a  glorious  yoke  are  youth  and  grace,  Chrift 
 and  a  young  man  !  This  is  a  meeting  not  to  be  found  in  every 
 town.  None  who  have  been  at  Chrift  cm  bring  back  to, your  Lord- 
 fliip  a  report  anfwerable  to  his  worth  ;  for  Chrift  cannot  be  fpo^ 
 ken  of,  or  commended  according  to  his  worth  :  come  and  fee  is 
 the  moft  faithful  mellenger  to  fpeak  of  him;  little  perflation 
 would  prevail  where  this  were.  It  is  impoflible  in  the  fetting  out 
 ot  Chrift's  loye,  to  lie  and  pafs  over  truth's  line  :  the  difcoarfes  cf 
 angels,  or  love-books  written  by  the  congregation  of  feraphims 
 (all  their  wits  being  conjoined  and  melted  in  one)  would  for  ever 
 be  in  the  nether  fide  of  truth,  and  plentifully  declaring  the  thing 
 as  it  is.  The  iufinitenefs,  the  boundleiTnefs  of  that  incomparable 
 excellency  that  is  in  Jefus,  is  a  great  word.  God  fend  me,  if  it 
 were  but  the  relicks  and  leavings,  or  an  ounce  weight  or  two,  of 
 his  matchlcfs  love;  and  fuppofe  I  never  got  another  heaven  (pro- 
 viding this  bleiTed  fire  was  evermore  burning)  1  could  not  but  be 
 happ\  for  ever.  Come  hither  then,  and  give  out  your  money  wife- 
 ly tor  bread  ;  come  here,  and  bellow  your  love.  .  I  have  caufe  to 
 fpeak  this,  becaufc  except  ye  enjoy  and  poflefs  Chrift,  ye  will  be 
 a  cold  triend  to  his  fpoufe;  for  it  is  love  10  the  hufband  that  cauf- 
 
 K  2 
 
^S  Ur  RUTH^RFOORD's  Epift.  39.] 
 
 cth  kindnefs  to  the  wife.  I  dare  fwear  it  were  a  blefling  to  your 
 houfe,  the  honour  of  your  honour,  the  flower  of  your  crcjdit, 
 now  in  your  place,  and  as  far  as  ye  are  able,  to  lend  your  hand 
 to  your  weeping  mother,  even  your  opprcfled  and  fpoiled  mother- 
 kirk.  If  ye  love  her,  and  beftir  yourlclf  for  her,  and  hazard  the 
 Lordfhip  of  Boyd  for  the  recovery  of  lier  vail  (which  the  fmiting 
 %vatchmen  have  taken  from  her)  then  furelyher  hufband  vviilicorn 
 to  fletp  in  your  common  or  reverence.  Bits  of  Lordibips  are  little 
 to  him,  who  hath  many  crowns  on  his  head,  and  the  kin^-^doms 
 of  the  world  in  the  hollow  of  his  hand.  Court,  honour,  ^ioiy, 
 riches,  ftabiiity  of  houfcs,  favour  of  princes  are  all  on  his  fing.'rr- 
 cnds.  O  what  glory  were  it  to  lend  your  honour  to  ChiiiV,  and 
 to  his  Jerufalcjm.  Ye  are  one  of  Zlon's  borirfons ;  your  honour- 
 able and  Chriftian  parents  would  venture  )ou  upon  Chrilf's  er-« 
 rands:  therefore  I  b-ifeech  you,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  by  the 
 death  and  wounds  of  Jefus,  by  the  hope  of  your  o;lonous  inheri- 
 tance, and  by  the  comfort  and  hope  of  the  joyiu!  preience  ye 
 ■would  have  at  the  water  fide,  when  ye  are  putting  your  fo.:t  in 
 the  dark  grave,  take  courage  for  Chrift's  truth,  and  the  honour 
 of  his  free  kingdom;  for,  howbeit  ye  be  a  young  flower,  and 
 green  before  the  fun,  ye  know  not  how  fjon  death  will  caufe 
 you  caO:  your  bloom,  and  wither  root  and  branch  and  leaves  ;  and 
 therefore  write  up  wh^.t  ye  have  to  do  for  Chriil,  and  make  a  trta- 
 fure  of  good  works,  and  begin  in  time.  By  appearance  ye  have  the 
 advantage  of  the  brae  ;  fee  what  ye  can  do  for  Chrifl,  agarnl^  thcfe 
 x7ho  are  wairing  while  Chriil's  tabernacle  fall,  that  they  may  run 
 away  with  the  boards  thereof,  and  build  their  nefts  on  Zion's  ru- 
 ins. They  are  blind  who  fee  not  lov/ns  now  palling  up  the  flakes, 
 and  breaking  the  cords,  and  rending  the  curtains  of  Chrift's  (fome- 
 times)  beautiful  tent  in  this  land  :  Antichrift  is  lifting  that  tent 
 up  upon  his  fhoulders,  and  going  away  with  it ;  and  when  Chrift 
 and  the  gofpel  are  out  of  Scotland,  dream  not  thirt  your  houfes 
 fnall  thrive,  and  that  it  fliall  go  well  with  the  nobles  of  the  land. 
 *  As  the  Lord  liveth,  the  ft  reams  of  your  waters  fhall  become 
 pitch,  and  the  diift  of  your  land' brimftone,  and  your  land  fliall 
 become  burning  pitch,  and  the  owl  and  the  raven  fhall  dwell  in 
 your  houfes  ;  and  where  your  tabic  ftood,  there  (hall  grow  briars 
 and  nettles,'  Ifa.  xxxiv.  9,  1 1.  The  Lord  gave  Chrift  and  his  gof- 
 pel aa  a  pawn  to  Scotland  ;  the  watchmen  have  fallen  foul,  and  lofl 
 their  part  of  the  pav/n  ;  and  who  feeth  not,  that  God  hath  dried 
 up  their  right  eye,  and  their  right  arm,  and  hath  broken  the  fhep- 
 berds'  ftaves,  and  men  are  treading  in  their  hearts  upon  fuch  un- 
 iuvoury  fait,  thnt  is  good  for  nothing  elfe :  If  ye  the  nobles  put 
 away  the  pawn  alfo,  and  refufe  to  plead  the  controverfy  of  Zion 
 with  the  profeiTcd  enemies  of  Jefus,  ye  have  done  with  it.-  Oh  ! 
 where  is  the  cour.^ge  and  zed  now  of  the  ancient  nobles  of  this 
 
Epift.  40.]  LETTERS.  77 
 
 land,  who  with  their  fworcis,  and  hazard  of  life,  honour  and  hou- 
 fes,  brought  Chrift  to  our  hands  ?  and  now  the  nobles  cannot  be 
 but  guilty  of  fhouldering  out  Chrift,  and  murdering  of  the  fouls 
 of  their  pofferity,  if  they  (hall  hide  thennfelves,  and  lurk  in  the 
 lee-fidc  of  the  hili,  till  the  wind  blow  down  the  temple  of  God.  It 
 goeth  now  under  the  name  of  wifdom,  for  men  to  caft  their  cloke 
 over  Chrilt  and  their  profeffion,  as  if  Chriil  were  ftolen  goods  and 
 durft  not  be  avouched:  though  this  be  reputed  a  piece  of  policy, 
 yet  God  efteemeth  fuch  men  to  be  but  ftate  fools  and  court  gouks, 
 whatever  they,  or  other  heads  of  wit  like  to  them,  think  of  them- 
 feives,  fince  their  damnable  (ilence  is  the  ruin  ofChrifl's  kingdom. 
 O  but  it  be  true  honour  and  jjlory  to  be  the  faft  friends  oi  the  Bride- 
 groom, and  to  own  Chrifi's  bleeding  head,  and  his  f^faken  caufe, 
 and  to  contend  legally,  and  in  the  wifdom  of  God,  for  our  fweet 
 Lord  Jefus,  and  his  kingly  crown.  But  I  will  believe  your  Lord- 
 fhip  will  take  Chrift's  honour  to  heart,  and  be  a  man  in  the  ftreets 
 (as  the  prophet  fpeaketh)  for  the  Lord  and  his  truth.  To  his  rich 
 grace  and  fweet  prefence,  and  the  everlafting  confolaticn  of  the 
 promifed  comforter,  I  lecommend  your  Lordfhip,  and  am 
 Aberdeen,  Sept,  7,  Ycur  LordJhip*s  in  his  fweet 
 
 1637.  Lord  Jefus ^  S.  R. 
 
 40.    To  my  Lady  BOYD. 
 
 My  very  Honourable  and  Chrijiian  Lady, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter, 
 and  am  well  pleafed  that  your  thoughts  of  Chrilt  ftay  with 
 you,  and  that  your  purpofe  (till  is,  by  all  means,  to  take  the  king- 
 dom of  heaven  by  violence,  which  is  no  fmall  conqueft ;  and  it  i$ 
 a  degree  of  watchfulnefs  and  thankfulnefs  alfo,  to  obfcrve  fleepi- 
 nefs  and  unthankfulnefs.  We  have  all  good  caufe  to  complain 
 of  falfc  light,  that  playeth  the  thief,  and  (lealeth  away  the  lant- 
 horn  ;  when  it  cometh  to  the  pradtice  of  conftant  walking  with 
 God,  our  journey  is  ten  times  a  day  broken  in  ten  pieces  ;  Chrift 
 gctteth  but  only  broken,  and  half-fed,  and  tired  work  of  us,  and 
 alas^  too  often  againft  the  hair.  I  have  been  fcmewhat  nearer  the 
 Bridegroom  ;  but  when  I  draw  nigh,  and  fee  my  vilenefs,  for 
 fliame  I  would  be  out  of  his  prefence  again  j  but  yet  defire  of  his 
 foul-refrefliing  love  putteth  bluftiing-me  under  an  arreft.  O  what 
 am  I,  fo  lothlome  a  burden  of  fin,  to  ftand  befide  fuch  a  beauti- 
 ful and  holy  Lord,  fuch  an  high  and  lofty  one,  who  inhabiteth 
 eternity!  But,  fince  it  pieafeth  Chrift  to  condefcend  to  fuch  an 
 one  as  me,  let  fliamefaceunefs  be  laid  afide,  and  lofe  itfelf  in  his 
 condcfcending  love.  I  would  heartily  be  content  to  keep  a  corner 
 of  the  King's  hall :  Oh  if  I  were  at  the  yonder  end  of  my  weak 
 dedics  !  then  ihould  I  be  where  Chrift  my  Lord  and  Lover  livca 
 
7S  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  40.] 
 
 and  reigns;  there  I  (hould  be  everlaftingly  folaced  with  the  fight  of 
 his  face,  and  iatisfied  with  the  furpaffing  fweetnefs  of  his  match- 
 lefs  love:  but  truly  now  I  {land  in  the  nether  fide  of  my  defires, 
 and  with  a  drooping  head,  and  panting  heart,  I  look  up  to  fair 
 Jefus  (landing  afar  off  from  us,  while  corruption  and  death  lliall 
 fcour  and  rehne  the  body  of  clay,  and  rot  out  the  bones  of  the 
 old  man  of  fin.  In  the  mean  time  we  are  biefTed  in  fending  word 
 to  the  beloved,  that  wc  love  to  love  him ;  and  till  then  there  is 
 joy  in  wooing,  fuiting,  lying  about  his  houfe,  looking  in  at  the 
 windows,  and  fending  a  poor  fouFs  groans  and  withes  through  a 
 hole  of  the  door  to  Jefus,  till  God  fend  a  glad  meeting  :  and  biefT- 
 ed be  Ood,  that  after  a  low  ebb,  and  fo  fad  a  word.  Lord  Jefus  it 
 is  long  fince  1  faw  thee  j  that  even  then,  our  wings  are  growing, 
 and  the  abfence  of  fv/cet  Jefus  breedeth  a  new  fleece  of  defires  and 
 longings  for  him.  I  know  no  man  hath  a  velvet  crofs,  but  the 
 crofs  is  made  of  that  which  God  will  have  it.  But  verily,  howbeit 
 it  be  no  warrantable  maiket  to  buy  a  crofs,  yet  1  dare  not  fay, 
 
 0  that  I  had  liberty  to  fell  Chriit's  crofs,  left  therewith  alfo  I 
 fliould  fell  joy.  comfort,  feafe  of  love,  patience,  and  the  kind  vi- 
 fits  of  a  Brititrgroom  ;  and  therefore,  blefled  be  God,  we  get  crof- 
 fes,  unbought  and  good  cheap.  Sure  I  am,  it  were  better  to  buy 
 croiTes  for  Chrift  than  to  fell  them  ;  howbeit  neither  be  allowed 
 to  us.  And  for  Chrift's  joyful  coming  and  going,  which  your  La- 
 dydiip  fpeaketh  of,  I  bear  with  it,  as  love  can  permit .  it  fiiould 
 be  enough  to  me,  if  I  were  wife,  that  Chrift  will  have  joy  and  for- 
 row  halvers  of  the  life  ot  the  faints,  and  that  each  of  them  fhould 
 have  a  fjjare  of  our  days :  as  the  night  and  the  day  are  kindly 
 partners  and  halvers  of  time,  and  take  it  up  betvyixt  them  :  but  if 
 forrow  be  the  greedieft  halver  of  our  days  here,  I  know  joy's  day 
 ihall  dawn,  and  do  more  than  recompencc  all  our  fad  hours.  Let 
 my  Lord  Jelus  (fince  he  will  do  fo)  weave  my  bit  and  fpan-length 
 of  time  with  white  and  black,  well  and  wo,  with  the  bridegroom's 
 coming  and  his  fad  departure,  as  warp  and  woof  in  one  web;  and 
 kt  the  rofe  be  neighboured  with  the  thorn;  yet  hope,  that  mak- 
 eth  not  afliamed,  hath  written  a  letter  and  lines  of  hope  to  the 
 mourners  in  Zion,  that  it  Ciall  not  be  long  fo :  when  we  are  over 
 the  water,  Chrift  fhall  cry  down  crolTes,  arid  up  heaven  for  ever- 
 more ;  and  down  hell,  and  down  death,  and  down  fin,  and  down 
 forrow  ;  and  up  glory,  up  liJe,  up  joy  for  evermore.    In  this  hope 
 
 1  fleep  quietly  in  Chrili's  bofom  till  he  come,  who  is  not  flack ; 
 and  would  lleep  fo,  were  it  not  that  the  noife  of  the  devil,  and 
 fin's  feet,  and  the  cries  of  an  unbelieving  heart  awaken  me  ;  but, 
 for  the  prefent,  I  have  nothing  whereof  1  can  accufe  Chrift's  crofs. 
 Oh  if  I  could  pleafe  myfelf  in  Chrift  only  !  I  hope,  Madam,  your 
 fons  will  improve  their  power  for  Jefus ;  for  there  is  no  danger, 
 neither  is  there  any  queftion  or  juftiing  benvixt  Chrift  and  au- 
 
Epift.  4I-]  LETTERS.  79 
 
 thority,  though  our  enemies  falfely  ftate  the  queflion,  as  if  Chrift 
 and  authority  could  not  abide  under  one  roof;  the  queflion  only 
 is  betwixt  Chrift  and  men  in  authority.  Authority  is  for  and 
 from  Chrift,  and  fib  to  him;  how  then  can  he  make  a  plea  with 
 it  ?  Nay,  the  truth  is,  worms  and  gods  of  clay  are  rilen  up  a- 
 gainft  Chrift.  If  the  fruit  of  your  Ladylhip's  womb  be  helpers  of 
 Chrift,  ye  have  good  ground  to  rejoice  in  God.  All  your  Lady- 
 fhip  can  expeft  for  your  good  will  to  me  and  my  brother  (a  wrong- 
 ed ftranger  for  Chrift)  is  the  prayers  of  a  prifoner  of  Jefus,  to 
 whom  I  recommend  your  Ladyftiip,  and  houfe  and  children,  and 
 in  whom  I  am,     Madaniy 
 
 J  herd,  Sept.  8,  1637.  Tour  Ladyjhip^s  in  Chrijl,  S.  R. 
 
 41.     To  the  Lady  CULP.OSS. 
 Madam,  - 
 
 ("^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  dare  not  fay  I  won- 
 y  der  that  ye  have  never  written  to  me  in  m.y  bonds,  becaufe 
 I  am  not  ignorant  of  the  caufe  \  yet  I  could  not  but  write  ta  you. 
 I  know  not  whether  joy  or  heavinefs  in  my  foul  carrierh  it  away  : 
 forrow,  without  any  mixture  of  fweetnefs,  hath  not  often  love- 
 thoughts  of  Chrift;  but  I  fee  the  devil  can  infinuate  himfelf,  and 
 ride  tiis  errands  upon  the  thoughts  of  a  poor  diftrefled  prifoner. 
 I  am  wo  that  I  am  making  Chrift  my  unfriend,  by  feeking  pleas 
 againft  him,  becaufe  I  am  the  firft  in  the  kingdom  put  to  utter  fi- 
 lence,  and  becaufe  I  cannot  preach  my  Lord's  righteoufnefi  in  the 
 great  congregation.  I  am,  notwithftanding,  the  lefs  folicitous  how- 
 it  go,  if  there  be  not  wrath  in  my  cup.  But  I  know,  I  but  claw 
 my  wounds  when  my  Phyfician  hath  forbidden  me :  I  would  be- 
 lieve in  the  dark  upon  luck's  head,  and  take  my  hazard  of  Chrift's 
 good  will,  and  reft  on  this,  that  in  my  fever  my  Phyfician  is  at 
 my  bed-fide,  and  that  he  lympathifeth  with  me  when  I  figh.  My 
 borrowed  houfe,  and  another  man's  bed  and  fire-fide,  and  other 
 lofles,  have  no  room  in  my  forrow;  a  greater  heat  to  eat  out  a 
 lefs  fire,  is  a  good  remedy  for  fome  burning.  I  believe*  when 
 Chrift  draweth  blood,  he  hath  (kill  to  cut  the  right  vein;  and  that 
 he  hath  taken  the  whole  ordering  and  difpofing  of  my  fufferings. 
 Let  him  tutor  me,  and  tutor  my  crofles,  as  he  thinketh  good  : 
 there  is  no  danger  nor  hazard  in  following  fuch  a  guide,  howbeit 
 he  fhould  lead  me  through  hell,  if  I  could  put  faith  forcmoft,  and 
 fill  the  ficdd  with  a  quiet  on-waiflng,  and  believing  to  fee  the  fal- 
 vation  of  God.  I  know  Chrift  is  not  obliged  to  let  me  fee  both 
 the  fides  of  my  crofs,  and  turn  it  over  and  over  that  I  may  fee  all : 
 my  faith  is  richer  to  live  upon  credit,  and  Chrift's  borrowed  mo- 
 ney, than  to  have  much  on  my  hand.  Alas  !  I  hare  forgotten 
 thdt  faith  in  times  paft  hath  ftopped  a  leak  in  my  crazed  bark,  aii<l 
 
So  Mr  RUrHERFOORD\  Epift.  41.] 
 
 hath  filled  my  fails  with  a  fair  wind.  I  fee  it  a  work  of  God  that 
 experiences  are  all  loft,  when  fummons  of  improbation,  to  prove 
 our  charters  of  Chrift  to  be  counterfeit,  are  raifcd  againft  poor 
 fouls  in  their  heavy  trials ;  but  let  me  be  a  finner,  and  worfe  than 
 the  chief  of  finners,  yea,  a  guilty  devil,  I  am  fure  my  Well-be- 
 loved is  God  ;  and  when  I  fay  Chrifl:  is  God,  and  my  Chrift:  is 
 God,  I  have  faid  all  things ;  I  can  fay  no  more.  I  would  I  could 
 bpild  as  much  on  this,  my  Chrift  is  God,  as  it  would  bear;  I 
 might  lay  all  the  world  upon  it.  I  am  fure.  Chrift  untried,  and 
 un-taken  up  in  the  power  of  his  love,  kindnefs,  mercies,  good- 
 nefs,  wifdom,  long-fufrering  and  greatnefs,  is  the  rock  that  dim- 
 fighted  travellers  dafh  their  foot  againft,  and  fo  ftumble  fearfully. 
 But  my  wounds  are  foreft,  and  pain  me  moft,  when  I  fin  againft 
 his  love  and  mercy  :  and  if  he  would  fet  me  and  my  confcience  by 
 the  cars  together,  and  refolve  not  to  rid  the  plea,  but  let  us  deal 
 it  betwixt  us,  my  fpitting  upon  the  fair  face  of  Chrift's  love  and 
 mercies,  by  my  jealoufies,  unbelief  and  doubting,  would  be  e- 
 nough  to  fink  mc.  Oh,  1  am  convinced  ;  O  Lord,  I  ftand  dumb 
 before  thee  for  this  :  let  me  be  mine  own  judge  in  this,  and  I  take 
 a  dreadful  doom  upon  me. for  it;  for  I  ftill  mifbelieve,  though  I 
 have  feen  that  my  Lord  hath  made  my  crofs  as  if  it  were  all  chry- 
 ftal,  fo  as  I  can  fee  thorough  it  Ch rift's  fair  face  and  heaven,  and 
 that  God  hath  honoured  a  lump  of  finful  flefti  and  blood,  the  like 
 of  me,  to  be  Chrift's  honourable  Lord  prifoner.  I  ought  to  efteem 
 the  walls  of  the  Thieves-hole,  (if  I  were  fhut  up  in  it)  or  any 
 ftinking  dungeon,  all  hung  with  tapeftry,  and  moft  beautiful,  for 
 my  Lord  Jefus  :  and  yet  I  am  not  fo  ftiut  up  but  that  the  fun  (hin- 
 eth  upon  my  prifon,  and  the  fair  wide  heaven  is  the  covering  of 
 it.  But  my  Lord  in  his  fvveet  villts  hath  done  more  ;  for  he  makes 
 me  find  that  he  will  be  a  confined  prifoner  with  me  :  he  lieth 
 down  and  rifeth  up  with  me  :  when  I  ugh  he  figheth  :  when  I 
 weep  be  fnfTereth  with  me  ;  and  I  contefs  here  is  the  bleiTed  iflue 
 of  my  fufferings  already  begun,  that  my  heart  is  filled  with  hunger 
 and  defire  to  hare  him  glorified  in  my  fufierings.  Blcffed  ye  of 
 the  Lord,  Madam,  if  ye  would  help  a  poor  dyvour,  and  caufe  o- 
 thers  of  your  acquaintance  in  Chrift  help  me  to  pay  my  debt  of 
 love,  even  real  praifes  to  Chrift  my  Lord.  Madam,  let  me  charge 
 you  in  the  Lord,  as  ye  will  anfwer  to  him,  help  me  in  this  duty 
 (which  he  hath  tied  about  my  neck  with  a  chain  of  fuch  fingular 
 exprefiions  of  his  loving-kindnefs)  to  fet  on  high  Chrift,  to  hold 
 in  my  hont^yat  his  hands;  for  I  have  nothing  to  give  him.  O- 
 that  he  would  arreft  and  comprife  my  love  and  my  heart  for  all ! 
 I  am  a  dyvour,  who  have  no  more  free  goods  in  the  world  for 
 Chrift,  fave  that :  it  is  both  the  whole  heritage  I  have,  and  all 
 my  moveables  befides.  Lord,  give  the  thirfty  man  a  drink.  Oh 
 IP  be  over  the  ears  in  the  well !  Oh  to  be  fwattering,  and  fwim- 
 
Eplft.  4^.]  LETTERS.  5i 
 
 ming  over  head  and  ears  in  Chrlft's  love  !  I  would  not  have 
 Chrilfs  love  entering  in  me,  but  I  would  enter  into  it,  and  be 
 fv^'allowed  up  of  that  love.  But  I  fee  not  myfeU'  here;  for  I  fear 
 I  make  more  of  his  love  than  of  himfelf ;  whereas  himfeif  is  far 
 beyond  and  much  better  than  his  love.  Oh  if  1  had  my  finful 
 arms  fdlcd  with  that  lovely  One,  Chrift !  BiclTeJ  be  my  rich 
 Lord  Jefus,  who  fcndeth  not  awny  beggars  from  his  houre  v  itii 
 a  toom  difh  ;  he  filleth  the  veiTels  of  fuch  as  will  come  and  feek  : 
 we  might  beg  ourfelves  rich,  (if  we  were  wife}  if  we  could  but 
 hold  out  our  withered  hands  to  Chrift,  and  learn  to  fuit  and  feek, 
 alk  and  knock.  I  owe  my  falvation  for  Chrift's  glory,  I  owe  it  t» 
 Chrift;  and  defuc  that  my  hell,  yea,  a  new  hell,  fcYcn  times 
 hotter  by  far  than  tlic  old  hell,  might  buy  praifes  before  men  and 
 iingel.s  to  my  Lord  Jefus  ;  providing  always  I  were  free  of  Chrift's 
 hatred  and  difpleafure.  What  am  I,  to  be  forfeited  and  fold  in 
 foul  and  body,  to  have  my  great  and  royal  King  fet  on  high  and 
 extolled  above  all  ?  O  if  I  knew  how  high  to  have  him  fet,  and 
 all  the  world  far,  far  beneath  the  foles  of  his  feet !  Nay,  I  deferve 
 not  to  be  the  matter  of  his  praifes,  far  iefs  to  be  an  agent  ia 
 praifing  of  him  :  but  he  can  win  his  own  glory  out  of  me,  and 
 out  of  worfe  than  I,  (if  any  fuch  be)  if  it  pleafe  his  holy  majefty 
 fo  to  do  :  he  knoweth  that  1  am  not  now  flattering  him.  ivladam, 
 let  me  have  your  prayers,  as  ye  have  the  prayers  and  blelling  of 
 him  that  is  feparated  from  his  brethren.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 ylherdeen^  Jum  15,  Tour  own  in  his  fiveet  Lord 
 
 1637.  J^fiiU  i>-   R» 
 
 42.    To  the  Earl  Gf  CASSILS. 
 My  very  noble  and  honourable  Lordy 
 
 I  Make  bold  (out  of  the  honourable  and  Chriftian  report  I  hear 
 of  your  Lordlhip,  having  no  other  thing  to  fay,  but  \.h?x 
 which  concerncth  the  honourable  caufe  which  the  Lord  hath  en- 
 abled your  Lordfhip  to  profefs)  to  write  this,  that,  it  is  your 
 Lordfliip's  crown,  your  glory,  and  your  honour,  to  fet  your 
 fliouldcr  under  the  Lord's  glory,  now  falling  to  the  ground,  and 
 to  back  Chrift  now,  when  {o  many  tnink.it  wifdom  to  let  him. 
 fend  for  himfclf.  The  Ihields  of  the  earth  ever  did,  and  do  iiill 
 believe  that  Chrift  is  a  cumberfome  neighbour,  and  that  it  is  a 
 pain  to  hold  up  his  yeas  and  nays  :  they  fear  he  take  their  cha- 
 riots, and  their  crowns,  and  their  honour  from  them  ;  but  my 
 Lord  ftandeth  in  neeil  of  none  of  them  all :  but  it  is  your  glory- 
 to  own  Chrift  and  his  buried  truth  ;  for  let  men  fay  what  they 
 pleafe,  the  plea  with  Zion's  enemies,  in  this  day  of  Jacob's  trou- 
 ble, is,  If  Chrift  ftiould  be  King,  and  no  mouth  fpeak  laws  hue 
 his  .**  It  concerncth  th;;  apple  of  Chrdl's  eye;  and  his  royal  pnvi- 
 
82  Ur  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplfl.  43 J 
 
 legcsj  what  is  now  debated  ;  and  Chrifi's  kingly  honour  is  come 
 to  yea  and  nay.  But  let  me  be  pardoned;  my  dear  and  noble 
 Lord,  to  befecch  you  by  the  mercies  of  God,  by  the  comfort  of 
 the  Spirit,  by  the  wounds  of  your  dear  Saviour,  by  your  compear- 
 ^r.cc  before  the  Judge  of  quick  and  dead,  to  ftancl  for  Chriil,  and 
 to  back  him.  Oh,  if  the  nobles  had  done  their  part,  and  been  zeal- 
 ous for  ^e  Lord  !  ifbad  not  been  as  it  is  now ;  but  men  think  it 
 wifdom  to  Hand  befide  Chrifl:  till  his  head  be  broken,  and  fing 
 dumb.  There  is  a  time  coming  when  Chrift  will  have  a  thick 
 court,  and  he  will  be  the  glory  of  Scotland;  and  lie  fhall  make 
 z  diadem,  a  garland,  a  feal  upon  his  heart,  and  a  ring  upon  his 
 finger,  of  thcfe  who  have  avouched  him  before  this  faithltfs  ge- 
 nrration ;  howbcit,  ere  that  com.e,  wrath  is  ordained  for  this 
 landt  My  Lord,  I  have  caufe  to  write  this  to  your  Lordfliip,  for 
 I  dare  not  conceal  his  kindnefs  to  the  foul  of  an  sfHicled,  exiled 
 priioner:  who  hath  more  Caufe  to  boaft  in  the  Lord,  than  fuch  a 
 finner  as  I,  who  am  feafled  with  the  confolations  of  Chrift,  and 
 have  no  pain  in  my  fufferings,  but  the  pain  of  Ibul-ficknefs  of 
 love  for  Chrift,  and  forrow  that  I  cannot  help  to  found  aloud  the 
 prailis  of  him  who  hath  heard  the  fighing  of  the  prifoner,  and  is 
 content  to  lay  the  head  of  his  opprelTed  fervant  in  his  bofom, 
 under  his  chin,  and  let  him  feel  the  fmell  of  his  garments?  This 
 I  behoved  to  write,  that  your  Lordlliip  might  know  Chrift  is  ^s 
 good  as  he  is  called;  and  to  teftify  to  vour  Lordihip  the  caufe, 
 your  Lordfhip  now  profelTeth  before  this  faithlefs  world,  is 
 Chrift's,  and  your  Lordfhip  iliall  have  no  ftiamc  of  it.  Grace  be 
 with  you. 
 
 Jberdceny  T\  ^arcb  1  3,  Ycur  LordJJnp's  obliged fervajit^ 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 ^-3.  To  the  much  honoured  JOHN  OSBURN,  Provojl  of  Air, 
 
 Much  h^jivAired  Sir, 
 ^r^-  Pi  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  L'^ponour  fmall  acquaint- 
 '^J^  ance,  and  the  good  report  I  hear  of  you,  I  could  not  but 
 write  to  you  :  I  have  nothing. to  fay,  but  Chrift,  in  that  honour- 
 able place  he  hath  put  you  in,  hath  intrufted  you  with  a  dear 
 pledge,  which -is  his  own  glory;  and  hath  armed  you  with  his 
 jword,  to  keep  the  pledge,  and  make  a  good  account  of  ic  to  God. 
 Be  not  afraid  of  men  :  your  Mafter  can  mew  down  his  enemies, 
 and  make  withered  hay  of  fair  flowers  :  your  time  will  not  be 
 long;  after  your  afternoon  will  come  your  evening,  and  after 
 evening,  night.  Serve  Chrift,  back  him,  let  his  caufe  be  your 
 caufe;  give  not  an  hair-breadth  of  truth  away  ;  for  it  is  not  yours, 
 but  God's.  Then,  fince  ye  are  going,  take  Chrift's  teftiticate  with 
 you  out  of  this  life,  V/ell  done,  good  and  faithful  Icrvant.    Hi* 
 
Epift.  44.]  LETTERS.  S^, 
 
 well-done  is  worth  a  fliipful  of  good  days  and  earthly  honours.  I 
 have  caufe  to  fay  this,  becaufe  I  find  him  Truth  itfelf.  In  my 
 fad  days  Chrift  laugheth  cheerfully,  and  faith,  All  will  be  well. 
 Would  to  God,  all  this  kingdom,  and  all  that  know  God,  knew 
 what  is  betwixt  me  and  Chrift  in  tljis  prifon ;  what  kiiles,  em- 
 bracements,  and  love  communions :  I  tnke  his  crofs  in  my  arms 
 wnth  joy,  I  blefs  it,  I  rejoice  in  it  :  fufFering  for  Chrift  is  my  gar- 
 land ;  1  would  not  exchange  Chrift  for  ten  thoufand  worlds  !  nay 
 (if  the  compjrifon  could  ftandj  I  would  not  exchange  Chrift  v/ifn 
 heaven.  Sir,  pray  for  me,  and  the  prayers  and  blelTing  of  a  pri- 
 foner  of  Chrift  meet  you  in  all  your  Itraits.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 Jberdeen,   March  14,  Tours  in  Chr'iji  J^fiis  bis  Lord, 
 
 1037.  lb.  R. 
 
 44.    To  ROBliRT  GORDON,  DuiUie  of  Air. 
 
 Worthy  Sir, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  long  to  hear  from  you 
 in  paper.  Remember  your  Chief*  fpecches  on  his  death- 
 bed :  I  pray  you,  Sir,  fell  all,  and  buy  the  pearl :  time  will  cut  you 
 from  this  world's  glory ;  look  what  will  do  you  good,  when  your 
 glafs  (lull  be  run  out;  and  let  Chrift's  love  besr  moft  court  in 
 your  foul,  snd  that  court  will  bear  down  the  love  of  other  things; 
 Chrift  feeketh  your  help  in  your  place,  give  him  your  hand. 
 "Who  hath  more  caufe  to  encourage  others  to  own  Chrift  than  I 
 have  ?  for  he  hath  mads  me  fick  of  love,  and  left  me  in  pain  to 
 v/reftic  with  his  love,  and  love  is  like  to  fall  a  fwoon  through  his 
 abfence  :  I  mean  not  that  he  deferreth  me,  or  that  I  am  cob  '^f 
 comforts;  but  this  is  an  uncouth  pain.  Oh  that  I  had  an  heart 
 and  a  love  to  render  to  him  back  again  !  O  if  principalities  and 
 powers,  thrones  and  dominions,  and  all  the  world,  would  help 
 nie  to  praife.  Praife  him  in  my- behalf.  Remember  my  love  to 
 your  wife.  I  thank  you  moil  kindly  for  your  love  to  my  brother. 
 Grace  be  with  you 
 
 Jberdeen^  March  13,  Tours  in  kit  fwe^t  Lord  J tf us, 
 
 1637.  S    R. 
 
 AS'    To  JOHN  KENNEDY,  Baillie  of  Air. 
 
 Worthy  Sir, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Your  not  writing 
 to  nie  cannot  bind  me  up  from  remembering  you  now  and 
 then,  that  at  leaft  ye  may  be  a  witnefs  and  a  third  man  to  behold 
 in  paper  what  is  betwixt  Chrift  and  me.  I  v/as  in  his  eyes  like  a 
 young  orphan,  wanting  known  parents,  caftcn  out  in  the  open 
 
 L  2 
 
84  lilr  RUTHERFOORD't  Eplft.  45.! 
 
 fields;  cither  Cbrlft  behoved  to  take  me  up,  ahd  to  bring  mc 
 home  to  his  hcufe  and  fire-fide,  clfe  I  had  died  in  the  fields;  and 
 now  I  am  homely  with  Chrift's  love,  fo  that  I  think  the  houfc 
 mine  own,  and  the  mafter  of  the  houfe  mine  alfo.  Chrift  en- 
 quired not,  when  he  began  to  love  me,  whether  I  was  fair,  or 
 black,  or  fun  burnt !  love  taketh  what  it  may  have.  He  loved  me 
 before  this  time,  I  know ;  but  now  1  have  the  flower  of  his  love  : 
 his  love  is  come  to  a  lair  bloom,  like  a  young  rofe  opened  up  out 
 of  the  green  leaves,  and  it  cafteth  a  Ibong  and  fragrant  imell.  I 
 want  nothing  but  ways  of  expreiling  ChrilPs  love  :  a  full  veflcl 
 would  have  a  vent.  C3  if  I  could  Imoke  out  and  cafl  out  coals, 
 to  make  a  fire  in  many  breads  of  this  land  !  O!  it  is  a  pity  that 
 there  were  not  many  imprifoned  for  Chrift,  for  no  other  pur- 
 pofe,  but  to  write  books  and  love-fongs  of  the  love  of  Chrift. 
 This  love  would  keep  all  created  tongues  of  men  and  angels  in 
 excrcife,  and  bufy  night  and  day,  to  fpeak  of  it.  Alas!  lean 
 fpeak  nothing  of  it,  but  wonder  at  three  things  in  his  love;  Firft, 
 freedom,  O  that  lumps  of  fin  fhould  get  fuch  love  for  nothing! 
 Secondly,  The  fwectnefs  of  his  love.  1  give  over  cither  to  fpeak 
 or  write  of  it ;  but  thefc  that  feel  it,  may  better  bear  witnefs 
 what  it  is :  but  it  is  fo  fweet,  that,  next  to  Chrift  himfelf,  no- 
 thing can  match  it.  Nay,  I  think  a  foul  could  live  eternally  blef- 
 fc-d  only  on  Chrlft's  love^  and  ittA  upon  no  other  thing;  yea, 
 when  Chrift  in  love  giveth  a  blow,  it  doth  a  foul  good;  and  it 
 is  a  kind  of  comfort  and  joy  to  it,  to  get  a  cuff  with  the  lovely, 
 fwect,  and  foft  hand  of  Jefus.  And,  thirdly,  A\'hat  power  and 
 jlrength  is  in  his  love  !  1  am  perfiiadcd  it  can  climb  a  fteep  hill, 
 ?.nd  hell  upon  its  back;  and  fwim  through  water,  and  not  drown; 
 r^nd  fing  in  the  fire,  and  find  no  pain ;  and  triumph  in  lofles,  pri- 
 ions,  forrows,  ex*ie,  difgrace,  and  laugh  and  rejoice  in  death.  O  for 
 a  year's  leafc  of  the  fenfe  of  his  love  without  a  cloud,  to  try  what 
 Chrift  is !  Oh  for  the  coming  of  the  Bridegroom  !  Oh  when  will 
 1  fee  the  Bridegroom  and  the  Bride  meet  in  the  clouds,  and  kifs 
 each  other!  Oh  when  will  v/e  get  our  day  and  our  hearts-fill  of 
 that  love1  Oh  if  it  v/ere  lawful  to  complain  of  the  famine  and 
 want  of  the  immediate  vifion  of  God  I  O  time,  time,  how  doft 
 tliou  torment  the  fouls  of  thofc  that  would  be  fwallowed  up  of 
 Chrlft's  love,  bcc=iule  thou  movcft  fo  llowly  !  Oh  if  he  would  pity 
 n  poor  prifoner,  and  blow  love  upon  me,  and  give  a  prifoner  a 
 tafte  or  draught  of  tli:-it  fweetnefs,  (,vvhich  is  glory  as  it  were  be- 
 gun) to  be  a  confirmation,  that  Chrift  and  I  flinll  have  our  fill  of 
 other  for  ever:  come  hither,  O  ]ovc  of  Chrift,  that  I  may  once 
 kifs  thee  before  I  die:  what  would  I  not  give  to  have  time,  that 
 Jieth  betwixt  Chrift  and  me,  taken  out  of  the  way,  that  we  miight 
 onro  meet  ?  I  cannot  think  but  st  the  fiift  fght  1  fhall  fee  of  that 
 liioft  lovely  and  faireft:  face,  love  iLall  come  out  of  his  two  eyes, 
 
Epift.  45-1  LETTERS.  «5 
 
 and  fill  me  with  afconifhmcnt :  I  would  but  dcfirc  to  fland  at  the 
 outer  fide  of  the  gates  of  the  New  Jerufalem,  and  look  through  a 
 hole  of  the  door,  and  fee  Chrift's  face :  a  borrowed  vifion  in  this 
 life  would  be  my  borrowed  and  begun  heaven,  while  the  long, 
 long  looked  for  day  dawn.  It  is  not  for  nothing  that  it  is  faid. 
 Col.  i.  27.  Chrifl  in  you  the  hope  of  glory.  I  will  be  content  of 
 no  pawn  of  heaven,  but  Chrift  himfelf,  for  Chrift,  pofTefied  by 
 faith  here,  is  young  heaven  and  glory  in  the  bud :  if  I  had  that 
 pawn,  I  would  bide  horning  and  hell  both,  ere  I  gave  it  again. 
 All  we  have  here,  is  fcarce  the  picture  of  glory :  ihould  not  wc 
 voung  bairns,  long  and  look  for  the  expiring  of  our  minority.'* 
 It  were  good  to  be  daily  begging  propines  and  love  gifts,  and 
 the  bridegroom*s  favours  ;  and,  if  we  can  do  no  more,  feek  crumbs, 
 and  hungry  dinners  of  Chrill's  love,  to  keep  the  tafte  of  heaven 
 in  our  mouth,  while  fuppev-tlme.  I  know  it  is  far  after  noon, 
 and  nigh  the  marriage-fupper  of  the  Lamb;  the  table  is  covered 
 already.  O  Well-beloved,  run,  run  faft  !  O  fair  day,  when  wilt 
 thou  dawn  !  O  (hadows,  fiee  away !  I  think  hope  and  love  woven 
 through  other  make  our  abfence  from  Chrifl  fpirirual  torm.ent; 
 it  is  a  pain  to  wait  on,  but  hope  that  makcth  not  afliamed  fwal- 
 lowcth  up  that  pain.  It  is  not  unkindnefs  that  kecpeth  Chrill:  and 
 lis  fo  long  afundcr.  What  can  1  lay  to  Chrill's  love  t  I  think  m.ore 
 than  I  can  fay  :  to  confider,  that  when  my  Lord  Jefus  may  take 
 the  air  (if  I  miay  fo  fpeak)  and  go  abroad,  yet  he  will  be  confined 
 and  keep  the  prifon  with  me;  but  in  all  this  fwe«t  communion 
 ■with  him,  what  am  I  to  be  thanked  for.''  I  am  but  a  fulFercr; 
 whether  I  will  or  not,  he  will  be  kind  to  me,  as  if  he  had  defied 
 my  guiitinefs  to  make  him  unkind ;  fo  he  beareth  hiilove  in  on  mc. 
 Here  I  die  with  wondering,  that  jullice  hindreth  not  love  -,  for 
 there  are  none  in  hell,  nor  out  of  hell,  more  unworthy  of  Chrift's 
 love.  Shame  may  confound  and  fear  me,  once  to  held  up  my 
 black  mouth,  to  receive  one  of  Chrift's  undeferved  kifl'cs  :  if  my 
 inner-fide  were  turned  out,  and  all  men  faw  my  vilenefs,  they 
 would  fay  to  me,  It  is  a  lliamc  for  thee  to  ftand  Hill,  while  Chrill 
 kifs  thee  and  embrace  thee:  it  would  feem  tob;fcome  me  rather 
 to  run  away  from  his  love,  as  aftiarned  at  my  own  unworthinefs ; 
 nay,  I  may  think  ft^iame  to  take  heaven,  who  have  fo  highly  pro- 
 voked my  Lord  Jefus:  but  feeing  Clirift's  love  will  lliamc  mc, 
 I  am  content  to  be  alhamed.  My  dcfire  i^,  that  mv  Lord  would 
 give  me  broader  and  deeper  thoughts,  to  feed  myfelf  with  won- 
 dering at  his  love:  I  would  I  could  weigh  it,  but  I  have  no  ba- 
 lance for  it.  When  I  have  worn  my  tongue  to  the  ftump.  in 
 praifing  of  Chrift,  I  have  done  nothing  to  him  ;  I  mull  let  him 
 alone,  for  my  withered  urm.s  will  not  go  about  his  high,  wide, 
 Jong  and  broad  love.  What  rcmaineth  then,  but  that  my  debt  to 
 ■:  love  cf  Chrift  ly  unpaid  for  all  eicriiity  ?  All  that  are  in  hca- 
 
S5  Mr  nUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  46.] 
 
 ven  arc  black  fhamcd  witK  his  love  as  well  as  I :  we  muft  all  be 
 dyvours  together  i  ind  the  blcfTiigs  of  that  houfe-ful,  or  heaven- 
 ful  of  dyvours,  (hall  reft  for  ever  upon  him.  O  if  this  land  and 
 nation  would  come  and  fland  befide  his  inconceivable  and  glori- 
 ous perfections,  and  look  in,  and  love,  and  adore  !.  Would  to 
 God  I  could  bring  in  many  lovers  to  Chrift's  houfe  !  but  this  na- 
 tion hath  forfaken  the  fountain  of  living  waters.  Lord,  caft  not 
 water  on  Scotland's  coal.  Wo,  wo  will  be  to  this  land,  becaufc 
 of  the  day  of  the  Lord^s  fierce  anger,  that  is  fo  faft  corning. 
 Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen.  Your  affeflionate  brother  in  cnr  Lord  Jefits, 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 46.    To  JOHN  KENNEDY,  Baillie  of  Jir, 
 JVorthy  and  dear  Brother^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  fee  you  in 
 this  northern  world,  in  paper;  I  know  it  is  not  forgetful- 
 nefs  that  ye  write  not.  I  am  every  way  in  good  cafe,  both  in  foul 
 and  body  ;  all  honour  and  glory  be  to  my  Lord  :  1  want  nothing 
 but  a  further  revelation  ot"  the  beauty  of  the  unknown  Son  of 
 God.  Either  I  know  not  v/hat  Chriltianity  is,  or  we  have  ftinted 
 a  meafure  of  fo  many  ounce  weights  and  no  more,  upon  holinefs; 
 and  there  we  arc  at  a  ftay,  drawing  our  breath  all  our  life:  a  mo- 
 deration in  God's  way,  now,  is  much  in  requelt.  I  profefs  1  have 
 never  taken  pains  to  fmd  out  him  whom  my  foul  loverh ;  there 
 is  a  gait  yet  of  finding  out  Chriit,  that  I  have  never  lighted  upon. 
 O  if  I  could  find  it  out !  Alas,  how  foon  are  we  pleafed  with 
 our  own  (hadow  in  a  glafs!  It  were  good  to  be  beginning  in  fad 
 earned  to  find  out  God,  and  to  feek  the  right  tread  ofChrift.  Time, 
 cuftom,  and  a  good  opinion  of  ourfelvcs,  our  good  meaning,  and 
 our  lazy  defires,  our  fair  ihows,  and  the  world's  gliilering  luftres, 
 and  thefe  broad  pairments  and  buikings  of  religion,  that  bear  blilk 
 \n  the  kirk,  is  that  wherewith  moft:  fatisfy  themfelves :  but  a  wa- 
 tered bed  with  tears,  a  dry  throat  with  praying,  eyes  as  a  foun- 
 tain of  tears  for  the  fins  of  the  land,  is  rare  to  be  found  among 
 us.  Oh  if  we  could  know  the  power  of  godlinefs  !  This  is  one 
 part  of  my  cafe ;  and  another  is,  that  I,  like  a  fool,  once  fummon- 
 ed  Chriil  for  unkindnefs,  and  complained  of  his  ficklenefs  and  in- 
 conftancy,  becaufe  he  would  have  no  more  of  my  fervice  nor 
 preaching,  and  had  caften  nic  out  of  the  inheritance  of  the  Lord: 
 and  now  I  confefs  this  was  but  a  bought  plea,  and  I  was  a  fool ; 
 yet  he  hath  born  with  me.  I  gave  him  a  fair  advantage  again  ft 
 me,  but  love  and  mercy  would  not  let  him  take  it;  and  the  truth 
 i%  now  he  hath  chided  himfclf  friends  with  me,  and  hath  tnken 
 away  the  mafK:,  and  hath  renewed  his  wonted  favour  in  fuch  a 
 manner,  that  he  hath  paid  me  my  hundred  fold  in  this  life,  and 
 
Epift.  47.1  LETTERS.  87 
 
 one  to  the  hundred.  This  prifon  is  my  banqueting  houfe;  I  am 
 hPcndlcd  as  foftly  and  deh'cately  as  a  dawted  child ;  I  am  nothing 
 behind,  I  fee,  with  Chrift;  he  can  in  a  month  make  up  a  year's 
 loiles  :  and  I  write  this  to  you  that  I  may  intreat,  nay,  adjure  and 
 charge  you  by  the  Jove  oi"  our  Well-bcloved,  to  help  me  to  praiie, 
 and  to  tell  dll  your  Chriftian  acquaintance  to  help  me;  for  I  am 
 as  deeply  drowned  in  bis  debt  us  any  dyvour  can  be :  and  yet  in 
 this  fair  fun  blink,  I  have  fomething  to  keep  me  from  ftartling, 
 or  being  exalted  above  meafure  ;  his  word  is  as  fire  fhut  up  in 
 my  bowels,  and  I  am  weary  with  forbearing.  The  minifters  in 
 this  town  are  faying,  they  (hall  have  my  prifon  changed  into  lefs 
 bounds,  becaufc  they  fee  God  with  me;  my  mother  hath  born 
 me  a  man  of  contention,  one  that  flriveth  with  the  whole  earth. 
 The  late  wrongs  and  oppreiTions  done  to  my  brother  keep  my  fails 
 low;  yet  I  defy  croiTes  to  embark  me  in  fuch  a  plea  againft  Chrift 
 as  I  was  troubled  with  of  late.  I  hope  to  over-hope  and  over-be- 
 lieve my  troubles :  I  have  caufe  now  to  trr.ll  Chrift's  promife, 
 more  than  his  gloom.  Remember  my  hearty  affe£lion$  to  your 
 wife.  ^ly  foul  is  grieved  for  the  fuceefs  of  our  brethrens  journey 
 to  New-England  ;  but  God  hath  fomewhat  to  reveal  that  we  fee 
 not.    Grace  be  with  you.    Pray  for  the  prifoncr. 
 
 Aberdeen,  Jan.  i,  Tours  in  his  only  Lord  Jcfus, 
 
 1637.  •    S.  R. 
 
 47.    To  MARGARET  BALLANTINE. 
 
 Mijlrcfs, 
 
 GR.  ACE,  merry  and  peace  be  unto  you  :  it  is  more  than  time 
 that  I  ihould  have  written  to  you,  but  it  is  yet  good  time, 
 if  I  could  help  your  foul  to  mend  your  pace,  and  to  go  more 
 fwiftly  to  your  heavenly  country;  for  truly  ye  have  need  to  make 
 all  halle,  becaufe  the  inch  oi  your  day  that  remaineth  will  quickly 
 flip  away,  for  whether  we  fljep  or  wake,  cur  giafs  runneth,  the 
 tide  bideth  no  man.  Beware  of  a  beguile  in  the  matcer  of  your 
 falvation  :  wo,  wo  for  evermore  to  them  thjt  lofc  that  prize ;  for 
 what  is  behind,  when  the  foul  is  once  loft,  but  that  finncrs  warm 
 their  bits  of  c!ay-houfes  at  a  fire  of  their  own  kindling,  for  a  day 
 or  two,  which  doth  rather  fufFocate  with  its  fmokc  than  warm 
 them  ;  and  at  length  they  ly  down  in  forrow,  and  are  clothed 
 with  everlafting  ihame  !  I  would  feek  no  further  meafure  of  faith 
 to  begin  withal,  than  to  believe  reaily  and  ftcdfaftly  the  doctrine 
 of  God*s  jufticc,  his  all-devouring  wr.jth  and  everlafting  burning, 
 where  firmers  are  burnt,  fouJ  and  body,  in  a  river  and  great  lake 
 of  fire  and  brim.ftone  :  then  they  would  with  no  more  goods,  but 
 the  thoufar.dth  part  of  a  cold  fountain  well  to  cool  their  tongue ; 
 they  would  thi:a  buy  death,  with  enduring  of  pain  and  torment 
 
t^  Mr  RUTHERFQORBh  Eplft.  47'.1 
 
 for  as  many  years  as  God  hath  created  drops  of  rain  fince  the  cre- 
 ation; but  there  is  no  market  of  buying  or  felling  life  or  death 
 there :  Oh  !    alas  the  greateft  part  of  the  world  run  to  the  place 
 of  that  torznent   rejoicing  and   dancing,    eating,  drinking  and 
 flceping.     My  counfei  to  you  is,   that  ye  ilart  in  time  to  be  after 
 Chrift  ;  for  if  ye  go  quickly,  Chrift  is  not  far  before  you,  ye  (hall 
 overtake  him.  O  Lord  God,  what  is  fo  needful  as  this,  Salvation, 
 falvation  ?    Fy  upon  this  condemned   and   toolifh   ^^orld,    that 
 would  give  fo  little  for  l^iivation  !   Oh,  if  there  were  a  free  mark- 
 et of  falvation  proclaimed,  in  that  day  when  the  trumpet  of  God 
 iliall  awake  the  dead;   how  many  buyers  would  be   then?  God 
 fend  me  no  more  happinef*  but  that  lalvation  which  the  blind 
 world   (to  their  eternal  wo)   letteth  flip  through   their   fingers; 
 therefore  look  if  ye  can  give  out  your  money  (as  Ifaiah  fpeaketh, 
 chap.  Iv.  2.)  for  bread,  and  lay  Chrift  and  his  biojd  in  wadfctfor 
 heaven  :  it  is  a  dry  and  hungry  bairn's  part  of  goods,  that  Efaus 
 are  hunting  for  here  :  I  fee  thoufands  following  the  chace,  and  in 
 the  purfuit  of  fuch  things,  while  in  the  mean   time  they  lolc  the 
 blcfling :  and  when  all  is  done,  they  h.ve  caught  nothing  to  roaft 
 for  fupper,  but  lie  down  hungry;  and  bcfides,  thsy  go  to  bed, 
 when  they  die,  without  a  candle;  for  God  faith  to  them,  *  This 
 fnall  ye  have  at  my  hand,  ye  fnall  ly  down  in  forrow.*  And  truly 
 this  is  as  ill  made  a  bed  to  ly  upon  as  one  could  wilb  ;  for  he  can- 
 not fleep  foundiy,  nor  reft  fweetly,  who  hath  forrow  for  his  pil- 
 low.   Rouze,  rouze  up  therefore  your  foul,  and  alk  how  Chrift 
 and  your  foul  met  together:    I  am  fure  chey  never  got  Chrifc 
 who  were  not  once  fick  at  the  yolk  of  the  heart  for  him  :  too,  too 
 many  whole  fouls  think  they  have  met  with  Chrift,  who  had  never 
 a  wearied  night  for  the  want  of  him:  but  alas,  w^hat  richer  are 
 men,  that  they  dreamed  the  lad  night  they  had  much  gold,  and 
 when  they  awoke  in  the  morning  they  found  it  was  but  a  dream  ? 
 What  are  all  the  finners  in  the  world,  in  that  day  when  heaven 
 and  earth  (hall  go  up  in  a  flame  of  fire,  bur  a  number  of  beguiled 
 dreamers  ?  -Evei-y  one  fliail  fay  of  his  hunting  and  his  conqucil. 
 Behold  it  was  a  dream  :  ercry'man  in  that  day  will  tell  his  dream. 
 1  befeech  you  in  the  Lord7elus,  beware,  beware  of  uufdund  work, 
 in  the  matter  of  your  falvation  :  ye  may  not,  ye  cannot,  ye  dow  not 
 want  Chrift :   then  after  this  day  convccn  all  your  lovers  before 
 vour  foul,  and  give  them  their  leave ;  and  ftrike  hands  with  Chrift, 
 that  thereafter  ^there  may  be  no  happiaefs  to  you  but  Chi  ift.   no 
 hunting  for  anv  thing  but  Chrift,   no  bed  at  night  (when  deatb 
 comcth)  but  Chrift;    Chrift,   Chrift,  who   but  Chrift.?  I  know 
 this  much  of  Chrift,  he  is  not  ill  to  be  found,  nor  lordly  of  his 
 love  ;  wo  had  been  my  part  of  it  for  evermore,  if  Chrift  had  made 
 a  daintv  of  himfclf  to  me  :  but,  God  be  thanked,  I  gave  nothing 
 for  Ch/ift ;  and  now,  I  proteft  before  men  and  angeis,  Chrift  can- 
 
Epift.  4S.]  LETTERS.  89 
 
 not  be  fuki,  Ciirifk  cannot  be  weighed  :  wberc  would  angels,  or 
 'All  Uic  world  find  a  balance  to  weigh  him  in  ?  AVi  lovers  blulli 
 when  ye  ftand  befide  Chrift ;  wo  upon  all  love  but  the  love  of 
 Chrift  j  hunger,  hunger  tor  evermore,  be  upon  all  heaven  but 
 Chriu;  (bame,  (liame  for  evermore,  be  upon  all  gloiy.  I  cry- 
 death  upon  all  lives  but  the  life  ul' Chrift.  O  v/hat  is  it  that  hold- 
 cth  u*  afundtr  !  O  that  once  vvc  could  have  a  fair  meeting.  Thus 
 recommending  Chriil  to  you,  and  you  to  him  for  evermore,  I 
 reft,'  (Grace  be  with  you) 
 
 A'luird.    1637.  Tours  in  his  fwcet  Lojcd  JcfuSy     S.  R.. 
 
 48.     To  JANET  ICENNEDY. 
 
 Lovi?ig  a  fid  dear  Sijier^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you;  I  received  your  letter; 
 I  know  the  favour  of  Chrift  in  you  (that  the  virgins  love 
 to  follow)  cannot  be  blown  away  with  winds,  either  from  hell, 
 or  the  evil  fmelled  air  of  this  pel juted  world  :  fit  far  a-back  from 
 the  vvfiills  cf  this  pcft-houfe,  even  the  poiiutions  of  this  defiling 
 world.  Keep  your  taite,  your  love  and  hope  in  heaven  ;  it  is  not 
 good,  your  love  and  your  Lord  fhould  be  in  two  fundry  countries. 
 Up,  up  after  your  Lover,  that  ye  and  he  may  be  together.  A 
 King  from  heaven  haih  fcnt  for  you ;  by  faith  he  Iheweth  you  the 
 New  Jerufalem,  and  takeih  you  alongft  in  the  fplrit,  through  all 
 the  eafe  rooms,  and  dwciling-houfes  in  heaven,  and  faith,  All 
 thefe  are  thine,  this  palace  is  for  thee  and  Chrift;  and  if  ye  only 
 had  been  the  choitn  of  God,  Chrift  would  have  built  that  one 
 houfe  for  you  and  himfelf ;  now  it  is  for  you  and  many  others 
 alfo :  take  \\ith  you  in  your  journey  what  ye  may  carry  with  you, 
 your  confcience,  faith,  hope,  pacience,  meeknefi:,  goodnefs,  bro- 
 therly kinilnefs,  for  fuch  v/ares  as  thefe  arc  of  great  price  in  the 
 high  and  new  country  whither  ye  go:  as  for  other  things,  that 
 are  but  the  world's  vanity  and  trafli,  fince  they  are  but  the  houfe- 
 fwcepings,  ye  fhall  do  bcft  not  to  carry  them  with  ycu;  ye  found 
 them  here,  leave  them  here,  and  itt  them  keep  the  houfe.  Your 
 fun  is  well  turned,  and  low,  be  nii^h  your  lodging  againft  night. 
 "We  go  one  and  one  out  of  this  great  market,  till  the  town  be 
 empty,  and  the  two  lodgings,  heaven  and  licil,  be  filled  :  at  length 
 there  will  be  nothing  in  the  earth  but  toom  walls  and  burnt  aftie», 
 and  therefore  it  is  bcft  to  make  away.  Antichrift  and  his  mafter 
 are  bufy  to  plenifti  hell,  and  to  fcduce  many  :  and  ftars,  great 
 church  lights,  are  failingfrom  heaven,  and  many  are  milled  ami 
 feduced,  and  make  up  with  their  faith,  and  fell  their  birtli-rights, 
 by  their  hungry  hunting  for  I  know  not  what.  Faften  your  grips 
 faft  upon  Chrift.  1  verily  efteem  him  the^beft  aught  that  I  have  : 
 he  is  my  fccond  in  prifon  5  having. him^  thouL|;h  my  ciofs  were  as 
 
 M 
 
9©  Ur  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  40.I 
 
 heavy  as  ten  mountains  of  iron,  when  he  putteth  his  fweet  fhoul- 
 cicr  under  me  and  it,  my  crofs  is  but  a  feather.  I  pleafe  myfeif 
 in  the  choice  of  Chrift  ^  he  is  my  wailc  in  heaven  and  earth  :  I  re- 
 joice that  he  is  in  heaven  before  me-,  God  fend  a  joyful  meet- 
 ing :  and  in  the  mean  time,  the  traveller's  charges  for  the  v^ay,  I 
 mean,  a  burden  of  Chrift's  love  to  fwteten  the  journey  and  to 
 encourage  a  breathlefs  runner  j  for  when  I  loofe  breath,  climbing 
 up  the  mountain,  he  makcth  new  breath.  Now  the  very  God  of 
 peace  eftabli fn  you  to  the  day  of  his  appearance. 
 
 jibcrdten^  Sept,  9,  Tours  in  his  only  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 49.    To  MAP.GARET  REID. 
 
 My  very  dear  and  'worthy  Jijier^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  ye  are  truly  bleiTed  of 
 the  Lord,  however  a  four  world  gloom  upon  you,  if  ye 
 continue  in  tiie  faith  grounded  and  fettled,  and  be  not  moved  a- 
 way  from  the  hope  of  the  gofpel.  It  is  good  there  is  a  heaven, 
 and  it  is  not  a  night  dream  or  a  fancy  :  it  is  a  wonder  that  men 
 deny  not  that  there  is  a  heaven,  as  they  deny  there  is  a  way  to  it 
 but  of  mens  making.  You  have  learned  of  Chrift  that  there  is  a 
 heaven;  contend  for  it,  and  contend  for  Chrift;  bear  well  and 
 fubmiffively  the  hard  crofs  of  this  llep-mother  world,  that  God 
 will  not  have  to  be  yours  I  confefs  it  is  hard,  and  I  would  I 
 Were  able  to  eafe  you  of  your  burden  j  but  believe  me,  this  world 
 (which  the  Lprd  will  not  have  to  be  yours)  is  but  the  drofs,  the 
 refufe  and  fcorn  of  God's  creation,  the  portion  of  the  Lord's  poor 
 hired  ferv^nts  ;  the  moveables,  not  the  heritage;  a  hard  bone  ca- 
 i'ten  to  the  dogs,  holden  out  of  the  New  Jerufalcm,  whsrcupcn 
 they  rather  break  their  teeth  than  fatisfy  their  appetite :  it  is  youi"  ' 
 Father's  hleffing,  and  Chrift's  birth-right,  that  our  Lord  is  keep- 
 ing for  you;  and  i  perfuade  you,  your  feed  alfo  Ihall  inherit  the 
 earth,  (if  that  be  good  for  them)  for  that  is  promifed  to  them  ; 
 and  God's  bond  is  as  good  and  better,  than  if  men  Vv^ould  give 
 every  one  of  them  a  bond  for  a  thoufand  thoufands.  Ere  you  was 
 born,  crufles  in  number,  meafure  and  weight  were  written  for 
 you,  and  your  Lord  will  lead  you  through  them  :  make  Chrili: 
 fure,  and  the  bleftings  of  the  earth  fiiall  be  at  Chrift's  back.  I 
 fee  many  profeflbrs  for  the  fafhion  followelh  on  ;  but  they  arc 
 profeflbrs  of  glafs  :  I  would  caufe  a  little  knock  of  perfecution  ding 
 them  in  twenty  pieces,  and  fo  the  world  lliould  laugh  at  the  ilieards. 
 Therefore  make  faft  work,  fee  that  Chrift  lay  the  ground  ftone  of 
 your  profeiFion  ;  for  wind  and  rain,  and  fpeats  will  not  wafti  a- 
 way  his  building;  his  works  have  no  ftiorter  date  than  to  ftand 
 for  evermore.    1  Ihould  twenty  times  have  pciiftied  in  my  afHic- 
 
Eplfl:.  50.J  LETTERS.  91 
 
 tion,  If  I  had  not  leaned  mv  weak  bick,  and  laid  my  prefling  bur- 
 den both  upon  the  (lone,  the  foundation  (tone,  the  corner  (lone 
 laid  in  Zion  :  and  I  defirc  never  to  rife  off  this  (tone.  Now,  the 
 very  God  of  peace  confirm  and  eftabllth  you  unto  the  day  of  the 
 bleffed  appearance  of  Chrill  Jefus      God  be  with  you. 
 
 Abcrd.  Tours  in  his  dearejl  Lord  Jtfus^  S.  R. 
 
 50.   To  JAMES  BAUTIE. 
 
 Lovijig  Brother, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you:  I  received  your  let- 
 ter, and  render  you  thanks  for  the  {-Am^  -.  but  I  have  not 
 time  to  anfwer  all  the  heads  of  it,  as  the  be-arer  can  inform  you. 
 I.  Ye  do  well  to  take  yourfelf  at  the  right  ftot,  when  ye  wrong 
 Chriil  by  doubting  and  mifoelief ;  for  this  is  to  nick-name  Chrift, 
 and  term  him  a  liar,  which  being  fpoken  to  our  prince,  would  be 
 hanging  or  heading ;  but  Chrift  hangeth  not  always  for  treafon  :  it 
 is  good  that  he  may  regiftrate  a  believer's  bond  a  hundred  times, 
 2nd  more  than  feven  times  a  day  have  law  againll  us,  and  yet  hs 
 fpareth  us  as  a  man  doth  his  Ion  that  ferveih  him  :  no  tender- 
 hearted mother,  who  may  have  law  to  kill  her  fucking  child, 
 would  put  in  execution  that  law.  2dly,  For  your  failings,  even 
 when  ye  have  a  fet  irylt  with  Chrift,  and  v/hen  ye  have  a  fair  fecu 
 advantage,  by  keepiMg  your  appointment  with  him,  and  falvcitioii 
 cometh  to  the  very  palFing  of  the  feals,  I  would  fay  two  things  ; 
 lit,  Concluded  and  fealed  falvation  may  go  through  and  be  end- 
 ed, fuppole  ye  write  your  name  to  the  tail  of  the  covenant  with 
 ink  that  can  hardly  be  read :  neither  think  I  ever  any  man's  fal- 
 vation paffed  the  feals,  but  there  was  an  odd  tiick  or  flip,  in  lefs 
 or  more,  upon  die  fool's  part,  who  is  infefted  in  heaven.  In  the 
 molt  grave  and  feric.us  work  of  our  falvation,  1  think  Chrift  had 
 ever  good  caufe  to  laugh  at  our  llliinefs,  and  to  put  on  us  his  me- 
 rits, that  we  might  bear  weight.  2.  It  is  a  fwcet  law  of  the  new- 
 covenant,  and  a  privilege  of  the  new  burgh,  that  citizens  pay  ac- 
 cording to  their  means  ;  for  the  new  covenant  faith  not,  fo  much 
 obedience  by  ounce  weights,  and  no  lefs,  under  the  pain  of  dam- 
 nation :  Chrift  taketh  as  poor  men  may  give;  where  there  is  a 
 mean  portion  he  is  content  v.^ith  the  lefs,  if  there  be  fincerity :  bro- 
 ken fums  and  little  fecklefs  obedience  will  be  pardoned,  and  hold 
 the  foot  with  him  :  know  ye  not  that  our  kiniily  Lord  retaineth  his 
 good  old  heart  yet?  He  breaktth  not  a  bruiJed  reed,  nor  quench- 
 eth  the  fmoaking  flax :  but  if  the  wind  blow  he  holdeth  his  hand 
 about  it  till  it  rife  to  a  llame.  The  law  cometh  on  with  three  O- 
 yes's,  with  all  the  heart,  with  all  the  foul,  and  with  all  the  whole 
 ilrength  ;  and  when  would  poor  folks,  like  you  and  me,  furnifh 
 all  thefe  fums  ?  It  feareth  me,  (n.iv  it  is  nnft  certain)  that  if  th« 
 
 JNl   i 
 
payment  were  to  come  out  oF  our  purfc,  when  we  (r.ould  put  our 
 hand  in  our  bag  we  would  bring  out  the,  wind  or  worfe:  but  the 
 covenant  fecketh  not  he?ip-mcte,  nor  ftented  obedience,  as  the 
 condition  of  it,  becaule  forgivenefs  hath  alwa-s  place.  Hence  I 
 draw  this  conclufion  ;  to  think  matters  betwixt  Chrifl:  and  us  go 
 back  for  want  of  helped  meafure,  is  a  piece  of  old  Adam's  pride, 
 who  would  cither  be  at  kgai  payment  or  nothing:  we  would 
 flill  have  God  i;i  our  common,  and  buy  his  kindnefs  with  our 
 merits;  for  begg-irly  pride  is  dt^vils'  hontfty,  and  biufhcth  to  be 
 in  Chriil's  common,  and  fcarce  giveih  God  a  grAmirercy,  and  a 
 lifted  cap,  (except  it  be  the  PbArifec's  unlucky  G<^d  I  thank  thee) 
 or  a  bowed  knee  to  Chrift  :  it  will  only  give  a  good-day  for  a 
 gcod-day  again,  and  if  he  diflemble  his  kindnefs,  as  it  v/cre,  in 
 jeft.  and  feem  to  miiken  it^  it  in  e.irneit  fpurneth- with' the  heels, 
 and  fnufFeth  in  the  wind,  and  careth  not  much  for  Chrifl's  kind^ 
 nefs  :  if  he  will  not  be  friends,  let  him  s,o,  faith  pride;  beware 
 of  this  thief,  when  Chrift  offereth  himfelf.  3.  No  marvel  then 
 of  w'hifperings,  whether  you  be  in  the  covenjtit  or  not :  for  pride 
 niaketh  loofe  work  of  the  covennnt  of  grice,  and  will  not  let 
 Chi  ift  be  full  bargain-maker.  To  fpeak  to  you  particularly  and 
 iliortly;  i.  Ail  the  truly  regenerated  cannot  determinately  tell 
 you  the  meafure  of  their  dejections,  becaufe  Chrift  beginnerh 
 young  with  many,  and  ftealeth  into  their  heart,  ere  thry  wit  of 
 themfelves,  and  becometh  homely  with  them,  with  little  din  or 
 noife.  I  grant  many  are  blinded,  in  rejoicing  in  a  good  cheap 
 converfion,  that  never  coll  them  a  Tick  night;  Chrift's  phyfic 
 wrought  in  a  dream  upon  them  ;  but  for  that  I  would  fay,  if  o- 
 ther  marks  be  found,  that  Chrift  is  indeed  come  in,  never  make 
 plea  with  him,  becaufe  he  will  not  anfv/er,  Lord  Jefus  how  cam- 
 eft  thou  in  ?  whether  in  at  door  or  window  ?  Make  him  welcome 
 iince  he  is  come.  The  wind  bloweth  where  it  lifteth ;  all  the 
 world*s  wit  cannot  perfectly  render  a  reafon,  why  the  winds  fliould 
 be  a  month  in  the  eaft,  fix  weeks  poffibiiy  in  the  weft,  and  the 
 fpace  only  of  an  afternoon  in  the  fouth  or  north.  Ye  will  not  find 
 out  all  the  nicks  and  fteps  of  Chiift's  way  with  a  foul  do  .what  ye 
 can;  for  fome  times  he  will  come  in  ftepping  foftly,  like  one 
 walking  befide  a  fleepy  perfon,  and  flip  to  the  door,  and  let  none 
 know  he  was  there.  2.  Ye  objeCl,  The  truly  regenerate  fbouUl 
 love  God  for  himfelf;  and  ye  fear  that  ye  love  him  more  for  his 
 benefits  (as  incitem.ents  and  motives  to  love  him)  than  for  him- 
 felf. I  anfwer.  To  love  God  for  himfelf  as  the  laft  end,  and  alfo 
 for  his  benefits,  as  incitements  and  motives  to  love  him,  may 
 (land  well  together ;  as  a  fon  loveth  his  mother,  btcaufe  flie  is  his 
 mother,  howbeit  ftie  be  poor;  and  he  loveth  her  for  an  apple  al-. 
 fo.  I  hope  ye  will  not  fay,  that  benefits  are  the  only  reafon  and 
 l»ottom  of  your  love ;'  it  feemeth  there  is  a  better  foundation  fc^ 
 
Epift.  50.]  L  E  T  T  E  ?v  S.  93 
 
 it:  always,  if  a  bole  be  in  it,  fs^v  it  up  fbortly.  3.  Yc  feel  not 
 fuch  mourning  in  Chriil's  abrence  as  ye  would.  1  anfwer,  Thst 
 rhc  regenerate  mourn  at  all  times,  r.nd  all  in  a  like  mcafure  for 
 hi«  abfence,  I  deny  :  tbere  are  diiferent  degrees  of  mourning,  lef« 
 or  more,  as  they  have  lefs  or  more  love  to  him,  an^  Icfs  or  more 
 fenl'e  of  his  abfence  :  But,  i.  Some  they  mull  have.  2.  Some- 
 times they  mifs  not  thr  Lord,  and  then  they  cannot  mourn  ;  how- 
 beit,  it  is  not  long  fo  ;  at  Icail,  it  is  not  aK'ays  fo.  3.  Ye  chal- 
 lenge yourfelf,  that  fomc  truths  tind  more  credit  with  you  than 
 others.  Yc  do  well,  for  God  is  true  in  the  lead,  as  well  ts  in  the 
 greateft,  and  he  muft  be  fo  to  you  :  ye  muft  not  call  him  true 
 in  the  one  paee  of  the  leaf,  and  falfe  in  ti  e  othrr;  for  our  Lord 
 in  all  his  writings  never  contradid:ed  himfelf  yct^  althciigh  the 
 b-^fl  of  the  regenerate  have  flipped  here,  always  labour  ye  to  hold 
 your  feet.  4.  Comparing  the  cftate  of  one  truly  regenerate 
 ;  v/hofe  heart  is  a  temple  of  the  Holy  Ghoft)  and  yours  (which  is 
 full  of  uncleannefs  and  corruption)  ye  ftand  dumb  and  difcoura- 
 ged,  and  dare  not  fometimes  c?ilChriit  beaitfomely  your  own.  I 
 *.nfwcr,  The  befl:  reejencrate  have  their  defilements,  and  (if  I  may 
 f«>eak  fo)  their  drafr-poke,  that  will  clog  behind  them  all  their 
 days  ;  and,  wafh  as  they  will,  there  will  be  filth  in  their  bofom  ; 
 but  let  not  this  put  you  from  the  well.  2.  T  anfwer,  Albeit  there 
 be  Tome  ounce  weights  of  carnality,  and  forne  fquint  look,  or  eye 
 in  our  neck  to  an  idol,  yet  love  in  its  own  mcafure  may  be  found; 
 for  glory  muft  purify  and  perl'ed:  our  love,  it  will  never  till  then 
 be  abfolutely  pure :  yet  if  the  idol  reign,  and  have  the  yolk  of  the 
 iieart,  and  the  keys  of  the  houfe,  and  Chrift  only  be  made  an  un- 
 derling to  run  errands,  all  is  riot  right,  therefore  examine  well. 
 3.  There  is  a  two-fold  difcouragcment;  one  of  unbelief,  to  con- 
 clude, and  make  doubt  of  the  conclufion,  for  a  mote  in  your  eye, 
 ;md  a  bv-look  to  an  idol  :  this  is  ill.  There  is  another  difcourage- 
 'iTiCr.t  of  forrow  for  fm,  when  ye  find  a  by-look  to  an  idol ;  this  is 
 good,  and  matter  of  thankfgiving :  therefore  examine  here  alfo. 
 5.  The  alTurance  of  Jefus  his  love,  ye  f:iy,  would  be  the  moft 
 comfortable  ncvrs  thnt  ever  ye  heard.  Anfwer,  Thnt  may  flop 
 tv/enty  holes,  and  Idgfe  many  obj'/(Stion.s :  that  love  hath  telling 
 in  it,  I  trow.  Qh  that  ye  knew  and  felt  it.  as  I'  have  done!  I 
 wifn  you  a  fhare  of  myjcaft ;  fwect,  fweet  hath  it  been  to  me. 
 If  my  Lord  had  not  given  me  this  love,  I  woi.]d  have  fallen  thro' 
 the  caufeway  of  Abertleen  ere  now  !  but  for  you,  liing  on,  your 
 feuft  is  not  fir  off;  ye  firall  be  fdled  ere  ye  go  ;  there  is  as  much 
 in  our  Lord's  pantry,  .as  will  fitisfy  all  his  bairns,  ?.nd  as  mucii 
 wine  in  his  cellur  as  will  quench  all  their  thirft  -  hunger  on,  for 
 tf5ere  is  meat  in  hunger  for  Chrill :  go  never  from  him,  but  fafh 
 |iim  (who  yet  is  pleafed  with  the  importunity  of  hungrv  foul';) 
 vitb  4  sliiji  full  of  hur-ry  dcfires,  till  he  (Ul  you^  and  U  he  dcla^ 
 
94  Mr  nUTHERFOORD's  EpIfL  50.] 
 
 yet  come  not  ye  away,  albeit  yc  fliould  fall  afwoon  at  his  feet.  6. 
 Ye  crave  my  mind,  whether  found  comfort  may  be  found  in  prayer, 
 when  convidlion  of  a  known  idol  is  prefent.  I  anfwer,  An  idol, 
 ss  an  idol,  cannot  ftand  with  found  comforts*,  for  that  comfort 
 that  is  gotten  at  Dagon's  feet  is  a  cheat  or  bleilume ;  yet  found 
 comfort,  and  conviction  of  an  eye  to  an  idol,  may  as  well  dwell 
 together  as  tears  and  joy;  but  let  this  do  you  no  ill,  I  fpeak  it  for 
 your  encouragement,  that  ye  may  make  the  befl:  out  of  your  joys 
 ye  can,  albeit  you  find  them  mixed  with  mutes,  idly,  Sole  con- 
 viction, if  alone,  without  remorfe  and  grief,  is  not  enough  ; 
 therefore  lend  it  a  tear  if  ye  dow  win  at  it.  7.  Ye  queflion,  when 
 ye  win  to  more  fervency  fometimes  with  your  neighbour  in  prayer, 
 than  when  you  are  alone,  whether  hypocrlfy  be  in  it  or  not  ?  I 
 anfwer,  If  this  be  always,  no  queftion  a  fpice  of  hypocrify  is  in  it, 
 which  would  be  taken  heed  to ;  but  pofTibly  defertion  may  be  in 
 private,  and  prefence  in  public,  and  then  the  cafe  is  clear.  2.  A 
 fit  of  applaufe  may  occafion,  by  accident,  a  rubbing  ofF  a  cold 
 heart,  and  fo  heat  and  life  may  come ;  but  it  is  not  the  proper 
 caufe  of  that  heat;  hence  God  of  his  free  grace  will  ride  his  er- 
 rands upon  our  (linking  corruption  ;  but  corruption  is  but  a  mere 
 occafion  and  accident,  as  the  playing  on  a  pipe  removed  anger 
 from  the  prophet,  and  made  him  fitter  to  prophefy,  2  Kings  iii. 
 15.  8.  Ye  complain  of  Ghrift's  fbiort  vifits,  that  he  will  not 
 bear  you  company  one  night ;  but  when  ye  ly  down  warm  at  one 
 night,  ye  rife  cold  at  morning.  Anfwer,  I  cannot  blame  \ou  (nor 
 any  other,  who  knoweth  that  fweet  gueft)  to  bemoan  his  witli- 
 dravvings,  and  to  be  moft  defirous  of  his  abode  and  com.pany  ;  for 
 he  would  captivate  and  engage  the  affection  of  any  creature  that 
 faw  his  face  :  fmce  he  looked  on  me.  and  gave  me  a  fight  of  his 
 fair  love,  he  gained  my  heart  wholly,  and  got  away  with  it:  well, 
 well  may  he  brook  if,  he  fliall  keep  it  long,  ere  I  fetch  it  from 
 him.  But  I  fhall  tell  you  what  ye  (hrdl  do;  treat  him  well,  give 
 him  the  chair  and  the  board  head,  and  make  him  welcom.e  to  the 
 mean  portion  ye  have;  a  good  fupper  and  kind  entertainment 
 maketh  the  guefi:  love  the  inns  the  better :  yet  fometimes  Chrift 
 hss  an  errand  elfevv^here,  for  mere  trial ;  and  then,  though  ye  give 
 him  king's  cheer,  he  will  away;  as  is  clenr  in  defertions  for  mere 
 trial,  and  not  for  fm.  9.  Ye  feek  the  difference  betwixt  the  mo- 
 tions of  the  fpirit,  in  their  leaft  meafure,  and  the  natural  joys  of 
 your  own  heart.  Anfwer,  As  a  man  can  tell,  if  he  joy  and  de- 
 iight  in  his  wife,  as  his  wife  ;  or  if  he  delight  and  joy  in  her  for 
 fatisfa6tion  of  his  luft,  but  hating  her  perfon,  and  fo  loving  her 
 for  her  flefh,  and  not  grieving  when  ill  befalleth  her;  fo  will  a 
 man's  jov  in  God,  and  his  whorifli  natural  joy,  be  difcovered  :  if 
 he  forrow  fcr  any  thing  that  may  offend  the  Lord,  it  will  fpeak 
 the  fmglenefs  of  that  love  to  him.     10.  Ye  afk  the  reafon  why 
 
Eplft.  SI-]  LETTERS.  95 
 
 fenfe  overcometh  faith.  Anfwer,  Eecnufe  fenfe  is  more  natural, 
 and  near  of  kin  to  our  own  feififh  and  foft  nature.  Ye  alTi,  if 
 faith  in  that  cafe  be  found  ?  Anfwer,  If  it  be  chafed  away,  it  is 
 neither  found  nor  unfound,  becaufe  it  is  faith  ;  but  it  might  be, 
 and  wus  faith,  before  fenfe  did  blow  out  the  a£l  of  believing. 
 Laftly,  Ye  afK  what  to  do,  when  proniifes  arc  born  in  upon  you, 
 and  fenfe  of  impenitency,  for  fins  of  youth,  hindcreth  application. 
 I  anfwer,  If  it  be  llvinj^  fenfe,  it  may  ftand  with  application;  and 
 in  this  cafe,  put  to  your  hand  and  eat  your  meat  in  God's  name: 
 if  falfe,  fo  that  the  fins  of  youth  are  not  repented  of,  then,  as 
 faith  and  impenitency  cannot  fland  together,  fo  neither  that  fenfe 
 and  application  can  confift.  Brother,  excufs  my  brevity,  for  time 
 ftraiteneth  nie,  that  I  get  not  my  mind  faid  in  thefe  things,  but 
 muft  refer  that  to  a  new  occafion,  if  God  offer  it.  Brother,  pray 
 for  me.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Jberdeen^    162,7.  Youfs  in  his  djareji  Lord  J  ejus.  S.  R. 
 
 ^\,  To  JOHN  STEWART,  Provofi  of  ^ir,  now  in  Ireland, 
 
 Much  honoured  5/>, 
 
 GRACE,  rnercy,  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  long  to  hear  from 
 you,  being  now  removed  from  my  flock,  and  the  prifon- 
 er  of  Chrift  at  Aberdeen.  I  would  not  have  you  to  think  it 
 llrange,  that  your  journey  to  New-England  hath  gotten  fuch  a 
 dafh  :  it  indeed  hath  made  my  heart  heavy ;  yet  I  know  it  is  no 
 dumb  providence,  but  a  fpeaking  one,  whereby  our  Lord  fpeak- 
 eth  his  mind  to  you,  though  for  the  prefent  ye  do  not  well  under- 
 ftand  what  he  faith  :  houevcr  it  be,  he  who  fitteth  upon  the 
 fioods,  hath  fliewn  you  his  marvellous  kindnefs  in  the  great  depths, 
 I  know  your  lofs  is  great,  and  your  hope  gone  againft  you ;  but  I 
 intreat  you,  Sir,  expound  aright  our  Lord's  laying  all  hindran- 
 ces in  the  way.  I  perluade  myfelf,  your  heart  aimcth  at  the  foot- 
 Ikps  of  the  flock,  to  feed  befide  the  Ihepherds  tents,  and  to  dwell 
 befide  Him  whom  your  foul  loveth  ;  and  that  it  is  your  defire  to 
 remain  in  the  wiidernefs,  where  the  woman  is  kept  from  the  dra- 
 gon:  and  this  b;;ing  your  defire,  remember  that  a  poor  prifonec 
 of  Chrift  faid  it  to  you,  that,  that  milcarried  journey  is  with 
 child  to  you  of  mercy  and  confolation  ;  and  fhall  bring  forth  a 
 fair  birth,  and  thfe  Lord  fhall  be  midwife  to  this  fair  birth  : 
 wait  on  then,  for  he  that  believeth  maketh  not  hafte,  Ifaiali 
 xxviii.  i5.  I  hope,  ye  have  been  allcing  what  the  Lord  mean- 
 cth,  and  what  further  may  be  his  will,  in  reference  to  your  return. 
 My  deir  brother,  let  God  mr.ke  of  you  what  he  will,  he  will  end 
 all  with  confolation.  and  fliall  makr-  [;l©ry  out  of  your  fuflTerings  \ 
 and  would  ye  wi(h  better  work  .?  Ihis  water  was  in  your  way  to 
 heaven,  and  v.ritten  in  your  Lord's  book,  ye  behoved  to  crofs  it; 
 and  therefore  kifs  his  wifu  and  unerring  providence.     Let  not 
 
^6  Mr  nUT/lERFOOkD's  Epifl.  51.] 
 
 thcccnfure*  of  men,  who  fee  but  the  outfide  of  things  (and  fcarcc 
 "well  that)  abate  your  courage  and  rejoicing  in  the  Lord  :  howbcic 
 your  faith  feeth  but  the  black  (idc  of  providence,  yet  it  hath  a  bet- 
 ter fide,  and  God  fhall  let  you  fee  it.  Learn  to  bclitve  Chrift  bet- 
 ter than  his  llrokes,  himfelf  and  bis  promil'cs  better  than  his 
 glooms:  dames  and  ditappointments  arc  not  canonic  fcripture  ; 
 fighting  for  the  proniilcd  land,  leemed  to  cry  to  God's  pro.-nife. 
 Thou  lieft.  If  our  Lord  ride  upon  a  llraw,  his  horfe  ihall  neiiher 
 {tumble  nor  fall,  Rom.  viii.  28.  For  we  know  that  all  things 
 work  together  for  good  to  thcin  that  love  God  ;  ergOy  iliipwrcck, 
 lofTes,  &c.  work  together  for  the  good  of  ihem  that  love  God; 
 hence  I  infer,  tiiac  loiTes,  diri»ppointmenis,  ill  tongues,  lofs  of 
 friends,  houfc?  or  country,  are  God's  workmen,  fet  on  work  to 
 work  out  good  to  you,  out  of  every  thing  that  befalleth  you. 
 Let  not  the  Lord's  dealing  feem  harili,  rough,  or  unfatherly,  be- 
 caufe  it  is  unplcafant :  when  the  Lord's  bJciled  v/ill  bloweth  crofs 
 your  defires,  it  is  beft,  in  humility,  to  ftrike  fail  to  him,  and  to  be 
 willing  to  be  led  any  way.  our  Lord  pleafeth.  It  is  a  point  of  de- 
 nial of  yourfclf,  to  be  as  if  ye  had  not  a  will,  but  bad  made  a 
 free  difpofition  of  it  to  God,  and  had  fold  it  over  to  him  ;  and 
 to  make  ufc  of  his  will  for  your  own,  is  both  true,  holinefs,  and 
 your  eafe  and  peace:  yc  know  not  wh^it  the  Lord  is  work- 
 ing out  of  this,  but  ye  ihall  know  it  hereafter.  And  v.-hat  I 
 write  to  you,  Lwrite  to  your  wife  j  I  compalTionate  her  cafe, 
 bur,  intreat  her  not  to  fear  01  faint:  this  journey  is  a  part  of  her 
 vvildernefs  to  heaven  and  the  promifed  land,  and  there  are  fewer 
 miles  behind  •.  it  is  nearer  the  dawning  of  the  day  to  her,  than 
 when  ftie  went  out  of  Scotland.  I  would  be  glad  to  hear  that  ye 
 and  me  have  comfort  and  courage  in  the  Lord.  Now  as  concer- 
 ning our  kirk  :  our  fervice-book  is  ordained,  by  open  pvroclama- 
 tion  and  found  of  trumpet,  to  be  read  in  all  the  kirks  of  this  king- 
 dom :  our  prelates  are  to  meet  this  month  for  it  and  our  canons, 
 and  for  a  reconciliation  betwixt  us  and  the  Lutherans.  The  prc- 
 fellors  of  Aberdeen  univerfjty  are  charged  to  draw  up  the  articles 
 of  an  uniform  confeiTion  ;  but  reconciliation  with  Popery  is  ii> 
 tended -,  this  is  the  day  of  Jacob's  vifitation:  the  ways  of  Zioii 
 inouin,  our  gold  is  become  dim,  the  fun  is  gone  down  upon  our 
 prophets.  A  dry  wind,  but  neither  to  fan  nor  to  clcanfe,  is  com- 
 ing upon  this  land  :  and  all  our  ill  is  coming?*from  the  m\iliiplicd 
 tranfgrclfions  of  this  land,  and  from  the  fi lends  and  lovcrj*  of  Ba- 
 bel amongft  us,  Jer.  xxxi.  1:3.  The  violence  done  to  nie  and  my 
 liefh  be  upon  thee,  Babylon,  fhall  the  inhabitants  of  Zion  fay, 
 and  my  blood  upon  the  inhabitants  of  Chaldea,  iball  Jerufaleni 
 fay  Now,  for  myfelf,  I  was  three  days  before  the  high  coinmif- 
 iion,  and  accufed  of  trcafon  preached  againft  our  king  :  a  mini- 
 iter  being  witnefs,  went  well  nigh  to  fwe^^r  it  j    Gcd  hcith  iji\'cd 
 
Eplfc.  52]  LETTERS.  97 
 
 mr  from  their  malice,  ift,  They  have  deprived  me  of  my  mi- 
 nillry  ;  2dly,  Silenced  me,  that  I  exercife  no  p^rt  of  the  mini- 
 flerial  fundiion  within  this  kingdom,  under  the  pain  of  rebellion  ; 
 3dly,  Confined  my  pcribn  within  the  town  of  Aberdeen,  v/here 
 I  find  the  miniilers  working  for  my  confinement  in  Caithnefs  or 
 Orkney,  far  from  them  ;  becaufe  fome  people  here  (willing  to 
 be  edified)  refort  to  me.  At  my  firft  entry,  I  had  heavy  challen- 
 ges within  me,  and  a  court  fenced  (but  i  hope,  not  in  Chriit's 
 name)  wherein  it  was  alferted,  that  my  Lord  would  have  no  more 
 of  my  fervice,  and  was  tired  of  me:  and,  like  a  fool,  I  fummon- 
 ed  Chrift  alfo  for  unkindnefs ;  my  foul  fainted,  and  I  refufed 
 comfort,  and  faid,  What  ailed  Chrift  at  me?  for  I  defired  to 
 be  faithful  in  his  houle.  Thus,  in  my  rovings  and  miftakings, 
 my  Lord  Jefus  beftcwed  mercy  on  me,  who  am  lefs  than  the  ieaft 
 of  all  faints.  I  lay  upon  the  dull,  rnd  bought  a  plea  from  Sat^n 
 againft  Chrift,  and  he  was  content  to  fell  it :  but  at  length  Chriit 
 did  Ihewhimfelf  friends  with  m*e,  and  in  mercy  pardoned  and  paft 
 my  part  of  it,  and  only  complained  that  a  court  (hould  be  holden 
 in  his  bounds,  without  his  own  allowance.  Now  1  pafs  from. my 
 compearance ;  and,  as  if  Chrift  had  done  the  fault,  he  hath  m.ade 
 the  mends,  and  returned  to  my  foulj  fo  that  now  his  poor  pri- 
 foner  feedeth  on  the  feafts  of  love.  My  adverfaries  know  not 
 what  a  courtier  I  am  now  v/ith  my  royal  jCing,  for  whofe  crown 
 I  now  fuiFer  :  'it  is  but  our  foft  and  lazy  flefh  that  hath  raifed  an 
 ill  report  of  the  crofs  of  Chrift  ;  O  fweet,  fueet  is  his  yoke  ! 
 Chrift's  chains  are  of  pure  gold;  futFerings  for  him  are  perfum- 
 ed: I  would  not  give  my  weeping  for  the  laughing  of  all  the  four- 
 teen prelates,  I  would  not  exchange  my  fadnefs  with  the  world's 
 joy.  O  lovely,  lovely  Jefus,  how  fweet  muft  thy  kifles  be, 
 when  thy  crofs  fmelleth  fo  fweetly !  O  if  all  the  three  kingdoms 
 had  part  of  my  love-feaft,  and  of  the  comfort  of  a  dawted  prifo- 
 ner !  Dear  brother,  I  charge  you  to  praife  for  me,  and  ftek  help 
 of  our  acquaintance  there,  to  help  me  to  praile.  Why  fhould  I 
 fmother  Chrift's  honellv  to  me  ?  My  heart  is  taken  up  with  this, 
 that  my  filence  and  fulFerings  may  preach.  1  befeech  you  in  the 
 bowels  of  Chrift,  to  help  me  to  piaiie.  Remember  my  love  to 
 your  wife,  to  Mr  Blair,  andMr  Livingfton,  and  Mr  Cunningham. 
 Let  me  hear  from  you,  for  I  am  anxious  what  to  do:  if  1  faw  a 
 call  for  New  England,  1  would  follow  it.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 ^bcrdeeny  1637.  Tours  in  our  Lord  J^fuSy     S.  R. 
 
 52.     To    JOHN  SIEWART    Provcft  of  Air, 
 Much  honoured  and  dearejl  in  Chrift ^ 
 
 (^  RACFi^,  mercv  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  our 
 y    Lord  Jcfus  Chrift.   be    upon  you.     I   expected   the  com- 
 fort of  a  letter  to  a  prifoner  from  you,  ere  now.    I  am  here.  Sir, 
 
 N'  - 
 
98  Ui'  nUTHERFOGRD's  Epld.  52.] 
 
 putting  ofF  a  part  of  my  Inch  of  time;  and  when  I  awake  firfl 
 in  the  morning  (which  is  always  with  great  heavinefs  and  fadnefs) 
 this  queftion  is  brought  to  my  mind  ;  Am  I  ferving  God  or  not? 
 Not  that  I  doubt  of  the  truth  of  this  honourable  caufe,  wherein 
 I  am  engaged  (I  dare  venture  into  eternity,  and  before  my  judge, 
 that  I  now  fuller  for  the  truth  :  becaule  that  I  cannot  endure 
 that  my  mailer,  who  is  a  free-born  King,  (liould  pay  tribute  to 
 any  of  the  ihields  or  pot-flieards  of  the  earth  ;  Oh  that  I  could 
 hold  the  crown  upon  my  princely  King's  head  with  my  fmful  arm, 
 hnwbeit  it  fliouW  be  iiruck  from  me  in  that  fervice  from  the 
 Ihoulder-blade  !)  but  my  clofed  mouth,  my  dumb  fabbaths,  the 
 memory  of  my  communion  with  Chrifi,  in  many  fair,  fair  days- 
 in  Anwoth  ^whereas  now  my  mafter  rjetteth  no  ft;rvice  of  my 
 tongue  as  then)  hath  ahnoft  broken  my  faith  in  two  halves:  yet 
 in  my  deepell  apprehenfions  of  his  anger,  I  fee  through  a  cloud 
 that  I  am  wrong ;  and  he,  in  love  to  my  foul,  Jiath  taken  up  the 
 controverfy  betwixt  faith  and  apprehenfions,  and  a  decreet  is  pad 
 on  Chrift's  lide  of  it,  and  I  fubfcribe  the  decreet.  The  Lord  is 
 cqr.al  in  his  ways,  but  my  guiltinefs  often  over-mr-flcreth  my  be- 
 lieving. I  have  not  been  well  known  ;  for,  except  as  to  open 
 out-bteakings,  I  want  nothing  of  what  Judas  and  Cain  had  ;  on- 
 ly he  hath  been  pleafed  to  prevent  me  in  mercy,  and  to  cafl  me 
 into  a  fever  of  love  for  himfelf,  and  his  abfence  m.aketli  my  fever 
 inoft  painful  ;  and  befide,  he  hath  vilited  my  foul  and  v/atered 
 it  with  his  comforts  :  but  yet  I  have  nut  what  I  would,  the  want 
 of  real  and  felt  poiTcfFion  is  my  only  death  ;  I  know  Chrifc  pitieih 
 me  in  this.  The  great  men  my  friends,  that  did  for  me,  are 
 dried  up,  like  winter-brooks  of  water:  all  fay,  No  dealing  for 
 that  man;  his  beit  will  be,  to  be  gone  out  of  the  kingdom.  So 
 I  fee  they  tire  of  me;  but,  believe  me,  1  am  moft  gladly  content 
 that  Chrift  breaketh  all  my  idols  in  pieces  :  it  hath  put  a  new  tdgt 
 upon  my  blunted  love  to  Chrilt;  I  fee  he  is  jealous  of  my  love, 
 and  will  have  all  to  himfelf.  In  a  word,  thefe  fix  things  arc  my 
 burden ;  i.  I  am  not  in  the  vineyard  as  others  are,  it  may  be, 
 becaufe  Chrift  thinketh  me  a  withered  tree,  not  worth  its  room  ; 
 but  God  forbid.  2.  Wo,  wo,  wo  is  conning  upon  my  harlot  mo- 
 ther, this  apoitatc  kirk:  the  time  is  coming,  when  we  (hall  wifh 
 for  doves  wings,  to  fly  and  hide  us:  Oh  for  the  defolaticn  of  this 
 land  !  3.  1  fee  my  dear  mafter,  Chrift,  going  as  alone  (as  it 
 were)  mourning  infackcloth  :  his  fainting  friends  fear  that  King 
 Jefus  lliall  lofe  the  field;  but  he  mull  carry  the  day.  4.  My 
 guiltinefs  and  the  fins  of  my  youth  are  come  up  ag;unft  me,  and 
 they  would  come  in  the  plea  in  my  fufferings,  as  deferving  caufes 
 in  God's  juftice  ;  but  Lpray  God,  forChrift's  fake,  he  never  give 
 them  that  room.  V/o's  me  that  I  cannot  get  my  royal,  dreadful, 
 mighty,  snd  glorious  prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth  fet  cii  high. 
 
Epld.  53.]  LETTERS.  5)f 
 
 Sir,  ye  may  help  mc  and  pity  me  in  this,  and  bow  your  knee,  and 
 blefs  his  name,  and  dcfire  others  to  do  it,  that  he  hath  been 
 pleaied  in  my  mfrerings  to  make  Atheilts.  Papiils,  and  enemies 
 about  me,  fay,  It  is  like,  God  is  with  this  pritbncr.  Let  hell  and 
 the  powers  oi  hell  (I  care  not)  be  let  loofe  againll  me  to  do  their 
 word,  (o  being  Chrill,  and  my  Father  and  his  Father  be  magnified 
 in  my  fufferings.  6.  Chrift's  love  hath  pained  me  j  for  howbeit 
 his  prcfcnce  hath  fhamcd  me,  and  drowned  me  in  debt,  yet  he 
 Oiten  goeth  away  when  niy  love  to  him  is  burning  ;  he  feemcth  to 
 look  like  a  proud  wooer,  who  will  not  look  upon  a  poor  match,  who 
 is  dying  of  love:  I  will  not  fay  he  is  lordly  ;  bur  I  know  he  is 
 wife,  in  hiding  himfeif  from  a  child  and  a  fool,  v.'ho  maketh  an 
 idol  and  a  god  of  one  of  Chrili's  kifles,  which  is  idolatry.  I  fear 
 I  adore  his  comforts  more  than  himfeif,  and  that  I  love  the  ap- 
 ples of  life  bettSr  than  the  tree  of  life.  Sir,  write  to  me  :  com- 
 mend me  to  your  wife^  mercy  be  her  portion.  Grace  be  with 
 you. 
 
 Aberdeen,   167,'j.  Tours  in  his  dearcjl  Lord  J  ejus  ^     S.  R. 
 
 53.     To  JOHN  STEVVAR.T  Provoji  cf  Air. 
 
 Worthy  and  dearly  beloved  in  our  Lordy 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  was  refrefhcd  and  com-. 
 fortcd  with  your  letter  :  what  I  wrote  you  for  your  com- 
 fort, I  do  not  remember;  but  I  believe,  love  will  prophefy 
 home-ward,  as  it  would  have  it.  I  wifli  I  could  help  you  fco 
 praife  his  great  and  holy  name,  who  keeperh  the  feet  oF  his  faints, 
 ;ind  hath  numbered  all  your  goings,  i  know  our  deart/l  Lor.d 
 will  pardon  and  pafs  by  our  honed  errors  and  miftakes,  when  we 
 mind  his  honour ;  yet  1  know,  none  of  you  have  ^z^w  the  other 
 half  and  the  hidden  fide  of  your  wondeiful  retuM)  home  to  us  a- 
 fain.  I  am  coniident  ye  ihall  yet  fay,  That  God's  mercy  blew 
 your  fails  back  to  Ireland  again..  Worthy  and  dear  Sir,  1  can- 
 not but  give  you  an  account  of  my  prefent  edate,  that  ye  may  go 
 an  errand  for  .me  to  my  high  and  royal  Mailer,  of  whom  I  boait 
 all  the  day.  I  am  as  proud  of  his  love,  (nay,  I  blefs  myfelf,  and 
 boaft  more  of  my  present  lot)  as  any  poor  m»n  can  be  oi  an  earth- 
 ly king's  court,  or  of  a  kingdom,  r  irft,  1  am  very  often  turn- 
 ing both  the  fides  of  n^y  crofs,  efpecially  my  dumb  and  filcnt 
 fabbaths  ;  not  becaufe  I  defire  to  find  a  crois  or  defect  in  my 
 Ijord's  love,  but  bccauie  love  is  lick  with  fancies^  and  fear  :. 
 whether  or  not  the  Lonl  hath  a  procefs  Iv^ading  a^ainfl  my  guil- 
 tinefs,  that  I  iiave  not  yet  well  fccn,  I  know  nut  5  my  ilefire  is 
 to  ride  fair,  and  not  to  fpark  dirt  (if,  wiih  rever«:;;ice  to  him,  i 
 j«uy  be  permitted  to  make  ufe  of  hi<.\\  a  woidj  ia  ihc  face  of  my 
 
 N   •-; 
 
r©®  Ux  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  53.] 
 
 only  Well-beioved  ;  but  fear  of  guikinefs  Is  a  talc-bearer  betwixt 
 me  and  Chrilt,  and  is  Hill  whilpering  ill  tales  of  my  Lord,  to 
 weaken  my  faith  :  I  had  rather  a  c^oud  went  over  my  comforts 
 by  thefc  meflages,  than  that  my  faith  fhould  be  hurt  j  for,  if  my 
 Lord  get  no  wrong  by  me,  verily  I  defire  grace,  not  to  care  what 
 become  of  me  1  defire  to  give  no  faith,  nor  credit  to  my  for- 
 row,  that  can  m.ike  a  lie  of  my  friend  Chrill;  \vo,  wo  be  to  them 
 all,  who  fpeak  ill  of  Chrift,  Hence  thefe  thoughts  awake  with  me 
 in  the  morning,  and  go  to  bed  with  me;  Oh  what  fvveet  fervice 
 can  a  dumb  body  do  in  Chrill's  houfe  !  Oh  I  think  the  word  of 
 God  is  imprifoned  aifo  !  Oh  I  am  a  dry  tree !  Alas  I  can  neither 
 plant,  nor  water !  Oh  if  my  Lord  would  make  but  dung  of  me, 
 to  fatten  and  make  fertile  his  own  corn  ridges  in  mount  Zion  ! 
 Oh  if  I  might  but  fpeak  to  three  or  four  htrd-boys,  of  niy  wor- 
 thy IVLifter,  I  would  be  fatished  to  be  the  meanelt  and  moll  ob^ 
 Icure  of  all  the  p::pLors  in  this  land,  and  to  live  in  any  place,  in 
 5^ny  of  Chrifc's  bafell  out-houfes  !  but  he  faith,  Sirra,  I  will  not 
 fciid  you,  I  have  no  errands  for  you  there  away  :  my  defire  to 
 ferve  him  is  fick  of  jealoufy,  Icit  he  be  unwilling  to  employ  rcit. 
 Secondly,  Tnis  is  Kxciided  with  another ;  Oh,  \vhat  I  have  done 
 in  Anwoth  ?  The  fair  woik  that  my  Mafter  began  there,  is  like 
 a  bird  dying  in  the  ihell :  and  what  will  I  then  have  to  fhew  of 
 all  my  labour,  in  the  day  of  m.y  compearance  before  him,  when 
 the  mafter  of  the  vineyard  callcth  the  labourers,  and  giveth  them 
 their  hire  ?  Thirdly,  But  truly,  when  Chrill's  fweet  wind  is  in  the 
 right  airth,  I  repent,  and  Ipray  Chrift  to  take  law-buiroughs  of 
 my  quarreilous  and  unbelieving  fadnefs  and  forrow,  (Lord  rebuke 
 them  that  put  ill  betwixt  a  poor  fcrvant  like  me,  and  his  good  ma- 
 iler :)  then  I  fay,  whether  the  black  crofs  will  or  not,  I  muft  climb 
 on  hands  and  feet;  up  to  my  Lord.  I  am  now  rueing  from  my  heart, 
 that  I  plcafiired  the  hw  (my  old  dead  hufband)  fo  far  as  to  ap- 
 prehend wrath  in  my  fweet  Lord  Jefus  ;  I  had  far  rr.ther  take  an 
 hire  to  plead  for  the  grace  of  God,  for  I  think  myfelf  Chrift's  fworn 
 debtor.  And  the  truth  is,  to  fpeak  of  my  Liord  what  I  cannot 
 deny,  I  am  over  head  and  ears  drowned  in  many  obligations  to  his 
 3ove  and  mercy  ;  he  handieth  me  fomeiinies  fo,  that  1  am  alhamed 
 almofl  to  feek  iwo^c  for  a  four-hours,  but  to  live  content,  till  the 
 marriage-fupper  of  the  Lamb,  with  that  which  he  giveth  :  but  I 
 know  not  how  greedy,  and  how  ill  to  pleafe  love  is ;  for  either 
 rny  Lord  Jefus  hath  taught  me  ill  manneis,  not  to  be  content  with 
 a  feat,  except  my  head  iy  in  hia  bofom,  and  except  1  be  fed  with 
 the  latnefs  of  his  hcufc;  or  eife  I  am  grown  impatiently  dainty, 
 and  ill  to  pleafe,  as  if  Chrift  were  cbliged,  under  this  crofs,  to  do 
 no  other  thing  but  bear  me  in  his  arms,  and  as  if  I  had  claim  by 
 bis  merit  for  nxy  fuiil-ring  for  him  :  but  I  wiili  he  could  give  me 
 g:u:  j  :o  karn  to  ^c  0:1  my  own  feet,  and  to  learn  to  want  his  co;r.i. 
 
Epift.  53-1  LETTERS.  loi 
 
 forts,  and  to  give  thanks  and  believe,  when  the  fun  Is  not  in  my 
 firmament,  and  when  my  Well-beloved  is  from  home,  and  gone 
 another  errand.    O  what  fweet  peace  have  I,  when  I  find  Chrifl 
 holdeth  and  I  draw,  when  I  climb  up  and  he  fhutteth  me  down, 
 whfn  I  grip  him  and  embrace  him,  and  he  feemeth  to  loofe  the 
 grips,  and  flee  away  from  me  !   I  think  there  is  even  a  fweet  joy  of 
 faith  and  contcntednefs  and  peace,  in  his  very  tempting  unkind- 
 nels,  becauie  my  faith  faith,  Chrift  is  net  in  fad  earnefl:  with  me, 
 but  trying  if  I  can  be  kind  to  his  malTc  and  cloud  that  covereth 
 him,  as  well  as  to  his  fair  face.    I  blefs  his  great  name,  that  I 
 love  his  vail  that  goeth  over  his  face,  while  God  fend  better:  for 
 faith  can  kifs  God's  tempting  reproaches  when  he  nick-nam*eth 
 a  finner,  a  dog,  not  worthy  to  ear  bread  with  the  bairns.    I  think 
 it  an  honour  that  Chrift  mifcalleth  me,  and  reproacheth  me;  I 
 will  take  that  well  of  him,  hovvbeit  I  would  not  bear  it  well,  if 
 another  would  be  that  homely  i  but  becaufe  I  am  his  own  (God 
 he  thanked)  he  may  ufe  me  as  he  pleafeth  :   I  muffc  fay,  the  faints 
 have  a  fweet  life  betwixt  them  and  Chrift ;  there  is  much  fweet 
 folace  of  love  b-^twixt  him  and  them,  when  he  '  feedeth  among 
 the  lillies,  and  cometh  into  his  garden,  and  maketh  a  feaft  of  ho- 
 ney-combs, and  drinkech  his  wine  and  his  milk,  and  crieth,  Eat, 
 O  friends,  drink,  be  ye  drunken,  O  Well-bsloved.*    One  hour  of 
 this  labour  is  worth  a  mipful  of  world's  drunken  and  muddy 
 joy:  nay  even  the  gate  of  heaven  is  the  funny  fide  of  the  brae, 
 and  the  very  garden  of  the  world  ;  for  the  men  of  this  world  have 
 their  own  unchriftentd  :uid  profane  croiTes ;  and  wo  be  to  them 
 and  their  curled  crclies  both ;  for  their  ills  are  faked  with  God*s 
 vengeance,  and  cur  ills  feafoncd  with  our  Father's  blcfllng  :  fo 
 they  are  no  fools  who  chufe  Chrift,  and  fell  all  things  for  him ; 
 it  is  no  bairns  market,  nor  a  blind  block-,  we  know  well  what 
 we  get  and  what  we  give.    Now,  for  any  refolution  to  go  to  any 
 other  kingdom,  I  dare  not  fpeak  one  word  :  my  hopes  of  enlarge- 
 ment are  cold,  my  hopes  of  re-entry  to  my  Mafter's  ill-drefled  vine- 
 yard again  arc  far  colder :  I  have  no  feat  for  my  faith  to  fit  on  but 
 bare  omnipotency,  and  God's  holy  arm  and  good-will  ^  here  I 
 defire  to  ftay,  and  ride  at  anchor,  and  wliitcr,  while   God  fend 
 lair  weather  again,  and  be  pleafed  to  take  home  to  his  houfe  my 
 harlot- mother :    Oh  if  her  hulband  would  be  that  kind,  as  to 
 go  and  fetch  her  out  of  the  brothel-houfe,  and  chafe  her  lovers  to 
 the  hills  !  but  there  will  be  ud  days  ere  ii  come  to  that.  Renien^- 
 ber  my  bonds.    Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Jherdi'cn  1637.  Yrurs  in  our  Lord  J^-fu:,     S.  R. 
 
r»2  Ur  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  54.] 
 
 54.    To  the  Lady  BUSBIE. 
 Mifirefsy 
 
 ALTHOUGH  not  acquaint,  yet  becsiife  wc  are  Fstber's  chil- 
 dren, I  thought  good  to  write  unto  you:  howbeit  my  firft 
 difcourfe  and  communing  with  ycru  of  Chrift  be  in  paper;  yet  I 
 have  caufe  fmce  I  came  hither,  to  have  no  paper  thoughts  of  him  ; 
 for  in  my  fad  days  he  has  become  the  flower  of  my  joys,  and  I 
 but  lie  here  living  upon  his  love ;  but  cannot  get  fo  much  of  it  as 
 h'm  I  would  have ;  not  becaufe  Chrift's  love  is  lordly,  and  look- 
 eth  too  high ;  but  becaufe  I  have  a  narrow  vefl'el  to  receive  his  love, 
 and  I  look  too  low  :  but  I  give  under  my  own  hand  write  to  your 
 teftimcnial  of  Chrifl  and  his  crofs,  that  they  are  a  fweet  couple, 
 and  that  Chrift  hath  never  yet  been  fet  in  his  own  due  chair  of 
 honour  amongli  us  all.  Oh,  I  know  not  where  to  fet  him  !  O 
 for  a  high  feat  to  that  royal  princely  one  !  O  that  my  poor  witl>er- 
 eii  foul  had  once  a  running-over  flood  of  that  love  to  put  fap  in 
 my  dry  root,  and  that  that  flood  would  fpring  out  to  the  tongue 
 and  pen,  to  utter  great  things  to  the  high  and  due  commendation 
 of  fuch  a  fair  one  !  O  holy,  holy,  holy  one  !  Alas  there  are  too 
 many  dtimb  tongues  in  the  world,  and  dry  hearts,  feeing  there  is 
 employment  in  Chrifl  for  them  all,  and  ten  thoufand  worlds  of 
 men  and  angels  more,  to  fet  on  high,  and  exalt  the  grcated  Prince 
 of  the  kings  of  the  earth.  Woes  me,  that  bits  of  living  clay  dare 
 come  out,  to  rufh  hard-heads  with  him  ;  and  that  my  unkind  mo- 
 ther, this  harlot-kirk,  hath  given  her  fweet  half-marrow  fuch  a 
 meeting;  for  this  land  hath  given  up  with  Chrifl:,  and  the  Lord 
 is  cutting  Scotland  in  two  halves,  and  fending  the  worfl  half,  the 
 harlot  fift':!-,  over  to  Rome's  brothel-houfe,  to  get  her  fill  of  E- 
 gypt's  love.  I  would  my  fuiferings  (nay,  fuppofe  I  were  burnt 
 quick  to  aihes)  might  buy  an  agreement  betwixt  his  faireft  and 
 fweetefl:  love,  and  his  gawdy  l^wd  wife ;  fain  would  I  give  Chrift 
 his  welcome  home  to  Scotland  again  if  he  would  return.  This  is 
 a  black  day,  a  day  of  clouds  and  darknefs ;  for  the  roof-tree  of 
 my  Lord  Jefus  his  fair  temple  h?.s  fallen,  and  Chrifl*s  back  is  to- 
 ward Scotland.  O  thrice  blefTed  are  they  who  would  hold  ChriH: 
 with  their  tears  and  prayers  !  I  know  ye  will  help  to  deal  with  him, 
 for  he  fiiall  return  again  to  this  land :  the  next  day  fnall  be  Chrifi's, 
 and  there  fhill  be  a  fair  green  young  garden  for  Chrift  in  this 
 land,  and  God's  fummer-dew  lliall  ly  on  it  all  the  night,  and 
 wc  fhall  fing  again  our  new  marrlage-fong  to  our  Bridegroom, 
 concerning  his  vineyard  :  but  who  knoweth  whether  we  ftiall  live 
 and  fee  it  ?  I  hear  the  Lord  is  taking  pains  to  aiHift  and  drefs 
 you,  as  a  fruitful  vine  for  himfelf ;  grow  and  be  green,  and  caft 
 out  your  branches,  and  bring  forth  fruit :  fat  and  green  and  fruit- 
 ful may  ye  be,  in  the  true  and  uippy  root.    (Siazc,  grace,  free 
 
Eplft.  55-]  LETTERS,  i«3 
 
 grace  be  your  portion.    Remember  my  bonds  with  prayers  and 
 pralles. 
 
 Aber-decriy   16:57.  Yours  in  his  fiveet  Lord  Jefus,     S.  R. 
 
 55.    ro  NINIAN  MURE. 
 Loving  Friendy 
 
 I  Received  your  letter :  I  entreat  you,  now  in  the  morning  of 
 your  life,  feek  the  Lord  and  his  face :  beware  of  the  foliy  of 
 dangerous  youth,  a  perilous  time  for  your  foul :  love  not  the 
 world ;  keep  faith  and  truth  with  all  men,  in  your  covenants  and 
 bargains ;  walk  with  God,  for  he  feeth  you  :  do  nothing  but  that 
 which  ye  may  and  would  do,  if  your  eye-ftrings  were  breaking, 
 and  your  breath,  growing  cold.  Ye  heard  the  truth  of  God  from 
 me ;  my  dear  heart,  follow  it.,  and  fcrf;'.ke  it  net;  prize  Chriffc 
 and  falvation  above  all  the  world  :  to  live  after  the  guife  and  courfe 
 of  the  reft  of  the  world,  will  not  bring  you  to  heaven ;  without 
 faith  in  Chrilt,  and  repentance,  ye  cannot  fee  God^  take  pains 
 for  f^ivation  ;  prefs  forward  toward  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the 
 high  calling :  if  ye  watch  not  againft  evils  night  and  day,  which 
 befet  you,  ye  will  com.e  behind  :  beware  of  lying,  fwearing,  un- 
 cleannefs,  and  the  reft  of  the  works  of  the  Hefh  ;  becaufe  for  thefe 
 things  the  wrath  of  God  cometh  upon  the  children  of  difobedi- 
 cnce :  how  fwcet  focver  they  may  feem  for  the  prefeht,  yet  thd 
 end  of  thefe  courfes  is  the  eternal  wrath  of  God,  and  utter  dark- 
 ne(s,  where  there  is  weeping  and  gnafliing  of  teeth.  Grace  be 
 with  you. 
 
 Abtrdeen,    iG}-].  Your  loving  pajl cry     S.  R. 
 
 S6,    To  Mr.  THOMAS  CARVEN. 
 
 Reverend  ami  dear  brother^ 
 
 C^l  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  ycu.  I  am  forry  that  what 
 y  j(»y  and  iorrow  drew  from  my  inipritbned  pen,  in  my  love- 
 fits,  hath  made  you  ar.d  many  of  God's  children  believe,  that 
 there  is  fomeihing  in  a  broken  reed  the  like  of  me;  except  that 
 Chrift's  grace  hath  bought  fuch  a  fold  bo<iy,  I  know  not  v/hat  elfc 
 any  may  think  of  me,  or  expe£l  from  me.  My  ftock  is  kfs  (my 
 Lord  knoweth  I  fpcak  truth)  than  mar.y  believe  ;  my  empty 
 founds  have  promifed  too  much  :  I  would  be  glad  to  ly  under 
 Chrift's  feet,  and  keep  and  receive  the  off-fallings,  or  any  old 
 pieces  of  any  grace,  that  fall  from  his  fwect  fingers  to  forlorn  fin- 
 ners.  I  ly  often  uncouth-like,  looking  in  at  the  King's  windows; 
 furely  I  am  unworthy  of  a  feat  in  the  King's  hall-floor :  I  but  of- 
 ten look  afar  off.  both  feared  and  framed-like,  to  that  faireft  face, 
 feaiing  he  bid  me  look  away  from  him ;  my  jjuiUinef*  rifeth  up 
 
104  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  56.] 
 
 upon  me,  and  I  have  no  anfwer  for  it.  I  offered  my  tongue  to 
 Chrift,  and  my  pains  in  his  houfe ;  and  what  know  I  what  it 
 meancth,  when  Chrift  will  not  receive  my  poor  proplne  ?  "When 
 love  will  not  take,  we  expone,  it  will  neither  take  nor  give,  bor- 
 row nor  lend.  Yet  Chrifl  hath  another  fea-compafs  he  faileth  by, 
 than  my  ihort  and  raw  thoughts :  I  leave  his  part  of  it  to  himfelf. 
 I  dare  not  expound  his  dealing,  as  forrow  and  misbelief  often  dic- 
 tateth  to  me :  1  look  often  with  my  bleared  and  blind  eyes  to  my 
 Lord's  crofs ;  and  when  I  look  to  the  wrong  fide  of  his  crofs,  I 
 know  I  mifs  a  ftep  and  Aide  :  furely  I  fee  I  have  not  legs  of  my 
 own  for  carrying  m.e  to  heaven ;  I  muil  go  in  at  heaven's  gates, 
 borrowing  flrength  from  Chrift.  I  am  often  thinking,  O  if  he 
 would  but  give  me  leave  to  love  him,  and  if  Chrift  would  but 
 open  up  his  v/ares,  and  the  infinite  plyes  and  windings  and  cor- 
 ners of  his  foul-delighting  love,  and  let  me  fee  it,  backfide  and 
 forefide,  and  give  me  leave  but  to  ftand  befide  it,  like  an  hungry 
 man  befide  meat,  to  get  my  fill  of  wondering,  as  a  prefiice  to 
 my  fill  of  enjoying  !  But  verily,  I  think  my  foul  eyes  would  de- 
 file his  fair  love  to  look  to  it:  either  my  hunger  is  over  humble, 
 (if  that  may  be  faid)  or  elfc  1  confider  not  what  honour  it  is  to  get 
 leave  to  love  Chrift.  O  that  he  would  pity  a  prifoner,  and  let 
 out  a  flood  upon  the  dry  ground  !  It  is  nothing  to  him  to  fill  the 
 like  of  me ;  one  of  his  looks  would  do  me  meikle  world's  good, 
 and  him  no  ill.  I  kno\v  I  am  not  at  a  point  yet  with  Chrift's  love, 
 I  am  net  yet  fitted  for  fo  much  as  I  would  have  of  it ;  my  hope  fit- 
 teth  neighl^ur  with  meikle  black  hunger:  and  certainly  (  dow  not 
 but  think,  there  is  more  of  that  love  ordained  for  me  than  I  yet 
 comprehend  ;  and  I  know  not  the  weight  of  the  pcnfion  the  king 
 will  give  me  :  I  fr.all  be  glad  if  my  hungry  bill  get  leave  to  lie  be- 
 fide Chrift,  waiting  on  an  anfwer.  Now  I  would  be  full  and  re- 
 ioice  if  I  got  a  poor  man's  alms  of  that  fweeteft  love  :  but  I  con- 
 fidently believe  there  is  a  bed  made  for  Chrift  and  nie,  and  that 
 we  (hall  take  our  fill  of  love  in  it ;  and  I  often  think  when  my  joy 
 is  run  out,  and  at  the  loweft  ebb,  that  I  would  feek  no  more,  but 
 my  rights  paft  the  king's  great  feal,  and  that  thefe  eyes  of  mine 
 could  fee  Chrift's  hand  at  the  pen.  If  your  Lord  call  you  to  fufFer- 
 ing  be  not  difmayed-,  there  fhall  be  a  new  allowance  of  the  king 
 for  you  when  ye  come  to  it :  one  of  the  fofteft  pillows  Chrift  hath 
 is  laid  under  his  witneiTes  head,  tho'  often  they  muft  fet  down 
 their  bare  feet  among  thorns.  He  hath  brought  m^y  poor  foul  to 
 defire  and  wifh,  O  that  my  afhes,  and  the  powder  I  fliall  be  dif- 
 folved  into,  had  well  tuned  tongues  to  praife  him.  Thus  in  haftc, 
 deiiring  your  prayers  and  praifes,  I  recommend  you  to  my  fweet, 
 fweet  maftcr,  my  honourable  Lord,  of  whom  I  hold  all.  Grace 
 be  with  you. 
 
 JberdeeUt  1637.  Tour  twn  in  hU  fwest  Lordjefus^  S.  R. 
 
Epiil.  57']  LETTERS.  ^       105 
 
 57.     To  JANE  BROWN. 
 Miftrefs, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  glad  tbat  ye  go  on 
 at  ChrilVs  back,  in  this  dark  and  c!c5udv  time  ;  it  were  good 
 to  fell  other  things  for  him  ;  for  when  all  thefe  days  are  over,  we 
 fhall  find  it  our  advantage,  that  we  have  taken  part  with  Chrift. 
 I  confidently  believe  his  enemies  fhall  be  his  footitoo1,.and  that 
 he  Ihall  make  green  flowers  dead  withered  hay,  when  the  honour 
 and  glory  fliall  iall  off  them,  like  the  bloom  or  flower  of  a  green 
 herb  Ihaken  with  the  wind.  It  vvere  not  wiidom  for  us  10  think 
 tiiat  Chrift  and  the  gofpei  will  come  and  fit  down  nt  our  fire-fide; 
 nay,  but  we  mud:  go  out  of  our  warm  houfes,  and  feck  Chrift  and 
 his  gofpei  :  it  is  not  the  funny  fide  of  Uhrill  that  we  muft  look 
 to,  and  we  muft  not  forfake  him  for  want  of  that-,  but  muft  fee 
 our  face  againft  what  may  befall  us,  in  followirig  on  till  he  and 
 we  be  through  the  briars  and  bufties  on  the  dry  ground.  Our 
 foft  nature  would  be  born  through  the  troubles  oF  this  miferable 
 life,  in  Chrift's  arms  ;  and  it  is  his  wifdom  who  knoweih  our 
 mould,  that  his  bairns  go  wet-fliod  and  cold-footed  to  he.v  t\\.  O 
 how  fweet  a  thing  were  it  for  us  to  learn  to  make  our  burdens 
 light,  by  framing  our  hearts  to  the  burden,  and  making^  our 
 Lord's  will  a  law  !  I  find  Chrift  and  his  crofs  not  fo  ill  to  pleafe, 
 nor  yet  fuch  troublefome  guefts  as  men  call  them  ;  nay,  I  think 
 patience  ftiould  make  Ch rift's  water  good  wine,  and  his  drofs  good 
 metal:  and  we  have  caufe  lo  wait  on;  for,  ere  it  be  long,  our 
 Mafter  will  be  at  us,  and  bring  this  whole  world  out  before  the 
 fun  and  daylight  in  their  blacks  and  whites.  Happy  are  they  who 
 are  found  watching  :  our  fand-glafs  is  not  fo  long  as  we  need  to 
 weary  ;  time  will  eat  away  and  root  out  our  woes  and  forrow  ; 
 our  heaven  is  in  the  bud,  and  growing  up  to  an  harveft  ;  why 
 then  (bould  we  not  follo-.v  on,  feeing  our  fpan-lenjTth  of  time  wi)l 
 come  to  an  inch  ?  Therefore  I  commend  Chrift  to  you  as  yourlaft 
 living,  and  longeft  living  hufband,  and  the  ftnff*of  your  old  age; 
 let  him  have  now  the  reil^  of  your  days  :  and  think  not  much  of  a 
 ftorm  upon  the  fhip  that  thrift  faileth  in  ;  there  Iball  no  pafTen- 
 ger  fall  over-board,  but  the  crazed  Ihip  and  the  fea-fick  paffengers 
 fliall  come  to  land  fafe.  I  am  in  as  fweet  communion  with  Chiift 
 as  a  poor  finner  can  be;  and  am  only  pained  that  he  hath  much 
 beauty  and  fairnefs,  and  I  little  love  \  he  great  power  and  mercv, 
 and  I  little  faith  ;  he  much  light,  and  I  bleared  eyes.  Oh  that  I 
 faw  him  in  the  fweetnefsof  his  love,  and  in  his  marriage  cioaths, 
 nnd  were  over  head  and  ears  in  love  with  that  princely  one,  Chrift 
 Jefus  my  Lord  !  Alas,  my  riven  dii1i,  and  runnin?  out  vcflcl  can 
 hold  little  of  Chrift  Jefus.  I  have  joy  in  this,  that  I  would  not 
 rcfufe  death,  before  I  put  Chiift's  lawful  heritage  in  men'i  trylt- 
 
 O 
 
io6  Mr  RUT-HERFOORD't  Epifl58.3 
 
 ing  j  and  what  know  I,  if  they  would  have  pleafcd  both  Child  and 
 mc  ?  Alas,  that  this  land  hath  put  Chrift  to  open  rouping,  and 
 to  an,  any  man  more  bids  !  BlefTed  are  they  who  would  hold  the 
 crown  on  his  head,  and  buy  ChriiVs  honour  with  their  OA-n  lolTes. 
 I  rejoice  to  hear  your  ion  John  is  coming  to  vifit  Chrift,  andtafte 
 of  his  love  -.  I  hope  he  Ibuii  not  lofe  his  pains,  or  rue  of  that  choice, 
 i  had  always  (as  1  faid  often  to  yoU)  a  great  love  to  dear  Mr.  John 
 Brown,  becaufe  I  thought  I  faw  Chriil  in  him  more  than  in  his 
 brethren  :  fain  would  I  write  to  him,  to  ftand  by  my  fweet  Ma- 
 iler j  and  1  wilh  ye  would  let  him  read  my  letter^  and  the  joy  I 
 have,  if  he  will  appear  for,  and  fide  with  my  Lord  Jefus.  Grace 
 be  with  vou, 
 
 u^berdien^  March  73.  Tours  in  his  fiveet 
 
 1637.  Lord  Jcfusy  S   R. 
 
 58.     To  JANE  MACMILLAN. 
 
 Loving  fiflcr, 
 f^  R.ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  cannot  come  to  vcu, 
 \JJ-  to  give  you  my  ccunfel  \  and  howbeit  1  would  come,  I  cannot 
 flay  with  you :  but  I  befeech  you  to  keep  Chrift,  for  I  did  w^hat 
 I  cculd  to  put  you  within  grips  of  him  ;  1  told  you  Chrift's  tella- 
 ment  and  lutter  will  plainly,  and  I  kept  notbing  back  that  my 
 Lord  gave  me  ;  and  I  gave  Chrift  to  you  with  good  will :  I  pray 
 you  make  him  your  own,  and  go  not  from  that  truth  I  taught  you, 
 in  one  hair-breadth  \  that  truth  fliall  fave  you  if  ye  follow  it. 
 Salvation  is  not  an  eafy  thing  and  foon  gotten  \  Soften  told  you 
 few  are  faved  and  many  damned  ;  I  pray  you  make  your  poor  foul 
 fure  of  falvation,  and  make  the  feeking  of  heaven  your  daily  tafk. 
 ]f  ye  never  had  a  Tick  night  and  a  pained  foul  for  lin,  ye  have  not 
 yet  lighted  upon  Chrift  \  look  to  the  ri^ht  marks, of  having  ciofed 
 with  Chrift: ;  if  ye  love  him  belter  than  the  world,  and  would 
 quit  all  the  world  for  him,  then  that  fliith  the  work  is  found.  O 
 if  ye  faw  the  beauty  of  Jefus,  and  felt  the  fmell  of  his  love,  you 
 would  run  through  tire  and  water  to  be  at  him  !  God  fend  you 
 him.    Pray  for  me,  for  1  cannot  forget  you.    Grace  be  with  you, 
 
 Aberdeen^    1637.  Tour  loving  pajlor,     S.  R. 
 
 5vy.    To  the  Lady  BUSBIE. 
 Mifirefs, 
 
 C~^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  glad  to  hear  that 
 Jf  Chrift  and  ye  are  one,  and  that  yc  have  made  him  your  one 
 thing;  where  many  are  painful,  toiled  in  feeking  many  things, 
 and  their  many  things  are  nothing.  It  is  only  bcft,  yc  fet  your- 
 fclf  apart,  as  a  thing  laid  up  and  out  of  the  gait,  for  Chrift  alone ; 
 for  ye  are  gcod  for  no  ether  thing  but  Chrift  \  and  he's  been  going 
 
Eplfl.  59-1  LETTERS.  icy 
 
 about  you  thefe  in^iny  y^ars,  by  afflitlions,  to  engage  you  to  him- 
 felt' ;  it  were  a  pity  ami  a  lo\s  to  fay  \vm  nay.  Verily  I  could 
 wilh  that  I  could  fwim  through  hell,  and  all  the  ill  weather  in  tnc 
 world,  and  Chrlft  in  my  arms  j  but  it  is  my  evil  and  folly,  that 
 cxcc^z  Chrift  come  unfent  for,  I  do  not  go  to  feek  him  ;  when 
 he  and  I  fall  in  reckoning,  we  are  bottubehind,  be  in  payment, 
 and  I  in  counting;  and  lo  marcjies'  ly  ftiii  unrid,  and  counts  un- 
 cleared betwixt  us.  O  that 'lie  would  take  his  own  blood  for 
 counts  and  mifcountSj  that  I  might  be  a  free  man.  and  none  had 
 any  claim  to  me  but  only,  only  Jefus.  1  will  think  it  no  bon- 
 dage to  be  rouped,  comprifed  and  polTeffed  by  Chrifl,  as  his  bond- 
 man; Think  wr.ll  of  the  viiitations  of  your  Lord  :  for  I  find  one 
 thing,  I  frjw  not  well  before,  that  when  the  faints  are  under  tri- 
 als, and  well  humbled,  little  fins  raife  great  cries  and  war  fhouts 
 in  the  confcience;  and  in  profperity,  confcienceisa  Pope,  to  give 
 dlfpcnfations,  and  let  out  and  in,  and  give  lalitvide  and  elbow- 
 room  to  our  heart.  Oh  how  little  care  we  for  pardon  at  ChrilTs 
 hand,  when  we  make  di'penfations  !  and  all  is  but  bairns  play, 
 till  a  crofs  without  beget  an  heavier  crofs  within,  and  then  we  play 
 no  longer  with  our  idols.  It  is  good  (lill  to  be  fevere  againft  our- 
 felves  i  for  we  but  transform  God's  mercy  into  an  idol,  and  an 
 idol  that  hath  a  difpenfation  to  give,  for  turning  or  the  grace  of 
 God  into  wantonnefs.  Happy  are  they  ^vbo  take  up  God,  wrath, 
 juftice,  and  lin,  as  they  are  in  themfclves  ;  for  we  have  mifcarry* 
 ing  light,  that  parteth  with  child,  when  we  have  good  refolutions  : 
 but,  God  be  thanked,  that  falvation  is  not  lolled  upon  our  v/heels. 
 O  but  Chriit  hath  a  faving  eye  !  Salvation  is  in  his  eye-lids ;  when 
 he  firft  looked  on  me,  1  was  faved  ;  it  coft  him  but  a  look,  to 
 make  hell  quit  of  m.e  :  O  merits,  free  merits,  and  the  dear  blood 
 of  God,  vi  as  the  beft  gait  that  ever  we  could  have  gotten  out  of  hell ! 
 O  what  A  fwett,  O  what  a  fafe  and  fure  way  is  it,  to  come  cut  of 
 hell,  leafiing  on  a  Saviour  !  That  Chrifl:  and  a  finner  (hould  be 
 one,  and  have  heaven  betwixt  them,  and  be  halvers  of  falvation, 
 is  the  v.'onder  of  falvation.  What  more,  humble  could  love  be  ^ 
 and  what  an  excellent  fmell  doth  Chiill  caft  en  his  lower  garden, 
 where  there  grow  but  wild  lowers,  it  we  fptak  by  way  of  comp'«- 
 riion  ;  but  there  is  nothing  but  perfcdl  garden  fiov^ers  in  heaven^ 
 and  the  bell  plenilliing  that  is  there  is  Chrift.  We  are  ail  obl'ged 
 to  love  heaven  for  Chrift's  fake  :  he  graceth  heaven,  and  all  his 
 Father's  houfe  with  his  prefence  :  he  is  a  Kofe  that  benutiii<nh  all 
 the  upper  garden  of  God  ;  a  leaf  of  that  Rofc  of  God  for  fmell  ifi 
 worth  a  world:  O  that  he  would  blow  his  fmeil  upon  a  v/itheied 
 and  dead  loul  !  let  u^s  then  go  on  to  meet  with  hiiu,  and  to  be  fil- 
 led with  the  fweetncfs  of  his  love.  Nothing  will  hold  hi ra  from 
 us;  he  hath  decreed  to  put  time.,  fin,  hell,  devils,  men  and  draui 
 out  of  the  way,  and  to  rid  the  rough  way  beavixc  us  and  him, 
 
 O  z 
 
io8  Ish  RUrHERFOORD's  Epift.  60.] 
 
 that  we  may  enjoy  one  another.  It  is  ftrange  and  wonderful, 
 that  he  would  think  long  in  heaven  without  us,  and  that  he  would 
 have  the  company  01  finners  to  folace  and  delight  himfclf  withal  in 
 heaven  ;  and  now  the  ("upper  is  abiding  us  •,  Chrift  the  Bridegroom 
 with  denre  is  waiting  on,  till  the  bride,  tne  Lamo's  wife,  be  bulk- 
 ed for  the  marriage,  and  the  great  h:dl  be  rid  for  the  meeting  of 
 that  joyful  couple.  O  fools,  what  do  we  here  ?  and  v/hy  fit  we 
 Itill  ?  why  fleep  we  in  the  prifon  ?  were  it  not  befl  to  make  us 
 wings,  to  flee  up  to  our  blcfied  match,  our  marrow,  and  our  fel- 
 low iiiends  ?  1  think,  IMiltrefs,  )e  are  looking  thereaway,  and  this 
 is  your  fecond  or  third  thought;  make-forward,  your  guide  waijC- 
 eth  on  you.  I  cannot  hut  biefs  you  for  your  care  and  kindnefs  to 
 the  faints.  God  give  you  to  find  mercy  in  that  day  of  our  Lord 
 Jefus,  to  whofe  grace  1  recommend  you, 
 
 A^^erd.  1637.  Yours  in  our  Lord  Je-fus,      S.  R. 
 
 60.     To  WILLIAM  PJGG  of  Athcrnie, 
 
 Much  honoured  and  ivorthy  Sir, 
 
 YOUR  letter,  full  of  complaints,  bemoaning  your  guiltinefs, 
 hath  humbled  mc  ;  but  give  me  leave  to  fay.  Ye  feem  to  be 
 too  far  upon  the  law's  fide,  ye  will  not  gain  much  to  be  the  law's 
 advocate ;  I  thought  ye  had  not  been  the  law's,  but  grace  s  man  5 
 neveitbtjcfs,  1  am  fure  ye  defire  K)  take  God's  part  againit  your^ 
 felf ;  whatever  your  guiltinefs  be,  yet  when  it  falleth  into  the  fea 
 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  Chrifl's  doom 
 light  on  the  old  man,  and  let  him  bear  his  condemnation,  feeing 
 in  Chrift  he  was  condemned  ;  for  the  law  hath  but  pov/er  over 
 your  worft  half:  let  the  blame  therefore  ly  where  the  blame  fhould 
 be;  and  let  the  new  m.an  be  fure  to  fay,  '  I  am  comely  as  the 
 tents  of  Kedar,  howbeit  I  be  black  and  fun-burnt,  by  fitting  neigh- 
 bour befide  a  body  of  fin.  I  feek  no  more  here  but  room  for 
 grace's  defence,  and  Chrift's  v/hite  throne,  whereto  a  finner,  con- 
 demned by  the  law,  may  appeal :  but  the  ufe  that  I  make  of  it  is, 
 I  am  forry  that  I  am  not  fo  tender,  and  thin-fkinned,  though  I 
 am  fure  Chrift  may  find' employment  for  his  calling  in  me.  if  in 
 any  living,  feeing  from  my  youth  upward  I  have  been  m^aking  up 
 the  blackeli  proctls  that  any  minifier  in  the  world,  or  any  other, 
 can  anfwer  to  ;  and  when  I  bad  done  this,  I  painted  a  providence 
 of  my  own,  and  wrote  eafe  for  myfelf,  and  a  peaceable  miniftry, 
 and  the  fun  iliining  on  me,  ti41  I  ihould  be  in  at  heaven's  gates  j 
 fuch  green  and  raw  thoughts  Kad  I  of  God  !  I  thought  alfo  of  a 
 ii<:c[iii)g  devil  that  would  pafs  by  the  like  of  me,  lying  in  muirs 
 and  out  fields;  fo  I  bigged  the  gouk's  neft,  and  dreamed  of  dy- 
 ing at  eafe,  tad  liring  in  a  fool's  par^idifc  :  but  fincc  I  came  hU 
 
Epift.  6i.]        -  LETTERS.  lof 
 
 then,  I  am  often  {oy  as  that  they  would  have  much  rhetoric  that 
 would  perfuade  me,  that  Chnft  hath  not  written  wrath  on  my 
 dumb  and  filt-nt  fabbaths;  (which  is  a  perfecution  of  the  lateft 
 edition,  being  ufed  againlt  none  in  this  land,  that  I  can  learn  of, 
 befides  me)  and  often  I  lie  under  a  non-entry,  and  would  glad- 
 ly icil  all  *ny  joys  to  be  confirmed  King  Jefus's  free  tenant,  and 
 to  have  lealcd  alTurances  ;  but  I  fee  often  blank  papers.  And  my 
 gre/.tcfl.  dcfires  are  thefe  two,  i.  That  Chrilt  would  take  me  in 
 hand  to  cure  me,  and  undertake  for  a  fick  man  :  1  know  1  fliould 
 j^ot  die  under  his  hand  ;  and  yet  in  thi$,  while  I  (till  doubt,  I  be- 
 lieve, lurough  a  cloud,  that  forrow  which  hath  no  eyes  hath  but 
 put  a  veil  on  Chrift's  love.  2.'  It  pleafeth  him  often  fin ce  I  came 
 hither,  to  come  with  fume  fliort  blinks  of  his  fwcet  love;  and 
 then,  becaufe  I  have  noi\e  to  help  me  to  praife  his  love,  and  can 
 do  hi^m  no  f  vice  in  my  own  perfon,  (as  I  thought  once  I  did  in 
 his  temple)  I  die  with  wiflies  and  defire  to  take  up  houfe,  and 
 dwell  at  the  well  fide,  and  to  have  him  praifed  and  fet  on  high: 
 but  alas  !  v.'hat  can  the  like  .of  me  do,  to  ^t  a  good  name  raifed 
 upon  ny  Well-beloved  Lord  Jefus,  fuppofe  I  could  defirc  to  be 
 fufpendfd  lor  ever  for  my  p;irt  of  heaven,  for  his  glory  ?  I  am  fure 
 it  I  could  get  my  will  ot  Chrift's  love,  and  could  be  once  over 
 head  and  ears  in  the  believed,  apprehended,  and  feen  love  of  the 
 ^on  of  God,  it  were  the  fulfilling  of  the  defires  of  the  only  hap- 
 pincfs  I  would  be  at.  But  the  truth  is,  I  hinder  my  communion 
 with  him,  becaufe  of  want  of  both  faith  and  repentance,  and  be- 
 caufe I  will  make  an  idol  of  Chrift's  kifles  :  I  will  neither  lead 
 nor  drive,  except  I  fetChrift's  love  run  in  my  channel,  and  when 
 I  wait  and  look  for  him  the  upper  way,  I  fee  his  wifdom  is  pleaf- 
 ed  to  play  me  a  flip,  and  come  the  iov/er  way  :  fo  that  I  have  not 
 the  right  art  of  guiding  Chriit;  for  there  is  art  and  wifdom  re- 
 quired in  guiding  of  Chrill's  love  aright  when  we  have  gotten  it. 
 
 0  how  far  are  his  ways  above  mine  !  O  how  little  of  him  do  I 
 lee!  And  when  I  am  as  dry  as  a  burnt  henth  in  a  drouthy  fum- 
 nier,  and  when  my  root  is  withered,  howbeit  1  tkink  then,  that 
 
 1  would  drink  a  fca-full  of  Chrifl,  ere  ever  I  would  let  the  cup  go 
 fiom  my  head;  yet  I  get  nothing  but  delays,  as  if  he  would  make 
 hunger  my  daily  food:  I  think  myfelf  alfo  hungered  of  hupgcr; 
 the  rich  Lord  Jefus  fatisfy  a  famiflied  man.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  Sept,  lo,  Tour  ovjn  in  his jwsct  Lord  Jtf/uii 
 
 1637.  ^'  R- 
 
 Cti.  To  his  luorihy  and  mu(h  honoured  friend  FULK  ELIE3. 
 U/orthy  and  much  honoured  in  our  Lord, 
 
 (">  RACK,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  am  glad  oi  our  mors 
 S$.   than  paper  acquaintance:    feeing  v/c  have  one  F^ithcr,  ip 
 
no  Mr  RUTHERFOORD\  Epift.  6i.] 
 
 rcckoncth  the  lefs  though  we  never  faw  one  another's  face.  I 
 profefs  myfclf  moft  unworthy  to  follow  the  camp  of  fuch  a  wor- 
 thy and  renowned  captain  as  Chrift.  Oh  alas !  I  have  caufe  to  be 
 grieved,  th?.t  men  expecl  any  thing  of  fuch  a  wretched  man  as  I 
 am :  it  is  a  wonder  to  me,  it  Chrilt  can  make  any  thing  of  my 
 naughty,  fhort  and  narrow  love  to  him ;  furely  it  is  not  worth 
 the  up-taking.  2.  As  for  our  lovely  and  beloved  church  in  Ire- 
 land, my  heart  bleedeth  for  her  dcfolation;  but  I  believe  our 
 Lord  is  only  lopping  the  vine  trees,  but  not  intending  to  cut  them 
 down,  or  root  them  out.  It  is  true,  feeing  wc  are  heart-atheifts 
 by  nature,  and  cannot  take  providence  aright,  (becaufe  we  halt 
 and  crook  ever  fince  we  fell)  we  dream  of  an  halting  providence, 
 as  if  God's  yard,  whereby  he  meafureth-joy  and  forrow  to  the 
 fons  of  men,  were  crooked  and  unjuft,  becaufe  fervants  go  on 
 horfeback,  and  princes  goon  foot:  but  our  Lord  dealeth  good 
 and  evil,  and  fomc  one  portion  or  other  to  both,  by  ounces- 
 weights:  and  meafureth  them  in  a  juft.  and  even  balbince.  It  is 
 but  folly  to  meafure  the  gofpel  by  fummer  or  winter  weather:  the 
 fummer  fun  of  the  faints  (liineth  not  on  them  in  this  life.  How 
 fiiould  v/e  have  complained,  if  the  Lord  had  turned  the  fame  pro- 
 Tidence  that  we  now  flomach  at,  upfide  down,  and  had  ordered 
 matters  thus,  that  tirft  the  faints  lliould  have  enjoyed  heaven, 
 glory,  and  cafe,  and  then  Methufalem's  da'jS  of  forrow  and  daily 
 miferies  ?  We  would  think  a  fliort  heaven  no  heaven;  certainly 
 his  ways  pafs  finding  out.  3.  Ye  complain  of  the  evil  of  heart- 
 atheifm  ;  but  it  is  to  a  greater  atheift  than  any  man  can  be,  that 
 ye  write  ct  that:  Oh,  light  findeth  not  that  reverence  and  fear  as 
 a  plant  of  God's  fetting  Ihould  find  in  our  foul.!  How  do  we  by 
 nature,  as  others  detain  and  captivate  the  truth  of  God  in  un- 
 righteoufnefs,  and  fo  make  God's  light  a  bound  pri/oner .''  and 
 even  when  the  prifoner  breaketh  the  jail,  and  comerh  out,  in  be- 
 lief of  a  godhead,  and  in  fome  practice  of  holy  obedience,  how 
 often  do  we,  of  new,  lay  hands  on  the  prifoner,  and  put  our  liglit 
 again  in  fetters?  Certainly  their  comcth  a  great  milt  and  clouds 
 from -the  lower  part  of  our  foul,  our  earthly  affections,  to  the 
 higher  part,  which  is  our  confcience,  either  natural  or  renewed; 
 a  Irnoke  in  a  lower  houfe  breaketh  up,  and  defileth  the  houfe  a- 
 bove :  if  we  had  more  practice  of  obedience  we  (hould  have  more 
 found  light.  I  think,  lay  afide  all  other  guiltinefs,  this  one,  the 
 violence  done  to  God's  candle  in  our  foul,  were  a  fufiicient  dittay 
 againft  us  ;  for  there  is  no  helping  of  this  but  by  ftriving  to  Hand 
 in  awe  of  God's  light;  left  light  tell  tales  of  us,  we  defire  little 
 to  hear :  but  fince  it  is  not  without  God,  that  light  fitteth  neigh- 
 bour to  will,  (a  hwlefs  lord)  no  marvel  that  fuch  a  neighbour 
 fliouid  leaven  our  judgment,  and  darken  our  light.  I  fee  tht;re  is 
 a  neccfljty  that  v/eproteil:  ag^^i"^  ^^^^  doings  oi  the  old  man,  sn.d 
 
Eplft.  62.]  LETTERS.  J 1 1 
 
 raiTe  up  a  party  againft  our  word  half  to  accufe,  condemn,  fcn- 
 tencc,  and  with  roriow  utmoan  the  dominion  of  Cin^a  kingdom  ; 
 and  withal,  make  law,  in  the  new  covenant,  againft  our  guilti- 
 nefs  j  for  Chriit  once  condemned  fin  in  the  ficfh,  and  we  are  to 
 condenui  it  over  again  :  and  if  there  had  not  heen  fuch  a  thing 
 as  the  grace  of  Jefus,  I  iliouid  have  long  fmce  given  up  with  hea- 
 ven, and  with  the  expectation  to  fee  God  :  but  grace,  grace, 
 free  grace,  the  merits  of  Chrill  for  nothing,  white  and  fair,  and 
 large  Saviour-mercy  (which  is  another  fort  of  thing  than  creatures 
 mercy,  or  law  mercy,  yea,  a  thoufdud  degrees  above  angel  mer- 
 cy) hath  been,  and  mull  be,  the  rock  tliat  we  drowned  fculs, 
 mufl:  fwim  to.  New  wadiing,  renewed  application  of  purchafed 
 redemption,  by  that  facred  blood  that  fealeth  trie  free  covenant,  is 
 a  thing  of  daily  and  hourly  ufe  to  a  poor  finner.  Till  we  be  in 
 heaven  our  liTue  of  blood  will  not  be  quite  dried  up ;  and  there- 
 fore we  muft  refolve  to  apply  peace  to  our  fouls  from  the  new  and 
 living  way;  and  J'efus  who  cleanfeth  and  cureih  the  leprous  foul, 
 lovely  Jefus,  muft  be  our  fong  on  this  fide  of  heaven's  gates;  and 
 even  when  we  have  won  the  caflle,  then  mull  we  eternally  fing, 
 "Worthy,  worthy  is  the  Lamb,  wlio  hath  faved  us,  and  waihed 
 us  in  his  own  blood.  I  would  counfcl  all  the  ranfomed  ones  to 
 learn  this  fong,  and  to  drink  and  be  drunk  with  the  love  of  Jefus. 
 O  faireft,  O  higheft,  O  lovelieft  one,  open  the  well !  O  water 
 the  burnt  and  withered  travellers  with  this  love  of  thine  !  I  think 
 it  is  poiTible  on  earth  to  build  a  young  new  Jerufalem,  a  little  new 
 heaven  of  this  furpaffing  love.  God,  either  fend  me  more  of  this 
 love,  or  take  me  quickly  over  the  water,  where  I  may  be  filled 
 with  his  love  :  my  foftnefs  cannot  take  with  want :  I  profefs,  I 
 bear  not  hunger  of  Chrifl's  love,  fair:  I  know  not  if  I  play  foul 
 play  with  Chrift.  but  I  would  have  a  link  of  that  chain  of  his  pro- 
 vidence mended,  in  pining  and  delaying  the  hungry  on-waiters. 
 For  myfelf,  I  could  willi  that  Chrift  would  let  out  upon  me  more 
 of  that  love;  yet  to  fay  Chiiit  is  a  niggard  to  me,  1  dare  not; 
 and  if  1  fay,.  1  have  abundance  of  his  love,  I  fliould  lie  :  I  am  half 
 ilraitned  to  complain,  and  cry.  Lord  Jefus.  hold  thy  hand  no 
 longer.  Worthy  Sir,  let  me  have  your  prayers  in  my  bonds. 
 Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Jbcrdcen^  Sept.  7.  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jcfin, 
 
 '('31-  .  .  S.  U. 
 
 6z.    r^  JAMES  LINDSAY. 
 Dear  Brother, 
 
 THE  conftant  and  daily  obferving  of  God's  ^oing  alongfl  with 
 you,  in  his  coming,  goinpj,  ebbing,  flowing,  embracing, 
 and  kilTing,  glooming  and  flriking,  giveth  me  (a  witlcfs  and  lazy 
 
lit  Mr  RUTHERFOO-RD's  Eplfl:.  62.] 
 
 obfervcr  of  the  Lord's  way  and  working)  an  heavy  ftroke  :  could 
 I  keep  fight  of  him,  and  know  when  1  want,  arid  carry  as  became 
 mc  in  that  condition,  I  would  blel's  my  cafe.  But.,  i .  For  defer- 
 tions,  I  think  them  like  lying  lee  of  lean  and  weak  land  for  fome 
 years,  while  it  gather  fap  for  abettter  ciop.  It  is  poflible  to  gather 
 gold,  where  it  may  be  had,  with  moon  light.  Oh  if  I  could  but 
 creep  one  foot,  or  half  a  foot,  nearer  in  to  Jefus  in  fuch  a  difmal 
 night  as  that,  when  he  is  away  !  I  ihould  think  it  an  happy  ab- 
 fence.  2.  If  I  knew  the  Beloved  were  only  gone  away  for  trial, 
 and  further  humiliation,  and  not  fmoked  out  of  the  houfe  with 
 new  provocations,  I  would  forgive  defertions,  and  hold  my 
 peace  at  his  abfence  ;  but  Chrift  s  bought  abfence  (that  I  bought 
 with  my  fm)  is  two  running  boils  at  once,  one  upon  either  fide; 
 and  what  fide  then  can  I  ly  on?  3.  I  know,  as  night  and  flia- 
 dows  are  good  for  flowers,  and  moon  liglit  and  dews  are  better 
 than  a  continual  fun ;  fo  is  Chrift's  abfence  of  fpecial  ufe,  and  it 
 hath  fome  nouriihing  virtue  in  it,  and  giveth  fap  to  humility, 
 and  putteth  an  edge  on  hunger,  and  furnifheth  a  fair  field  to 
 faith  to  put  forth  itfclf,  and  to  exercife  its  fingers  in  gripping  it 
 feeth  not  what.  4.  It  is  m.ercy's  wonder  and  grace's  wonder,  that 
 Chrift  will  lend  a  piece  of  the  lodging,  and  a  back  chamber  be- 
 fide  himfelf,  to  our  lulls;  and  that  he  and  fuch  fwi'je  fliould 
 keep  houfe  together  in  our  foul :  for  fuppofe  they  couch  and  con- 
 trail themfelves  into  little  room  when  Chrift  cometh  in,  and 
 feem  to  ly  as  dead  under  his  feet,  yet  they  often  break  out  again: 
 aud  that  a  foot  of  the  old  man,  or  a  leg  or  arm  nailed  to  Chrift's 
 crofs,  loofeth  the  nail  or  breaketh  out  again ;  and  yet  Chrift, 
 befide  this  unruly  and  mifnurtured  neighbour,  can  IHII  be  mak- 
 ing heaven  in  the  faints,  one  way  or  other.  IMay  not  I  fay,  Lord 
 Jefus,  what  doft  thou  here?  Yet  here  he  muft  be;  but  I  will 
 not  lofe  my  feet  to  go  on  into  this  depth  and  wonder;  for  free 
 mercy,  and  infinite  merits,  took  a  lodging  to  Chrift  iukI  us,  be- 
 fide fuch  a  loathfome  gueft  as  fin.  5.  San£tification  and  morti- 
 fication of  our  lufts,  are  the  hardeft  part  of  Chriltlanity.  It  is, 
 in  a  manner,  as  narnral  to  us  to  leap  when  we  fee  the  new  Jeru- 
 laiem,  as  to  laugh  when  we  are  tickled  :  joy  is  not  under  com- 
 mand, or  at  our  nod,  when  Chrift  kifleth  ;  but  O  how  many  of 
 us  would  have  Chrift  divided  in  two  halves,  that  wc  might  take 
 the  half  of  him  only,  and  take  his  office,  Jefus  and  falvartion  ! 
 but  Lord  is  a  cumberfome  word,  and  to  obey  and  work  oat  our 
 own  falvation,  and  to  perfect  holinefs,  is  the  cumberfome  'and 
 ftormy  north  fide  of  Chrift,  and  that  we  fiiew  and  fiiift.  6.  For 
 your  queftion,  The  accefs  that  reprobates  have  to  Chrift  (which 
 h  none  at  all,  for  to  the  Father  in  Chrift  neither  can  they,  nor 
 wili  they  come,  becaufe  Chrift  died  not  for  them;  and  yet  by 
 law,  God  and  juftice  overtakcth  them)  I  fay,  fiift,   There  are 
 
Epifl.  6:.]  LETTERS.  n^ 
 
 vrirh  you  more  worthy  and  learned  than  I  am,  Meflrs.  Dickfcn, 
 Biair,  and  Hamilton,  v/ho  can  more  fully  fatisfy  ycu  ;  but  I  (hall 
 fpcak  in  brief  what  I  think  of  it,  in  thefe  afl'crtions.  Fird,  All 
 God's  juftice  toward  man  and  angels  ftoweth  from  an  act  of  ab- 
 fclute,  fovercign  free  will  of  God,  who  is  our  Former  and  Fet- 
 ter, and  we  are  but  clay ;  for  if  he  had  forbidden  to  eat  of  the  reil: 
 of  the  trees  of  the  garden  of  Eden,  and  comt«aiuied  Adam  to 
 eat  of  the  tree  of  the  knowledge  of  good  and  evil,  that  command 
 no  doubt  had  been  as  jufl  as  this,  Eat  of  9II  the  trees,  but  nor  at 
 all  of  the  tree  of  knowkdge  of  good  and  evil.  The  rcafon  is,  be- 
 caufe  his  will  is  his  juftice.  and  he  willeth  not  things  without 
 himfelf,  becaufe  they  are  juft:  God  necdeth  .not  hunt  fan6lity, 
 holinefs  or  righteoufnefs  from  things  without  himlelf,  and  fo  not 
 from  the  actions  of  men  and  angels;  becaufe  his  will  is  elTential- 
 ly  holy  and  juft,  and  the  prime  rule  of  holinefs  and  juftice  :  as  the 
 fire  is  naturally  light,  and  inclineth  upward,  and  the  earth  heavy, 
 and  inclineth  downward.  The  fccond  aflertion  then. is,  that  God 
 faith  to  reprobates,  Believe  in  Chrlft  (who  hath  not  died  for  your 
 frdvation)  and  ye  fhall  be  faved,  is  juft  and  right ;  becaufe  his  eter- 
 nrd  and  effentially  juft  will  hath  ih  enabled  and  decreed:  fuppofe 
 natural  reafon  fpeak  againft  this,  this  is  the  deep  anii  fpecial  my- 
 Itery  of  the  gofpcl.  God  hath  obliged,  hard  and  faft,  all  the  re- 
 probates of  the  vifible  church  to  bejieve  this  promife,  He  that  be- 
 lieveth  ihall  be  faved;  and  yet,  in  God's  decree  and  fecret  inten- 
 tion, there  is  no  falvation  at  all  decreed  and  intended  to  repro- 
 bates;  and  yet  the  obligation  of  God,  being  from  his  fovercign 
 free  will,  is  moft  juft,  as  is  faid  in  the  firft  aiTertion.  Third  aftor- 
 tion.  The  righteous  Lord  hath  right  over  the  reprobates  and  all 
 reafonable  creatures,  that  violate  his  comm.andments;  this  is  cafy. 
 Fourth  aftertion,  The  faith  that  God  feeketh  of  reprobates,  is,  that 
 they  rely  upon  Chrift,  as  defpairing  of  their  own  righteoumefs, 
 leaning  wholly,  and  withal  humbly,  as  weary  and  loaded,  upon 
 Chrift,  as  on  the  rcfting-ftone  laid  in  Zion  ;  but  he  feeketh  not 
 that,  without  being  weary  of  their  fm,  they  rely  upon  Chrift,  a* 
 mankind's  Saviour ;  for  to  rely  on  Chrift,  and  not  to  be  weary  of 
 fm,  is  prefumption,  not  faith  :  faith  is  ever  neighbour  to  a  con- 
 trite fpirit;  and  it  is  impcfTible  that  faith  can  be,  where  there  is 
 not  a  cnftcn  down  and  contrite  heart,  in  fomc  meafure,  for  l;n  : 
 now  it  is  certain,  God  commandeth  no  man  to  prefume.  Fifth 
 airerlioy.  Then  reprobates  are.not  abfoluteiy  obliged  to  believe 
 Chrift  died  for  them  in  particular;  for  neither  rfprobates  nor  o- 
 thers  are  obliged  to  believe  a  lie  ;  only  they  are  obliged  to  believe 
 Chrift,  if  they  be  firft  weary,  burdened,  fick.  and  comlemncd  in 
 •  'leir  own  confri?nces,  and  ftrick«  n  dead  and  killed  with  the  la\vV» 
 'ciuence,  and  have  indeed  embraced  him  as  ofiercd,  which' is. ^ 
 fecond  ahd  fubftqucnt  adl  of  faith,  following  after  a  comin|j;  to 
 
 P 
 
114  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  62^1 
 
 him,  and  clofing  with  him.  Sixth  affertion,  Reprobates  arc  not 
 form^Jly  guilty  of  contempt  of  God,  and  mifbelief,  becaufe  they 
 apply  libt  Chnit  and  tbs  promifes  of  the  gofpel  to  themfelves  in 
 particular;  for  fo  they  fliouJd  be  guilty  becaufe  they  believe  not  a 
 lie,  which  God  never  obliged  them  to  believe.  Seventh  aflertion, 
 Juftice  hath  a  right  to  punifh  reprobates,  becaufe  out  of  pride  of 
 he-n't,  confiding  in  their  own  righteoufnefs,  they  rely  not  upon 
 Chrift,  as  a  Saviour  of  all  them  that  come  to  hirn  :  this  Go(\  may 
 jcllly  oblige  them  unto;  becaufe  in  Adam  they  had  perfcO:  abi- 
 lity to  do  j  and  men  arc  guilty,  becaufe  they  love  their  own  ina- 
 bility, and  reft  upon  themlelves,  and  rcfufe  to  deny  their  own 
 righteoufnefs,  and  to  take  them  toChrift,  in  whom  there  is  righ- 
 teoufnefs  for  Vv'earied  finners.  Eighth  aflertion,  It  is  one  thing 
 ro  rely,  lean,  and  reft  upon  Chriil,  in  humility  and  wearinefs  of 
 fpirit,  and  denying  our  own  righteoufnefs,  believing  him  to  be 
 the  only  righteoufnefs  of  wearied  fiimers  ;  and  it  is  another  thing 
 to  believe 'Chrift  died  forme,  John,  Thomas,  x\nna,  upon  an 
 intention  and  decree  to  favc  us  by  name.  For,  ift,  The  firft  go- 
 eth  firft,  the  latter  is  always  after  in  due  order.  2dly,  The  (uk 
 is  faith,  the  fecond  is  a  fruit  of  faith,  and  3d,  The  firft  obligcth 
 reprok'.tes  and  all  men  in  the  vifible  kirk,  the  latter  obligeth  only 
 the  weary  and  laden,  and  fo  only  the  el(-£l  and  efFcftually  called 
 of  God.  Ninth  affertion,  It  is  a  vain  ordtr,  I  know  not  if  Chrift 
 died  ibr  me,  John,  Thomas,  i^nna  by  name;  and  therefore  I 
 dare  not  rely  on  him.  The  reafon  is,  b-caufe  it  is  not  f.iith,  to 
 believe  God*s  intention  and  decree  of  election  at  the  firft,  ere  v* 
 be  wearied  :  look  firft  to  your  own  intention  and  foul,  if  ]e  find 
 fin  a  burden,  and  can  and  do  reft  under  that  burden,  upon  Chrift ; 
 if  this  be  once,  now  come  and  believe  in  particular,  or  apply  by 
 {Qn(t  (for  in  my  judgment  it  is  a  fruit  of  belief,  not  belief)  and 
 feeling  the  good-will,  intention,  and  gracious  purpofe  of  God  a- 
 nent  your  filvation  :  hence,  becaufe  there  is  malice  in  reprobates, 
 and  contempt  of  Chrift,  guilty  they  are,  and  juftice  hath  lavy  a- 
 gainft  them :  and,  which  is  the  myftery,  they  cannot  come  up  to 
 Chrift..  becaufe  he  died  not  tor  them  ;  but  their  fin  is,  that  they 
 lovetheir  inability  to  come  to  Chrift;  and  he  wholoveth  his  chains, 
 deferveth  chains.   And  thus  in  fliort,  remember  my  bonds. 
 
 A'aerdeeuy  1637.  Tours  in  his  Jvceet  Lord  Jefusy    S.  R. 
 
 62,.    To  the  Earl  of  CASSILS. 
 
 My  very  honourable  a7id  noble  Lord, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Lordfliip.   Pafdon  mc  to 
 exprefg  my  earneft  defire  to  your  Lordihip  for  Zion'ii  fake> 
 
Kpl^t.  63.]  LETTERS.  115 
 
 for  whom  w«  Hiouid  not  bold  our  peace.  I  know  your  Lordfhip 
 will  take  my  pleading  on  his  behalf  in  the  better  part,  becauTe 
 the  neceflity  of  a  tailing  and  weak  church  is  urgent.  I  believe 
 your  Lordmip  is  one  of  Zion's  frjends,  and  that  by  obligation; 
 for  when  the  Lord  (liall  count  and  write  up  the  people,  it  fliail 
 be  written,  This  man- was  burn  there.  Theiefore  becaufe  your 
 Lordlbip  is  a  born  fon  of  the  houf^,  I  hope  your  dcfire  is,  that 
 the  beauty  and  glory  of  the  Lord  may  dwell  in  the  midft  of  the 
 city,  whereof  your  Lordfhip  is  a  fon.  It  muft  be  without  all 
 doubt,  the  greatelt  honour  of  your  place  and  houfe,  to  kifs  the 
 Soil  of  God,  and  for  his  fake  to  be  kind  to  his  oppreffed  and 
 wronged  Bride,  who,  now  in  the  day  of  her  defolation,  beggeili 
 help  of  you,  that  are  the  ihields  of  the  earth.  I  am  fure  many 
 kings,  princes  and  nobles,  in  the  day  of  Chriil's  fecond  coming, 
 would  be  glad  to  run  errands  for  Chrift,  even  bare-footed  through 
 fire  and  water  ;  but  in  that  day  he  will  have  none  of  their  feivice. 
 Now  he  is  afking,  if  your  Lordlhip  will  help  him  againft  the 
 mighty  of  the  earth,  when  men  are  fetting  their  (boulders  to 
 Chrift's  fair  and  beautiful  tent  in  this  land,  to  ioofe  its  ft.ikes, 
 and  break  it  down;  and  ceitainly  fuch  as  are  not  with  Cljriii, 
 are  againft  him  :  and  blefil-d  fhali  your  LordOiip  be  of  the  Lord, 
 blciTcd  fljail  your  houfe  and  feed  be,  and  biclTed  fliali  your  ho- 
 nour be,  if  ye  empawned  and  lay  in  Chrifl's  hand,  the  earldom  ct 
 CaiTils  (and  it  is  but  a  fnadow  in  comparifon  of  the  city  made 
 without  hands)  and  lay  it  even  at  the  flake,  rather  than  Chrill, 
 and  born-do.'.'n  truth  want  a  witnefs  of  you,  againft  the  apoit ify 
 of  this  land.  Ye  hold  your  lands  of  Chrift,  your  charters  are 
 under  his  feal,  and  he  who  hath  many  crowns  on  his  head,  deal- 
 eth,  cutreth,  and  carveth  pieces  of  this  chy  heritage  to  men  at 
 his  pleafure.  It  is  little  your  Lordiliip  hath  to  give  him  -;  he  uill 
 not  ileep  long  in  your  common,  but  ihali  furcly  pay  home  your  lof- 
 fes  tor  his  caufe.  Ir  is  but  cur  bleared  eyes  that  look  through  a 
 falfe  glafs  to  this  idol-god  of  clay,  and  think  Ibmctl.ing  of  it  : 
 they  who  are  paft  with  their  laft  fentence  to  heaven  or  hell,  and 
 have  made  their  reckoning,  and  departed  out  of  this  fmoky  inn, 
 have  now  no  other  conceit 'or  this  world,  but  as  a  piece  of  be- 
 guiling u'cll-luftered  clay;  and  how  faft  doth  time  (like  a  Hood  ia 
 motion)  carry  your  Lordflilp  out  of  it?  au'l  is  not  eternity  con^.- 
 ing  with  wings  !  court  goeth  not  in  heaven  as  it  doth  here.  Our 
 Lord  (who  hath  all  you.  the  nobles,  lying  ia  die  ilieJl  of  his  ba- 
 lance) eiteemeth  you  accordingly  as  ye  are  the  Bridegrcom'** 
 friends  or  foes :  your  honourable  ancef^ors,  with  the  hazard  of 
 their  lives,  brought  Chrift  to  our  h>nids;  and  it  Uiall  be  crueller 
 to  the  pofterity,  if  ye  iofe  him  to  them.  One  of  our  tribes, 
 Levi's  ion,  the  watchmen,  are  fallen  from  the  Lord,  and  huve 
 ibid  their  mother  and  their  father  alfo,  and  i\u  Lord's  truth,  for 
 
ii6  Mr  RUTHERrOORD's  Epifl.  63.] 
 
 their  new  velvet  world,  and  their  fattin  church.  If  ye,  the  no- 
 bles, play  Chrifi:  a  flip,  now  whc^n  hib  back  is  at  the  wall,  (if  I  may 
 lb  fpeak)  then  may  we  fay,  that  the  Lord  hath  caftcn  water  upon 
 Scotland's  imoakiiig  coal;  but  we  hope  better  things  of  you.  It 
 is  no  wifdom,  however  it  be  the  fiate  wiicioin  now  in  rcqucll,  to  be 
 TileVit,  when  they  a'.e  calling  lots  for  a  better  thing  than  Chriit's 
 coat.  All  this  land,  and  every  man's  part  of  the  play  for  Chrift, 
 and  tears  of  poor  and  friendkfs  Zion,  (now  going  dool-like  iri 
 fackcloth)  are  up  In  heaven  before  our  Lord;  and  there  is  no 
 queftion,  but  our  King  and  Lord  fliall  be  mafUr  of  the  fields  at 
 length  :  and  we  would  all  be  glad  to  divide  the  fpoil  with  Chrift, 
 and  to  ride  in  triumph  wiih  him  ;  but  Oh  how  few  will  take  a 
 cold  bed  of  ftraw  in  the  camp  with  him !  How  fain  would  men 
 have  a  well-thatched  houfe  above  their  heads,  all  the  way  to  hea- 
 ven! and  many  now  v.'ould  go  to  heaven  the  land  way  (for  they 
 love  not  to  be  fea-lick")  liding  up  to  Chrift  upon  foot-mantles,  and 
 rattling  cor.ches,  and  rubbing  their  velvet  with  the  princes  of  the 
 land  in  the  higheft  feats.  If  this  be  the  way  Chriil  called  ftrait 
 and  narrow,  I  quit  all  Ikill  of  the  way  to  falvation.  Are  they  not 
 now  rcuping  Chrift  and  the  gofpel  ?  Have  they  not  put  our  Lord 
 Jefus  to  the  market,  and  he  who  out-biddeth  his  fellow,  (hall  get 
 'him?  O  my  dear  and  noble  Lord,  go  on  (howbeit  the  wind  be 
 in  your  f^cc)  to  back  our  princely  Captain  ;  be  couragicus  for 
 him  :  fear  not  thefe  who  have  no  fubfcribed  leafe  of  days  ;  the 
 worms  ftiali  eat  kings  :  let  the  Lord  Jehovah  be  your  fear ;  and 
 then,  as  the  Lord  liveth,  the  victory  is  yours.  It  is  true  many  arc 
 ftriking  up  a  new  way  to  heaven  -,  but  my  foul  for  theirs,  if  they 
 iind  it ;  and  if  this  be  not  the  only  way,  whofc  end  is  Chrift's  Fa- 
 ther's houfe  :  and  my  weak  experience,  nnce  the  day  I  was  firft  in 
 bonds,  hath  confirmed  me  in  the  truth  .and  affurance  of  this:  let 
 do6tOiS  and  learned  men  cry  the  c^^ntrair,  I  am  perfuaded  this  is 
 the  vv  ay.  The  bottom  haih  falltn  cut  of  both  their  wit  and  con- 
 fcience  at  once;  their  book  hath  beguiled  them,  for  we  have  fall- 
 en upon  the  true  Chrilt.  I  dare  hazard,  if  1  alone  had  ten  fouls, 
 my  falvation  upon  this  ftone,  that  many  now  break  thv-ir  bones 
 upon.  Let  them  take  this  fat  world,  Oh  poor  and  hungry  is  their 
 paradife!  Therefore  let  me  intreat  your  Lordfhip,  by  your  com- 
 pearance before  Chrift,  now  while  this  piece  of  the  afternoon  of 
 your  day  is  bcf  re  you  ^fcr  ye  know  not  when  your  fun  will  turn, 
 and  eternity  Ihall  benight  you)  let  your  glory,  honour,  and  might 
 worldly  be  for  cur  Lord  Jefus  :  and  to  bis  rich  grace,  and  tender 
 mercy,  and  to  the  never-dying  comforts  of  his  gracious  Spirit,  I 
 jecommend  your  Lordftiip  and  nobie  houfe, 
 
 Abt-ydeeny  Sept.  9.  Tour  LordJlA'/s  at  all 
 
 iQj/.  ^bcduncey     S.  R. 
 
Epift.64,65.]  LETTERS.  I17 
 
 64.    ro  the  Lady  LARGIRIE. 
 Mljlrcfs, 
 
 GRACE,  mercv  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  hope  ye  know  what 
 conditions  pail  betwixt  Chrift  and  you,  at  your  firft  meet- 
 ing :  ye  remember,  he  laid,  your  lummer  days  wouJd  have  clouds, 
 and  your  rofe  a  prickly  thorn  befide  it :  Chrift  is  unmixt  in  hea- 
 ven, ?11  fweetnefs  and  honey;  here  we  have  him  with  his  thorny 
 snd  ruugh  trols -,  yet  1  know  no  tree  beareth  fwceter  fruit  than 
 Lhrift's  ciofs,  except  I  wcuid  raife  a  lying  report  on  it.  It  is  your 
 pLiit  to  takt  Chnfl,  as  he  is  to  be  had  in  this  iil'e  :  fufFcrlngs  arc 
 like  a  wood  pLntcd  round  about  his  houfe,  over  door  and  win- 
 ^dow :  it  we  could  hold  taft  our  grips  of  him,  the  licld  w^ere  won. 
 Yet  a  little  while  and  Chriit  ihali  triumph  :  give  Chrift  his  own 
 fhort  time,  to  fpin  out  thcfe  two  long  threads  of  heaven  and  hdl 
 to  all  mankind,  for  certainly  the  thread  will  not  break;  and  when 
 he  hath  accompliflied  liis  work  in  mount  Zion,  and  hath  refined 
 his  filver,  he  v.'ili  bring  new  vefiels  out  of  the  furnace,  and  ple- 
 iiifn  his  houfe,  and  take  up  houfe  again.  I  ccunfel  you  to  free 
 ?  yourfelf  of  clogging  temptations,  by  overcoming  fome,  and  con- 
 temning others^  and  watching  over  all :  abide  true  and  loyal  to 
 Chrift,  for  feu'  now  are  faft  to  him  ;  they  give  Chrift  blank  pa- 
 per, for  a  bond  of  fcrvice  and  attendance,  now  when  Chrift  hath 
 moft  ado :  to  Wufte  a  little  blood  with  Chrift,  and  to  put  our  part 
 of  mis  droffy  world  in  pawn  over  in  hts  hand,  as  willing  to  quit 
 it  for  him,  is  the  fafeft  cabinet  to  keep  the  world  in  :  but  thefe 
 who  would  take  the  world  and  all  their  flitting  on  their  back,  and 
 run  away  from  Chrift,  they  will  fall  by  the  way,  and  leave  their 
 burden  behind  them,  and  be  taken  captive  themfelves.  "Well 
 wtre  piyfoul,  to  put  all  I  have,  life  and  foul,  over  in  Chrift*s 
 hands ;  let  him  be  forthcoming  for  all.  If  any  .lik  how  I  do  ?  I  an- 
 fwer,  None  can  be  but  well  that  are  in  Chrift  ;  and  if  I  were  not 
 fo,  my  fufl'erings  had  melted  me  away  in  afties  and  fnioke;  I  thank 
 niy  Lord,  that  he  haih  fon^ething  in  me  that  this  fire  cannot  con- 
 lume.  R.ememb(  r  n^.y  love  to  your  hiifband,  and  (hew  him  from 
 me,  I  defire  that  he  mriy  fctufide  all  thiugs,  and  make  fure  work 
 of  falvation,  that  it  be  not  a  feeking,  whe;i  the  fand-glafs  is  run 
 out,  and  time  and  eternity  fhall  tryft  together:  there  is  no  errand 
 fo  vvcighty  as  this  ;  Q  that  he  .would  take  it  to  heart.  Grace  be 
 with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen.  Tours  in  Chr\jl  Jefus  his  L^r.l     S.  R. 
 
 65.    To  tbe'LaJy  DUNGUEIGH. 
 Miflrefs, 
 "J"  LON(J  to  hear  from  you,  and  how  you  «[o  on  with  Chrift  :  I 
 X  am  fare  that  Chdft  and  you  uncc  met :  1  prrtv  you  faftcn  your 
 
ii8  Mr  RUTHERFOORD'%  Epift.  66.] 
 
 grips;  there  is  holding  and  drawing,  and  much  Tea-way  to  hea- 
 ven, and  we  are  often  fea-fick  •,  but  the  voyage  is  fa  needful,  that 
 wc  mult  on  any  terms  take  Ihipping  with  Chrilt.     I  believe  it  is 
 %  good  country  we  arc  going  to,  and  there  is  ill  lodging  in  this 
 fmoaky  houfe  of  the  world,  in  which  we  are  yet  living  •,  Oh  that 
 wc  fhould  love  fmoke  fo  well,   and  clay  that  holdeth  our  feet  faft  I 
 It  were  our  happlnefs  to  follow  on  after  Chrift,  and  to  anchor  our- 
 felves  upon  the  rock,  in  the  upper  fide  of  the  vail.     Chrift  and 
 Satan  are  now  drawing  two  parties  ;  and  they  are  blind  who  fee 
 not  Scotland  divided  in  two  camps,  and  Chrift  coming  out  with 
 his  white  banner  of  love,  and  he  hangeth  that  over  the  heads  of 
 his  foldiers  :  and  the  other  captain,  the  dragon,  is   coming  out 
 with  a  great  black  flag,  and  crieth,  The  world,  the  world,  eafe, 
 honour,  and  a  whole  fkin,  and  a  foft  couch  ;  and  there  ly  theA 
 and  leave  Chrift  to  fend  for  himfelf.    My  counfel  is,  that  ye  come 
 out  and  leave  the  multitude,  and  let  Chrift  have  your  company; 
 let  them  take  clay  and  this  prefent  world,   who  love  it :   Chrift  is 
 a  more  worthy  and  noble  portion  ;  blefled  arethefe  who  get  him. 
 It  is  good,  ere  the  ftorm  rife,  to  make  ready  all,  and  to  be  pre- 
 pared to  go  to  the  camp  with  Chrift,  feeing  he  will  not  keep  the 
 houfe,  nor  fit  at  the  fire  fide  with  couchers.     A  fliower  for  Chrift 
 is  little  enough.    Oh,  I  find  all  too  little  for  him  !   Wo,  wo,  wo's 
 mc,  that  I  have  no  propine  for  my  Lord  Jefus  :  my  love  is  fo  feck- 
 ]efs,  that  it  is  a  fname  to  oiTer  it  to  him.     Oh  if  it  were  as  broad 
 as  heaven,  as  deep  as  the  fea,  I  would  gla^dly  btftow  it  upon  him  ! 
 I  perfuade  you,  God  is  wringing  grapes  of  red  wine  for  Scotland, 
 and  this  land  fhall  drink,  and  fpue,  and  fall.     His  enemies  ftiall 
 drink  the  thick  of  it,   and  the  grounds  of  it;  but  Scotland's  wi- 
 thered tree  fiiail  bloffom  again,  and  Chrift  ftiall  make  a  fecond 
 marriage  with  her,  and  take  home  his  wife  out  of  the  furnace ; 
 but  if  our  eyes  ftiail  fee  it,  he  kngweth  who  hath  created  time. 
 Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Abcrd.  1637.  Tours  in  his  fxveet  Lord  Jefus y     S.  R. 
 
 66.     To  JANET  MACKULLOCH. 
 
 Loving  fifler, 
 
 (^  Race,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Hold  on  your  courfe, 
 y  for,  it  may  be,  I  will  not  foon  fee  you:  venture  through 
 the  thick  of  all  things  after  Chrift,  and  lofe  not  your  mafter,  Chrift, 
 in  the  throng  of  this  great  market.  Let  Chrift  know  how  heavy, 
 and  how  many  a  ftone  weight  you  and  your  cares,  burdens,  crof- 
 fes,  and  fins  are,  let  him  bear  all ;  make  the  heritage  fure  to  your- 
 fclf :  get  charters  and  writs  paflcd  and  through,  and  put  on  arms 
 for  the  battle,  and  keep  you  faft  by  Chrift,  and  then  let  the  wind 
 blow  cut  of  what  girth  it  vilJ,  your  foul  w:li  uot  blow  in  the  fe;^. 
 
Eplft.  670  LETTERS.  119 
 
 I  find  Chrid  the  mod  Readable  friend  and  companion  in  the  world 
 to  me  now :  the  need  and  ufefulncfs  of  Chrilt  is  feen  beft  in  tri- 
 als. Oh  if  hi  be  not  well  worthy  of  his  room!  Lodge  him  in 
 houfe  and  heart,  and  ftir  up  your  hufband  to  feek  the  Lord  :  I 
 wonder  he  hath  never  written  to  me;  I  do  not  forget  him.  I 
 taught  you  the  whole  counfel  of  God,  and  delivered  it  to  you ;  it 
 will  be  enquired  lor  at  your  hands;  have  it  in  readineJs  agairift  the 
 time  iiiat  the  Lord  a(k  for  it:  make  you  ready  to  meet  the  Lord, 
 and  reft  and  ileep  in  the  love  of  that  faireft  among  the  fons  of  men  : 
 defire  Chrift's  beauty :  give  out  all  your  love  to  him,  and  let  none 
 fall  by  :  learn  in  prayer  to  fper.k  to  him  :  help  your  mother's  fouT, 
 and  defire  her,  from  me,  to  feek  the  Lord  and  his  falvation :  it 
 is  not  foon  found  ;  many  mifs  it.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Jberdcen^    1^37*  ^^'^'"  i^'^i^ig  P^J^^^i     S.  R. 
 
 67.    To  my  Lord  CRAIGHALL. 
 My  Lord, 
 
 I  Can  not  expound  your  Lordfhip's  contrary  tides,  and  thefe  ten- 
 tations  wherewith  ye  are  afiaulted,  to  be  any  other  thing  but 
 Chrift  trying  you,  and  faying  unto  you,  And  will  ye  alfo  leave 
 me  !  I  am  fure  Chrill:  hath  a  great  advantage  againft  you  if  ye  play 
 foul  play  to  him,  in  that  the  holy  fpirit  hath  done  his  part,  in  e- 
 videncing  to  your  confcicnce,  that  this  is  the  way  of  Chrift  where- 
 in ye  (hall  have  peace;  and  the  other,  as  fure  as  God  liveth,  the 
 Antichriit's  way  :  therefore,  as  ye  fear  God  fear  your  light,  and 
 Itand  in  awe  of  a  convincing  confcience;  it  is  far  better  for  your 
 Lordftiip  to  keep  your  confcience,  and  to  hazard  in  fuch  an  ho- 
 nourable caufe,  your  place,  than  wilf'ully,  and  againft  your  light, 
 to  come  under  guiltinefs.  Kings  cannot  heal  broken  confciences  •> 
 and  when  death  and  judgment  fliall  comprife  your  foul,  your 
 counfellors  and  others  cannot  be  cautioners  to  juftice  for  you.  Ere 
 it  be  long,  our  Lord  will  put  a  final  determination  to  a£ls  of  par- 
 liament, and  mens  laws,  and  will  clear  you  before  men  and  an- 
 gels, of  mens  unjuft  fentences.  Ye  received  honour,  and  place, 
 and  authority,  and  riches,  and  reputation  from  your  Lord,  to  fet 
 forward  and  ;'.dv;mcc  the  liberties  and  freedom  of  Chrift's  king- 
 dom. Men,  whofe  confciences  are  made  of  itoutnefs,  think  littU 
 of  fuch  matters,  which,  notwithftanding,  incroach  diredlly  upon 
 Chrift's  prerogative  royal.  So  would  mien  think  it  a  light  matter 
 for  Uzzah  to  put  out  his  hand  to  hold  the  Lord's  fallir.g  ark;  but 
 it  coft  him  his  life.  And  who  doubteth  but  a  carnal  friend  will 
 advife  you  to  Ihut  your  window,  and  pray  beneath  your  breath  : 
 Ye  make  too  great  a  din  with  your  prayers :  fo  would  a  head-of- 
 wit  fpeak  if  ye  were  in  Daniel's  place:  but  mens  overgilded  rea- 
 fons  will  not  help  you  when  your  confcience  is  like  to  rive  with  2. 
 
I2#  Ur  RUTHERFGORD's  Epiil.  68.] 
 
 double  charge  Alas,  alas !  when  will  this  world  learn  to  fubmlt 
 their  wifdom  to  the  wifdom  of  God?  I  am  fure,  your  Lordiliip 
 hath  found  the  truth  ;  go  not  then  to  fearch  it  over  again,  fo;  it  is 
 ordinary  for  men  to  make  doubts,  when  they  have  a  mind  to  de- 
 fert  the  truth.  Kings  are  not  their  own  men,  their  ways  are  in 
 God's  hand.  I  rejoice  and  am  glad,  that  ye  refolveto  walk  with 
 Chrift,  howbcit  his  court  be  thin.  Gr?ce  be  with  your  Lordlhip. 
 Aberdeen  Sept*  7,  Tsur  LordfSifs  in  hlsfweet  Majier 
 
 1637.  and  Lord  Jefus^     S.  fl. 
 
 ■*  ' 
 
 68.     To  WILLIAM  RIGG  of  Atherny, 
 
 Worthy  mid  much  honoured  Sir, 
 
 GRACE,  m.ercy  and  peace  be  to  ynii.  How  fad  a  prifoncr 
 would  I  be,  if  I  knew  not  that  my  Lord  Jefus  had  the  keys 
 of  the  prifon  himfelf,  and  that  his  death  and  blood  hath  bought  a 
 blefling  to  our  crofT^s,  as  well  as  toourfelves?  I  am  fure,  troubles 
 have  no  prevailing  rights  oyer  us,  if  they  be  but  our  Lord's  ferje- 
 ants,  to  keep  us  in  ward  while  we  are  in  this  fide  of  heaven  :  I 
 am  perfuaded  alfo,  that  they  Ibould  not  go  over  tne  bound  road, 
 nor  enter  into  heaven  with  us  ;  for  they  find  no  welcome  there, 
 where  *  there  is  no  more  death,  neither  forrow,  nor  crying,  nei- 
 ther any  more  pain  :'  and  therefore  we  fhall  leave  them  behind  us. 
 Oh  if  I  could  get  as  good  a  gait  of  fin,  even  this  woful  and  wretch- 
 ed body  of  (in,  as  I  get  of  Chrift's  crofs !  Nay,  indeed,  I  think  the 
 crofs  beareth  both  me  and  itfelf  rather  than  I  it,  in  comparifon  of 
 the  tyranny  of  the  lawlefs  flefh  and  wicked  neighbour,  that  dwel- 
 Icth  befidc  Chrift's  new  creature.  Rut.  Oh,  this  is  that  which 
 prei^eth  me  down  and  pnineth  me;  Jefus  Chrift  in  his  faints  fit- 
 teth  neighbour  with  an  ill  fecond,  corruption,  deadnefs.  coldnefs, 
 pride,  lull,  woridiinefs,  felf-love,  fecurity,  falfehood,  and  a  world 
 of  more  the  like,  which  I  find  in  me,  that  are  daily  doing  violence 
 to  the  new  man.  O  but  we  have  caufe  to  carry  low  fails,  and  to 
 cleave  faft  to  free  grace,  free,  free-grace !  BleiTed  be  our  Lord 
 that  ever  that  way  was  found  out :  if  my  one  foot  were  in  hea- 
 ven, and  my  foul  half  in,  if  free-will  and  corruption  were  abfo- 
 lute  Lords  of  me,  I  O^ould  never  win  wholly  in.  O  but  the  fvveet 
 and  living  way,  that  Chrift  hath  ftruck  up  to  our  home,  be  a 
 fafe  way  !  I  find  now  prefence  and  accefs  a  greater  dainty  than 
 before;  but  yet  the  Bridegroom  looketh  through  the  lattefs,  and 
 through  the  hole  of  the  door,  O  if  he  and  I  wera  on  fair  dry 
 land  together,  on  the  other  fide  of  the  Water,  Grace  be  with 
 you. 
 
 Ab^xdeen,   Sc^-t.  5<^,  Tours  in  his  fvject  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 16-11'  ^-  ^- 
 
Epia.  59]  LETTERS.  i^x 
 
 69.     To  the  Udy  KILCONQUHAIR. 
 Mij-^refs, 
 
 Gi  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter.  I 
 IT  am  heartily  content,  ye  love  and  own  this  oppreflcci  and 
 wronged  caul'e  ot  Chriil ;  and  that  nov7,  when  fo  many  are  mii- 
 carried,  ye  are  in  any  meafure  taken  with  the  love  of  Jefus.  Wea- 
 ry na:,  but  come  in,  and  Tee  it  mere  be  not  more  in  Chrift  :iuii 
 the  tongue  ot  men  and  ar  gels  can  cxprefs  •  if  ye  feck  a  gait  to  hea- 
 ven, the  way  is  in  him,  or,  he  is  it  what  ye  want  is  treaiured 
 up  in  Jefus,  and  he  faith,  all  his  jre  yours,  even  his  kingdom,  he 
 is  content  to  divide  it  betwixt  him  anci  you  ;  yea,  his  throne  and 
 his  g-ory,  Luke  xxi.  3©.  Jonn  xvii.  ^4.  Kev.  iii.  21.  and  there- 
 fore take  pains  to  climb  up  that  believed  noufe  to  Chriil:  :  for  de- 
 vils, men,  and  armies  of  temptations  are  lymg  about  the  houfe.  to 
 hold  out  all  that  are  out,  ana  it  is  tak.n  witii  violence :  it  is  not 
 afmooth  and  eafy  way,  neither  will  your  weather  be  fair  and  plea- 
 fantj  but  whofoever  faw  theinvifiblc  God,  and  the  fair  city,  make 
 no  reckoning  of  lofl'es  or  crcflls.  In  ye  mud  be,  coft  you  what 
 it  will  i  Itanvi  not  for  a  price,  and  for  all  that  ye  have,  to  win  the 
 caille ;  the  rights  to  it  are  won  to  you,  and  it  is  difponed  to  you, 
 in  your  Lonl  Jelus's  tellament ;  and  fee  what  a  fair  legacy  your 
 dying  fiiend  Chriil  hath  left  you  :  and  there  wanteth  nothing  but 
 poileirion.  Th  n  get  up  in  the  ftrength  of  the  Lord  \  get  over 
 the  w,.ter  to  poiFefs  that  good  land:  it  is  better  than  a  land  of  o- 
 lives  and  wine-trees ;  for  the  tree  of  life,  ihat  beareth  twelve  man- 
 ner oi  fruits  every  mouth,  is  there  before  you  ;  and  a  pure  river 
 of  life,  clear  aschryital,  proceeding  out  of  the  throne  of  God  and 
 of  the  Laiiib,  is  there.  \our  tinie  is  (hort,  therefore  lofe  no  time  : 
 gracious  and  faithful  is  he  who  hath  called  you  to  his  kingdom 
 and  giory.  The  city  is  yours  by  nee  conqueft  and  by  promife, 
 and  therefore  let  no  uncouth  lord-idol  pu:  you  from  your  own. 
 The  devil  hath  cheated  the  limple  heir  of  his  paradife,  and  by  en- 
 ticing us  to  tafte  of  the  forbidden  fruit,  hath,  as  it  were,  brought 
 us  out  of  our  kindly  iieriiagei  but  our  Lord,  Chrifl  Jefus,  hatn 
 done  more  than  bought  the  devil  by,  for  he  hath  redeemed  the 
 wadfct,  and  made  the  poor  heir  free  to  the  inheritance.  It  wc 
 knew  the  glory  of  our  elder  brother  in  heaven,  we  would  long  to 
 be  there  to  fee  him,  and  to  get  our  fill  of  heaven;  we  children 
 think  rhe  earth  a  fair  gaiden,  but  it  is  but  God's  out-field,  and 
 wild,  cold,  barren  ground  ;  all  things  are  fading  that  are  here: 
 it  is  our  happincfs  to  make  fure  Chriil  to  ourfelves.  Thus  re- 
 membering my  love  to  your  huiband.  and  wiQiing  tJ  him  what 
 I  v/rite  to  you,  I  commit  you  to  God's  tender  mv^rcy. 
 
 Aiferdceriy  Stpt.  13.  Taurs  in  hL  fivfct  Lord, 
 
 1637.  7^y«,-,     S.  R, 
 
12a  Ur   RUrHERFOORD'$  Epift.  ;o.l 
 
 70.     To  the  Lady  CRAIGHALL. 
 Honourable  and  Chriftinn  Lady, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  cannot  but  write  to 
 your  Ladyfhip  of  the  fvveet  and  glorious  terms  I  am  in  with 
 the  moft  joyful  King  that  ever  was,  under  this  well- thriving  arrd 
 profperoub  crofs  :  it  is  my  Lord's  falvntion  wrought  by  liis  own 
 rijjbt  hand,  that  the  water  doth  not  fuiTocate  the  breath  of  hope 
 ;tnd  joyful  courage  in  the  Lord  Jefusj  for  his  own  perfon  is  ftiU 
 in  the  camp  with  his  poor  foldier.  I  fee  the  crofs  is  tied  with 
 Chrifl's  hand  to  the  end  of  an  honed  profeflion:  we  are  but  fools 
 to  endeavour  to  loofe  Chriit's  knot.  When  I  confider  the  com- 
 forts of  God,  I  uurH:  not  confent  to  fell  or  wadfet  my  fhort  life- 
 rent of  the  crofs  of  the  Lord  Jefus.  I  know  that  Chrift  bought 
 with  his  own  blood  a  right  to  fanftified  and  bielTed  crolles,  in  as 
 far  as  they  blow  me  over  the  water  to  my  long  defired  home  :  and 
 it  were  not  good  that  Chrifl.  fliould-  be  the  buyer  and  I  the  feller. 
 I  know  time  and  death  flrall  take  fufferings  fairly  ofF  my  hand  :  I 
 hope  we  ihall  have  an  honeft  parting  at  night,  when  this  piece  cold 
 and  frofly  afternoon  tide  of  my  evil  and  rough  day  fliall  be  over: 
 well  is  my  foul  of  either  fweet  or  four,  that  Chrift  hath  any  part 
 or  portion  in :  if  he  be  at  the  one  end  of  it,  it  fnall  be  well  with 
 me.  I  fiiall  die  ere  I  libel  faults  againfl  Chrifl's  crofs  j  it  ftia-11 
 have  my  teftimonial  under  my  hand,  as  an  honeft  and  favrng  mean 
 of  Chrift  for  mortification  and  faith's  growth.  I  have  a  ftronger 
 ailurance,  fince  I  came  over  Forth,  of  the  excellency  of  Jefus  than 
 I  had  before.  I  am  rather  about  him  than  in  him,  Avhile  I  am  ab- 
 fent  from  him  in  this  houfe  of  clay;  but  I  would  be  in  heaven  for 
 no  other  caufe  but  to  elT.iy  and  try  wha^  boundlefs  joy  it  m.uft  be 
 to  be  over-head  and  ears  in  my  Well  beloved  Chrilt's  love.  O  that 
 iriir  one  hath  m.y  heart  for  evermore  !  but  alas,  it  is  over-little  for 
 iiirn  !  O  if  it  were  better  and  more  worthy  for  his  fake!  O  if  I 
 might  meet  with  him  face  to  face  on  this  fide  of  eternity,  and 
 might  have  leave  to  plead  with  him,  that  I  am  fo  hungered,  and 
 famiflied  here,  with  the  niggardly  portion  of  his  love  that  he  giv- 
 eth  me  !  O  that  I  might  be  carver  and  fteward  myfelf,  at  mine 
 own  will,  of  Chrift's  love  !  (if  I  may  lawfully  wifh  this)  then 
 would  I  enlarge  my  veflel  (alas!  a  narrow  and  ebb  foul)  and  take 
 in  a  fea  of  his  love.  My  hunger,  for  it  is  hungry  and  lean,  in 
 helieving  that  ever  I  (liall  be  fatisficd  with  that  love  *,  fo  fain  would 
 I  have  what  I  know  I  cannot  hold.  O  Lord  Jefus,  delighteft  thou, 
 delighteft  thou,  to  pine' and  torment  poor  fouls  with  the  want  of 
 thy  incomparable  ]ove  ?  O  if  I  durft  call  thy  difpenfation  cruel  ! 
 i  know  thou  thyfelf  art  mercy,  without  either  brim  or  bottom  ; 
 I  know  thou  art  a  God  bank-full  of  mercy  and  love,  but  oh  alas  ! 
 little  of  it  cometh  my  v/ay;  \  die  to  look  afar  off  to  that  Ioyc, 
 
Epift.  71.]  LETTERS.  12^ 
 
 becaufe  I  can  get  but  little  of  it :  but  hope  faith,  This  providence 
 {hall  ere  long  look  more  favourably  upon  poor  bodies,  and  me 
 alfo.    Grace  be  with  your  Ladyfliip's  fpirit. 
 
 Aberd.  Sept.  10.  Tour  Ladyfljip^s  in  his  fwest 
 
 1637.  Lord  J  ejus  ^     S.  R. 
 
 71.     n  Mr.  JAMES  HAMILTON. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother ^ 
 
 PEACE  be  to  you  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  our  Lord 
 Jcfu.s.  I  am  laid  low,  when  I  remember  what  I  am,  and 
 that  my  oulfitie  cafceth  fuch  z  luftre,  when  I  find  fo  little  within. 
 It  is  a  wonder  that  Child's  glory  is  not  denied,  running  through 
 fuch  an  unclean  ftnd  impure  channel ;  but  I  fee  Chnll  will  ht 
 Chrift,  in  the  dreg  and  refufe  of  men :  his  art,  his  fnining  wifdom, 
 his  beauty  fpcakcth  loudeft  in  blacknefs,  weaknefs,  deadncfs,  yea, 
 in  nothmg.  1  fee  nothing,  no  money,  no  v/orth,  no  good,  no 
 life,  no  deferving,  is  the  ground  th.it  omnipotency  delighteth  to 
 draw  glory  out  of.  O  how  fwect  is  the  inner- (ide  of  the  wails  of 
 Chrift*s  houfe,  and  a  room  befidc  himfell !  my  diftancc  from  him 
 maketh  me  fad.  O  that  we  were  in  others  arms !  O  that  the  mid- 
 dle things  betwixt  us  were  removed  !  I  find  it  a  dilHcuIt  matter 
 to  keep  all  ftots  vvfith  Chrilt :  when  he  laugheth  I  fcar.ce  believe 
 it,  I  would  fo  fain  have  it  true.  But  1  am  like  a  lo-v  man  look- 
 ing up  to  a  high  m.ountain,  whom  wearinefs  and  fainting  over- 
 cometh.  I  would  climb  up,  but  I  find  that  I  do  not  advance  in 
 my  journey  as  I  would  wifli :  yet  I  tj'ull  he  fliall  take  me  home  a- 
 gainft  night.  I  marvel  not  that  Antichriit  in  his  fla\-es  is  fo  bmy,; 
 but  our  crowned  King  feeth  and  bcholdeth,  and  will  arife  for  Zi- 
 on's  fafety.  1  am  exceedingly  diflra£ted  witli  letters,  and  compa- 
 ny that  vifit  me;  what  I  can  do,  or  time  will  permit,  I,{liall  not 
 omit.  Excufe  my  brevity,  for  I  am  {Iraitencd.  Remember  the 
 Lord's  prifonor  :  I  defire  to  be  mindful  of  you.  Grace,  grace  b« 
 l;vith  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  Sept.  7.  Tours  in  his  fiveet 
 
 J 637.  Uidjejlis,     b.  R. 
 
 G 
 
 72.     To  Mr.  GEORGE  DUNBAR. 
 
 Reverend  and  dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord, 
 
 RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Becaufe  your  woidf 
 have  flrcngthened  many,  1  was  filent,  expecling  fomc  lii>es 
 from  you  in  my  bonds ;  anrl  this  is  the  caufe  why  I  wiote  nol  to 
 you,  but  now  I  am  forced  to  break  oO'  and  fpcak.  1  never  be- 
 lieved till  now,  thnt  there  wa»  fo  much  to  be  hnmd  in  Chrilt,  iu 
 this  fids  Gi  dc;ith  and  of  heaven      O  the  ravilhmer.t$  of  hc^rcnlr 
 
 O  2 
 
124  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplfl.  72] 
 
 joy  that  may  be  had  here,  in  the  fmall  gleanings  and  comforts  that 
 lall  from  Chrift  !   What  fools  are  we  who  know  not,   and  confi- 
 cler  not  the  weight  and  the  teliing  that  is  in  the  very  earneft  penny, 
 and  the  firft  fruits  of  our  hoped  for  harvcft !   How  fvveet,  hew 
 fweetisour  inteftment !  O  what  then  mult  perional  pofleffion  be! 
 I  find  that  my  Lord  jefus  hath  not  mifcooked  or  fpilt  this  fweet 
 crofs ;  he  hath  an  eye  on  the  fire  and  the  m-elting  goldj  to  fepa- 
 lare  the  metal  and   the  drois,     O  how  m.uch  time  would  it  take 
 mc  to  read   my  oblii^ations  to  JtTus  my  Lord,  who  will  neither 
 hz\e  the  faith  of  his  own  jo  be  burnt  to  aOies,  nor  yet  will  have 
 a  poor  believer  in  the  fire  to  be  half  raw,  like  Ephraim.'s  unturned 
 cak(r !  this  is  the  wifuom  ol  h'm  who  hath  his  fire  :n  Zion,  and 
 lurnace  in  Jerufalem.     I  need  not  either  bud  or  flatter  temptati- 
 ons and  crcfies,  nor  ilrivc  to  buy  the  devil,  or  thib  malicious  world 
 l^y,  or  redeem  their  kindnefs  with  half  a  hair's  brendth  of  truth: 
 he,   who  is  furety  for  his  fervant  for  good,  doth  powerfully  over- 
 rule all  that.     J  fee  my  prifon  hath  neither  lock  nor  door  ;  1  am 
 free  in  my  bonds,   and  my  chains  are  made  of  rotten  ftraw,  they 
 iliould  not  bide  one  pull  of  faith.    I  am  fure  they  are  in  hell  who 
 vould  exchange  their   torments  with   our  crofles,  fuppofe  they 
 iiiouId  never  be  delivered,  and  give  twenty  thoufand  years  tor- 
 ment to  boot,  to   be   in  our  bonds  for  ever  ;  and   therefore  we 
 VvTong  Chrift,  who  figh,  and  fear,  and   doubt,  and  defpond  in 
 them.    Our  fuiterings  are  wafhen  in  Chrift's  blood,  as  well  as  our 
 fouls ;  for  Chrift's  merits  brought  a  bLlfing  to  the  croffes  of  the 
 fons  of  God  J  and  Jefus  hath  a  back  bond  of  all  our  temptations, 
 that  the  free-warders  (hall  come  out  by  law  and  juftice,  in  refpe£t 
 of  the  infinite  and  great  fum  that  the  Redeemer  paid.    Our  trou- 
 bles owe  us  a  free  paflage  through  them  :   devils  and  men,  and 
 croffes  are  our  debtors,  death  and  all  ftorm»8  are  our  debtors,  to 
 blow  our  poor  toHed  bark  over  the  wuer  fraught  (rec,  and  to  fet 
 the  travellers  in  their  own  known  ground  :   therefore  we  fliall  die, 
 :ind  yet  live.     We  are  over  the  water  (fome  way)  already  ;  we 
 *re  m.arried,  and  our  tocher  good  is  paid  ;  we  are  already  more 
 than  conquerors.     If  the  devil  and  the  world. knew  how  the  court 
 ivith  our  Lord  fhall  go,  I  am  fure  they  would  hire  death  to  take 
 VIS  off  their  hand  j  our  fufTerings  are  the  only  wreck  and  ruin  of 
 the  black  kingdom  :  anti  yet  a  little,  and  the  Antichnft  muft  play 
 himfelf  wirh  bones  and  flain  bodies  of  the  Lamb's  foJlowers  ;  but 
 withal  we  fiand  with  the  hundred  forty  and  four  thoufand,  who 
 are  with  the  Lamb,  upon  the  top  of  mount  Zion  :  Antichrift  and 
 his  followers  are  down  in  the  valley  ground,  we  have  the  advan- 
 tage of  the  hill  J  our  temptations  are  always  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 
 fi!?;ith  is  not  like  the  common  deaths  Chrift's  fk ill,  bis  handy«; 
 
j:pift.  73']  LETTERS,  125 
 
 work,  and  a  new  cafl:  of  Chrift's  acmirable  art,  may  be  feen  in 
 our  quick  death.  I  blefs  the  Lord  that  all  our  troubles  come  thro* 
 ChrilVs  fingers,  and  that  he  caftet^  fugar  among  them,  and  caft- 
 c.h  in  Tome  ounce  weights  of  heaven,  and  0/  the  fpifit  of  glory 
 (that  refteth  on  fufFering  believers)  in  our  c;jp,  in  which  there 
 is  no  tafte  of  hell.  My  dear  brother,  ye  know  all  th^fe  better  than 
 1 :  I  fend  w.iter  to  the  fea,  to  fpeak  cf  thefe  things  to  you  ;  but 
 it  eafeth  m't.  to  defire  you  to  help  me  to  pay  my  tribute  of  praifc 
 to  Jefus.  O  what  praifes  I  owe  him!  I  would  I  were  in  my  free 
 heritage,  that  I  might  b- gin  to  pay  my  debts  to  Jefus.  1  intreat 
 for  your  prayers  and  praiies  :  I  forget  not  you, 
 
 Jbcrdteny  Se^  t.  ijy  Tour  brother  and  fellow  fvfferer' 
 
 1 6  .: ;  in  and  for  Chr'iji,     S.  R. 
 
 73.    ro  Mr  PAYiD  DiCKSQN. 
 
 Reverend  and  rjcll'he'oved  in  the  Lord, 
 
 I  Blefs  the  Lord,  v^'ho  haih  fo  \v*onderfully  flopped  the  on-going 
 of  tliat  iawlefs  procefs  againft  you.    The  Lord  reigneth,  and 
 hath  H  i,iving  eye  upon  you,  and  your  miniitry;   and  therefore 
 fear  not  what  men  tin  do.    I  blefii  the  Lord,  that  the  Irilh   m.i- 
 niftcrs  find  employment,  and  the  profeflors  comfort  of  their  mini- 
 itry.  iirlieve  me  1  durft  not,  as  1  am   now  difpofed,  hold  an  ho- 
 iicft  brother  out  of  the  pulpit:  I  truft,  the  Lord  (hall  guard  you, 
 and  hide  you  in  the  {liadcw  of  hfs  hand  :   I  am  not  pleafed  with 
 any  that  are  againft  you  in  that.    I  fee  this,  in  prolperity  mens 
 conicicnce  will  not  flart  at  Imall  fins  :  but  if  fome  had  been  where 
 i  have  been,  fince  I  came  from  you,  a  little  more  would  have 
 caufe.l  their  eyts  water,  and  troubled  their  peace.    O  how  ready 
 are  we  to  incline  to  the  world's  hand  !   Our  arguments,  being 
 well  examined,  arc  often  drawn  from  our  (kin,  the  whold  ikin  and 
 a  peAceable  tabernacle,   is  a  topic  maxim,    in  great  requefl  in 
 our  logic.    J  find  a  little  breirding  of  Goal's  feed  in  this  town, 
 ior  tlie  which  the  Doctors  have  tiold  me  their  mijid,  that  they 
 cannot  bear  with  it,  and  have  examined  and  threatL^ncd  the  people 
 that  h:umt  my  company:    I  fear  I- get  not  leave  to  winter  here: 
 and  whither  1  go  I  know  not  5   I  am  ready  at  the  Lord^s  call.    I 
 would  I  could  make  acquaintance  with  Chrid's  crofs,  for  Lfind 
 comforts  lie  to  and  follow  upon  tlie  crols.    I  fuiTer  in  my  name 
 by  them  ;  I  take  it  as  a  part  of  the  crucifying  of  the  old  man  :  let 
 them  cut  the  throat  of  my  credit,  and  do  as  they  like  heft  with  it : 
 when  the  wind  of  their  calumnies  hath  blown  away  mv  good 
 name  from  me,  m  the  way  to  heaven,  I  know  Chrill  will  take 
 my  name  out  of  the  m.ire  and  wafh  it,  and  rcftcre  it  to  me  again. 
 J  would  have  a  mind  (if  the  Lord  would  be  plea  fed  to  give  me  it) 
 I©  b«  a  fool  for  Chrilt's  fak«.    Sometiines,  while  I  have  Chrift  \\i 
 
S26  ^It  RUrHERFOORD't  Epift.  74.] 
 
 my  arms,  I  fall  afleep  in  the  fweetnefs  of  his  prefcnce,  and  he  in 
 my  fleep  ftealeth  away  out  of  my  arms ;  and  when  I  awake,  I 
 mifs  him.    I  am  much  comforted  with  my  Lady  Pitfligo,  a  good 
 woman,  and  acquainted  with  God*s  ways.   Grace  be  with  you. 
 Aberdeen,  Sept,  11,  Tours  in  his  five et  Lord 
 
 1637.  Jefiis,     S.  R. 
 
 74.    To  the  Honourable,  my  Lord  hO^lDO^. 
 Rl^ht  Honourable. 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  ^eace  be  to  your  Lordfhip.  I  rejoice  ex- 
 ceedingly, that  I  hear  your  Lordihip  hath  a  good  mind  to 
 Chrift,  and  his  now-borne  down  truth.  My  very  dear  Lord,  go 
 on,  in  the  ftrength  of  the  Lord,  to  carry  your  honour  and  world- 
 ly glory  to  the  new  Jerufalem.  For  this  caufe  your  Lordfhip  re- 
 ceived thefe  of  the  Lord  ;  this  is  a  fure  way  for  the  eftablifhment 
 of  your  houfc,  if  ye  be  of  thefe,  who  are  willing  in  your  place  to 
 build  Zion's  old  wafle  places  in  Scotland.  Your  Lordfhip  want- 
 rth  not  God's  and  man's  law  both,  now  to  come  to  the  llreets 
 for  Chrift  :  and  fuppofe  the  baftard  laws  of  man  were  againft  you, 
 it  is  an  honeft  and  zealous  error,  if  here  ye  flip  againft  a  point 
 or  punctilio  of  ftanding  policy:  when  your  foot  ilippeth  in  fuch 
 known  ground,  as  is  the  royal  prerogative  of  our  high  and  moft 
 truly  dread  fovereign  (who  hath  many  crowns  on  his  head)  and 
 the  liberties  of  his  houfe,  he  will  hold  you  up.  Blelied  (liall  they 
 be,  who  take  Babel's  little  ones,  and  dalh  their  heads  againit 
 the  ftones :  I  wifh  your  Lordlliip  have  a  (hare  of  that  blelRng, 
 with  other  worthy  nobles  in  our  land.  It  is  true,  it  is  now  ac- 
 counted wlfdom  for  men  to  be  partners  in  pulling  up  the  ftakes, 
 and  loofing  the  cords  of  the  tent  of  Chrift :  but  I  am  perfuaded 
 that  thv»t  wifdom  is  cried  down  in  heaven,  and  ftiall  never  pafs  lor 
 true  wifdom  with  the  Lord,  whofe  word  crieth  ihame  upon  wic 
 againft  Chrift  and  truth :  and  accordingly,  it  ftiall  prove  ftiame 
 and  confufion  of  face  in  the  end.  Our  Lord  hath  given  your 
 Lordftiip  light  of  a  better  ftamp,  and  learning  alfo,  wherein  ye 
 are  not  behind  the  difputer  and  the  fcribe.  O  what  a  blefted 
 thing  is  it,  to  i^enobility,  learning  and  fan6tification  all  concur 
 in  one!  For  thefe  ye  owe  yoijrfelf  to  Chrift  and  his  kingdom: 
 God  h?^.th  bewildered  and  bemifted  the  wit  and  the  learning  of. 
 the  fcribes  and  difputers  of  this  time;  they  look  afquint  to  the 
 Bible:  this  blinding  and  bcmifting  world  blindfoideth  mens 
 light,  that  they  are  afraid  to  fee  ftraight  out  before  them;  nay, 
 their  very  light  phyeth  the  knave,  or  worfe,  to  truth.  Your  Lord-: 
 Ihip  knoweth,  within  a  little  while,  policy  againft  truth  will 
 blufti,  and  the  works  of  men  (liall  burn  up,  even  their  fpider's- 
 web,  who  fpin  out  many  kundred  eils  and  webs  of  inditerenccs 
 
I 
 
 Eplft.  74.]  LETTERS.  1-27 
 
 in  the  Lord's  worfliip,  more  than  ever  Mofes,  who  would  hav« 
 an  hoof  material,  and  Daniel,  who  would  have  a  look  out  at  a 
 window,  a  matter  of  life  and  death,  than  ever  (I  fay)  thefe  men 
 of  God  dreamed  of.  Alas,  that  men  dare  fhape,  carve,  cut,  and 
 clip  our  King's  princely  teftament,  in  length  and  breadth,  and 
 in  all  dimenfions,  anfwerable  to  the  conception  of  fuch  policy  as 
 a  head  of  wit  thinketh  a  fafe  and  trim  way  of  fervlng  God  !  how 
 have  men  forgotten  the  Lord,  that  they  dare  go  againft  even  that 
 truth,  \Yhich  once  they  preached  themfelves,  howbeit  their  fer- 
 mons  now  be  as  thin  fown  as  ftraw-berries  in  a  wood  or  v/ilder- 
 nefs?  certainly  the  fweeteft  and  fafeft  courfe  is,  for  this  ihort 
 time  of  the  alternoon  of  this  old  and  declining  world,  to  (land 
 fDr  Jefus :  he  hath  faid  it,  and  it  is  our  part  to  believe  it,  that 
 ere  it  be  long,  time  fliall  be  no  more,  and  the  heayen  fhall  wax 
 old  as  a  garment:  do  we  not  fee  it  already  an  old,  holey  and 
 thread-bear  garment  ?  Doth  not  cripple  and  lame  nature  tell  us, 
 that  the  Lord  will  fold  up  the  old  garment  and  lay  it  afide :  and 
 the  heavens  fliall  be  folded  together  as  a  fcroll,  and  this  peft  houfe 
 (hall  be  burnt  v/ith  fire,  and  that  both  pleniftiing  and  walls  fhall 
 melt  with  fervent  heat  ?  for  at  the  Lord's  coming,  he  will  do 
 with  this  earth,  as  men  do  with  a  Uper  houfe  j  he  will  burn  the 
 walls  with  fire,  and  the  plenifhing  of  the  houfe  alfo,  2  Peter  iii. 
 10,  I  z.  My  dear  Lord,  how  flrall  ye  rejoice  in  that  day,  to  have 
 Chrid,  angels,  heaven,  and  your  own  confcience  to  fmile  upon 
 you?  I  am  perfuaded,  one  fick  night,  through  the  terrors  of  the 
 Almighty,  would  make  men  (whofe  confcience  hath  fuch  a  wide 
 throat,  as  an  image  like  a  cathedra!  church  would  go  down  it) 
 have  other  thoughts  of  Chrift  and  his  worfhip,  than  now  they 
 pleafe  themfelves  with.  The  fcarcity  of  faith  in  the  earth  faith, 
 We  are  hard  upon  the  laft  nick  of  time  :  blefTed  are  thofe  who 
 keep  their  garments  clean  againft  the  Bridegroom's  coming. 
 There  fhall  be  fpotted  clothes,  and  fciany  defiled  garments,  at  his 
 laft  coming ;  and  therefore,  few  found  worthy  to  walk  with  him 
 in  white.  I  am  perfuaded,  my  Lord,  this  poor  travailing  woman, 
 our  pained  church,  is  with  child  of  victory,  and  (hall  bring  forth 
 a  man  child  all  lovely  and  glorious,  that  fhall  be  caught  iip  to 
 God  and  his  throne,  howbeit  the  dragon,  (in  his  followers)  be 
 attending  the  child-birth  pain,  as  4n  Egyptian  midwife,  to  re- 
 ceive the  birth  and  flrangle  it,  Ifa.  xxix.  8.  But  they  fhall  be  dif- 
 appointed  who  third:  for  the  deflruftlon  of  Zion  ;  they  fhall  be 
 as  when  a  hungry  man  drcameth  that  he  eateih  ;  but  behold  he 
 awaketh,  and  his  foul  is  empty  :  or  when  a  thirfly  man  dream- 
 cth  that  he  drinketh  ;  but  behold  he  awaketh,  and  is  faint,  and 
 his  foul  is  not  fatisfied :  fo  fiiall  it  be,  I  fay.  with  the  multitude 
 of  all  the  nations  that  fight  againft  Mount  Zion.  Therefore  the 
 wc^k  and  feeble,  thefe  that  are  fi^ns  iud  wonders  in  Ifracl,  kare 
 
I 
 
 laS  m  RUrHERFOORD's  Epift.  75.] 
 
 chofen  the  beft  fide,  even  the  fide  that  victory  is  upon  ;  and  I 
 think  this  is  no  evil  policy.  Verily,  for  myleif,  1  am  io  well 
 pleafed  with  Chrift,  and  his  noble  and  honcft  born  crofs,  this 
 crofs  that  is  come  of  ChrilVs  houfe,  and  is  of  kin  to  himi'elf.  that 
 I  fnOAild  weep,  if  it  ihould  come  to  nitfering  and  bartering  oi 
 lots  and  condition  with  thofe  that  are  at  eafe  in.Zion ;  I  hold  llill 
 my  choice,  and  blefs  myfeif  in  it.  I  fee,  and  1  belie ve,  there  is 
 falvation  in  th'S  way,  that  is  everywhere  fpoken  againlt.  I  hope 
 to  go  to  eternity,  and  to  venture  on  the  lad  evil  to  the  faints, 
 even  upon  death,  fully  perfuaded  that  this  only,  even  this,  is  the 
 faving  way  for  racked  confciences,  and  for  weaiy  and  loaden  fin- 
 ners,  to  find  cafe  and  pcice  for  evermore  into,  and  Indeed  ic  is 
 not  for  any  worldly  refpeil  that  I  fpeak  lo  of  it :  the  weather  is 
 not  fo  hot,  that  I  have  great  caufe  to  ilartle  in  my  prifcn,  or  to 
 boaft  of  .that  entertainment  that  my  good  friends,  the  prelates, 
 intendvfor  me,  which  is  banifhment,  if  they  fliall  obtain  their  de- 
 fire,  and  effe<£luate  what  they  defign ;  but  let  it  come,  I  rue  not 
 that  I  made  Chrift  my  waile  and  jr.y  choice :  I  think  him  ay  the 
 longer  the  better.  My  Lord,-  it  Ihall  be  good  feivice  to  God,  to 
 hold  your  noble  friend  and  chief  upon  a  good  couife  for  the  truth 
 of  Chrifl.  Now  the  very  Godlof  peace  eilabliih  your  Lordfliip  in 
 Chrift  Jefus  unto  the  end. 
 
 Aberdeen^  Sept.  10,  Tour  LordJJjip^s  in  his  five et 
 
 1637.  Lord  Jefus,     S.  R. 
 
 ■^       75.     Tothehav-dof  GMTQlVan, 
 Much  honoured  Sir, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  can  do  no  more  but 
 thank  you  in  piipcr,  and  remember  you  to  him  whom  I 
 fervc,  for  kindnefs  and  care  of  a  prifoner.  I  blefs  the  Lord,  the 
 caufe  1  fufFer  for  neederh  notjbiuih  before  kings :  Chrift's  white, 
 honeft,  and  fair  truth,  needo|h  neither  to  wax  pale  lor  fear,  nor 
 blulh  for  Ihame.  I  blefs  the  Lord,  who  havh  graced  you  to  own 
 Chrift  now,  when  fo  many  are  afraid  to  profefs  him,  and  hide 
 him,  for  fear  they  fuffer  lofs  "by  avouching  him.  Alas  I  that  fo 
 fnany  in  thefe  days  are  carried  with  the  times  !  as  if  their  con- 
 fcience  rolled  upon  oiled  wheels,  fo  do  they  go  any  way  the  wind 
 blows:  and  becaufe  Chjift  is^iot  market-fweet.  men  put  him  a- 
 way  from  them.  Worthy  anc|  much  honoured  Sir,  go  on  to  own 
 Chrift  and  his  opprcfTed  truth  s  the  end  of  fufFerings  for  the  gof- 
 pel,  is  reft  and  gladnefs.  Light  and  joy  is  fown  for  the  mourn- 
 ers in  Zion,  and  the  harveft  ^vhich  is  of  God*s  making  Tor  time 
 and  manner)  is  near  ;  croiTes  have  right  and  claim  to  Chrift  in 
 his  members,  till  legs  and  arms,  and  whole  myftical  Chrift  be  in 
 heaven.  There  will  be  rain,*  and  hail,  and  ftorm,  in  the  faints 
 ^i*ud«;  ever  till  God  d^nfe  with  fire  the  works  of  crci;tion,  and 
 
Epift.  7^]  LETTERS.  i2f 
 
 till  he  burn  the  botch  houfe  of  heaven  and  earth,  that  mens  fm. 
 hath  Uibjetted  unto  vanity.     They  are  bklTtd  who  fuffcr  and  fm 
 not,  tor  iultering  is  the  badge  that  Chrift  hath  pat  upon  his  fol- 
 lowers: t.ike  what  way  we  can  to  heaven,  the  way  is  hedged  up 
 with  crofles,  there  is   no  way  but  to  break  through  them  •,  wit 
 and  wiles,  (hift  and  laws,  wil'l  not  find  cut  a  way  about  the  crofs 
 of  Chrift,  but  we  muft  through  :  one  thing  by  experience  my 
 Lord  hath  taught   me,   that  the  waters   betwixt  this  and   heaven 
 may  all  be  ridden,  if  we  be  wellhors'd,  I  mean,  if  we  be  in  Chrift; 
 and  not  one  (liall  drown  by  the  way,  but  fuch  as  iove  cheir  own 
 deftruction.  Oh,  if  we  could  wait  on  for  a  time,  and  believe  in  the 
 dark  the  falvation  of  God  !  At  leaft  we  are  to  believe  good  ot 
 Chrift,  till  he  gives  us  the  flip,  (which  is  impoflible)  and  to  take 
 his  word  for  caution,  that  he  iliallfill  up  all  the  blanks  in  his 
 promifes,   and  give   us  what  we  want:    but  to  the  unbeliever 
 Cnrift's  teftament  is  white,    blank,    unwritten  paper.     Worthy 
 and  dear  Sir,  fet  your  face  to  heaven,  and  make  you  to  ftoop  at 
 all  the  low  entries  in  the  way;  that  ye  may  receive  the  kingdom 
 as  a  child  :  without  this,  he  that  knew  the  way,  faid,  there  is  no 
 entry  in.     O  but  Chrift  be  willing  to  lead  a  poor  fmner !   O  what 
 love  my  poor  foul  hath  found  in  him,  in  the  houfe  of  my  pilgri- 
 mage !   Suppofe  love  in  heaven  and  earth  were  loft,  I  dare  iwear, 
 it  may  be  ibund  in  Chrift.     Now  the  very  God  of  peace  eftablifti 
 you,  till  the  day  of  the  glorious  appearance  of  Chrift. 
 
 yiberdeen,  Seft.  7.  Tour  own  in  his  fiLCct  Lord 
 
 1637.  J^fiiSy     ^-  R- 
 
 76.     To  the  Lady  GAITGIRTH. 
 
 Much  honoured  and  Chriflian  Lady, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you:  I  long  to  hear  how  it 
 goeth  with  you  and  your  children  :  I  exhort  you,  not  to 
 lole  breath,  nor  to  faint  in  your  journey  :  the  way  is  not  fo  long 
 to  your  home,  as  it  was  ;  it  will  wear  to  one  ftep  or  an  inch  at 
 length,  and  ye  (hall  come  ere  long  to  be  within  your  arm-lengih 
 of  the  glorious  crown.  Your  Lord  Jcfus  did  fweat  arid  pant,  ere 
 hz  got  up  that  mount;  he  was  at,  Father,  fave  mc,  with  it; 
 it  was  he  v/ho,  Pfal.  xxii.  14.  faid,  I  am  poured  out  like  water  -- 
 all  my  bones  are  out  of  joint,  (Chrift  was  as  if  they  had  broken 
 him  upon  the  wheel)  my  heart  is  like  wax,  it  is  melted  in  the 
 midft  of  my  bowels,  ver.  j  5.  My  ftrength  is  dried  up  like  a  pot- 
 fnerd.  I  am  fure,  ye  love  the  way  the  better,  his  holy  feet 
 trod  it  before  you.  CrofTts  have  a  fmell  of  croflld  and  pained 
 Chrift.  I  believe  your  Lord  will  not  leave  you  to  die  your  alone 
 in  the  way.  I  know  ye  have  fad  hours,  when  the  Comforter  is 
 hid  under  a  vail,  and  when  ye  enquire  for  him,  and  find  but  a  toain 
 
 R 
 
130  Ur  RUTHERFGORD's  Epift.  77.]- 
 
 neft ;  this,  I  grant,  is  but  a  cold  good-day,  when  the  feeker  mifleth 
 bim  whom  the  foul  loveth  :  but  even  his  unkindnefs  is  kind,  his 
 abfence  lovely,  his  malk  a  fweet  fight,  till  God  fend  Chrift  him- 
 fejf  in  his  own  fwect  prelence  :  make  his  fweet  comforts  your 
 own,  and  be  not  ftrange  and  Ihame-faced  with  Chrift ;  homely 
 dealing  is  beft  for  him,  it  is  his  liking.  When  your  winter  ftorms 
 are  over,  the  fummer  of  your  Lord  fball  come:  your  fad- 
 nefs  is  with  child  of  joy,  he  will  do  you  gdod  in  the  latter-end. 
 Take  no  heavier  lift  of  your  children  than  your  Lord  alloweth  ; 
 give  them  room  befide  your  heart,  but  not  in  the  yolk  of  your 
 heart,  where  Chrift  fhouid  be-,  for  then  they  are  your  idols,  not 
 your  bairns :  if  your  Lord  take  any  of  them  home  to  his  houfe^ 
 before  the  ftorm  come  on,  take  it  well  ;  the  owner  of  the  orch- 
 ard may  take  down  two  or  three  apples  off  his  own  trees,  before 
 mid-fummer,  and  ere  they  get  the  harveft  fun  •,  and  it  would  net 
 be  feemly  that  his  fervant,  the  gardener,  fhouid  chide  him  for  it : 
 let  our  Lord  pluck  his  own  fruit  at  any  feafon  he  pleafeth  ;  they 
 are  not  loft  to  you,  they  are  laid  up  fo  well,  as  thnt  they  are  cof- 
 fered in  heaven,  wher^  our  Lord's  beft  jewels  ly  :  they  are  all 
 free  goods  that  are  there,  death  can  have  no  law  to  arreft  any  thing 
 \  that  is  within  the  walls  of  new  Jerufalem.  All  the  faints,  be- 
 caufe  of  fin,  are  like  old  rufty  horologies,  that  muft  be  taken  down, 
 and  the  wheels  fcoured'and  mended,  anc^fet  up  again,  in  bet- 
 ter cafe  than  before  j  fin  hath  rufted  both  foul  and  body :  ouc 
 dear  Lord,  by  death,  taketh  us  down  to  fcour  the  wheels  of  both, 
 ?ind  to  purge  us  perfectly  from  the  root  and  remainder  of  fin  -,  and 
 we  fliall  be  fet  up  in  better  cafe  than  before.  Then  pluck  up 
 your  heart,  heaven  is  yours,  and  that  is  a  word  few  can  fay. 
 Now,  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  Ibeep,  and  the  very  God  of  peace, 
 confirm  and  eftabliOi  you,  to  the  day  of  the  appearance  of  Chrift 
 our  Lord. 
 
 yjberdecn,  Sept.  7.  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord 
 
 1637.  Jcjus,     S.  R. 
 
 77.     To  his  r  ever  end  and  very  dear  brother  <,  Mr  GEORGE 
 GILLESPIE. 
 My  very  dear  brother^ 
 
 I  RECEIVED  yours.  I  am  ftill  with  the  Lord  ;  his  crofs  hath 
 done  that  which  i  thought  impofifible  once':  Chrift  keepeth 
 tryfl  in  the  fire  and  water  with  his  own,  and  cometh  ere  our 
 breath  goeth  out,  and  ere  cur  blood  grow  cold.  Blefled  are  they, 
 whofe  feet  efcape  the  great  golden  net  that  is  now  fpread  :  it  is 
 happinefs  to  take  the  crabbed,  rough,  and  poor  fide  of  Chrift's 
 world,  which  is  a  leafe  of  croffes  and  lofles  for  him  :  for  Chrift's 
 incoaies  and  cafualdes  that  follow  him  are  m^ny,  and  it  is  not  a  lit- 
 
Eplft.  78.]  LETTERS.  131 
 
 tie  one,  that  a  good  confcience  may  be  had  in  following  him.  This 
 is  true  gain,  imd  muft  be  laboured  for,  and  loved.  Many  give 
 Chrift  for  a  Hiadow,  becaufe  Chrift  was  rather  befide  their  con- 
 fcience, in  a  dead  and  reprobate  light,  than  in  their  confcience. 
 Let  us  therefore  be  ballafted  with  grace,  that  we  be  net  blown  o- 
 ver,  and  that  we  flagger  not.  Yet  a  little  while,  and  Chrill  and 
 his  redeemed  ones  (hall  fill  the  field,  and  come  out  viclorious  : 
 Chrift's  glory  of  triumphing  in  Scotland  is  yet  in  the  bud,  and  in 
 the  birth,  but  the  birth  cannot  prove  an  abortive.  He  iLaii  not 
 faint  nor  be  difcouraged,  till  he  hath  brought  forth  judgment  unto 
 victory.  Let  us  flill  mind  our  covenant.  And  the  very  God  of 
 peace  be  with -you. 
 
 J  herd.  Sept.  ^.    1637.  Tour  hrrAher  hi  Chnji^     S.  R.. 
 
 78.     To    -r.  MATTHEW  IvIOWAT.  * 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother^ 
 
 I  AM  rctrcihed  with  your  letters.  I  would  take  all  well  at 
 my  Lord's  h.-nds  that  he  hath  done,  if  1  knew  I  could  Ao  my 
 Lord  any  iervice  in  my  fullering ;  fuppofe  my  Lord  would  make 
 a  ilop-hole  of  me,  to  iill  a  hole  in  the  wall  of  his  houfe,  or  a 
 pinning  in  Zion's  new  work  :  for  any  place  of  trufl  in  my  Lord's 
 home,  as  Itcward,  or  chamberlain,  or  the  like,  furely  I  think 
 myicif^(my  very  dear  brother,  I  fpeak  not  by  any  proud  figure  or 
 trope)  unw;arthy  of  it ;  nay,  I  am  not  worthy  to  (land  behind  the 
 door  5  if  ray  head,  and  feet,  and  body  were  half  out,  half 
 in,  in  Chrilt's  houfe,  fo  I  faw  the  fair  face  of  the  Lord  of 
 the  houfe,  it  would  ftill  my  griening  and  iove-f:ck  defires.  When 
 I  hear  that  the  men  of  God  are  at  work,  and  fpeaking  in  our 
 Lord  Jefus  his  name,  I  think  myfelf  but  an  out-calt  or  out-law, 
 thafcd  from  the  city,  to  ly  on  the  hiils,  and  live  amongft  the 
 rocks  and  outfields.  O  that  I  might  but  (land  in  Chriifs  out- 
 houfe,  or  hold  a  candle  in  any  low  vault  of  his  houfe  !  But  I  know 
 this  is  but  the  vapours  that  arife  out  of  2  quarrellousand  unbeliev- 
 ing heart  to  darken  the  wifdom  of  God.  And  your  fault  is  juft 
 mine,  that  I  cannot  believe  my  Lord's  bare  and  naked  word.  I 
 muft  either  have  an  apple  to  play  me  with,  and  fliake  hands  with 
 Chrifl,  and  have  feal,  caution,  and  wituefs  to  his  word,  or  elfe 
 I  count  myfelf  loofe;  howbeit,  I  have  tl^.e  word  and  faith  of  a 
 King.  Oh,  I  am  made  of  unbelief,  an.l  cannot  fwim  bucvhere 
 my  feet  may  touch  the  ground  !  Alas,  Chrifl  under-  my  tempta- 
 tions is  prefented  to  me  as  lying-waters,  as  a  dyvour  and  a  couftn- 
 cr  !  We  can  make  fuch  a  Chiift,  as  temptations  (cafling  us  in 
 a  night-dream)  do  feign  and  dcvife  (and  temptations  reprefcnt 
 Chrilt  ever  unlike  hinifelf )  and  we  in  our  folly  lilien  to  the  tempt- 
 er. If  I  could  miniRer  one  faving  word  to  any,  how  glad  would 
 my  foul  be  !  But  1  myfelf  (which  is  the  greatefl:  evil}  aiten  mi- 
 
 R  Z 
 
=121  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  78.I 
 
 l^ake  the  crofs  of  Chrift :  for  I  know  if  we  bad  wit,  and  knevr 
 well  that  cafe  flayeth  us  fools,  we  would  defire  a  market  where 
 we  might  barter  or  nif^'er  our  lazy  eafe  with  a  profitable  crofs  ; 
 howbeit  there  be  an  outcaft  natural  betwixt  our  defires  and  tribu^ 
 lation  :  but  fome  give  a  dear  price  and  gold  for  phyfic,  which 
 they  love  not ;  and  buy  ficknels,  howbeit  they  w^ifh  rather  to  have 
 been  whole  than  to  be  fick.  But  furely,  brother,  ye  ihall  not 
 have  my  advice  (howbeit,  alas  !  I  cannot  follow  it  myfelf )  to  con- 
 tend with  the  honelt  and  faithful  Lord  of  the  houfe  ;  for,  go  he 
 or  come  he,  he  is  ay  gracious  in  his  departure:  there  are  grace, 
 ?nd  mercy,  and  loving  kindnefs  upon  Chrift's  back  parts :  and 
 when  he  goeth  away,  the  propordon  cf  his  face,  the  image  of  that 
 fair  Sun  that  ftayeth  in  his  eyes,  fenfes  and  heart  after  he  is  gone, 
 leaveth  a  mafs  of  love  behind  it  in  the  heart.  The  fcutid  of  his 
 knock  at  the  door  of  his  beloved  after  he  is  gone  and  pail,  leaveth 
 a  (hare  of  joy  and  forrov/  both  :  fo  we  have  fomething  to  feed 
 upon  till  he  return  ;  and  he  is  more  loved  in  his  departure,  and 
 after  he  is  gone,  than  before  :  as  the  day  in  the  declining  of  the 
 fun,  and  towards  the  evening,  is  often  moft  defned.  And  as  for 
 Chrift's  crofs  I  never  received  evil  of  it,  but  what  was  m.ine  own 
 making:  when  I  mifcooked  Chilft's  phyfic,  no  marvel  thatit  hurt 
 me  :  for  fince  it  was  on  Chrift's  back,  it  hath  always  a  fweet  fmeil, 
 Tind  thefe  1600  years  it  keepeth  the  fmell  of  Chrift  :  nay,  it  is  el- 
 der than  that  too,  for  it  is  a  long  time  fince  Abel  firft  handfelled 
 the  crofs,  and  had  it  laid  upon  his  fhoulder  j  and  down  from  him, 
 all  alongft  to  this  very  day,  all  the  faints  have  known  what  it  is.  I 
 Tim  glad  that  Chrift  hath  fuch  a  relation  to  this  crofs,  and  thatit 
 3S  called  the  ciofs  of  our  Lord  Jefus,  Gal.  vi.  14.  his  reproach, 
 Heb.  xiii.  13.  as  if  Chrift  would  claim  it  as  his  proper  goods,  and 
 fo  it  cometh  in  the  reckoning  among  Chrift's  own  property  :  if  it 
 v/erc  fimple  evil,  as  fin  is,  Chrift,  who  is  not  the  author  nor  own- 
 er of  fin,  would  not  own  it.  I  wonder  at  the  enemies  of  Chrift 
 (in  whom  mrilice  hath  run  away  with  wit,  and  will  is  up.  and  wit 
 down)  that  they  v/ould  effay  to  lift  up  the  ftone  laid  in  Zion  ; 
 furely  it  is  not  laid  in  fuch  finking  ground  as  that  they  can  raife 
 it,  or  remove  it;  for  when  we  are  in  their  belly,  and  they  have 
 fwaliowed  us  down,  they  will  be  fick,  and  fpue  us  out  again.  I 
 know  Zlon  and  her  hufb.md  cannot  both  fleep  at  once  :  1  believe 
 our  Lord  once  atrain  (hall  water  with  his  dew  the  withered  hill  of 
 mount  Zion  in  Scotland,  and  come  down,  and  make  a  new  mar- 
 riage again,  as  he  did  long  fince.  Remember  our  covenant.  Your 
 cxcufe  for  your  advice  to  me  is  needlefs;  alas,  many  fit  befide  light, 
 ss  fick  folks  befide  meat,  and  cannot  make  ufe  of  it.  Grace  be 
 with  you. 
 
 jibcrd,  Se/;t,  7,  1637.  Tour  brother  m  ChrJji,     Sc  P^. 
 
Epift.  79-1  LETTER^.  133 
 
 79.    To  Mr.  JOHN  MEINE. 
 Dear  Br  other  ^ 
 
 I  Received  your  letter.  I  cannot  but  tcflify  under  mine  own 
 hand,  that  Chrift  is  dill  the  longer  the  better,  and  that  this 
 time  is  the  time  of  loves.  When  I  have  faia  ail  I  can,  others  may 
 begin  and  fay  i  have  faid  nothing  of  himj  I  never  knew  Chriil  to 
 c()b  or  flow,  wax  or  wane:  his  winds  turn  not;  when  he  feem- 
 <:th  to  change  it  is  but  we  who  turn  our  wrong  (ide  to  him,  I 
 never  had  a  plea  with  him,  in  my  hardefl  conilicts,  but  of  mine 
 own  making.  Oh  that  I  couW  live  in  peace  and  good  neighbour- 
 hood with  fuch  a  fecond,  and  let  him  alone  i  My  unbelief  made 
 many  black  lies,  but  my  recantation  to  Chnfi:  is  not  worth  *lie 
 hearing.  Surely  he  haih  born  with  ftrange  gades  in  me :  he 
 knowcth  my  heart  hath  not  natural  wit  to  keep  quarters  with 
 fuch  a  Saviour.  Ye  do  well  to  fear  your  backfliding.  I  had  flood 
 fure,  if  I  had  in  my  youth  borrowed  Chriil  to  be  my  bottom  : 
 but  he  that  beareth  his  own  weight  to  heaven,  (hall  not  fail  to 
 (lip  and  fink.  Ye  had  no  need  to  be  bare-footed  among  the  thorns 
 of  this  apcitate  generation,  left  a  flob  ftick  up  in  your  foot,  and 
 caufe  you  to  halt  all  your  days.  And  think  not,  Chrift  will  do 
 with  you  in  the  matter  of  fuffering,  as  the  pope  doth  in  the  mat- 
 ter of  fm  i  ye  fliall  not  find  th^t  Chrilt  will  fell  a  difpenfation  or 
 give  a  dyvour's  proteclion  againft  crofles ;  crolfes  are  proclaimed 
 as  common  accidents  to  all  the  faints,  and  in  them  ftandcth  a 
 part  of  our  communion  with  Chrilt:  but  there  lieth  a  fweet  cafu- 
 alty  to  the  crofs,  even  Chiift's  prefcnce  and  his  comforts,  when 
 they  are  fanclified.  llemember  my  love  to  your  father  and  mo- 
 ther.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 ylbtrdcoiy  Sept.  7,  Ycurs  in  his  fivset  Lcrd  JcfiUy 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 80.    7o'jOflN  FLEEMING  BaWic  of  Leith. 
 Much  honoured  in  the  Lord, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  flill  in  good  terms 
 with  Chrift:  however  my  Lord's  wind  blow,  i  have  the 
 advantage  of  the  calm  and  funny-fide  of  Ciirift.  Devils,  and  hell, 
 and  devils*  fervants,  are  4II  blown  blind,  in  nurfuing  the  Lord's 
 little  bride:  they  ihall  be  as  a  night-dream:  who  light  againft 
 mount  Zion.  Worthy  Sir,  I  hope  ye  take  to  heart  the  worth  of 
 .  your  calling:  this  great  fair  and  meeting  of  the  people  will  Ikall 
 and  the  port  is  open  for  us  :  as  fait  as  time  weareth  out,  we  fifC 
 away:  eternity  is  at  our  elbow.  O  how  blelled  are  th^-y,  wh^..  in 
 time,  make  Chrift  fure  for  themfelves  !  Salvation  isagre'.:  .r- 
 rand,  1  lind  it  hard  to  fetch  hcaycn.   Oh  th*it  we  could  take,  nai.if 
 
134  Ur  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  8i.] 
 
 of  our  lamps,  for  the  Bridegroom's  coming :  tlie  other  fide  of 
 this  world  will  be  turned  up  incontinent,  and  up  fhall  down  j  and 
 thefe  that  are  weeping  in  fackcloth  fhall  triumph  on  white  horfes, 
 with  him  whofe  name  is,  The  Word  of  God.  Thefe  dying  idols,  the 
 fair  creatures  that  we  whorilhlv  love  better  than  our  Creator,  will 
 pafs  away  like  fnow  water.  The  God-head,  the  God-head,  a 
 communion  wiih  God  in  Chrill,  to  be  halvers  with  Chrift  of  the 
 purchafed  houfe  and  inheritance  in  heaven,  Hiould  be  our  fcope 
 and  aim.  For  myfelf,  when  1  lay  my  counts, *0  what  telling,  O 
 what  weighing  if  in  Chrift !  O  how  foft  are  his  kifies  !  O  love, 
 love  furpalTmg  in  Jcfus  !  I  have  no  f;iuk  to  that  love,  but  that  it 
 fcemeth  to  deal  niggardly  with  me ;  I  have  little  of  it.  O  that  I 
 hid  Chrift's  (ten.  and  read  band,  fubfcribed  by  himfelf,  for  my 
 fill  of  it  I  What  garland  have  I,  or  what  crown,  if  I  looked  right 
 on  things,  but  Jefus !  Oh  there  is  no  room  in  us  on  this  fide  of 
 the  water  for  that  love  !  This  narrow  bit  of  earth,  and  thefe  ebb 
 and  narrow  fouls  can  hold  little  of  it,  bccaufe  we  are  full  of  rifts. 
 I  would  glory,  glory  would  enlarge  us  (as  it  will)  and  make  us 
 tight,  and  clofe  up  our  feams  and  rifts,  that  we  might  be- able 
 to  comprehend  it,  which  jet  is  incornprehenfible.  Pi.emember 
 my  love  to  your  wife.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 ^-iherdccn^  Sd^^t.  7.  Tours  in  his  fwcct  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 Sf.  To  ALEXANDER  GORDON  of  Earlf.oun, 
 Much  honoured  Sir, 
 TTOWBEITl  would  have  been  glad  to  have  feen  you  ;  yet, 
 ijL  feeing  our  Lord  hath  hi^tn  pleafed  to  break  the  fnare  ol  your 
 •adv'rriaries,  1  heartily  blefs  our  Lord  on  your  behalf.  Our  croflcs 
 for  Chrid:  are  not  made  of  iron,  they  are  fbfter  and  of  more  gen- 
 tle metal :  it  is  eafy  for  God  to  make  a  fool  of  the  devil,  the  fa- 
 ther of  all  fools  :  as  for  nie,  I  but  breathe  out  what  my  Lord 
 breatheth  in.  The  fcum  and  froth  of  my  letters  I  father  upon  my 
 unbelieving  heart.  I  knovv  your  Lord  hath  fomerhing  to  do  with 
 you,  becaufe  Satan  and  malice  have  (liot  fore  at  you  ;  but  your 
 bow  abideth  in  its  ftrength.  Ye  fliall  not,  by  my  advice,  be  a 
 halver  with  Chrift,  to  divide  the  glory  of  your  deliverance  betwixt 
 vourfelf  and  him,  or  any  other  fecond  mean  whatloevcr.  Let 
 Chrift  (as  it  fetteth  him  well)  have  all  the  glory  and  triumph  his 
 jilone.  The  Lord  fct  himfelf  on  hi^^h  in  you.  I  fee  Chrift  can 
 borrow  a  crofs  for  fome  hours,  and  fet  his  fervants  bcfide  it,  ra- 
 ther than  under  it,  and  win  the  plea  too,  yea,  and  make  glory 
 to  himfelf,  and  fhame  to  his  enemies,  and  comfort  to  his  children, 
 out  of  it:  but  whether  Chrift  buy  or  borrow  croiTes,  he  is  King 
 of  crolTiis,  iind  King  of  devils,  and  Kiv.^  over  hell,  and  King  over 
 
Epift.  82.]  LETTERS.  13^ 
 
 malice.  When. he  was  in  the  grave  he  came  out,  and  brought 
 the  keys  with  him;  he  is  Lord  Jaylor:  nay,  what  fay  I  ?  he  is 
 Captain  of  the  caftle,  and  be  hath  the  keys  of  death  and  hell :  and 
 what  are  our  troubles  but  little  deaths:  and  he  who  commandeth 
 the  great  caflle  commandeth  the  little  alfo.  2.  I  fee  a  hardened 
 face  and  two  (kins  upon  our  brows,  againft  the  winter  hail  and 
 ilormy  wind,  is  meetell  for  a  poor  traveller  in  a  winter  journey 
 to  heaven.  O  what  art  is  it  to  learn  to  endure  hardnefs,  and  to 
 learn  to  go  barefooted  either  through  the  devil's  fiery  coals,  or  his 
 frozen  waters  !  3.  1  am  perfuaded  a  fea-venture  with  Chrifl  mak- 
 eth  great- riches  :  is  not  our  King  Jefus  his  fhip  coming  home, 
 and  fhall  not  we  g?t  pa.^jf  the  gold  ?  Alas,  we  fools  mifcount 
 our  gain  when  we  feem  lofers.  Believe  me,  1  have  no  challen-* 
 ges  againft  this  well-born  crofs ;  for  it  is  come  of  Chrift's  houfe, 
 and  is  honourable,  and  his  propine;  to  you  it  is  given  to  fufFer; 
 
 0  what  fools  are  we,  to  undervalue  his  gifts,  and  to  lightly  that 
 which  is  true  honour !  for  if  we  could  be  faithful,  our  tackling 
 ihali  not  loofe,  nor  our  mafl  break,  nor  our  fails  blow  into  the 
 fea.  The  baftard  crolTes,  the  kinlefs  and  bafe-born  ciolfes  of 
 worldlings  for  evil  doing  mufi  be  heavy  and  grievous  ;  but  ouc 
 afflictions  are  light  and  momentary.  4.  I  think  myfelf  happy, 
 that  I  have  loft  credit  with  Chrifl,  and  that  in  this  bargain  I  am 
 Chrifts  fworn  dyvour,  to  whom  he  will  lippen  nothing,  no  not 
 one  pin  in  the  work  of  my  falvation  :  let  me  fland  in  black  and 
 white  in  the  dyvour-book  before  Chrift,  I  am  happy  that  my  fal- 
 vation is  concredited  to  Chrift's  mediation  :  Chrift  oweth  no  faith 
 to  me,  to  lippen  any  thing  to  me;  but  O  what  faith  and  credit 
 
 1  owe  to  him  !  Let  my  name  fall,  and  let  Chrift's  name  Hand  in 
 honour  with  men  and  angels.  Alas  !  I  have  no  room  to  fpread 
 out  my  afFeclion  before  God's  people :  and  I  fee  not  how  I  can 
 fhout  out  and  cry  out  the  lovelinefs,  the  high  honour"  and  the 
 glory  of  my  faireft  Lord  Jefus.  Oh  th.it  be  would  let  me  have  a 
 bed  to  ly  in,  to  be  delivered  of  my  birth,  that  I  m.ight  paint  hini 
 out  in  his  beauty  to  men,  as  I  dow.  5.  I  wondi'red  once  at  provi- 
 dence, and  called  white  providence  biack  and  unjuft,  thatlfhould 
 be  fmothered  in  a  town  where  no  foul  will,  take  Chrift  ofF  my 
 hand  J  but  providence  hath  another  luflrc  with  God  than  with  my 
 bleared  eyes.  I  proclaim  myfelf  a  blimi  body,  who  know  not  black 
 and  white,  in  the  uncouth  courfe  of  God's  providence.  Suppofe 
 Chrift  would  fet  hell  where  heaven  is,  and  devils  up  in  glory  be- 
 fide  the  elccl  angels,  (which  yet  cannot  be)  would  I  had  a  heart 
 to  acquiefce  in  his  way,  without  further  difpute.  I  fee,  infinite 
 wifdom  h  the  mother  of  his  judgments,  and  his  wayspafs  finding 
 out.  6.  I  cannot  learn  ;  but  I  defire  to  learn  to  bring  my  thoughts, 
 will,  and  lulls  in  under  Chriirs  feet,  that  he  may  trample  upon 
 
13^  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  82.3 
 
 them:   I  am   flill  upon  Chrift's   wrong  fide!     Grace  be  with 
 you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  Sept.  12,  Tours  in  his  fwcct  Lord  Jeps, 
 
 1637.  ^  S.  R. 
 
 82.    To  ROBERT  LENNOX  of  Dijdove. 
 
 Worthy  and  dear  Brother^ 
 
 I  Forgot  you  not  in  my  bonds  t  I  know  ye  are  looking  to  Chrift; 
 and  I  befeech  you,  follow  your  look,  i  can  f^iy  more  oi  CiuKt 
 now  by  experience  (though  he  be  infinit'^ly  above  and  beyond  all 
 that  can  be  faid  of  him)  than  when  I  fi^W  you.  I  am  drowned 
 overhead  and  ears  in  his  love.  Sell,  fell,  lell  all  things  for  Chriit. 
 If  this  whole  world  were  the  balk  of  a  ballance,  it  fliouid  not  be 
 able  to  bear  the  w^eight  of  Chrifl's  love;  men  and  angels  have  fiiort 
 arms  to  fathom  it;  let  your  feet  upon  this  piece  blue  and  bafe  clay 
 of  an  over-gilded  and  fair-plarftered  world ;  an  hour's  killing  of 
 Chriff  is  worth  a  world  of  worlds.  Sir,  make  fure  work  of  yjour 
 falvation  :  build  not  upon  fand  ;  lay  the  foundation  upon  the  rock 
 in  Zion  ;  ftrive  to  be  dead  to  this  world,  and  to  your  wills  and 
 lufts;  let  Chrift  have  a  commanding  power  aild  a  King's  throne 
 in  you;  walk  with  Chrift,  howbeit  the  world  lliould  take  the  hide 
 off  your  face  :  I  piomife  you  Chrift  will  win  the  field.  Your  pa- 
 llors caufe  you  to  err;  except  you  fee  Chrift's  word,  go  not  one 
 foot  with  them;  countenance  not  the  reading  of  that  Rome  fcrvice- 
 book  :  keep  your  garmer.ts  clean,  as  ye  would  walk  with  the  Lamb 
 cloathed  in  white.  The  wrongs  I  futTer  are  recorded  in  heaven; 
 our  great  Maiier  and  Judge  will  be  upon  us  all  ;  and  bring  us 
 before  the  fun  in  our  blacks  and  whites  :  blclTed  arc  they  who  watch 
 and  keep  themfelvcs  in  God's  love.  Learn  to  difcern  the  Bride- 
 groom's tongue,  and  to  give  yourfelf  to  prayer  and  reading.  Ye 
 was  often  a  hearer  of  me :  I  would  put  my  heart's  blootl  upon  the 
 do6lrine  I  taught,  as  the  only  >vay  to  falvation  ;  go  not  from  it, 
 my  dear  brother.  What  I  write  to  yourfelf,  I  write  to  your  wife 
 alfo.  Mind  heaven  and  Chrift,  and  keep  the  fpunk  of  the  love  of 
 Chrift  you  have  gotten  :  Chrift  lliall  blow  on  it  if  ye  entertain  it, 
 and  your  end  (hail  be  peace.  There  is  a  lire  in  our  Zion,  but  our 
 Lord  is  but  feeking  a  new  bride  refined  and  purified  out  of  the 
 furnace ;  I  afture  you,  howbeit  we  be  nick-named  Puritans,  all  the 
 powers  of  the  world  fhall  not  prevail  againft  us;  remember, 
 though  a  finful  man  write  to  you  thefe  people  {hall  be  in  Scot- 
 land as  a  green  olive-tree,  and  a  field  blefled  of  the  Lord  ;  and  it 
 fliall  be  proclaimed.  Up,  up  with  Chrift,  and  down,  dewn  with 
 all  contrary  powers.  Sir,  pray  for  me,  (I  name  you  to  the  Lord) 
 for  further  evil  is  determined  againft  me.  R.emember  my  love  to 
 Chriftian  Murray,  and  her  daughter;  I  defire  her,  in  the  edge  of 
 
Epift.  Sj,  5^.]  LETTERS.  157 
 
 her  evening,  to  wait  a  little,  the  king  is  coming,  and  he  bach 
 Ibaicthing,  that  ilie  never  law,  with  him  :  heaven  is  no  dream  j 
 come  and  Tee  will  teacii  h«r  bcil:.     Grace,  grace  be  with  yen 
 Aberdeen^  ^eft.  13.  Yours  in  his  piLect  L'.rJ 
 
 1637.  'PA'^  .  ''^'  ^^. 
 
 c>3.     v>  TO  .MrVRIOX  XuxlCKXAUGHT. 
 Dearefi  in  cur  Lord  jejus^ 
 
 C^OUNT  it  your  honour,  that  Chrifl  hath  begun  at  you,  to 
 _j  fine  you  firft.  Fear  not  hith  the  Amen,  the  true  and 
 faithful  witnefs:  I  write  to  you.  As  my  Maftcr  livrth,  upon  the 
 word  of  my  royal  King,  continue  in  prayer  and  in  watching,  and 
 your  glorious  deliverance  is  celling:  Chrilt  is  not  far  off;  a 
 fig,  a  Itraw  for  all  the  bits  of  chy  that  are  rifen  againil  us.  Ye 
 ihall  threlli  the  mountains,  and  fan  them  like  chaff,  Ifa.  xli.  It 
 ye  flack  your  hands  at  your  meetings,  and  your  watching  to 
 prayer,  then  it  would  feem  our  Rock  hath  fold  us  ;  but  be  villl- 
 gent,  and  be  not  difcouraged.  I  charge  you  in  Chriil,  rejoice^ 
 give  thanks,  believe,  be  ftrong  in  the  Lord  :  that  burning  butli 
 in  Galloway  and  Kirkcudbright  fhall  not  be  burnt  to  afhes ;  for 
 the  Lord  is  in  the  bulli.  Be  not  difcouraged,  that  banifhmcnt  is 
 to  be  procurei^,  by  the  king*s  warrant  to  the  council,  againlt  me  \ 
 the  earth  is  my  Lord's  ;  I  am  tilled  with  his  fweet  love  and  run- 
 ning over:  I  rejoice  to  hear  you  are  in  your  journey:  fuch 
 news  as  I  hear,  of  all  your  faith  and  love,  rejoice  my  fad  heart, 
 "^ray  for  me,  for  they  feek  my  hurt;  but  I  give  inyfclf  to  prav- 
 The  bleffing  of  my  Lord,  and  a  priioncr  of  ChriiVs  blciring 
 
 with  you.      O  chufcn  and  greatly  beloved  woman,  faint  not : 
 .  fy,  if  ye  faint  now,  ye  lofe  a  good  cauie  :  double  your  mect- 
 
 13  :  ceafe  not  for  Zion's  fake,  -and  hold  not  your  peace,  till  he 
 ...ake  Jerufiilem  a  praife  in  the  earth. 
 
 Aherd:  1637.  Tours  in  Chrifl  Jcfus  his  Lord,     S.  R. 
 
 84.     To  THO:vL^S  CORDET. 
 Dear  friend, 
 
 IFOR.GET  you   not  :   It  Ci-ill  be  my  joy,  that  yc  follow  after 
 Chrid  till  ye  find  him  ;   my  ccnfcienee  is  a  feaft  of  joy  to  me, 
 .1 1  fought  in  finglenef*  of  heart,  for  Chrift's  love,   to  put  you 
 on  the  King's  highway  to  our  Bridegroom,  and  cur  Fatiier's 
 ufe  :  thrice  bleffed  are  ye,  my  dear  brother,  if  ye  hold  the  wiiy, 
 i  believe,  ye  and  Chriftonce  met,  I  hope  ye  will  not  funder  wifti 
 him:  follow  the  counfel  of  the  man  of  God,   Mr   Wiliiiim  Dal- 
 glielli.     If  ye  depart  from  what  1  taught  you  in  a  hair  bieadth, 
 lor  fear  or  favour  of  men,  or  deiire  of  eufc  in  this  world,   1  take 
 -^vea  and  tarch  lo  wiiiitfs,  that  ill  (hiili  conie  upon  you  in  ead. 
 
 6 
 
138  ^U  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  85.] 
 
 Build  not  your  neft  here  :  this  world  is  an  hard  ill-made  bed,  no 
 rcfc  in  it  ior  your  foul ;  awake,  awake,  and  make  hade  to  feek 
 that  pearl,  Chrilt,  that  this  world  fc^eth  not.  Your  night,  and  your 
 mafter  Chriit  will  be  upon  ycu  within  a  clap;  your  hand- 
 breadth  of  time  will  not  bide  you  ;  take  Chrift,  howbeit  a  ftorm 
 iojlow  him  •,  howbeit  this  day  be  not  yours  and  Chrifl's,  the  mor- 
 row will  be  yours  and  his.  I  would  not  exchange  the  joy  of  my 
 bonds  and  imprifonment  for  Chrift,  with  all  the  joy  of  this  dirty 
 and  foul-fkinned  world.  I  have  a  love-bed  with  Chrift,  and  am 
 filled  with  his  love.  I  defire  your  wife  to  do  what  I  write  to  you  : 
 let  her  remember  how  dear  Chrift  would  be  to  her,  when  her 
 breath  turneth  cold,  and  the  eye-ftrings  (hall  break.  O  how  joy- 
 ful Ihould  my  foul  be,  to  know  that  I  had  brought  on  a  marriage 
 betwixt  Chrift  and  that  people,  few  or  many;  if  it  be  not  fo,  I 
 •will  be  wo  to  be  a  witnefs  againft  them.  Ufc  prayer  ;  love  not 
 the  world;  be  humble,  and  efteem  little  of  yourfelf;  love  your 
 enemies,  and  pray  for  them  ;  make  confcience  of  fpeaking  truth, 
 when  none  knoweth  but  God.  I  never  eat,  but  I  pray  for  you  all. 
 Pryy  for  mc  :  ye  and  I  iLall  fee  one  another  up  in  our  Father's 
 houfe.  I  rejoice  to  hear  that  your  eye  is  upon  Chrift.  Follow 
 on,  hang  on,  and  quit  him  not.  The  Lord  Jclus  be  with  your 
 fpirir. 
 
 .ihcrJ.  1637.  Tour  affc5lionate  brother  in  our 
 
 Lord  Jefus,      S.  R. 
 
 85.     To  ALEXAND::ii  GORDON  of  Earljioun. 
 Much  honoured  Sir, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter, 
 which  refreihed  me:  except  from  your  fon  and  my  bro- 
 ther, 1  h^vc  feen  few  letters  from  my  acquaintance  in  that  coun- 
 try, which  maketh  me  heavy :  but  I  have  the  company  of  a  Lord, 
 who  can  teach  us  all  to  be  kind,  and  hath  the  right  gait  of  it : 
 for  though,  for  the  prefent,  I  have  feen  ups  and  downs  every 
 day,  yet  I  am  abundantly  comforted  aiid  feafted  with  my  King 
 «nd  Well-beloved  daily  :  ic  pleafeth  him  to  come  and  dine  with 
 a  fad  prifoner,  and  a  folitary  Itranger :  his  fpikenard  caftcth  a  fmell ; 
 yet  my  fweet  hath  fome  four  mixed  with  it,  wherein  I  muft  acqui- 
 cfce;  for  there  is  no  reafon  that  his  comforts  be  too  cheap,  feeing 
 they  are  delicates ;  why  ihould  he  not  make  them  fo  to  his  own  ? 
 But  I  verily  think  now,  Chrift  hath  led  me  up  i6  a  nick  in  Chrifti- 
 anity  that  I  was  never  at  before  ;  I  think  all  before  was  but  child- 
 hood and  bairns-play.  Since  I  departed  from  you,  I  have  been 
 fcalded,  while  the  fuioke  of  hell's  fire  went  in  at  my  throat,  and 
 1  would  have  bought  peace  with  a  thoufand  years  torment  in  hell : 
 and  I  have  b-^en  up  alfo,  after  thefe  deep  down-caftings  and  for- 
 rows,  before  the  Lamb's  white  throne,  in  my  Fatjici's  inner-court. 
 
Epift.  85.]  LETTERS.  139 
 
 the  great  King's  dining-hall ;  ?.nd  Chrift  did  cnft  a  covering  of 
 love  on  me;  he  hath  calten  a  coal  in  mv  foul,  and  it  is  fmok- 
 ing  among  the  ftraw,  and  keeping  the  hearth  warm  :  I  look 
 back  to  what  I  was  before,  and  I  laugh  to  fee  the  fand-houfes  I 
 built  when  I  was  a  child.  At  firft,  the  remembrance  of  the  mr- 
 ny  fair  feaft  days  with  my  Lord  Jefus  in  public,  which  are  ncv/ 
 changed  into  filent  fabbaths,  raifed  a  great  tempsft,  and  (if  I  may 
 fpeak  fo)  made  the  devil  ado  in  my  foul :  the  devil  came  in,  srd 
 would  prompt  me  to  make  a  plea  with  Chrift,  and  to  lay  the  blame 
 on  him,  as  a  hard  maiter :  but  now  thefe  mifts  are  blown  away, 
 pnd  lam  not  only  filenced  as  to  all  quarrellino;.  but  fully  fatisfiect. 
 Now,  I  wonder  that  any  man  living  can  laugh  upon  the  world,  or 
 give  it  a  hearty  good-day.  The  Lord  Jefus  hath  hanilled  n-ic  fo, 
 that,  as  I  am  now  difpofed,  I  think  never  to  be  in  rhis  wcrlcl's 
 common  again  for  a  night's  lodging:  Chrift  beareth  me  good 
 comp?.ny  ;  he  hath  eafed  me,  when  I  faw  it  not,  lifting  thecrofs 
 oiF  my  ihoulders,  fo  that  I  think  it  to  be  but  a  feather,  becaufe 
 underneath  are  evelafting  arms.  God  forbid  it  come  to  barter- 
 ing or  niifering  of  croft'ds  ;  for  I  think  my  crofs  fo  f.veet,  thnt  I 
 know  not  where  I  would  get  the  like  of  it.  Chrift'5  honey-con. bs 
 drop  fo  abundantly,  that  they  fweeten  my  gall.  Nothing  break- 
 cth  my  heart,  but  that  I  cannot  get  the  daughters  of  Jerufalem,  to 
 tell  them  01'  my  Bridegroom's  glory  :  I  charge  you  ni  the  name  ot 
 Chrift,  that  ye  tell  all  ye  come  to  of  it  •,  and  yet  it  is  above  tel- 
 ling and  underftanding.  Oh,  if  all  the  kingdom  were  as  I  am, 
 except  my  bonds!  they  knovv  not  the  love  kiiTcs  that  my  only 
 Lord  Jefus  wafteth  on  a  dawted  prifoner.  On  my  falvation, 
 this  is  the  only  way  to  the  new  city.  I  know  Chrift  hath  no 
 dumb  feals ;  would  he  put  his  privy-feal  upon  blank  paper  ?  he 
 hath  fealed  myfulFerings  with  comforts.  1  write  this  to  confirm 
 you.      I  wiite  now,  what  1  have  fee n,  as  well  as  hoard.     Now 
 
 ud  then  my  filence  burneth  up  my  fpirit ;  but  Chrift  hnth  faid, 
 i  hy  ftipend  is  running  up  with  intereft  in  heaven,  as  if  thou 
 wert  preaching ;  and  this  from  a  King's  mouLh  rcjoiccth  my  heart  i 
 
 it  other  times,  I  am  fad,  dv/elling  in  Ked.ir's  tents:  there  are 
 -  one  (that  I  yet  knov/  of)  but  two  perlbns  in  this  town  th:'t  I 
 clare  give  my  word  for:  and  the  Lord  hath  removed  my  br-thrcn 
 and  my  acquainta^ice  far  from  me;  and  it  may  b-,  1  be  fui^'^or- 
 ten  in  the  place,  where  the  Lord  made  me  the  iuitrumcnt  to  i\o 
 fame  good.  Bat  I  fee  this  is  vanity  in  me  :  let  him  make  of  me 
 what  he  pleafcth,  if  he  make  falvation  out  of  it  to  m.e:  lam 
 tempted  and  troubl.-d,  rhat  all  the  fourteen  prelates  fnould  have 
 been  armed  of  God  c'^nail  me  onlv,  while  the  reft  of  iriv  brc- 
 thren  are  ftill  preaching  :  but  I  dare  noi  fay  one  wf;rd  but  tn:s, 
 It  is  good,  Lord  Jefus,  bccaufc  thou  haft  done  it.  '^Xo  is  me  for 
 the  virgin  dauglner !  wo  is  mc  for  the  dcfola:;on  of  the  virgin 
 
 S  2 
 
140  Mv  RUrilERFOCRD's      '       Eplft.  86.] 
 
 daughter  of  Scotland  !  O  if  my  eyes  were  a  fountain  of  tears,  ta 
 weep  day  and  night  for  that  poor  widow  kirk,  that  poor  mifer- 
 able  harlot!  Alas  that  my  Father  hath  put  to  the  door  my  poor 
 harlot  mother  !  Oh  for  that  cloud  of  black  wrath,  and  fury  of  the 
 indin^nation  of  the  Lord,  that  is  hanging  over  the  land.  Sir.  write 
 to  me,  I  befeech  you:  I  pray  you  alfo,  be  kind  to  my  afHi6led 
 brother.  Remember  my  love  to  your  wife;  and  the  prayer  and 
 blelling  of  the  prifoncr  of  Chrifc  be  on  you.  Frequent  yonr  meet- 
 ings for  prayer  and  communion  with  God,  they  would  be  fweet 
 meetings  to  me. 
 
 Jherdeen,  Fth.  i6.  Tours  in  his  fzveet  Lord 
 
 1637.  J^M>  ^^'^' 
 
 86.     To  ROBERT  GORDON  of  Knockhrex, 
 My  dear  brother^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  multiplied  upon  you  :  I  am  al- 
 m.oft  wearying,  yea  wondering,  that  ye  write  not  to  me: 
 though  I  know  it  is  not  forgetfulnefs.  As  for  myfelf,  I  am  e- 
 verv  way  well,  all  glory  to  God.  I  was  before  at  a  plea  with 
 Chrilt,  but  it  was  bought  by  me,  and  unlawful;  becaufe  his 
 whole  providence  was  not  yea  and  nay  to  my  yea  and  nay,  and 
 becaufe  I  believed  ChriiVs  outward  look  better  than  his  faithful 
 promife  :  yet  he  hath  in  patience  vv^aited  on,  while  I  be  come  to 
 myfelf,  and  hath  not  taken  advantage  of  my  weak  apprehenfions 
 of  his  goodnefs,  great  and  holy  is  his  name  !  he  looketh  to  what 
 1  dedre  to  be,  and  not  to  what  I  am.  One  thing  I  have  learned, 
 if  I  had  been  in  Chrift,  by  way  of  adhefion  only,  as  many  branch- 
 €S  are,  I  fliould  have  been  burnt  to  aflies,  and  this  world  (hould 
 have  feen  a  fufrering  minifter  of  Chrift  turned  (of  fomething  once 
 in  fliew)  into  unfavoury  fait.  But  my  Lord  Jefus  had  a  good 
 eve,  that  the  tempter  ihould  not  play  foul  play,  and  blow  out 
 Chrift's  candle.  He  took  no  thought  of  my  ftomach,  and 
 fretting  and  grudging  humour,  but  of  his  own  grace  :  when  he 
 burnt  the  houfe,  he  faved  his  own  goods.  And  Ibelieve,  the 
 devil,  and  the  perfecuting  world,  (hall  re?.p  no  fruit  of  me,  but 
 burnt  aflies:  for  he  will  fee  to  his  own  gold,  and  fave  that  from 
 being  confumed  with  the  fire.  O  what  owe  I  to  the  fiie,  to  the 
 hammer,  to  the  furnace  of  my  Lord  Jcfus  !  who  hath  now  let  me 
 fee  how  good  the  wheat  of  Chrift  is,-  that  goeth  through  his  mill 
 and  his  oven,  to  be  made  bread  for  his  own  table.  Grace  tried 
 is  better  than  grace,  and  it  is  more  than  grace,  it  is  glory  in  its  in- 
 fancy. I  new  fee,  godtinefs  is  more  than  the  outnde  and  this 
 world's  paffnients  and  their  bufivings :  who  knoweth  the  truth 
 of  grace  without  a  trial  ?  O  how  little  gettcth  Chrift  of  us,  but 
 that  which  he  winneth  (to  fpeak  fo)  with  much  toil  and  pains  ! 
 And  how  foon  would  faith  freeze  without  a  crofs  \  How  many 
 
Epift.  S;.]  LETTERS.  141 
 
 dumb  crofles  have  been  laid  upon  my  back,  tbat  bad  never  a 
 tongue  to  fpcak  the  Iweetnefs  of  Chrift,  as  this  hath  ?  when 
 Chrid  blefleth  his  own  crofies  with  a  tongue,  they  breathe  out 
 Cliriil's  love,  wiTdom,  kindnefs,  and  care  of  us.  Why  (hould  I 
 ftart  at  the  plough  of  my  Lord,  that  maketh  deep  furrows  on  my 
 foul  ?  I  know  he  is  no  idle  husband,  he  purpofeih  a  crop.  O 
 that  this  white  withered  ley-ground  were  made  fertile  to  bear  a 
 
 ;  crop  for  him,  by  whom  it  is  fo  painfully  drefled ;  and  that  this 
 fallow-ground  were  broken  up?  Why  was  I  (a  fool)  grieved  that 
 he  put  his  garland  and  his  role  upon  my  head,  the  glory  and  ho- 
 nour of  his  faithful  witneffc^s  ?  I  defire  now  to  make  no  more 
 pleas  with  Chrift :  verily  he  hath  not  put  me  to  a  lofs  by  what  I 
 fuffcr,  he  oweth  me  nothing:  for  in  my  bonds  how  fweet  and 
 comtortable  have  the  thoughts  of  him  been  to  me,  wherein  I  find 
 ufficient  recompence  of  reward  !  How  blind  are  my  adverfaries, 
 V. no  fent  me  to  a  banqqeting-houfe,  to  a  houfe  of  wine,  to  my 
 lovely  Lortl  Jefus  his  lovely  feafts,  and  not  to  a  prifon  or  place  of 
 exile  !  Why  fjiould  I  Another  my  hufbano's  honefty,  or  fin  a- 
 gainll  his  love,  or  be  a  niggard  in  giving  out  to  others  what  I  get 
 lor  nothing  ?  Brother,  eat  with  me  and  give  thanks :   I  charge  you 
 
 ^htfore  God,  that  ye  fpeak  to  others,  and  invite  them  to  help  me 
 praiie.  Oh  my  debt  of  praife,  how  weighty  it  is,  and  how  far 
 i'dii  up  I  Oh  that  oth<=:rs  would  lend  me  to  pay,  and  learn  me  to 
 praife  !  Oh  I  am  a  drowned  dyvour !  Lord  Jefus  take  my  thoughts 
 tor  payments.  Yet  I  am  in  this  hot  fum.mer-blink  with  the  tear  in 
 mv  eye;  for,  by  reafoa  of  my  filence,  forrow,  forrow  hath  filled 
 • :  my  harp  is  hanged  upon  the  .willow-trees,  becaufe  I  am  in 
 .^  iuange  land.  I  arn  Ifill  kept  in  exercife  with  envious  brethren, 
 ir<v  mother  hath  born  me  a  man  of  contention.  Write  to  me  your 
 nund  anent  Y.  C.  I  caimot  forget  him ;  I  know  not  what  God 
 hath  to  do  v/ith  him  ;  and  your  mind  anent  my  pariihioners  be- 
 haviour, and  how  they  are  ferved  in  preaching,  or  if  there  be  a 
 minifter  as  yst  thruft  in  upon  them,  which  I  dcfire  greatly  to  know, 
 
 [  ^nd  which  i  much  fear.    Dear  l>rother,  ye  are  in  my  heart  to  live 
 
 I    and  to  die  with  you.    Vlfit  me  with  a  letter.    Pray  for  me.    Re- 
 member my  love  to  vour  wife.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you:  and 
 *God,  who  heareth  prayer,  vilit  you,  r;nd  let  it  be  unto  you  ac- 
 cording to  the  prayers  of 
 
 Aberdeen  Jan.  i,  Your  oivn  Brother,  and  Chi 'ifi^s  prifinery 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 G 
 
 07.    'To  viy  well-beloved  and  reverend  Brother  Mr  ROBERT 
 
 BLAIR. 
 Rrverend  and  dearly  beloved  Brother, 
 
 RACE,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Fnther,  and  from 
 our  Lord  Jefus  Chriit,  be  to  you.    It  is  no  great  wonder. 
 
141  yiv  nUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  87.] 
 
 my  clear  brother,  that  ye  be  in  heavinefs  for  a  fenfon,  and  thnt 
 God's  will,  in  croffing  your  defign  and  defires  to  dwell  amongfl 
 a  people  whofe  God  is  the  Lord,  (hould  move  you  :  1  dtiny  not 
 but  ye  have  caufe  to  enquire  what  his  providence  I'peaketh  in  this 
 to  you  ;  but  God's  dire£ling  and  commanding  will  can,  bv  no 
 good  logic,  be  concluded  from  events  of  providence.  The  Lord 
 fsnt  Paul  many  errands  for  the  fpreading  of  his  gofpel,  where  he 
 found  lions  in  his  way  :  a  promife  was  made  to  his  people  of  the 
 holy  land,  and  yet  many  nations  in  the  way  fighting  againft,  ami 
 ready  to  kill  them  who  had  the  promife,  or  to  keep  them  from 
 poiTtrfFing  that  good  land  which  the  Lord  their  God  had  given 
 them.  I  know  \e  have  mofc  to  do  with  fubmiiTion  oFfpirit;  but  I 
 perfuade  myfelf  ye  have  learned,  in  every  condition  wherein  ye 
 are  caft,  therein  to  be  content,  and  to  fay,  Good  is  the  will  of  the 
 Lord,  let  it  be  done.  I  believe  the  Lord  tacklcth  his  ihip  ofren 
 to  fetch  the  wind,  and  that  he  purpofeth  to  bring  mercy  out  of 
 your  fufferings  and  filcnce,  which  1  know  from  mine  own  expe- 
 rience is  grievous  to  you:  feeing  he  knoweth  our  willing  mind 
 to  ferve  him,  our  wages  and  ftipend  is  running  to  the  fore  with 
 our  God  ;  even  as  fome  fick  foldiers  get  pay,  when  they  are  bed- 
 fad  and  not  able  to  go  the  field  with  others.  *  Though  Ifrael  be' 
 not  gathered,  yet  fhall  I  be  glorious  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord,  and 
 my  God  (hall  be  my  ftrcngth,*  Ifa.  xlix.  5.  And  we  are  to  be- 
 lieve if  (liall  be  thus  ere  all  the  play  be  played.  Jer.  li  35.  '  The 
 violence  done  to  me  and  my  Helh  be  upon  Babylon,  and  the  great 
 whore's  lovers,  Avail  the  inhabitants  of  Zion  fay  ;  and  my  blood  be 
 upon  Chaldea  (hail  Jerufalem  fay.*  And  Zech.  xii.  2.  '  Behold, 
 I  will  make  Jerufalem  a  cup  of  trembling  to  all  the  people  about, 
 v/hen  they  fhill  be  in  the  fiegc  both  againft  Judah  and  Jerufalem. 
 V.  3.  And  in  that  day  I  will  make  Jerufalem  a  burdenfome  Hone 
 for  all  peo^^le;  they  that  burden  themfelves  with  it  fliall  be  broken 
 ?n  pecs,  tho'  all  the  people  of  the  earth  be  gathered  againft  it* 
 When  they  have  eaten  and  fwallowed  us  up  they  Oiall  be  fick.  and 
 voxit  us  out  living  men  again  :  the  devil's  ftomach  cannot  digeil 
 the  church  of  God.  Suffering  is  tiie  other  half  of  our  miniltry, 
 howbcit  the  hardeft;  for  we  would  be  content  our  King  Jelu$ 
 would  make  an  open  proclamation,  and  cry  down  croflTes,  and  cry 
 up  joy,  gladnefs,  eafe,  honour,  and  peace:  but  it  muft  not  be  loj 
 through  many  affiidlions  we  mull  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God; 
 not  only  by  them  but  tlirough  them  mull  we  go;  and  wiles  will 
 not  take  us  by  the  crofs  -,  it  is  folly  to  think  to  ileal  to  heaven  with 
 a  whole  (kin.  For  myfelf,  I  am  here  a  prifoner  confined  in  Aber- 
 deen, threatened  to  be  removed  to  Caithnt  fs,  becaufe  I  defire  to 
 edify  in  this  town ;  and  am  openly  preached  againft  in  the  pul- 
 pits in  my  hearing,  and  tempted  with  deputations  bv  the  doftois, 
 efpeciaily  by  D.  B.    Yet  I  am  not  afliamed  of  my  Lord  Jefus  his 
 
Epift.  SS.]  LETTERS.  I43 
 
 garland  ajjcl  crown*,  I  would  not  exchange  mr  weeping  with  the 
 fourteen  prelates  their  painted  laughter.  At  my  firft  coming  here 
 I  took  the  dorts^vit  Chrift,  and  would  foriboth  fumnnon  him  for 
 unkindntfs:  1  fought  a  plea  of  my  Lord,  and  was  toffed  with 
 challenges  wliethcr  he  loved  me  or  not  ?  and  difputed  all  over  z- 
 gain  that  he  had  done  to  me ;  becaufe  his  word  was  a  fue  fhut  up 
 in  my  bowels,  and  I  was  weary  with  forbearing  ;  becaufe  I  faid 
 1  was  call  out  of  the  Lord's  inheritance.  But  now  I  f:e  I  w.is  a 
 fool :  my  Lord  mifivent  aii,  and  did  bear  with  my  foolilh  jealou- 
 fies,  and  miikent  that  ever  I  wronged  his  love  j  and  now  he  is 
 come  again  with  mercy  under  his  wings.  I  paft  from  my  (O  wit- 
 Icfs)  fummons :  he  is  God,  I  fee,  and  I  am  man.  Now  it  hath 
 pleafcd  him  to  renew  his  love  to  my  foul,  and  to  dawt  his  poor 
 piifoner.  TlitTrcfore,  my  denr  brother,  help  me  to  praife  and 
 fliew  the  Lord's  people  with  you  what  he  hath  done  to  my  foul, 
 that  they  may  pray  and  praife :  and  I  charge  y©u,  in  the  name  of 
 Cb.riil,  not  to  omit  it ;  for  this  caufe  1  write  to  you,  that  my 
 fufferings  may  glorify  my  royal  King,  and  edify  his  church  in 
 L'-cland.  He  knowclh  how  one  of  Chriil's  love  coai^  hath  burnt  my 
 foul  with  a  defire  to  have  my  bonds  to  preach  his  glory,  v/hofe 
 profs  I  now  bear.  God  forgive  you  if  ye  do  it  not;  but  I  hope  the 
 Xjord  will  move  your  heart,  to  proclaim  in  my  behalf  the  fweet- 
 riefs,  excellency  and  glory  of  my  royal  King.  It  is  but  our  foft 
 llerti  that  hath  raifed  a  llander  on  the  crofs  of  Chrift  ^  i  fee  now 
 the  white  fide  of  it :  my  Lord's  chains  are  all  over  gilded.  O  if 
 Scoiland  and  Ireland  had  part  of  my  feafl: !  And  yet  I  get  not  my 
 meat  but  with  m^ny  ftrokes.  There  are  none  there  to  whom  I  can 
 fpeak ',  1  dweil  in  Kedar's  tents.  Refrefn  me  with  a  letter  from 
 you :  for  none  know  what  is  betwixt  Chrift  and  me.  Dear  Brother, 
 upon  my  falvaticn,  this  is  his  truth  that  we  fufFer  for:  Chrift 
 would  not  feal  a  blank  charter  to  fouls.  Courage,  courage,  joy,  joy, 
 for  everniore  !  O  joy  unfpeakable  and  glorious  i  O  ior  help  to  fet 
 my  crowned  King  on  high  !  O  for  love  to  him  who  is  altogether 
 lovely  !  that  love  which  many  waters  cannot  quench,  neither  can 
 the  floods  drown  !  I  remember  you  and  bear  your  name  on  my  breaft 
 to  Chrift:  I  befeech  you,  forget  not  his  afliictted  prifon^r.  Grace, 
 mercy  and  peace  be  with  you.  Salute:  in  the  Lord,  from  me,  Mr 
 Cunninghame,  Mr  Livingfton,  Mr  E^idge,  Mr  Colwart,  Sec. 
 Aberdeen  Feb.  7.  Tour  Brother  uud  felloixi-prijonery 
 
 1637.  S.  11. 
 
 ( 
 
 b3.     To  JOHN  KENNEDY,  Baillie  of  Air. 
 
 Worthy  and  weH-bcloveJ  Brothr, 
 
 ^  H  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto.     I  am  yet  waiting  what 
 
 -?    our  Lord  will  do  for  his  afflicled  church,  and  for  my  re- 
 
y 
 
 144  Mv  RUTHERFOORD's  Zplft,  88.] 
 
 entry  to  my  Lord's  houfe.    O  that  I  could  hear  the  forfeiture  of 
 Chrift  (now  out  of  his  inheritance)  recalled  and  taken  off  by  open 
 proclamation ;  and  that  Chrift  were  reftored  to  be  a  freeholder 
 and  a  landed  heritor  in  Scotland  j  an^  that  the  courts  fenced  in  the 
 name  of  the  baflard  prelates,   Uiieir  godfathers  the  pope's  bailiffs 
 and  flieriffs)  were  cried  down!    Oh  how  fweet  a  fight  were  it,  to 
 fee  all  the  tribes  ot   the   Lord  in  this  land  fetching  hoine  again 
 our  baniflied  king,   Chrift,  to  his  own  palace,  his  fancluary  and 
 throne  !  I  fhail  think  it  mercy  to  my  foul,  .if  my  faith  fhaii  out- 
 watch  all  this  winter  night,  and  not  nod  or  flumbcr  tillmy  Loid's 
 fummer-day  dawn  upon  me.  It  is  much  if  faith  and  hope,  in  the 
 fad  nights  of  our  heavy  trial,  cfcape  wiih  a  whole  ikin,  and  with- 
 out crack  or  crook.    I  confefs,   unbelief  hath  not  reafon  to  be  ei- 
 ther father  or  mother  to  it:   (for  unbelief  is  always  an  irrational 
 thing)  but  how  can  it  be,  but  fuch  weak  eyes  as  ours  mull  caft 
 water  in  a  great  fmoke:  or  that  a  weak  head  fhould  not  turn  gid- 
 dy when  the  water  runneth  deep  and  ftrong  ^  but  God  be  thank- 
 ed, that  Chrift  in  his  children  can  endure  a  itrels  and  ftoan,  how- 
 beitfoft  nature  would  fall  down  in  pieces.  Oh  that  I  had  that  con- 
 fidence as  to  reft  on  this,  though  he  lliould  grind  me  into  fmall 
 powder,  and  bray  me  into  dull,   and  fcatter  the  duit  to  the  four^ 
 winds  of  heaven ;  that  my  Lord  would  gather  up  the  powdcF, 
 and  make  me  up  a  new  veffel  again,  to  bear  Chrift's  name  to  the 
 world!   I  am  fure  that  love,  bottomed  and  feated  upon  the  faith 
 of  his  love  to  me,  would  defire  and  endure  this,  and  would  even 
 claim  and  thriep  kindnefs  upon  Chrift's  ftrokes,  and  kifs  his  love- 
 glooms  j  and  both  Ipell  and  read  falvation  upon  the  wounds  made 
 by  Chrift's  fweet  hands.     O  that  I  had  but  a  promifc   made  from 
 the  m.outh  of  Chrift,  of  his  love  to  me!   and  then,   howbeit  my 
 faith  were  as  tender  as  pr.per,  I  think  longing,  and  dwining,  and 
 griening  of  lick  defires  would  caufe  it  bide  out  the  dz^Cy  till   the 
 Lord  carne  to  fill  the  foul  with  his  love;  and  i  know  alio,  in  that 
 cafe,  faith  ftiouid  bide  green  and  fappy  at  the  root,  even  at  mid- 
 winter, and  ftand  out  againft  all  ftorrns.     However  it  be,  I  know 
 Chrift  winneth  heaven  in  defpite  of  heii ;  but  I  owe  as  many  praif- 
 cs  and  thanks  to  free-grace  as  would  ly  betwixt  me  and  the  utmoft 
 border  of  the  higheft  heaven,  fuppofe  ten  thoufand  heavens  were 
 ail  laid  above  other.   But  oh  I  I  have  nothing  that  can  hire  or  bud 
 grace  \  for  if  grace  would  take  hire,   it  were  no  more  grace  :  but 
 ail  our  ftability,  and  the  ftrengih  of  our  falvation,  is  anchored 
 and  faftened  upon  free-grace;  and  I  am  fure  Chrift  haih,  by  his 
 death  and  blood,  caften  the  knot  io  faft,  that  the  fingers  of  the 
 devils,  and  hell-lulls  of  fins  cannot  iooie  it :  and  that  bond  of 
 Chrift  (that  never  yet  was,  nor  never  ftiall  nor  can  be  regiitrated) 
 fbndeth  furer  than  heaven,  or  the  days  of  heaven,  as  that  fweec 
 pillar  of  the  covenant,  whereupon  wc  all  hang,    Chrilt,  and  ail 
 
Iplth  89. j  LETTERS.  r45 
 
 his  little  ones  unc^er  his  two  wings,  and  in  the  corr.pafs  cr  circle 
 Oi  his  arms,  is  fo  fure,  that  caft  him  and  them  in  the  ground  of 
 the  f<fa,  he  (hall  come  up  again,  and  not  lofe  one;  an  odd  one 
 cannot,  nor  Ihall  not  he  \oi\  in  the  tilling.  This  was  always  Goi/s 
 aim,  fince  Chrift  came  in  the  play  betwixt  him  and  us,  10  m.  ke 
 men  dependent  creatures,  and  in  the  work  of  ovir  falvjition  to  put 
 cnratcd  ftren;;rh  and  arms,  and  legs  of  cl.>y,  quite  (iut  of  pi -y, 
 and  out  of  oilke  and  court :  and  now  God  hath  fubfcitULtd  in  our 
 room,  and  accepted  his  Son  the  Ivlediator  for  us,  and  all  that  we 
 can  make.  If  this  had  not  been,  I  would  have  ikinked  over  and 
 foregone  my  p:rt  of  paradife  and  falvation,  for  a  breakfiift  of  dtzd 
 moth-eaten  caith  ;  but  now  I  would  not  give  it,  nor  let  it  go, 
 for  more  than  I  can  tell  •,  and  truly  they  are  filly  fools,  and  igno- 
 rant of  ChnH's  worth,  (and  fo  full  trained  and  tutored)  who  tell 
 heaven  and  (.  hrift  over  the  board,  for  two  feathers  or  two  Itraws 
 of  the  dcviTs  painted  pleafures,  only  luftered  in  the  outer  fide. 
 This  is  our  hdppinefs  now,  that  our  reckonings  at  night,  wlien 
 fternity  fhall  come  upon  us,  cannot  be  told-,  we  fnall  be  fo  far 
 gainers,  and  fo  far  from  being  fuperexpendcd  (as  the  poor  fools 
 of  this  world  are,  who  give  out  their  money,  and  get  in  but  black 
 hunger)  that  angels  cannot  lay  our  counts,  nor  fum  cur  advan- 
 tage and  incomes.  Who  kiioweth  how  far  it  is  to  the  bottom  of 
 our  Chrid,  and  to  the  ground  of  our  heaven  ?  who  ever  weighed 
 Chriit  in  a  pair  of  bAhnccs  ?  who  hath  feen  the  foldings  and 
 plyes,  and  the  heights  ami  depths  of  tnat  gloiy  which  is  in  him, 
 and  kept  for  us  ?  Oh  for  inch  a  heaven  as  to  itind  af.tr  ofi^,  and 
 fee,  and  love,  and  long  for  him,  while  time's  thread  be  cut,  and 
 this  great  work  of  creation  difl'ulved  at  the  coming  of  our  Lord! 
 Now  to  his  grace  I  recommend  you.  I  befeech  you  alfo,  pr.y  for 
 1  re-entry  to  me  into  the  Lord'b  i>oure.  if  it  he  his  good-v/ill. 
 jdberdt-en,  Jan.  6,  Yours  in  his  fwect  Lord  J  ejus  ^ 
 
 1637.  "  S.  R. 
 
 89.    To  ELIZABEFH  KENNEDY. 
 M'lftrcfs, 
 
 C'>  RACE,  mercy  ar.d  peace  be  unto  you.  I  have  long  had  a 
 J  purpofe  of  writing  unto  you,  but  I  have  been  hindciw!.  I 
 heartily  defire  that  ye  would  mind  your  country,  and  confider  to 
 what  airth  your  foul  fetteth  its  face;  for  all  come  not  home  at 
 night,  who  fuppofe  they  have  fet  their  face  heavenward  :  it  is  a  wo- 
 ful  thing  to  die  and  mifs  heaven  and  to  lofe  houfe-room  with  Chi  iit 
 at  night;  it  is  an  evil  journey  where  travellers  are  benighted  iti 
 the  fields.  I  perfuade  myfelf  ihat  th(iulands  lli.ill  be  deceived  and 
 alhamed  of  their  hope;  becaufe  they  cait  their  anchor  it\  Hnking 
 funds,  they  mull  lofc  iu    Till  now,  1  knew  nu-thc  pain,  iabour^ 
 
 T 
 
1^  llr  ^UTHERFOORD'g  Eplft.  S9.3 
 
 i:or  dliiiculty  thnt  there  is  to  win  at  home;  nor  did  I  underftand 
 fo  v.f]],  bftore  this,  v/har  that  meareth.  The  righteous  lliall  fcarce- 
 Jy  be  laved.  Oh  how  mwny  a  poor  profeflbr's  candle  is  blown  out, 
 and  never  iiahttd  iigain  !  1  ice  crdinp.ry  prokffion,  and  to  be  rank- 
 ed r.mcingfL  ihe  children  ot  Cod.  and  to  have  a  narr.e  among  men, 
 is  now  thought  good  enough  to  carry  profctibrs  to  heaven  •,  but 
 certainly  j  name  is  l>ut  a  n?.me,  and  will  never  bide  a  blaft  of 
 God's  itoiiT'  :  I  counfci  you,  liot  to  give  your  foul  orChrift  reft, 
 nor  your  eyes  ileep,  till  ye  hnve  gotten  fomething  that  will  bide 
 the  firt;,  and  ttand  out  the  ftorm  I  am  fure  if  my  one  foot  were 
 in  heaven,  and  then  he  would  fay,  Fend  thyfelf,  I  will  hold  my 
 gr'ps  ol  ihec  no  longer-,  I  iliould  go  no  further,  but  prefently  fail 
 down  in  as  many  pieces  of  dead  nature.  They  are  happy  for  e- 
 vermcre  who  are  over  head  and  earb  in  the  love  of  Chrifl,  and 
 know  no  licknefs  but  love  iicknefs  for  Lhiifl,  and  feel  no  pain 
 but  the  pain  of  an  abfent  and  hidden  Well-beloved.  We  run 
 our  fouls  out  of  breath,  and  tire  them  in  courfing  and  gallopping 
 after  our  own  night-dreams  (fuch  are  the  roving  of  our  mlfcarry- 
 iiig  hearts)  to  get  fome  created  good  thing  in  this  life,  and  on 
 this  fide  of  death  :  we  would  fain  flay  and  fpin  out  a  heaven  to 
 ourfelves,  in  this  fide  of  the  water;  but  forrow,  want,  changes, 
 crofies  and  fm,  are  both  woof  and  warp  in  that  ill-fpun  web.  O 
 hoAv  iweet  and  dear  are  thefe  thoughts  that  are  flill  upon  the  things 
 which  arc  above!  and  how  happy  are  they  who  are  longing  to 
 luve  Ijttle  fand  in  theii  glafs,  and  to  have  time's  thread  cut,  and 
 tan  cry  to  Chrift,  Lord  jefus  have  over,  come  and  fetch  the  drie- 
 ]  y  pafienger  !  1  will-i  cur  thoughts  were  more  frequently  than  they 
 arc  upon  our  country.  O  but  heaven  cafteth  a  fvveet  fmell  afar 
 off,  to  thole  who  have  fpiritual  fmclling  !  God  hath  made  many 
 fair  tiowers,  but  the  faired  of  them  all  is  heaven,  and  the  flower 
 of  nlj  liowers  is  Chrill.  O  why  do  v/e  not  flee  up  to  that  lovely 
 i.r.c  ?  Alas,  that  there  is  fuch  fcarcity  of  love,  and  lovers  of  Chrift 
 liir^onglt  us  ail  !  Fy,  fy  upon  us,  who  love  fair  things,  as  fair  gold, 
 fair  houfes,  fair  lands,  fair  pleafurcs,  fair  honours,  and  fair  pcr- 
 fons.  and  do  not  pine  and  melt  away  with' love  to  Chrifl!  O  would 
 to  God  1  had  mere  love  for  his  fake  !  O  for  as  much  as  would 
 lie  betwixt  me  and'  heaven  for  his  fake !  O  for  as  much  as  v/owld 
 go  round  about  the  earth,  and  over  the  heaven,  yea,  the  heaven 
 of  heavens,  and  ten  thoufand  worlds,  that  I  might  let  all  out  upon 
 fair,  fair,  only  fair  Chrifl!  But  alas,  I  have  nothing  for  him,  yet 
 he  hath  much  for  n.e.  It  is  no  gain  to  Chrifl,  that  he  getteth  my 
 l:tile  lecklcfs  fpan-length  and  hand-breadth  of  love.  If  men  would 
 have  fonething  to  do  with  their  hearts  and  their  thoughts,  that 
 are  always  rolling  up  and  down  like  men  with  oars  in  a  boat,  after 
 linfiil  vanities,  they  may  find  great  and  fweet  employment  to  their 
 thoughts  upon  Chrift:*  if  thcfe  frothy,  fluctuating,  and  refticf* 
 
Splft  90']  LETTERS.  147 
 
 hearts  of  our*  would  come  all  about  ChriH:,  and  look  into  bis 
 love,  to  bottoml-fs  love,  to  the  drpth  of  mercy,  to  the  uafearch- 
 able  riches  of  his  ^racc,  to  enquire  alter,  vind  fei»rch  into  the 
 beauty  of  God  in  Chrift  they  would  be  fwaliowed  up  inthedepth 
 and  height,  length  and  breadth  ot  hts  goodnefs.  Oh  if  men  would 
 draw  the  cu-tains,  and  look  into  the  inner  fide  of  the  ark,  and 
 behold  how  tne  fuineu  ot  the  Godhead  dwellcth  in  hic^  bodily! 
 O  who  would  not  iay,  L^t  me  die,  let  n)c  die  ten  times  to  lee  2 
 fight  of  him  I  Ten  thouf-md  deaths  were  no  g.eat  price  to 
 give  for  him  i  I  am  fure,  iick,  fainiing  Jove  would  heighten  the 
 market,  and  raife  the  price  to  the  double  f •.  r  him.  lint  alas,  if 
 men  and  angels  were  rouped,  ?ind  fold  at  the  de.  reft  puce,  they 
 would  not  ail  buy  a  night^  love,  or  a  foui  and  twenty  hours  fight 
 of  Chrift.  O  how  happy  are  they  who  get  Chrift  for  n. 'thing  ! 
 God  fegd  nie  no  more  fur  my  part  ot  paradiie  but  Chriiti  and 
 furely  I  were  rich  enough,  and  ?.s  well  htaven'd  as  the  beft  of 
 them,  if  Chrift  were  my  heaven.  I  can  wrire  no  better  thing  to 
 you  than  to  defire  you,  if  ever  ye  1  lid  Chrift  in  a  count  to  take 
 him  up.  and  count  over  ag-iin ;  and  weigh  him  again  and  again: 
 antl  after  this,  have  ng  other  to  court  your  love,  and  to  woo  your 
 iout's  delight,  but  Chrift ;  he  will  be  found  worthy  of  all  your 
 love,  howbeit  it  (hould  fwell  upon  you  from  the  earth  to  the  up- 
 permoft  circle  of  the  heaven  of  heavens.  To  our  Lord  Jefus  anci 
 hiS  love  I  commend  you. 
 
 Joerdtfen,   1637.  Toun  in  his  fweet  Iy}rd  Jefus »  S.  R. 
 
 90.    To  JANET  KENKEDY. 
 
 Miflrifsy 
 
 C^  R;\CE,  mercy  and  pence  be  unto  you.  Yp  arc  not  a  little 
 JL  obliged  to  his  rich  grace,  who  hath  fcparate  you  for  him- 
 fell,  and  u-r  the  promifed  inheritance,  with  the  fyints  i»i  light, 
 from  this  condemned  and  guilty  world.  Hold  ti;ft  Chiiit,  contend 
 for  him  :  it  is  a  iifwful  plea  to  go  to  holding  and  drawing  for 
 Chrift;  and  it  is  not  pofiihle  to  keep  Chrift  peaceably,  having 
 once  gotten  him,  'except  the  devil  were  dead.  It  muft  be  your 
 rcfolutiun  to  fet  your  face  agai.ift  Satan's  northern  tempefts  aiid 
 ftorms  for  Ulvation  :  nature  would  have  heaven  come  to  us  wiiiie 
 fleepiiig  in  our  beds.  We  would  all  buy  Chrift,  fo  being  wr; 
 might  m^ke  price  ourfelves-,  but  Chrift  is  worth  n^ore  blooti  anu 
 lives  than  either  you  or  i  have  to  give  him.  When  we  f^'all  come 
 home  and  enter  to  the  poileUion  ot  our  brother's  fair  kingdoin, 
 and  when  our  heads  fh.dl  find  the  weight  of  the  eternal  crown  of 
 glory,  and  when  we  li\all  look  back  to  paiii*  and' fuiferlnL^s,  then 
 fliall  we  fee  life,  and  forrow,  to  be  Icfs  than  one  llep  or  ftridcfrom 
 /*  prifon  to  glory  ;  and  that  our  Utile  inch  of  tiiv.e-fui^'cring  is  not 
 
 T  2 
 
148  Lh  KvrnEnFOonT)^s         f:pm.  90.1 
 
 worthy  of  our  firft  night's  welcome  home  to  hea%'en.  O  v^hat 
 then  will  be  the  weight  of  every  one  of  Chrift's  kifles  !  O  how 
 "W'eiehty,  and  of  what  worth  ihall  every  one  of  >.  hriirs  love-fmiles 
 be  !  Oh  when  once  he  Ihall  thruft  a  wearied  traveller's  head  be- 
 twixt his  bleiTed  breads  the  poor  foul  fliall  think  one  kifs  of 
 Chriit  h  .th  fully  paid  home  forty  or  fifty  years  wet  feet,  anu  all 
 its  fort  hearts  and  light  lufferings,  it  h.'d  in  following  after  Chrill! 
 O  thrice  blinded  fouis,  whoie  hearts  are  charme<i  and  bewitched 
 with  dreams,  fliadpws,  fecklefs  things,  night-vanities  and  night- 
 iancics  of  a  miferable  life  of  fin.  ohame  on  us,  who  fit  ftill  fet- 
 tered with  the  love  and  liking  of  the  loan  of  a  piece  ot  dead  clay. 
 O  poor  fools,  who  are  beguiled  with  painted  things,  and  this 
 •'vcrid's  fair  weather  and  fmooth  promifcs,  and  rotten  v/orm-eatcn 
 liopes  I  May  not  the  devil  laugh  to  fee  us  give  out  our  fouls,  and 
 get  in  but  corrupt  and  counterfeit  pleafurcs  of  fin  ?  O  for  a  fight 
 of  eternity's  gloiy,  and  a  little  tailing  of  the  Lamb's  marriage-: 
 fupper  !  Half  a  draught  or  a  drop  of  the  wine  of  confolations,  that 
 is  up  at  our  banqueting-houfe,  out  of  Chrift's  own  hand,  would 
 rnake  our  ftomachs  lothe  the  brown  bread  and  the  four  drink  of 
 a  miferable  life.  O  hr  w  far  are  we  bereft  of  wit,  to  chafe  and  hunt 
 and  run,  till  our  louls  be  out  of  breath,  after  a  condemned  happi- 
 refs  of  our  own  mi. iking  !  and  do  we  not  fit  far  in  our  own  light, 
 to  make  it  a  matter  of  bnirns  play  to  fkink  and  drink  over  paradife, 
 find  the  heaven  thr.t  Chrift  did  fweat  for,  even  for  a  blaft  of  fmoke, 
 and  forEfau's  mjorning  bieakfart?  O  thnt  we  were  out  of  ourfelves 
 and  di^:\d  to  this  world,  and  this  world  dead  and  ciucified  to  us  I 
 and  when  we  ihould  be  clofe  out  of  love  and  conceit  of  any  mafk- 
 ed  and  fairded  lover  whatfoever,  then  Chtifl:  would  win  and  con- 
 cj'ier  to  himfelf  a  lodging  in  the  inmoil  yolk  of  our  heart  ;  theri 
 ChriO:  fhould  be  our  night-fong  and  our  moining  fong  ;  then  the 
 very  noife  and  din  cf  our  Wtll-beloved's  fett  v. hen  he  cometh,  and 
 his  firft  knock  or  rap  at  the  door  fliould  be  as  the  news,  of  two 
 heavens  to  us.  Oh  that  our  eyes  and  our  fouls'  fmelling  fhould 
 go  after  a  blafted  and  fun  burnt  flower,  even  this  fair  plaiftered 
 out-fided  world;  and  then  we  have  neither  eye  nor  fmell  for  the 
 Flower  of  JefTc,  for  that  Pirnt  of  Fvcnown,  for  Chrifl,  the  choi- 
 ccft,  the  faireft,  the  fweettfl  Rofe  that  ever  God  planted  !  O  let 
 iom.e  of  us  die  to  feel  the  fmell  of  him  I  and  let  my  part  of  this 
 rotten  world  be  forfeited  and  fold  for  evermore,  providing  I  may 
 anchor  my  tottering  foul  upon  ChriflJ  .1  know  it  is  fometimcs  at 
 this,  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  hive  for  Chrill?  but.  C)  Lord,  canfb 
 thou  be  budded  or  propined  with  any  gift  for  Chnfl  ?  O  Lord, 
 can  Chrift  be  fold  ?  or  rather,  may  nf-t  a  poor  prifoner  have  him 
 for  nothing  ?  if  I  caw  get  no  more,  O  let  me  be  pained  to  all  e- 
 ternity,  with  longing  for  him  I  the  joy  of  hungering  for  Chrift 
 fiiould  be  my  heaven  for  evermore.  Alas,  that  I  cannot  draw  fouU 
 
rplft.  91.]  LETTERS.  149 
 
 and  Chriil  together!  But  I  dcfire  the  coming  cf  his  kingdom, 
 and  tri2t  Chnil  (as  I  aiTuredly  hope  hs  iliall)  would  come  upon 
 withered  Scotland,  as  r::in  upjn  the  new  mown  gr^.fs.  O  1ft 
 the  King  come  I  O  let  his  kingdom  co.i^c  !  O  let  their  eyes  rot 
 in  their  eye  holes,  who  will  n^t  receive  him  home  again  to  reign 
 and  rule  in  Scotland  I    Grace,  grace  be  wiih  you 
 
 Jbcrddcn^  1637.  Tiur  in  his  pweet  Lord 
 
 Jefm,     S.  R. 
 
 91.     To  his  reverend  and  dear  brother  Mr.  DAVID  DICKSON, 
 
 Reverend  and  dfareji  brother ^ 
 
 WHAT  joy  hive  I  out  of  heaven's  gates,  but  that  my  Lord 
 J.-fus  be  glorified  in  my  bonds  ?  iiJLifed  be  ye  or  the  Lord, 
 w^ho  contribute  any  thing  to  my  obliged  and  indebted  prailcs. 
 D.ar  biciher,  help  me  a  poor  dyvour  to  pay  the  interelt,  for  I 
 cannot  come  nigh  to  render  the  principal.  It  is  not  jelt  nor  fporc 
 which  m-^kcth  me  to  fpeak  and  write  as  1  do  :  1  never  before  came 
 10  that  nick  or  pitch  of  com.numion  with  Chrift,  that  1  have  now- 
 attained  unto.  For  my  confirmation,  I  have  been  thefe  two  fab- 
 bit  hs  or  three  in  private,  taking'  inllrumtnts  in  the  name  of  God, 
 
 :  my  Loid  Jefuc  and  1  have  killed  each  other  m  Aberdeen,  the 
 w_..i  e  01  my  pili;rimsge.  I  leek  not  an  apple  to  play  me  with, 
 he  knoweth,  whom  I  i'crve  in  the  Spirit,  but  a  fcal ;  I  but  beg 
 earncft,  and  am  conten:  to  luTpcnd  and  i\\{\.  glory  while  fuppcr- 
 time.  I  know  th:«  world  '\\\\  not  laft  with  me;  for  my  moon- 
 light is  nooixiay  light,  and  my  tour-hours  above  my  feails,  when 
 I  wis  a  preacher ;  at  v/hich  times  ai fo  I  was  embraced  very  often 
 in  his  arms.  But  v/ho  can  blame  Chriil  to  take  me  on  behind  hinn 
 (it  I  may  fay  fo)  on  his  white  horfe,  or  in  his  chariot  paved  with 
 love,  through  a  water  ?  Will  not  a  father  take  his  little  dawted 
 D.ivie  in  his  arms,  and  carry  him  ov^r  a  ditch  or  a  mire  ?  Mr 
 fliort  legs  could  not  ft^p  over  this  laire  or  linking  mire  ;  and 
 therefore  my  Lord  Jems  will  bear  me  through.  If  a  change  come 
 and  a  dark  day.  fo  being  that  he  will  keep  my  faith  without  flaw 
 or  crack,  I  dare  not  blame  him,  howbeic  I  get  no  more  while  I 
 come  to  heaven  :  but  ye  know,  the  phyTic  behoved  to  have  {u- 
 \riv  ;  my  faith  was  fallen  afwoon,  and  Chrilt  but  held  up  a  fwoon- 
 ing  man's  head.  Indeed  1  pray  not  for  a  dav/ted  bairn*s  diet  5  he 
 knoweth  I  would  bave  Chnlt  four  or  fv.e..t ;  any  >Tay,  fo  beinj^ 
 it  be  Chrift  indeed  :  I  ftand  not  now  upon  paired  apples,  or  fu- 
 g.<ied  diflies  j  but  I  cannot  blame  him  to  give,  I  mult  g- pe  and 
 rnr,ke  a  wide  mt)uih.  Since  Chrift  will  not  pantry-up  joys,  he 
 niuft  he  welcome,  who  will  not  bide  away :  I  feek  no  other  fruit, 
 I'lU  thcit  he  may  be  glorified  ;   he  knowetli  1  would  t?ike  hard  fare 
 
 :4ve  bis  name  let  on  high.     I  blcfs  you  for  your  counfti :  I 
 
15«  llr  RUTHS RFOORD*$  Epift.  92.3 
 
 hope  to  live  by  faith,  and  fwim  without  a  mafs  or  bundle  of  joy- 
 ful fcnle  under  my  chin  ;  at  leafl  to  venture,  albeit  i  fhould  be 
 ducked.  Now  for  my  cafe  :  I  think  the  council  fliould  be  eflay- 
 cd,  and  th.e  event  referred  to  God  :  duties  arc  ours,  and  events 
 are  God's.  I  (hall  go  through  yours  upon  the  covenant  at  Icifure, 
 and  write  to  you  my  mind  there-anent;  and  anent  the  Armmian 
 contrad  betwixt  the  Father  and  the  Son.  I  bcfcech  you,  fet  to. 
 to  go  through  fcripturc.  Yours  on  the  Hebrews  is  in  great  requeft 
 with  all  who  wouiil  be  acquaint  with  Chrift'b  tcitament.  I  pur- 
 pofe  (God  willing)  to  fet  about  Hofea,  and  to  try  if  I  can  get  it 
 to  the  prefs  here.  It  refreilieth  me  much,  that  ye  are  fo  kind  to 
 my  brother;  I  hope  your  counfel  fliall  do  him  good  ;  I  recom* 
 mend  him  to  you,  fince  I  am  fo  far  from  him.  I  am  glad,  that 
 the  dying  fervant  of  God,  famous  and  faithful  Mr  Cunningham, 
 fealcd  your  minillry  before  he  fell  afleep.  Grace,  grace  be  with 
 you. 
 
 Jbsrdgetiy  March  7.  Tours  in  his  fijcet  Lord 
 
 1673.  Jcfus,     S.  R. 
 
 92.     To  the  nti/ch  honoured  WILLIAM  RlGG  cf  /ttheriiie. 
 Much  honoured  Sir, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  long- 
 jooked-for  and  lliort  letter ;  I  would  ye  had  {p^>k^  more 
 to  me,  who  ftand  in  need.  I  find  Chriif,  as  ye  wiite,  ay  the 
 longer  the  better,  and  therefore  cannot  but  rejoicein  his  iaivition, 
 who  hath  made  my  chains  my  wings,  and  h-,:th  m.uic  me  a  king 
 over  my  crolTes,  apd  over  my  adverfaries  :  glory,  glory,  glory 
 to  bis  high,  high  and  holy  name  !  not  one  ounce,  not  one  grains- 
 weight  more  is  laid  on  me,  than  he  hath  enabled  me  to  bear;  and 
 I  im  not  fo  much  wearied  to  fufter,  as  Zion's  haters  are  to  perfe- 
 cHte.  Oh  if  I  could  find  a  way,  in  any  mcafure,  to  Itrive  to  be 
 even  with  Chriil's  love  I  but  that  I  muft  give  over.  Oh  who 
 would  help  a  dyvour  to  pay  praifes  to  the  king  of  faints,  who  tri- 
 umpheth  in  his  weak  fervants  !  I  fee,  if  Chrilt  but  ride  upon  a 
 worm  or  fe?ithcr,  his  horfe  will  neither  (tumble  ncr  fall  ;  the 
 worm  Jacob  is  made  by  him  a  new  fharp  thrciliiiig  inftrument, 
 having  teeth,  to  threfn  the  mountains,  and  beat  thtin  fmall,  and 
 toi  m.akc  the  hiiis  as  chafr,  and  to  fan  them,  fo  as  the  wind  {hall 
 carry  them  away,  and  the  whirlwind  iliali  fcatterthem,  Ifa.  xH. 
 74,  15,  16.  Chrift's  enemies  are  but  breaking  their  own  heads  in 
 pieces  upon  the  Pvock  laid  in  Zion,  and  the  Stone  is  not  removed 
 out  of  its  phce.  Faith  hath  caufe  to  take  courage  from  our  very 
 xiTliclions  ;  the  devil  is  but  a  whet-ftone,  to  fharpcn  the  faith  and 
 patience  of  the  faints  :  I  know  he  but  heweth  and  polifheth  (tones 
 ail  this  time,  for  the  new  Jerufalem.  But  in  all  this,  three 
 things  have  much  mevcd  me,  fincc  it  hath  pleafed  my  Lord  i# 
 
Eplft.  93]  LETTERS.  151 
 
 turn  my  moon-light  into  day-light.  Firft,  he  hath  yoked  mc  to 
 work,  to  wreAle  with  Chrift's  love  of  Icnging,  wherewith  I  am 
 fick,  pained,  fainting,  and  lilce  to  die,  becaui'-i  I  cannot  gtt  him- 
 felr,  which  I  think  a  ftrange  fort  of  delcrtion  ;  for  1  have  not 
 hinnfelf,  (whom  if  I  had,  my  love-fickneis  would  cool,  and  my 
 fe^er  go  away  \  at  Icafl,  I  {hould  know  the  heat  ot  the  fire  cf 
 Complacency,  which  would  cool  the  fccrching  heat  of  the  fire  of 
 dcfire)  and  yet  1  have  no  penury  of  his  love;  and  fo  1  dwine,  I 
 die,  and  he  fcemeth  not  to  rue  on  me.  1  take  inflruments  in  hig 
 hand,  that  I  would  have  him,  but  I  cannot  get  him  ;  and  my  bell 
 cheer  is  black  hunger:  I  biefs  him  tor  that  icdii.  Secondly,  Old 
 challenges  now  and  then  revive,  and  call  all  clown  ;  I  go  halting 
 and  figuing,  fearing  there  be  an  unfeen  procefs  yet  coming  out, 
 and  that  heavier  than  I  can  anfwer.  I  cannot  read  dillin^Jy  my 
 furcty's  adt  of  cautionry  for  me  in  particular,  and  my  difch^rge  ; 
 and  fcnfe,  rather  than  faith,  aflureih  me  of  what  1  have  ;  fo  un- 
 able am  I  to  go,  but  by  a  hold.  I  could  (with  reverence  of  my 
 Lord)  forgive  Chrilt,  if  he  would  give  me  as  much  faith,  as  I 
 have  hunger  for  him.  I  hope,  the  pardon  is  now  obtained,  hut 
 the  peace  is  not  fo  furc  to  me,  as  I  would  wifh  :  yet,  one  thing 
 1  know,  there  is  not  a  way  to  heaven,  but  the  way  he  hath  graced  . 
 mc  to  profefs  and  fuller  for.  Thirdly,  Wo,  wo  is  me  for  the 
 firgln-daughter  of  Scotland,  and  for  the  fearful  defolation  and 
 ^rath  appointed  for  this  land;  and  yet  all  are  lleeplng,  eating, 
 and  drinking,  laughing  and  fporting,  as  if  all  were  well  Oh 
 our  dim  gold  !  our  dumb,  blind  paftors  !  the  fun  is  gone  down 
 upon  them,  and  our  nobles  bid  Chrift  fend  for  himfelf,  if  he  be 
 Chrilt  :  It  were  good,  we  (hould  learn  in  time  the  way  to  our 
 ftrong  hold.  Sir,  howbeit  not  acquainted,  remember  my  love 
 to  your  wife.     1  pray  God  elUbiiih  you. 
 
 ylberdjteriy  March  9.  Tours  in  his  pweet  Lord 
 
 1637.  J^J^^*     S.  R. 
 
 ^l.     To  JOHN  EvVART,  Buillie  oj  Kirkcudlfrtght, 
 I\ly  very  -worthy  and  dear  Jriend^ 
 
 I  Cannot  but  kindly  thank  you,  for  the  expreflions  of  your  love  : 
 your  love  and  refpedt  to  mc  is  a  great  comfort  to  me.  1  blefa 
 his  high  and  glorious  name,  that  the  terr6r$  of  great  men  have 
 not  atFrightcd  nic  from  open  avouchinjr  the  Son  of  God  •,  nay.  Iiii 
 crofs  is  the  fweetell  bunlen  thiit  ever  1  ba:  e ;  it  is  fuch  a  burden, 
 as  wings  arc  to  a  bird,  or  fails  to  a  Oup  to  carry  mc  forward  to 
 my  harbour.  I  have  not  much  c^.ufe  to  fall  in  love  with  the 
 world  ;  but  rather  to  wifh,  that  he  who  filteth  upon  the  floods, 
 U'ould  bring  my  broken  fhip  to  land,  and  keep  my  confcience  fafe, 
 in  ihcfc  dajigcroua  times :  for  wr^iih  from  ibc  Lord  ii»  coming  ou 
 
152  hU  nUTNERFOORD's  Iplft.  943 
 
 this  finful  land.  It  were  good,  that  we  prifoners  of  hope  kne^r 
 of  our  ftrong  hold  to  run  to,  before  the  ilorm  come  on  ;  there- 
 fore. Sir,  1  befeech  you  by  the  mercies  of  God,  and  comforts 
 of  his  Spirit,  by  the  blood  of  your  Saviour,  and  by  your  com^ 
 pearance  beiorc  the  fin-revenging  Judge  of  the  world,  keep  your 
 garments  clean,  and  (land  for  the  truth  o(  Chrift,  widch  ye  pro- 
 fefs.  When  the  time  Oiall  come  that  your  eye-itrings  ihall  break, 
 your  face  wax  pile,  your  breath  grow  cold,  and  this  houfe  of 
 clay  (hall  tottcT,  and  your  foot  Ihail  be  over  the  march,  in  eternity  5 
 it  lliali  be  your  con  fcrt  and  joy,  that  ye  gave  your  name  to  Chrift. 
 The  greateft  part  of  the  world  think  heaven  at  the  next  door,  and 
 that  Chriftiuniiy  is  an  eafy  taflc ;  but  they  wiil  be  beguiled. 
 Worthy  Sir,  1  beleech  you  make  fure  work  of  falvation:  I  hav« 
 found  by  experience  that  all  1  could  do  hath  had  much  ado  in  th« 
 day  of  my  trial ;  and  therefore  lay  up  a  fure  foumlation  for  the 
 time  to  come.  1  cannot  requite  you,  for  your  undeferved  favour* 
 to  me  and  my  now  'afilic^^rd  brother  ;  but  I  trull  to  remember 
 you  to  God.  Pvemcmbcr  me  heartily  to  your  kind  wife. 
 Aberdeen i  Mur^h  13.  Tours  in  his  only  Lfrd 
 
 1637.  Je/us,     S.  R. 
 
 94.    To  WILLIAM  FULLER  rON,  Provoji  of  Kirkcudbright , 
 
 Afuch  honoured  Sir, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  obliged  to  your 
 love  in  God.  I  befeech  you,  bir,  let  nothing  be  fo  dear 
 to  you  as  Chrill*s  truth,  lor  falvation  is  worth  all  the  world  ;  and 
 therefore  be  not  afraid  of  men,  that  fliall  die  j  the  Lord  fliall  do 
 for  you  in  ycur  fufFering  for  him,  and  fhall  blefs  your  houfc-  and 
 feed  ;  and  ye  have  God's  promile,  that  ye  lliall  have  his  prtrfenc« 
 in  fire,  water,  and  in  feven  tribulations.  Your  day  will  wear  to 
 an  end,  and  your  fun  go  down.  In  death  it  will  be  your  joy, 
 that  ye  have  ventured  all  ye  have  for  Chrift:;  and  there  ia 
 not  a  promife  of  heaven  made,  but  to  fuch  as  are  willing  to  fufFer 
 for  it:  it  is  a  caftle  taken  by  force.  This  earth  is  but  the  clay- 
 portion  of  b.iflards;  xnd  th'rrefore  no  wonder  the  world  fmile  ot| 
 its  own  ;  but  better  things  are  Irid  up  for  his  lawfully  begc  ttea 
 bairns,  w^hom  the  world  hateth  :  1  have  experience  to  fpeak  this, 
 for  I  would  not  exchange  my  prifon  and  fad  nights,  with  the 
 court,  honour,  and  eafe  of  my  adverfaries  :  my  Lord  is  ple.fed 
 to  make  mauy  unknown  f^ces  to  lau«j[h  upon  me,  and  to  provide 
 a  lodging  for  me;  and  h'^  himTelf  vifitcth  my  foul  with  feallf 
 of  fpiritual  comforts.  O  how  fwcet  a  mafter  is  Chrift!  Bltiled 
 are  they  who  lay  down  all  for  him.  1  thank  you  kindly  for  your 
 love  to  my  diftrcfled  brother.  Ye  have  the  bltlTing  and  prayers 
 cf  the  prifoner  of  Chrill  to  you,  your  wife  and  children.     R^:- 
 
iLpift   95.]  -LETTERS.  153 
 
 member  rr.y  lore  and  bi'cfTiiig  to  William  and  Samuel:  I  denrc 
 them  in  their  youth  to  kek  the  Lord,  and  tear  his  great  name; 
 to  pray  twice  a  day  (at  leaft)  to  God,  and  to  read  God'5  word; 
 to  keep  themfelves  from  curfing,  lying,  and  tilthy  talking.  Now 
 the  only  wife  God,  and  the  prefence  of  the  Son  of  God,  be  with 
 you  all. 
 
 Aberdeen^  March  1 3 .  Tours  in  his  fiucct  Lord  Jefus^ 
 
 1637.  b.  R. 
 
 95.    To  the  ivorthy  and  much  honoured  Mr.  ALEXANDLR. 
 
 COLVILL/^/^/>. 
 Aluch  honoured  Sir^ 
 
 GR.ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  The  bearec  hereof, 
 M.  Pi.  F.  is  moft  kind  to  me  ;  I  defire  you  to  thank  him  : 
 but  none  is  fo  kind  as  my  only  royal  King  and  Mafter,  whofc 
 crofs  is  my  garland.  The  King  dineth  with  his  prifoner,  and  hi* 
 fpikenard  cafteth  a  fmell.  He  hath  led  me  up  to  fuch  a  pitch  and 
 nick  of  joyful  communion  with  himfeif,  as  I  never  kntiw  before: 
 when  I  look  back  to  by-gones,  I  judge  myfelf  to  have  been  a 
 child  at  A,  B,  C,  with  Chrill.  Worthy  Sir,  pa-rdon  me,  I  dare 
 not  conceal  it  from  you,  it  is  as  a  fire  in  my  bowels,  (in  his  pre- 
 fence who  feeth  me  1  fpeakit,)  1  am  pained,  pained  with  the  love 
 of  Chrift ;  he  hath  made  me  fick,  and  wounded  me:  hunger 
 for  Chriit  out-runneth  faith  ;  I  mifs  faith  more  than  love.  O  if 
 the  three  kingdoms  v/ould  come  and  fee!  O  if  they  knew  his 
 kindnefs  to  my  foul  I  It  hath  pleafed  him  to  bring  me  to  this, 
 that  I  will  not  ilrike  fdis  to  this  world,  nor  flatter  it,  nor  adore 
 this  clay  idol  that  fools  worlhip:  as  I  am  now  difpofed,  I  think 
 I  will  neither  borrow  nor  lend  with  it;  and  yet  1  get  my  mean 
 .from  Ghrifc  with  nurture;  for  feven  times  a  day  I  am  lirted  up 
 and  caltea  down.  My  dumb  fabbaths  burueif  my  heart,  and 
 make  it  bleed:  I  want  not  fearful  challenges  and  jealounes  fomc- 
 times  of  Chrifl's  love,  that  he  hath  caften  me  over  the  dyke  of 
 the  vineyard,  as  a  dry  tree.  But  this  is  my  infirmity;  by  his 
 grace  I  take  myfelf  in  thesfe  ravings  :  it  is  kindly  that  faith  and 
 .love  both  be  fick,  and  fevers  are  kindly  to  mod  joyful  comniu- 
 nion  with  Chriit  Ye  are  blcil'ed  whoa\ouch  Chrii'l openly  before 
 i^c  Prince  of  this  kingdom,  whofe  eyes  are  up  on  you  :  it  is  your 
 glory  to  lift  him  upon  his  throne,  to  carry  his  train,  and  bear 
 up  the  helm  of  his  robe  royal ;  he  hath  an  hiding  place  for  M.  A.  C. 
 againfb  the  ftorm  :  go  on,  and  fear  not  what  man  can  do.  The 
 taints  feem  to  Uavc  the  worft  of  it,  (for  apprehenfions  can  make 
 a  lie  ot  Chrift  and  of  his  \o\c)  but  it  is  not  fo:  providence  is  noc 
 rolled  upon  unequal  and  crooked  wheels:  all  things  v/ork  to- 
 gether for  the  good  of  thofe  who  love  God^  and  are  called  ^ioord- 
 
 U 
 
154  r^lr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  96.I 
 
 ing  to  his  piirpofe.  Ere  it  be  long,  we  ftiall  fee  tjie  white  fide  of 
 God's  providence.  My  brother's  cafe  hath  moved  me  not  a  little  : 
 he  wrote  to  me  your  care  and  kindnefs.  Sir,  the  prifoner's  bleff- 
 ings  and  prayers,  I  truft,  fhall  not  go  by  you.  He  that  is  able  to 
 keep  you,  and  to  prefent  you  before  the  prefence  of  his  face  with 
 joy,   ellabliih  your  heart  in  the  love  of  Chrifl. 
 
 Jbcfdeeriy  Feb.  19,  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord 
 
 1637.  Jefus,         S.  R. 
 
 ^6.    To  EAPvLSTOUJM,  younger. 
 Honoured  and  dear  brother^ 
 
 C"^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.    I  received  your  letter, 
 X   which  refrelhed  my  foul.   I  thank  God,  the  court  is  clofed, 
 1  think  (liame  of  my  part  of  it*,  I  pafs  now  from  my  unjuft  fum- 
 mons  of  unkindnefs,  libelled  againft  Chrift  my  Lord  :    he  is  not 
 fuch  a  Lord  and  mafter  as  I  took  him  to  be ;  verily  he  is  God,  and 
 1  am  dull  and  afhes :  1  took  Chrift's  glooms  to  be  as  good  as  fcrip- 
 ture  Ipeaking  wrath ;  but  I  have  feen  the  other  fide  of  Chrift,  and 
 the  white  iide  of  his  crofs  now.    1  behoved  to  come  to  Aberdeen, 
 to  learn  a  new  myftery  in  Chrift,  that  his  promife  is  better  to  be 
 believed  than  his  looks,  and  that  the  devil  can  caufe  Chrift's  glooms 
 fpcak  a  lie  to  a  weak  man.     Nay,  verily  I  was  a  child  before  ;  all 
 bygones  are  but  bnirns-play  :   I  would  I  could  begin  to  be  a  Chri- 
 ftian  in  fad  earneft     1  need  not  blame  Chrift,  if  I  be  not  one ;  for 
 he  hath  iliewed  me  heaven  and  hell  in  Aberdeen  :  but  the  truth 
 is,  for  all  my  for  row,  Chrift  is  nothing  in  my  debt ;   for  com- 
 forts have  refreftud  my  foul:  I  have  heard  and  feen  him  in  his 
 fvveetnefs,  fo,  as  1  am  almoft  faying,   it  is  not  he  that  I  was  wont 
 to  meet  with;  he  laugheth  more  cheerfully,  his  killes  are  more 
 fweet  and  foul-refrelhing,    than  the  kifles  of  the  Clirift  I  faw  be- 
 fore, were,  (though  he  be  the  fame) :  or  rather,  the  King  hath  led 
 n.e  up  to  a  meafure  of  joy  and  communion  with  my  Bridegroom, 
 that  I  never  attained  to  before ;  fo  that  1  often  think,   I  will  nei- 
 ther borrow  nor  lend  with  this  world  •,  I  will  not  ftrike  fail  to 
 crofles,  nor  fiatrer  them  to  be  quit  of  them,  as  I  have  done.  Come 
 all  croiles,  welcome,  welcome  !   fo  I  may  get  my  heart  full  of 
 my  Lord  Jefus.    I  have  been  fo  near  him,  as  I  have  faid,  1  take 
 inftruments,  this  is  the  Lord  *,  lea.\:e  a  token  behind  thee,  that  I 
 may  never  forget  this.    Now,  whu  can  Chrift  do  more  to  dawt 
 one  of  his  poor  prifoners  ?  Therefore,  Sir,   I  charge  you  in  the 
 name  of  my  Lord  Jefus,  praife  with  me,  and  fhew  unto  others 
 what  he  hath  done  unto  my  foul.     This  is  the  fruit  of  my  fuffer- 
 ings,  that  I  defire  Chrift's  name  may  be  fpread  abroad  in  this  king- 
 dom, in  my  behalf.    I  hope  in  God  not  to  llander  him  again;  yet 
 in  this,  I  get  not  my  feafts  without  fome  mixture  of  gall  j  neither 
 
Fpift.  9^.]  LETTERS.  155 
 
 am  I  tree  of  old  jealoufies ;  for  he  hath  removed  my  lovers  and 
 friends  far  from  me;  he  hath  made  my  congregation  defolate,  and 
 taken  away  my  crown  :  and  my  dumb  fabbaths  are  like  a  (lone 
 tyed  to  a  bird's  foot,  th^t  v/anteth  wings,  they  fee'm  to  hinder  me 
 to  flee,  were  it  not  that  I  dare  not  fay  one  word,  but,  Well  done. 
 Lord  Jefus.  We  can  in  our  profperity  fport  ourfelves,  and  be 
 too  bold  with  Chrift;  yea,  be  that  infolent,  as  to  chi'de  with 
 him  :  but  under  the  water  we  dare  not  fpeak.  I  wonder  now  of 
 my  fometimes  boldnefs,  to  chide  and  quarrel  Chrift,  to  nick- 
 name providence,  when  it  flroaked  me  againil:  the  hair:  but  now 
 fwimming  in  the  waters,  I  think  mv  will  is  fallen  to  the  ground 
 of  the  water;  1  have  loft  it.  I  think  I  would  fain  let  Chrifl  alone, 
 and  give  him  leave  to  do  with  me  what  he  pkafeth,  if  he  would 
 fmile  upon  me.  Verily,  we  know  not  what  an  evil  it  is  to  fpill 
 and  indulge  ourfelves,  and  to  make  an  idol  of  our  will :  I  was 
 once,  I  would  not  eat,  except  I  had  wailed  meat;  now  I  dare 
 not  complain  of  the  crumbs  and  pairings  under  his  tabic:  I  was 
 once  that  1  would  make  the  houfe  ado,  if  I  faw  not  the  wo/ld 
 carved,  and  fet  in  order  to  my  liking;  now  I  am  filent,  when  1 
 fee  God  hdth  fet  fcrvants  on  horfcback,  and  is  fattening  and  feed- 
 ing the  children  of  perdition.  I  pray  God,  I  never  find  my  will 
 -  again  :  Oh  if  Chrifl  would  fubjeft  my  will  to  his,  and  trample  it 
 under  his  feet,  and  liberate  me  from  that  lavvlefs  lord  !  Now,  Sir, 
 in  your  youth  gather  faft ;  your  fun  will  mount  to  the  meridian 
 quickly,  and  thereafter  decline:  be  greedy  of  grace  :  ftudy  abov« 
 any  thing,  my  dear  brother,  to  mortify  your  lulls.  Oh  but  pride 
 of  youth,  vanity,  lufl,  idolizing  of  the  world,  and  charming  plea- 
 fures,  take  long  time  to  root  them  out!  As  far  as  yc  are  advanc- 
 ed in  the  way  to  heaven,  as  near  as  ye  are  to  Chiift,  as  much 
 progrefs  as  ye  have  made  in  the  way  of  mortifxcation,  ye  will  find 
 that  ye  are  far  behind,  and  have  moil  of  your  work  before  you. 
 1  never  took  it  to  be  fo  hard,  to  be  dead  to  my  lulls  and  to  this 
 world  :  when  the  day  of  vifitatlon  cometh,  and  your  old  idols 
 come  weeping  about  you,  ye  will  have  much  ado  not  to  break 
 your  heart ;  it  is  bed  to  give  up  in  time  with  them,  fo  as  ye  could 
 at  a  call  quit  your  part  of  this  world  for  a  drink  of  water,  or  a  thiijg 
 of  nothing.  Verily  I  have  feen  the  beft  of  this  world,  a  moth- 
 eaten  thread-bare  coat:  I  purpofe  to  lay  it  afidc,  being  holey  and 
 old.  O  for  my  houfe  above,  not  made  with  hands!  Pray  for 
 Chrifl's  prifoncr,  and  write  to  me.  R.emember  my  love  to  your 
 mother:  defuc  her  from  me,  to  make  ready  for  removing ;  the 
 Lord's  tide  will  not  bide  her;  and  to  feek  an  heavenly  mind,  that 
 her  heart  may  be  often  there.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  Feb.  10 y  Tours  and  Chrijt's  prifoncr, 
 
 u  2 
 
iS6  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  97.3 
 
 97.     To  ROBERT  GLENDINING. 
 
 My  dear  friend, 
 /^^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  thank  you  moft  kindly 
 ^^  for  your  care  of  me,  and  your  love  and  refpedive  kindnefs 
 to  my  brother  in  his  diftrefs,  I  pray  the  Lord  ye  may  hnd  m.ercy 
 in  the  day  of  Chrlft;  and  1  intreat  you,  Sir,  to  confider  the  times 
 ye  live  in,  and  that  your  foul  is  of  more  worth  to  you  than  the 
 ^vhole  world,  which,  in  the  day  of  the  blowing  of  the  lafl  trum- 
 pet, {liall  ly  in  white  afiies,  as  an  old  callle  burnt  to  nothing;  and 
 remember  that  judgment  and  eternity  is  before  you.  My  dear  and 
 worthy  friend,  let  me  intreat  you  in  Chrift's  name,  and  bv  the  fal- 
 Tiition  of  your  foul,  and  by  your  compearance  before  the  dreadful 
 and  fin-revenging  Judge  of  the  world,  make  "your  accounts  ready, 
 read  them  ere  ye  come  to  the  water-fide ;  for  your  afternoon  will 
 \vear  fbort,  and  your  fun  fall  low  and  go  down  :  and  ye  know, 
 that  this  long  time  your  Lord  hath  waited  on  you.  O  how  com- 
 fortable a  thing  it  fhail  be  to  you,  when  time  fnall  be  no  more,  and 
 your  foul  fliali  depari:  out  of  the  houfe  of  clay,  to  vail  and  endlefs 
 eternity,  to  have  your  foul  dreiTed  up,  and  prepared  for  your 
 Bridegroom  !  No  lofs  is  comparable  to  the  lofs  of  the  foul ;  there 
 as  no  hope  of  regaining  that  lofs.  O  how  joyful  would  my  foul 
 be,  to  hear  that  ye  would  dart  to  the  gate,  and  contend  for  the 
 crown,  and  leav^:  all  vanities,  and  m.ake  Chrift  your  garland  I 
 I.ct  your  foul  put  away  your  old  lovers,  and  let  Chrift  have  your 
 "whole  love;  1  have  fome  experience  to  write  of  this  to  you.  My 
 witnefs  is  in  heaven,  I  would  not  exchange  my  chains  and  bonds 
 ioT  Chrifl,  and  my  (ighs,  for  ten  worlds  glory.  I  judge  this  clay 
 3dol,  that  Adam's  fons  are  rouping  and  felling  their  fouls  for,  not 
 "worth  a  drink  of  cold  water.  O  if  your  foul  were  in  my  fouTsi 
 flead,  how  fick  would  ye  be  of  love  for  that  faireft  one,  that  faireft 
 rmong  the  fons  of  men  !  May-flowers  and  morning  vapour,  and 
 fummer-mift  pofteth  not  fo  faft  away,  as  thefe  worm-eaten  plea- 
 fures'that  we  follow:  -w^e  build  caltles  in  the  air,  and  night- 
 dreams  arc  our  daily  idols  that  we  dote  on.  Salvation,  falvation 
 is  our  only  neceffary  thing.  Sir,  call  home  your  thoughts  to  this 
 T^vork,  to  enquire  for  your  Well-beloved  :  this  earth  is  the  portion 
 of  baftards ;  feek  the  fon's  inheritance,  and  let  Chrift's  trUth  be 
 dear  to  you'.  I  pawn  my  falvation  on  it,  that  this  is  the  honour 
 of  Chrift's  kingdom  1  now  fufFer  for,  (and  this  world,  I  hope, 
 fliall  not  come  betv.'een  me  and  my  garland)  and  that  this  is  the 
 way  to  life.  When  ye  and  I  (ball  ly  like  lumps  of  pale  clay  upon 
 the  ground,  our  plealures  that  we  now  naturally  love,  ftiall  be  lefs 
 than  nothing  in  that  day.  Dear  brother,  fulfil  mv  joy,  and  betake 
 you  to  Chriit  without  fiarther  delay ;  ye  will  be  fain  at  kr^gth 
 
Iplfl.  98,  99-]  LETTERS.  157 
 
 to  feek  him,  or  do  infinitely  worfe.      Remember  my  love   to 
 your  wife.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 /Aberdeen,  March  1 3.  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord 
 
 1637.  y^f'^^*       ^'  ^*" 
 
 i^^.     To  WILLIAM  GLENDINING. 
 
 Well  beloved  and  dear  brother^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  thank  you  moft  kindly 
 for  your  care  and  love  to  me,  and  in  paticular  to  my  bro- 
 ther, in  his  diftrefs  in  Edinburgh  :  go  on  tlnough  your  waters 
 without  wearying  ;  your  guide  knoweth  the  wry,  follow  him, 
 and  caft  your  cares  and  tentations  upon  him;  and  let  not  worms, 
 the  fons  of  men,  affright  you  ;  they  fhali  die,  and  the  moth  fhall 
 eat  them  :  keep  your  garland  •,  there  is  no  lefs  at  the  ftake,  in 
 this  g.4me  betwixt  us  and  the  world,  than  our  confcience  and  fal- 
 vation  :  we  have  need  to  take  heed  to  the  game,  and  not  to  yield 
 to  them.  Let  them  take  other  things  from  us  ;  but  here,  in  mat- 
 ters of  confcience,  we  muft  hold  and  draw  with  kings,  and  fet 
 ourfelves  in  terms  of  oppofition  with  th*:  fliields  of  the  earth.  O 
 the  fweet  communion  for  evermore,  that  hath  been  between 
 Chrift  and  bis  prifoner  I  He  wearieth  not  to  be  kind  :  he  is  the 
 faireft  fight  I  fee  in  Aberdeen,  or  any  part  that  ever  my  feet  were 
 in.  R.cmember  my  hearty  kindnefs  to  your  wife  :  I  defire  her  to 
 believe,  and  lay  her  cares  on  Oo<\,  and  make  faft  work  of  falva- 
 tion.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^-  Mard)  i^.  Tours  in  his  only  Lord 
 
 i6y/.  Jefus,    S.  R. 
 
 99.     To  JEAN    BROWN. 
 
 IVell  beloved  and  dear  Sijer, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  received  your  letter, 
 which  I  efteem  an  evidence  of  your  Chriftian  afFedlion  to 
 me,  and  of  your  love  to  my  honourable  Lord  and  Mafter.  My 
 dcfire  is,  that  your  comm'jnion  with  Chrift  may  grow,  and  that 
 your  reckonings  may  be  put  by-hand  with  your  Lord  ere  ye  come 
 to  the  wa-ter-fide.  O  who  knoweth  how  fweet  Chrift's  kifles  are  ! 
 who  hath  been  more  kindly  embraced  and  kifledthan  I  hisbanilhed 
 prifoncr?  If  the  compaiifon  coufd  ftand,  I  would  not  exchange 
 Chrift  with  heaven  itfelf :  hi  hath  left  a  dart  and  arrow  of  love 
 in  my  foul,  and  it  paineth  me  till  he  come  and  take  it  out.  I 
 find  pain  of  thefe  wounds,  becaufe  I  would  have  pofielfion.  I 
 know  now,  this  worm-eaten  apple,  the  plaiftercd,  rotten  world, 
 that  the  filly  children  of  this  world  are  beating  and  buffeting,  and 
 pulling  others  ears  for,  rs  a  portion  for  baftaids  good    enough  5 
 
»5S  Mr  nUTHERFOORD'^  Epifl.  rco.l 
 
 and  that  is  all  they  have  to  look  for.     I  offend  not,  that  my  ad- 
 verdiries  ftay  at  home  at  their  own  fire-fide,  with  more  yearh  rent 
 than  I;  fliould  I  be  angry  that  the  good-man  of  this  huufe  of  the 
 world  cafceth  a  dog  a  bone  to  hurt  his  teeth  ?  He  hath  taught  me 
 to  be  content  with  a  borrowed  fire-fide,  and  an  uncouth  bed  ;  and 
 1  think  1  have  loft  nothing,  the  income  is  fo  great.     O  what  tel- 
 Img  IS  in  thrift !    O  how  weighty  is  my  fair  garland,  m v  crown, 
 my  fair  fuppmg.hall   in  gbry,   where  I  Ih all   be  above  the  blows 
 and  bufretings  ot  prelates  !   Let  this  be  your  defire,   and  let  your 
 thougnts  dwell  much  upon  that  blefl-ednefs  that  abideth  you  in  the 
 other  world      The  fair  fide  of  the  world  will  be  turned  to  you 
 quickly,  when  ye  fhall  fee  the  crown,     I  hope  ye  are  near  your 
 Jodgmg      O  but  i  would  think  myfelf  blefled,  for  my  part,  to 
 win  the  houfe  before  the  fliower  come  on !  for  God  hath  a  quiver 
 iuil  of  arrows  to  (hoot  at,  and  fhower  down  upon  Scotland       Ye 
 have  the  prayers  of  a  prifoner  of  Chrift.     I  defire  Patrick  to  give 
 Chrilt  his  young  love,  even  the  flower  of  it,  and  to  put  it  by  all 
 others i  It  were  good  to  ftart  foon  to  the  way;  he  fiiould  thereby 
 have  a  great  advantage  in  the  evil  day.     Grace  be  with  you 
 u^^erdten,  March  7.  Tours  in  his  only  Lord 
 
 ^^37.  Jejus,     S.  R. 
 
 100.     To  Mr.  JOHN  FERGUSHlLL. 
 
 Reverend  and  '.vdl-hehved  in  the  Lord, 
 T  WAS  reFrefhed  with  your  letter:  I  am  forry  for  that  lin-erin- 
 X  and  longfome  vifitation  that  is  upon  your  wife;   but  I   know 
 ye  ta^e  it  as  the  mark  of  a  lawfully  begotten  child,  and  not  of  a 
 haitard,  to  be  under  your  Father's  rod.  Till  ye  be  in  heaven  it  will 
 be   but  foul  weather,  one  lliower  up  and  another  down.     The 
 Jinte.-  .one  and  pillars  of  the  New-Jerufalem  fuffcr  more  knocks 
 of  Gods  hammer  and  tool,  than  the  common  fide- wall  Hones- 
 and  If  tvtenty  croffes  be  written  for  you  in  God's  book,  thev  will 
 come  to  nineteen,  and  then  at  Inft  to  one,  and  after  that  to  no- 
 thing;   but  yoyr  head   fiiall   ly  betwixt  Chrift^s    breafts   forever- 
 more,  and  his  own  foft  hand  fliall  dry  your  face,  and  wipe  away 
 your  tears.     As  for  public  fufferings  for  his  truth,  your  Mafter 
 a;f.  w,  1  fee  to  thefe  ;  let  us  put  him  in  his  own  ofllce,  to  comfort 
 and  deliver.      1  he  gloom  of  Chrift's  crofs  is  worfe  than  itJelf.     I 
 cannot  keep  up  what  he  hath  done  to  my  foul.     My  dear  brother 
 Willi  not  get  help  of  you  to  praife,  and  to  lift  Chriii  up  on  high  \ 
 >ie  h.th  pained  me  with   his  love,  and  hath  left  a  love-arrow  in 
 rny  heart,   that  hath  made  a  ^wund,  and  fwelled  me  up  with  de- 
 lires,  io  that  I  am  to  be  pitied  for  want  of  real  pofl^efilon.     Love 
 would  have  the  company  of  the  p.rty  loved  :  and  mv  greateft  pain 
 IS  the  want  of  him,  not  of  his  joys  and  comforts, 'but  of  a  near 
 
Epift.  loi.]  LETTERS.  159 
 
 union  and  communion.     This  is  his  truth,  I  am  fully  pciruadecl, 
 I  now  fufrer  for  :   for  Chrift  hath  taken  upon  him  to  be  witnefs  to 
 it,  by  his  fweet  comforts  to  my  foul :  and  ftiall  I  think  him  a  falfe 
 witnci's,  or  that  he  would  fubfcribe  blank  paper  ?  I  thank  his  high" 
 and  dreadful  name  for  what  he  hath  given  :  I  hope  to  keep  his 
 1  and  his  pawn  till  he  come  ajid  loofe  it  himfelf    I  dety  hell  to 
 ^  ..;  me  off  it,  but  he  is  Chrift,  and  he  hath  met  with  his  prifoner, 
 and  I  took  inftrumcnts  in  his  own  hand,  that  it  was  he,  and  none 
 other  for  him.     When  the  devil  fenceth  a  baftard-court  in  my 
 Lord's  ground,  and  giveth  me  forged  fummons,  it  will  be  my 
 ;me  to  mifbelieve,  after  fuch  a  fair  broad  feal :  and  yet  Satan 
 I  mv  apprehenfion  fometimes  niake  a  lie  of  Chrilt,  ns  it  he  ha- 
 1  me  i  but  1  dare  believe  no  evil  of  Chrift :  if  he  would  cool  my 
 .  c-fever  for  himfelf  with  real  prefence  and  pcffefiion,  1  would 
 rich ;  but  I  dare  not  be  miflearned,  and  feek  m.ore  in  that  kind, 
 no'.vbeit  it  be  no  Qiame  to  beg  atChrift's  door.     I  pity  my  adver- 
 faries  •,  I  grudge  not  that  my  Lord  keepeth  them  at  their  own  fire- 
 fide,  and  hath  given  me  a  borrowed  bed,  and  a  borrowed  fire-fide  : 
 let  the  good-man  of  the  houfe  caft  a  dog  a  bone  !   why  (llould  I 
 offend  !   I  rejoice  that  the  broken  bark  (hall  com.e  to  land,  and  that 
 Chrift  will,  on  the  lliore,  welcome  the  fea-fick  paffenger.     We 
 have  need  of  a  great  ftock  againft  this  day  of  trial  that  is  coming  : 
 neither  chaff  nor  corn  in  Scotland,  but  it  fiiall  once  pafs  through 
 God's  fievc.     Praife,  praife,  and  pray  for  me  *,   for  I  cannot  forget 
 \:m:  1  know  you  Avill  be  friendly  to  my  afflicled  brother,  who  is 
 now  embarked  in  the  fame  caufe  with  m.e  •,  let  him  have  your  coun- 
 fel  and  comforts.    Piemcmber  my  love  in  Chrift  to  your  wife ;  her 
 health  is  coming,  and  her  falvation  fleepeth  not.     Ye  have  the 
 prayers  and  bleffing  of  a  prifoner  in  Chrift  :   fow  faft,  deal  bread 
 ntifully ;  the  pantry-door  will  be  locked  on  the  bairns,  in  ap- 
 ^  ..arance,  ere  long.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Jterdeen,  March  7,  Tours  in  bis  Jiiet^t  Lord  JffuSy 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 10 1.      To    his    reverend  and   dear  brother,    a).r  ROBEPvT 
 DOUGLAS. 
 
 My  very  reverend  ar.d  dear  brother, 
 
 C^  Pi.ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  long  to  fee  you  in 
 J  paper.  I  cannot  but  write  to  you,  that  this  which  I  now 
 fuffer  for  is  Chrift's  truth  ;  bccaufe  he  hath  been  pleafed  to  feal 
 my  fufferings  with  joy  unfpeakablc  and  glorious:  I  know  he  will 
 not  put  his  feal  upon  blank  paper ;  Chrift  hath  not  dumb  feals, 
 neither  will  he  be  witnefs  to  a  lie.  1  befeech  you,  my  dear  bro- 
 ther, help  me  to  praife,  and  to  lift  Chrift  up  on  his  throne,  above 
 the  fliields  of  the  earth.    I  am  aftonilhed  and  confounded  at  the 
 
t6o  Ml-  RUTHERrOORirs  Epift.  102.3 
 
 greatncfsof  his  kindnefs  to  fuch  a  firmer.  I  know,  Chrift  and  I 
 ihail  never  be  even,  I  fliali  die  in  his  debt :  he  hath  left  an  arrow 
 in  my  heart  that  paineth  me  for  want  of  real  poU'eilion  j  and  hell 
 cannot  ouench  this  coal  of  God's  kindling.  I  wi(h  no  man  (lan- 
 der Chriil  or  his  crofs  for  my  caufe  ;  for  I  have  much  caufe  to 
 fpeak  much  good  of  him  :  he  hath  brought  me  to  a  nick  and  de- 
 gree of  communion  with  himfeif  that  1  knew  not  before.  The 
 din  and  gloom'  of  our  Lord's  crofs  is  more  fearful  and  hard  than 
 the  crofs  itfelf.  He  taketh  the  bairns  in  his  arms,  when  they 
 come  to  a  deep  water;  at  leait  when  they  lofe  ground,  and  are 
 put  to  fwim,  then  his  hand  is  under  their  chin.  Let  me  be  help- 
 ed by  your  prayers,  and  remember  my  love  to  your  kind  v/ife. 
 Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Jberdeen,  March  7,  Tour  brother  ami  ChriJPs 
 
 1637.  prifonery     S.  R. 
 
 102.     To  his  loving  friend  JOHN  HENDERSON. 
 
 Loving  friend y 
 
 CONTINUE  in  the  love  of  Chrift,  and  the  doctrine  which  I 
 taught  \ou  faithfully  and  painfully,  according  to  my  mea- 
 fure.  1  am  free  of  your  blood.  Fear  the  dreadful  name  of  God. 
 Keep  in  mind  the  examinations  which  1  taught  you,  and  love  the 
 truth  of  God.  Death,  as  fait  as  time  fleeth,  chafetU  you  out  of 
 this  life  :  it  is  pollible,  ye  make  your  reckoning  with  your  Judge 
 before  I  fee  you:  let  falvation  be  your  care  \iight  and  day,  and  fet 
 afide  hours  and  times  of  the  day  for  prayer.  I  rejoice  to  hear  that 
 there. is  prayer  in  your  houfe  :  fee  that  your  fervants  keep  the 
 Lord's  day.  This  tliit  and  god  of  clay,  .1  mean  the  vain  world, 
 is  not  worth  the  feeking.  An  hireling-paftor  is  to  be  thruft  in 
 upon  you,  in  the  room  to  which  I  have  Chrift's  warrant  and  right : 
 ftand  to  your  liberties,  for  the  word  of  God  alloweth  you  a  vote 
 in  chufing  your  pallor.  What  I  write  to  you,  I  write  to  your 
 wife  :  commend  me  heartily  to  her.  The  grace  of  God  be  with 
 you. 
 
 Aherden^  March  14,  Tour  loving  friend  and 
 
 1637.  p<{}iory     S.   R. 
 
 103.     To  Mr.  HUGH  HENDERSON. 
 
 My  reverend  and  dear  brother ^ 
 
 I  HEAR  ye  bear  the  marks  of  Chrift'3  dying  about  with  you,  and 
 that  your,  brethren  have  c?.ft  you  out  for  your  Mailer's  fake  : 
 )et  us  wait  on  till  the  evening,  and  till  our  reckoning  in  black 
 and  white  come  before  our  Mailer.  Brother,  fmce  we  muft  have 
 ft  devil  to  trouble  us,  I  love  a  raging  devil  beft :  our  Lord  know- 
 
Epift.  104]  LETTERS.  i6x 
 
 eth  what  fort  of  devil  we  have  need  of:  it  is  befl  Satan  be  in  his 
 own  linn,  and  look  like  himfclf ;  Chrift:  weeping  looketh  like 
 himfelf  alfo,  with  whom  Scribes  and  PhariTees  were  at  yea 
 and  Hfiy,  and  (harp  coiuradiclion.  Ye  have  heard  of  the  pati- 
 ence ot  Job;  when  he  lay  in  tfte  allies  God  was  with  him,  claw- 
 ing and  curing  his  fcabs,  and  letiing  out  his  boils,  comforting 
 his  foul;  and  he  took  him  up  atJall.  That  God  is  not  dead  ; 
 yet  he  will  Hoop  and  take  up  fallen  bairns  ;  many  broken  legs  fince 
 Adam's  days  hath  he  fpelked,  and  many  weary  hearts  hath  he  re- 
 frelhed.  Blefs  him  for  comfort:  Why?  None  cometh  dry  fronn 
 David's  well  ;  let  us  go  among  the  reft,  and  caft  down  our  toom 
 buckets  into  ChriiVs  ocean,  and  luck  confolations  out  of  him  :  we 
 are  not  fo  fore  ftricken,  but  we  may  fill  Chrift's  hall  with  weep- 
 ing :  we  have  not  gotten  our  anfvver  from  him  yet :  let  us  lay  up 
 our  broken  pleas  to  a  full  fea,  and  keep  them  till  the  day  of 
 Chrill's  coming  ;  we  and  this  world  wiJl  not  be  even  till  then  : 
 ihcy  would  take  our  garment  from  us  ;  but  let  us  hold,  and  them 
 draw.  Brother,  it  is  a  ftrange  world  il  we  laugh  not ;  i  never 
 faw  the  like  of  it,  if  there  be  not  paiks  the  man,  for  this  contc-jpt 
 done  to  the  Son  of  God  ?  We  muit  do  as  thofe  who  keep  che  bloo- 
 dy napkin  to  the  baillie,  and  let  him  fee  blood  :  we  mull  keep  our 
 wrongs  to  our  Judge,  and  let  him  fee  our  bluddered  and  foul  fa- 
 ces:  prifoners  of  hope  muft  run  to  Chrift,  with  the  gutters  that 
 tears  have  made  on  their  cheeks.  Brother,  for  myfclf,  I  am 
 Chilli's  dawted  one  for  the  prefent ;  and  I  live  upon  no  deaf  nuts, 
 (as  we  ufe  to  fpeak)  he  hath  opened  fountains  to  me  in  the  wikier- 
 nefs.  Go,  look  to  my  Lord  Jefus  •,  his  love  to  me  is  fuch,  that 
 I  defy  the  world  to  lind  either  brim  or  bottom  in  it.  Grace  be 
 with  you. 
 
 jiberd,  March  13.  Tour  brother  in  his  fwect  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1637.  ^'  R- 
 
 104.     To  the  Lady  ROBER.TLAND. 
 Mljirefs, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  T  fhall  be  glad  to  hear 
 that  your  foul  profpereth,  and  that  fiuit  grov\eth  upon  you, 
 after  the  Lord's  hufbandry  and  pains  in  his  rod,  that  hath  not 
 been  a  ftranger  to  you  from  your  youth.  It  is  the  Lord's  klnd- 
 nefs  that  he  will  take  the  fcum  off  us  in  the  fire ;  who  knoweth 
 bow  needful  winnowing  is  to  us,  and  what  drofs  we  muft  want, 
 ere  we  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God  ?  So  narrow  is  the  entry 
 to  heaven,  that  our  knots,  our  bunches,  and  lumps  of  pride,  and 
 felf-love,  and  idof-love,  and  world  love  muft  be  hammered  off  us, 
 that  we  may  throng  in,  ftooping  low,  and  creeping  thorough  that 
 iwrrow  and  tiiorny  entry.     Aud  now,  for  myfelf,  1  Un^d  it  the 
 
i6z  "tAv  RUTHERFOORD^,'       Epift,04.1 
 
 moft  fweet  and  heavenly  life,  to  take  up  houfe  and  dwelling  at 
 Chnii-s  fire-l:de    and  let  down  my  tent  upon  Chriil,  that  foun- 
 dation-ftone    whoisiure  and  faithful  ground,  and   hard  under- 
 loot.  Oh  !  It  I  could  win  to  it,  and  proclaim  myfelf  not  the  world's 
 debtor,  nor  a  l6ver  obliged  to  it;  and  that  I  mind  not  to  hire  or 
 bud  this  world's  love  any  longer  ;  but  defy  the  kindnefs  and  feud 
 ot  God  s  whole  creation  whatiomever ;  efpecially  the  lower  vault 
 and  c  ay.part  of  God's. creatures,  this  vain  earth  I  for  what  hold 
 I  of  this  world  ?  a  borrowed  lodging,  and  fome  years  houfc  room, 
 and   bread    and  water,  and  fire,   and   bed.  and  candle,  &c.  are 
 ail  a  part  of  the  penfion  of  my  King  and  Lord,  to  whom  I  owe 
 th.^ks    and  not  to  a  creature.     I  thank  God,   that  God  is  God, 
 and  Chnlr  is  thrift,  and  the   earth  tTie  earth,   and   the  devil  the 
 devil    and  the  world  the  world,  and  that  fin  is  fin,  and  that  e- 
 very  thing  is  what  it  is :  bccaufe  he  hath  taught  me  in  my  wilder- 
 nefs  not  to  fhuffle  my  Lord  Jefus,  nor  to  intermix  him  with  crea- 
 ture vanities,  nor  to  fpin  or  twine  Chrift  or  his  fweet  love  in  one 
 web,  or  in  one  thread  with  the  world  and   the  things  thereof. 
 On  it     could  hold  and  keep  Chrift  all  alone,  and  mix  him  with  no- 
 thing !  O  if  I  could  cry  down  the  price  and  weight  of  my  curfed 
 feir,  and  cry  up  the  price  of  Chrift,  and  double,   and  triple,  and 
 augment  and  heighten  to  millions  the  price  and  worth  of  Chrift  f 
 1  am  (if  1  durft  fpeak  fo,  and  might  lawfully  complain)  fo  bun- 
 geredly  tutored  by  Chrift  Jefus,   my  liberal  Lord,  that  his  nici? 
 love,  ivhich  my  foul  would  be  in  hands  with,  flieth  me  ;  and  yet 
 1  am  trained  on  to  lot^e  hrm,  and  luft,  and  long,  and  die  for  his 
 Jove,  whom  I  cannot  fee.     It  is  a  wonder,  to  pine  away  with  love 
 for  a  covered  and  hid  lover,  and  to  be  hungered  with  his  love,  fo 
 as  a  poor  foul  cannot  get  his  fill  of  hunger  of  Chrift  ;  it  is  hard 
 to  be  hungered  of  hunger,  whereof  fuch   abundance  for  other 
 things  is  m  the  world;  but  fure  if  we  were  tutors,  and  ftewards, 
 ana  mafters,  and  lord-carvers  of  Chrift's  love,  we  ftiould  be  more 
 Jean,  and  worfe   fed  than  we  are  ;   our  meat  doth    us  the  more 
 goo(l  that  Chrift  keepeth  the  keys,  and  that  the  wind  and  the  air 
 ot  thrifts  iv/eet  breathing,  and  of  the  influence  of  his  Spirit,   is 
 JocKed  up  in  the  hai.ds  oi  the  good  pleafure  of  him  who  bloweth 
 where  he  hfteth.     i  fee  there  is  a  fort  of  impatient  patience  re- 
 cjuired  in  the  want  of  Chrift,  as  to  his  manifeftations  and  waiting 
 on  ;  they  thrive  who  wait  on  his  love,. and  the  blowing  of  it,  and 
 the  turning  of  his  gracious  wind  ;  and  they  thrive  who  in  that  on- 
 waiting  make  hafte,   and  din,  and  much  ado,   for  their  loft  and 
 hidden  Lord  Jefus.     Hov/ever  it  be,  God  feed  me  with  him  any 
 way.     If  he  would  come  in,  I  ftiall  not  difpute  the  matter  where 
 he  got  a  hole,  or  how  he  opened  the  lock  ;  I  fhould  be  content, 
 rY  n"',  '  ^"""^  ^  ""^^^  iv^VVo^Q  he  ftiould  ftand  on  the  other  fide 
 ot  heils.laice,  and  cry  to  me,  Either  put  in  your  foot  and  come 
 
Epifl.  105.]  L  E  T  T  E  R'S.  163 
 
 through,  elfc  ye  (liall  not  have  me  at  all.  But  what  fools  are  we, 
 in  the  taking  up  of  him  and  of  his  dealing  !  he  hath  a  gc.it  cl  his 
 own,  beyond  the  thoughts  of  men,  that  no  foot  has  Ikill  to  fol- 
 low him  :  but  we  are  Hill  ill  fcholars,  and  will  go  in  at  heaven^ 
 gate,  wanting  the  half  of  our  leflbn,  and  fliall  ftili  be  bairns  fo 
 long  as  we  are  under  time's  hands,  and  till  eternity  caufe  a  fun  to 
 arile  in  our  fouls  that  fhall  give  us  wit.  AYe  may  fee  how  w^  fpill 
 and  mar  our  own  fair  heaven  and  ou*-  falvarion,  and  how  Chriil 
 is  every  day  putting  in  one  bone  or  other  in  thofe  fallen  fouls  of 
 ours,  in  the  i-ight  place  again  ;  and  that  in  this  tide  of  the  new  Je- 
 rufalem  wc  (hail  Hill  have  need  of  forgiving  and  healing.  I  find 
 crofles  Chrift's  carved  work,  that  he  markcth  out  for  us  -,  and 
 that  with  croiTes  he  figureth  and  pourtrayeth  us  to  his  own  image, 
 cutting  away  pieces  of  our  ill  and  corruption  :  Lord  cut,  Lord 
 carve,  Lord  wound,  Lord  do  any  thing  that,  may  perfect  the  Fa- 
 ther's image  in  us,  and  make  us  meet  for  glory.  Pray  for  mc  (I 
 forget  not  you)  that  our  Lord  would  be  pleafed  to  lend  me  houfe- 
 room,  to  preach  his  righteoufnefs,  and  tell  what  I  have  heard  and 
 feen  ot  him.  Forget  not  Zipn  that  is  now  in  Chrift's  calms  and 
 in  his  forge :  God  bring  hsr  out  nev/  work,  dace,  grace  b« 
 with  you. 
 
 Jberdeen,  Jan,  4.  Tcurs  in  his  fweet  Lord 
 
 1637.  M^^y     S.R. 
 
 105.     To  the  Earl  of  CASSILS. 
 
 Right  Honourable,  and  my  very  good  Lordj 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Lornffilp.  I  hope  your 
 Lordfliip  will  be  pleafed  to  pardon  my  boldnefs,  if  (upoa 
 report  of  your  zealous  and  forward  mind,  that  I  hear  our  Lord 
 hath  given  you  in  this  his  honourable  caufe,  when  Chrift  and  his 
 gofpel  are  fo  foully  wronged}  I  fpeak  to  your  Lordfnij)  in  paper, 
 entreating  your  Lordlliip  to  go  on  in  the  ftrength  of  the  Lord, 
 toward,  and  againft  a  (form  of  Antithriilian  wind,  that  bloweth 
 upon  the  hce  of  this  your  poor  mother-church,  ChriiTs  iillv  a- 
 niongfl;  the  thorns.  It  is  your  Lordlhip's  glory  and  happinefs, 
 when  ye  fee  fuch  a  blow  coming  upon  Ciivift,  to  cail:  up  your  ami 
 to  prevent  it  :^  neither  is  it  a  caufe  that  needeth  to  biulli  b,efp,-s 
 the  fun,  or  to  ficc  the  fentence  or  cenfure  of  impartial  beholders, 
 feeing  the  qucflion  indeed  (if  it  were  rig;;tly  Ibted)  is  about  the 
 prerogative-royal  of  our  princely  and  royal  Lawgiver,  our  Lord 
 Jelus,  whofe  ancient  march-ftorjes  and  kiiul-bcunds  our  bailard- 
 lords,  and  earthly  generation  of  tyrannizing  prelates,  have  boldly 
 and  fliamefuUy  removed  :  and  they  who  have  but  hr.If  an  eye,  may 
 fee,  that  it  is  the  greedy  defires  of  time-idoiizin;T  Dcmr.s's,  and 
 the  itching  fcabof  ambitious  and  climbing  DiatP'phcb's  (\vholov(- 
 
 X  2, 
 
i64  Mr  RUTHERFOORD'n  Epift.  105.] 
 
 the  goat's  life,  to  climb  till  they  cannot  find  a  way  to  fet  their 
 fouls  on  ground  again)  that  hath  made  iuch  a  wide  breach  in  our 
 Zion's  beautiful  w^iis  :  and  theCe  are  the  men  who  feek  no  hire 
 for  the  crucitying  of  Chrift,  but  his  coat.  O  how  forloin  and 
 defolate  is  the  Bride  of  Chiift  made  to  all  pafllrs  by  !  Who  fceth 
 not  Lhrifl  buried  in  this  land,  his  prophets  hidden  in  caves,  fi- 
 lenced,  banilhed  and  impriloned  j  truth  weeping  in  fackcloth  be- 
 fore the  judges,  parliament,  and  the  rulers  of  the  land  ?  But  her 
 bill  is  cA\  by  them,  and  holmefs  hideth  itfelf,  fearing  the  (Ircets, 
 for  the  reproaches  and  perfecution  of  nien  ;  juflice  is  fallen  afwoon 
 in  the  gate,  and  the  long  {l^adows  cf  the  evening  are  ibctchedout 
 upon  us  J  wo,  wo  to  us,  for  our  day  flieth  awayj  what  remain- 
 rth,  but  that  Antichrift  fet  down  his  tent  in  the  midft  of  us,  ex- 
 cept your  Lordftiip,  and  others  with  you,  read  Chrift's  fupplica- 
 tion,and  give  him  ihat  which  the  moft  lewd  and  fcandalous  wretch- 
 es in  this  land  may  have  bcfoic  a  judge,  even  the  poor  man's  due, 
 law  and  jufticc  for  God's  fake  ?  O  therefore,  my  noble  and  dear 
 Lord,  as  ye  have  begun,  go  on,  in  the  mighty  power  and^ftrength 
 ot  the  Lord,  to  caufe  cur  Lord,  in  his  gofpel  and  aiUidted  mem- 
 bers, laugh,  and  caufe  tlie  Chriifinn  churches  (whofe  eyes  are  all 
 now  upon  you)  to  fing  for  joy  when  Scotland  6  moon  fliall  fhine 
 like  the  light  of  the  fun,  and  the  fun  like  the  light  of  feven  days  in' 
 one :  ye  can  do  no  lefs  than  run  and  bear  up  ihe  head  of  your  dy- 
 ing and  fwooning  mother-church,  and  plead  for  the  prcdu<il:ion 
 of  her  ancient  charters.  They  hold  out  and  put  out,  they  hold 
 in,  and  bring  in  at  their  pleafure,  men  in  God*s  houfe  ;  they 
 ftole  the  keys  from  Chrift  and  his  church,  and  came  in  like  the 
 thief  and  the  robber,  not  by  the  door.  Chrift ;  and  now  their 
 fong  is,  Authority,  authority,  obedience  to  church  governors. 
 When  fuch  a  baftard,  and  lawlefs  pretended  ftep  dame,  as  our  pre- 
 lates, is  gone  mad,  it  is  your  place,  who  are  the  nobles,  to  rife 
 and  bind  fchem  ;  at  leaft,  law  fliould  fetter  fuch  wild  bulls  as  they 
 are,  who  pufti  all  who  oppofe  themlelvcs  to  their  domination. 
 Alas  !  what  have  we  loft,  (iijce  prelates  were  made  mafter-coiners, 
 to  change  our  gold  into  brafs,  and  to  mix  the  Lord's  wi.ne  with 
 their  water  ?  BlefTed  for  ever  fliall  ye  be  of  the  Lord,  if  ye  help 
 Chrift  againft  the  mighty,  and  (hall  deliver  the  flock  of  God,  fcat- 
 tv!red  upon  the  mountains,  in  the  daVk  and  cloudy  day,  out  of 
 the  hands  of  thefe  idol  flienherds.  Fear  not  men  that  fliall  be 
 moth-eaten  clay,  that  (hall  be  rolled  up  in  a  cheft,  and  caften  un- 
 der the  earth  :  let  the  Holy  Oi\t  of  llVael  be  your  fear,  and  be 
 couragious  for  the  Lord  and  his  truth.  Remember  your  accounts 
 jire  coming  upon  you  with  wings,  as  faft  as  time  pofteth  j 
 remember  what  peace  with  God  in  Chrift,  and  the  pre- 
 sence oi  the  Son  of  Gcd,  the  revealed  and  felt  fvveetnefs  of  his 
 
Ppift.  106.]  LETTERS.  i6$ 
 
 Jove,  will  be  to  you,  when  eternity  ftiall  put  time  to  the  door, 
 and  ye  (hall  take  good-ni^jht  at  timt^,  and  this  little  lliepherd'$ 
 tent  of  clay,  this  iiins  ot  a  borrowed  earth.  1  hope  your  Ljrdfhip 
 js  now  and  then  fending  cut  thoughts  to  view  this  world's  naugh- 
 -fs  and  vanity,  and  the  hopcH-for  glory  of  the  life  to  come, 
 *-  that  ye  refqlve  thatChriit  ihall  have  yourfelf,  and  ail  yours,  aK 
 command  for  him,  his  honour  and  gofpel.  Thus,  trulting  your 
 Lorddiip  will  pardon  my  boldnefs,  f  pray,  that  the  only  wife 
 God,  tl'.e  very  God  of  peace,  may  preferve,  flrengthen,  and  efta- 
 bliih  you  to  the  end. 
 
 jibi'rdetiii   1637.  Tour  Lordjhi/s  at  all  command 
 
 and  obedience  in  Chrifiy      S.  R. 
 
 106.     To  the  Lady  ROWLAND. 
 
 M'jdamj 
 
 THOUGH  not  acquainted,  I  am  bold  in  Chrift  to  fpeak  to 
 your  Ladyihip  in  paper.  I  rejoice  in  our  Lord  Jefus  on  your 
 behalf,  that  it  hath  pleafed  him  (whofe  love  to  you  is  as  old  as 
 himfelf)  to  manifefl:  the  favour  of  his  love  in  Chrift  Jcfus  to  your 
 foul,  in  the  revelation  of  his  will  and  mind  to  you,  now  when  fo 
 inany  are  fliut  up  in  unbelief.  O  the  fweet  change  ye  have  made, 
 in  leaving  tlie  black  kingdom  ot  this  world  and  iin,  and  coming 
 over  to  our  Bridegroom's  new  kingdom,  to  know,  and  be  taken 
 with  the  love  of  the  beautiful  Son  of  God.  I  befeech  you.  Ma- 
 dam, in  the  Lord,  make  now  fure  work,  and  fee  that  the  cid 
 houfe  be  cafben  down,  and  razed  from  the  foundation,  and  that 
 the  new  building  of  your  foul  be  of  Chrilt's  own  laying  ;  for  then 
 wind  and  ftorm  Ihall  neither  loofe  it,  nor  Ihake  it  p.funder.  Ma- 
 ny now  take  Chrift  by  guefs  :,  be  fure  that  it  be  he,  and  only  he, 
 whom  ye  have  met  with:  his  fweet  fmell,  his  lovely  voice,  his 
 fair  face,  his  fweet  working  in  the  foul,  will  not  lye;  they  will 
 ibon  tell  if  it  be  Chriit  indeed;  (and  1  think  your  love  to  the 
 faints  fpeakrth  that  it  is  he)  and  therefore  1  fay,  be  fure  that  ye 
 take  Chrift  himfelf.  anil  r.ike  him  with  his  Father's  bltfiing:  his 
 F.ither  alloweth  him  well  upon  you,  your  lines  are  well  fallen,  it 
 could  not  have  been  better,  nor  fo  well  with  you,  if  they  had  not 
 fallen  in  thefe  places;  in  heaven,  or  out  of  heaven,  there  is  no- 
 thing better,  nothing  fo  fweet  and  excellent  as  the  tiling  ye  have 
 lighted  on,  and  therefore  hold  you  with  Chrift:  joy,  much  joy 
 may  ye  have  of  him:  but  take  his  crofs  with  him  chearfully  : 
 Chriil  and  his  crofs  arc  not  ft  parable  in  this  life,  howbeit  Chrift 
 and  his  crofs  part  at  heaven's  door,  for  there  is  no  houfe-room  for 
 croiTes  in  heaven:  one  tear,  one  figh,  one  fad  heart,  one  fear, 
 one  iofs,  or  thought  of  trouble  cannot  find  lodging,  there  ;  they 
 ^re  but  the  nriaiks  of  cur  Lord  Jefus  down  in  this  wide  ir.n^  and 
 
i66  Mr  RUTHERFOORDh  Epift.  107.] 
 
 ftormy  country,  on  this  fi^e  of  death  :  forrow  and -the  faints  arc 
 not  married  together ;  or,  fuppofe  it  were  fo,  heaven  would  make 
 a  divorce.  I  find  his  fweet  prefence  eateth  out  the  bitternefs  of 
 Ibrrow  and  fuffering.  I  think  it  a  fweet  thing,  that  Chriit  faith  of 
 my  crofs,  halfmme;  and  that  he  divideth  thefe  fufferings  with  m'e, 
 and  taketh  the  iargeft  fhare  to  himfelf ;  nay,  that  I  and  my  whole 
 crofs  are  wholly  Chrifl's.  O  what  a  portion  is  Chrift !  O  that  the 
 faints  would  dig  deeper  in  the  treafures  of  his  wifdoni  and  excel- 
 lency I  Thus  recommending  your  Ladylliip  to  the  good  wiii  and 
 tender  mercies  of  our  Lord,  I  reft 
 
 yibsrd.  Sept.  7.  Tour  Ladyjloip's  in  his  fweet 
 
 1637.  Lordjejm,     S.  R. 
 
 107.     To  ROBERT  GORDON  of  Knoikhrex. 
 
 My  very  -worthy  and  dear  friend^ 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Though  all  Gnlloway 
 ^^  fliould  have  forgotten  me,  I  would  have  expe£ted  a  let- 
 ter from  you  ere  now :  but  I  will  not  expound  it  to  be  forgetful- 
 nefs  of  me.  Now,  my  dear  brother,  I  cannot  fhew  you  how 
 matters  go  betwixt  Chriil  and  me:  I  find  my  Loid  going  and 
 coming  leven  times  a  day  :  his  vifits  are  (hortj  but  they  are 
 both  trequcnt  and  fv/eet.  I  dare  not  for  my  life  think  of  a  chal- 
 lenge of  my  Lord :  I  hear  ill  tales,  and  hard  reports  of  Chrift> 
 trom  the  tempter  and  my  flefh ;  but  love  believeth  no  evil :  I 
 may  fwear  that  they  are  liars,  and  that  apprehenfions  make  lies 
 of  Ch rift's  honeft  and  unalterable  love  to  me.  I  dare  not  fay, 
 that  I  am  a  dry  tree,  or  that  I  have  no  room  at  all  in  the  vineyard ; 
 but  yet  I  often  think,  that  the  fparrows  are  blclTed,  who  may 
 refort  to  the  houfe  of  God  in  Anwoth,  from  which  I  am.  banir 
 fixed.  Temptations,  that  I  fuppofed  to  be  flricken  dead,  and 
 laid  upon  their  back,  rift  again  and  revive  upon  me;  yea,  I  fee, 
 that,  while  I  live,  tempt.itions  will  not  die:  the  devil  feemeth  to 
 brag  and  boaft  as  much,  as  if  he  had  more  court  with  Chrift  thaii 
 I  have;  and  as  if  he  had  charmed  aad  blafted  my  miniftry,  that 
 fhall  do  no  more  good  in  public ;  but  his  wind  (liaketh  no  corn. 
 I  will  not  believe  Chrift  would  have  made  fuch  a  mint  to  have 
 me  to  himfelf,  and  have  taken  fo  much  pains  upon  me,  as  he 
 bath  done;  nay,  fmce  I  came  to  xAberdeen,  1  have  been  taken  up 
 to  fee  the  new  l^nd,  the  fair  palace  of  the  Lamb :  and  will  Chrift 
 let  me  fee  hcr.ven  to  break  my  heart,  and  nev^r  give  it  to  me  I 
 I  fhall  not  think  my  Lord  Jefus  giveth  a  dumb  earneft,  or  putteth 
 his  feals  to  blank  paper,  or  intendeth  to  put  me  off  with  fair  and 
 faife  promifes :  I  fee  that  now  which  I  never  faw  well  before  ; 
 I.  I  fee  faith's  nccefTity  in  a  fair  day  is  never  known  aright ;  but 
 now  I  mifs  nothing  fo  much  as  faith.    Hunger  in  me  lunneth  t^ 
 
Eplft.  107.]  LETTEPtS.  167 
 
 fair  and  fweet  promifes  ;  but  when  I  come  I  am  like  a  hungry 
 man  that  wantcth  tecih,  or  a  weak  fiomach  having  a  inarp  appe- 
 tite, that  is  ti!lrd  with  the  very  fight  ot  meat,  or  like  one  fiupi- 
 fied  with  cold  under  the  water,  that  would  fain  come  to  land, 
 but  cannct  grip  any  thing  caften  to  him  :   I  can  let  Chrift  grip 
 e.   but  I  cannot  grip  him.     I  love  to  be  kifled,  and  to  fit  on 
 unit's  knee,  but  I  cannot  fet  my  feet  to  the  ground,  for  afflic- 
 tions bring  the  cramp  upon  my  taith.     All  I  dow  do,  is,  to  hold 
 out  a  lame  faith  to  Chriit,  like  a  begg?.r  holding  out  a  ilump,  in- 
 ■ftead  of  an  arm  or  leg,  and  crying,  Lord  Jefus,  work  a  miracle. 
 O  what  would  I  give  to  have  hands  and  arms,  to  grip  ftrongly, 
 d  fold  herirtfomely  about  ChriiVs  neck,  and  to  have  my  claim 
 ^dc  good  with   real  pcficHion  !   I  think  my  love  to  Chrift  hath 
 v-'t  abundance,  and  runneth  fwiftly  to  be  at  him,  but  it  wanretb 
 h  nds   and  fingers  to  apprehend  him.     I  think,    I  would  give 
 Chrift  every  morning  my  bleffing.  to  have  as  much  faith  as  I  have 
 luvc  and  hunger;  at  leaft,  I  mifs  faith,   more  than  love  and  hun- 
 ger.    2.  I  fee  mortification,  and  to  be  crucified  to  the  world,  is 
 not  fo  highly  accounted  of  by  us,  as  it  Ihoald  be.     O  how  hea- 
 venly a  thing  is  it  to  be  dead,  dumb,  and  deaf  to  this  world's  fweet 
 ^vific  !   I  co!ifds  ic  hath  pleafed  his  Majefty  to  make  m^e  laugh  at 
 iidren,  who  are  wooing  this  world  for  their  match  :  I  fee  men 
 ijing  about  the  world  as  nobles  about  a  king's  court;  and  I  won- 
 der what  they  are  all  doing  there  :  as  I  am  at  this  prefent,  I  would 
 fcorn  to  court  fuch   a  feckiefs  and  petty  princefs,   or  buy  this 
 world's  kindnefs  with  a  bow  of  my  knee.    I  fcarce  now  either 
 hear  or  fee  what  it  is  that  this  world  ofiereth  me;  I  know  it  is 
 little  it  can  take  from  me,  and  as  little  it  can  give  me.    I  recom- 
 mend mortification  to  you  above  any  thing  :  for  alas,  we  but  chafe 
 feathers  Hying  in  the  air,  and  tire  our  own  fpirits,  for  the  froth 
 and  overrgilded  clay  of  a  dying  life  :   one  fight  of  what  my  Lord 
 hath  ^et  me  fee  within  this  ihort  time,  is  worth  a  world  of  worlds. 
 3.  I  thought  courage  in  the  time  of  trouble  for  Chrift's  fake,  a 
 thing  that  1  miight  take  up  at  my  foot;  I  thought  the  very  re- 
 membrance of  the  honeiiy  of  the  caufe  would  be  enough;  but  I 
 was  u  tool  m  (o  thinking  :  I  have  much  ado  now  to   vin  to  one 
 fmile ;  but  I  fee  joy  groweth  up  in  heaven,  and  it  is  above  our 
 ihort  arm  :  Chrift  will  be  fteward  and  difpenfer  himfelf,  and  none 
 -elfe  but  he:  therefore,   now,  I  count  much  of  one  drahm-weight 
 of  fpiritual  joy;  one  fmile  of  Chrift's  face  is  now  to  me  as  a  king- 
 dom, and  yet  he  is  no  niggard  to  me  of  comforts:  truly  I  have 
 no  cjufe  to  fay.  that  I  am  pinched  with  penury,  or  that  the  con- 
 Iblations  of  Chrift  are  dried  up;  for  he  hath  poured  down  rivers 
 upon  a  dry  wiidernefs,  the  like  of  me,  to  my  admiration  :   and 
 in  my  very  fwoonings,  he  holdeth  up  my  head,  and  ftayeth  mc 
 with  li.:ggous  of  wine,  and  cociforteth  me  with  apple* :  my  houfc 
 
5(<8  lir  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  log.] 
 
 and  bed  are  ftrewed  with  krfies  of  love,  Praife,  praife  with  me. 
 
 0  if  ye  snd  I  betwixt  us  could  lift  up  Chrift  upon  his  throne^ 
 howbeit  all  Scotland  fliould  call  him  down  to  the  ground  !  My 
 brother's  cafe  touchcth  me  near :  I  hope  ye  will  be  kind  to  him, 
 and  give  him  your  beft  counfel.  Remember  my  love  to  your  bro- 
 ther, to  your  wife  and  G.  ]M.  dcfire  him  to  be  faithful,  and  rep(^nt 
 of  his  hypocrify  ;  and  fay,  that  I  wrote  it  to  you  :  I  wifh  him  fal- 
 vation.  Write  to  me  your  mind  anent  C.  E.  and  C.  Y.  and  their 
 -wives,  and  1.  G.  or  any  others,  in  my  parilli:  I  fear  I  am  forgot- 
 ten amongft  them  ;  but  I  cannot  forget  them.  The  prifoner'» 
 prayers  and  bleffing  come  upon  you.    Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  Feb.  9.  Tour  hrother  in  the  Lord  Jefus^ 
 
 1637,  ,         S.  R. 
 
 108.    To  my  Lord  BALMERINOCH. 
 
 My  very  noble  and  truly  honsurabte  Lord, 
 
 ITvlake  bold  to  write  news  to  your  LordHiip  from  my  prifon, 
 though  your  Lordlbip  have  experience  more  than  I  can  have. 
 At  my  firft  entry  here  I  was  not  a  little  caften  down  with  challen-i- 
 ges,  for  old  unrepcnted-of  fins :  and  S.^t.m  and  my  own  appre- 
 henfions  made  a  lie  of  Chrid,  that  he  had  caften  a  dry  withered 
 tree  over  the  dike  of  the  rincyard  ;  but  it  was'  my  folly;  blelfed 
 be  his  great  name,  the  fire  cannot  burn  the  dry  tree  :  he  is  pleaf- 
 ed  now  to  feaft  the  exiled  prifoner  with  his  lovely  prcfence  j  for 
 it  fuitc  th  Chriit  well  to  be  kind,  and  he  dineth  and  fuppeth  with 
 fuch  a  finner  as  I  am.  I  am  in  Ciirlft's  tutoring  here;  he  hath 
 made  me  content  with  a  borrowed  fire  fide,  and  it  cafteth  as  much 
 heut  as  mine  cwn  :  I  want  nothing  at  ail,  but  real  pofllfTion 
 of  Chriil;  and  he  hath  given  me  a  pawn  of  that  alfo,  which  I 
 hope  to  keep  till  he  come  himfelf  to  loofe  the  pnvn.  I  cannot  get 
 help  to  praife  his  high  name  :  he  hath  made  me  a  king  over  my 
 loiTes,  imprifonment*  bnniihment,  and  only  my  dumb  fabbaths 
 (lick  in  my  throat;-  but  I  forgive  Chriit's  wifdom  in  that;  I  dare 
 not  fay  one  word,  he  hath  done  it,  and  1  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  rnuft  tell  your  Lordihip,  that  I  would  not 
 give  a  drink  of  cold  water  for  this  clay-idol,  this  plaiftered  world. 
 
 1  teftify,  and  give  it  under  my  own  hand,  that  Chrift  is  moH:  wor- 
 thy to  be  fufFered  for.  Our  lazy  flefli  (which  would  have  Chriil 
 to  cry  down  croffes  by  open  proclamation)  hath  but  raifcd  a  (lan- 
 der upon  the  crofs  of  Chrift.  My  Lord,  I  hope  ye  will  not  forget 
 what  he  hath  done  for  your  foul :  I  think  ye  are  in  Chrifl's  count- 
 book,  as  his  obliged  debtor.     Grace,  grace  be  with  your'fpirit. 
 
 Aberdeen^  March  13,  Tour  Lordjhip's  cbiigedjsrvant^ 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
Epift.  109.]  LETTERS.  169 
 
 109,     To  ALEXANDER  GORDON  of  Knochgmy. 
 
 Dear  hrtth£r^ 
 
 GR  ACE,  mercy  anJ  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your 
 foul  proipcrcth  :  i  expected  letters  from  you  ere  now.  As 
 for  mykh,  I  am  here  in  good  caie,  wrii  feallcd  with  a  great  King: 
 at  my  nilt  coming  here,  I  was  that  hold  as  to  take  up  a  jeaJouiy 
 of  Ctuilt's  love  i  J  iaid  I  wa«  call  over  the  dike  of  the  Lord's 
 vineyard,  ^^  a  dry  tree;  but  I  fee,  if  I  had  been  a  withei^d 
 br<mch,  the  fire  would  have  burnt  me  long  ere  irow :  blcffed  be 
 his  high  name,  who  hath  k^pt  fap  in  the  diy  tree  ;  and  now,  as 
 it  Chrili  had  done  the  wiong,  he  hath  made  the  annends,  and 
 hcitT  miilvcnt  my  ravings  ^  (ror  a  man  under  the  wntcr  cannot 
 well  cummand  iiis  wit,  far  Icfs  his  faith  and  love)  bccaufe  it  was 
 a  fever,  my  Lord  Jcfus  forgave  me  that,  amongft  the  red  :  he 
 knoweth,  in  our  afflictions,  we  can  find  a  fpot  in  the  faircft  face 
 that  ever  was,  even  in  Chiilt's  face.  I  w  >uid  not  have  believed 
 that  a  gloom  fliould  have  made  me  to  milken  my  old  Mailer;  but 
 we  mull  be  whiles  Tick:  ficknefs  is  but  kindly  to  both  faith  and 
 love.  But  O  how  exceedingly  is  a  poor  dawted  prilbner  obliged 
 to  fweet  Jelus!  My  tears  are  fweeter  to  me,  than  the  laughter 
 of  the  fourteen  prel.tes  to  them  ;  the  woril  of  Chrili,  even  his 
 ch-ff,  is  better  thm  the  world's  corn.  D- ar  biother,  I  bcfeech 
 you,  I  cnarge  you.  in  the-  name  and  authority  of  the  Son  of  God, 
 help  me  to  praifc  his  Highn.?fs  ;  and  I  chaige  you  alio,  to  tell  ail 
 your  acquaintance,  th  it  my  Mailer  may  gst  many  thanks.  O  if 
 my  hairs,  all  my  members,  and  all  my  bones,  were  well-tuned 
 tongues,  to  fing  the  high  prailes  of  my  great  and  glorious  King! 
 Help  me  to  lift  Chiifl  up  upon  his  thjone,  and  to  lift  him  up  a- 
 bove  all  the  thrones  of  the  clay-kings,  the  dyin^  fcepter  bearers 
 of  this  world  The  prifoner's  blelRng,  the  blcirmg  of  him  chat 
 was  feparated  from  his  brethren,  be  upon  them  all  who  will  lend 
 me  a  litt  in  this  work.  Shew  this  to  that  people  with  you  to 
 whom  fometimcs  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  debtor  to  clay  ;  Chriil  hath  made  me  dead  to  that:  I 
 now  wonder,  that  ever  I  was  fuch  a  child  long  fince,  as  to  beg  at 
 fuch  beggars  !  fy  upon  us,  who  woo  fuch  a  brack-lTcinned  harlot, 
 when  we  may  get  fuch  a  fair,  fair  match  in  heaven.  Oh  that  I 
 could  give  up  with  this  clay-idol,  this  malked,  painted,  dirt, 
 that  Adam's  fons  adore  !  we  make  an  idol  of  our  will ;  as  many 
 lufts  in  us,  as  many  gods,  we  are  all  god-makers  :  we  are  like  to 
 lofe  Chrifl,  the  true  God,  in  the  throng  ot  thefc  new  and  falfe 
 j;od8.  Scotland  hath  call  her  crown  off  her  head ;  the  virgin- 
 daughter  hath  loft  her  garland  :  wo,  wo  to  our  harlot-mother: 
 our  day  is  coming,  ^  time  when  wo.mcn  Ihall  wiih  they  had  been 
 
 Y 
 
i-o  Mr  RUrHERFOORD's  Epift.  iio.] 
 
 childlefs,  and  fathers  lliall  blefs  mifcarrying  wombs  and  dry  breafls : 
 many  houfts  great  and  fair^lhall  be  deibiate.  This  kirk  fhall  fit 
 on  the  ground  all  the  night,  and  the  tears  fhall  run  down  her 
 cheeks:  the  fun  hath  gone  down  upon  her  prophets;  blefied  are 
 the  prifoners  of  hope,  who  can  rim  in  to  their  ftrong  hold,  and 
 hide  thcmlclves  for  a  little  till  the  indignation  be  overpaft.  Com- 
 mend me  to  your  wife,  your  daughteis,  your  fon-in-law,  and  to 
 A.  T.  Write  to  me  the  cafe  of  your  kirk.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 1  am  much  moved  for  my  brother;  I  intreat  for  your  kindnefs 
 and  couirfel  to  him. 
 
 Aberdven^  Feb,  23.  Tours  in  his  fiveet  Lord 
 
 1637.  »-^>     S.  R. 
 
 I  10.  To  my  Lady  MARR  younger. 
 Aly  very  noble  and  dear  Lady, 
 /^R.  ACK,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  Lady- 
 ^^  iLip's  letter,  which  hath  comforted  my  foul.  God  give  you 
 to  find  mercy  in  the  day  of  Chrilc.  I  am  in  as  good  terms  and 
 court  with  Chiift,  as  an  exiled  opprefTed  prifonerot  Chnft  can  he  ; 
 I  am  I'till  welcome  to  his  houfe ;  he  knoweth  myknock,  and  let- 
 teth  in  2  poor  friend.  Under  this  black  rough  tree  of  the  crofs  of 
 Chrifl,  he  ha:h  ravifhed  me  with  his  love,  and  taken  my  heart  to 
 heaven  with  him;  well  and  long  may  he  bruik  it.  I  would  not 
 nifferChrift  with  all  the  joys  that  man  or  tngel  can  devife  befide 
 him.  Who  hath  fuch  caufe  to  fpeak  honourably  of  Chrift:  as  I 
 have  ?  Chrift  is  king  of  all  crofies,  and  he  hath  made  his  faints 
 little  kings  under  him,  and  he  can  ride  and  triumph  upon  weak- 
 er bodies  than  I  am  (if  any  can  be  weaker)  and  his  horfe  will 
 neither  fall  nor  ftumble.  Madam,  your  Ladyjbip  hath  much  ado 
 with  Chrift,  for  your  foul,  hufba^d  childrcny^d  houfe;  let  him 
 find  much  employment  for  his  callmg  with  yd\i:  for  he  is  fuch  a 
 friend  as  delighteth  to  be  burdened  with  fuits  and  employments^ 
 and  the  moie  ye  lay  on  him,  and  the  more  homely  ye  be  with  him 
 the  more  welcome.  O  the  depth  of  Chrift's  love  !  it  hath  nei- 
 ther brim  nor  bottom.  O  if  this  blind  world  faw  his  beauty! 
 When  I  count  with  him  for  his  mercies  to  me,  I  muft  ftand  ftill 
 and  wonder,  and  go  away  as  a  poor  dyvour  who  hath  nothing 
 to  pay  ;  free  forgivenefs  is  my  payment.  I  would  I  could  get 
 him  fet  on  high;  for  his  love  hath  made  me  Tick,  and  I  die  ex- 
 cept I  get  real  pofleiriou.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Merdcen,  March  13,  Tour  LadyJJjij-'^s  at  all  obedience 
 
 1637.  in  Chrijf,     b.  R. 
 
Epift.  III.]  LETTERS.  171 
 
 1 1  r.     To  JAMES  MACADAM. 
 
 My  very  dear  and  worthy  friend, 
 /^^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  long  to  hear  of  s/^wx 
 ^-^  growing  in  grace,  and  of  your  advancing  in  your  journey 
 to  heaven  :  it  will  be  the  joy  cf  my  heart,  to  hearjhat  ye  bold 
 your  face  up  the  brae,  and  wade  through  tenta:ions,  without 
 fearing  what  man  can  do.  Chrid  fhall,  when  he  arifeth,  mow 
 down  his  enemies,  and  l?y  bulks  (as  they  ufe.to  fpeak)  on  ih<s 
 green,  and  fill  the  pits  with  dead  bodieS;  Pfal.  ex.  6.  they  Ihall  iy 
 like  handfuls  of  withered  hay,  when  he  ariieth  to  the  prey.  S']- 
 vaticn,  falvation,  is  the  only  neceflary  thing  ;  this  clay  idol,  the 
 world,  is  not  to  be  fought;  it  it  a  morfel  not  for  you,  but  for 
 hunger-bitten  baftards.  Contend  for  f  Ivation :  your  mr.fier 
 -Chrill:  won  heaven  with  ftrokes  ;  it  is  a  beHegcd  caflie,  it  rnufr  be 
 taken  with  violence.  Oh  this  world  thiiiketh  heaven  but  at  the 
 next  door,  and  that  godlincfs  may  flrep  in  a  bed  of  down,  till  it 
 come  to  heaven,  but  that  will  not  do  it.  Fur  myfelf,  I  am  as  well 
 as  Chrift's  prifoner  can  be  ;  for  by  him  I  am  mailer  and  king  of  all 
 my  crofles ;  1  am  above  the  prifon,  an*!  the  lafli  of  mens  tongues : 
 Chrift  triumpheth  in  mc.  1  have  been  caften  down,  and  heavy 
 with  fears,  and  hunted  with  challenges  :  I  was  fwimming  in  the 
 depths,  but  Chrift  had  his  hand  under  my  chin  all  the  time,  and 
 took  good  heed  that  1  (liould  not  lofe  breath  :  and  now  I  have 
 gotten  my  feet  again,  and  there  are  love-feafls  of  joy,  and  fpring- 
 tides  of  conroJation  bctvrixt  Chrill:  and  me:  we  agree  well;  f 
 }iave  court  with  him,  I  am  ftill  welcome  to  hit*  houfe.  'O  my 
 ihort  arms  cannot  fathom  his  love  !  I  befeech  you,  I  charg-?  you. 
 Kelp  me  to  praiie.  Ye  have  a  priliiner's  prayers,  therefore  forget 
 me  not.  I  defire  Sibilla  to  remember  me  d^^rly  to  all  in  that  pa- 
 rifh  who  knov/  Chrill,  as  if  I  had  named  them.  Grace,  graco;  be 
 with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  March  13.  Yours  in  his  fiuect  Lord 
 
 1627.  'Je/us,     S.  R. 
 
 1 1  2.     To  my  very  dear  brother  WILLI  AM  LIVINGSTON. 
 
 My  very  dear  brother , 
 
 I  Rejoice  to  hear  that  Chrift  hath  run  av/ay  with  your  young 
 love,  and  that  ye  are  fo  early  in  the  mprning  matched  with 
 fuch  a  Lord ;  for  a  young  man  is  often  a  dreiied  lodging  tor  the 
 devil  to  dvyell  in.  Be  humble  and  thankful  for  grace,  and  weigh 
 it  not  fo  much  by  weiglit,  as  if  it  be  true  ;  Chrift  will  nt)t  cyft 
 water  on  your  fmoaking  coal,  he  never  yet  put  out  a  dim  candle 
 that  was  lighted  at  the  fun  of  righteoiifnefs.  I  recommend  to. 
 you  prayer  and  watching  over  the  fms  of  your  ycuth  ■■,  for  I  kiie>r 
 
 y  1 
 
172  Mr  RUrHERFOORD'%  Ep'ift.  113.3 
 
 miiTiire  letters  ^o  between  the  devii  and  young  blood  ;  Satan  hath 
 a  friend  at  cotii  t  in  th«t  hr-art  of  youth  ;  and  there  pride,  luxury, 
 luft,  revenge,  forgetiulners  of  God,  are  hired  as  his  agents.  Hap- 
 py is  your  loul,  it  Chilli  man  the  houfe,  and  take  the  keys  hirn- 
 fclf,  and  command  aii  !  as  it  fuiteth  him  full  well,  to  rule  all 
 wherever  he  is  :  kctp  him,  and  entertain  Chrift  well,  cherifli  his 
 grace,  blow  upon  your  own  coal,  and  let  him  tutor  you.  Now, 
 for  myfelf,  know,  I  am  fully  agreed  with  my  Lord  :  Chrift  hath 
 put  the  Father  and  me  in  otners  arms;  many  a  Iweet  bargam  he 
 made  before,  and  he  hath  made  this  among  the  reft.  1  reign  as 
 liing  over  my  croff  s-,  I  will  not  fiatter'a  temptation,  nor  give  the 
 devil  a  good  word  ;  I  defy  hell's  iron  gates  :  God  hath  pjft  over 
 ir>y  qu*irrelling  of  him  at  my  entry  here,  and  now  he  feed^th  and 
 feaiteth  with  me :  pialfe,  praifc  with  me  ;  and  let  us  exalt  his 
 name  together. 
 
 Jberd.  March  13.  1637.              Tour  brother  in  Chrift y      S.  R.. 
 I 
 
 113.     To  WILLIAM  GOROJiVJ  oj  Whitc-park. 
 
 Worthy  Sir^ 
 
 C^  R.ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  long  to  hear  from 
 X  you.  lam  here  the  Lord^s  prifoner  and  patient,  handled. 
 as  foftiy  by  my  Phyfician,  as  if  I  were  a  fick  man  under  cure.  I 
 Vv'as  at  hard  terms  with  my  Lord,  and  pleaded  with  him  ;  but  I 
 bad  the  worft  fide  :  it  is  a  wonder  he  ftiould  have  futfered  the  like 
 of  me  to  have  nicknamed  the  Son  of  his  love,  Chrift,  and  to  call 
 him  a  changed  Lord  who  had  forfaken  mc  •,  but  m.ifbelief  hath 
 never  a  good  word  to  fpeak  of  Chrift.  Ihe  drofs  of  my  crofs  ga- 
 thered a  fcum  of  fears  in  the  fire,  doublings,  impatience,  unbe- 
 lief, challenging  of  providence  as  fleeping,  and  not  regarding  my 
 forrow;  but  my  goldfrnith,  Chrift,  was  plcafed  to  take  oft  the 
 ffrm,  and  burn  it  in  the  fire.  And,  bleftcd  be  my  finer,  he  h;^tii 
 made  the  metal  better,  and  furniftied  new  fupply  of  grace  to  caufe 
 me  hold  out  weight;  and  I  hope  he  hath  not  lofed  one  grain- 
 T^'eight,  by  burning  his  fervant.  Now  his  love  in  my  heart  caft- 
 rth  a  mighty  heat  :_  he  knoweth,  that  the  defire  I  have  to  be  at 
 liimfelf  pi>ineth  me.  I  have  fick  nights,  and  frequent  fits  of  love- 
 fevers  for  my  Well  beloved;  nothing  paineth  me  now  but  want 
 of  prcfence :  1  think  it  long  till  day;  I  challenge  time,  as  too 
 ilow  in  its  pace,  that  holdeth  my  only,  only  fair  One,  mv  Love, 
 jny  Well  beJoved>  from  me  :  O  if  we  were  together  once  !  I  am 
 like  an  old  crazed  Jhip  that  hath  endured  many  ftorms,  and  that 
 v^ould  fain  be  in  the  lee  of  the  ftiore,  and  feareth  new  ftorms  :  I 
 would  be  that  nigh  heaven,  that  the  (hadow  of  it  might  break  the 
 force  of  the  ftorrn,  and  the  crazed  fiiip  might  win  to  land.  My 
 Lord's  fun  cafteth  a  heat  of  love  and  beam  of  light  on  piy  foul* 
 
Eplft.  imO  letters.  173 
 
 My  hleiTmg  thrice  every  Jay  upon  the  Aveet  crofs  of  Chrift:  I  am 
 not  alhamcd  of  my  garlaiul,  the  banifhcd  minifter,  (which  is  the 
 term  of  Aberdef*n).  I  ove,  love  deficth  reprobates  ;  the  love  of 
 Chrilt  hath  a  croilct  uf  proof  on  it,  and  arrows  will  not  draw  blood 
 ot  it-  we  are  more  than  conqiitrors,  through  the  blood  of  him 
 that  Jovc^d  us,  liom.  viii.  the  dcVil  and  the  world  they  cannot 
 wound  the  love  of  Chrift.  1  am  further  from  yielding  to  the 
 courfc  of  defcftion,  than  when  1  came  hither:  fuffcrings  blunt 
 not  the  fiery  edge  of  love ;  cad  love  in  the  floods  of  hell,  it  will 
 fwim  abovt; :  it  careth  not  for  the  worlds  builted  and  plaiitered 
 oiFers.  It  hith  pl^afed  my  Lord,  fo  to  line  my  heart  with  the  love 
 of  my  I  Old  Jcfus,  that  as  it  the  iield  were  already  won,  and  I  on 
 the  (Jtner  (ide  of  time,  I  laugh  at  the  world's  golden  pleafures, 
 and  at  this  dirty  idol,  th-it  the' ions  of  Adam  worihip:  this  worm- 
 eaten  god  is  th  It  which  my  foul  hath  fallen  out  oi  love  with.  Sir, 
 ye  wi:^  once  my  hearer :  I  defnc  now  to  hear  from  you  and  your 
 witc  :  I  falute  her  and  your  children  with  Dleffings:  1  am  glad, 
 that  ye  are  It.U  hand-ieaited  with  Chrift:  go  on  in  your  journey, 
 ^nd  take  the  city  by  violence  i  keep  your  garments  clean,  be  clean 
 virgins  to  yoiir  hulband  the  Lamb:  the  world  fliall  follow  you 
 to  heaven's  gates  i  and  ye  would  not  wifh  it  to  go  in  with  you. 
 Keep  fail:  Ch rift's  love  :  pray  lor  me,  a«  I  do  for  you.  The  Lord 
 J  el  us  be  with  your  fpiiit. 
 
 jdberd.  Mirch  i :; ,  Tours  in  his  fwcet  Lord 
 
 1637.  ^  Jcfus,     S.  R. 
 
 U4.  To  Mr  GEORGE  GILLESPIE. 
 Reverend  and  drnr  brother, 
 T  Received  your  letter.  As  for  my  cafe,  brother,  I  blefs  His  glo- 
 -*■  rioui  name,  my  ioflcs  are  my  gain,  my  prifon  a  palace,  and 
 my  fadnefs  joylulnefs.  At  my  firlt  entry,  my  apprehenfions 
 wrouj^ht  fo  upon  my  crofs.  that  I  became  jealous  of  the  love  of 
 Chrilt,  as  beinij  by  him  thruft  out  of  the  vineyard,  and  I  was 
 under  great  challcniJes  ^as  ordinarily  melted  gold  caftcth  forth  a 
 droffy  fcum.  and  Sarin  and  our  corruption  form  the  firft  words 
 that  the  heavy  crofs  ipeaketh,  and  fay,  God  is  angry,  he  loveth 
 you  not^  but  our  apprehenfioni  are  not  canonical;  they  dite  lies 
 of  God  and  Chrift's  love.  But  fince  my  fpirit  was  fettled,  and 
 the  clay  (alien  to  the  bottom  of  the  well,  I  fee  better  what  Chiift 
 WIS  doing;  and  now  my  Lord  is  returned  with  falvation  under 
 his  v/ings:  now  1  want  little  of  half  a  heaven,  and  I  find  Chrift 
 every  day  fo  fweet,' comfortable,  lovely,  and  kind,  as  three  things 
 only  trouble  me  :  1.  i  fee  not  how  to  be  thankful,  or  how  to  get 
 help  to  praife  that  royal  King,  who  raifeth  up  thoi'c  that  are  bow* 
 
174  Mr  RUTHERFOORD'i  Epifl.  irj.] 
 
 cd  down.  2,  His  love  pineth  me,  and  woundeth  my  foul,  fo  as 
 i  am  ift  a  fever  for  want  of  rea)  prefence.  3.  An  excefiive  de- 
 fire  to  take  jnitruments  in  God's  name,  that  this  is  Chiifl  and 
 his  truth  I  now  fulfer  for,  yea,  the  apple  of  the.  eye  of  Chrifi;'s 
 honour,  even  the  fovercignty  and  royal  privileges  of  our  King 
 and  Law-giver,  Chrift:  and  therefore  let  no  man  fear  at  Chrift's 
 crofs,  or  raife  an  ill  report  upcn  him^  or  it  \  for  he  beareth  the 
 futferer  and  it  both.  lam  here  troubled  with  the  difputes  of  the 
 great  do£lors  (efpecially  with  D.  B.  in  ceremonial  and  Arminian 
 controverfies,  for  all  are  corrupt  here;  but,  I  thank  God,  with 
 no  detriment  to  the  truth,  or  difcredlt  to  my  profeflion.  So  then, 
 i  fee  that  Chriit  can  triumph  in  a  weaker  man  than  I :  and  who 
 can  be  more  weak.?  but  his  grace  is  fufficient  for  me.  Brother, 
 remember  our  old  coven^snt,  and  pray  for  me,  and  write  to  me 
 your  cafe.    The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 Aberdein^  March  13.  Tours  in  hisfweet  Lord  J  ejus, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 115.    To  JOHN  MEINE, 
 
 Dear  Brother^ 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  ar.d  peace  be  unto  you.  I  wonder  ye  fent  mc 
 not  an  anlwer  to  my  laft  letter,  for  I  ftand  in  need  of  it ;  I 
 am   in   fome  piece  of  court  with  our   great  King,    whofe  love, 
 would  caufe  a  dead  man  fpeak  and  live:   whether  my   court   will 
 continue  or  not,  I  cannot  well  fay;  but  I  have  his  ear  frequently, 
 and  (to  his  glory  only  I  fpeak  it)  no  penury  of  the  love-kifles  of 
 the  Son  of  God.     He  thinketh  good  to  cait  apples  to  me  in  my 
 piifcn  to  play  withal,  left  I  fliould  think  long  and  faint;   I  muft 
 give  over  ail  attempts  to  faihom  the  depth  of  his  love  :  all  1  can 
 do  is,  but  to  ft^nd  be(ide   his  great  love,  and  look  and  wonder. 
 My  debts  of  thankfulnefs  affright  me-,  I  fear  my  creditor  get  a 
 dyvour  bill  and  ragged  account.     I  would  be  much  the  better  of 
 help ;  O  for  help  !   and  that  ye  would  take  notice  of  my  cafe. 
 Your  not  writing  to  me  maketh  me  think,  ye  fuppofe   that  I  am 
 not  to  be  bemoaned,  becaufe  he  is  comfortable ;   but  I  have  pain 
 in  my  unthankfulnefs,  and  pain  in  the  feeling'of  his  love,  while 
 \  am  Tick  again  for  real  prefence,  and  real  poiTelEon  of  Chriit  i 
 yet  there  is  no  gouked  (if  1  may  fo  fpeak)  nor  fond  love  in  Chrift; 
 he  cafteth   me  down  fometimes  for  old  faults  ;  and  I  know  he 
 knoweth  well,  that  fweet  comforts  are  fuelling;  and   therefor-3 
 ibrrow  mull  make  a  vent  to  the  wind.    My  dumb  fabbaths  are 
 undercotting  wounds.    The  condition  of  this  opprefled  kirk  and 
 my  brother's  cafe  (I  thank  you  and  your  wife  for  your  kindnefi 
 to  him)  hold  my  fore  fmarting,  and  keep  my  wounds  bleeding  ; 
 
Eplft.  ii6.]  LETTERS.  175 
 
 hut  the  ground- work  flandeth  fure.^  Pray  for  mc.    Grace  be  with 
 you    Remember  me  to  your  v.'it'e. 
 
 Aberdeen^  March  14.  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  JefiiSy 
 
 J  637.  S.  R. 
 
 116.    To  Mr  TxHOMAS  GARVEN. 
 Reverend  and  dear  Brother, 
 
 IBlefs  you  for  your  letter :  it  was  a  fnov/er  to  the  nev/  mown 
 grafs.  The  Lord  bath  given  you  the  tongue  of  the  learned, 
 be  truittul  and  bumble.  It  is  poffible  ye  come  to  my  cafe,  or  the 
 like;  bat  the  water  is  neither  fo  deep,  nor  the  flream  fo  ftrong, 
 as  it  is  called.  I  think  my  lire  is  not  fo  hot,  my  water  dry  land, 
 my  lofs  rich  lofs.  O  if  the  walls  of  my  prifon  be  high,  wide 
 and  large,  and  the  place  fweet !  no  man  knoweth  it,  no  man,  I 
 fay  knoweth  it,  (my  dear  brother)  fo  well  as  he  and  I  :  no  man 
 can  pat  it  down  in  black  and  white  as  my  Lord  haih  fealed  it  in 
 my  heart.  My  poor  ftock  is  grown  fince  I  came  to  Aberdeen  :  and 
 if  any  had  known  the  wrong  I  did,  in  being  jealous  of  fuch  an 
 honell  lover  as  Chriit,  who  with-held  not  his  love  from  rae,  they 
 would  think  the  more  of  it;  but  I  fee,  he  mnft  be  above  me  in 
 mercy:  I  will  never  drive  with  him:  to  think  to  recomnenfc 
 him  is  folly.  If  I  had  as  many  angels  tongues,  as  there  have  fal- 
 len drops  of  rain  fincc  the  creation,  or  as  thsre  are  leaves  of  trees 
 in  ail  the  forells  of  the  earth,  or  ftars  in  the  heaven,  to  praiie ; 
 yet  my  Lord  Jefus  would  ever  be  behind  with  me  :  we  will  ne- 
 ver get  our  accompts  fitted;  a  pardon  muft  clofe  the  reckoning; 
 for  his  comforts  to  me  in  this  honourable  caufe  have  almoft  put 
 me  beyond  the  bounds  of  modefty  ;  howbeit  1  will  not  let  every 
 one  know  what  is  betwixt  us,  Love,  love  (I  mean  Chrifl's  love) 
 is  the  hotteft  coal  that  ever  I  felt :  O  but  the  fmoke  of  it  be  hot! 
 Cait  all  the  fait  fea  on  it,  it  will  flame;  helj  cannot  quench  it: 
 many,  many  waters  will  not  quench  love.  Chrifk  is  turned  over 
 to  his  poor  prifoner  in  a  mafs  and  globe  of  love:  I  wonder  he 
 fbould  wafte  fo  much  love  upon  fuch  a  wafter  as  I  am  :  but  be 
 is  no  wafter,  but  abundant  in  mercy  :  he  hatb  no  niggard's  alms, 
 when  he  is  plcafed  to  give.  O  that  1  could  invite  all  the  nuion 
 to  love  hlo)!  Free  grace  is  an  unknown  thing:  this  world  harh 
 heard  but  a  bare  name  of  Chrifl,  and  no  more  :  there  are  infinite 
 plies  in  his  love,  that  the  faints  will  never  win  to  unfold;  I 
 would  it  were  better  known,  and  that  Chrift  got  more  of  bis 
 own  due  than  he  doth.  Brother,  yc  have  chofen  the  good  parr, 
 who  have  taken  part  with  Chrifl:.  ye  will  fee  him  win  the  field, 
 and  ye  Pnall  get  part  of  the  fpoil  when  he  dividcth  it.  They  arc 
 but  fools  who  laugh  at  us:  for  they  fee  but  the  backfide  of  thu 
 moon  ;  yet  our  moon-lighj:  is  better  than  their  twelve-hours  fun: 
 we  have  gotten  the  new  heavens,  and,  as  a  pledge  of  that,  the 
 
«76  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  117.3 
 
 Bridegroom's  love^-ring:  the  children  of  ihe  wedding-chamber 
 have  caule  to  fkip,  and  leap  for  joy ;  for  tho  marriag--iupper  is 
 drawing  nigh,  and  we  find  the  four-houis  Iwt'et  and  comtort- 
 abie.  O  time,  be  not  flow  !  O  lun,  move  fpeedily  and  haiten 
 our  banquet !  O  Bridegroom,  be  like  a  roe,  or  a  young  hart  up- 
 on the  mountains  !  O  Wcli-beloved,  run  faft,  that  we  may  once 
 meet!  Brother  1  contain  myfelt  tor  want  of  time.  Piay  for  me: 
 I  hope  to  remember  you.  The  gorc.-wiil  of  him  who  dwelt  in  t'lC 
 bufh,  the  tender  mercies  oi  Liod  in  Chrift,  enrich  you.  Grace 
 be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen    March  14,  Tours  in  his  pweit  Lord 
 
 i6^j.  Jcjus,       S.  R. 
 
 117.  T6  BETHAIA  AIRD. 
 U^orthy  Jijier, 
 /^RACli,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  know  yc  defirc  ncw» 
 ^^  from  my  prifon,  and  1  Ihall  iTiew  you  news.  At  my  firft  en- 
 try hither)  Chrift  and  1  agreed  not  well  upon  it:  the  devil  made 
 a  plea  in  the  houfe,  and  I  laid  the  blame  upon  Chiifti  for  my 
 heart  was  fraughted  with  challenges,  and  I  feared  th^t  1  was  an 
 outcaft,  and  that  I  was  but  a  withered  tree  in  the  vineyard,  and 
 but  held  the  fun  off  the  good  plants  with  my  idle  fliadow,  and 
 therefore  my  Mailer  had  given  the  evil  fervant  the  fields  to  fend' 
 him.  Old  guiltinefs  (as  witnefs)  faid,  all  is  true:  my  apprehen- 
 fions  were  with  child  of  faiihlefs  fears,  pnd  unbelief  put  a  feal  and 
 amen  to  all.  I  thought  myfelf  in  a  h^xi  cafe;  feme  laid,  I  had 
 caufe  to  rejoice,  that  Chrift  had  honoured  me  to  be  a  witnefs  for 
 him;  and  I  faid  in  my  heart,  Thefe  are  words  of  men,  who  fee  but 
 mine  outfide,  and  cannot  tell  if  I  be  a  falfe  witnefs  or  not.  If 
 Chrift  had  in  this  matter  been  as  wilful  and  fliort  as  I  was,  my 
 faith  had  gone  over  the  brae,  and  broken  its  neck;  but  we  were 
 well  met,  a  hafty  fool,  and  a  wife,  patient  and  meek  Saviour: 
 he  took  no  law-advantage  of  my  folly,  but  waited  on  till  my  ill 
 blood  was  fallen,  and  my  drumbled  and  troubled  well  began  to 
 clear:  he  was  never  a, whit  angry  at  the  fever-ravings  of  a  poor 
 tem^pted  finner:  but  he  mercifully  forgave,  and  came  :as  it  well 
 becometh  him)  with  grace  and  new  comfort,  to  a  finner  who  de- 
 ferved  the  contrary.  And  now  he  is  content  to  kifs  my  black 
 mouth,  to  put  his  hand  in  mine,  and  to  feed  me  with  as  many 
 confolations,  as  would  feed  ten  hungry  fouls  !  yet  1  dare  not  fay, 
 he  is  a  wafter  of  comforts,  for  no  lefs  would  have  born  me  up; 
 one  grain-weight  lefs  would  have  caften  the  ballance.  Now,  who^ 
 is  like  to  that  royal  King,  crowned  in  Zion !  Where  will  I  get, 
 a  feat  for  royal  Majcfty,  to  fct  him  on  ?  If  I  could  fet  him  as, 
 far  above  the  heaven  as  thoufand  ihoiifands  of  heights  dcvif^ 
 
Epift.  iiS.i  LETTERS.  T77 
 
 by  men  and  p.ngeis,  I  would  think  him  but  too  low.  I  pray  you, 
 lor  God's  Ijke,  my  dear  liiler,  help  mc  to  praife  :  his  love  hath 
 neither  brim  nor  bottom  ;  his  lo\  e  is  like  himfelf,  it  piificth  ail 
 natural  underflanding  :  I  go  to  iVahom  ic  wiih  my  arms,  but  it 
 i*  as  it  a  child  would  take  the  globe  of  fea  and  land  in  his  t^^'O 
 Ihort  arms:  blelied  and  holy  is  his  name!  This  muft  be  his  truth 
 1  now  fuiFer  for  ;  for  he  would  not  laugh  upon  a  lie,  nor  be  wit- 
 ncfs  with  his  comforts  to  a  night  dream.  I  intreat  for  your  pray- 
 ers ;  and  the  prayer  and  blcirmg  of  a  prilbner  ot  Chriit  be  upon 
 you.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Abjrdecny  March  1^'.  Tours  in  his  fiieet  Lord 
 
 1637.  /'A-^    ^-  ^' 
 
 118.     To  ALEXANDi:.a  GORDON  of  Knockgray. 
 
 Dear  brother, 
 T  HAVE  not  leifurc  to  write  to  you:  ChriiTs  ways  were  known 
 ■*•  to  you,  long  before  I  (who  am  but  a  child)  knew  any  thing 
 of  him.  What  wrong  and  violence  the  prelatifs  may,  by  God's 
 permiilion,  i\o  unto  you,  for  your  trial,  I  know  not ;  but  this 
 I  know,  that  your  ten  days  tribulation  will  end  :  contend  to  the 
 laft  breath  for  Chrift.  Banifhment  out  of  thefe  kingdoms  is  de- 
 termined agaiinl  me,  as  I  hear;  this  land  dow  not  bear  me  :  I 
 pray  you,  recommend  my  cafe  and  bonds  to  my  brethren  and 
 lifters,  with  you;  and  I  intrud  more  of  my  fpiritual  com- 
 fort to  you  and  them,  thv»t  way,  my  dear  brother,  than  to 
 many  in  this  kingdom  befides.  I  hope  yc  will  not  be  wanting  to 
 ChriiVs  prifoner.  Feiar  nothing,  tor  I  aflurc  you,  Alexander 
 Gordon  of  Knockgray  (hall  win  u;vHy,  and  get  his  foul  for  a  prey: 
 and  what  can  he  then  want  that  is  worth  the  having  ?  Your  friends 
 are  cold  (as  yz  write)  and  10  are  thefe,  in  whom  I  trufted  much  : 
 our  hufband  doth  well  in  breaking  our  idols  in  pieces  :  dry  wells 
 fend  us  to  the  fountain.  My  life  is  not  dear  to  me,  fo  being  I 
 may  fulfil  my  courfe  with  joy.  I  fear  you  mull  remove,  if  your 
 new  hireling  will  not  bear  your  difcountenancing  of  him  ;  for  the 
 prelate  is  afraid  Chrift  gee  you,  and  that  he  hath  no  will  of. 
 Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 J  herd.  1 63  7.  7''oun  in  hisfuret  Lord  and  Majierf     S.  R. 
 
 119.  r(?  JOHN  FLEMING,  Bai/ie  of  Leith. 
 ll^orthy  and  dearly  hehved  in  the  Lord, 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  received  your  letter  : 
 ^-^  I  wilh  I  could  f.uisfy  your  defires,  in  druwinij  up,  and 
 ("laming  for  you  a  Cluiflian  direclory  :  but  the  learned  have  done 
 it  before  me,  moic  judicloufly  than  I  can;  efpecially  Mr  Rodg- 
 trS;   Gieenhani,  and  Perkins:  notwithftanding,  I  fliall  fbew  ygu 
 
 Z 
 
179  Mr  RUTHEKFOORD's  Epifl.  ik)^: 
 
 v/hat  I  would  have  been  at  myfelf  (howbeit  I  came  always  (hort 
 of  my  purpoic).  i.  That  the  hours  of  the  day,  Icfs  or  more  time, 
 for  the  word  and  prayer,-  be  given  to  God,  not  fparing  the  twelfth 
 hour  or  mi<i-day,  howbeit  it  (hould  then  be  the  lliorter  time.  2. 
 In  the  midit  of  worldly  employments,  there  would  be  feme 
 thoughts  ot  fin,  judgment,  death  and  eternity,  with  a  word  or 
 two  of  ejaculatory  prayer  (at  leaft)  to  (jod.  3.  To  bewr.re  of  wan- 
 dering 01  heart  in  private  prayers.  4.  Not  to  gtudge.  howbeit  ye 
 eome  from  prayer  without  fenfe  of  joy  :  down-cafting,  fenfe  of 
 guiitinefs,  and  hunger  is  often  belt  for  us.  5.  That  the  LordV 
 day,  from  morning  to  night  be  fpent  always,  either  in-  private 
 or  publick  worihip.  6  That  words  be  obferved,  wandering 
 artd  idle  thoughts  be  avoided,  fudden  anger  and  deiire  of  re- 
 venge, even  of  fuch  as  perfecwte  the  tru^h,  be  guarded  againft  ^ 
 for  we  often  mix  our  zeal  with  our  wild  fire.  7.  That  known, 
 difeovered  and  revealed  fins,  that  are  againll  the  confcience,  be 
 ifiued,  as  moll  dangerous  preparatives  to  hardnefs  of  heart.  8. 
 That  in  dealing  with  men,  faith  and  truth  in  covenants  and  traf- 
 ficking be  regarded,  that  we  deal  with  all  men  in  Cncerity,  that 
 coiiicience  be  made  of  idle  and  lying  words  ;  and  that  our  carriage 
 be  fuch,  as  tl.-at  they  who  fee  it  may  fpeak  honourably  of  our 
 i'weet  Mafter  and  profeffion.  9  I  have  been  much  challenged, 
 I.  For  not  referring  ail  to  God.  as  the  lafi:  end;  that  I  do 
 cot  eat,  drink,  fiecp,  journey,  fpeak  and  think  for  God.  2. 
 That  1  have  not  benefited  by  good  company,  and  that  I  left  not 
 ibme  word  o\  conviction,  even  upon  natural  and  wicked  men,  as- 
 by  reproving  fwearing  in  th^^m,  or  becaufe  of  being  a  filent  wit- 
 hcis  to  their  loofe  carriage,  and  becaufe  I  intended  not  in  all  com- 
 panies to  do  ^ood.  3.  That  the  woes  and  calamities  of  the  kirk, 
 and  particular  profciTors,  have  not  moved  me.  4.  That  at  the  read- 
 iing  of  the  life  of  David,  Paul,  and  the  like,  when  "it  humbled  me, 
 i  (coming  fo  far  ILort  of  their  holinefs)  laboured  not  to  imitate 
 them,  afar  off  at  lealt,  according  tc  the  meafurc  of  God's  grace. 
 5.  riiat  unrepented  fins  of  youth  were  not  looked,  to,  and  la- 
 mented for.  6.  That  fudden  Airrings  of  pride,  luft,  revenge, 
 love  of  honours,  were  not  refilled  and  mourned  for.  7.  Tiiat 
 my  charity  was  cold.  8.  That  the  experiences  I  had,  of  God's 
 hearing  me  in  this  and  the  other  particular,  being  gathered,  yet 
 in  a  new  trouble  I  had  always  (once  at  leaft)  my  faith  to  feek,  as 
 if  I  were  to  begin  at  A,  B,  C.  again,  j^  That  I  have  not  more 
 boldly  contradicted  the  enemies,  fpeaking  againft  the  truth,  ei- 
 ther in  publick  church-meetings,  or  at  tables,  or  ordinary  confer- 
 ence, io.  That  in  great  troubles,  I  have  received  falle  reports 
 of  Chrift's  love,  and  mifoelieved  him  in  his  chaitening ;  where- 
 as the  event  hath  faid,  All  was  in  mercy,      ik  Nothing  more- 
 
Epifl.  1 20.]  LETTERS.  1 79 
 
 moveth  me,  and  weighteth  my  ibul,  than  that  I  could  never  for 
 my  heart,  in  my  proiperity,  io  wreiite  in  prayer  with  God,  nor 
 be  lb  dead  to  the  world,  lb  hungry  and  lick  of  love  tor  Chriit,  ib- 
 heavenly-minded,  as  when  ten  llone  weight  ol  a  heavy  Ciols  wat 
 upon  me.  12.  That  the  crols  extorted  vows  of  new  obedienee, 
 Avhich  eafe  hath  blown  away,  as  chaff  before  the  wind.  13. 
 That  practice  was  fo  lliort  and  narrow,  and  light  lo  long  and 
 broad.  14.  That  death  hath  nor  been  o.ten  mediratcd  upon. 
 1  5.  fhat  l;havc  not  been  caretnl  01  gaining  otiiers  to  Chrift.  -6. 
 That  my  grace-and  gifcs  bring  forth  iiule  or  no  thankfulnefs.  There 
 are  feme  things  alio,  whereby  I  have  been  helped  as,  .  I  have 
 benefited  by  riding  alone  a  long  journey,  in  giving  that  time  to 
 priver.  2.  By  abfiinencc,  and  giving  days  to  God.  3.  By 
 praying  for  others  ;  for,  by  making  an  errand  to  God  for  them, 
 I  have  gotten  fomething  for  my  fell.  4  I  n-ive  been  really  con* 
 firmed,  in  maiiy  particulars,  that  God  heareth  prayers ;  and  there- 
 fore 1  ufed  to  pray  for  any  thing,  of  how  little  impor- 
 tance foever.  5.  He  enabled  me  to  make  no  queftion,  that  this 
 mocked  way,  which  is  nicknamed,  is  the  only  way  to  heaven. 
 oir^Thefe,  and  niuny  more  occurrences  in  my  life,  vvould  be  looked 
 i:nto:  and,  i.  Thoughts  of  atheifm  v^ouId  be  watched  over, 
 ?s,  if  ther>e  be  a  God  in  heaven :  which  will  trouble  and  affault 
 the  bed,  at  fometimes.  2.  Growth  in  grace  would  be  cared  for, 
 above  all  things ;  and  falling  from  our  firft  love  mourned  for.  3. 
 Confcience  made  of  praying  for  the  enemies,  who  are  blinded. 
 Sir,  I  thank  you  moll  kindly  lor  the  care  cf  mybrothi  r,  and  me 
 alfo  •  I  hope  it  is  laid  up  for  you,  and  remembered  in  heaven,  f 
 ?.m  (till  idliamed  with  Chrift's  kindnefs  to  fuch  a  finner  as  1  am  : 
 he  hath  left  a  fire  in  my  heart,  that  hell  cannot  call  water  on,  to 
 <^uench  or  extinguiili  it.  Help  me  to  praiie,  and  pray  for  me  j 
 for  ye  have  a  prifoner's  bleiling  and  prayers.  Remea/ber  my  Icvc 
 10  yotir  wile.      Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 /ibtrd.  March  15.  1637.  Tours  in  Cbrijl  Jrfus^     S.  P», 
 
 120.     To  ROBERT  GORDON  of  Ku-.ckbrex. 
 
 Mv  vcrv  iL.ir  brcihcry 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peare  be  unto  you.  I  tb.ou^bL  to  r..ve 
 ^^  anfwered  your  two  letters  upon  this  occafibn,  thcui;h  I 
 cannot  fay  all  that  I  would.  Your  ti '.neons  v/ord  (not  to  delight 
 in  the  crofs,  but  in  him  who  fweeteneth  it)  came  to  n^e  in  due 
 time  :  I  find  the  ccnfolations  and  ofi-fallings,  that  follow  the 
 crofs  of  Chrifl,  fo  fweet,  that  1  almofl  forget  myfclf :  nw  dclire 
 and  purpofe  is.  uhcn  Chrill's  honey-combs  drop,  neither  to  rc- 
 fufe  to  receive  and  feed  upon  his  comforts,  nor  yet  to  make  joy 
 my  baftard-god)  or   mv  new-found  heaven.     But  what  ihall  I 
 
 Z  2 
 
i8o  Mr  RUTHFRFOORD's  EpKl   120.] 
 
 fay  ?  Chrift  very  often,  in  his  fweet  comforts,  cometh  unfent  for, 
 and  it  were  a  fin  to  clofe  the  door  upon  him  :  it  is  not  unlawful 
 to  love  and  delight  in  Chrift's  apples,  when  I  am  not  doatingly 
 wooing,  nor  eagerly  begginjr  kiiTcs  ;  but  when  they  come  clean 
 from  the  timber  (like  kindnefs  itfelf,  that  cometh  of  its  own  acr 
 cord)  then  I  cannot  but  iaugn  upon  him,  who  laugheth  upcn  me; 
 iijoy  and  comforts  cnme  fmgle  and  alone,  without  Chriit  himfelf, 
 I  think,  1  would  \cvi6.  them  back  again  the  g:^it  they  came,  and  not 
 make  them  welcome  •,  but  when  the  King's  train  cometh,  and  the 
 King  in  the  midll  of  the  company,  O  how  I  am  overjoyed  v/itK 
 Hoods  of  love  !  I  fe-.ir  not,  that  too  great  fpeats  of  love  waih  away 
 the  growing  corn,  and  Icofc  n^y  plants  at  the  roots  :  Chrill:  doth  no 
 ficaith  where  he  cometh  ;  bur  certainly,  I  would  wilh  fuch  fpiritual 
 wifdom,  as  to  love  the  Bridegroom  better  than  his  gilts,  his /rj- 
 J>tne  or  drink  money,  1  would  be  further  in  upon  Chrift,  than  at 
 his  joys  ;  they  hut  ffand  in  the  outer  fide  of  Chrill :  1  would  wifli 
 to  be  in,  as  a  f^^al  on  his  heart  -,  in,  where  his  love  and  mercy  lodg- 
 cth,  belide  his  heart.  My  W'ell-beicved  h:;th  raviflied  me  ;  but 
 it  is  done  with  confent  of  parties,  aiid  it  is  allowable  enough  ;  but, 
 my  dear  brother,  ere  I  part  with  this  fubjeit,  I  mult  tell  you  (that 
 ye  may  lift  up  my  King  in  praifes  with  me)  Chrift  hath  been  keep- 
 ing fomething  thcfe  fourteen  years  for  me,  that  I  have  now  gotten 
 in  my  heavy  days  that  I  am  in  for  his  name*s  fake  j  even  an  open- 
 ed coffer  of  perfumed  comforts,  and  frefh  joys,  coming  new,  and 
 •jreen,  and  powerful,  from  the  f^.irefl:,  faireft  face  of  Chrift,  my 
 Lord.  Lc*  the  four  law,  let  croffcs,  let  hell  be  cried  down  :  love 
 love  hath  fliamed  me  from  my  olcf  ways.  Whether  I  have  a  race 
 to  run,  or  fome  work  to  do,  I  fee  not  \  but  I  think  Chrift  feemeth 
 to  leave  heaven  (to  fay  lb)  and  his  court,  and  come  down  to  laugh, 
 •nd  play,  and  fport  with  a  daft  bairn.  I  am  not  thus  plain  with 
 m-rny  i  write  to  •  it  is  poffible  I  be  mifconftrucled,  and  deemed 
 to  icek  a  name:  but  my  Witnefs  above  knoweth,  I  feek  to 
 have  a  good  name  raifed  upon  Chrift.  I  obferve  it  to  be  our  fol- 
 ly, to  feek  little  from  Chrift  j  becaufe  our  four-hours  may  not  be 
 ourfupper:  nor  our  propine  lent  by  the  Cfidegioom  our  tocher- 
 _good  j  nor  our  earneltour  principal  furn.  But  I  trow,  icw  of  us 
 know,  how  much  may  be  had  of  Chrift  for  a  four-hours,  and  pro- 
 pine,  and  earneft.  We  are  like  the  young  heir,  who  knoweth 
 not  the  Avhole  bounds  of  his  own  lordlhip.  Certainly  it  is  more 
 than  my  part  to  fay,  0  fweet ejl  Lord  Jefus^  what,  hoivbeit  I  were 
 fUit  and  broken  in  fii-e  thoufand  fljrcads  or  bits  of  day^  fo  being  e- 
 very  fhread  bad  a  heart  to  love  thee^  and  evsiy  one  as  many  tongue^ 
 (IS  there  are  in  heaven^  to fing  praifes  to  thee  before  men  and  angels  for 
 evermore?  Therefore,  if  my  bufferings  cry  gocdncfs,  and  praife,  and 
 honour  upon  Chrift,  my  ftipend  is  well  paid.  Each  one  knoweth 
 |iot  what  a  life  Chrift's  love  is.     Scar  not  at  fuffcring  for  Chrift  \ 
 
Epift.  120.]  LETTERS.  iSi 
 
 for  Chrifl:  hath  a  chair,  and  a  cufliion,  and  Tweet  peace  for  a  fuf- 
 ferer :  Chrift's  trencher  from  the  firft  mefs  of  the  high-table,  is 
 for  a  finful  witnels.  O  then,  brother,  who  but  Chrill !  who  but 
 Chi  ill !  hold  your  tongue  of  lovers,  where  he  comelh  out !  O  all 
 fifih,  O  dull  and  aH^.cs,  O  angels,  O  gloiificd  fpirits,  O  all  the 
 fhields  of  the  world,  be  Hlent  before  him,  come  hither  and  behold 
 our  Bridegroom,  ftand  itiil  and  wonder  for  evermore  at  him  !  Why 
 ceafe  we  to  iove  and  wonder,  to  kifs  and  adore  him  ?  it  is  a  hard 
 matter,  th.it  days  ly  betwixt  me  and  him,  and  hold  us  afunder. 
 O  how  long,  how  long  !  O  how  many  miles  are  there  to  my 
 Bridegroom's  dwelling  houfe  !  it  is  a  pam  to  trill  Chrift's  love  any 
 longer.  But,  it  may  be,  a  drunken  m>an  loie  his  Icet.  ?.nd  mifsa 
 ftep.  Ye  write  to  me,  hall  binks  are  llippery  :  1  do  not  think  my 
 dawting  world  will  (till  laft,  and  that  feafts  will  be  my  ordinary 
 food-,  I  would  have  humility,  patience,  and  faith,  to  fet  down 
 both  mv  feet,  when  I  come  to  the  north  fide  of  the  cold  and  thorny 
 hill.  1:  is  ill  my  common,  to'be  fwier  to  go  an  errand  for  ChriO, 
 and  to  take  the  wind  upon  my  hcc  tor  him.  Lord,  let  me  never 
 be  a  falfe  witnefs.  to  deny  that  I  faw  Chrift  tnke  the  pe;.  In  his 
 hand,  and  fubfcribe  my  writs.  My  dear  brother,  ye  cm  )lain  to 
 me,  ye  cannot  hold  figlu  of  me:  but  were  I  a  footman,  1  fh.  'iJd  go 
 at  leiUi.e-,  but  foj)ietinicS  the  King  taketh  me  into  his  coacu  and 
 dr^iwcth  me  ;  antl  then  I  outrun  nufelf:  but  alas,  I  am  ftill  a  for- 
 lorn tranfgrefTor  !  O  how  thankful  !  I  will  not  put  you  oir  your 
 Icnfe  of  darknefs  ;  but  let  me  fay  this,  Who  gave  you  pro6tor-fee, 
 to  fpcik  for  the  law,  that  can  fpeak  for  irfclf,  better  than  ye  can 
 <io  ?  I  would  not  have  you  to  bring  your  dirtay  in  your  own  bo- 
 fom  with  you  to  Chrill:  let  the  old  man  and  the  nsw  man  be 
 fummoned  before  Chrift's  white  throne,  and  let  them  be  confront- 
 ed before  Chriit,  and  let  each  of  them  fpeak  for  therafclves:  I 
 hope,  hovvbeit  the  new  man  comphun  of  his  lying  among  the 
 pots,  which  makeih  the  believer  look  black ;  yet  he  can  Cr\y  alio, 
 *  I  am  coinely  as  the  tents  of  Kedar :'  ye  Ihall  not  have  my  advice, 
 not  to  bemoan  your  deadnefs:  but  i  find  by  fome  experience 
 (which  ye  knew  before  I  knew  Chrift)  it  fuireth  not  a  ranfomed 
 mnn  of  Chritt's  buying,  to  go  and  plea  for  the  four  law,  our  old 
 forecaftcn  hufband;  for  we  are  now  not  under  the  law  (as  a  co- 
 Tenant)  but  under  grace.  Ye  are  in  no  man's  common  liut  ChrilVs  : 
 1  know,  he  bcmoaneth  you  more  than  you  doyourfelf;  I  lay  this, 
 l^ecaufe  I  am  wearied  oi  coijiplaining.  1  thought  it  had  been  hu- 
 r-vlity,  to  imagine  that  Chrift  was  angiy  with  me,  both  becaufe 
 of  my  dumb  fabbaths,  and  my  hard  heart;  but  I  feel  now  nothin  r 
 but  aking  wounds:  my  grief,  whether  I  will  or  not,  fwelleth  u;  - 
 on  me  ;  but  let  us  die  in  grace's  hall-floor,  pleading  before  Chrift. 
 I  deny  nothing  that  the  Mediator  will  chsiieuge  me  cf-,  but  i  turn 
 
lS2  III  nUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  121.] 
 
 it  all  back  upon  himfelf :  let  him  look  his  own  old  counts,  if  he 
 be  angry,  for  he  will  get  no  more  of  me:  when  Chrift  friith,  *  I 
 want  repentance  :'  I  meet  him  with  this.  True,  Lord  ;  but  thou  art 
 made  reiving  and  Prince  to  give  me  repentance,'  AO.s  v.  :?i.  When 
 Chrift  bindeth  a  challenge  upon  us,  Y/e  mult  bind  a  promife  back 
 upon  him  :  be  low  and  lay  yourfclf  in  the  dull;  t>efore  God  (which 
 is  fuitable)  but  withal  let  Chrift  take  the  payment  in  his  own  hand, 
 and  pay  himfelf  off  the  firft  end  of  bis  own  mjerits ;  elfe  he  will 
 come  behind,  for  any  thing  we  can  do.  I  am  every  way  in  your 
 cafe,  as  hard  hearted  and  dead  as  any  man  ;  but  yet  I  fpeak  to 
 Chrift  through  my  fleep.  Let  us  then  proclaim  a  free  market  for 
 Chrift,  and  Iwear  ourleives  bare,  and  cry  on  him,  to  come  without 
 money  and  buy  us,  and  take  us  home  to  our  ranfom-payer's  fire- 
 luie,  and  let  us  be  Chrift's  free-boarders:  becaufe  we  do  not  pay 
 the  old,  we  need  not  refuj'c  to  take  on  Chrift's  ne\y  debt :  let  us 
 do  our  beft,  Chrift  will  fiiil  be  behind  with  us,  and  mai^y  terms 
 will  run  together.  For  my  p?.rt,  let  me  ftand  for  evermore  in  his 
 book,  for  a  forlorn  dyvour;  I  muft  defire  to  be  thus  far  in  his 
 common  of  new,  as  to  delire  to  kifs  his  feet:  I  know  not  how  to 
 win  to  a  heartfomfilll  and  feaftof  Chrifi'siovc;  for  }  c\qw  neither 
 buy,  nor  beg,  nor  borrow;  and  yet  I  cannot  want.it:  I  dow  not 
 want  it.  O  if  I  could  praife  him  !  Yea,  I  would  reft  content  with 
 a  heart  fubm'ffive  and  dying  of  love  for  him  ;  and  howheit  I  win 
 never  perfcnally  in  at  heaven's  gates,  O  would  to  Cod,  1  could 
 fend  in  my  praifes  to  my  incomparable  AVell-beloved,  or  caft  my 
 Jove  fongs  of  that  matchiefs  Lord  Jefus  over  the  walls,  that  they 
 migh*"  light  in  his  lap,  before  men  and  angels  I  Now,  grace,  grace 
 he  with  you.  Remember  my  love  to  your  wife  and  daughter,  and 
 brother  John. 
 
 Jberdceriy  June  1 1.  Yours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jcfiis^ 
 
 16,8.  S.  R. 
 
 I  2T.    To  ALEXANDER  GORDON  of  Earljloun. 
 '  Much  honoured  <ind  worthy  »S/>, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  I  long  to  hear  from 
 you:  I  received  few  letters  fince  I  came  hither:  lam  in 
 need  of  a  word  :  a  dry  plant  would  have  fome  watering.  My  cafe 
 betwixt  Chrift  my  Lord  and  me,  ftandeth  between  Jove  and  jea- 
 loufv,  faith  and  fufoicion  of  his  love;  it  is  a  marvel  he  keepeth 
 houfe  with  me.  I  make  many  pleas  with  Chrift,  but  he  makcth 
 as  many  agreements  with  me  :  I  think  his  unchangeable  love  hnth 
 Cud,  I  defy  thee  to  break  me  and  change  me ;  if  Chrift  had  fuch 
 changeable  and  new  thoughts  of  my  falvation,  as  1  have  of  it,  I 
 think  I  ihould  then  be  at  a  fad  lofs;  he  humoureth  nOt  a  fool  like 
 me  in  my  unbdicf,  but  rcbuketh  me,  and  fathcreth  kindncfs  up- 
 
fpld.  121.]  LETTERS.  1^3 
 
 on  me;  Chrift  is  rather  like  the  poor  friend  and  needy  prifcner 
 *  (begging  love)  than  i  am  :  I  cannot  for  fli am c  get  Chrift  faid 
 nay  of  my  whole  love;  for  he  will  not  want  his  errand  for  the 
 fecking.  God  be  thanked,  my  Bridegroom  tireth  not  of  wooing: 
 honour  to  him,  he  is  a  wilful  fuiter  of  my  foul ;  but  as  love  is 
 his,  pain  is  mine,  that  1  have  nothino;  to  give  him  ^  his  count- 
 book  is  tiiii  of  my  debts  of  mercy,  kindnefs  and  free  love  towards 
 me;  oh  that  I  mi^ht  read  with  wdttvf  eyes!  O  that  he  would 
 give  me  the  interefl  of  intereft  to  pay  back  again!  or  rather  my 
 loui's  defire  is,  that  he  would  comprii'e  my  perfon,  foul  and  body, 
 love,  joy,  confidence,  fear,  forrow,  and  defire,  and  drive  the 
 puynd,  and  let  me  be  rouped  and  fold  to  Chrift,  and  taken  home 
 to  my  Creditor's  houfe  and  his  iire-fide.  The  Lord  knoweth,  if  I 
 could,  I  would  feii  myfelf  \uithout  reverfiOn  to  Chrift.  O  iwtf^t 
 Lord  Jefus,  make  a  market,  and  overbid  all  my  buyers  !  I  dare 
 fwear,  there  is  a  myftery  in  Chrift  which  1  never  faw;  a  myftery 
 oi  love.  O  if  he  would  lay  by  the  lap  of  the  covering  that  is  over 
 it,  and  let  my  griening  foul  fee  it:  I  would  break  the  door,  and 
 be  in  upon  him,  to  get  a  wameful  of  love;  for  I  am  an  hungered 
 i;nd  famiihed  foul.  Oh,  Sir,  if  y(;u,  or  any  other  would  tell  him, 
 liow  fick  my  foul  is,  dying  for  want  of  a  hearty  draught  of  Chrift's 
 ve  !  Oh  if  1  could  doat  (if  I  may  make  ufe  of  that  word  in  this 
 cd'c)  as  much  upon  himfeif  as  I  do  upon  his  love!  It  is  a  pity 
 that  Chriit  himfeif  tliould  not  rather  be  my  heart's  choice,  than 
 Chrift's  muiiikfted  love.  It  would  lutisfy  m.e,  in  fome  meafure,  if 
 I  had  any  bud  to  give  for  his  love:  ihail  I  offer  him  my  praifes  ? 
 Alas,  he  is  more  than  praifes  !  I  give  it  over  to  get  him  exalted 
 according  to  his  worth,  which  is  above  what  can  be  known.  Yet 
 all  this  time  I  am  tempting  him,  to  fee  if  there  be  both  love 
 and  anger  in  him  againft  me.  I  am  plucked  from  his  flock  (dear 
 to  me)  and  from  feeding  his  lambs ;  I  go  therefore  in  fackcloth  as 
 one  who  hath  loft  the  wife  of  his  youth.  Grief  and  forrow  are 
 fufpicious,  and  fpue  out  againft  him  the  fmoke  of  jealoulies ;  and 
 1  fay  often,  Shew  me  wherefore  thou  contendeft  with  me;  tell 
 mc.  Lord,  read  the  procefs  againft  me.  But  1  know,  I  cannot 
 anfwer  his  allegeancc;  1  will  lole  the  caufe,  when  it  cometh  to 
 open  pleading.  Oh  if  I  could  force  rny  heart  to  believe  dreams 
 to  be  dreams  !  Yet  when  Chrift  giveih  my  fears  the  lie,  and  faith 
 to  me.  Thou  art  a  liar,  then  1  am  glad.  I  refolve  to  hope  to  be 
 quiet,  and  to  ly  on  the  brink  upon  my  fide,  till  the  water  fall,  and 
 the  ford  be  rideable :  and  howbcit  there  be  pain  upon  me  in  longing 
 for  deliverance,  that  I  may  fpeak  of  him  in  the  great  congregation  ; 
 yet  I  think  there  is  joy  in  that  pain  and  on-vv;iiting  :  and  even  re- 
 joice, that  he  putteth  me  off"  for  a  time,  and  lhn:eth  me.  O  if 
 1  could  wait  on  for  all  eternity,  howbeit  1  ftiould  never  get  my 
 IduI's  defire,  fo  being  he  v/ei^  glorified  I  I  would  with,  my  paia 
 
iS4  Mr  RUTHERFOORDU  Epift.  122.} 
 
 and  my  miniftry  could  live  long  to  ferve  him ;  for,  I  know,  I  am 
 a  clay  veflel,  and  made  icr  his  ufe.  O  if  my  very  broken  ihrards 
 could  ferve  to  glorify  him  !  I  defire  Ch rift's  grace  to  be  willingly 
 content,  that  my  hell  (excepting  his  hatred  and  difpleafure,  which 
 I  put  out  of  all  play;  for  fubmiilion  to  this  is  not  called  for)  were 
 a  preaching  of  his  (■[iory  to  men  and  angeis,  for  ever  and  ever  ! 
 When  all  is  done,  what  can  I  add  to  him  ?  or  what  can  fuch  a  clay 
 fliadcw  as  I  do?  i  know  he  needsth  not  me.  I  have  caufe  to  be 
 grieved,  and  to  melt  away  in  tears  (if  I  had  grace  to  do  it,  Lord 
 orant  it  to  mc!)  to  fee  my 'well-beloved's  fair  face  fpitted  upon  by 
 dogs,  to  fee  lowns  pulling  the  crown  off  ray  royal  King's  head, 
 to  fee  my  harlot  mother  and  my  fweet  Father  agree  fo  iil,  that  they 
 are  going  to  Ikail  and  give  up  houfe  :  my  Lord's  palace  is  now 
 anelt  of  unclean  birds.  Oh  if  harlot,  harlot  Scotland,  would  rue 
 upon  her  provoked  Lord;  and  pity  her  good  Hufband,  who  is 
 broken  with  her  whorifh  heart!  but  tbefe  ihings  are  hid  from  her 
 eyes.  I  have  heard  of  late  of  your  new  trial  by  the  bilhop  of  Gal- 
 loway. Fear  not  clav,  worms  meat;  let  truth  and  Chriil  get  no 
 wrong  in  your  hand:  it  is  your  gain  if  Chrilf  be  gloriiied  ;  and 
 your  glory  to  be  Chrift's  witnefs.  I  perfuade  you,  your  luiTerings 
 are  Ch rift's  advarjtage  an<l  victory;  for  he  is  pleafed  to  reckon 
 them  fo.  Let  me  hear  from  you ;  Chrilt  is  but  winning  a  clean 
 kirk  out  of  the  fire;  he  will  win  this  play  :  he  will  not  be  in  your 
 common  for  any  charges  ye  are  at  in  his  fervice;  he  is  not  poor 
 to  fit  in  your  debt;  he  will  repay  an  hundred  fold  more,  it  may 
 be,  even  in  this  life.  The  prayers  and  biclfing  of  Chrilt'^  prifoucf 
 be  with  you. 
 
 Jberd*  1637.  Tour  brother  in  his  fweet  Lord 
 
 Jtjus^       S.  R. 
 
 122.  To  his  reverend  and  loving  brother,  Mr  JOHN  NEVAY. 
 
 "kevercnd  and  dear  brother^ 
 /^^RACE,  mercy  i!nd  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  yours  of  April 
 ^^.  II.  as  I  did  another  of  March  25.  and  a  letter  for  ]\lr. 
 Andrew  Cant.  I  am  not  a  little  grieved,  that  our  mother- church 
 is  running  {o  quickly  to  the  brorhel-houfe,  and  that  we  are  hiring 
 lovers,  and  giving  gifts  to  the  great  mother  of  fornications:  alas, 
 that  our  Hufband  is  like  to  quit  us  fo  Ihortly !  It  were  my  part 
 (if  1  were  able)  when  our  hulband  is  departing,  to  ftir  up  myfelt 
 to  take  hold  of  him,  and  keep  him  in  this  land;  for  I  know  him 
 to  be  a  fweet  fecond,  and  a  lovely  companion  to  a  poor  prifoner. 
 I  find  my  extremity  hath  (liarpsned  the  edge  of  his  love  and  kind- 
 r.efs,  fo  as  he  feemetii  to  devife  new  ways  of  exprelfing  the  fweet- 
 nefs  of  his  love  to  my  foul.  Sufl'ering  for  Chnlt  is  the  very  cle- 
 mcnt  wherein  Chrift'*  love  liveth,  and  exercifeth  itfelf,  in  calliug 
 
Epifl.  122.]  LETTERS.  185 
 
 out  flames  of  fire  and  fparks  of  heDt^  to  warm  fuch  a  frozen  heart 
 ay  i  have:  and  it  ChriiL  weeping  in  fackcloth  be  ib  fvveet,  i  can- 
 not find  any  imaginable  thoughts  to  think  what  he  will  be,  when 
 we  clay  bodies  (having  put  oil  mortality)  iball  come  up  to  the 
 marriage;  hall  and  great  palace,  and-  behold  the  King  clothed  ia 
 his  robes  royal,  fitting  on  his  throne.  I  would  delirc  no  more  for 
 my  heaven,  beneath  the  moon,  while  I  am  fighing  in  this  houie 
 of  clay,  but  daily  renewed  feafts  of  love  wich  Chriil:,  and  liberty 
 now  and  then  to  feed  my  hunger  with  a  kifs  of  that  tairelt  face, 
 thai  is  like  the  fun  in  his  ftrength  at  noon-day.  I  would  willing- 
 ly fubfcribe  an  ample  refignation  to  Chriit  of  the  fourteen  prela- 
 cies of  this  land,  and  of  ail  the  moft  delightful  pleafures  on  earth, 
 and  forfeit  my  part  of  this  tlay-god,  this  earth,  which  Adam'a 
 foolifh  children  worlbip,  to  have  no  other  exercife,  but  to  iy  in  a 
 love-bed  with  Chrift.  and  fill  this  hungered  and  famidied  foul  with 
 kifling,  embracing,  and  real  enjoying  of  the  Son  of  God  :  and  I 
 think,  then  I  might  write  to  my  fiiends,  That  I  had  found  the 
 golden  world,  and  look  out,  and  laugh  at  the  poor  bodies,  who  are 
 flaying  one  another  for  feathers  :  for  verily,  brother,  fince  I  came 
 to  this  prifon,  I  have  conceived  a  nev/  and  extraordinary  opinion  of 
 Chrift,  which  I  had  not  before  ;  for  I  perceive,  we  frift  all  our 
 joys  of  Chriil.  till  he  and  we  be  in  our  own  houfe  above,  as  married 
 parties  5  thinking  that  there  is  nothing  of  it  here  to  be  fought  or 
 found,  but  only  hope  and  fair  promifes;  and  that  Chrilt  will 
 give  us  nothing  here  but  tears,  fadnefs,  croli'es;  and  that  we  Iball 
 never  feel  the  fmell  of  the  flowers  of  that  high  garden  of  paradife 
 above,  till  we  come  there.  Nay,  but  I  find  it  is  poflible  to  find 
 young  glory,  and  a  young  green  paradife  of  joy,  even  here.  I  know, 
 Chrilt  s  kifles  will  caita  morelfrongand  refredifulfmcilof  incompa- 
 rable glory  and  joy  in  heaven,  than  they  do  here;  becauti?  a  drink 
 of  the  well  of  life,  up  at  the  welTs  head,  is  more  fwcet  and  frefli  by 
 far,  than  that  which  we  get  in  our  borrowed,  old,  running-our 
 veflels,  and  our  wooden  diihes  here  :  yet  I  am  now  perfuaded,  ic 
 is  our  folly  to  frift  all  till  the  term-day,  feeing  abundance  of  ear- 
 neft  will  not  diminiili  any  thing  of  our  principal  fum.  We  dream 
 of  hunger  in  Chrift's  houfe,  while  we  are  here,  although  he  al- 
 loweth  feafts  upon  all  the  bairns  within  God's  houlhold  :  it  were 
 good  then  to  ftore  ourfelves  v/ith  more  borrowed  kilTes  of  Chrift, 
 and  with  more  borrowed  vifits,  till  we  enter  heirs  to  our  new  in- 
 heritance, and  our  tutor  puts  us  in  ponclfion  of  our  own,  when 
 we  are  part  minority.  Oh  that  all  the  young  heirs  would  fcelc 
 more,  and  a  greater  and  a  nearer  communion  with  my  Lord  Tu- 
 tor, the  prime  Heir  of  all,  Chrift!  I  wiih,  for  my  part,  I  could 
 fend  you,  and  that  gentleman  who  wrote  his  commendations  to 
 me,  into  the  King's  innermoft  cellar  and  houfe  of  wine,  to  be  filled 
 with  love  j  A  diiiik  of  this  love  is  worth  ih;  havini^  iadc«d  ;  wc 
 
i86  ,^lx  RUTHERFOORjys  Epift.  122.] 
 
 cnrry  ourfelves  but  too  nicely  witli  Chrift  our  Lord  ;  and  our 
 Lord  loveth  not  nicenefs  and  dryntTs.  and  uncouthneis  in  friends. 
 iSince  need  force  we  muft  be  in  Ch rift's  common,  then  let  us  be  m 
 his  common  ;  for  it  v/iil  be  no  otherwifc.  Novv-,  for  my  prefent 
 cafe  in  my  imprifonment,  deliverance  (for  ::ny  appearance  1  fee) 
 iooketh  cold-like  :  my  hope,  if  it  be  locked  to,  or  leaned  upon 
 men,  fiiould  Mother  foon  at  the  root,  like  a  May-Hower  ;  yet  i  re- 
 folve  to  eafe  myfelf  with  on-waiting  on  my  Lord,  and  to  let  my 
 faith  fwim  where  it  lofcth  ground.  1  am  laider  a  necelTity  either 
 of  faintmg  (which  I  hope  my  Mailer,  of  whom  I  boa  ftaii  the  day, 
 fliall  avert)  or  then  to  lay  my  faith  uponOmnipotency,  and  to  wink 
 and  llick  by  my  grip;  and  J  hope  my  fnip  i'hall  ride  it  out,  feeing 
 Chriil  is  willing  to  blow  his  fweet  wind  in  my  fails,  and  mendeth 
 and  clofeth  the  leaks  in  m.y  fhip,  and  ruleth  all:  it  will  be  ftiange, 
 if  a  believing  paiienger  be  caften  over-board.  As  for  your  m.after, 
 my  Lord  and  my  Lady,  I  will  be  loth  to  forget  them  :  1  think  my 
 prayers  (fuch  as  they  are)  are  due  debt  to  him,  and  I  (hall  be  far 
 more  engaged  to  his  Lcrdfhip,  if  he  be  fa  ft  for  Chriil  (as  I  hope 
 he  will)  now  when  io  many  of  his  coat  and  quality  (lip  from  Chrill's 
 back,  and  leave  him  to  fend  for  himfelf.  1  entreat  you,  remem- 
 ber my  love  to  that  worthy  gentleman  A.  C.  who  faluted  me  in 
 your  letter :  I  have  heard,  that  he  is  one  of  my  Mafler's  friends, 
 ior  the  which  caufe  I  am  tied  to  him:  I  wiPn  he  may  more  and 
 more  fall  in  love  with  Chriil.  Now,  for  your  queition,  as  far  as 
 I  rawly  conceive,  I  think  God  is  praifed  two  ways  ;  iji,  By  a  con- 
 fcional  profeffion  of  his  highnefs  before-  men,  fuch  as  is  the  very 
 hearing  of  the  word,  and  receiving  of  either  of  the  facraments  j 
 in  which  a£ls,  by  profcfiion,  we  give  out  to  men,  that  he  is  our  God, 
 with  whom  we  are  in  covenant,  and  our  law-giver  :  thus  eating 
 and  drinking  in  the  Lord's  fupper,  is  an  annunciation  and  profef- 
 fion before  men,  that  Chrift  is  our  flain  Redeemer  :  here,  becaufe, 
 God  fpeaketh  to  us,  not  we  to  him,  it  is  not  a  formal  thankfgiving, 
 but  an  annunciation,  or  predication  of  Chrift's  death,  confcional, 
 not  adorative,  neither  hath  it  God  for  the  immediate  object,  and 
 therefore  no  kneeling  can  be  here.  2dly,  There  is  another  praif- 
 ing  of  God,  formal,  when  we  are  either  formally  bleffing  God,  and 
 fpeaking  his  praifes.  And  this  I  take  to  be  twofold,  i.  When  we 
 directly  and  formally  direct  praifes  and  thankfgiving  to  God  :  this 
 may  well  be  done  kneeling,  in  token  of  our  recognizance  of  his 
 highnefs;  yet  not  fo,  but  it  may  be  (landing  or  fitting,  efpecially 
 feeing  joyful  elevation  (which  ihould  be  in  praifmg)  is  not  formal- 
 ly fignified  by  kneeling.  2,  When  we  fpeak  good  of  God,  and 
 declare  his  glorious  nature  and  attributes,  extolling  him  before 
 men,  to  excite  men  to  conceive  highly  of  him.  The  former  I  hold 
 to  be  worfhip  every  way  imimediatc,  elfe  I  know  not  any  immedi- 
 ate worfhip  at  all :  the  latter  hath  God  for  the  fubjed,  not  properly 
 
Eplft.  123.]  LETTERS.  T87 
 
 the  objecft,  feeing  the  predication  is  c]ire<'l:ed  to  men  immediately, 
 rnther  than  to  God,  ior  here  we  fperlk  of  God  by  way  of  praifing, 
 rather  than  to  God.  And  for  my  own  part,  as  I  am  for  the  prefent 
 minded,  I  fee  not  howthio  can  be  done  kneeling,  feeing  it  xspradi- 
 catio  Dei  et  Chrijii^  non  iaudatio  aiit  benediciio  Dei :  but  obferve,  that 
 it  is  formal  praifmg  of  God,  anc^not  merely  confcional,  as  I  difliin- 
 gaithcd  in  tlienrfl  member;  for,  in  the  firft  member,  any  fpeaking 
 of  God,  or  of  his  works  of  creation,  providence  and  redemption,  is 
 indirect  and  confcicnalpraifing  of  him,  and  formally  preaching,  or 
 an  act  of  teaching,  not  an  act  of  predication  of  his  praifes ;  for 
 there  is  a  difference  betwixt  the  (imple  relation  of  the  virtues  of  a 
 thing  which  is  f.^rmally  teichinq^,  and  the  extolling  of  the  worth 
 of  a  thing  by  way  of  coaim.endation,  to  caufe  others  to  praife  with 
 us.  Thus  recommending  you  to  God's  fwect  grace,  1  reft 
 Aherd.  Jime  15,  1637.       Tours  in  hisfiveet  Lord  J  ejus,  S.  R. 
 
 123.  To  Mr,  J.  R. 
 Dear  brother, 
 {^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you.  Upon  the  report  T  hear 
 ^-^  of  ycHi  (without  any  further  acquaintance,  except  our  ftrait- 
 eft  bonds  in  our  Lord  Jefus)  I  thought  good  to  write  unto  yon, 
 hearing  of  your  danger  to  be  thruft  out  of  the  Lord's  houfe,  for 
 his  namic's  fake  :  therefore  my  earnelt  and  humble  defire  to  God 
 is,  that  ye  may  be  (trengthened  in  the  grace  of  God,  and  by  the 
 power  of  his  might,  to  go  on  forChiiil,  not  ftanding  in  av/c  of  a 
 worm  that  fliall  die.  I  hope  ye  will  not  put  your  hand  to  the  ark, 
 to  give  it  a  wrong  touch,  and  to  overturn  it,  as  many  now  df, 
 when  the  archers  are  fiyjo ting  fore  at  Jofeph,  whofe  boiu  JJjall  abide 
 in  its Jircngih.  \/e  owe  to  our  royal  King  and  princely  iMafter  a 
 teltim.ony.  O  how  bleiTed  are  they,  v.ho  can  ward  a  blow  oif 
 Chrilt,  and  his  born  down  truth  !  men  think  Chrill  a  gone  man 
 now,  and  that  he  (hall  never  get  up  his  head  again  :  and  they  be- 
 lieve his  court  is  failed,  becaufe  he  fuffereth  men  to  bre^tk  their 
 fpcars  and  fwords  upon  him,  and  the  enemies  to  plow  Zion,  and 
 niake  long  and  deep  their  furrcvrson  her  back  ;  but  it  would  not  be 
 fo,  if  the  Lord  had  not  a  fowin^  for  his  plowin^r;  what  can  he  do, 
 but  melt  an  old  droilie  kirk,  that  he  may  urin^;  out  a  new  bride 
 out  of  the  fire  again  !  I  think  Chrifl  is  jufl  now  repairing  his 
 houfe,  and  exchanging  his  old  velTcIs  with  new  veiTels,  and  is  go- 
 ing through  this  land,  aiul  taking  up  an  inventory  and  a  roll  of  fo 
 many  of  Levi's  fons,  und  gootl  profeifors,  that  he  may  make  them 
 new  work  for  the  fecond  tempic  ;  and  whatfoever  ihall  be  found, 
 not  to  be  for  the  work,  ihall  be  caften  over  the  wall  :  when  the 
 houfe  lliall  be  builded,  he  fi'.all  layby  his  hammers,  as  having  no 
 more  to  do  with  them.     It  is  pollible,  he  do  worfc  to  them  than 
 
 A  a  2 
 
f88  ^1r  RUTHERFOOnD's  Epifl.  124I 
 
 lay  them  by;  and  I  think,  the  vengeance  of  the  Lord,  and  the  ven-- 
 geance  of  hU  temple  fin II  be  upon  them.  I  dcfire  no  more,  but  to 
 keep  weight  when  I  am  paft  the  fire  :  and  I  can  now,  in  feme  weak 
 meafure,  give  Chriftateitimonial  of  a  lovely  and  loving  companion, 
 under  fuffering  for  him.  I  faw  him  before  but  afar  off,  his  beau- 
 ty to  my  eye-fight  groweth  :  a  fig,  a  llraw  for  ten  worlds  plaifter- 
 cd  glory,  and  for  childifh  fhadows,  the  idol  of  clay  ^this  god.  the 
 world)  that  fools  fight  for.  If  I  had  a  ieafe  of  Chrill  of  my  own 
 dating  (for  whoever  once  cometh  nigh  hand,  and  t^iketh  a  hearty 
 look  oi  Chrift's  innerfide,  iliall  never  wring  nor  wreftle  themfelves 
 out  of  his  love-grips  again)  I  would  rcftcontentedin  my  prifon  ;  yea, 
 in  a  prifon  without  lightof  fun  or  candle,  providing  Chi  ift  and  I  had 
 a  love-bed,  not  of  mine,  but  of  Chrift  his  own  niakiiig;  that  \V-e 
 might  ly  together  among  the  lilies ^  till  the  day  hreak  and  the  fJja- 
 doius  fly  away.  Who  knoweth  how  fwcet  a  drink  of  Chrift's  love 
 is  ?  O  but  to  live  on  Chrift's  love  is  a  king's  life  !  The  word  things 
 of  Chriil,  even  that  which  feemeth  to  be  the  refufe  of  Chrilt,  his 
 hard  crofs,  his  black  crofs,  is  white  and  fair,  and  the  crofs  receiv- 
 cth  a  beautiful  luflre,  and  a  perfumed  fmell  from  Jefus.  JVIy  dear 
 brother,  fear  not  at  it.  While  ye  have  time  to  (land  upon  the 
 ■watch-tower,  and  to  fpeak,  contend  with  this  land,  plead  with  your 
 harlot-mother,  who  hath  been  a  treacherous  half-marrow  to  her  huf- 
 band  Jefus  :  for  I  would  think  liberty,  to  preach  one  day,  the  root 
 and  top  of  mydefires;  and  would  feek  no  more  of  the  bleflings 
 that  are  to  be  had  on  this  fide  of  time,  till  I  be  over  the  water,  but 
 to  fpend  this  my  crazed  clay  houfe  in  his  fervice  and  fiwing  of 
 fouls  :  but  I  hold  my  peace,  becaufe  he  hath  done  it.  My  fhal- 
 low  and  ebb  thoughts  are  not  the  compafs  Chrifl:  faileth  by  ;  I 
 leave  his  ways  to  himfelf,  for  they  are  far,  far  above  mc  :  only  I 
 would  contend  with  Chrift  for  his  love,  and  be  bold  to  make  a 
 plea  with  Jefus  my  Lord,  for  a  heart-fill  of  his  love  -,  for  there  is 
 no  more  left  to  me.  What  ftandeth  beyond  the  far  end  of  my 
 fufferings,  and  what  flral'  be  the  event,  he  knoweth  :  and  I  hope, 
 to  my  joy,  ihall  make  me  know,  when  God  ihall  unfold  his  decrees 
 concerning  me;  for  there  are  windings,  and  to's  and  fro's  in  his 
 ways,  which  blind  bodies  like  us  c^imot  fee.  Thus  much  for  fur^ 
 ther  acquaintance:  fo,  recommending  you,  and  what  is  before 
 you,  to  the  grace  of  God,  1  red 
 
 Jberd.  June  16.  Tour  very  loving  brother  in  hi^fweet 
 
 16^7.  Lord  Jefus y     S.  R. 
 
 124.     To  Mr  WILLIAM  DALGLEISH. 
 
 Reverend  aiid  well-beloved  brother ^ 
 /^^R  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  unto  you  :  I  have  heard  fomewhat 
 VT  of  your  tiials  in  Galloway ;  1  blefs  the  Lord  who  hath  bij^^ 
 
Epill.  1 24.]  L'  E  T  T  E  R  S.  1 89 
 
 gun  firft  in  that  corner,  to  make  you  a  new  kirk  to  hlmfelf :  Chrift 
 hath  the  lefs  ado  behind,  when  he  hath  refined  you.  Let  me  en- 
 treat you,  my  dearly  beloved,  to  be  faft  to  Chrift  :  my  witnefs  is 
 above,  my  deareft  brother,  that  ye  have  added  much  joy  to  me  in 
 my  bonds,  when  I  hear  that  you  grow  in  the  grace  and  zeal  of 
 God  for  your  Mafter.  Our  miniflry,  whether  by  preaching  or 
 fuffering,  will  caft  a  fmell  through  the  world  both  of  heaven  and 
 hell,  2.  Cor.  ii.  15,  16.  I  perfuade  you,  my  dear  brother,  there 
 is  nothing  out  of  heaven,  next  to  Chrift,  dearer  to  me,  than  my 
 miniftry  ;  and  the  worth  of  it,  in  my  eftimation,  is  fwelled,  and 
 paineth  me  exceedingly  :  yet  I  am  content,  for  the  honour  of  my 
 Lord,  to  furrender  it  back  again  to  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  ;  let 
 hira  do  with  it,  and  me  both,  what  he  thinketh  good  :  I  think 
 myfelf  too  little  for  him.  And  let  me  fpeak  to  you,  how  kind  a 
 fellow-prifoner  is  Chrift  to  me  !  Believe  me,  this  kind  of  crofs 
 (that  would  not  go  by  my  door,  but  would  needs  vifit  rae)  is  ftill 
 the  longer  the  more  welcome  to  me.  It  is  true,  my  filent  fabbaths 
 have  been  and  are  glafly  ice,  whereon  my  faith  can  fcarce  hold 
 its  feet,  and  I  am  often  blown  on  my  back,  and  off  my  feet,  with 
 a  ftorm  of  doubting ;  yet  truly,  my  bonds  all  rhis  time  caft  a  migh- 
 ty and  rank  fmell  of  high  and  deep  love  in  Chrift :  I  cannot  in- 
 deed fee  through  my  crofs  to  the  far  end;  yet  I  believe  I  am  in 
 Chrift's  books,  and  in  his  decree  (not  yet  unfolded  to  me)  a  man 
 triumphing,  dancing  and  fmging  on  the  other  fide  of  the  Red  fea, 
 and  laughing  and  praifmg  the  Lamb,  over  beyond  time,  forrow, 
 deprivation,  prelates'  indignation,  loffes,  want  of  friends,  and 
 death  :  heaven  is  not  a  fowl  flying  in  the  air  (as  men  ufe  to  fpeak 
 of  things  that  are  uncertain  ;)  nay,  it  is  well  paid  for,  Chrift's  com- 
 prifement  litth  on  glory,  for  all  the  mourners  in  Zion,  and  fhall 
 never  be  loofed  :  let  us  be  glad  and  rejoice,  that  we  have  blood, 
 lofTes  and  wounds  to  fhew  our  Mafter  and  Captain,  at  his  appear- 
 ance, and  what  we  fuffered  for  his  caufe.  Wo  is  me,  my  dear 
 brother,  that  I  fay  often,  I  am  but  dry  bones,  which  my  Lord  will 
 not  bring  out  of  the  grave  again;  and  that  my  faithlefs  fears  can 
 fay,  *  Oh  1  am  a  dry  tree,  that  can  bear  no  fruit ;  I  am  an  ufelefs 
 body  who  can  beget  no  children  to  the  Lord  in  his  houfe  !'  Hopes 
 of  deliverance  look  cold  and  uncertain,  and  afar  off,  as  if  I  had 
 done  with  it :  it  is  much  for  Chrift  (if  I  may  fay  fo)  to  get  law- 
 borrows  of  my  forrow,  and  of  my  quarrellous  heart :  Chrift's  love 
 playeth  me  fair  play,  I  am  not  wronged  at  ail ;  but  t'liere  is  a  trick- 
 ing and  falfe  heart  within  me,  that  ftill  playeth  Chrift  foul  play. 
 1  am  a  cumberfome  neighbour  to  Chrift:  it  is  a  wonder,  that  he 
 dwclleth  bffide  the  like  of  me:  yet  I  often  get  the  advant.^ge  of 
 the  hiJl  above  my  temptations;  and  then  1.  defpife  temptation, 
 even  hell  itfelf,  and  theftinkof  it,  and  the  inftrun^c-iits  ol  ic,  and 
 ?m  proud  of  my  honourable  Mafter:  and  I  rcfolve^  whether  con::  .i/y 
 
1 
 
 ipo  Mx  RUTHERFOORDh  Epift.  124.] 
 
 winds  will  or  not,  to  fetch  Chrlft's  harbour;  and  I  think  a  wilful 
 and  ftifF  contention  with  my  Lord  Jefus  for  his  love  very  lawful. 
 It  is  fometimes  hard  to  me,  to  win  my  meat  upon  Chriit's  love, 
 becaufe  my  faith  is  fick,  and  my  hope  withereth,  and  my  eyes 
 wax  dim;  and  unkind  and  comfort-eclipring  clouds  go  over  the 
 fair  and  bright  Sun,  Jefus:  and  then,  when  1  and  tem.ptation  tryft 
 the  matter  together,  we  fpill  all,  through  unbelief.  Sweet,  fweet 
 for  evermore  would  my  life  be,  if  I  could  keep  faith  in  exercife  ! 
 but  I  fee,  my  fire  cannot  always  caft  light;  I  have  even  a  poor 
 man's  hard  world,  when  he  gceth  away ;  but  furely,  fmce  my  en- 
 try hither,  mvmy  a  time  hath  my  fair  fun  ihined  without  a  cloud: 
 hot  and  burning  hath  Chrift's  love  been  to  me  -,  I  have  no  vent  to 
 the  expreflion  of  it,  I  mail  be  content  with  ftolen  and  f mothered 
 defires  of  Chrift's  glory:  O  how  far  is  his  love  behind  the  iiand 
 with  me  !  I  am  juit  like  a  man,  who  hath  nothing  to  pay  his  thou- 
 fands  of  debt;  all  that  can  be  gotten  of  him,  is  to  fcize  upon  his 
 perfon  :  except  Chrift  would  feize  upon  myfelf,  and  make  the  rea- 
 dieft  payment  that  can  be  of  my  heart  and  love  to  himfelf,  I  have 
 no  other  thing  to  give  him  :  if  my  futierings  could  do  beholders 
 good,  and  edify  his  kirk,  and  proclaim  the  incomparable  worth 
 of  Chrift's  love  to  the  world,  O  then  would  my  foul  be  overjoyed, 
 and  my  fad  heart  cheated  and  calmed  I  Dear  brother,  I  cannot  tell 
 what  is  become  of  my  labours  among  that  people;  if  ail  that  my 
 Lord  builded  by  me  be  caften  down,  and  the  bottom  be  fallen  out 
 of  the  profcflion  of  the  parifh,  and  none  ftand  by  Chrift,  whefe 
 love  I  once  preached  as  clearly  and  plainly  as  I  could  (though  far 
 below  its  worth  and  excellency)  to  that  people  ;  if  fo,  how  can  I 
 bear  it !  and  if  another  make  a  foul  harveft,  where  I  hnve  made  a 
 a  painful  and  honeft  fowing,  it  will  not  foon  digeft  with  me  :  but 
 1  know  his  ways  pafs  finding  out.  Yet  my  witnefs  both  within  me 
 and  above  me  knoweth,  and  my  piined  breall  upon  the  Lord's 
 day  at  night,  my  defu'c  to  have  had  Chrift  awful  and  amiable,  and 
 fweet  to  that  people,  is  now  my  joy  ;  and  it  was  my  defire  and  aim, 
 to  miake  Chrift  and  them  one ;  if  I  fee  my  hopes  die  in  the  bud, 
 ere  they  bloom  a  little,  and  come  to  no  fruit,  I  die  with  grief. 
 O  mv  God,  feek  not  an  account  of  the  violence  done  to  me  by 
 my  brethren,  whofe  falvation  I  love  and  defire:  1  pray,  that  they 
 -  and  I  be  not  heard  as  contrary  parties,  in  the  day  of  our  compear- 
 'ance  before  our  Judge,  in  that  procefs,  led  by  them  againft  my 
 miniftry,  which  I  received  from  Chriic ;  I  know,  a  little  inch,  and 
 lefs  than  the  third  part  of  this  fpan-length  and  hand-breadth  of 
 time,  which  is  pofting  away,  will  put  me  without  the  flroke,  and 
 sibove  the  reach  of  either  brethren  or  foes ;  and  it  is  a  (hort-lafting 
 injury  done  to  me,  and  to  my  pains,  in  that  part  of  my  Lord's 
 %'ineyard.  O  how  filly  an  advantage  is  my  deprivation  to  men, 
 feei.ng  my  Lord  Jefus  hath  m.any  ways  to  recover  his  own  loffcs. 
 
EplH.  125.]  LETTERS.  191 
 
 *ancl  is  irref.ilible  re  ccmpafs  his  own  glorious  ends,  that  Ms  lily 
 may  grow  amongft  thorns,  and  his  little  kingdom  exalt  itftlf,  even 
 under  the  fwords  and  fpears  of  contrary  powers  !  But,  my  dear 
 brother,  go  pn  in  the  firength  of  his  rich  grace,  whom  ye  ferve  : 
 (land  raft  for  Chrift ;  deliver  the  gofpel  oft  your  hand,  and  your 
 minift»  y,  to  your  Mafter,  with  a  clean  and  undefiled  conicience : 
 loofe  iiGl  a  pin  of  Chriil's  taberniicie*,  do  not  fo  much  as  pick 
 with  your  naii  at  one  board  or  border  of  the  ark  :  have  no  part  or 
 dealing,  upon  any  terms,  in  a  hoof,  ni  a  clofed  window,  or  in  a 
 bowing  of  your  knee,  in  cafting  down  of  the  temple;  but  be  a 
 mourning  and  fpeaking  witnefs  againll;  them  who  now  ruin  Zion. 
 Our  Milder  will  be  on  us  all,  in  a  clap,  ere  ever  we  wit;  that  day 
 will  difcover  all  our  whites  and  our  blacks,  concerning  this  con- 
 trover  fy  of  poor  cpprefied  Zion  :  Jet  us  make  our  part  of  it  good, 
 that  it  may  be  able  to  abide  the  lire,  when  hay  and  ftubble  fliall 
 be  burnt  to  alhes.  Nothing,  nothing  (I  fay  nothing)  but  found 
 f.m£l:ification  can  abide  the  Lord's  fan.  I  fland  to  m.y  teftimony, 
 that  I  preached  often  of  Scotland,  Lamentation,  mourning,  and 
 wo  abideth  thee,  O  Scotland  !  O  Scotland,  the  fearful  quarrel  of 
 a  broken  cov':nant  Itandeth  good  with  thy  Lord  !  Now,  remem- 
 ber my  love  to  all  my  friends,  and  to  my  parifliioners,  as  if  I 
 named  each  of  them  particularly  :  I  recommend  you,  and  God*s 
 people,  committed  by  Chrift  to  your  truft,  to  the  rich  grace  of 
 our  all-fuilicient  Lord.  Remember  my  bonds:  praife  my  Lord, 
 who  beartth  me  up  in  my  fufFerings :  as  ye  find  occafion  (ac- 
 cording to  the  wifdom  given  you)  fhew  our  acquaintance  what 
 the  Lord  hath  done  to  my  foul.  This  I  feek  not,  verily,  to  hunt 
 my  own  piaife,  but  that  my  fweeteft  and  dearcit  Mailer  may  be 
 magnihed  in  my  fuflerings.     1  reft 
 
 Aberdeen    June  ijy  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus^ 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 125.    r^  MARION  MACN AUGHT. 
 
 "Dearly  beloved  in  our  Lord  Jcfus  Chrijly 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Few  know  the  heart  of  a 
 ^^  ftranger  and  prifoner :  I  am  in  the  hands  of  mine  enemies: 
 I  would,  honed  and  lawful  means  were  efTaved,  for  bringing  me 
 home  to  my  charge,  now  when  Mr  A.  R..  and  Mr  H.  K..  are  re- 
 ftored.  It  conctrneih  you  of  Galloway  moft,  to  ufe  fupplications 
 and  addrefics  for  this  puroofe,  and  try  if  by  fair  means  1  can  be 
 brought  back  again.  As  for  liberty,  without  I  be  rcftored  to  my 
 flock,  it  is  little  to  me;  for  my  fjience  is  my  greateft  prifon:  how- 
 ever it  be,  1  wait  for  the  Lord,  I  hope  not  to  rot  in  my  full'erings; 
 Lord  give  me  fubm.illion  to  wait  on:  my  heart  is  fad,  that  my 
 days  liee  away,  and  1  do  no  fervice  to  the  Lord  in  hid  houfe,  now 
 
igt  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epifl.  125.3 
 
 when  his  harveft,  and  the  fouls  of  perifhing  people  require  it : 
 but  his  ways  are  not  like  my  ways,  neither  can  I  find  him  out. 
 O  that  he  would  fhine  upon  my  darknefs,  and  bring  forth  my 
 morning  light  from  under  the  thick  cloud,  that  men  have  fpread 
 over  me  !  O  that  the  Almighty  would  lay  my  caufe  in  a  balance, 
 and  weigh  me,  if  my  foul  was  not  taken  up,  when  others  were 
 fleeping,  how  to  have  Chrift  betrothed  with  a  bride,  in  that  part 
 of  the  land  !  but  that  day  that  my  mouth  vras  mofl  unjuftly  and 
 cruelly  clofed,  the  bloom  fell  off  my  branches,  and  my  joy  did 
 caft  the  flower.  Howbeit,  I  have  been  cafting  myfelf  under  God's 
 feet,  and  wreflling  to  believe  under  a  hidden  and  covered  Lord, 
 yet  my  fainting  cometh  before  I  eat,  and  my  faith  hath  bowed  with 
 the  fore  caft,  and  under  this  almoft  infupportable  weight :  O  that 
 it  break  not !  I  dare  not  fay  that  the  Lord  hath  put  out  my  candle, 
 and  hath  caften  water  upon  my  poor  coal,  and  broken  the  ftakes 
 of  my  tabernacle  ;  but  1  have  tafted  bitternefs,  and  eaten  gall  and 
 wormwood,  fmce  that  day  my  Maftcr  laid  bonds  upon  me  to  fpeak 
 no  more.  I  fpeak  not  this,  becaufe  the  Lord  is  uncouth  to  me; 
 but  becaufe  beholders,  that  ftand  on  dry  land,  fee  not  my  fea  ftorm : 
 the  witneffes  of  my  fad  crofs  are  but  ftrangers  to  my.'fad  days  and 
 nights.  O  that  Chrift  would  let  me  alone,  and  fpeak  love  to  me, 
 and  come  home  to  me,  and  bring  fummer  with  him  !  O  that  i 
 might  preach  his  beauty  and  glory,  as  once  I  did.  before  my  clay- 
 tent  be  removed  to  darknefs  ;  and  that  i  might  lift  Chrift  off  the 
 ground,  and  my  branches  might  be  watered  with  the  dew  of  God, 
 snd  my  joy  in  his  work  might  grow  green  again,  and  bud,  and 
 fend  out  a  flower  !  But  I  am  bVit  a  fhort-fighted  creature,  and  my 
 candle  cafteth  not  light  afar  off;  he  knoweth  all  that  is  done  to  me, 
 how  that  when  i  had  but  one  joy,  and  no  more,  and  one  green 
 flower,  that  I  efteemed  to  be  my  garland,  he  came  in  one  hour  and 
 dried  up  my  flower  at  the  root,  and  took  away  mine  only  eye,  and 
 mine  only  one  crown  and  garland.  What  can  1  fay  ^  furely  my  guil- 
 tinefs  hath  been  remembered  before  him,  and  he  was  feeking  to  take 
 down  my  fails,  and  to  land  the  flower  of  my  delights,  and  to  let  it 
 ]y  on  the  coaft  like  an  old  broken  (hip,  that  is  no  more  for  the  fea : 
 but  I  praife  him  for  this  wailed  ftroke,  i  welcome  this  furnace, 
 God's  wifdom  made  choice  of  it  for  me,  and  it  muft  be  beft,  becaufe 
 it  was  his  choice.  O  that  I  may  wait  for  him  till  the  morning  of 
 this  benighted  kirk  break  out !  This  poor  afRitted  kirk  had  a  fair 
 morning  ;  but  her  night  came  upon  her  before  her  noon  day,  and 
 fhe  was  like  a  traveller,  forced  to  take  houfe  in  the  morning  of  his 
 journey :  and  now  her  adverfaries  are  the  chief  men  in  the  land; 
 her  ways  mourn,  her  gates  languifli,  her  children  figh  for  bread  ; 
 and  there  is  none  to  be  inftant  with  the  Lord,  that  he  would  come 
 again  to  his  houfe,  and  dry  the  face  of  his  weeping  fpoufe,  and 
 coaifort  Zion's  mourners,  who  arc  waiting  for  him  :  i  know,  he 
 
Epift.  126.]  LETTERS.  193 
 
 Ihall  make  corn  to  grow  upon  the  top  of  his  withered  mount 
 Z;on  again.  Remember  my  bonds,  and  forget  me  not  :  Oh  that 
 my  Lord  would  bring  me  again  amongft  you,  with  abundance  o* 
 the  Gofpel  of  Chrift!  But  O  that  i  may  fet  down  my  dcnres, 
 where  my  Lord  biddeth  me  !  Remember  my  love  in  the  Lord  ro 
 your  hufband;  God  make  him  faith'ul  to  Chrill:  and  my  bleffing 
 to  your  three  children.  Faint  not  in  prayer  for  this  kirk :  delirc 
 mv  people  not  to  receive  a  ftrangcr,  and  intruder  upon  my  mini- 
 ftry  :  let  me  (land  in  that  right  and  ftation  that  my  Lord  Jefus  gave 
 me.      Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 AbercUen^  Yours  in  his  fuueit  Lord  and  Nafler^ 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 126.     To  JOHN  GORUOxV  at  Riij.o. 
 
 Dear  brcthert 
 T  Earneftly  defire  to  know  the  cafe  cf  your  foul,  and  to  under- 
 **•  ftand  that  ye  have  made  fure  work  of  heaven  and  falvation.  r. 
 Remember,  falvation  is  one  of  Chrift's  dainties  he  giveth  but  to  a 
 few.  2.  That  it  is  violent  fweatlng  and  ftriving  that  taketh  hea- 
 ven. 3.  That  it  coft  Ch rift's  blood  to  purchafe  that  houfe  to  fin- 
 rers,  and  to  fet  mankind  down  as  the  King  s  free-tenants  and  free- 
 holders. 4.  That  many  make  a  Hart  towards  heaven,  v/ho  tali  on 
 their  back,  and  win  not  up  to  the  top  of  the  m.ount ;  it  pluckcth  heart 
 and  legs  from  them,  and  they  fit  down  and  give  it  over,  becaufe  the 
 devil  fetteth  a  fweet-fmeiied  flower  to  their  nofc  (this  fair  bulked 
 world)  wherewith  they  are  bewitched,  and  fo  forget  or  refufe  to 
 go  forward.  5.  Remember,  m.any  go  far  on,  and  reform  many 
 things,  and  can  find  tears,  as  Efau  did  ;  and  fufFer  hunger  for 
 truth,  as  Judas  did ;  and  wifh  and  deilre  the  end  of  the  righteous, 
 as  Daraam  did;  and  profefs  fair,  and  light  for  the  Lord,  as  Saul 
 did ;  and  deiire  the  faints  of  God  to  pray  for  them,  as  Pharaoh  and 
 Simon  Magus  did;  and  prophefy  and  fpeak  of  Chrill,  as  Caiaph..9 
 did  ;  and  walk  foftly  and  mourn  for  fear  of  judgments,  as  Ahab 
 did;  and  put  away  grofs  fins  and  idolatry,  as  Jehu  did;  and  hear 
 the  word  of  God  ghvily  and  reform  thtir  life  in  many  things  ac- 
 cording to  the  word,  as  Herod  did  ;  and  fay.  Mailer,  to  Chrifl,  I 
 will  follow  thee  whither  thou  goeft,  as  the  man  who  offered  to  be 
 Chrifts  fervant,  Matth.  viii.  and  may  tafle  of  the  virtues  of  the 
 life  to  come,  and  be  partaker  of  the  wonderful  gifts  of  the  Holy 
 iSpirit,  and  tafle  of  the  good  word  of  God,  as  the  apoftates,  who 
 fm  againft  the  Holy  Ghoil,  Heb.  vi.  And  yet  all  ihefe  are  but  like 
 gold  in  clink  and  colour,  and  watered  brafs  and  bafe  mr-t.^l.  Thefe 
 are  written,  that  we  fhould  try  ourfelves,  and.  not  rell  till  we  be  a 
 flcp  nearer  Chrift  than  fun-burnt  and  withering  profeirors  can 
 some.     6.  Ccnlidcr,  it  is  impoflible  that  your  idul-fins  and  yc 
 
 B  b 
 
194  Mr  RUTHERFOQRD't  Epift.  127.] 
 
 can  go  to  henven  together;  and  that  they,  who  will  not  part  with 
 thefe,  cannot  indeeci  love  Chrili  at  the  bottom,  but  only  in  word 
 and  {liew,  which  will  not  do  the  bufmefs.  7.  ELcmember  how 
 fwiftly  God's  poft,  time,  flieth  away;  and  that  your  forenoon  is 
 already  fpent,  your  afternoon  will  come,  and  then  your  evening, 
 and  at  lalt  night,  when  ye  cannot  fee  to  work  :  let  your  heart  be 
 fct  upon  linifhing  of  your  journey,  and  fumming  and  laying  your 
 accounts  with  your  Lord.  O  how  blefied  (hall  ye  be,  to  have  a 
 joyful  welcome  of  your  Lord  at  night !  Kow  blefied  are  they  who 
 m  time  take  fure  courie  with  their  louls !  Biefs  his  great  name,  for 
 what  ye  polTefs  in  goods  and  children,  eafe  and  worldly  cont-ent- 
 ment,  that  he  hath  given  you  ;  and  feek  to  be  like  Chrilt  in  humi- 
 lity and  lowlinefs  of  mind;  and  be  not  great  and  intire  with  the 
 v/orld  ;  make  it  not  your  god,  nor  your  lover,  that  yc  truft  unto, 
 for  it  will  deceive  you.  I  recommend  Chrift  and  his  love  to  you, 
 in  all  things ;  let  him  have  the  flower  of  your  heart  and  your  love; 
 fct^  low  price  upon  all  things  but  Chrilt,  and  cry  down  in  your 
 thoughts  clay  and  dirt,  that  will  not  comfort  you,  when  ye  get 
 fummons  to  remove,  and  compear  before  your  Judge,  to  anfwer 
 for  all  the  ^tt^.^  done  in  the  body.  The  Lord  give  you  wifdom 
 in  ail  things :  I  befeech  you  fan£lify  God  in  your  fpeaking,  for  ho- 
 ly and  reverend  is  his  name;  and  be  temperate  and  fober  :  ccm- 
 punionry  (as  it  is  called)  is  a  fin  that  hcldeth  men  out  of  heaven. 
 I  will  not  believe,  that  yc  will  receive  the  miniftry  of  a  ftranger, 
 v/ho  will  preach  a  new  and  uncouth  doclrine  to  you  :  let  my  fal- 
 ration  ftand  for  it,  if  I  delivered  not  the  plain  and  whole  counfel  of 
 God  to  you  in  his  word.  Piead  this  letter  to  your  wife,  and  re- 
 rnember  my  love  to  her,  and  requelt  her  to  take  heed  to  do  what  I 
 write  to  you  :  I  pray  for  you  and  yours.  Picrnember  me  in  your 
 prayers  to  our  Lord,  that  he  would  be  pleafed  to  fend  me  amongft 
 you  again.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  Tour  laivful  and  loving  pajlor, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 127.     To  Mr,  HUGH  HENDERSON. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother^ 
 
 WHO  knoweth,  but  the  wind  may  turn  into  the  Weft  again, 
 upon  Chrift  and  his  defolate  bride  in  this  land ;  and  that 
 Chrift  may  get  his  fummer  by  courfe  again  ?  for  he  hath  had  ill 
 weather  this  long  time,  and  could  not  find  law  or  juftice  for  him- 
 felf  and  his  truth  thefe  many  years.  I  am  fure,  the  wheels  of  this 
 crazed  and  broken  kirk  run  all  upon  no  other  axle-tree,  nor  is 
 there  any  other  to  roll  them,  and  cogg  them,  and  drive  them,  but 
 the  wifdom  and  good  pleafure  of  our  Lord  :  and  it  were  a  juft  trick, 
 and  glorious,  of  nevcr-lleeping  providence,  to  bring  our  brsthrcns 
 
Epifl.  12  7.]  LETTERS.  195 
 
 darts,  they  have  {hot  at  us,  back  upon  their  own  heads :  fup- 
 pofe  they  have  two  firings  to  their  bow,  and  can  take  one  as 
 another  faileth  them,  yst  there  are  more  than  three  ilrings  upon 
 cur  Lord's  bow;  and  befidesj.  he  cannot  mifs  the  white  that  he 
 fhooteth  at.  1  know,  he  fiiufficth  up  and  down  in  his  hand  the 
 great  body  of  heaven  and  earth,  and  that  kirk  and  c6mmonr/e?.lth 
 are  in  his  hand,  like  a  flock  of  cards,  and  that  he  dealeth  the  play 
 10  the  mourners  of  Zion,  and  thofc  that  fay,  Ly  down  that  we  may 
 go  over  you,  at  his  own  fovereign  pleafure  :,and  I  am  fure,  Zion's 
 adverfaries,  in  this  plav,  fhall  not  cake  up  their  own  ftakes  again. 
 O  how  fweet  a  thing  is  it  to  truft  in  him  !  When  Chrift  hath  ileep- 
 ed  out  his  fieep  ^^if  I  may  fpeak  fo  of  him,  who  is  the  watch- 
 man of  Ifrael,  that  neither  flumbereth  nor  fleepeth)  and  his  own 
 are  tried,  he  will  arife  as  a  flrong  man  after  wine,  and  make  bare 
 his  holy  arm,  and  put  on  vengeance  as  a  cloak,  and  deal  vengeance 
 thick  and  double  amongft  the  haters  of  Zion.  It  may  be,  we  fee 
 him  fow,  and  fend  down  maledictions  and  vengeances,  as  thick  as 
 drops  of  rain  or  hiiil  upon  his  enemies  ;  for  our  Lord  oweth  them 
 a  black  day,  and  he  ufeth  duly  to  pay  his  debts  :  neicher  his  tiicnds 
 and  followers,  nor  his  foes  and  advcrfaries  Tnall  have  it  to  lay, 
 That  he  is  no:  faithful  and  exacl  in  keeping  his  word.  I  know 
 lio  bar  in  God's  way,  but  Scotland's  guiltinefs ;  and  he  can  come 
 over  that  impediment,  and  break  that  bar  alio,  and  tlien  fay  to 
 guilty  Scotland,  as  he  faid,  Ezek.  xxxvi.  K^a  for  your  fakes.  Sec, 
 On- waiting  had  ever  yet  a  blefled  ifiue  ;  and  to  keep  the  word  of 
 God's  patience,  keepeth  ftill  the  faints  dry  in  the  W'.ter,  cold  in  the 
 f.re,  and  breathing  and  blood-hot  in  the  grave.  What  are  ihepri- 
 fons  of  iron-walls  and  gates  of  brafs  to  Chrifl  I  Not  fo  good  as 
 ftal-dikes,  fortifications  of  firaw,  or  old  tottering  walls  ;  if  he 
 give  the^word,  then  chains  will  fail  olv  the  arm  and  legs  of  his  pri- 
 foners.  God  be  thanked,  that  our  Lord  Jefus  hath  the  tutoring  of 
 king  and  court  and  nobles,  and  that  he  can  drvthe  gutters  and  the 
 mires  in  Zion,  and  lay  caufcways  to  the  temple  with  the  carcafcs 
 of  bafiard  and  idol  (liepherds  :  the  corn  on  the  houfe-tops  got  ne- 
 ver the  hufoandman's  prayers,  and  fo  is  (ccn  on  it,  for  it  filleth  not 
 the  hand  of  mowers.  Chriit,  and  truth,  and  innocency  worketh 
 even  under  the  earth;  and  verily  there  is  hope  for  the  righteous: 
 we  fee  not  what  conclufions  pais  in  heaven  anentall  the  attairs  of 
 God's  houfe;  v/e  need  not  give  hire  to  God  to  t:ike  vengeance  of 
 his  enemies,  fcr  juflice  worketh  without  hire,  O  that  the  feed  of 
 hope  would  grow  again,  and  come  to  maturity  I  and  that  we  could 
 importune  Chrift,  ;ind  double  our  knocks  at  his  gate,  and  cafl  our 
 cries  and  tliouts  over  the  wall,  that  he  might  cotne  out,  and  m:ke 
 our  Jerufalem  the  praife  of  the  whole  earth,  and  give  us  fcilvation 
 for  walls  and  bulwarks  !  If  Chrift  bud,  and  grow  green,  and 
 bloom,  and  bear  feed  again  in  Scotland,  and  his  Father  fend  him 
 
 Bb  i 
 
1^6  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epifl.  128.;! 
 
 two  fummers  m  one  year,  and  blcfs  his  crop ;  O  what  caufe  have 
 "we  to  rejoice  in  the  free  falvation  of  our  Lord,  and  to  let  up  our 
 banners  in  the  name  of  our  God  !  O  that  he  would  haften  the  con- 
 fuiion  of  the  leprous  ftrumpct,  the  mother  and  m.iflrefs  of  abomi- 
 nations in  the  earth,  and  take  graven  images  out  of  the  v>'?.y,  and 
 come  in  with  the  Tews  in  troops,  and  agree  with  his  old  outcaft 
 and  forfaken  wife,  and  take  them  again  to  his  bed  of  love  !  Grace 
 be  with  you. 
 
 Jhsrd.   1637.  Tours  in  cur  MaJJer  and  l.ordy     S.  Pt. 
 
 1^8.  To  the  Lady  LARGIRIE. 
 Mijlrefsy 
 /^'Pt  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  exhort  you  in  tbe  Lord, 
 ^-^  to  go  on  in  your  journey  to  heaven;  and  to  be  content  of- 
 fuch  fare  by  the  way,  as  Chrift  and  his  followers  have  had  before 
 you  ;  for  they  had  always  the  wind  on  their  faces  ;  m^A  our  Lord 
 bath  not  ch;^ngcd  the  way  to  us  for  our  eafe,  but  will  have  us 
 iollowing  our  fweet  Guide.  Alas,  how  doth  fin  clog  us  in  our 
 journey,  and  ret^^.rd  us  !  What  fools  are  we,  to  have  a  by-good,  or 
 any  other  love,  or  match  to  our  fouls,  befide  Chrift  !  It  were  beffc 
 for  us,  like  ill  bairns  (who  are  bed  at  home)  to  feek  our  own  home, 
 and  to  fell  our  hopes  of  this  little  clay-inns  and  idol  of  the  earth, 
 where  we  are  neither  well  fummered  nor  well  wintered.  Oh  that 
 our  fouls  would  {^  fail  at  odds  with  the  love  of  this  world,  as  to 
 think  of  it  as  a  traveller  doth  of  a  drink  of  v/ater,  which  is  not  a- 
 ny  part  of  his  treafure,  but  goeth  away  vviih  the  ufing;  for  ten  miles 
 journey  maketh  that  drink  to  him  as  nothing.  O  that  we  had  as 
 foon  done  with  this  world,  and  could  as  quickly  difpatch  ihe  love 
 of  it !  But  as  a  child  cannot  hold  two  apples  in  his  little  hand,  but 
 the  one  pntteth  the  other  out  of  its  room  ;  fo  neither  can  we  be 
 TuaflerG  and  lords  of  tv/o  loves  :  blefled  were  we,  if  vi^e  could  make 
 curfeives  mafters  of  that  invaluable  treafure,  the  love  of  Chrift ;  or 
 rather,  fuffer  ourfelves  to  be  maftertd  and  fubdued  to  Chrift's  love, 
 fo  as  Chrifl:  were  our  all  things,  and  all  other  things  our  nothings, 
 and  the  refufe  of  i^ur  delights.  O  let  us  be  ready  for  (liipping  a- 
 gainft  the  time  our  Lord's  wind  and  tide  calls  for  us  I  Death 
 is  the  Liil  rhief,  that  fhall  come  without  the  leaft  din  or  noife  of 
 feet,  and  take  our  fouls  away,  and  we  fhall  take  our  leave  at  time, 
 and  face  eternity ;  and  our  Lord  fliall  lay  together  the  two  fides  of 
 this  earthly  tabernacle,  and  fold  us  and  lay  us  by,  as  a  man  layeth 
 by  clothes  at  night  a!id  put  the  one  half  of  us  in  a  houfe  of  clay, 
 tlie  dark  gr-ive,  and  the  other  half  of  us  in  heaven  or  hell.  Seek 
 to  be  found  of  your  Lord  in  peace,  and  gather  in  your  flitting,  and 
 put  your  foul  in  order;  for  Chrift  will  not  give  a  nail-breadth  of 
 rime  to  our  little  fand  glafs.  Pray  for  Zion,  and  for  me  bis  prifon- 
 «4-,  that  he  would  be  pleafed  to  bring  me  amongft  you  again,  full 
 
Epift.  np.]  LETTERS.  197 
 
 of  Ch rift,  and  freighted  and  loaden  with  thcblefling  of  his  gofpel. 
 Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberd,  1637.  Tours  in  his  only  Lord  and  Majler,  S.  R.. 
 
 129.  n  EAKLSTOUN,  ;cw;?^-fr. 
 Worthy  and  dearly  beloved  in  our  Lord, 
 /^  K  ACJ,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  from  you: 
 ^^  i  remain  ftill  a  priioner  of  hope,  and  do  think  it  fervice  to 
 the  Lord,  to  wait  on  ftill  with  fubniilTion,  till  the  Lord's  morning- 
 Iky  break,  and  his  fummer-day  dawn  :  for  I  am  perluaded,  it  is  a 
 piece  of  the  chief  errand  of  our  life,  that  God  fcnt  us,  for  fomc 
 years,  down  to  thi»  earth,  among  devils  and  men,  the  fire-brands 
 oi:  the  devil,  and  temptations,  that  v:e  might  fuffer  for  a  time  here 
 amongil  our  enemies  j  otherwife  he  might  have  made  heaven  to 
 w^ait  on  us,  at  our  corning  out  of  the  womb;,  and  have  carried  us 
 home  to  our  country,  without  letting  us  fet  down  our  feet  in  this 
 knotty  and  thorny  life:  but  feeing  a  piece  of  fufl'ering  is  carved 
 to  every  one  of  us,  lefs  or  more  as  infinite  wifdom  hath  thought 
 good,  our  part  is  to  harden  and  habituate  cvir  foft  and  thin- 
 Ikinned  nature,  to  endure  fire  and  w.iter,  devils,  liens,  men,  Icfics, 
 wo  hearts,  as  thefe  th'jt  are  looked  upon  by  God,  angels,  men  and 
 deviis.  O  what  foliy  is  it,  to  fit  down  nnd  weep  {"or  a  decree  of 
 God,  that  is  both  deaf  and  dumb  at  our  te.irs.  and  mud  fiand  ftill 
 as  unmoveabie  as  God  who  made  it !  for  who  can  come  behind  our 
 Lord,  to  alter  and  better  what  he  hjth  decreed  and  done  ?  It  were 
 better  to  make  windows  in  our  prifon,  and  to  look  out  to  GccJ 
 and  our  country  heaven,  and  to  cry  like  fettered  men,  who  long 
 for  the  King's  free  air,  *  Lo;d,  let  thy  king.ioin  come  !  O  let  the 
 Bridegroom  cornel  And,  O  d;iy,  O  tair  day,  O  everlafiing  fum- 
 mer-day, dawn  and  fhinc  out,  break  out  from  under  the  black  Iky, 
 and  (liine  !'  I  am  pcrluaded,  if  every  day  a  ftone  in  the  prifon-walls 
 were  broken,  and  thereby  afiurance  given  to  the  chained  prifoner, 
 lying  under  twenty  ftone  of  irons  upon  arms  atid  legj.  thnt  at  lengih 
 his  chain  Ihould  wear  in  two  pieces,  and  a  hole  Inould  be  made 
 at  length,  as  v/ide  as  he  niight  come  fafely  out  to  his  long-defired 
 liberty  i  he  would  in  p.aience  wait  on,  till  time  {Ik^uM  hole  the 
 prifon  w;ill  and  break  his  chains.  The  Lord's  hopeful  prifoners, 
 under  their  trials,  are  in  that  cafe:  years  and  months  will  take  out 
 now  one  little  ftone,  then  another,  of  this  houf."  of  clay,  and  at 
 length  time  (hall  win  ou:  the  breadth  of  a  fair  door,  and  fend  out 
 the  in:prifoned  foul  to  the  free  air  in  heaven;  and  time  ftiali  file 
 oft*,  by  little  and  little,  our  iron-bolts,  wiiich  are  now  on  legs  and 
 arms,  and  out-date,  and  wear  out  trouble  thread-bare  and  holely, 
 and  then  wear  them  to  nothing  :  for  what  I  fuifored  yefterday,  I 
 know,  Ihall  never  come  a^ain  to  trcrubie  mc.    O  thut  we  coulji 
 
ipS  Mr  RUTHERFOORD'i  Epifl.  129.] 
 
 breathe  out  new  hope,  and  new  fubmllTion,  everyday,  in  Chrift's 
 lap  !  For  certainly,  a  weight  of  glory  well  weighed  (yea,  encreaf- 
 ing  to  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight)  ihali  recompenfe 
 both  weight  and  length  of  light,  and  clipped  and  fnort-dated  crof- 
 fes :  our  waters  are  but  ebb,  and  come  neither  to  our  chin,  nor  to 
 the  flopping  of  our  breath.  I  may  fee  (if  I  would  borrow  eyes 
 from  Chrifl)  dryland,  and  that  near:  why  then  Ihould  we  not 
 laugh  at  advefity,  and  fcorn  our  fhort-born  and  foon-dying  temp- 
 tations !  I  rejoice  in  the  hope  of  that  glory  to  be  revealed,  for  it 
 is  no  uncertain  glory  we  look  for  ;  our  hope  is  not  hung  upon  fuch 
 an  untwifted  thread,  as,  I  imagine  fo,  or,  it  is  likely  ;  but  the 
 cable,  the  ftrong  tow  of  our  faftened  anchor,  is  the  oath  and  pro- 
 inife  of  him  who  is  eternal  verity;  our  falvation  is  fallened  with 
 God's  own  hand,  and  with  Chri(l*s  own  ftrength,  to  the  ftrong 
 ftoup  of  God's  unchangeable  nature.  Mai.  iii.  6.  *  I  am  the  Lord, 
 I  change  not;  and  therefore  ye  fons  of  Jacob  are  not  confumed.' 
 We  may  play,  and  dance,  and  leap  upon  our  worthy  and  immov- 
 able Rock  :  the  ground  is  fure  and  good,  and  will  bide  hell's  brang- 
 ling,  and  devils'  brangling,  and  the  world's  aflaults.  Oh  if  our  faith 
 could  ride  it  our,  againft  the  high  and  pround  winds  and  waves, 
 when  cur  fea  feemeth  all  to  be  on  fire  !  O  how  oft  do  I  let  my 
 grips  go  !  I  am  put  to  fwimming  and  half  finking.  I  find  the  devil 
 hath  the  advantage  of  the  ground,  in  this  battle;  for  he  fighteth 
 in  known  ground,  in  our  corrupt  nature :  Alas  !  that  is  a  friend 
 near  of  kin  and  blood  to  himfelf,  and  will  not  fail  to  fall  upon  us: 
 and  hence  it  is,  that  he,  who  faveth  to  the  uttermoft,  and  ieadeth 
 many  fons  to  glory,  is  ftill  righting  my  falvation,  and  twenty  times 
 a-day  I  ravel  my  heaven,  and  then  I  muftcome  with  m.y  ill-ravel* 
 led  work  to  Chrift,  to  cumber  him  (as  it  were)  to  right  it,  and  to 
 feek  again  the  right  end  of  the  thread,  and  to  fold  up  again  my 
 eternal  glory  with  his  own  hand,  and  to  give  a  right  caft  of  his 
 holy  and  gracious  hand  to  my  marred  and  fpilt  falvation.  Cer* 
 tainiy,  it  is  a  cumberfome  thing,  to  Iceep  a  foolilb  child  from  falls 
 and  broken  brows,  and  weeping  for  this  and  that  cOy,  and  rafn 
 running,  and  ficknefs,  and  bairns  difeafes;  ere  he  win  thro'  them 
 all,  and  win  out  oF  the  mires,  he  cofteth  meikle  black  cumber  and 
 faflirie  to  his  keepers  :  and  fo  is  a  believer  a  cumberfome  piece  of 
 work,  and  an  ill-ravelled  hefp  (as  we  ufe  to  fay)  to  Chrifl :  but 
 God  be  thanked,  for  many  fpilt  falvations,  and  many  ill-ravelled 
 hefps  hath  Chrifl  mended,  fince  iirfl  he  entered  tutor  to  loft  man- 
 kind. O  what  could  we,  bairns,  do  without  him  ?  how  foon  would 
 we  mar  ail !  But  the  lefs  of  our  weight  be  upon  our  own  feeble  legs, 
 and  the  more  that  we  be  on  Chrift  the  ftrong  Rock,  the  better  for 
 us:  it  is  good  for  us,  that  ever  Chrift  took  the  cumber  of  us;  it  is  our 
 heaven,  to  lay  m.any  weights  and  burdens  upon  Chrift,  and  to  make 
 him  all  we  have,  root  and  top,  beginning  and  ending  of  our  falva- 
 
Epift.  130.]  LETTERS.  i^ 
 
 tion  :  I.crd  hold  us  here.  Now  to  this  tutor,  and  rich  Lord,  I  re- 
 commend you  :  hold  fait  till  he  come,  and  remember  his  prifoner. 
 Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 JberJeeHi  Tours  in  his  and y cur  Lord  Jefits, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 130.     71?  Mr.  WILLLIM  DALGLEISH. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother, 
 r^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter :  I 
 ^-^  blels  our  high  and  only  wife  Lord,  who  hath  broken  the 
 fnare  that  men  had  laid  for  you »  and  1  hope,  that  now  he  (hall 
 keep  you  in  his  houfe,  in  dcfpite  of  the  powers  of  hell.  Who 
 knoweth,  but  the  (treets  of  our  Jerufalem  fhiall  yet  be  filled  with 
 young  men,  and  with  old  men,  and  boys,  and  women  with  child; 
 and  that  they  fhall  plant  vines  in  the  mountains  of  Samaria  ?  I  am 
 fure,  the  wheels,  paces  and  motions  of  this  poor  church  are  tem- 
 pered and  ruled,  ^  not  as  men  would,  but  .according  to  the  good 
 pleafure  and  infinite  v/ifdom  of  our  only  wife  Lord.  1  am  here 
 w-aiting  in  hope,  that  my  innocency,  in  this  honourable  caufe,  fhaU 
 melt  this  cloud  that  men  have  caften  over  me.  I  know,  my  Lord 
 had  his  own  quarrels  agviinll  me,  and  that  my  drofs  itood  in  need 
 of  this  hot  furnace;  but  I  rejoice  in  this,  that  fair  truth,  beautiful 
 truth  (whofe  glory  my  Lord  cleareth  to  me  more  and  more)  bear- 
 eth  me  company;  and  that  my  weak  aims  to  honour  my  PvTafter, 
 in  bringing  guefts  to  his  houfe,  nowfwell  upon  me  in  comforts  -, 
 and  that  I  am  not  afraid  to  want  a  witnefs  in  heaven,  that  it  was 
 my  joy  to  have  a  crown  put  upon  Chrift's  head  inthat  country.  O 
 what  joy  would  I  have,  to  fee  the  wind  turn  upon  the  enemies  of 
 the  crofs  of  Chrift,  and  to  fee  my  Lord  Jefus  rcitored  with  the  voice 
 of  praife  to  his  own  free  throne  again ;  and  to  be  brouglit  amongll 
 you,  to  fee  the  beauty  of  the  Lord's  houfe  !  I  hope  that  my  coun- 
 try will  not  be  fo  filly,  as  to  fufFcr  men  to  pluck  you  away  from 
 them,  and  that  ye  will  ufe  means  to  keep  my  place  empty,  and  to 
 bring  me  back  again  to  the  people,  to  whom  I  have  Chriil's  right 
 and  his  church's  lawful  calling.  Dear  brother,  let  Chrill  be  dear- 
 er and  dearer  to  you ;  let  the  conqueft  of  fouls  be  top  and  root, 
 flower  and  bloom  of  your  joys  and  defires,  in  this  fide  of  fun  and 
 moon  :  and  in  the  day,  when  the  Lord  fhall  pull  up  the  four  (takes 
 of  this  clay  tent  of  the^earth,  and  the  laft  pickle  of  fand  (hall  be 
 at  the  nick  of  falling  down  in  your  watch-glafs,  and  the  mailer 
 (hall  c?.ll  the  fervants  of  the  vineyard  to  give  them  their  hire;  yc 
 will  eftcem  the  bloom  of  this  world's  glory  like  the  colours  of  the 
 rainbow,  that  no  man  can  put  in  his  purfe  and  treafure :  your  la- 
 bour and  pains  fhall  then  fmile  upon  you.  My  Lord  now  hath  p-iven 
 me  experience  (howbeit  weak  and  fmall)  that  our  Left  fare  here  ift 
 
200  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  i^i.J 
 
 hunger;  we  are  but  at  God's  by-boaro,  in  this  lower  boufe  ;  we 
 have  caufe  to  long  ibr  fupper-time,  anl  the  high  table,  up  in  the 
 high  palace  ;  this  world  deferveth  nothing  but  the  outer-court  of 
 our  Ibul.  Lord,  haften  the  marriage  fuppt^r  of  the  Lamb.  I  find 
 it  ftlJl  peace  to  give  up  with  this  prefcnt  world,  as  with  an  old 
 decourted  and  cafl-ofF  jover :  my.  bread  and  drink  in  it,  is  not  io 
 much  worth,  that  I  InoLiid  not  loath  the  inns,  and  pack  up  my 
 defires  for  Chrift,  that  I  have  fent  out  to  tlie  fecklefs  creatures  in  it. 
 Grace,  grace  be  v/ith  ycu. 
 
 Aberdeen^  Tour  affctlionatc  brother  and 
 
 1637.  Chrijt's  prifoner,     S.  R. 
 
 i      .  ■  .  .         ■        •     ,  ^ 
 
 131.  Jo  the  Laird  of  CALLY. 
 Much  honoured  Sir, 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  -  I  long  to  hear  how  your 
 ^^  foul  profpereth  !  1  have  that  confitlence,  that  your  foul  mind- 
 eth  Chrill:  and  falvation  :  I  befeech  you  in  the  Lord,  give  more 
 pains  and  diligence  to  fetch  heaven,  than  the  country  fort  of  lazy 
 profeflbrs,  who  think  their  own  faith  and  their  own  godlinefs,  oe- 
 caufe  it  is  their  own,  beft  \  and  content  themfeives  with  a  coldrife 
 cuftom  and  courfe,  with  arefolution  to  fummer  and  winter  in  that 
 fort  of  profefhon  that  the  multitude  and  the  times  favour  moft; 
 and  are  ftill  fhaping  and  clipping  and  carving  their  faith,  accord- 
 ing as  it  may  beft  ftand  with  their  fummer  fun  and  a  whole  (kin  ; 
 f.nd  fo  breathe  out  both  hot  and  cold  in  God's  matters,  according  to 
 the  courfe  cf  the  times  :  this  is  their  compafs  they  fail  toward  hea- 
 ven by,  inftead  of  a  better.  Worthy  and  deai  Sir,  feparatc  your- 
 felf  from  fuch,  and  bend  yourfelf  to  the  utmolt  of  your  llrength 
 and  breath,  in  running  fad  for  falvation;  and,  in  taking  Chrill's 
 kingdom,  ufe  violence.  It  ccfb  Chrifl  and  ail  his  followers  fliarp 
 ihovvers  and  hotfwer.ts,  ere  they  won  to  the  top  of  the  mountain: 
 but  ftill  our  foft  nature  would  have  heaven  coming  to  our  bed-fide, 
 when  we  are  fleepinir,  and  lying  down  with  us,  that  we  might  go 
 to  heaven  in  warm  clothes  ;  but  all  that  came  there  found  wet  feet 
 by  the  way,  and  fharp  ftcrms,  that  did  take  the  hide  off  their  face, 
 and  found  to's  and  frc's,  and  up's  and  down's,  and  many  ene- 
 mies. It  is  impoiTible  a  man  can  take  his  lufls  to  heaven  with  him, 
 fuch  wares  as  thefe  will  not  be  welcome  there.  O  how  loth  are  we 
 to  forego  our  packalds  and  burdens,  that  hinder  us  to  run  our  race 
 with  patience  !  It  is  no  fmall  work  to  difpleafe  and  anger  nature, 
 thatwe  may  pleafeGod.  Oif  it  behard  to  win  one  foot  or  half  an  inch 
 out  of  our  own  will,  our  own  wit,  out  of  our  own  eafe  and  worldly 
 lufts;  and  fo  to  deny  ourfelf,  and  to  fav,  It  is  not  I  but  Chrift,  not 
 I  but  grace,  not  i  but  God's  glory,  not  I  but  God's  love  ccnltrain- 
 ing  mc,  not  I  but  the  Lord's  Nvurd,  not  I  but  Cluifl's  command- 
 
Epifl.  i3t.]  LETTERS.  201 
 
 ing  power  as  King  in  me!  O  Avhat  pains  ;  an,d  what  a  death  is  it 
 to  nature,  to  turn  me,  myfelt,  my  luft,  my  eafe,  my  credit,  over 
 in  my  Lord,  my  Saviour,  my  King,  and  my  Gcd,  my  Lord's  will 
 my  Lord's  grace  !  But  alas  I  that  idol,  that  whoriih  creature,  my- 
 felf,  is  the  inafter  idol  we  all  bow  to.  Wharmade  Kve  milcarry  ? 
 and  what  hurried  her  headlong  upon  the  forbidden  fruit  but  thaC 
 wretched  thing,  herfelf  ?  what  drew  tliat  brother  murderer  to  kill 
 Abel  ?  that  wild  himfelf.  What  drove  the  old  world  on  to  cor- 
 rUjH  iheir  ways?  who  but  themfdves,  and  their  own  pleafure  ? 
 Whdt  was  thecaufe  of  Solomon's  falling  into  adultery  and  multi- 
 plying of  ilrange  wives?  what  but  himfelf,  \^hom  he  would  ra- 
 ther pleafe  thn*-  God  r  WRat  was  the  hock  that  took  David  and 
 fnareu  hnn  li.  :L  in  adultery,  but  his  felf-iuil  •  and  then  in  murder, 
 but  his  leif  credit  and  fell  honour  ?  What  led  Pcici  on  to  deny  his 
 Lord  ?  war,  it  not  "a  piece  of  himfelf,  and  feif-love  10  a  whole  fkin  ? 
 What  made  Judas  fell  his  Matter  for  thirty  pieces  of  money,  but 
 a  piece  of  feif-love,  idolizing  of  avaricious  feli?  What  trade  De- 
 mas  to  go  off  the  way  of  the  gofpel,  to  embrace  this  prefent  world  ? 
 even  fei:-love  and  love  of  gain  for  himfelf.  Kvciy  man  bhmeih 
 the  devil  tor  his  fins  j  but  the  great  devil,  tlie  houi'e-devil  of  eve- 
 ry man,  the  houfe-devil  that  eatcth  and  lyeth  in  every  man's  bo- 
 fom.  is  that  idol  that  killeth  -dVi,  himfelf.  O  bleifcd  are  they,  who 
 can  deny  thrmfclves,  an  i  put  Chrift  in  the  room  of  them.ielves! 
 O  would  to  the  Lord,  I  had,  not  a  myfelf,  but  Ch.iit;  not  a  my 
 luft,  but  'Jhr-ilii  not  a  my  eafe,  butChrill:;  not  a  my  honour,  buc 
 Chriil!  O  fweet  word  !  Gal.  ii.  20.  *  I  live  no  more,  but  Chritt 
 liveth  in  me  !'  O  if  every  one  would  put  away  himfelf,  his  own  feU, 
 his  own  eafe,  his  own  pleafure,  his  own  credit,  and  his  own  twen- 
 ty things,  his  own  hundred  things,  that  he  fetteth  up  as  idols  a- 
 bove  Chi  id!  Dear  Sir,  I  know  ye  will  be  looking  back  to  your  old 
 felf,  and  to  your  felf-lull  and  felf-idol,  that  ye  fet  up  in  the  lultij 
 of  youth,  above  Chrifl.  Worthy  Sir,  pardon  tins  my  freedom  oJt 
 love.  God  is  my  witnefs,  that  it  is  out  of  an  carnelt  defire  after 
 your  foul's  eternal  welfare,  that  I  ufe  this  freedom  of  fpeech  :  your 
 fun,  I  know,  is  lower,  and  your  evening-(ky  and  fun-fetting  near- 
 er than  when  I  faw  you  laft :  llrive  to  end  your  tafk  before  night, 
 and  to  niake  Chrifl  your-felf,  and  to  acquaint  yourlo\e  aiiti  vour 
 heart  with  the  Loid.  Stand  now  by  Chrilt  and  his  truth,  when 
 fo  many  fail  foully,  and  are  faife  to  him.  I  hope,  ye  love  him  and 
 his  truth,  let  me  have  power  with  you  to  confirm  you  in  him.  I 
 think  moie  of  uiy  Lord's  fweet  crofs  than  of  a  crown  of  gold,  and 
 a  free  kingdom  lying  to  it.  Sir,  I  remember  ycu  in  my  prayers  to 
 the  Lord,  aTcordin^  to  my  promife  :  help  mc  with  your  prayers, 
 th.it  our  Lord  would  be  pleafed  to  bring  me  amongit  you  again, 
 with  the  gofpel  of  Chriit.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 JI;erd.  i6j7.         l^ours  in  his  fwccteji  Lor  J  and  MuJIery  S.  R, 
 
 Cc 
 
202  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  132.] 
 
 132.    To  ]0}m  GO'KDO'i^  of  Cardonefsy  younger.     . 
 
 Dearly  he  loved  in  our  Lord^ 
 /"^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  exceedlngty  to 
 ^-^  hear  of  the  cafe  of  your  fou],  which  hath  a  brge  iliare  both 
 of  my  prayers  and  careful  thoughts.  Sir,  remember  that  a  precious 
 trealure  d:\\a  prize  is  upon  this  lliort  play  that  ye  are  now  upon^ 
 even  the  eternity  of  well  or  wo  to  your  foul,  ftandeth  upon  the  little 
 point  of  your  well  ill  or  employed  fhort  and  fwift  pofting  fand- 
 glafs  :  feek  th.e  Lord  while  he  may  be  found  j  the  Lord  waiteth 
 upon  you.  Your  foul  is  of  no  little  pfice  :  gold  nor  filver,  of  as 
 r.nich  bounds  as  would  cover  the  higheft  heaven  round  about,  can- 
 rot  buy  it.  To  live  as  others  do,  and  to  be  free  of  open  Tins,  that 
 the  world  cricth  lliame  upon,  will  not  bring  you  to  heaven  j  as 
 much  civility  and  country  difcretion  as  would  ly  between  you  and 
 heaven,  will  not  lead  you  one  foot  or  one  inch  above  condemned 
 nature-  and  therefore  take  pains  upon  fecking  of  falvation,  and 
 give  your  will,  wit,  humour,  the  green  defires  of  youth's  pleafures. 
 Oil  your  hand  to  Chrid.  It  is  rot  poflible  for  you  to  know,  till  ex- 
 perience trnch  you,  how  dangerous  a  time  youth  is :  it  is  like  green 
 and  wet  timber  -,  when  Chriit  caftedi  fir-e  on  it,  it  taketh  nor  fire. 
 There  is  need  here  of  more  than  ordinary  pains ;  for  corrupt  na- 
 tuie  hath  a  good  back  friend  of  youth:  and  finning  againfl  light 
 ivill  put  out  your  candle,  and  ftupify  your  confcience,  and  bring 
 upon  it  more  coverings  and  Ikin,  and  lefs  feeling  and  fenfe  of  guil- 
 tinefs  -,  and  when  that  is  done  the  devil  is  like  a  mad  horfe,  that 
 hath  broken  the  bridle,  and  runneth  away  with  bis  rider  whither 
 he  lifteih.  Learn  to  know  that  which  the  apoltle  knew,  the  deceit- 
 fulnefs  of  fin  :  ftrive  to  make  prayer,  and  reading,  and  holy  com- 
 pany, and  holy  conference,  your  delight  5  and  when  delight  com- 
 cth  in,  ye  fliall  bt  little  and  little  fmell  thefweetnefs  of  Chrift,  till 
 at  length  your  foul  be  overhead  andears  in  Chrifl's  fweetnefs  i 
 then  (hall  ye  be  taken  up  to  the  top  of  the  mountain  with  the  Lord ; 
 to  know  the  raviOimentsof  fpiritual  love,  and  the  glory  and  excel- 
 lency of  a  iti::n,  revtaled,  felt  and  embraced  Chrift;  and  then  ye 
 Ihall  not  be  able  to  loofe  yourfeif  off  Chrift,  and  to  bind  your  foul 
 to  old  lovers-,  then,  and  never  till  then,  are  all  the  paces,  motions, 
 walkings  and  wheels  of  ycurfoul  in  a  right  tune,  and  in  a  fpiritual 
 temper.  But  if  this  world  and  the  lufts  thereof  be  your  del?ght, 
 I  know  not  wbat  Chrift  can  make  of  you ;  ye  cannot  ht  metal  to 
 be  a  veflel  of  glory  and  mercy.  As  the  Lord  liveth,  thoufand  thou- 
 iaiids  are  beguiled  with  fecurity,  bccaufe  God,  and  wrath,  and 
 judgment  are  not  terrible  to  them.  Stand  in  awe  of  God,  and  of 
 the  warning  and  checking  of  a  rebuking  confcience  :  make  others 
 to  fee  Chrift  in  you,  moving,  doing,  fpeaking  and  thinking  j  you? 
 
Epift.  132.]  LETTERS.  2^3 
 
 actions  will  fmell  of  him,  if  he  be  in  yon  :  there  is  an  Inftinct  in 
 the  new-born  babes  of  Chrift,  like  theinftin£t  of  nature  that  leads 
 birds  to  build  their  nefts,  and  bring  forth  their  young,  and  love 
 fuch  and  fuch  places,  as  woods,  lorcfts,  and  wilderncfTes,' better 
 than  other  places  :  the  in(tin£l  of  nature  maketh  a  man  love  his 
 mother-country,  above  all  countries  i  the  in(tin(£l  cf  renewed  na- 
 ture, and  fupernatural  grace,  will  lead  you  to  fuch  and  fuch  works, 
 as  to  love  your  country  above,  to  figh  to  he  clothed  with  your 
 houfe  not  made  with  hands,  and  to  call  your  borrowed  prifon 
 here  below,'  a  borrowed  prifon  ;  and  to  look  upon  it  fervant-like 
 and  pilgrim-like  :  and  the  pilgrim's  eye  and  look  is  a  diidainful- 
 like  diicontented  caft  of  his  eye;  his  heart  crying  after  his  eye, 
 Fy,  fy,  this  is  not  like  my  country.  I  recommend  to  you  the 
 mending  of  a  hole,  and  reforming  of  a  failing,  one  or  other  eve- 
 ry week;  and  put  off  a  fin  or  a  piece  of  it,  as  of  anger,  wrath, 
 lull,  intemperance,  every  day,  that  ye  may  more  eafily  mafterthe 
 remnant  of  your  corruption.  God  hath  given  you  a  wile;  Icvc 
 her,  and  let  her  brealcS  fatisfy  you:  and,  for  the  Lord's  fake, 
 drink  no  waters  but  out  of  your  own  ciftern  j  ftrange  welU  are 
 poifon.  Strive  to  learn  fom.e  new  way  againll  your  corruption,  from 
 the  man  of  God,  M.  W.  D.  or  other  fervants  of  God  :  flecp  not 
 found,  till  ye  find  yourfelf  in  that  cafe,,  that  ye  dare  \o(^k  death  in 
 the  face,  and  durft  hazard  your  foul  upon  eternity.  I  am  fure  m?.- 
 ny  ells  and  inches  of  the  fhort  thread  of  your  life  are  by-hand  nnce 
 I  faw  you:  and  that  thread  hath  an  end,  and  ye  have  no  hands  to 
 c.\(i  a  knot,  and  add  one  day  or  a  finger-breadth  to  the  end  cf  it : 
 when  hearing,  and  feeing,  and  the  outer  walls  of  the  clay  houfe 
 fiiall  fall  down,  and  life  lliali  render  the  befieged  cadle  of  cby  to 
 death  and  judgment,  and  ye  find  your  time  worn  ebb  and  run  onr, 
 what  thoughts  will  ye  then  have  of  idol  pleauires,  that  pofTibly 
 are  now  fweet  ?  What  bud  or  hire  would  ve  then  give  for  the 
 Lord's  favour  ?  and  what  a  price  would  ye  then  give  for  pardon  ? 
 k  were  not  amifs  to  think,  *  What  if  I  were  to  receive  a  doo«i, 
 and  to  cut!  r  into  a  furnace  of  fire  and  brimilume  ?  what  if  it  come 
 to  this,  that  I  (liall  have  no  portion  but  utter  darknefs  ?  and  v/lKit 
 if  I  be  brought  10  this,  to  be  baniihed  from  the  prefence  of  God, 
 and  to  be  given  over  to  Gjd's  ferjeants,  the  devil,  and  the  power 
 of  the  fecond  death  ?'  Put  your  foul,  by  fuppofition,  in  fuch  a  cafe, 
 and  confider  what  horror  would  take  he'd  of  you,  and  whar  then 
 ye  would  elfeem  of  pleafing  yourfelf  in  '-lie  courfe  of  un  !  O  dc?r 
 »3ir,  for  the  Lord's  fake,  awake  to  live  righteouiiy,  and  love  your 
 poor  foul !  and,  after  yc  have  (cen  this  my  letter,  fay  with  your- 
 felf, The  Lord  will  feek  an  account  of  this  warning  I  have  re^.-rv- 
 ed.  Lodge  Chrift  in  your  family.  R.eceive  no  ftranger  hiicllng  as 
 yoar  paltor.  1  blefs  your  children.  Grace  be  with  yc/'J. 
 
 Aberd.   1637.  Tour  laii-ful and  loving  Paji or ^  S.  I". 
 
 Cc  2 
 
2=4  Mr  RUTHERFOORD'i  Epift.  ,33.;3 
 
 133-    To  my  Lord  BOYD. 
 Myv^ry  bonourahh  and  ^o-.d  Lord. 
 ^^.Zl\  ""''''  T''  P'*''"  ^^  "  y='''^  Lord(l,;p.    Out  of  the 
 
 flrn    K^^/;>..k•       i^J  •  "<^"  go'pel,  1  am  bold  to  write  to  your  Lord^ 
 
 h.s  rif  t     ;      r      "^^"?^^°f  pur  Lord,,  and  .n  the  po.ver  of 
 
 Vou  le  d     nd  t         "■'  "f  "^  >'°"^  honotuahle  houfe  upon  earth! 
 
 cr.^tnX  "r'  r  ''  ^"rY"  "'^''^'  '""y^"-  ^"^"^=  "'<=  favour 
 vitneA  '  'f  ^"»'  "■'"*'  '^'''  ''"'"'-'^  '°  bdng  ve  may  bear 
 t  4  Prt. '/'''"' V';""*'^'  ^-^  ^  -"^-^  °f'  ■^•^''^"^  a,fd' courage    to 
 
 ccTum  H.  ''>^'°""y  l>'Ot.ephes>s,  time- courting  Demas's 
 v3  "y™^""^'^.  and  Ph.k-tus's.  and  other  fuch  oxen    that 
 
 c.y  ng,  V,  ho  vvill  help  me  r  who  wii!  con.e  out  with  me  to  t-K- 
 P^;  t  w„h  me,  and  .hare  in  the  honour  of  my  vidory  over  th^ 
 
 overut';t/"'e"'h  '"'^  'tf'  '' ^  ''-"'  "-  hive  th,?m:    o 
 v'th  C InJ  'he    '  ''°"°'^^^*^'^  ='"••'  dear  Lord,  join,  join  (as  ye  do) 
 wld^.  M  ;  I     "'°''  7".V°  y°"'  ^"d  >-^"^  P°ft"''y    than  thi 
 KO  ivav  i  LoT"''  7'^  "'^""2  riches  and  honour    tl,.t  (hall 
 
 fhes    I  eV  n  e  ,"''  •";^hangel',  trumpet,  ]y  in  white 
 
 cu  Sin    a;i  ior-       ''     ^""l  h''"^'^"^  '"  '"'•"^  hy  the  lap  of  time', 
 
 X   and  confiH''  "'.^''"?h '^e  window  to  great  and  endleft  eter- 
 
 \Xbe  of  ,1,  c    n    '  'f  ^r ''%P"Ce  (fuppofe  this  little  round  cinv 
 
 %isw,?rld   i       V"''  '''"^  ""'''  '''^  ''y'"g  '^"1  """'he  fools  o'^ 
 
 S  a„d  W  TV  "/  ~"I"'"-'"^^'  ■"  'hat  day,  when  fo  many 
 Ch  ft  trl  bin;  rK  "'^^'"''  ^^"'■''"'"  ^'■^■'■"g  '^^"  ft»-1  beforl 
 /r,ou.^';rto  fVn'  ""'r''  ='nd  making  their  prayers  to  hills  and 
 ^lou.u  „  s,  to  fall  upon  them  and  hide  them  from  the  face  of  the 
 
 J:^Ch^il<B^\^^"'''f''?f'''^'■p'^""'"?''"--hatdayand 
 ylrLalu  u  "  "'r'^^'  "'=■"  he  doled  and  ended  ere  then  t 
 S  eo/tte?  ''''^"r  =•  h^f^^-d  venturcqf  winning  courtwith  the 
 t  mce  o.  the  k: ngs  ol  the  earth :  he  himfelf  weeping,  tfuth  born  dow„' 
 
Epift.  1 34.]  LETTERS.  205 
 
 and  fallen  in  tlie  (Ireets,  and  an  opprelTc^d  gofpel,  Chrifl's  bride,with 
 watry  eyes,  and  ipoilcd  of  her  veil,  her  hair  hanging  about  her 
 eyes,  forced  to  go  in  ragged  apparel,  the  banifhed,  lilenced  and 
 imprifoned  prophets  of  God,  who  have  not  the  favour  of  liberty  to 
 prophdfy  in  fackcloth  ;  all  thefe,  I  fay,  call  for  your  help.  Fear 
 not  worms  of  clay,  the  moth  iliall  eat  them  as  a  garment;  let  the 
 Lord  be  vour  fear,  he  is  with  you,  and  ihall  iight  for  you  :  thus 
 fhall  ye  caufe  the  blelnng  of  thofe  who  are  ready  to  penih,  come 
 upon  you  ;  and  ye  Ihali  make  the  heart  of  this  your  mother-church 
 to  fing  for  joy.  The  Lamb  and  his  armies  are  with  you,  and  the 
 kingdoms  of  the  earth  are  the  Lord's.  I  am  perfuaded,  there  is  not 
 another  gofpel,  nor  another  faving-truth,  than  that  ^vhich  ye  now 
 contend  for.  I  dare  hazard  my  heaven  and  falvation  upon  it,  that 
 this  is  the  only  faving  way  to  glory.  Grace,  grace  be  with  your 
 Lordfliip. 
 
 Abcrd.  1537.  Xcur  Lordjhip's  at  all  refpedilve 
 
 obedience  in  Chrijly     S.  R. 
 
 134.     To  ROBERT  GORDON,  Baillie  of  Air. 
 
 Worthy  Sir^ 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  from  you : 
 ^-^  our  Lorti  is  with  his  atilicled  kirk  fo  that  this  burning  bufh 
 is  not  confumed  to  afliss.  1  know,  fubmiffive  on-waiting  for  the 
 Lord,  fhall  at  length  ripen  the  joy  and  deliverance  of  his  own,  who 
 are  truly  hlefTcil  on-waiters:  what  is  the  dry  and  mifcarrying  hope 
 of  all  ihcm,  who  are  not  in  Chrift,  but  confufion  and  wind  ?  O 
 how  pitifully  and  miferably  are  the  children  of  this  world  beguiled, 
 whole  wine  cometh  home  to  them  water,  and  their  gold  brafs  and 
 tin  !  and  what  wonder,  that  hopes  builded  upon  fand  iKould  fall 
 and  fink?  It  weie  good  for  us  all  to  abandon  the  forlorn,  and 
 blalted,  and  withered  hope,  we  have  had  in  the  creature  ;  and  let 
 us  hencefo.th  come  and  drink  water  out  of  our  own  well,  even 
 the  fountain  of  living  waters,  and  build  ourfelves  and  our  hope  up- 
 on ChriJt  our  rock.  But  alas,  that  natural  love,  that  we  have  to 
 this  borrowed  home  that  we  were  born  in-,  and  th.U  this  clay  ci- 
 ty, the  vain  earth,  Ihould  have  the  largcft  fnare  of  our  heart!  Our 
 poQr,  lean  and  empty  dreams  of  confidence  in  foinething  befide  God, 
 are  no  further  travelled,  than  up  and  down  the  naughty  and  feck- 
 lefs  creatrires.  God  may  fay  cf  us,  as  he  faid,  Amos  vi.  13.  Tg 
 rejoice  in  a  thing  of  nought.  Surely  we  fpin  our  fpider's  web  wjth 
 pain,  and  build  our  rotten  and  tottering  houfe  upon  a  lie,  and 
 falfliood,  and  vanity.  O  when  will  we  learn  to  have  thoughts 
 higher  than  the  fun  and  moon,  and  learn  our  joy,  hope,  confidence, 
 ?.nd  our  loul's  dclires,  to  look  up  to  our  befl  country,  and  to  look 
 tlowu  to  clay  tents  let  up  for  a  night's  lodging  or  two  in  thisj  uu- 
 
io6  Mr  RUTHERFOORDh  Epift.  135.] 
 
 couth  land,  and  laugh  at  our  childifli  conceptions  and  Imaginations, 
 that  fuck  our  joy  out  of  creatures,  wo,  forrow,  lofles,  and  grief ! 
 •  O  fweetelt  Lord  Jefus  !  O  faireft  Godhead  !  O  flower  of  men 
 and  angels  !  why  are  we  fuch  ftrangers  to,  and  far-ofF  beholders 
 of  thy  glory?*  O  it  were  our  happinefs  for  evermore,  that  God 
 would  caft  a  peft,  a  botch,  a  leprofv,  upon  our  part  of  this  great 
 whore,  a  fair  and  welUbuiked  world,  that  clay  might  no  longer  de- 
 ceive us  !  But  O  that  God  may  burn  and  blaft  our  hope  hereaway, 
 rather  than  our  hope  fliould  live  to  burn  us  !  Alas,  the  wrong  fide 
 of  Chrift  (to  fpeak  fo)  his  black  fide,  his  fufFering  fide,  his  wounds, 
 his  bare  coat,  his  wants,  his  wrongs,  the  oppreiTions  of  men  done 
 to  him,  are  turned  towards  mens  eyes  ;  and  they  fee  not  the  beft 
 and  fairell  fide  of  Chrift,  nor  fee  they  his  amiable  face  and  his 
 beauty,  that  men  and  angels  wonder  at.  Sir,  lend  your  thoughts 
 to  theie  things,  and  learn  to  contemn  this  world,  and  to  turn  your 
 eyes  and  heart  away  from  beholding  the  mafked  beauty  ftf  all  things 
 under  time's  law  and  doom.  See  him  who  is  invifible,  and  his  in- 
 vifible  things;  draw  by  the  curtain,  and  look  in  with  liking  and 
 longing  to  a  kingdom  undefiled,  that  fadeth  not  away,  referved  for 
 you  in  the  heaven  :  this  is  worthy  of  your  pains,  and  worthy  of 
 your  foil's  fweating,  and  labouring,  and  feeking  after,  night  and 
 day.  Fire  will  fly  over  the  earth,  and  all  th?x  is  in  it,  even  de- 
 ftru£lion  frorn  the  Almighty.  Fy,  fy  upon  that  hope,  that  fliall 
 be  dried  up  by  the  root !  Fy  upon  the  drunken  night  bargains,  and 
 the  drunken  and  mad  covenants,  that  finners  make  with  death  and 
 hell  after  cups.  And  when  mens  fouls  are  mad  and  drunken  with 
 the  love  of  this  lawlefs  life,  they  think  to  make  a  nefl  for  their 
 hopes,  and  take  quarters  and  conditions  of  hell  and  death,  that 
 they  iliall  have  eafe,  long  life,  peace ;  and  in  the  morning,  when 
 the  laft  trumpet  fhall  awake  them,  then  they  rue  the  block.  It 
 is  time,  and  high  time  for  you,  to  think  upon  death  and  your  ac- 
 counts, 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  at  your  foul,  and  draw  it  afide  from  the  company  that  it  is 
 with,  and  round  and  vvhifper  into  it  news  of  eternity,  death,  judg- 
 ment, heaven  and  hell.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  T<i'urj  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jcfus^ 
 
 16,7.  '  S.  R. 
 
 135.    To  ALEXANDER  GORDON  of  Earlpun. 
 
 Much  honoured  Sir^ 
 ^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  It  is  like,  if  ye,  the  gentry 
 ^^  and  nobility  of  this  nation,  be  men  in  the  ftreets  (as  the  word 
 fpeaketh)  for  the  Lord,  that  he  will  now  deliver  his  flock,  and  ga- 
 ther and  rcfcue  his  fcattered  flicep,  from  the  hands  of  cruel  r.n4 
 
Eplft.  I35-]  LETTERS.  207 
 
 rigorous  lords,  that  have  ruled  over  them  with  force.  O  that  mine 
 €>es  might  fee  the  moon  light  turn  to  the  light  of  the  fun  )  But  I 
 ftill  fear,  the  quarrel  of  a  broken  covenant  in  Scotland  ftandeth  be- 
 fore the  Lord  :  however  it  be,  I  avouch  it  before  the  v/orld,  that 
 the  tabernacle  of  the  Lord  (liall  again  be  in  the  midft  of  Scotland, 
 and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  fliall  dwell  in  beauty,  as  the  light  of 
 many  days  in  one,  in  this  land.  Owhat  could  my  foul  defirc  more, 
 next'to  my  Lord  Jefus,  while  1  am  in  this  fieih,  but  that  Chriit 
 and  his  kingdom  might  be  great  among  Jev/s  and  Gentiles;  and 
 that  the  ifics  (and  amongft  them,  overclouded  and  darkened  Bri- 
 tain) might  have  the  gloi  y  of  a  noon-day's  fun  !  O  that  I  had  any 
 thing  (1  will  not  except  my  part  in  Chriit)  to  wadlet  or  lay  in 
 pledge,  to  redeem  and  buy  fuch  glory  to  my  highefi  and  royal 
 Prince,  my  fweet  Lord  Jefus  !  My  poor  little  heaven  were  well  be- 
 ftowed,  if  it  could  (land  a  pawn  for  ever,  to  fet  on  high  the  glory 
 of  my  Lord;  but  I  know,  he  needeth  not  wages  nor  hire  at  my 
 hand;  yea,  I  know,  if  my  eternal  glory  could  weigh  down  in  weight, 
 its  alone,  all  the  eternal  glory  of  the  bleiled  angels,  and  of  all  the 
 fpirits  of  jult  and  pcifc6l  men,  glcrificid  and  to  be  glorified  ;  oh 
 alas  !  how  far  I  am  engaged  to  forego  it  for,  and  give  it  over  to 
 Chrift,  fo  being  he  might  thereby  be  fet  on  high  above  ten  thoufand 
 thoufandof  millions  of  heavens,  in  theconqueil  of  many,  many  na- 
 tions to  his  kingdom  !  Othat  his  kingdom  would  come  !  O  that  all 
 the  world  would  ftoop  before  him  I  O  blefTed  hands  that  Iball  put 
 the  crown  upon  Chrifl's  head  in  Scotland !  Dut  alas  !  I  can  fcarce  get 
 leave  to  ware  my  love  on  him  :  I  can  find  no  ways  to  out  my  heart 
 upon  Chrift ;  and  my  love,  that  I  with  my  foul  beftow  on  him,  is 
 like  to  die  upon  my  hand,  and  I  think  it  no  bairns-play  to  be  hun- 
 gered with  Chrilt'd  love  :  tp  love  him  and  to  v/ant  him,  wanteth 
 little  of  hell.  I  am  fure,  he  knov/eth,  how  my  joy  would  fwell 
 upon  me,  from  a  little  well  to  a  great  fea,  to  have  as  much  of  his 
 Jove,  and  as  wide  a  foul  anfwerable  to  comprehend  it,  till  I  cried 
 Hold,  Lord,  no  more.  But  I  find,  he  will  not  have  me  to  be  mine 
 own  Iteward,  nor  mine  own  carver :  Chriit  keepeth  the  keys  of 
 Chrift  (to  fpeak  fo)  and  of  his  own  love,  and  he  is  a  wifer  diftribut- 
 er  than  I  can  take  up  :  I  know,  there  is  more  in  him  than  wouKl 
 make  me  run  over  like  a  coaft-fuU  fea.  I  were  happy  for  ever- 
 more, to  get  leave  to  ftand  but  belide  Chrifl:  and  his  love,  and  to 
 look  in,  fuppoi'e  I  were  interdicted  of  God  to  come  near,  touch  or 
 embrace,  kifs  or  fet  to  my  finful  head,  and  drink  myfelf  drunken 
 with  that  lovely  thing.  God  fend  me  that  which  I  would  have  ; 
 for  I  now  verily  fee,  more  clearly  than  before,  our  folly  in  drinking 
 dead  waters,  and  in  playing  the  whore  with  our  foul's  love  upon 
 running-out  wells,  and  broken  flieards  of  creatures  of  yeftcrdav, 
 whom  time  will  unlaw,  with  the  penalty  of  iohng  their  bein^  ami 
 natural  oriiariients.  O!  when  a  ihaVb  iuve  Is  itching  (to  fpeak  fo) 
 
203  Ur  nUrHERFOORD'%  Epift.  135.3 
 
 for  God,  and  when  Chrift  in  his  boundlefs  and  bottomlefs  love, 
 beauty  and  excellency,  cometh  and  rubbeth  up  and  cxcitt  th  that 
 love,  what  can  be  heaven,  it  this  be  not  heaven  ?  I  am  lure,  this  bit 
 fecklefs,  narrow  and  fhort  love  of  regenerated  Tinners,  was  born  for 
 no  other  end,  but  to  breathe,  and  liv.*  and  love,  and  dwell  in  the 
 bofom  and  betwixt  the  breafts  of  Chrift.  Where  is  there  a  bed  or 
 a  lodging  for  the  faints  love,  but 'Chrift  ?  O  that  he  would  tPikc 
 ourfelves  off  our  hand  !  for  neither  we  nor  the  creatures  can  be  ei- 
 ther due  conqueft,  or  lawful  heritage  to  love:  Chrift,  and  none 
 but  Chrift,  is  Lord  and  proprietor  of  it.  Oh  alas,  how  pitiful  is 
 it,  that  fo  much  of  our  love  goeth  by  him  !  O  but  we  be  wretched 
 wafters  of  our  fouls  love !  I  know,  it  is  the  depth  of  bottomlefs  and 
 unfearchable  providence,  that  the  faints  are  fuffered  to  play  the 
 whore  from  GoJ,  and  that  their  love  ^oeth  a  hunting,  when  God 
 knoweth,  it  ihall  coft  nothing  of  that  at  fupper-time.  The  renewed 
 would  have  it  otherwife  j  and  why  is  it  fo,  feeing  our  Lord  can 
 keep  us  without  nodding,  tottering  or  reeling,  or  any  fall  at  all  ? 
 Our  defires,  I  hope,  (hall  meet  with  perfe£lion  ;  but  God  will  have 
 our  fins  an  office-houfe  for  God's  grace,  and  hath  made  fin  a  mat- 
 ter of  an  unlaw  and  penalty  for  the  Son  of  God's  blood  :  and  how- 
 beit  fin  fliould  be  our  forrow,  yet  there  is  a  fort  of  acquiefcing  and 
 refting  upon  God's  difpenfation  required  of  us,  rhat  there  is  fuch 
 a  thing  in  us  as  fin,  whereupon  mercy,  forgivenefs,  healing,  cur- 
 ing, in  our  fweet  Phyfician,  niay  find  a  field  to  work  upon.  O 
 what  a  deep  is  here,  that  created  wit  cannot  take  up  !  However 
 matters  go,  it  is  our  happinefs  to  win  new  ground  d'lily  in  Ch rift's 
 love,  and  to  purchafe  a  new  piece  of  it  daily,  and  to  add  conquv.dt  to 
 conqueft,  till  our  Lord  Jefus  and  we  be  fo  near  other,  that  Satan 
 ihall  not  draw  a  ftraw  or  a  thread  betwixt  ub.  And  for  myfelf,  I 
 have  no  greater  joy,  in  my  well-favoured  bonds  for  Chrift,  than 
 that  I  know  time  fliall  put  him  and  mc  togf-rher;  and  that  my  love 
 and  longing  hath  room  and  liberty,  amidft  my  bonds  and  foes 
 (whereof  there  are  not  a  few  here  of  ail  ranks)  to  go  vifit  the 
 borders,  and  outer  coaits  of  my  Lord  Jefus  s  country!  and  fee,  at 
 leaft  afar  off  and  darkly,  the  country  which  fliall  be  mine  inheri- 
 tance, which  is  my  Lord  Jefus's  due,  both  through  birth  and  con- 
 queft. I  dare  avouch  to  all  that  know  God,  that  the  faints  know 
 not  the  length  and  largenefs  of  the  fweet  earneft,  and  of  the  fweet 
 green  Iheaves  before  the  harveft,  that  might  be  had  on  this  fide  of 
 the  water,  if  we  v/ould  take  more  pains  ;  and  that  we  all  go  to  hea- 
 ven with  lefs  earneft,  and  lighter  purfesof  the  hoped-for  fumrner, 
 than  otherwife  we  might  do,  if  we  took  more  pains  to  win  fur- 
 ther in  upon  Chrift,  in  this  pilgrimage  of  our  abfence  from  him. 
 Grace,  grace  and  glory  be  your  portion. 
 
 Aberd.  1673.  Tours  in  his  J'wcet  Lord  Jefus^       S.  R. 
 
Epid.  1 3^0  LETTERS.  ^09 
 
 136.    To  JOHN  LAWRIE. 
 
 Dear  Brother t 
 
 T  Am  forry  that  ye,  or  fo  many  in  this  klngdoin,  fliOuUl  expefl 
 •*-  fo  much  of  me,  an  empty  reed:  vrrily  1  am  a  naughty  and 
 poor  body  ;  but  if  the  tinkhng  of  my  Lord  Jefu&'s  iron  chains  on 
 legs  and  arms  could  found  the  high  praifes  of  my  royal  King,  whofs 
 pnfoner  I  am,  O  how  would  my  joy  run  over !  if  my  Lord  would 
 bring  edification  to  one  foul  bv  rry  bonds,  I  am  fatislied  :  l)ut  I 
 know  not  what  to  do  to  fuch  a  princely  and  beautiful  Weil-belov- 
 ed ;  he  is  far  behind  with  me.  Little  thanks  to  me,  to  fay  to  o- 
 thers  his  wind  bloweth  on  me,  who  am  but  withered  and  dry 
 bones:  but  fince  ye  defire  me  to  write  to  you,  either  help  me  to 
 fee  Chrifl  on  high,  for  his  running-over  Love,  in  that  the  heat  o£ 
 his  fwcet  breath  hath  melted  a  frozen  heart,  t\'(t  I  think  ye  do  no- 
 thing for  a  prifoner.  I  am  fully  confirmed,  that  it  iti  the  honour 
 of  our  Law-giver  I  fuffer  for  now  :  I  am  not  aihamed  to  give  out 
 letters  of  recommendation  of  ChriiVs  love,  to  as  many  as  will  extol 
 the  Lord  Jefus  and  his  crofs.  If  1  had  not  failed  this  fea-^ay  to 
 heaven,  but  had  taken  the  land-way,  as  men  do,  I  Hiould  net 
 have  known  Chrift's  fweetnefs  in  fuch  a  meafure  :  but  the  truth  is, 
 let  no  man  thank  me  ;  for  1  caufed  not  Ch rift's  wind  to  blow  up- 
 on me :  his  love  came  upon  a  withered  creature,  whether  I  would 
 or  not  (and  yet  by  coming  it  procured  from  me  a  welcome.)  A 
 heart  of  iron,  and  iron  doors,  will  not  hold  Chriil  out  \  I  give  him 
 leave  to  brevik  iron  locks  and  come  in,  and  that  is  all;  and  now  I 
 know  not,  whether  pr>.in  of  love  for  want  of  poffellion,  or  fcrrOAV 
 that  I  dow  not  thank  him,  paineth  me  moft  \  but  both  work  upon 
 me.  For  the  ift,  O  that  he  would  come  and  fatisfy  the  longing 
 foul,  a  id  fill  the  hungry  with  thefe  gopd  things  !  1  know  indeed, 
 my  guiltinefs  may  be  a  bar  in  his  way,  but  he  is  God,  and  ready 
 to  forgive.  And  for  the  other,  wo,  wo  is  me,  that  I  cannot  find  a 
 heart  to  give  back  again  my  unworthy  little  love,  for  his  great  fea- 
 fuU  of  love  to  me  :  O  that  he  would  learn  me  this  piece  of  grati- 
 tude !  O  that  I  could  have  leave  to  look  in,  through  the  hole  of 
 the  door,  to  fee  his  face,  and  fing  his  praifes !  or  could  break  up 
 one  of  his  chamber  windows,  to  look  in  upon  his  delighting  beauty, 
 till  my  Lord  fend  more!  Any  little  communioti  with  him,  one  or 
 his  love-looks  fhould  be  my  begun  heaven.  1  know  he  is  net 
 lordly,  neither  is  the  Bridegroom's  love  proud,  though  I  be  black 
 and  unlovely,  and  unwotthy  of  him.  I  would  fcek  but  leave,  anl 
 ■withal  grace,  to  fpend  my  love  upon  him.  I  connfel  you  to  think 
 highly  of  Chi  ift,  and  of  free,  free  %x?.z^,  more  than  ye  did  before; 
 for  I  know  th^it  Chriil  is  not  known  amorg[t  us.  I  think  1  fe<; 
 «n«jre  of  CUrilt  than  ever  1  faw  :  and  yet  I  fee  but  little  of  what  may 
 
 D  d 
 
2IO  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Fplft.  137.X 
 
 be  feen  :  O  that  he  would  draw-by  the  curtains,  and  that  the  King 
 would  come  out  of  his  gallery  and  pakce,  that  I  might  fee  him  \ 
 Chrilt's  love  is  young  glory  and  young  heaven  :  it  would  loften 
 heirs  pains  to  be  filled  with  it.  What  would  I  refufe  to  fuffer,  if 
 I  could  get  but  a  draught  of  love  at  my  heart's  defire  ?  O  what  price 
 can  be  given  for  him  f  Angels  cannot  weigh  him  ;  O  his  weight, 
 his  worth,  his  fweetnefs,  his  o^'erpaffing  beauty  !  if  men  and  an- 
 gels would  coi"r>e,  and  look  to  that  great  and  princely  One,  their 
 tbbnefs  would  never  take  up  his  depth,  their  narrownefs  would 
 never  comprehend  his  breadth,  height  and  length :  if  ten  thou- 
 fand  thoufand  worlds  of  angels  were  created,  then  might  all  tire 
 themifelves  in  wondering  at  his  beauty,  and  begin  again  to  won- 
 der of  new.  O  that  I  could  win  nigh  him,  to  kifs  his  feet,  to  hear 
 his  voice,  to  find  the  fmell  of  his  ointments  !  But  oh  alas,  I  have 
 little,  little  of  him  !  yet  1  long  for  more.  Remember  my  bonds, 
 and  help  me  with  your  prayers  \  for  I  would  not  nifFer  or  ex- 
 change my  fad  hours,  with  the  joy  of  my  velvet  adverfaries.  Grace 
 be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  June  10.  Tours  in  his  five  ct  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1637.  S.R. 
 
 137.    To  Mr.  JAMES  FLEMING. 
 
 Reverend  and  well-beloved  in  our  Lord, 
 /^  PvACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  received  your  letrer^ 
 ^-^  which  hath  refrefhed  me  in  my  bonds.  I  cannot  but  telli- 
 fy  unto  you,  my  dear  brother,  what  fweetnefs  I  find  in  our  Maf- 
 ter's  crofs  ;  but  alas,  what  can  I  either  do  or  fufier  for  him  !  If  1 
 my  alone  had  us  many  lives,  as  there  have  been  drops  of  rain  fincc 
 the  creation,  I  would  thifik  them  too  little  for  that  lovely  One, 
 our  Well-beloved  ;  but  my  pain  and  my  forrow  is  above  my  fufFer- 
 ings,  that  I  find  not  ways  to  fet  out  the  praifes  of  his  love  to  others, 
 I  am  not  able,  by  tongue,  pen,  or  fufferings,  to  provoke  many  to 
 fall  in  'love  with  him  :  but  he  knoweth,  whom  I  love  to  ferve  in 
 the  fpirit,  what  I  would  do,  and  fufFer  by  his  own  ftrength,  fo 
 being  I  might  make  my  Lord  Jefus  lovely  and  fweet  to  many 
 thoufands  in  this  land.  I  think  it  amongft  God's  wonders,  that  he 
 will  take  any  praife  or  glory,  or  any  teflimony  to  his  honourable 
 caufe,  from  fuch  a  forlorn  finner  as  I  am  :  but  when  Chrifl  work- 
 eth,  he  needeth  not  alk  the  queftion,  by  whom  he  will  be  glori- 
 ous ;  I  know,  feeing  his  glory  at  the  beginning  did  fhine  out  of 
 poor  nothing,  to  fet  up  fuch  a  fair  houfe  for  men  and  angels,  and 
 fo  many  glorious  creatures,  to  proclaim  his  goodnefs,  power  and 
 wifdom,  if  I  were  burnt  to  alhes,  out  of  the  fmoke  and  powder  of 
 my  diflblved  body,  he  could  raife  glory  to  himfelf :  his  glory  is  his 
 end  •,  oh  that  I  could  join  with  hioi,  to  make  it  my  end !  i  would 
 
Epift.  I37-]  LETTERS.  2fi 
 
 think  that  fellowfliip  with  him  fweet  and  glorious.  But  alas  !  few 
 know  the  guikinefs  that  is  on  my  part;  it  is  a  wonder,  that  this 
 good  caufe  hath  not  been  marred  and  TpiU,  in  my  foul  hands  :  but 
 1  rejoice  in  this,  that  my  fweet  Lord  Jefus  hath  found  fomething 
 ado,  even  a  ready  market  for  his  free  grace,  and  incomparable  and 
 matchlefs  mercy,  in  my  wants:  only  my  lothfome  wretchedncfs 
 and  my  wai.ts  have  quaiined  me  for  Chrifl,  and  the  riches  of  his 
 glorious  <;race  •,  he  behoved  to  take  me  for  nothing,  or  elfe  to  want 
 me:  few  know  the  unfeen  and  private  reckoning  betwixt  Chrift 
 and  me  ;  yet  his  love,  his  boundlefs  love  would  not  bide  away, 
 nor  ftay  at  home  with  himfelf;  and  yet  I  dow  not  make  it  welcome 
 as  I'ought,  when  it  is  come  unfent-for  and  without  hire.  How  joy- 
 ful is  my  heart,  that  ye  write  ye  are  dcfirous  to  join  with  me  in 
 praifmg  i  for  it  is  a  charity  to  help  a  dvvour  to  pay  his  debts;  but 
 w^hen  all  have  helped  me,  my  name  fliall  ftand  in  his  count-book 
 under  ten  thoufand  thoufands  of  fums  unpaid  :  but  it  eafeth  my 
 heart  that  his  dear  fei  vants  will  but  fpeak  of  my  debts  to  fuch  a  fweec 
 Creditor.  I  defire,  he  may  lay  me  in  his  own  balance  and  weigh 
 me,  if  I  would  not  fain  have  a  feaft  of  his  boundlefs  love  made  to 
 my  own  foul,  and  to  many  others.  One  thing  I  know,  we  lliall 
 not  all  be  able  to  come  near  his  excellency  with  eye,  heart,  or 
 tongue;  for  he  is  above  all  created  thoughts;  ail  nations  before 
 him  are  as  nothin^^,  and  lefs  than  nothing  ;  he  fitteth  in  the  cir- 
 cuit of  heaven,  and  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  are  as  grafhoppers 
 before  him  !  O  that  men  would  praife  him  !  ye  complain  of  your 
 private  cafe;  alas  I  am  not  the  man  who  can  fpeak  to  fuch  an  one 
 as  ye  are  :  any  fweet  prefence  I  have  had  in  this  town,  is  (I  know) 
 for  this  caufe,  that  I  might  exprefs  and  make  it  known  to  otii^rs; 
 but  I  never  find  myfelf  nearer  Chrift,  that  royal  and  princely  One, 
 than  after  a  great  weight  and  fenfe  of  deadnefs,  and  graccleffiiefs: 
 1  think,  the  fenfe  of  our  wants,  when  withal  we  have  a  reftleliiiefs, 
 and  a  fort  of  fpiritual  impatience  under  them,  and  can  make  a  diix 
 becaufe  we  want  him  whom  our  foul  loveth,  is  that  which  maketh 
 an  open  door  to  Chrift;  and  when  we  think  we  are  going  back- 
 ward, becaufe  we  feel  deadnefs,  we  are  going  forward  :  for  the 
 more  fenfe,  the  more  life,  and  no  fenfe  argueth  no  life.  There  is 
 no  fwceter  fellowHiip  with  Chrift.  than  to  bring  our  w^ounns  and 
 our  forcs  to  him.  But  for  myfelf,  1  am  aCiamcd  of  Chrifi's 
 goodnefs  and  love,  fince  the  time  of  my  bends ;  for  he  h^.th  been 
 pleafed  to  open  up  new  treafures  of  love  and  felt  fweetnefs,  and 
 ^ive  vifuations  of  \ovCy  and  accefs  to  himfelf,  in  this  ftrange  land, 
 I  would  thiiik  a  fill  of  his  love,  young  and  green  heaven  ;  ami 
 when  he  is  pleafed  to  come,  and  the  tide  is  in,  and  the  fea  full, 
 and  the  King  and  a  poor  prifoner  to;Tc;thcr  in  the  houfe  of  wine, 
 the  black  tree  of  the  crofs  is  not  fo  heavy  as  a  feather.  I  cannot,  I 
 dow  not,  but  give  Chrift  aii  honourable  teftimony ;  I  fee,  the  Loid 
 
 Dd  i 
 
112  Mr  nUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  138.I 
 
 can  ride  through  his  enemies  bands,  and  triumph  in  the  fuiFerings 
 of  his  own;  and  that  this  blind  world  feeth  not,  that  fufFerings  is 
 Chrift's  armour,  wherein  he  is  victorious  :  and  they  that  contend 
 with  Zion  fee  not  what  he  is  doing,  when  they  are  let  to  work,  a3 
 under-fmiths  and  fervants,  to  the  work  of  refining  of  the  faints, 
 (Satan's  hand  alfo  by  thtm  i^  at  the  melting  of  the  Lord's  vefllLs  of 
 iTiCrcy)  and  their  oiTice  iii  God's  houfe,  is  to  fcour  and  cleanfe  vef- 
 lels  for  the  King's  table.  I  marvel  not  to  fee  them  triumph,  and 
 fit  at  eafe  in  Zion  ;  our  Father  muft  lay  up  his  rods,  and  keep 
 them  carefully  for  his  own  ufe;  our  Lord  cannot  want  fire  in  his 
 boufe  ;  his  furnace  is  in  Zion,  and  his  fire  in  Jcrufalem  :  but  little 
 know  the  adverfaries  tiie  counfel  and  thoughts  of  the  Lord. 
 And  for  your  complaints  of  your  miiiillry,  I  now  think  all  I  do 
 too  little:  piainnefs^  freedom,  watchfulnefs,  fidelity,  fliail  fwell  up- 
 on you,  in  exceeding  large  comforts,  in  your  fufferings:  the  feeding 
 of  Chriit's  lambs  in  private  vifitaiions,  and  catechilmg,  in  painful 
 preaching,  and  fair,  honefl  and  free  warning  of  the  flock,  is  a 
 iufferer's  garland.  O  ten  thoufand  times  bleffed  are  they,  who  are 
 honoured  of  Chriifto  be  faithful  and  painful,  in  wooing  a  bride  to 
 Chrifl !  My  dear  brother,  I  know  ye  think  more  on  this,  than  I 
 can  ;  and  1  rejoice  that  your  purpofe  is,  in  the  Lord's  ftrength,  to 
 back  your  wronged  Mailer,  and  to  come  oiit,  and  call  yourfelf 
 Chrift  s  mnn,  when  fo  many  are  now  denying  him,  as  fearing  that 
 Chrifl  cannot  do  for  hi mfelf  and  them.  I  am  a  loll  man  for  ever,  or 
 this,  this  is  the  way  to  fj;lvation,  even  this  way  that  they  call  here- 
 fy,  that  men  now  do  mock  and  fcofl-  at.  I  am  confirmed  now,  that 
 Chrift  will  accept  of  his  fervants  fufFerings  as  good  fervice  to  him, 
 at  the  day  of  his  appearance*,  and  that  ere  it  be  long  he  will  be 
 upon  us  all,  and  men  in  their  blacks  and  whites  (hall  be  brought 
 out  before  God,  angels  and  men.  Our  Mafter  is  not  far  off:  oh 
 jf  we  could  wait  on,  and  be  faithful  !  The  good  will  of  him  who 
 dwelt  in  the  bufli,  the  tender  favour  and  love,  the  grace  of  our 
 Lord  Jefus  Chrift  be  with  you.  Help  me  with  your  prayers;  and 
 defirc,  from  me,  other  brethren,  to  take  courage  for  their  Mafter. 
 Aberdeen,  Aug.  15.  Tours  in  his  fijucet  Lord  Jefus ^ 
 
 1 6^  J.  S.  R. 
 
 138.  To  Mr.  JOHN  MELNFE. 
 IVcrthy  and  dear  Brother^ 
 ^~^R  A.CE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  have  been  too  Jong  \t\ 
 ^-^  anfwering  your  letter,  but  other  bufinefs  took  me  up.  I  am 
 here  waiting,  if  the  fair  wind  will  turn  upon  Chrift's  fails  in  Scot- 
 land :  and  if  deliverance  be  breaking  out  to  this  ovcr-clouded  and 
 benighted  kirk.  Oh  that  we  could  contend  by  prayers  and  fuppli- 
 cations  with  our  Lord  for  tl^at  elFtcl !  I  kftow,  he  hath  not  give^ 
 
Epift.  139.1  LETTERS.  tij 
 
 out  his  Infl  doom  againft  this  land.  I  have  little  of  Chrift  in  this 
 prifon,  but  grounings,  and  longings,  and  deGrcs:  all  niy  flock 
 of  Chrift  is  fome  hunger  for  him  (and  yet  I  cannot  fay,  but  I  am 
 rich  in  that)  my  faith,  and  hope,  and  holy  practice  of  new  obedi- 
 ence, are  fcarce  worth  the  fpeakmg  of:  but  blcffed  be  my  Lord, 
 who  takcth  mc,  light  and  clipped,  and  naughty,  and  fecklefs, 
 as  I  am.  I  fee  Chriil  will  not  prig  with  me,  nor  ftand  upon 
 fte^ping-ftones,  but  cometb  in  at  the  broad-fide  without  ce- 
 remonies, or  making  it  nice,  to  make  a  poor  ranfomed  one  his 
 own.  O  that  I  couki  feed  upon  his  breathing,  and  kifling,  and 
 embracing,  and  upon  the  hopes  of  my  meeting  and  his,  when 
 love-lcttcrs  Oiall  not  go  betwixt  us,  but  he  {'iMll  be  meffcnger 
 himfelf  :  but  there  is  required  patience  on  our  part,  till  the  fum- 
 mer  fruit  in  heaven  be  ripe  for  us  ;  it  is  in  the  bud,  but  there  b« 
 many  things  to  do  before  our  harveft:  come  :  and  we  take  ill 
 with  It,  and  can  hardly  endure  to  fet  our  paper-face  to  one  of 
 Chrift  s  ftorms,  and  10  go  to  heaven  ^yith  wet  feet,  and  pain,  and 
 forrovv.  We  love  to  carry  heaven  to  heaven  with  us,  and  would 
 have  two  fummers  in  one  year,  and  no  lefs  than  two  heavens; 
 but  this  will  not  be  for  us:  one,  and  fuch  an  one,  may  fuffice 
 us  well  enough ;  the  man  Chrift  got  but  one  only,  and  (hall  we 
 have  two?  R.:!membcr  my  love  in  Chrift  to  your  father,  and 
 help  me  with  your  pr.3yers.  If  ye  would  be  a  deep  divine,  I  re- 
 commend to  you  fan(iliiication  :  fear-  him,  and  he  ftiall  reveal 
 his  covenant  to  you.      Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeeiit  Jan.  5.  Tours  in  his  fwect  Lord  JcfuSy 
 
 1637.  "  ^  S.  R. 
 
 139.  To  CARDONESS  elder. 
 Much  honoured  Sir, 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  long«d  to  hear 
 ^^  from  you,  and  to  know  the  eft.Jte  of  your  foul,  and  the 
 cftatc  of  that  people  with  you.  I  befeech  you,  Sir,  by  the  fai- 
 vation  of  your  precious  foul,  and  the  mercies  of  God,  make  good 
 and  fure  work  of  your  fj] vation,  and  try  upon  what  ground-ftonc 
 ye  have  buiided.  Worthy  and  dear  Sir,  if  ye  be  upon  finking 
 fand,  a  ftorm  of  death,  and  a  blaft  will  loofc  Chrift  and  you,  and 
 wafti  you  clofc  oft'  the  rock  ;  O  for  the  Lord's  fiike,  look  nar- 
 rowly to  the  work.  Read  over  your  life,  with  iHe  jight  of  God*s 
 day  light  and  fun  ;  for  falvation  is  not  caften  down  at  every  man's 
 door  :  it  is  good  to  look  to  your  compafs,  and  ail  ye  have  need 
 of,  ere  ye  take  ftiipping  ;  for  no  wind  can  blow  you  back  again. 
 Remember,  when  the  race  is  ended,  and  the  play  either  won  or 
 loft,  and  ye  are  in  the  utmoft  circle  and  border  of  time,  and 
 ^allput  your  foot  within  the  march  of  eternity,  and  all  your  good 
 
1T4  ^Ir  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  139.3 
 
 things  of  this  fhort  night-dream  fhall  feem  to  you  like  the  afhes 
 of  a  blaze  of  thorns  or  ftraw,  and  your  poor  foul  Ihail  be  crying, 
 Lodging,  lodging,  for  God's  fake;  then  ihall  your  foul  be  more 
 glad  at  one  of  your  Lord's  lovely  and  homely  fmiles,  than  if  yc 
 had  the  charters  of  three  worlds  for  all  eternity.  Let  pleafures 
 and  gain,  will  and  defires  of  this  world,  be  put  over  in  God's 
 hands,  as  arreiled  and  fenced  goods,  that  ye  cannot  Intromit  with. 
 Now  w^hen  ye  are  drinking  the  grounds  of  your  cup,  and  ye  arc 
 upon  the  utmoft  ends  of  the  laft  link  of  time,  and  old  age,  like 
 death's  long  fhadow,  is  carting  a  covering  iipon  your  days;  it  is 
 no  tiaie  to  court  this  vain  life,  and  to  fct  love  and  heart  upon 
 it :  it  is  near  after-fupper  ;  feck  reft  and  eafe  for  your  foul,  in 
 God  through  Chrift.  l^lieve  me,  I  find  it  hard  wreltling,  to  play 
 fair  with  Chrift,  and  to  keep  good  quarters  with  him,  and  keep 
 love  to  him  in  integrity  and  life,  and  to  keep  a  conftant  courfe 
 of  found  and  folid  daily  communion  with  Chrift ;  temptations  arc 
 daily  breaking  the  thread  of  that  courfe,  and  it  is  not  eafy  to  caft 
 a  knot  again,  and  many  knots  make  evil  work.  O  how  fair  have 
 many  fhips  been  plying  before  the  wind,  that,  in  an  hour's  fpace, 
 have  been  lying  in  the  fea  bottom  !  How  many  profeflbrs  caft  a 
 golden  luftre,  as  if  they  were  pure  gold,  and  yet  are,  under  that 
 Zkin  and  cover,  but  bafe  and  reprobate  metal  !  And  how  many 
 keep  breath  in  their  race  many  miles,  and  yet  come  fhort  of  the 
 prize  and  the  garland !  Dear  Sir,  my  foul  would  mourn  in  fecret 
 for  you,  if  I  knew  your  cafe  with  God  to  be  but  falfe  work  : 
 love  to  have  you  anchored  upon  Chrift,  maketh  me  fear  your  tot- 
 tering and  flips  :  falfe  under-water  not  feen  in  the  ground  of  an 
 enlightened  confcience,  is  dangerous  ;  fo  is  often  failing  and  fin- 
 ning  againft  light:  know  this,  that  thefe  who  never  had  fick 
 nights  or  days  in  confcience  for  fin,  cannot  have  but  fuch  a  peace 
 with 'God,  as  will  undcrcot,  and  break  the  llefh  again,  and  end 
 in  a  fad  war  at  death.  O  how  fearfully  are  thoulands  beguiled 
 with  falfe  hide-grown-over  old  fins,  as  if  the  foul  were  cured  and 
 healed  !  Dear  Sir,  I  fitw  ever  nature  mighty,  lofty,  heady  and 
 ftrong  in  you  ;  and  it  was  more  for  you  to  be  mortified  and  dead 
 to  the  world,  than  another  common  man  :  ye  v/ill  take  a  low  ebb, 
 and  a  deep  cut,  and  a  long  lance,  to  go  to  the  bottom  of  your 
 wounds,  in  faving  humiliation,  to  make  you  a  won  prey  for 
 Chrift.  Be  humbled,  walk  foftly;  down,  down,  for  God's  fake, 
 my  dear  and  worthy  brother,  with  your  top  fail  :  ftoop,  ftoop  ; 
 it  is  a  low  entry  to  go  in  at  heaven's  gates :  there  is  infinite  juft- 
 ice  in  the  party  ye  have  to  do  with  ;  it  is  his  nature  not  to  ac- 
 quit the  guilty  and  the  finner  :  the  law  of  God  will  not  want  one 
 farthing  of  the  finner  !  God  forgetteth  not  both  the  cautioner 
 and  the  finner;  and  every  man  muft  pay,  either  in  his  own  per- 
 fon  (O  Lord,  tave  you  from  that  payment!)  or  in  his  cautioner, 
 
Epift.  139-]  LETTERS.  215: 
 
 Chrift.     It  is  violence  to  corrupt  nature,  for  a  man  to  be  holy, 
 to  ly  down  under  Chrift's  feet,  to  quit  will,  pleafure,  worldly  love, 
 earthly  hope,  and  an  itching  of  heart  after  this  fairded  and  over- 
 gilded world,  and  to  be  content  that  Chrift  trample  upon  all. 
 Come  in,  come  in  to  Chrift,  and  fee  what  ye  want,  and  find  it  in 
 him  :  he  is  the  (hon  cut  (as  we  ufe  to  fay)  and  the  neareft  way. 
 to  an  outgate   of  all  your  burdens.     I  dare  avouch,  ye  iball  be 
 dearly  welcome  to  him  ;   my  foul  would  be  glad  to  take  part  of 
 the  joy  ye  fhould  have  in  him.     I  dare  fay,  angels  pens,  angels 
 tongues,  nay  as  many  worlds  of  angels,  as  there  are  drops  of  wa- 
 ter iri  all  the  feas,    and  fountains,  and  rivers  of  the  earth,  can- 
 not paint  him  out   to  you  :  I  think,   his  fweetnefs,  fince  I  was 
 a  prifoner,   hath  fwtlled  upon  me  to   the  greamefs  of  two  hea- 
 vens :  O  for  a  foul    as  wide  as   the   utmoft  circle  of  the  highcft 
 heaven  thht  containeth  all,  to  contain  his  love  !  And  yet  I  could 
 hold  little  of  it.     O  world's  wonder!  O  if  my  foul  might  but 
 ly  within  the  fmell  of  his  love,  fuppofe  I  could  get  no  more  but 
 the  fmell  of  it  \  O  but  it  is  long  to  that  day  when  I  fliall  have 
 a  free  world  of  Chrift's  love!  O  what  a  fight  to  be  up  in  heaven, 
 in  that  fair  orchard  of  the  new  paradife  ;  and  to  fee,  and  fmell, 
 and  touch,  and  kifs  that  fair  field  flower,  that  ever-green  tree 
 of  life !  His  bare  fliadow  were  enough  for  me  ;  a  fight  of  him 
 would  be  the  earneft  of  heaven  to  me.     Fy,  fy  upon  us  that  we 
 have  love  lying  rufting  befide  us,  or  which  is  worfe,  wafted  up- 
 on lothfome  objects,  and  Chrift  (hould   ly  his  alone.     Wo,  wo 
 is  me,  that  fin  hath  made  fo  many  mad-men,  feeking  the  fool's 
 paradife,  fire  under  ice,  and  fome  good  and  defireable  thing,  with- 
 out and  apart  from  Chrift.     Chrift,   Chrift,  nothing  but  Chrift 
 can  cool  our  love's  burning  languor :  O  thirfty  love  !   wilt  thou 
 fet  Chrift^  the  well  of  life,  to  thy  head,  and  drink  thy  fill ;  drink 
 and   fpare  not,  drink   love,  and   be  drunken  with  Chrift  ?  Nay, 
 alas,  the  diftancc  betwixt  us  and  Chrift   is  death  :  O  if  we  were 
 clafped  in  other's  arms  !  We  ftiould  never  twin  again,  except 
 heaven   twin'd  and   funder'd  us  ;  and  that  cannot  be.     I  defire 
 your  children  to  feek  this  Lord  :  defire  them  from  me  to  be  re- 
 quefted,  for  Chrift's  fake,   to  be  blefied  and  happy,  and  come 
 and  take  Chrift,  and  all  things  with   him  :   let  them  beware  of 
 glafiy  and  llippery  youth,  of  foolifh  young  notions,  of  worldly 
 lufts,  of  deceivable  gain,  of  wicked  company,  of  curfing,  lying, 
 blafpheming,  and  foolilh  talking  :  let  them  be  filled  with  the 
 Spirit,    acquaint  themfclves  with    daily  praying,   and  with  the 
 ftore  houfe  of  wifdom  and    comfort,    the    good  word  of  God, 
 Help  the  fouls  of  the  poor  peoplvi  :  O  that  my  Lord  would  bring 
 me  again  among  them,  that  I  might  tell  uncouth  and  great  tales 
 of  Chrift  to  them  I  Receive  not  a  ftranger  to  preach  any  other 
 dodrine  to  them.     Pray  for  me,  hrs  prifoner  of  hope.     I  pray 
 
 i 
 
2i6  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epifl.  140.] 
 
 for  you  without  cesfing  :  I  write  my  blefling,  earneft  prayers,  the 
 love  of  God,  aud  the  fweet  prefence  of  Chiift  to  you,  and  yours, 
 and  them.    Grace,  grace,  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  Tour  lawful  and  loving  pafior^ 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 140.     To  the  Earl  of  LOTHIAN. 
 
 Right  honourable  and  my  very  worthy  and  noble  krd, 
 /^UT  of  the  honourable  and  good  report  that  I  hear  of  your 
 ^^  Lordfbip's  good-will  and  kindnefs.  in  taking  to  heart  the  ho- 
 nourable caufe  of  Chrill,  and  his  afBicled  church  and  wronged 
 truth,  in  this  land;  I  make  bold  to  fpeak  a  word  in  paper  to  your 
 Lordfbip  at  this  diftance,  which  I  trufl  your  Lordfhip  will  take  in 
 good  part.  It  is  your  Lordiliip's  honour  and  credit,  to  put  to  your 
 hand  (as  ye  do,  all  honour  to  God  I)  to  the  falling  ^nd  tottering 
 tabernacleofChrift,  in  this  your  mother-church,  and  to  own  Chrifl's 
 wrongs,  as  your  own  wrongs.  O  blefTcd  hand,  which  fhall  wipe 
 and  dry  the  watery  eyes  of  our  weeping  Lord  Jefus,  now  going 
 mourning  in  fackcloth  in  his  members,  in  his  fpoufe,  in  his  truth, 
 and  in  the  prerogative-royal  of  his  kindly  power !  he  needeth  not 
 fervice  and  help  from  men  -,  but  it  ple.ifeth  his  wildom  to  make 
 the  wants  and  lofles,  fores  and  wounds  of  his  fpoufe,  a  field  and  an 
 ofHce-houfe  for  the  zeal  of  his  fervanrs  to  exercife  themfeives  in  : 
 therefore,  my  noble  and  dear  Lord,  go  on,  go  on  in  the  flrcngth 
 of  the  Lord,  againft  all  oppofition,  to  fide  with  wronged  Chrill. 
 The  defending  and  warding  of  flrokes  ofFChrift,  his  bride,  the 
 King's  daughter,  is  like  a  piece  of  the  reft  of  the  wav  to  heaven, 
 knotty,  rough,  ftormy,  and  full  of  thorns  :  many  would  follow 
 ChriO:,  but  with  a  refervation,  that  by  open  proclamation  Chrifl 
 would  cry  down  crolTes,  and  cry  up  fair-weather,  and  a  fummer- 
 {ky  and  fun,  till  we  were  all  fairly  landed  at  heaven.  I  know  your 
 Lordfbip  hath  not  fo  learned  Chrift,  but  that  ye  intend  to  fetch  hea- 
 ven, fuppofe  your  father  were  (landing  in  your  way;  and  to  take 
 it  with  the  wind  on  your  face  ;  for  fo  both  ftorm  and  wind  was  on 
 the  fair  face  of  your  lovely  Fore-runner,  Chrift,  all  his  way.  It  i$ 
 poflible,  the  fuccefs  anfwcr  not  your  defire,  in  this  worthy  caufe: 
 what  then  ?  Duties  are  ours,  but  events  arc  the  Lord's  :  and  I  hope, 
 if  your  Lordfliip  and  others- with  you  fliall  go  on  to  dive  to  the 
 loweft  ground  and  bottom  of  tlie  knavery  and  perfidious'treachery 
 to  Chrift,  of  the  curfed  and  wretched  prelates,  the  Antichrlft's 
 iirft-born,  and  the  firft-fruit  of  his  foul  womb,  and  ftiall  deal  with 
 bur  Sovereign  (law  going  before  you)  for  the  reafonable  and  im- 
 partial hearing  of  Chrift's  bill  of  complaints,  and  fetyourfelves  fmg- 
 ly  to  feek  the  Lord  and  his  face,  your  righteoufnefs  fhall  break 
 through   the  clouds,   that  prejudice  hath  drav/n  over  itj   zvA 
 
EpilL  140.]  LETTERS.  217 
 
 ye  lliall,  in  the  ftrength  of  the  Lord,  bring  our  bimifned  and  de- 
 paiting  Lord  Jefus  home  again  to  his  fanifluary.  Neiiher  muit 
 your  LordOiip  advifc  with  ficfh  and  blood  in  this;  but  wink,  anct 
 in  the  dark  reach  your  hand  to  Chriil,  and  follow  him.  Let  not 
 niehs  fainting  difcourage  you,  neither  be  afrai.!  of  mens  cannv  wif- 
 dom,  who  in  this  (torm  take  the  nc"::rell  fhore  and  go  to  the  lee 
 ?nd  calm  fide  of  the  gofpel,  and  hide  Chrift  (i}'  ever  they  h.ul  him) 
 in  llicir  cabinets,  as  if  they  were  ailiamed  of  him,  or  iis  if  Chnlt 
 were  itolen  wares,  and  would  bluin  before  the  fun.  JNiy  very  dear 
 and  noble  Lord,  ye  have  rejoiced  ihe  hearts  of  many,  that  ye  have 
 made  choice  of  Chrift  and  his  gofpel,  whereas  fuch  great  tempta- 
 tions do  fl:and  in  your  way  :  bur  I  love  your  profcfTion  the  better, 
 that  it  endureth  winds  ;  if  we  knew  ourfel'.es  well  to  want  temp- 
 tations is  the  greateft  temptation  of  all :  neither  is  father  nor  mo- 
 ther, nor  court,  nor  honour,  in  this  overlufl:ered  world,  with  all  its 
 p:.intry  and  fairding,  any  thing  elfe,  when  they  are  laid  in  the  ba- 
 lance with  Chrift,  but  feathers,  fhadows,  n'ghi-vireams  and  ftraws. 
 
 0  if  this  world  knew  the  excellency,  fweeti.cfs  and  beauty  of  that 
 high  and  lofty  One,  that  faircft  among  the  fens  of  men !  Verily 
 they  (hould  fee,  if  their  love  were  bigger  than  ten  heavens  ail  in 
 circles  without  other,  that  it  were  all  too  little  for  Chrift  our  Lord. 
 
 1  hope  your  choice  fhall  not  repent  you,  when  life  ftiall  come 
 to  that  twilight  betwixt  time  and  eternity,  and  ye  Qvall  fee  the  ut- 
 moft  border  of  timiC,  and  ftiall  draw  the  curtain,  and  look  into  e- 
 ternity,  and  ftiali  one  day  fee  God  take  the  heavens  in  his  hands, 
 and  fold  them  together  like  an  old  holey  garment,  and  fet  on  tire 
 this  clay- part  of  the  creation  of  God,  and  confume  away  in  fmoke 
 and  afties  the  idol-hope  of  poor  fools,  who  think  there  is  not  a  bet- 
 ter country,  than  this  low  country  of  dying  clay.  Children  can- 
 not make  comparifon  aright  betwixt  this  life  and  that  to  come ;  and 
 therefore  the  babes  of  this  world  who  fee  no  better,  n^puld  ia 
 their  own  brain  a  heaven  of  their  own  coining,  bccaufe  they  fee 
 no  further  than  the  neareft  fide  of  time.  I  dare  lay  in  pawn  my 
 hope  of  heaven,  that  this  reproached  way  is  the  only  way  of  peace  : 
 I  find  it  is  the  way  ih  it  the  Lord  hath  fealed  with  his  comforts, 
 now  in  my  bonds  for  Chiift :  and  I  verily  eftecm  and  find  chains 
 and  fetters  for  that  lovely  One,  Chrift,  to  be  watered  over  with 
 Iwcet  confolations,  and  the  love  fmiles  of  that  lovely  Bridegroom, 
 for  whofe  coming  we  wi<it  :  and  when  he  cometh,  then  Ihall  the 
 blacks  and  whites  of  all  men  come  before  the  fun,  then  fliall  the 
 liOrd  put  a  final  decifion  upon  the  pleas  that  Zion.hath  with  her 
 adverfarics  :  and  as  faft  as  time  pofteth  away  (which  neither  fitteth, 
 nor  ftjndeth,  nor  lleepeth)  as  faft  is  our  hand-breadth  of  this  Ihoit 
 winter  night  flying  away,  and  the  iky  of  cur  long-lafting  day 
 drawing  near  its  breaking.  Except  ycur  Lordfhip  be  ple.ifed  to 
 plead  for  me,  againfl  the  tyranny  of  prehtcs,  1  ftiall  be  forgctteu 
 
 Ee 
 
2i5  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  141.] 
 
 j-n  this  prifon:  for  they  did  (hape  my  doom  according  to  their  new 
 lawiels  canons^  wh:ch  is,  th'  t  a  deprived  minifter  Ihall  be  utterly 
 lilenced,  and  not  preach  at  all,  which  is  a  cruelty,  contrary  to 
 their  own  former  pratlices.  Now,  the  only  wife  God,  the  very  God 
 of  peace,  confirm,  ftrengthen  and  efiablifh  your  LordOiip,  upon 
 the  Scone  laid  in  Ziou,  and  be  with  you  for  ever. 
 
 jt/herd,    637.  Tour  Lordjhip's  at  all  refpeBive  obedi- 
 
 ence in  his  Jiveet  Lord  Jefus^  S.  Pv, 
 
 G^ 
 
 141.    To  JEAN  BROWN. 
 
 Mijlr^f^, 
 RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your 
 foul  profpcreth.  1  earneftly  defire  your  on-going  toward 
 your  country  ;  I  know  ye  fee  your  day  melteth  away  by  little  and 
 little,  and  that  in  fhort  time  ye  will  be  put  beyond  time's  bounds; 
 for  life  is  a  poft  that  ftandeth  no:  ftill,  and  our  joys  here  are  born 
 weeping,  rather  than  laughing,  and  they  die  weeping.  Sin,  fin, 
 this  body  of  fm  and  corruption  imbittereth  and  poifoneth  all  our 
 ♦enjoyments.  O  that  I  were  where  I  (hall  fin  no  more !  O  to  be 
 freed  of  thefe  chains  and  iron  fetters,  that  we  carry  about  witH 
 us  !  Lord,  loofe  the  fad  prifoners.  Who  of  the  children  of  God 
 have  not  paufe  to  fay,  that  they  have  their  fill  of  this  vain  life, 
 and  like  a  full  and  iTck  ftomach,  to  wilh  at  mid-fupper,  that  the 
 fupper  were  ended  and  the  table  drawn,  that  the  fick  man  might 
 win  to  bed  and  enjoy  reft  ?  We  have  caufc  to  tire  of  a  mid-fup- 
 per of  the  beft  mefles  that  this  world  can  drefs  up  for  us;  and  to 
 cry  to  God,  that  he  would  remove  the  table,  and  pat  the  fin-fick 
 fouls  to  reft  with  himfelf.  O  for  a  long  play-day  with  Chrift,  and 
 our  long  lafting  vacance  of  reft!  Glad  may  their  fouls  be,  that 
 are  fafe.over  firth,  Chrift  having  paid  the  freight :  happy  are  they, 
 who  have  paft  their  hard  and  wearifome  time  of  apprenticelhip, 
 and  are  now  freemen  and  citizens  in  that  joyful  high  city,  the  new 
 Jerufalem.  Alas!*that  we  ftiould  be  glad  of,  and  rejoice  in  our 
 fetters,  and  our  prifon-houfe,  and  this  dear  inns,  a  life  of  fin, 
 where  we  are  abfent  from  our  Lord,  and  fo  far  from  our  home. 
 O  that  we  could  get  bonds  and  law-furetiftnp  of  our  love,  that  it 
 faften  not  itfelf  on  thefe  clay-dreams,  thefe  clay-ftiadows  and 
 worldly  vanities  !  We  might  be  oftcner  feeing  what  they  are  do- 
 ing in  heaven,  and  our  heart  more  frequently  upon  our  fweet 
 treafure  above.  W^e  fmell  of  the  fmoke  of  this  lower  houfe  of  the 
 earth,  becaufe  cur  hearts  and  our  thoughts  are  here  :  if  we  could 
 haunt  up  with  God,  we  ftiould  fmell  of  heaven  and  of  our  coun- 
 try above,  and  we  fhould  look  like  our  country,  and  like  ftran- 
 gers  or  people  not  born  or  brought  up  hereaway:  our  croffes 
 would  not  bite  upon  us,  if  we  were  heavenly-  minded.    I  know 
 
Kpift.  142.]  LETTERS.  219 
 
 r.o  obligation  the  faints  have  to  this  world,  feeing  we  fare  but  up- 
 on the  imoke  of  It;  and  if  there  be  any  fmoke  in  the  houfe,  it 
 bloweth  upon  our  eyes  :  ail  our  part  of  the  tabic  is  fcarce  woi  th 
 a  drink  of  water ;  and  when  we  are  flricken,  we  dare  not  weep, 
 but  fteal  our  grief  away  betwixt  oui  Lord  and  us,  and  content 
 ourfelves  with  ftolen  forrow  behind  backs.  God  be  thanked, 
 we  have  many  things  that  fo  ftroke  us  againft  the  hair,  as  we  may 
 pray,  God  ketrp  our  better  home,  God  bleis  our  Father's  houfe, 
 and  not  this  fmoke,  that  bloweth  us  to  feek  our  beft  lodging.  I 
 am  fure,  this  is  bed  fruit  of  the  crofa,  when  we,  from  the  hard 
 fair  of  the  dear  inns,  cry  the  more,  that  God  would  fend  a  fan- 
 wind,  to  land  us,  hungered  and  oppreiTed  ftrangers,  at  the  door  of 
 our  Father's  houfe,  .which  now  is  made  in  Chriil  our  kindly  he- 
 ritage. O  then  let  us  pull  up  the  flakes  and  Hoops  of  our  tent, 
 and  take  our  \cni  on  our  back,  and  go  with  our  flitting  to  our  bell 
 home;  for  here  we  have  no  continuing  city.  lam  waiting  in  hope 
 here,  to  fee  what  my  Lord  will  do  with  me :  let  him  make  of  me 
 whiit  he  pieafeth  ;  providirxg  he  make  glory  to  himfclf  out  of  me, 
 I  care  not.  I  hope,  yea  1  am  now  fure,  that  I  am  for  Chriil,  and 
 all  that  I  can  or  mav  make  Is  for  him  :  1  am  his  everlullinp^  debt- 
 or  or  dyvour,  and  ftill  fliall  be  ;  for,  alas,  -i  have  nothing  fo»  him, 
 and  he  getteth  little  fcrvice  of  me  1  Pray  for  me,  that  our  Lord 
 Tivould  be  pleafed  to  give  me  houfe-room,  that  I  may  ferve  hi  in 
 in  the  calling  he  hath  called  me  unto.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 jiberdceuy  Tours  in  his  fwect  Lord  J  ejus  ^ 
 
 1637.  ^    ^'- 
 
 142.  To  ROBERT  STEWAP.T. 
 
 My  very  dear  brother, 
 /"^R.AC£,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you:  ye  are  heartily  welcome 
 ^^  to  my  world  of  fullering,  and  heartily  welcom.e  to  my  Ma- 
 ker's houfe ;  God  give  you  much  joy  of  your  new  Mailer.  If  I 
 have  been  in  the  houfe  before  you,  I  were  not  faithful  to  give  the 
 houfe  an  ill  n '.me,  or  to  fpeak  evil  of  the  Lord  of  the  family  :  I 
 rather  wifn  God's  holy  Spirit  (O  Lord,  breathe  upon  me  with  that 
 Spirit)  to  tell  you  the  falhions  of  the  houfe.  One  thing  I  can 
 fay,  by  on-waiting  ye  will  grow  a  great  man  with  the  Lord  of  the 
 houfe :  hang  on  till  ye  get  fome  good  from  Chrid  ;  l.'.y  all  your 
 loads  and  your  weights  by  faith  upon  ChiiU;  eafe  yourfelf,  and 
 Jet  him  bear  all :  he  can,  he  dow,  he  wiii  bear  you,  howbcit  hcli 
 were  upon  your  back.  I  rejoice  that  he  is  come,  and  hath  choien 
 you  in  the  furnace;  it  was  even  there  where  ye  and  he  fct  trylt : 
 that  is  an  old  gate  of  Chrlft's ;  he  keep-th  the  good  old  faOiIon 
 with  you,  that  was  in  Hofea's  days,  Hof.  ii.  14.  *  There,  behold  I 
 
 I'  e  2 
 
220  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  142.! 
 
 will  allure  her,  and  bring  her  to  the  wildernefs,  and  Tpeak  to  her 
 hc^art:*  thtre  \v7\s  no  talking  to  her  heart,  while  he  and  ilie  were  in 
 thetiir  and  fiourilhing  city,  and  at  eafe;  but  out  in  ibe  ccld,  hung- 
 ry, wade  wiidcrners,  he  allureih  her:  he  whifptred  news  into  hep 
 ear  there,  and  (aid.  Thou  art  mine.  What  would  ye  think  of  fuch 
 a  bode?  ye  may  foon  do  worfe  than  i'ay,  *  Lord,  hold  ail ;  Lord 
 Jeius,  a  bargviin  be  it,  it  dial]  not  go  back  in  my  fide.'  Ye  havs 
 gotten  a  great  adviuUage  in  the  way  to'heaven,  that  ve  have  dart- 
 ed to  the  ^ate  in  the  morning;  like  a  fool  as  1  was,  I  fuftcrtd  miy 
 fun  to  be  high  in  the  heaven,  and  near  afternoon,  before  ever  I 
 took  the  gate  by  the  end  :  I  pray  you  now  keep  the  advantage  ye 
 have.  M)^  heart,  be  not  lazy,  fet  quickly  up  the  brae  on  hands 
 and  feet,  as  if  the  hft  pickle  of  fand  were  running  out  of  your 
 glafs,  and  death  were  coming  to  turn  the  glafs  :  and  be  very  care- 
 ful to  t-ike  heed  to  your  teet,  in  that  iljppery  and  dnngerous  way 
 of  youth,  that  ye  are  walking  in  :  the  devil  and  temptations  nov/ 
 have  the  advantage  of  the  brae  of  you,  and  are  upon  your  wand- 
 Land  and  your  working  hand  ;  dry  timber  will  foun  take  fire  :  be 
 covetous  and  greedy  of  the  grace  of  God.  and  beware  th<it  it  be  net 
 huiinefs  tliat  cometh  only  irom  thecrofs;  for  too  many  are  that 
 way  di}pofed,Pfal.  Ixxviii.  34.  IFwn  hefiew  them,  then  they/dvght 
 kirn,  and  they  returned  and  enquired  early  after  Cod.  Ver.  36.  Ne- 
 •uerthelefs,  they  did  flatter  him  with  their  mouth,  and  they  liedunio 
 him  lui^h  their  tongues^  It  is  a  part  of  our  hypocrify,  to  give  God 
 fair  white  words,  when  he  hath  us  in  his  grips  (if  1  may  fpcak  fo) 
 and  to  flatter  him  till  we  win  to  the  fair  fields  again.  Try  well 
 green  godlinefs,  and  examine  what  it  is  ye  love  in  Chrift  :  if  ye 
 Jove  but  Chrifl's  fun-fide,  and  would  have  only  fummer  weather 
 and  a  land-gate,  not  a  fea-way  to  heaven  ;  your  profcfFion  will  play 
 you  1  flip,  and  the  winter-well  will  go  dry  again  in  fummer.  Make 
 no  fports  or  bairns  play  of  Chrifl  \  but  labour  for  a  found  and  live- 
 ly light  of  fin,  that  ye  may  ju('ge  yourfelf  an  undone  man,  a  damn- 
 ed flave  of  hell  and  fin,  one  dying  in  your  own  blood,  except 
 Chrifl  come  and  rue  upon  you,  and  talie  you  up;  and  therefore 
 make  fure  and  fall:  work  of  converfion  :  caft  the  earth  deep ;  and 
 down,  down  with  the  olJ  work,  the  building  of  confuficn,  that  was 
 there  before ;  and  let  Chrift  lay  new  work,  and  make  a  new  creat^Dn 
 within  you.  Look  if  Chrifi's  rain  goeth  down  to  the  root  of  your 
 withered  plants,  and  if  his-love  wound  your  heart  while  it  bleed  with 
 forrow  for  fin,,  and  if  ye  can  pant  and  fall  a-fwoon,  and  be  Kke  to 
 die  for  that  lovely  One',  Jefus  :  I  know  Chrifl:  will  not  be  hid  where 
 be  is;  grace  will  ever  fpeak  for  Itfelf,  and  be  fruitful  in  well-do- 
 ing :  the  fandliiied  crofs  is  a  fruitful  tree,  it  b*  ingeth  forJi  many  ap- 
 pl.'S.  If  1  fhould  teli  you  by  fome  weak  experience,  what  1  have  lound 
 in  Chiiil,  ye  or  others  could  hardly  believe  me^  I  thought  not  the 
 hi:ndrcdth  part  of  Chriil  long  fince,  that  I  do  nov/,  though,  alar ! 
 
Kplft.  142.]  LETTERS.  an 
 
 my  thoughts  arc  fllll  Infinitely  belcw  b'*;  Avorth.  I  have  ft  nwin- 
 ing,  iickly  anu  pauicJ  lite,  for  a  real  poiT  luun  of  him  j  and  am. 
 troubled  v'iih  iovc-brufhcs  and  love-fevers  j  but  it  is  a  fweet  pain. 
 1  wi;uld  ret'ule  no  cf^niutiQi.s,  not  hell  excepted  (referving  always 
 God's  haired)  to  buy  politfTicn  of  Jeius  •  but  alas!  1  am  not  a 
 inerchant,  who  have  any  money  to  give  for  him  v  I  muit  either 
 come  to  a  good  cheap  market,  where  wares  are  had  lor  nothing, 
 elie  1  go  home  empty  :  but  i  hdve  caften  this  work  upon  Chrilt, 
 to  ^et  me  himfclf  i  1  have  his  fiiith,  and  truth,  and  promife  (as  a 
 pawn  or  his'^  all  er^gngrfl  that  I  fhall  obtain  that  which  my  hungry 
 dcures  would  he  at,  i.nd  I  cfteem  that  the  choice  of  my  happinefs  : 
 and  for  ChriiVs  crofs,  erpecially  the  garlanl  and  flower  of  ail  crof- 
 fes,  to  fuffer  lor  his  name,  i  efteem  it  morethiin  I  can  write  or  fpeak 
 to  you  and  I  write  it  under  mine  own  hand  to  you,  it  is  one  of  the 
 fteps  of  the  ladder  up  to  cur  country,  and  Chriil  (whoever  be  one) 
 is  ftdl  at  tlje  he-ivy  end  of  this  black  tree,  and  fo  it  is  but  as  a  fea- 
 ther to  me:  I  neea  not  run  at  leifure,  bec^.ufe  of  a  burden  on  my 
 back;  my  back  never  baie  the  like  of  it :  the  more  heavily  crofied 
 for  Chrift  the  foui  i?.,  it  is  Hill  the  lighter  for  the  journey.  Now, 
 wouiii  to  God,  ali  cold-blooded,  faint-hearted  foidiers  of  Chrifl 
 would  look  again  to  Jcrfus.  and  to  his  love  ;  and  when  they  lock,  I 
 wouid  have  tnem  to  look  a-^ain  and  again,  and  fiil  themfelves  with 
 beholding  of  Chrift's  b-auty  ;  and  I  dare  fay  th^-,  that  Chrifl  would 
 come  in  great  court  and  requell  with  many:  the  virgins  wouid 
 fiock  faft  about  the  Bridegroom,  they  would  embrace  and  take 
 hold  of  rim,  and  not  let  him  go  :  but  v/hen  I  have  fpoken  of  him, 
 till  my  head  rive,  I  have  faid  jufl:  nothing,  I  m.ay  begin  again.  A 
 God-h^-ad,  a  God-head  is  a  worlci's  wonder  :  fet  ten  thoufand 
 thoufand  new  made  worlds  of  angels  and  ele6t  men,  and  double 
 them  in  number,  ten  thoufand,  thoufand,  thoufand  times;  let 
 their  heart  and  tongues  be  ten  thoufand  thouiand  times  more  agile 
 and  large,  than  the  heart  and  tongues  of  the  feraphims  that  ftand 
 with  fix  wings  before  him,  Ifa.  vi.  2.  when  they  have  faid  all  for 
 the  glorifying  and  praifing  of  the  Lord  Jefus,  they  have  but  fpo- 
 ken  little  or  nothing:  Ins  love  will  bide  all  pofTible  creatures  to 
 praife.  Oh  if  I  could  v/ear  this  tongue  to  the  ftump,  in  extolling 
 his  highnefs!  But  it  is  my  d.aily-growing  forrow,  that  I  am  con- 
 founded with  his  incomparable  love,  and  he  doth  fo  great  things 
 lor  my  foul,  and  he  got  never  yet  any  thing  of  me  worth  thefpeak- 
 ing  of.  Sir,  1  charge  you,  help  me  to  praife  him  :  it  is  a  fliame 
 to  fpeak  of  what  he  hath  done  for  me,  and  what  I  do  to  him  again. 
 I  am  fure  Chrilt  hath  many  drowned  dyvours  in  heaven  befidc 
 him  ;  and  when  ve  arc  convened,  man  and  angel,  at  the  great 
 day,  in  that  fair  laft  meeting,  we  are  all  but  his  drowned  dyvours  : 
 it  is  hard  to  fay,  who  oweth  him  moft.  If  men  could  do  no  more, 
 1  would  have  them  to  wonder:  if  wec:^.r.nor  be  fllicd  v/i:h  ChriiVs 
 
222  Mt  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  143.]' 
 
 love,  wc  may  be  filled-  with  wondering.  Sir,  I  would  I  could  per- 
 fuade  you  to  grow  fick  for  Chrift,  and  to  long  after  him,  and  be 
 pained  with  love  for  himfelf ;  but  his  tongue  is  in  heaven,  who 
 can  do  it !  To  him  and  his  rich  grace  I  recommend  you.  I  pray 
 you,  pray  for  me,  and  forget  not  to  praife. 
 
 Aberdeen^  June  17.  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  J  ejus  y 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 143.     To  the  Lady  GAITGIRTH. 
 
 Mijlrefs, 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  long  to  know  how  matr 
 ^^  ters  {land  betwixt  Chriit  and  your  foul.  I  know  ye  find  him 
 ftill  the  longer  the  better,  time  cannot  change  him  in  his  love  :  }e 
 may  yourfelf  ebb  and  flow,  rife  and  fall,  wax  and  wane  ;  b.ut  your 
 Lord  is  this  day  as  he  was  yefi:erday,  and  it  is  your  comfort  that 
 your  faivation  is  not  rolled  upon  wheels  of  your  own  making,  nei- 
 ther have  ye  to  do  v/ith  a  Chriit  of  your  own  (luping  :  God  hath 
 finglcd  out  a  Mediator,  ftrong  and  mighty^,  if  ye  and  your  burdens 
 were  as  heavy  as  ten  hill  or  hells,  he  is  able  to  bear  you,  and  fave 
 you  to  the  uttermoit.  Your  often  feeking  to  him,  cannot  make 
 you  a  burden  to  him.  I  know  Chrift  comnaflionateth  you,  and 
 maketh  a  moan  for  you,  in  all  your  dumps,  and  under  your  downr 
 caflings  •,  but  it  is  good  for  you,  that  he  hideth  himfelf  fometimes  : 
 It  is  not  nicenefs,  drynefs,  nor  coldnefs  of  love,  that  caufeth  Chrift 
 withdraw,  and  flip  in  under  a  curtain  and  a  vail,  that  ye  cannot 
 fee  him;  but  he  knoweth,  ye  could  not  bear  with  up-uils,  a  fair 
 gale,  a  full  moon  and  a  high  fpring-tide  of  his  felt  love,  and  always 
 a  fair  fummer  day  and  a  fummer-fun  of  a  felt  and  poflefied  and 
 embracing  Lord  Jefus.  His  kifles  and  his  vifits  to  his  deareft  ones 
 are  thin  fown :  he  could  not  let  out  his  rivers  of  love  upon  his  own, 
 but  thefe  rivers  would  be  in  hazard  to  loofe  a  3^oung  plant  at  the 
 root;  and  he  knoweth  this  of  you:  yelhould  therefore  trift  Chrift's 
 kindncfs,  as  to  its  fcnfible  and  full  manifeftations,  till  ye  and  he 
 be  above  fun  and  moon  ;  that  is  the  country  where  ye  will  be 
 enlarged  for  that  love  which  ye  dow  not  now  contain.  Caft  the 
 burden  of  your  fweet  babes  upon  Chrift,  and  lighten  your  heart, 
 by  laying  your  all  upon  him  ;  he  will  be  their  God.  I  hope  to  fee 
 you  lip  the 'mountain  yet,  and  glad  in  the  faivation  of  God: 
 trame  yourfelf  for  Chrift,  and  gloom  not  upon  his  crofs.  I  find 
 him  fo  fweet,  that  my  love,  fuppofe  I  would  charge  it  to  remove 
 from  Chrift,  would  not  obey  me  :  his  love  hath  ftrongcr  fingers 
 than  to  let  go  its  grips  of  us,  bairns,  who  cannot  go  but  by  inch 
 a  hold  as  Chrift.  It  is  good  that  we  want  legs  of  our  own,  fince 
 we  may  borrow  from  Chrift;  and  it  is  our  happinefs  that  Chrift 
 is  uiidei  an  a6t  oi  cautionry  for  heaven,  and  that  Chrift  is  booked 
 
Eplft.  144-3  LETTERS.  123 
 
 in  heaven,  ss  the  principal  debtor,  for  fuch  poor  bodies  as  we  are. 
 I  requslt  you,  give  the  Laird  your  hufband  thanks  for  his  care  of 
 me,  that  he  h^th  appeared  in  public  for  a  prifoner  of  Chrilt :  I 
 pray  and  write  mercy,  and  peace,  and  bleCings  to  him  and  hi*. 
 Grace,  grace  be  with  you  for  ever. 
 
 yiberd.  1673.  Taitrs  in  his  fivcet  Lord 
 
 Jcfus,       S.  R. 
 
 144.     To  Mr  JOHN  FERGUSHILL. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother, 
 /^R.ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  my  longings  and  defircg 
 ^^  for  a  fight  of  the  new-builded  tabernacle  of  Chrift  again  in 
 Scotland,  that  tabernacle  that  came  down  from  heaven,  hath  now 
 taken  fome  life  again,  when  I  fee  Chrift  making  a  mint  to  fow  ven- 
 geance among  his  enemies.'  I  care  not,  if  this  land  be  ripe  for  fuch 
 a  great  wonderful  mercy  ;  but  I  know,  he  mull  do,  whenever  it 
 is  done,  without  hire.  1  find  the  grief  of  my  filence,  and  my  fear 
 to  be  holden  at  the  door  of  Chriit*s  houfe,  fweiling  upon  me  ; 
 and  the  truth  is,  were  it  not  that  I  am  dawted  now  and  then  with 
 pieces  of  Ch rift's  fweet  love  and  oomforts,  I  fear  I  fliould  have 
 made  an  ill  browft  of  this  honourable  crofs,  that  I  know  fuch  a 
 foft  and  filly-minded  body  as  I  am,  is  not  worthy  of:  for  I  have 
 little  in  me  but  foftnefs,  and  fuperlativeand  excefUveapprehenfions 
 of  fear,  and  fadnefs,  and  forrov/ ;  and  often  God's  terrors  do  fur- 
 round  me,  becaufe  Chrift  looketh  not  fo  favourably  upon  me,  as  a 
 poor  witnefs  would  have  him :  and  I  wonder,  how  I  have  paft  a 
 year  and  a  quarter's  imprifonment,  without  (haming  my  fweet 
 Lord,  to  whorn  I  defire  to  be  faithful ;  and  I  think  I  (hall  die  but 
 even  minting  arUf -aiming  to  ferve  and  honour  my  Lord  Jefus.  Few- 
 know  how  toom  afTd^ea:^pty  I  am  at  home  ;  but  it  is  a  part  of  mar- 
 riage-love and  hulband-Iove,  that  my  Lord  Jefus  goeth  not  to  the 
 ftreets  with  his  chiding  againft  me:  it  is  but  ftolenand  concealed 
 anger  that  I  find  and  feel-,  and  his  glooms  to  me  are  kept  under 
 roof,  that  he  will  not  have  mine  enemies  hearing  what  is  betwixt 
 me  and  Chrift  :  and  believe  me,  I  fay  the  truth  in  Chrift,  the  only- 
 gall  and  wormwood  in  my  cup,  and  that  which  hath  filled  me  with 
 fear,  hath  been,  left  my  fins,  that  fun  and  moon  and  the  Lord's 
 children  were  never  witnefs  to,  i"hould  have  moved  my  Lord  to 
 ftrike  me  with  dumb  fabbaths  :  Lord  pirdon  my  foft  and  weak 
 jealoufies,  if  I  be  here  in  an  error.  My  very  dear  brother,  I  would 
 have  looked  for  more  large  and  more  particular  letters  from  you, 
 for  my  comfort  in  this  •,  for  your  words  before  have  ftrengthened 
 me:  I  pray  you,  mend  this,  and  be  thankful  and  painful,  while  ye 
 have  a  piece  or  corner  of  the  Lord's  vineyard  to  drefs.  O  would  to 
 God  I  could  have  leave  to  follow  you  to  break  the  clods !  But!  wifh 
 
J24  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epiil.  144.] 
 
 I  could  command  my  foul  filence,  and  wait  upon  the  Lord.  Ism 
 fure,  while  Chrift  lives,  1  am  well  enough  fricmUflcad  :  1  hope  he 
 will  extend  his  kindriers  and  power  for  me;  but  Gi:d  be  thanked  it 
 is  not  worfc  with  me,  than  a  croiis  lor  Chrill:  and  his  truth.  I  know 
 he  might  have  pitched  upon  many  more  choice  and  worthy  witnell^ 
 es,  if  he  had  pleafedj  but  I  feek  no  more  (be  wh.n  timber  I  wili, 
 fuppofe  I  were  made  of  a  piece  of  hell  j  than  that  my  Lord,  in  his 
 infinite  art,  hew  glory  to  his  name,  and  enlaigement  to  Chiifi's 
 kingiiom,  out  of  me.  Oh  that  1  could  attain  to  this,  10  dcfire  that 
 my  put  of  Chrift  might  be  laid  in  plci?gc  for  the  heightening  of 
 Chrift's  throne  in  Britain !  Let  my  Lord  redeem  the  pledge,  or,  if 
 he  pleafe,  let  it  (ink  and  drown  unredeemed.  Bat  what  can  i  add 
 to  him  ?  or  what  way  can  a  fmothered  and  born-down  prilbncr  fet 
 out  Chrift  in  open  market,  as  a  lovely  and  (.iefnahie  Lord,  to  many 
 fouls  ?  I  know  he  feeth  to  his  own  glory,  better  than  my  ebb 
 thoughts  can  dream  of;  and  that  the  wheels»  and  paces  of  this  poor 
 diftempcred  kirk  are  in  his  hands,  and  that  things  fhall  roll  as 
 Chrift  will  have  them  :  only,  Lord  tryft  the  matrer  fo,  as  Chrift 
 may  be  made  a  honiholder  and  lord  again  in  Scotland,  and  wet 
 faces  for  his  departure  may  be  dried  at  his  fweetand  much  defired 
 welcome-home.  I  fee,  in  ?M  our  trials  our  Lord  will  not  mix  our 
 wares  and  his  grace  over-bead  through  otrier ;  but  he  will  have 
 each  man  to  know  his  own,  that  the  like  cf  nic  may  fay,  in  my  fuf- 
 ferings,  This  is  Chrift's  grace,  and  this  is  but  my  coarfe  ftufF;  this 
 13  free  grace,  and  this  is  but  nature  and  reafon.  We  know  what 
 our  legs  would  play  us.  if  they  ihould  carry  us  through  all  our 
 waters;  and  the  leaft  thing  our  Lord  can  have  of  us,  is,  to  know 
 we  are  grace's  debtors  or  grace's  dyvours,  and  that  nature  is  of  a 
 bafe  houleand  blood,  ?.nd  grace  is  better  born,  and  of  kin  and  blood 
 10  Chrift,  and  of  a  better  houfe.  Oh  that  I  were  free  of  that  idol," 
 that  they  call  myfelf ;  and  that  Chrift  were  for  myfelf,  and  my-- 
 felf  a  dccourted  cypher,  and  a  denied  and  fcrefworn  thing  I  But 
 that  proud  thing,  myfelf,  will  not  plav,  except  it  ride  up  fide  icr 
 f.de  with  Chrift,  or  rather  have  place  before  him.  O  myfelf,  ano- 
 ther devil,  as  evil  as  the  prince  of  devils  ;  if  thou  could  give  Chrift 
 the  way,  and  take  thine  ow'n  room,  which  is  to  fit  as  low  as  no- 
 thing or  corruption  !  O  but  we  have  much  need  to  be  ranfomed 
 ^m\  redeemed  by  Chrift,  from  that  mafter-tyrant,  that  cruel  and 
 lawlefs  lord,  ourfelf.  Nay,  when  I  am  feeking  Chrift,  and  am  out 
 of  myfelf,  I  have  the  third  part  of  a  fquint  eye  upon,  that  vain,  vain 
 thing,  myfelf,,  myfelf,  and  fomething  of  mine  own  :  but  I  muft 
 bold  here.  I  d'efire  you  to  contribute  your  help,  to  fee  if  I  can  be 
 reftored  to  my  wafted  and  loft  flock.  1  fee  not  how  it  can  be,  ex- 
 cept the  lords  would  procure  me  a  liberty  to  preach  ;  and  they 
 have  reafon,  i.  Becaufe  the  oppofers  and  my  adverfarics  b.^ve 
 |)ra£tilcd  their  new  canons  upon  me,  whereof  one  is,  Thati^o  do 
 
G' 
 
 Epift*  145.]  LETTERS.  225 
 
 piived  minifter  preach,  under  the  pain  of  excommunication.  2. 
 Becaufe  my  oppofing  of  thefe  canons,  was  a  fpecial  thing  that  in- 
 cenfed  Sydferf  againfl  me.  3;  Becnife  I  was  judicially  accufed 
 for  my  book  againft  the  Arminians,  ?.rfd  commanded  by  the  chan- 
 cellor, to  acknowledge  I  had  done  a  fault  in  writing  againfl:  Dr. 
 Jackfon,  a  wicked  Arminian.  Pray  for  a  room  in  the  houfe  to 
 me.     Grace,  grace  be  (as  it  is)  your  portion. 
 
 /iberd.  1637.  Tours  in  his  pweet  Lord  jtfiiSy    S.  Pi* 
 
 r45.     To  JOHN  STEWART,  Provoji  of  Air. 
 
 IvQirthy  Sir  J 
 R.  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  for  the  time,  when 
 I  (hall  fee  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  in  his  hoarc;  and  would  be 
 as  glad  of  it  as  of  any  fight  on  earth,  to  fee  the  hale,  the  blind,  and 
 the  lame,  come  back  to  Zion  with  fupplications,  Jer.  xxxi.  8,  9. 
 *  Going  and  weeping,  and  feeking  the  Lord,  alking  the  way  to  Zi- 
 on wi4i  their  faces  thitherward,  Jer.  1.  5,  6.  *  And  to  fee  the  wo- 
 man travailing  in  birth,  delivered  of  the  man  child  of  a  bleffcjil 
 reformation  If  this  land  were  humbled,  I  would  look  that  our- 
 Ikies  fhould  clear,  and  our  day  dawn  again  ;  and  ye  fhould  thea 
 blefs  Chrift,  whq  is  content  to  fave  your  travel,  and  to  give  him- 
 felf  to  you,  in  pure  ordinances  on  this  fide  of  the  fea.  I  know  the 
 mercy  of  Chrift  is  engaged  by  promifc  to  Scotland,  notwithftand- 
 ing  he  bring  wrath,  as  I  fear  he  fhall  upon  this  land.  I  am  wait- 
 ing on  for  enlargement,  and  half  content  that  my  faith  bow,  if 
 Chrift,  while  he  bow  it,  keep  it  unbroken;  for  who  goeth  thro' a  fire 
 "without  a  mark  or  a  fcald  ?  I  fee  the  Lord  makerh  ufe  of  this  fire, 
 to  fcour  his  ieffels  from  their  ruft.  Oh  that  my  will  were  filent, 
 and  *  as  a  child  weaned  from  the  breafts  !  Pfal.  cxxxi.  But  alas, 
 who  hath  an  heart  that  will  give  Chrift  the  laft  word  in  flyting, 
 and  will  hear,  and  not  fpeak  again  ?  Oh  !  contcft-»tions  and  quar- 
 rcllous  replies  (as  a  foon  faddled  fpirit,  *  I  do  well  to  be  angry  even 
 to  the  death.  Jonah  iv.  9.)  fmell  of  the  ftink  of  ftrong  corruption. 
 O  bleffed  foul  that  could  facrifice  bis  will,  and  go  to  heaven,  hav- 
 ing loft  his  will  and  made  refignation  of  it  to  Chrift!  I  would  feek 
 no  more,  but  that  Chrift  were  abfolute  kin<^  over  my  will,  and 
 that  my  will  were  a  fufferer  in  all  crofles,  without  meeting  Chrilt 
 with  fuch  a  word,  Why  is  it  thus  ?  I  wiOi  ftill,  that  my  love  had 
 but  leave  to  ftand  bcfide  beautiful  Jefus,  and  to  get  the  mercy  of 
 looking  to  him,  and  burning  for  him,  fuppofe  poiTcfTion  of  him 
 were  fufpended  and  friftcd,  till  my  Lord  fold  together  the  leaves 
 and  two  fides  of  the  little  (hephertl's  tent  of  clay.  Oh  what  raiil 
 is  in  longing  for  Chrift.  under  an  ovcr-clouded  and  ec'ipfed  afiur- 
 ?.nce!  What  is  harder  than  to  burn  and  dwine  wirh  longing  and 
 deaths  of  loivc,.and  then  to  have  blanks  and.uninked  paper  for  af- 
 
226  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  145.3 
 
 furance  of  Ch rift  in  real  fruition  or  polleflion  ?  Oh  bow  fweet  were 
 one  line  or  hall  a  letter  of  a  written  alTurance  under  Chrift's  owrt 
 hand  !  But  this  is  our  exercife  daily,  that  guiltinefs  iliall  overmill: 
 and  darken  aflurance:  it  is  a  miracle  to  believe,  but  for  a  finner 
 to  believe  is  two  miracles.  But  O  what  obligations  of  love  are  we 
 under  to  Chrift,  who  beareth  with  our  wild  apprehenfions,  in 
 fuffering  them  to  nickname  fweet  Jefus,  and  to  put  a  lie  upon  his 
 good  name!  If  he  had  not  been  God,  and  if  long-fuffering  in 
 Chrift  were  not  like  Chrift  himfelf,  we  fhould  long  ago  have  bro- 
 ken Chrift*s  mercies  in  two  pieces,  and  put  an  iron  bar  on  our  fal- 
 vation,  that  mercy  ftiould  not  have  been  able  to  bceak  or  over- 
 leap ;  but  long-fuifering  in  God,  is  God  himfelf,  and  that  is  our 
 falvation,  and  the  ftability  of  our  heaven  is  iri  God  :  he  knew  (who 
 faid,  *  Chrift  in  you  the  hope  of  glory,  Col.  i.  27.  for  our  hope 
 and  the  bottom  and  pillars  of  it  is  Chrift-God)  Cnners  are  anchor- 
 faft  and  made  ftable  in  God  •,  fo  that  if  God  do  not  change  (which 
 is  impoflible)  then  my  hope  fliall  not  fluctuate.  O  fweet  ftability 
 of  fure  bottomed  falvation  !  Who  could  win  heaven  if  this  were 
 not  ?  and  who  could  be  faved,  if  God  were  not  God,  and  if  he 
 were  not  fuch  a  God  as  he  is  ?  *  O  God  be  thanked  that  our  falva- 
 tion is  coafted,  and  landed,  and  (bored  upon  Chrift,  who  is  mafter 
 of  winds  and  ftorms  !'  And  what  fea-winds  can  blow  the  coaft  or 
 the  land  out  of  its  place  ?  Bulwarks  are  often  caften  down,  but 
 coafts  are  not  removed :  but  fuppofe  that  were  or  might  be,  yet 
 God  cannot  reel  or  remove.  Oh  that  we  go  from  this  ftrong  and. 
 unmoveable  Lord,  and  that  we  loofe  ourfelves  (if  it  were  in  our 
 power)  from  him  \  Alas,  our  green  and  young  love  hath  not  taken 
 with  Chrift,  being  unacquainted  with  him  :  he  i6  fuch  a  wide,  and 
 broad,  and  deep,  and  high,  and  furpafling  fweetnefs,  that  our  love 
 is  too  little  for  him ;  but  O  if  our  love,  little  as  it  is,  could  take 
 hand  with  his  great  and  huge  fweetnefs,  and  tranfcendent  excellen- 
 cy !  O  thrice  blefled,  and  eternally  blefled  are  they,  who  are  out  of 
 ihemfelves,  and  above  themfclves,  that  they  may  be  in  love  united 
 to  him!  I  am  often  rolling  up  and  down  the  thoughts  of  my  faint 
 and  fick  defires  of  exprefling  Chrift's  glory  before  his  people  j  but 
 I  fee  not  thro'  the  throng  of  impediments,  and  cannot  find  eyes  to 
 look  higher,  and  fo  I  put  many  things  in  Chrift's  way  to  hinder 
 him,  that  I  know  he  would  but  laugh  at,  and  with  one  ftride  fet 
 his  foot  over  them  all.  I  know  not  if  my  Lord  will  bring  me  to  his 
 fancluary  or  not;  but  I  know  he  hath  the  placing  of  me,  either 
 within  or  without  the  houfe,  and  that  nothing  will  be  done  with- 
 out him:  but  I  am  often  thinking  and  faying  within  myfelf,  that 
 my  days  flee  away,  and  I  fee  no  good,  neither  yet  Chrift's  work 
 thriving;  and  it  is  like,  the  grave  fliall  prevent  the  anfwer  of  my 
 defires  of  faving  of  fouls,  as  I  would  :  but  alas  1  I  cannot  make 
 right  work  of  hi*  ways,  I  neither  fpell  nor  read  my  Lord's  provi- 
 
Epifl.  146.]  LETTERS.  227 
 
 dence  aright :  my  thoughts  go  away,  that  I  fear  they  meet  not 
 God ;  for  it  is  like  God  will  not  come  the  way  of  my  thoughts ;  and 
 I  cannot  be  taught  to  crucify  to  him  my  wifdom  and  defires,  and  to 
 make  him  king  over  my  thoughts  -,  for  I  would  have  a  princedom 
 over  my  thoughts,  and  would  boldly  and  blindly  prefcribe  to  God, 
 and  guide  myfelf  in  a  way  of  my  own  making  :  but  I  hold  my 
 peace  here,  let  him  do  his  will.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 Aherd.  1637,         Yours  in  his  fweeteji  Lord  and  Majier,  S.  R. 
 
 I 
 
 146.  To  CARSLUTH. 
 
 Much  honoured  Sir^ 
 
 Long  to  hear  hov/  your  foul  profpereth.  I  earneflly  deflre  you, 
 to  try  how  matters  ftand  between  your  foul  and  the  Lord: 
 think  it  no  eafy  matter  to  take  heaven  by  violence  ;  falvation  com- 
 eth  now  to  the  mod  part  of  men  in  a  night-dream  :  there  is  no 
 fcarcity  of  faith  now,  fuch  as  it  is  ;  for  ye  fhall  not  now  light  upon 
 the  man,  who  will  not  fay  he  hath  faith  in  Chrift  :  but  alas  1 
 dreams  make  no  man's  rights.  Worthy  Sir,  I  befeech  you  in  the 
 Lord,  give  your  foul  no  relt,  till  ye  have  real  afiurance,  and  ChriiVs 
 rights  confirmed  and  fealed  to  your  foul;  the  common  faith,  and 
 country-holinefs,  and  week-days  zeal,  that  is  among  people,  will 
 never  bring  men  to  heaven  :  take  pains  for  your  falvation;  for  in 
 that  day,  when  ye  fhall  fee  many  men*s  labours  and  conquefts  and 
 idol-riches  lying  in  afhes,  when  the  earth  and  all  the  works  there- 
 of fliall  be  burnt  with  fire,  O  how  dear  a  price  would  your  foul 
 give  for  God's  favour  in  Chriil !  It  is  a  blclfed  thing  to  fee  Chrift 
 with  up-fun,  and  to  read  over  your  papers  and  foul-accounts  with 
 fair  day-light :  it  will  not  be  time  to  cry  for  a  lamp,  when  the 
 Bridegroom  is  entered  into  his  chamber,  and  the  door  fhut.  Fy,  fy 
 upon  blinded  and  debafed  fouls,  who  are  committing  whoredom 
 with  this  idol-clay,  and  hunting  a  poor  wretched  hungry  heaven, 
 a  hungry  breakfafl,  a  day's-meat  from  this  hungry  world,  with  the 
 forfeiting  of  God's  favour,  and  the  drinking  over  their  heaven  over 
 the  board  (as  men  ufe  to  fpc;ik)  for  the  laughter  and  fports  of  this 
 Ihort  forenoon !  All  that  is  under  this  vault  of  heaven,  and  betwixt 
 us  and  death,  and  in  this  fide  of  fun  And  moon,  are  but  toys,  night- 
 vifions,  head-fancies,  poor  fnadow?,  watery  froth,  godlcfs  vanities, 
 at  their  beft,  and  black  hearts,  and  fait  and  four  miferies,  fugarcd 
 over,  and  confefted  with  an  hour's  laughter  or  two,  and  the  con- 
 ceit ot  riches,  honour,  vain,  vain  court,  and  lawlefs  pleafures.  Sir, 
 if  ye  look  both  to  the  laughing  fide,  and  weeping  fide  of  this  world, 
 and  if  ye  look  not  only  upon  the  ikin  and  colour  of  things;,  but 
 into  their  inwards,  and  the  heart  of  their  excellency,  ye  Hiall  fee 
 that  one  look  of  Chrift's  fweet  and  lovely  eye,  one  kifs  of  hi^  fair- 
 #{t  face,  is  worth  ten  thoufand  worlds  of  fuch  rotten  Uuff,  as  th« 
 
 Ff  :; 
 
228  Mr  RUrHERFOORD's  Epift.  146.] 
 
 foollfii  fons  of  men  fet  their  hearts  upon.  Oh  Sir,  turn,  turn  your 
 heart  to  the  other  fide  of  things,  and  get  it  once  free  of  thefe  en- 
 tanglements,  to  confider  eternity,  death,  the  clay-bed,  the  grave, 
 awlome  judgment,  everlafting  burning  quick  in  hell,  where  death 
 would  give  as  great  a  price  lif  there  were  a  market,  where  death 
 might  be  bought  and  lold)  as  all  the  world.    Confider  he'a*  en  and 
 glory:  but  alas,  why  fpeak  I  of  confidering  thefe  things,  which  have 
 not  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  to  confider.'^    Look  ijto  thefc 
 depths  (without  a  bottom)  ol  lovcliiiefs,  fvveetnefs,  beauty,  excel- 
 jffiicy,  glory,  goodnefs,  grace  and  mercy,  that  are  in  Chriil :  and 
 ye  fliali  then  cry  down  the  whole  world,  and  all  the  glory  of  it, 
 even  when  it  is  come  to  the  fummer-bloom  j  and  ye  Ihall  cry,  Up 
 with  Chrift,  up  with  Chriil's  Father,  up  with  eternity  of  glory.  Sir, 
 there  is  a  great  deal  of  lefs  fand  in  your  glafs  than  when  I  faw  you, 
 and  your  afternoon  is  nearer  even-ti'le  now  than  it  was.   As  a  fowl 
 carried  back  to  the  fea,  fo  doih  the  Lord^s  fwift  pott,   tim.e,  carry 
 you  and  your  life  with  wings  to  the  grave:  ye  eat  and  drink,  but 
 trme,ft<indeth  not  Hill ;  ye  Ia%gh,  biit  your  day  fiCeth  away  j  ye 
 fleep,  but  your  hours  arc  reckoned  and  put  by  hand.  O  how  foon 
 will  time  fliut  you  out  of  the  poor  and  cold  and  hungry  inns  of 
 this  life!  and  then  wh.it  will  ycflerday's  (hort-borri  pleafures  do  to 
 you,  but  be  as  a  fnow  ball  melted  away,   many  years  fince,  or 
 WAjrfe  ?  for  the  memory  of  thefe  pleafures  ufeih  to  fill  the  foul  with 
 bitternefs.    Time  and  experience  will  prove  this  to  be  true;  and 
 dying  men,  if  they  could  fpeak,  could  make  this  good.     Lay  no 
 more  on  the  creatures  than  they  are  able  to  carry  ;  lay  your  foul 
 and  your  weights  upon  God;   make  him  your  only,  only  bed  be- 
 loved.   Your  errand  to  this  life  is  to  make  fure  an  cterniiy  of  glory 
 to  your  foul,  and  to  match  )our  foul  Avith  Chrift;  your  love,  if  '1% 
 were  more  than  all  the  love  of  angels  in  one,  is  Chriii's  due :  other 
 things  worthy  in  themielves,  in  refpe6f  of  Chrift,  are  not  worth  a 
 windleftraw,  or  a  drink  of  cold  water.   I  doubt  not  but  in  death  ye 
 will  fee  all  things  more  diftinclly,   and  that  then  the  world  ihall 
 bear  no  more  bulk  than  it  is  worth,  and  that  then  it  ftiall  couch  and 
 be  contracted  into  nothing;  and  ye  ihall  fee  Chrift  longer,  higher, 
 .broader  and  deeper,  than  ever  he  was.   O  bleffed  conqueft,  to  lofe. 
 all  things  and  to  g.iin  Chrift !  I  know  not  what  ye  have,  if  ye  want 
 Chrift:  alas,  how  poor  is  your  gain,  if  the  earth  were  all  yours  in 
 free  heritage,  holding  it  of  no  man  of  clay,  if  Chrift  be  not  yours? 
 O  feek  all  midf.-s,  lay  all  oars  in  the  water,  put  forth  all  your  pow- 
 er, anxl  bend  all  your  endeavours,  to  put  away  and  part  with  all 
 things,  that  ye  may  gain  aiid  enjoy  Chrift ;   try  and  fearch  his 
 word,  and  ftrive  to  go  a  ftep  above  and  beyond  ordinary  profeflors, 
 sr^d  refolve  to  fweat  more  and  run  fafter  than  they  do  tor  falvation. 
 Mens  mid-wav.  cold  and  wife  courfes  in  godlinefs,  and  their  neigh- 
 ^)Our~I:k.e  coid  and  wif^  pace  to  heaven,   will  caule  many  a  mai| 
 
Eplft.  147.1  LflTTERS.  129 
 
 want  his  lodging  at  nigln  and  ly  in  the  fields.  T  recommend  Chrift 
 and  his  love  to  your  feeking,  and  yourlelt"  to  the  tender  mercy  and 
 rich  grace  of  our  Lord,  Hemember  my  love  in  Chrilt  to  your  wife : 
 1  dcfirc  her  to  karn  to  make  her  foul's  Anchor  faft  upon  Chrift 
 himfelf :  few  are  faved.  Let  her  confider  what  joy  the  fmiles  of 
 God  in  Chrift  will  be,  and  what  the  love-kiills  of  iweet,  fweet  Je- 
 fus,  and  a  welcome  home  to  the  new  Jerufalem.  from  Chrifl's  own 
 mouth,  will  be  to  her  foul,  when  Chriil  iliall  fold  together  the  clay- 
 tent  of  her  body,  and  lay  it  by  his  hand  for  a  time,  till  the  fair 
 morning  of  the  general  lefurredion.  1  avouch  before  God,  man 
 and  angel,  that  I  have  not  feen,  nor  can  imagine  a  lover  to  be 
 comparable  to  lovely  Jcfus  i  1  would  not  exchange  or  nifFer  him 
 with  ten  heavens  ;  if  he^en  could  be  without  him,  what  could 
 we  do  there  ?  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 j'Iberd,  1637.  Your  feuVs  eternal  zuell-iuifiert  S.  R. 
 
 i47r  To  CASvSINCARRiE, 
 
 Much  honcured  Sir, 
 /'^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  been  too  long  in 
 ^-^  writing  to  you.  I  am  confident  ye  have  learned  to  prize 
 Chrift,  and  his  love  and  favour,  more  than  ordinary  profciTors, 
 who  Icarce  fee  Chrift  with  half  an  eye,  becaufe  their  fight  is  taken 
 up  with  eyeing  and  liking  the  beauty  of  this  overgilded  world, 
 that  promifcth  fail  to  all  its  lovers,  but  in  the  pufh  of  a  trial,  when 
 need  is,  can  give  nothing  bat  a  fair  beguile.  I  know  ye  ar6  not 
 ignorant,  that  men  come  not  to  this  world,  as  fome  do  to  a  mar- 
 ket, to  fee  and  be  fccn  ;  or  as  fom.e  come  to  behold  a  May-game, 
 and  only  to  behold,  and  to  go  home  again :  ye  came  hither  to  treat 
 with  God,  and  to  try  ft  with  him  in  his  Chrift.  for  falvation  to 
 your  loul,  and  to  feek  reconciliation  with  an  angry  wrathful  God, 
 in  a  covenant  ot  peace  made  to  you  in  Chrift-,  and  this  is  more 
 than  an  Oidinary  fport,  or  the  play,  that  the  greateft  part  of  the 
 world  give  their  heart  unto:  and  therefore,  worthy  Sir,  1  pr^y  you 
 ty  the  falvation  of  your  foul,  and  by  the  mercy  of  God,  and  your 
 compcarmce  before  Chrift,  do  this  iit  fad  earneft,  and  let  not  fal- 
 vation be  your  by-work,  or  your  holy-days  talk  only,  or  a  work 
 by  the  way;  for  men  think,  that  this  may  be  done  in  three  days 
 fpace  on  a  feather  bed,  wh^n  death  and  they  arc  fallen  in  hands 
 together,  and  that  with  a  word  or  two  they  Ihall  make  their  foul- 
 matters  right;  alas!  this  is  to  iit  loofe  and  unfure  in  the  matters 
 £)f  our  falvation  ;  nay,  feeking  of  this  vvorld,  and  the  glory  of  ir, 
 is  but  an  odd  and  by-errand  that  we  may  flip,  lb  being  we  niakc 
 falvation  fure.  Oh  when  will  men  learn  to  be  that  heavenly  wife 
 as  to  divorce  from,  and  free  their  foul  of  a]l  idol-lovers,  and  make 
 Chrift  th'i  only,  ouly  One,  and  trim  and  make  ready  their  lampd, 
 
230  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  148.] 
 
 while  they  have  time  and  day !  How  foon  will  this  houfe  {kail,  and 
 the  inns  where  the  poor  foul  lodgeth  fall  to  the  earth  !  how  foon 
 will  fome  few  years  pafs  away,  and  then  when  the  day  is  ended, 
 and  this  life's  leafe  expired,  what  have  men  of  world's  glory,  but 
 <lreams  and  thoughts  ?  O  how  blefled  a  thing  is  it  to  labour  for 
 Chrift,  and  to  make  him  fure  I  know  and  try  in  time  your  holding 
 of  him,  and  the  rights  and  charters  of  heaven,  and  upon  what 
 terms  ye  have  Chrift  and  the  gofpel,  and  what  Chrift  is  worth  in 
 your  eftimation,  and  how  lightly  ye  efteem  of  other  things,  and 
 how  dearly  of  Chrift !  I  am  fure,  if  ye  fee  him  in  his  beauty  and 
 glory,  ye  (liall  fee  him  to  be  all  things,  and  that  incomparable  jewel 
 of  gold  that  ye  (hould  feek,  howbeit  ye  ftiould  fell,  wadfet  and  for- 
 feit your  few  years  portion  of  this  life's  joys.  O  happy  foul  for  e- 
 vermore,  who  can  rightly  compare  this  life  with  that  long-lafting 
 life  to  come,  and  can  balance  the  weighty  glory  of  the  one,  with 
 tbe  light  golden  vanity  of  the  other  !  The  day  of  the  Lord  is  new 
 near  hand,  and  all  men  fliall  come  out  in  their  blacks  and  whites, 
 as  they  are  :  there  Ihall  be  no  borrowed  lying  colours  in  that  day, 
 when  Chrift  (liall  be  called  Chrift,  and  no  longer  nick-named.  Now 
 men  borrow  Chrift  and  his  white  colour,  and  the  luftre  and  faird- 
 ing  of  Chriftianity ;  but  how  many  counterfeit  malks  will  be  burnt 
 in  the  day  of  God,  in  the  fire,  that  fliall  burn  the  earth  and  the 
 works  that  are  in  it  ?  and  howbeit  Chrift  have  the  hardeft  part  of 
 it  now,  yet  in  the  prefence  of  my  Lord,  whom  I  ferve  in  the 
 Spirit,  I  would  not  niffer  or  exchange  Chrift*s  prifon,  bonds  and 
 chains,  with  the  gold  chains  and  lordly  rents,  and  fmiling  and  hap- 
 py-like heavens  of  the  men  of  this  world.  I  am  far  from  thoughts 
 of  repenting,  becaufe  of  my  lofles  and  bonds  for  Chrift.  1  wi(h  all 
 my  adverfaries  were  as  I  am,  except  my  bonds.  Worthy,  wor- 
 thy, worthy  for  evermore  is  Chrift,  for  whom  we  ftiould  fufter 
 pains  like  hell's  pains;  far  more  the  ftiort  hell  that  the  faints  of 
 God  have  in  this  life.  Sir,  I  wifh  your  foul  may  be  more  acquaintw 
 ed  with  the  Areetnefs  of  Chrift.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 Jberd  1637.  Tours  in  his  only  Lord  and  Mafter,  S.  R. 
 
 148.     To  his  Parifuioners  at  Aawoth, 
 
 Dearly  beloved  in  our  Lordy 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Father  and  from  our 
 ^^  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  be  multiplied  upon  you.  1  long  exceeds 
 ingly  to  hear  of  your  on-going  and  advancement  in  your  journey 
 to  the  kingdom  of  God:  my  only  joy  out  of  heaven  is  to  hear 
 that  the  feed  of  God  fown  among  you  is  growing  and  coming  to 
 an  harveft;  for  I  ceafed  not  while  I  was  among  you,  in  feafon 
 and  out  of  feafon  (according  to  the  mcafure  of  grace  given  unte 
 nie)  to  warn  and  ftir  up  your  minds:  and  I  am  free  from  the 
 
Epift.  148.]  LETTERS.  23I 
 
 blood  of  all  men;  for  I  have  communicated  to  you  the  whole 
 counfel  of  God.  And  I  now  again  charge  and  warn  you,  in  the 
 great  and  dreadful  name,  and  in  the  fovereign  authority  of  the 
 King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords  ;  and  I  befeech  you  alfo 
 by  the  mercies  of  God,  and  by  the  bowels  of  Chrift,  by 
 your  appearance  before  Chrift  Jefus  our  Lord,  by  all  the 
 plagues  that  are  written  in  God's  book,  by  your  part  of  the 
 holy  city,  the  new  Jerufalem,  that  ye  keep  the  truth  of  God, 
 as  I  delivered  it  to  you  before  many  witnefles,  in  the  fight  of  ^gd 
 and  his  holy  angels  ;  for  now  the  laft  days  are  come  and  coiml^ 
 when  many  forfake  Chrift  Jefus,  and  he  faith  to  you,  Will  ye 
 alfo  leave  me  ?  Remember  that  I  forewarned  you  to  forbear 
 the  diftionouring  of  the  Lord's  blefled  name,  in  fwearing,  blaf- 
 pheming,  curfmg,  and  the  profaning  of  the  Lord's  fabbath  i 
 willing  you  to  give  that  day  from  morning  to  night  to  praying, 
 praifmg,  hearing  of  the  word,  conferring,  and  fpeaking  not  your 
 own  words,  but  God's  words;  thinking  and  meditating  on  God'i 
 nature,  word  and  works :  and  that  every  day  at  morning  and  at 
 night  (at  leaft)  ye  lliould  fanclify  the  Lord,  by  praying  in  your 
 houfes  publickly  in  the  hearing  of  all-,  that  ye  (hould  in  any  fort 
 forbear  the  receiving  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  but  after  the  form 
 that  I  delivered  it  to  you,  according  to  the  example  of  Chrift  our 
 Lord  ;  that  is,  that  ye  fhould  fit  as  banqueters  at  one  table  with 
 our  King,  and  eat  and  drink,  and  divide  the  elements  one  to  an- 
 other; the  timber  and  ftones  of  the  church  walls  fnali  bear 
 witnefs,  that  my  foul  was  refreOied  with  the  comforts  of  God 
 in  that  fupper :  and  that  crofting  in  baptifm  was  unlawful, 
 and  againft  Chrift's  ordinance/,  and  that  no  day  ^befides 
 the  fabbath,  which  is  of  his  own  appointment)  ihouUl  be  kept 
 holy,  and  fanclified  with  preaching  and  the  public  worlhip  of 
 God,  for  the  memory  of  Chrift's  birth,  death,  refurreclion  and 
 afcenfion  ;  feeing  fuch  days  fo  obfcrved  are  unlawful,  will-woi- 
 ftiip,  and  not  warranted  in  Chrift's  word  :  and  that  every  thing 
 in  God's  worlhip,  not  warranted  by  Chrift's  tcftament  and  word, 
 was  unlawful :  and  alfo,  that  idolatry,  worfhipping  of  God  be- 
 fore hallowed  creatures,  and  adoring  of  Chrift,  by  kneeling  before 
 bread  and  wine,  was  unlawful :  and  that  ye  fhould  be  humble, 
 fober,  modeft,  forbearing  pride,  envy,  malice,  wrath,  hatred,  con- 
 tention, debate,  lying,  flandering,  ftcaling,  and  defrauding  your 
 neighbours  in  grafs,  corn  or  cattle,  in  buying  or  felling,  borrow- 
 ing or  lending,  taking  or  giving,  in  bargains  or  covenants  :  and 
 that  ye  ftiould  work  with  your  own  hands,  and  be  content  with 
 that  which  God  hath  given  you  :  that  ye  ftiould  ftudy  to  know 
 Cjod  and  his  will,  and  keep  in  mind  the  do(flrine  of  the  catechifn  , 
 which  I  taught  you  carefully,  and  fpeak  of  it  in  your  houfes  ana 
 in  the  fields,  when  yc  ly  down  at  ni^ht,  and  when  ye  rife  in  the 
 
231  Mr  RirTHERFOOnD's  Epift.  148.3 
 
 morning:  tliat  ye  Ihould  believe  in  the  Son  of  God,  and  obey  his 
 commandments,  and  learn  to  make  your  accounts  in  time  with 
 your  Judge;  becaufe  death  and  judgment  are  before  you.  And 
 if  ye  have  no  penury  and  want  of  that  word,  which  I  delivered  to 
 you  in  abundance;  yea,  (to  God's  honour  1  fpeak  it,  without  ar- 
 rogating any  thing  to  myfelf,  who  am  but  a  poor  empty  man)  ye 
 had  as  much  of  the  word,  in  nine  years  while  I  was  among  you, 
 as  fome  others  have  had  in  many ;  mourn  for  your  lofs  of  time,  and 
 iAl^t.  My  foul  pitieth  you,  that  you  ihould  fuck  dry  breafts, 
 S^Kc  put  to  draw  at  dry  wells.  O  that  ye  would  efteem  highly 
 of  the  Lamb  of  God,  your  Well-beloved  Chrift  Jefus,  whofe  vir- 
 tues and  praifes  I  preached  unto  you  with  joy,  and  which  he  did 
 countenance  and  accompany  with  fome  power ;  and  that  ye 
 would  call  to  mind  the  many  fair  days  and  glorious  feads  in  our 
 Lord's  houfeflkwine,  that  ye  and  I  have  had  with  Chrift  Jefus  ! 
 But  if  there  b^any  among  you  that  take  liberty  to  (in,  becauie  I 
 am  removed  from  amongfl  yoti,  and  forget  that  word  of  truth 
 which  ye  heard,  and  turn  the  grace  of  God  intov/antonnefs;  I  here 
 under  my  hand,  in  the  nan^.e  of  Chrift  my  Lord,  wriie  to  fuch  per- 
 fons  all  the  plagues  of  God,  and  all  the  curfes  that  ever  I  preached 
 in  the  pulpit  of  Anwoth  againit  the  children  of  difobedience  :  and, 
 as  the  Lord  liveth,  the  Lord  Jefus  fball  make  good  what  1  write 
 unto  you.  Therefore,  dearly  beloved,  fulfil  my  joy;  fear  the 
 great  and  dreadful  name  of  the  Lord  ;  leek  God  with  me.  Scot- 
 land's judgment  lleepeth  not ;  awake  and  repent:  the  fvvord  of  the 
 Lord  Ihall  go  from  the  north  to  the  fouth,  from  the  eaft  to  the 
 weft,  and  through  all  the  corners  of  the  kind  ;_  and  that  fword 
 fliall  be  drunk  with  your  blood  among  the'firft:  and  I  fhall  ftand 
 up  as  a  witnefs  againft  you,  if  ye  do  not  amend  your  ways  and  your 
 doings,  and  turn  to  the  Lord  with  all  your  heart.  I  befeech  you 
 alfo,  my  dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord,  my  joy  and  my  crown,  of- 
 fend not  at  the  fu{iciin|;s  of  me,  the  prifoner  ot  Jcius  Chrift  ;  I 
 am  filled  with  joy  and  with  the  comforts  of  "God.  Upon  my  fal- 
 vation,  I  know  and  am  perfuaded,  it  is  for  God's  truth,  and  the 
 honour  of  my  King  and  royal  Prince,  Jefus,  I  now  fufFer  :  and 
 howbeit  this  town  be  my  prifon,  yet  Chrift  hath  made  it  m.y  pa- 
 lace, a  garden  of  pltafures,  a  fidd  and  orchard  of  delights.  1  know 
 likewife,  albeit  I  be  in  bonds,  that  yet  the  word  of  God  is  not  in 
 bonds ;  my  fpirit  alfo  is  in  free  ward.  Sweet,  fweet  have  his  com- 
 forts been  to  my  foul ;  my  pen,  tongue  and  heart  have  not  words 
 to  exprefs  the  kindnefs,  love  and  mercy  of  my  Well-beloved  to  me, 
 in  this  houfe  of  my  pilgrimage.  1  charge  you  to  fear  and  love 
 Chrift,  and  to  feek  a  houfe  not  made  with-jbands,  but  your  Father's 
 lioufe  above.  This  laughing  and  white-Dc/nned  world  bepuileth 
 you  :  and  if  ye  feek  it  m.ore  than  God,  it  ftiall  play  you  a  flip,  to 
 the  endlefi  faircvi-  of  yoiic  heart.     AUs,  I  could  not  make  many 
 
Epift.  I49-]  LETTERS.  233 
 
 o{  you  fall  In  Jove  with  Chrift,  howbeit  I  endeavouref!  to  fpeak 
 much  good  of  him,  and  to  commend  him  to  you  (which  as  it  was 
 your  fin,  fo  it  is  my  forrow)  :  yet  once  again  fuiFer  me  to  exhort, 
 befeech  and  obtelt  you  in  the  Lord,  to  think  of  his  >ove,  and  to 
 be  delighted  with  him,  who  is  altogether  lovely  :  I  give  you  the 
 word  of  a  King,  ye  (liall  not  repent  it.  Ye  are  in  my  prayers 
 night  and  day,  I  cannot  forget  you:  I  do  not  eat,  I  do  not  drink, 
 but  J  pray  for  you  all :  I  intreat  you  all,  and  every  one  of  you,  to 
 pray  for  me.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 yiberdaeny  Se/>t*  22,  T'our  lawful  and  loving  paj? or, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 ■  -         '  ''  II. 
 
 149.     To  ths  Lady  CARDONESS. 
 
 Mljirefs, 
 T  Befeech  you  in  the  Lord  Jefus,  make  every  day  more  and  more 
 "*•  of  Chrift  ;  and  try  your  growth  in  the  grace  of  God,  and 
 what  new  ground  ye  win  daily  on  corruption  :  for  travellers  are 
 day  by  day  either  advancing  farther  on,  and  nearer  home;  or  elfe 
 they  go  not  right  about  to  compafs  their  journey.  I  think  flill 
 the  better  and  better  of  Chrift  :  alas,  I  know  not  where  to  fet  him, 
 I  would  fo  fain  have  him  high  !  I  cannot  fet  heavens  above  hea- 
 vens, till  I  v/ere  tiredwith  numbering,  and  fet  him  upon  the  high- 
 eft  ftep  and  ftory  of  the  higheft  of  them  all  :  but  I  wiih  I  could 
 make  him  great  through  the  world,  fuppofe  my  lofs,  and  pain, 
 and  Ihame  were  fet  under  the  foles  of  his  feet,  that  he  might  ftand 
 upon  me.  I  requeft  you  faint  not,  becaufe  this  world  and  ye  are 
 at  yea  and  nay,  and  becaufe  this  is  not  a  home  that  laughcth  up- 
 on you ;  the  wife  Lord,  who  knoweth  you,  v;ill  have  it  fo,  be- 
 caufe he  cafteth  a  net  for  your  love,  to  catch  it  and  gather  it  in 
 to  himfelf :  therefore  bear  patiently  the  lofs  of  children,  and  bur- 
 dens, and  other  difcontenrments,  either  within  or  without  the 
 houfe  ;  your  Lord  in  them  is  feeking  you,  and  feek  ye  him.  Let 
 none  be  your  love  and  choice,  and  the  flower  of  your  delights, 
 but  your  Lord  Jefus.  Set  not  your  heart  upon  the  world,  fince 
 God  hath  not  made  it  your  portion  ;  for  it  will  not  fall  you  to  get 
 two  portions,  and  to  laugh  twice,  and  to  be  happy  twice,  and  to 
 have  an  upper  heaven  and  an  under  heaven  too;  Chrift  our  Lord 
 and  his  faints  were  not  fo;  and  therefore  let  go  your  grip  of  this 
 life,  and  of  the  good  things  of  it.  I  hope  your  heaven  groweth 
 not  hereaway.  Learn  daily  both  to  poflefs  and  mifs  Chrift,  in  his 
 fecret  Bridegroom-fmiles  ;  he  muft  go  and  come,  becaufe  his  in- 
 finite wifdom  thinketh  it  heft  for  you:  we  will  be  together  one 
 day;  we  ftiall  not  need  to  borrow  light  from  fun,  moon  or  can- 
 dle ;  there  (hali  be  no  complaints  on  either  fide  in  heaven  ;  there 
 Ihall  be  none  there,  but  he  and  we,  the  iiridegroom  and  the  bride: 
 
234  Uv  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  150.I 
 
 (ievils,  temptations,  trials,  defertions,  lofles,  fad  hearts,  pain  and 
 death  ihall  be  all  put  out  of  pby  j  and  the  devil  muft  give  up  his 
 cifice  of  tempting.  O  blefled  is  the  foul,  whofe  hope  hath  a  face 
 locking  ftraight  out  to  that  day  1  It  is  not  our  part  to  make  a  trea- 
 fure  here-,  any  thing  under  the  covering  of  heaven  we  can  build 
 upon,  is  but  ili  ground  and  a  fandy  foundation  :  every  good 
 thing,  except  God,  wanteth  a  bottom,  and  cannot  Hand  its  alone; 
 how  then  can  it  bear  the  weight  of  us  ?  Let  us  not  lay  a  load  up- 
 on a  windleftraw;  there  fhall  nothing  find  my  \veight,  or  found 
 jTjy  happinefs,  but  God.  I  know  all  created  power  fhould  fmk 
 under  me,  if  I  iliould  lean  down  upon  it  \  and  therefore  it  is  bet- 
 ux  to  reft  on  God,  than  fink  or  fall:  and  we  weak  fouls  muft 
 have  a  bottom  and  a  being-place,  for  we  cannot  ftand  our  alone  ; 
 let  US  then  be  wife  in  our  choice,  and  choofe  and  wail  our  own 
 Mciicdnefs,  which  is  to  truft  in  the  Lord,  Each  one  of  us  hath  a 
 whore  and  idol,  befides  our  Hufband,  Chrift:  but  it  is  our  folly 
 to  divide  our  narrow  and  little  love-,  1  will  not  ferve  two:  it  is 
 bed  then  to  hold  it  whole  and  together,  and  to  give  it  to  Chrift ; 
 for  then  we  get  double  intereft  for  our  love,  when  we  lend  it  to, 
 and  lay  it  out  upon  Chrift;  and  we  are  fure  befides,  that  the  ftock 
 cannot  pf  rifli.  Now  I  can  f^.y  no  more  ;  remember  me.  I  have 
 God's  right  to  that  people ;  howbeit  by  the  violence  of  men 
 ftrongcr  than  I,  I  am  banifhed  from  you,  and  chafed  away.  The 
 Lord  give  you  mercy  in  the  day  of  Chrift.  It  may  be  God  will 
 clear  my  fky  again  ;  howbeit  there  is  fmall  appearance  of  my  de- 
 liverance: but  let  him  do  with  me  what  feemeth  good  in  his  own 
 eyes ;  I  am  his  clay,  let  my  Potter  frame  and  falhion  me  as  he 
 pleafeth.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aherd.  1637.  Tour  la-w fid  and  loving  pa jior,     S.  R. 
 
 150.     To  SI3ILLA  MACADAM, 
 
 Mijirefs, 
 
 GPv  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  can  bear  witnefs  in 
 my  bonds,  that  Chrift  is  ftill  the  longer  the  better,  and  no 
 worfe,  yea,  inconceivably  better  than  he  is  or  can  be  called  :  I 
 think  it  half  an  heaven,  to  have  my  fill  of  the  fmell  of  his  fweet 
 breath,  and  to  llccp  in  the  arms  of  Chrift  my  Lord,with  his  left-hand 
 under  my  head,  and  his  right-hand  embracing  me.  There  is  no 
 great  reckoning  to  be  made  of  the  vtithering  of  my  flower,  in  com- 
 parifon  of  the  foul  and  manifeft  wrongs  done  to  Chrift:  nay,  let 
 never  the  dew  of  God  ly  upon  my  branches  again,  let  the  bloom 
 fall  from  my  joy,  and  let  it  wither,  let  the  Almighty  blow  out  my 
 candle,  fo  being  the  Lord  might  be  great  among  Jews  and  Gentiles, 
 ami  his  opprefted  church  delivered.  Let  Chrift  fare  well,  fuppofe 
 1  ftiould  eat  allie* :  I  know  he  muft  be  fweet  himfclf,  when  hii 
 
Epift.  151.]  LETTERS.  235 
 
 crofs  is  fo  iwcet.  And  it  is  the  p.irt  of  us  all,  if  we  marry  hirn- 
 iclf,  to  marry  the  crofles,  lofles,  and  reproaches  alfo  that  follow 
 him;  for  incicy  followeth  Chrift'.-)  crofs.  His  priion  for  beauty  is 
 made  of  marble  and  ivory;  his  chains,  that  are  !.;id  on  his  pri- 
 foners,  are  golden  chains ;  and  the  (ighs  ol  liie  pri'.oners  of  h^^pe 
 are  perfumed  with  comforts  the  like  whereof  canno!:  be  bred  or 
 found  in  this  fide  of  fun  and  moon.  Fellow  on  after  his  love, 
 tire  not  of  Chrilf,  but  come  in,  and  fee  his  beauty  and  excellency, 
 and  Ued  your  foul  upon  Chrilt's  fweetnefs.  This  world  is  noc 
 yours,  neither  woula  1  have  your  heaven  made  of  fuch  metal  as 
 mire  and  clay.  Ye  have  the  choice  and  waile  of  all  lovers  in 
 heaven  or  oul  of  heaven,  when  ye  have  Chrifl,  the  only  delight 
 of  God  his  Fainer.  Climb  up  the  mountain  with  joy,  and  fame 
 not;  for  time  will  cut  oiT  the  men  who  purlue  Chrift*s  followers. 
 Our  heil  things  here  have  a  worm  in  them  ;  our  joys  befules 
 God,  in  the  inner  half,  are  but  woes  and  forrows  :  Chrifl,  Chriit 
 is  that  which  our  love  and  defires  can  lleep  fweetly  and  relt  fafely 
 upon.  Now  the  very  God  of  peace  eftabliih  you  in  Chriil.  Help 
 a  prifoner  with  your  prayers,  and  entreat  th  u  our  Lord  would  be 
 pieafed  to  vifit  me  with  a  fjglit  of  his  beauty  in  his  houfe,  as  he 
 hath  fometimcs  done.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 u^berdeen^  Tours  in  hh  fixjcet  Lord  JcfuSy 
 
 1637.  ^-   i^- 
 
 151.     To  the  Laird  of  CALLY. 
 
 IVorthy  Sir, 
 /^^RACK,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  have  been  too  long,  I 
 ^^  confefs,  in  writing  to  you.  My  fuit  now  to  you  in  paper  (fince 
 I  have  no  accefs  to  fpe^lc  10  you  as  formerly)  is,  that  ye  would  lay 
 the  foundation  fure  in  your  youth  :  when  ye  begin  to  feek  Chrifl, 
 try,  I  pray  you,  upon  what  terms  ye  covenant  to  follow  him,  and 
 Jay  your  accounts  what  it  may  coft  you;  thatfummer  nor  winter, 
 nor  well  nor  wo,  may  not  caufe  you  change  your  Mailer,  Chrilt. 
 Keep  fair  to  him,  and  be  honell  and  faithful,  that  he  find  not  a 
 crack  in  you.  Surely,  ye  are  now  in  the  throng  of  ten^piation  : 
 when  youth  is  come  to  its  faired  bloom,  then  the  devil,  and  the 
 luffs  of  a  deceiving  world,  and  (in  are  upon  horfe-back,  and  lollow 
 with  up  faib.  If  this  were  not,  Paul  needed  not  to  have  written 
 to  a  fan6lified  and  holy  youth,  Timothy,  (a  faithful  preacher  ui 
 the  gofpel)  flee  the  lulls  of  youth.  Give  Chrilt  your  virgin-tovc, 
 you  cannot  put  your  love  and  heatt  in  a  better  hand.  O  if  ye 
 knew  him,  and  faw  his  beauty  !  Your  love,  your  liking,  your  heart, 
 your  defires  would  clofe  with  him,  and  cleave  to  him.  Love 
 by  nature,  when  it  feeth,  cannot  but  calt  out  its  fpirit  and  flrcngth 
 upon  amiable  objects,  and  good  things,  and  things  love-worthy  i 
 
 G  s  2 
 
236  Mr  RUTHERFOOKD*s  Epift.  i^}.^ 
 
 and  what  fairer  thing  than  Chrift  ?  O  fair  fun,  and  fair  moon,  and 
 lair  ftars,  and  fair  flowers,  and  fdir  rofes,  andfairlilies,  and  fair  crea- 
 tures :  but  O  ten  thoufand  thoufand  tinrics  fairer  Lord  Jefus  !  A- 
 las,  I  wronged  him  in  making  the  comparifon  this  way  !  O  black 
 iun  and  moon,  but  O  fair  Lord  Jefus  !  O  black  fanvers,  and  black 
 iilies  and  rofes,  but  O  fair,  fair,  ever  fair  Lord  Jefus  !  O  all  fair 
 things,  black  and  deformed  without  beauty?  vv  hen  ye  are  befide  that 
 faireft  Lord  Jefus  !  O  black  heaven,  but  O  fair  Chrift  !  O  black 
 angels,  but  iurpaflingly  fair  Lord  jtfus  !  I  would  feck  no  more  to 
 make  me  happy  ior  evermore,  but  a  thorough  and  clear  fight  of  the 
 beauty  of  Jefus  my  Lord :  let  my  eyes  enjoy  his  fairncfs,  and  flare 
 him  for  ever  iri  the  face,  and  I  have  all  that  can  be  wifhed.  Get 
 Chrift  rather  than  gold  or  filver  j  feek  Chriif,  howbiit  ye  fliould 
 lofe  all  things  for  him.  They  take  their  marks  by  the  moon,  and 
 look  a  fquint,  in  looking  to  fair  Chrift:,  wdio  refolve  for  the  world 
 and  their  cafe,  and  for  their  honour  and  court  and  credit ;  or,  for 
 fear  of  loff;;s  and  a  fore  (kin,  will  turn  their  back  upon  Chrift  and 
 his  truth.  Alas,  how  many  blind  eyes  and  fquint  lookers  look  this 
 diy  in  Scotland  upon  Chriit's  beauty,  and  they  fee  a  fpot  in  Chrift'^ 
 lair  face  !  Alas  they  are  not  worthy  of  Chrift,  who  look  this  way 
 tipon  him,  and  fee  no  beauty  in  him  why  they  fhould  defire  him  \ 
 God  fend  me  my  fill  of  his  beauty,  if  it  be  poftible  that  my  foul 
 can  be  full  of  his  beauty  here  :  but  n)uch  of  Chrift's  beauty  need- 
 eth  not  aba:e  the  eager  appetite  of  a  loul  (fick  of  love  for  him- 
 feif )  to  fee  him  in  the  other  world,  where  he  is  feen  as  he  is.  I 
 am  glad  with  all  my  heart,  that  ye  have  given  your  greeneft  morn- 
 ing age  to  this  Lord  Jefus  :  hold  on,  and  weary  not,  faint  not,  re- 
 folve upon  fufrering  for  Chrift  i  but  fear  not  ten  days  tribulation, 
 for  Chrift's  four  crofs  is  fugared  with  comforts,  and  hath  a  tafte  of 
 Chrift  himfelf.  I  efteem  it  my  glory,  my  joy  and  my  crown,  and  I 
 blefs  him  for  thisjionour,  to  be  yoked  with  Chrift,  and  married  with 
 him,  in  fufFering,  who  therefore  was  born,  and  therefore  came  into 
 the  world,  that  he  might  bear  witnefs  to  the  truth.  Take  pains 
 above  all  things  for  falvation  ;  for  without  running,  fighting, 
 Sweating,  wreftling,  heaven  is  not  taken.  O  happy  foul,  that  crof- 
 feth  nature's  ftoniach,  and  delighteth  to  gain  that  fair  garland  and 
 crown  of  glory  !  What  a  fecklcfs  lofs  is  it  for  you,  to  go  through 
 thi5  v/lldernefs,  and  never  tafte  of  fin's  fugared  pleafures  !  what 
 poorer  is  a  foul  to  want  pride,  luft,  love  of  the  world,  and  the  va- 
 nities of  this  vain  and  worthlcfs  world?  Nature  hath  no  caufe  to 
 weep  at  the  want  of  fuch  toys  as  thefe.  Efteem  it  your  gain  to 
 be  an  heir  of  glory  ^  O  but  that  is  an  eye-look  to  a  fair  rent!  The 
 \ery  hope  of  heaven,  under  troubles,  is  like  wind  and  fails  to  the 
 foul,  and  like  wings,  when  the  feet  come  out  of  the  fnnrc.  O  !  for 
 wh.it  ftay  we  here  r  Up,  up,  after  our  Lord  Jefus  ;  this  is  not  our 
 rclt;^  nor  our  dwelling;   what  have  we  to  do  in  this  ^rifon,  exce^^t 
 
Epift.  1 52.]  LETTERS.  237 
 
 only  to  take  meat  and  houfc-room  in  it,  for  a  time  ?  Grace,  grace 
 be  with  you. 
 
 Absrd,  1637.  Tour  foil?  s  well-ivifijer,  and    - 
 
 Chriji's  prifoner^  S.  R, 
 
 ->       ■• '  —       ■ 
 
 152.    To  AYILLIAM  GORDON  at  Kenmure. 
 
 Dear  Brother, 
 r^  RACK,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  have  been  Jong  in  an- 
 ^^  fwering  your  letter,  which  canre  in  good  time  to  me.  It  is 
 my  aim  and  hearty  dcfire,  thr.t  my  furnace,  which  is  of  the  Lord'.% 
 kindling,  may  fparkle  fire  »;pon  llanders^by,  to  the  warming  of 
 their  hearts  with  God's  love.  The  very  dull  that  falleth  from 
 Chrift's  feet,  his  old  ragged  clothes,  his  knotty  and  black  crofs,  is 
 fwecter  to  me,  than  kings  golden  crowns,  and  their  time-eaten 
 pieafures;  I  Ihould  be  a  liar  and  fali'e  wlti:efs,  if  I  Ihould  not  give 
 my  Lord  Jefus  a  fair  teftimonial,  with  my  whole  foul  :  my  word, 
 I  know,  will  not  heighten  him;  he  needeth  not  fuch  props  under 
 his  feet,  to  raife  his  glory  high  :  but  oh  that  i  could  raife  him  the 
 heif^htof  heaven,  and  the  breadth  and  length  of  ten  heavens,  in  the 
 cftimacicn  of  ail  his  young  lovera  !  For  we  have  ail  ihapen  Chrift 
 but  too  narrow  and  too  ihort,  and  formed  conceptions  of  his  love 
 in  our  conceit,  very  unworthy  of  it.  Oli  that  men  were  taken  and 
 catclied  with  his  beauty  and  fairnefs!  they  would  give  over  play- 
 ing with  idols,  in  which  there  is  not  half  room  for  the  love  of  one 
 foul  to  expatiate  itfelf;  and  man's  lai'Q  is  but  heart-hungcre^  in- 
 gnawing  upon  bare  bones,  and  fuckliTg  at  dry  breads :  it  is  welU 
 wared  they  \vant,  who  will  not  come  to  him  who  hath  a  world 
 of  love  and  goodnefs  and  bounty  for  all.  We  feek  to  thaw  our  fro- 
 zen hearts  at  the  cold  imoke  of  the  (liort  timed  creature,  and  our 
 fouls  gather  neither  heat  nor  life,  nor  light ;  for  thefe  cannot  give 
 to  us  what  they  have  not  in  themfelYV^.  Oh  that  we  could  thi;ull 
 in  through  thefe  thorns  and  this  throng  of  baflard-l overs,  and  be 
 ravillied  and  fick  of  love  for  Chrifl  !  We-fnould  find  fome  foot- 
 ing Rud  fome  room,  and  fweet  eafe  for  our  tottering  and  witlefs 
 fouls  in  our  Lord.  I  wiOi  it  were  in  my  power,  aftc^r  this  dav,  to 
 cry  down  all  love  but  the  love  of  Chriil,  antl  to  cry  down  ail  gods 
 but  Chrifl,  all  faviours  but  Chriit,  all  wqll-beloveds  but  Cbrifi:, 
 and  all  foul-fuiters,  all  love-beggars  but  Chrift.  Yecorftpiain,  that 
 ye  want  a  mark  of  \.\\t  found  woik  of  jjrac^and  love  in  your  foul. 
 For  anfwer,  conlldcr  for  your  fatisfaclion  (till  God  fend  more) 
 Job  i.  5,  t4»  And  as  for  your  cotnplaint  of  deadnefs  and  doubt-, 
 ings,  Cl^rdt,  1  hope,  will  take  your  dradnefs  and  you  together: 
 they  are  boulies  full  of  holes,  running  boils,  and  broken  bones  that 
 nt;ed  mending,  that  Chrifl  the  Phyfician  taketh  up  ;  whole  vefiels 
 are  not  for  the  P^Iodiator  ChrilVs  art:  publicans,  finncrs,  whores. 
 
235  Ur  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplil.  153.] 
 
 harlots,  arc  ready  market-wares  for  Chrift :  the  only  thing  that 
 will  bring  imncrs  within  a  caft  of  Chrift's  drawing  arm,  is  that 
 which  ye  write  of,  fome  feeling  of  death  and  fin,  that  bringeth  forth 
 complaints ;  and  therefore  cut  of  fenfe  complain  more,  and  be  more 
 acquaint  with  all  the  cramps,  flitches  and  foul  fwoonings  that 
 trouble  you  :  the  more  pain  and  the  more  night-watching,  and 
 the  more  feverSj  the  better;  a  foul  bleeding  to  death,  till  Chrift 
 were  fent  for,  and  cried  for  in  all  hafte,  to  come  and  ftem  the  blood, 
 and  clofe  up  the  hole  in  the  wound,  with  his  own  hand  and  balm, 
 >vere  a  very  good  difeafe,  when  many  are  dying  of  a  whole-heart. 
 We  have  all  too  little  of  hell-pain  and  terrors  that  w^y  :  nay,  God 
 fend  me  fuch  a  hell,  as  Chrift  hath  promifed  to  make  a  heaven  out 
 of.  Alas,  I  am  not  come  that  far  on  in  the  way,  as  to  fay  in  fad 
 earneft,  *  Lord  Jefus,  great  and  fovereign  Phyfician,  here  is  a 
 pained  patient  for  thee/  But  the  thing  that  we  miftake  is  the  want 
 of  vidory  ;  we  hold  that  to  be  the  mark  of  one  that  hath  no  grace : 
 nay,  I  fay,  the  want  of  fighting  were  a  mark  of  no  grace ;  but  I 
 fhall  not  fay,  the  want  of  victory  is  fuch  a  mark.  If  my  fire  and 
 the  devil's  water  make  crackling  like  thunder  in  the  air,  I  am  the 
 iefs  feared  ;  for  where  there  is  fire,  it  is  Chrift's  part,  that  I  lay 
 and  bind  upon  him,  to  keep  in  the  coal,  and  to  pray  the  Father 
 that  my  fnith  fail  not,  if  I  in  the  mean  time  be  wreftling,  and  do- 
 ing, and  fighting,  and  mourning  :  for  prayer  putteth  not  Paul's 
 devil  (the  prick  in  the  flefh,  and  the  meifenger  of  Satan}  to  the 
 door  at  firft;  but  our  Lord  will  have  them  trying  every  one  ano- 
 ther, and  let  Paul  fend  for  himfelf,  by  God's  help,  God  keeping 
 the  ftakes,  and  moderating  the  play :  and  ye  do  well  not  to  doubt, 
 if  the  ground-ftone  be  fure,  but  to  try  if  it  be  (o  -,  for  there  is  great 
 odcls  ]>etween  doubting  that  we  have  grace,  and  trying  if  we  have 
 grace  :  the  former  may  be  fin,  but  the  latter  is  good.  We  are  but 
 loofe  in  trying  our  free-holding  of  Chrift,  and  making  fure  work 
 of  Chrift.  fioly  fear  is  a  fearching  the  cam.p,  that  there  be  no  ene- 
 my within  our  bofom  to  betray  us,  and  a  feeing  that  all  be  fall 
 and  fure  :  for  I  fee  many  leaking  vefTels  fair  before  the  wind,  and 
 profefTors  who  take  their  converfion  upon  truft,  and  they  go  on 
 Iccurely,  and  fee  not  the  under-water,  till  a  ftorm  fink  them  ; 
 each  man  had  need  twice  a  day,  and  oftener,  to  be  riped  and  fearch- 
 ed  with  candles.  Pray  for  me,  that  the  Lord  would  give  rae 
 houfe-room  again,  to  hold  a  candle  to  this  dark  world.  Grace, 
 grace  be  with  you. 
 
 j^berdcen^  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord 
 
 1637.  andMaJicry     S.  R. 
 
Epift.  154.]  LETTERS.  239 
 
 153.    7i  MARGARET  FULLERTON. 
 
 Mijirefs, 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  am  glad  that  ever  yc 
 ^^  did  caft  your  love  on  Chriil ;  faften  more  and  more  love  eve- 
 ry day  upon  him.  O  if  I  had  a  river  of  love,  a  Tea  of  love,  that 
 would  never  go  dry,  to  bellow  upon  him  !  But  alas  the  pity  !  Chrift 
 hath  beauty  for  me,  but  I  have  not  love  for  him.  O  what  pain  is 
 it,  to  fee  Chrift  in  his  beauty,  and  then  to  want  a  heart  and  love 
 for  him  !  but  I  fee,  want  we  mufl:,  till  Chrifl  lend  us;  never  to  be 
 paid  again.  O  that  he  would  empty  thefe  vaults  and  lower  houfes 
 of  thefe  poor  fouls,  of  thefe  baftard  and  bafe  lovers,  which  we  fol- 
 low !  and  verily,  I  fee  no  object  in  heaven  or  in  earth,  that  I  could 
 ware  this  much  of  love  upon,  that  I  have,  but  upon  Chrift.  Alas  f 
 that  clay,  and  time,  and  fliadows  run  away  with  our  love,  which 
 is  ill  fpent  upon  any  but  upon  Chrift :  each  fool  at  the  day  of 
 judgment  fhall  feek  back  his  love  from  the  creatures,  when  he 
 Ihall  fee  them  all  in  a  fair  fire;  but  they  fhall  prove  irrefpon(i\l 
 debtors  :  and  therefore  it  is  beft  here,  we  look  ere  we  leap,  and 
 look  ere  we  love.  I  find  now  under  his  crcfs,  that  I  would  fain 
 give  him  more  than  1  have  to  give  him,  if  giving  were  in  my  power : 
 but  I  rather  wilh  him  my  heart  than  give  him  it;  except  he  take 
 it,  and  put  himfclf  in  pofleflion  of  it  (for  I  hope  he  hath  a  niarket- 
 right  to  me,  fmce  he  hath  ranfomed  me)  I  fee  not  how  Chrift  can 
 have  me.  O  that  he  would  be  pleafed  to  be  more  homely  with  my 
 fouFs  love,  and  to  come  in  to  my  foul,  and  take  his  own  !  But 
 when  he  goeth  away  and  hideth  himfelf,  all  is  to  me  that  I  had  of 
 Chrift,  as  if  it  had  fallen  in  the  fea-bottom.  Oh  that  I  ftiould  be  fo 
 fickle  in  my  love,  as  to  love  Chrift  onjy  by  the  eyes  and  the  nofe  ! 
 that  is,  to  love  him  only  in  as  fur  as  food  and  foolilh  fenfe  carrieth 
 me,  and  no  more.  And  when  I  fee  not,  and  fmell  not,  and  touch 
 not,  then  I  have  all  to  feek.  I  cannot  love  parquier,  nor  rejoice 
 parquier :  but  this  is  our  weaknefs,  till  we  be  at  home,  andftiall 
 have  aged  men's  ftomachs  to  bear  Chiift'ji  love.  Pray  for  me, 
 that  our  Lord  would  bring  me  back  to  you,  with  a  new  blefling 
 of  the  gofpel  of  Chrift.  1  forget  not  )ou.  Grace,  grace  be  with 
 you. 
 
 Abirdecn,  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  J  ejus  ^ 
 
 i6j7.  S.  R. 
 
 154.    To  WILLIAM  GLENDINNING. 
 Dear  Brother^ 
 
 ZE  aie  heartily  welcome  to  that  honour,  that  C'irift  h.uh  made 
 common  to  us  both,  which  is  to  fuffcr  for  his  name.  Verily 
 
240  Ut  nurHERFOORITs  Eplft.  154.3 
 
 I  think  It  my  garland  and  crown;  and  If  the  Lord  /hould  aflc  of 
 me  my  blood  and  life  for  this  caufe,  I  would  gladly,  in  his 
 ftrenght,  pay  due  debt  to  Chrift's  honour  and  glory,  in  that  kind. 
 Acquaint  yourfelf  with  Chrift's  love,  and  ye  Ihall  not  mifs  to  find 
 new  golden  mines  and  treaiures  in  Chrift:  nay  truly,  we  but 
 ftand  befide  Chrift,  we  go  not  in  to  him  to  take  our  fill  of  hiin. 
 But  if  he  (hould  do  two  things,  i.  Draw  the  curtains,  and  make 
 bare  his  holy  face;  and  theii,  2.  Clear  our  dim  and  bleared  eyes, 
 to  fee  his  beauty  and  glory  -,  he  iliould  find  many  lovers.  I  would 
 feek  no  more  happinefs,  but  a  fight  of  him  fo  near  hand,  as  to  fee, 
 hear,  fmell,  and  touch,  and  embrace  him:  but  oh,  clofed  doors, 
 and  vails,  and  curtains,  and  thick  clouds  hold  me  in  pain,  while  I 
 find  the  fweet  burning  of  his  love,  that  r«any  waters  cannot  quench  I 
 
 0  what  fad  hours  have  I,  when  I  think,  that  the  love  of  Chrift  fcar- 
 reth  at  me,  and  bloweth  by  me !  if  my  Lord  Jefus  would  come  to 
 bargaining  for  his  love,  I  think,  he  ftiould  make  price  himfclf;  I 
 fhould  not  refufe  ten  thoufand  years  in  hell,  to  have  a  wide  foul 
 enlarged  and  made  wider,  that  I  might  be  exceedingly  (even  to  the 
 running  over)  filled  with  his  love.  O  what  am  I  to  love  fuch  an 
 One,  or  to  be  loved  by  that  high  and  lofty  One  !  I  think  the  angeis 
 may  blufh  to  look  upon  him  ;  and  what  am  I  to  file  fuch  infinite 
 brightncfs  with  my  finful  eyes  !  O  that  Chrift  would  come  near, 
 and  ftand  ftill  and  give  me  leave  to  look  upon  him  !  For  to  look 
 fcemeth  the  poor  man's  privilege,  fince  he  may,  for  nothing,  and 
 without  hire,  behold  the  fun.  I  fhould  have  a  king's  life,  if  1  had 
 no  other  thing  to  do,  but  for  evermore  to  behold  and  eye  my  fair 
 Lord  Jefus  :  nay,  fuppofe  I  were  holden  out  at  heaven's  fair  entry, 
 
 1  (hould  be  happy  for  evermore,  to  look  through  an  hole  in  the 
 door,  and  fee  my  deareft  and  faireft  Lord's  face.  O  great  King, 
 why  ftandeft  thou  aloof  .'^  why  remaineft  thou  beyond  the  moun- 
 tains ?  O  Well-beloved,  why  doft  thou  pain  a  poor  foul  with  de- 
 lays ?  A  long  time  out  of  thy  glorious  prefencc  is  two  deaths  and 
 two  hells  to  me ;  we  muft  meet,  I  muft  fee  him,  I  dow  not  want 
 him.  Hunger  and  longing  for  Chrift,  hath  brought  on  fuch  a  ne- 
 ceftity  of  enjoying  Chrift,  that,  coft  me  what  it  will,  I  cannot  but 
 aiTure  Chrift  I  will  not,  I  doW  not  want  him:  for  I  cannot  mafter 
 or  command  Chrift's  love;  nay,  hell  (as  I  now  think)  and  all  the 
 pains  in  it  laid  on  me  alone,  would  not  put  me  from  loving :  jea, 
 fuppofe  my  Lord  Jefus  would  not  love  me,  it  is  above  my  ftrengtti 
 or  poAcr  to  keep  back  or  imprifon  the  weik  love  I  have,  but  it 
 muft  be  out  to  Chrift:  I  would  fet  heaven's  joy  -vfide,  and  live 
 upon  Chrift's  love  its  alone  ;  let  me  have  no  joy  but  the  warmnefs 
 and  fire  of  God's  love,  I  feek  no  other,  God  knowetfi ;  if  this  !cvf. 
 be  taken  from  me,  the  bottom  is  fallen  out  of  all  my  happinefs 
 and  joy;  and  therefore  I  believe  Chrift  will  never  do  me  that  much 
 harm,  as  to  bereave  a  poor  prifoner  of  his  lore ;  it  were  cruelty  to 
 
Epiil.  1550  LETTERS.  241: 
 
 take  it  from  mc:  and  be  who  is  klndnefs  itfelf,  cannot  bs  cruel. 
 Dear  brother,  weary  not  of  my  fweet  Mailer's  chains  j  we  are  io 
 much  the  fibber  toChrifi:  that  we  fufrcr:  lodge  not  a  hard  thought 
 of  my  royal  King;  rejoice  in  his  crofs.  Your  deliverance  fn^ep- 
 eth  not,  He  that  will  come  is  not  {lack  of  his  promife:  wait  on 
 for  God's  timeous  falvation  ;  aflc  not  when,  or  how  long  ?  I  hope 
 he  OnM]  loofe  nothing  of  ycu  in  the  furnace,  but  drofs  :  commit 
 your  caufc  in  mf  eknefs  (forgiving  your  opprellbrs)  to  God,  and 
 your  fentence  fhall  come  back  from  him  laughing.  Our  Bride- 
 groom's day  is  pofting  fnd  on  ;  and  this  w^orld  that  feemeth  to  ^o 
 with  a  long  and  a  fhort  foot,  fhall  he  put  in  two  ranks  :  wait  till 
 your  ten  days  be  ended,  and  hope  for  the  crown  j  Chrifl  will  not 
 give  you  a  blind  in  the  end.  Commend  me  to  your  wife  and  fa- 
 ther, and  to  Bailey  M.  A.  and  fend  this  letter  to  him.  The  pray- 
 ers of  Chrift's  prifoner  be  upon  you,  and  the  Lord's  prefcnce  ac- 
 company you. 
 
 Aberdeeriy  July  6.  Tcurs  in  his  fixcet  Lord  Jcfux, 
 
 1637.  8.  R. 
 
 m  •  •  I.   ,  I  .  I.     ,1  I     ■         ■ 
 
 155.    n  ROBERT  LENNOX  0/ D//2/(?z;^. 
 
 Dear  Brother, 
 /^^RACE,  mercy  pnd  peace  be  to  you:  Ibefefch  you  In  the  Lord 
 ^-^  jcfus,  make  fait  and  fure  work  of  life  ttt^rniil:  fow  not  rot- 
 ten feed  ;  every  man's  work  will  fpeak  for  itfelf;  whnt  his  {^^<\  hath 
 been.  O  how  many  fee  T,  who  f-^w  to  the  ilelh  !  Alas,  what  a  crop 
 will  that  be,  when  the  Lord  fliall  put  in  his  hook  to  reap  this 
 M'orld,  that  is  ripe  ?nd  white  for  judgment  .^  1  recommend  to  you 
 holinefs  and  fan6tification.  and  that  you  ketp  yourfelf  clean  from 
 this  prefent  evil  world  M^e  delight  to  tell  our  own  dreams,  ;ind 
 to  flatter  our  own  fleOi  with  the  hope  v:t  have:  it  were  wifdoni 
 for  us  to  be  free,  plain,  honed  and  ni;>rp  with  our  own  fouls,  and 
 to  charge  them  to  brew  better,  that  they  may  drink  well,  and  fare 
 ■well,  when  time  is  melted  away  like  fnow  in  a  hot  fummer.  O  how 
 hard  a  thing  is  it,  to  get  the  foul  to  give  up  with  all  things  on  this 
 fide  of  death  and  doomfday !  We  fay.  we  are  removing  and  going 
 from  this  world;  but  our  heart  fiirreth  not  one  foot  of}"  its  feat. 
 Alas!  1  fee  few  heavenly  minded  fouls,  that  have  nothing  upon 
 the  earth,  but  their  body  of  clay  going  up  and  down  this  earth, 
 becanfe  their  foul  and  the  powers  of  it  are  np  in  heaven,  and  there 
 their  hearts  live,  defire,  enjoy,  rejoice.  Oh  I  mens  fouls  have  no 
 •wings,  and  therefore  night  and  day  they  keep  their  ncft,  ?nd  arc 
 not  acquaint  with  Chriit,  Sir,  take  vou  to  your  one  thing,  to 
 Chriit,  that  ye  may  be  acquainted  with  the  taite  cf  his  fwcernefs 
 and  excellency,  and  charge  vour  love  not  to  dote  upon  this  vorjd  ; 
 for  it  will  not  do  your  bufinefs  in  that  dav,  when  nothino;  will  come 
 
 ^  II  h    '  ^ 
 
241  Mr  nUTHEkrOORD's  Epift.  156.I 
 
 in  good  ftfad  tx)  you,  but  God's  favour:  build  upon  Chrift  fome 
 good,  choice  and  faft  work;  for  when  vour  foul  for  many  years 
 bath  takun  th^:  p?ay,  and  hath  pcfted,  and  wandered  through  the 
 creatures,  yc  will  come  hi-nnc  again  with  the  wind  ;  they  are  not 
 good,  at  ler:(l  not  the  icui's  good-,  it  is  the  infinite  God-head  that 
 muft  iJlay  tbe  Iharpnefs  of  your  hunget  after  happinefs  ;  otherwife 
 there  (hnjl  ftill  be  a  want  of  fatisfa^lion  to  your  defires  :  and  if  he 
 fhould  caft  in  ten  worlds  in  your  defires,*  a}l  fhall  fall  through,  and 
 your  foul  (hriU  ftill  cry,  red  hunger,  black  hunger :  but  I  am  furc 
 there  is  fufhcier.t  for  you  in  Chriit,  if  ye  iiad  feven  fouls  and  feven 
 deiires  in  you.  Oh  if  I  could  make  my  Lord  Jefus  market-fweet, 
 lovely,  defirabie,  and  fair  to  all  the  world,  both  to  Jew  and  Gen- 
 tile I  O  let  my  pnrt  of  heaven  go  for  it,  fo  being  he  would  take  my 
 tongue  to  be  his  inftrument,  to  fetout  Chriil  in  his  whole  biaverie* 
 of  love,  virtue,  grace,  fweetncfs  and  matchlefs  glory,  to  the  eyes 
 and  hearts  of  J"ws  and  Genliles !  but  who  is  Sufficient  for  thefe 
 things!  O  for  the  help  of  angels  tonguf-s,  to  make  Chrift  eye  fweet 
 and  amiable  to  many  thoufands!  O  how  little  doth  this  world  fee 
 of  him,  and  how  far  are  they  from  the  love  of  him,  feeing  there  is 
 fo  much  lovelincfs.  beauty,  and  fweetnefs  in  Chrift,  that  no  created 
 eve  lid  ever  et  fee  I  I  would  that  all  men  knew  his  glory,  and 
 that  I  could  put  many  in  at  the  Bridegroom's  chamber-door;  to  fee 
 his  beautv.  ^md  to  be  partakers  of  his  high,  and  deep,  and  broad, 
 and  boundlefs  love.  O  let  all  the  world  come  nrgh  and  fee  Chrift, 
 and  they  ftiall  then  fee  more  than  I  can  fay  of  him  !  O  if  1  had  a 
 pledge  cr  p?wn  to  lay  down  for  a  fta-ful  of  his  love  !  that  I  could 
 come  by  fo  much  of  Chrift,  as  would  fatisfv  greening  and  longing 
 for  him  or  rather  increafe  it  till  I  were  in  full  pofTefiion  !  1  know, 
 we  Iball  meet-,  and  therein  I  rejoice.  Sir,  ftand  faft  in  the  truth 
 of  Chrift,  thit  ye  have  received  :  yield  to  no  winds  but  ride  out, 
 and  let  Chrift  be  your  Anchor,  and  the  only  He,  whom  ye  fhalt 
 look  to  fee  in  peace.  Pray  for  me  his  prifoner  that  the  Lord  would 
 fend  me  among  you  to  feed  his  people.  Grace,  grace  be  wiih 
 you, 
 
 Jberdcm^   ^^ST^  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus ^ 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 156.    To  JOHN  FLEMING  Baily  of  Leith. 
 
 IVorthy  Sir, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  The  Lord  hath  brought 
 ■  me  fafe  to  this  ftrange  town ;  bleiTed  be  his  holy  name,  I 
 find  his  crofseafy  and  light,  and  I  hope  he'will  be  with  his  poor 
 fold  Jofv.^ph.  who  isfep-irated  from  his  brethren  :  bis  comforts  have 
 abounded  towards  me,  as  if  Chrift  thought  fliame  (if  I  may  fpeafc 
 io]  to  be  in  the  common  of  fuch  a  poor  man  as  I  am,  and  would  not 
 
Epift.  157.]  LETTEP.S.  243 
 
 hare  me  lofe  any  thing  in  his  errands.  My  enemies  have,  befide 
 their  intention,  made  me  more  blefled,  and  have  put  me  in  a 
 fweeter  pcfitflion  ot  Chrift  than  ever  I  had  before:  only  the  me- 
 mory of  the  fair  days  I  had  with  my  Well-beloved,  amongft  the 
 fiOck  intruded  to  me,  kcepcth  me  low.  and  foureth  my  unfcen 
 joy;  but  it  muft  be  lo,  and  he  is  wile  who  tutoreth  me  in  this  way: 
 for  that  which  my  brethren  hove,  nn^  1  wi^nt,  and  others  of  this 
 world  hi>ve,  lam  content,  my  laiih  wiil  fiift  God  n.y  h.ippirefs: 
 no  fon  ofFendcth,  that  his  father  give  him  not  hire  twice  .a-ytar; 
 for  he  is  to  abide  in  the  houfe,  when  the  inheritance  is  to  be  di- 
 vided: it  is  better  God's  children  Jive  upon  hope,  than  upon  hire. 
 Thus,  remembering  my  love  to  your  worthy  and  kind  wife ;  I 
 blefs  you  and  her,  and  all  yours,  in  the  Loru's  nartie. 
 
 Jberdeeuy  Sept.  20,         Tours  in  his  only,  only  Lo/d  jefns^ 
 i637.  S.  R. 
 
 157.    To  WILLIAM  GLENDINNIx^JG, 
 
 Baity  of  Kircuabnght. 
 
 Worthy  Sir, 
 f^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  am  weli,  honour  be  to 
 ^^  God  !  and  as  well  as  a  rejoiciiig  prifoner  of  Chrill  can  be, 
 hoping  that  one  day  he,  for  whom  i  now  fufftr,  (hall  enl-rge  n:e, 
 and  put  mc  above  the  threatjnings  of  men.  I  am  fometlmcs  fad, 
 heavy  and  caft  en  down,  attt^e  memory  of  the  tair  days  i  had  with 
 Chrifl,  in  Anwoth,  Kircu/ibright,  Sec.  The  remembrance  of  a  feaft 
 cncreafeth  hunger  in  a  hungry  man  ;  but  who  knowcth,  hut  our 
 Lord  will  yet  cover  a  table  in  the  wildernefs  to  his  hungry  bairns, 
 and  build  the  old  waflc  places  in  Scotland,  and  bring  home  Zion's 
 ■captives?  i  defire  to  fee  no  m.ore  glorious  fight,  till  I  fee  the  L^mb 
 on  his  throne,  than  to  fee  mount  Zion  all  green  with  grais.  and  the 
 dew  lying  upon  the  tops  of  the  grafs,  and  the  crown  put  upon 
 Chrift't.  head  in  Scotland  again  :  and  I  believe  it  Ihall  be  fo,  and 
 thatChrilt  ihall  mow  down  his  enemies,  and  nil  the  pits  with  their 
 dead  bodies.  I  firid  people  here  dry  and  uncourh  :  a  m^an  pointed  j 
 at  for  fufrering  oare  not  be  countenanced;  fo  that  I  am  lite  to  fit 
 mine  alone  upon  the  ground:  but  my  Lord  p.;yeth  me  vvcii  home 
 again;  for  1  have  neither  tongue,  nor  pen.  nor  heait  to  cxprefs 
 the  fweetnefs  and  excellency  of  the  love  of  Chrilt.  Chrilt  s  honey- 
 combs drop  honey  and  floods  of  confolation  upon  mv  loui;  my 
 chains  are  gold:  Chrift's  crofs  is  all  overgilded  and  perfumed; 
 his  prilon  is  the  garden  and  orchard  of  my  d«:l;ghts:  I  would  go 
 through  burnlug-quick  to  my  lovely  Chrilt ;  I  fl-c-p  iu  his  arms  ail 
 the  night,  and  my  head  betwixt  his  breaii-J ;  my  Well-beloved  is 
 altogether  lovely;  this  is  all  nothing,  to  that  which  my  foul  hath 
 felt.  Let  no  man,  for  my  cauf^,   fear  at  Chriirs  crofs:  if  mv  ili- 
 
 Hh    2 
 
144  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  158.;] 
 
 pend,  place,  country,  credit,  had  been  an  earldom,  a  kingdom,  ten 
 kingdoms,  and  a  whole  earth  ;  all  v/ere  too  little  ior  the  crown  and 
 fct  ptre  of  my  royal  King.  Mine  enemies,  mine  enemies  have  made 
 me  bleiTed:  thty  have  ient  mc  to  the  Bridegroom's  chamber ;  love 
 is  his  banner  over  me:  I  live  a  king's  life;  I  want  nothing  but 
 heaven,  and  pcirvrfTion  of  ihe  crown  -.  my  earneft  is  gieat,  Chrift 
 IS  no  niggard  to  me  Dear  brother,  be  for  the  Lord  JeUis,  and 
 Iiis  heart-broken  bride,  i  need  not  ^1  hv^pe)  remember  my  di- 
 ftrefied  brothfr  to  your  caiC.  P..emcmbcr  my  love  to  your  wife,  let 
 Chrill  want  nothing  of  us ;  his  garments  thaii  be  rolled  in  the  blood 
 of  the  fldin  of  Scotland.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you.  Pray  for 
 Chrill^  piili)ner. 
 
 Aberdeen y  Sej.t,  21.  Tours  in  kis  f^ceX  Lord  Jcfus^ 
 
 i^37.  'S.  R. 
 
 158.  To  ROBERT  GORDON  of  Knockbrex. 
 Dear  Brother^ 
 /^R  vCE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  am  by  God's  mercy 
 ^-^  come  now  to  Abcrdes^n,  the  phce  of  my  confinemtnr,  and 
 fettled  in  an  honirft  man's  houfe:  1  find  the  town's  men  cold,  ge- 
 neral, and  dry  in  their  kindnefs;  yet  I  find  a  lodging  in  the  heart 
 of  many  Grangers.  My  challenges  are  revived  again,  and  I  find  old 
 fores  arc  bleeding  of  new;  fo  dangerous  and  painful  is  an  under* 
 cotted  confcience  ;  yet  i  have  an  eye  to  the  blood  that  is  phyfic  for 
 fuch  fores  :  but  veriiy,  I  fee  Chriitianity  is  conceived  to  be  more 
 eafy  and  lijzhter  than  it  is  ;  fo  that  I  fomeiimcs  think,  I  never 
 knew  any  thing  but  the  letters  of  that  name;  for  our  nature  con- 
 tenteth  itfeif  with  little  in  godlinefs.  Our  Lord,  Lord,  feemcth  to 
 us,  ten  Lord  Lords:  little  holinefs  in  our  balance  is  much  be- 
 caule  it  is  our  holinefs  *,  and  we  love  toLiy  fmall  burdens  upon  our 
 fott  nature?,  and  to  mal;e  a  fair  court-way  to  heaven  :  and  I  kncvy 
 it  were  nectfiluy  to  take  more  pains  than  v^'e  do,  and  not  to  make 
 heaven  a  city  more  e.diiv  taken  than  God  h  ith  made  it:  I  perfuade 
 myfcir,  many  runners  (hall  come  fhort  and  get  a  difappointment. 
 Oh  !  how  eafy  iF  it  to  dj:ccive  curfelves,  and  to  ileep  and  wiih  thit^ 
 heaven  may  fall  down  in  our  laps!  Yet,  for  all  my  Lord's  glooms, 
 I  find  him  fvveet,  griicious,  loving,  kind:  and  I  want  both  pen  and 
 wor<ls  !o  fct  forth  the  fajrnefs,  beauty  and  fweetneis  of  Chrill'^ 
 ]t)ve.  and  the  honour  of  this  crojs  of  Cln-ift,  which  is  glorious  to  me, 
 though  the  world  thinketh  fhame  thereof:  I  verily  think,  that  the 
 crcfs  of  Chrill  would  blulh  .ind  think  l^.arne  of  ihefe  thin-lkinned 
 worldlings,  who  are  fo  mnriied  to  their  credit,  that  they  are  a- 
 fhamed  of  the  fufferings  of  Chrill.  O  the  honour  to^bc  fcourgcd, 
 itoned  with  Chrill.  and  to  go  through  a  furious-faced  death  to  life 
 isicrntl!   but  men  would  have  law-borrows  agalnit  ChriU's  crofa. 
 
fpift.  T593  LETTERS.  145 
 
 Now,  my  dear  brother,  forget  not  the  prifoner  ofChrifl ;  for  I  fee 
 very  lew  here,  who  kimliy  tear  God.  Grace  be  with  you.  Let 
 my  love  in  C'hrilt  and  hearty  afteaion  be  remembered  to  your 
 kind  wite,  and  to  your  brcths*-  John,  and  to  all  friends.  The 
 Lo/d  Jcius  be  with  your  Ipirit. 
 
 Jb^rd,  Se^t.  2.9.  Tours  in  his  only^  only  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1636.  ^"^^  R- 
 
 i^y;.      i'o  EAllLSrOtJN  younger. 
 
 Much  honoured  Sity 
 
 GtVACli,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  am  well,  Chrifl:  tri- 
 umpeth  in  me,  blclicd   be  his  name  :   I  have  all  things,  I 
 burden  no  man  :  1  fee,  this  earth  and  the  fulnefs  thereof  is  my  Fa*. 
 iacx\  :  fweet,  fv/cec  is  the  crofs  of  my  Lord.    The  blefling  of  God 
 up  ni  the  crofs  of  my  Lord  Jefus.     My  ^'♦.emies  have  contributed 
 (bciidc  tlieir  tlefign)  10  make  i^ie  blelfed.  .  I'his  is  my  palace,  not 
 my  piiion  ;  cfpecjally,  when  my  Lord  Ihineth  and  fmileih  upon 
 his  poor  aftlictcd  and  foKl  Jofeph,   who  is  feparated  from  his  bre- 
 tiULH  :  but  oiten  he  hivietu  himfelf,  and  there  is  a  dav  of  law,  and 
 a  Court  oi  challenges  withiu  me-,   i  know  not,  if  fenced  in  God's 
 name,  but  oh  my  negkdls  1   Qh  my  unfeen  guiltincfs!  I  imagin- 
 ed, tnat  a  lutfercr  tor  Chrilt  kept  the  keys  of  Chriil's  treafure,  and 
 might  take  out  his  wonibtul  of  comforts,  when  he  pleafed  ;  but  I 
 fee,  a  'uilerei-  and  wiinefs  will   be  holden  at  the  door,  as  well  as 
 another  poor  Hnner,  an<i  g!  m  to  eat  with  the  bairns,  and  to  tak€ 
 the  by-boaril.     'Ihis  crois  haih  let  me  fee,   that  heaven  is  not  at 
 ^he  next  door,  ami  that  it  is  a  caiUe  not  foon  taken  :  I  fee  alfo,  it 
 is  neither  pain  nor  art  to  play  the  hypocrite.  We  have  all  learned 
 to  fell  ourfclves  for  double  price,  and  to  make  the  people,  who 
 cail  ten  twenty,  and  twenty  an  hundred,  eiteem  us  half  gods,  or 
 men  faiicn  out  of  the  cl  juds  :   but   oh  fmcerity,   fmcerity,   if  I 
 knew  what  iincerity  meaneth.     ciir,  lay  the  foundation  thus,  and 
 ye  ihall  not  fopn  Ihrinii,  nor  be  Ihaken  :   make  tight  work  at  the 
 bottom,  and  your  (iiip  ihall  ride  againft  all  ilorms,  if  withal  your 
 anchor  be  taltened  upon  good  ground,    I  mean  within   the  vail ; 
 and  verily  I  think  this  is  all,  to  gain  Cnrift:  all  other  things  arc 
 ihadows,  drea  ns,  fancies,  and  nothing.    Sir,  remember  my  love 
 to  your  mother;  I  pray  for  mercy  and  grace  to  her;  1  will)  her 
 or.-gomg  toward  heaven  :  as  I  promifed  to  write,   fo  (liew  her  I 
 want  nothing  in  my  Lord's  fervice ;  Chrilt  will  not  be  in  fuch  a 
 poor  man's  common  as  mine.      Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 /iberd  Sc'i  tm  2i.  Tours  in  his  fwcit  Lotd  Jefus, 
 
t^6  Mr  RUTHERFOOR D's  Epift.  i^o.] 
 
 1 60.     To  JOHN  GORDON. 
 
 Worthy  and  dear  brother, 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  have  been  too  long  in 
 ^^  writing  to  you,  but  multitude  of  letters  takt-th  much  time 
 from  me  I  blefs  his  great  name,  whom  I  ferve  in  the  fpirit,  if  it 
 came  to  voting  amongfl  angels  and  men,  how  excellent  and  fweet 
 Chnll  is,  even  in  his  reproaches  and  in  his  crofs,  I  cannot  but  vote 
 with  the  iirit.  that  all  that  is  in  him,  both  crofs  and  crown,  kifles 
 and  glooms,  cmbracemenis  and  frownings  and  ftrokes  are  fweet 
 and  glorious.  God  fend  me  no  more  happinefs  in  heaven,  or  out 
 of  heaven,  but  Chriit :  for  1  find  this  world,  when  I  have  looked 
 *ipon  it  on  both  fidts,  within  and  without,  and  when  I  have  (ten. 
 even  the  laughing  and  lovely  fide  of  it,  to  be  but  a  fool's  idol,  a 
 clay-prifon;  Lord,  iet  icnot  be  the  neft  that  my  hope  buildeth  in. 
 I  have  now  caufe  to  judge  my  part  of  this  earth  not  worth  a  blaft 
 of  fmoke,  or  a  mouthful  of  brown  bread.  I  wifh  my  hope  may 
 take  a  running  leap,  and  fkip  over  time's  pleafures,  fins  plaiftering 
 and  gold-foil  this  vain  earth,  and  reft  upon  my  Lord.  O  how 
 great  is  our  night-iprknefs  in  this  wilderntfs!  to  have  any  con^. 
 ccit  at  all  of  this  world,  is  af^  a  man  would  clofe  his  handful  of  wa* 
 ter,  and,  holding  his  hand  in  the  river,  fay,  all  the  water  of  the 
 flood  is  his,  as  if  it  were  indeed  all  within  the  compafs  of  his  hand: 
 who  would  not  laugh  at  the  thoughts  of  fuch  a  crack-brain  ?  Ve^ 
 rily  they  have  but  an  handful  of  water,  and  are  but  like  a  child 
 jclafping  his  two  hands  about  a  night-fhadow,  who  idolize  any  cre- 
 ated hope,  but  God,  I  now  lightly,  and  put  the  pi  ice  of  a  dream, 
 or  fable,  or  black  nothing,  upon  all  things,  but  God,  and  that  de- 
 fireable  and  love-worthy  One,  my  Lord  Jefus:  let  all  the  world 
 be  nothing,  (for  nothing  was  their  feed  and  mother)  and  let  God 
 be  all  things.  My  very  dear  brother,  know,  ye  are  as  near  hea»- 
 ven,  as  ye  are  far  Crom  yourfelf,  and  far  from  the  love  of  a  bewitch- 
 ing and  whorifh  world  :  for  ihis  world,  in  its  gain  and  glory,  is 
 i)ut  the  great  and  notable  common  whore,  that  all  the  fons  of  men 
 have  been  in  fancy  and  luft  withal  thefe  5000  years:  the  children, 
 that  they  have  begotten  with  this  uncouth  and  lufiful  lover,  are 
 but  vanity,  dreams,  gold-imaginations  and  night  thoughts  :  for 
 there  is  no  good  ground  here,  under  the  covering  of  heaven,  for 
 men,  and  poor  wearied  fouls,  to  {^t  down  their  foot  upon.  Of 
 he  who  is  called  God,  that  One  whom  they  term  Jcfus  Chrift,  is 
 worth  the  having  indeed;  even  if  I  had  given  away  all  without  my 
 eye-holes,  my  foul,  and  myfelf  for  fweet  Jcfus  ray  Lord  !  O  let  the 
 claim  be  cancelled,  that  the  creatures  have  to  me,  except  that  claim 
 my  Lnrd  Jefus  hath  to  mc  !  O  that  he  would  claim  poor  me,  my 
 (illy,  light  and  worthlcfs  foul !  O  that  he  v/ould  purfue  his  claim 
 
Epift.  i6i.]  LETTERS.  247 
 
 to  the  utmoft  point,  and  not  want  me  !  for  it  is  my  pain,  and  re- 
 medilefs  forrow  to  want  liim.  1  fee  nothing  in  this  life,  but  finks, 
 and  mires,  and  dreams,  and  beguiling  ditches,  and  il!  ground  for 
 us  to  build  upon.  I  am  fully  persuaded  of  Ch rift's  victory  in 
 Scotland,  but  I  fear  this  land  be  not  yet  ripe  iind  white  for  mercy  j 
 yet  I  dare  be  halfer  (upon  my  falvation)  with  the  lofiTes  of  the 
 church  of  Scotland,  that  her  toes  afternoon  ftiall  ling  dool  and  for- 
 row for  evermore,  and  that  her  joy  fliaii  once  again  be  cried  up, 
 and  her  Iky  lliidl  clear :  but  vengeance  and  barnini:  fhall  be  to 
 her  adverfaries,  and  the  finners  of  this  land.  Oh  that  we  could 
 be  awakened  to  prayers  and  humiliation !  Then  (hould  our  fun 
 fhine  like  feven  funs  in  the  heaven,  then  fliould  the  temple  of 
 Chrift  be  builded  upon  the  mountain  tops,  and  the  land  from 
 coaft  to  coaft  ftiould  be  filled  with  the  glory  of  the  Lord.  Brother, 
 your  day-taik  is  wearing  fliort,  your  hour-glafs  of  this  fpan-leno:tH 
 and  hand-breadth  of  life  will  quickly  pafs  j  and  therefore  take 
 order  and  courfe  with  matters  betwixt  you  and  Chrift,  before  it 
 come  to  open  pleading  :  there  are  no  quarters  to  be  had  of  Chrift^ 
 in  open  judgment  i  know,  ye  fee  your  thread  wearing  ftiort,  and 
 that  there  are  not  many  inches  to  the  thread's  end  ;  and  therefore 
 lofe  not  time.  Remember  me  his  prifoner,  that  it  would  plcafe 
 the  Lord  to  bring  me  again  amongft  you  with  abundance  of  the 
 gofpel.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Jberd.  1637.  Tcun  in  his  fweet  Lord  JefuSy     S.  R. 
 
 161.     To  Mr  HUGH  MACK  AIL. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother, 
 T  THANK  you  for  your  letter.  I  cannot  but  ftiew  you,  that  as  I 
 ■■■  never  expelled  any  thing  from  Chrift,  but  much  good  and 
 kindnefs ;  fo  he  hath  made  me  to  find  it,  in  the  houfe  of  my  pil- 
 grimage \  and  believe  m^e,  brother,  1  give  it  to  you  under  mine  own 
 hand-writ,  that,  whofo  lookeih  to  the  white  fide  of  Chrift's  crofs, 
 and  can  take  it  up  handfomely  with  faith  and  courage,  ftiall  find  it 
 fuch  a  burden,  as  fails  are  to  a  ftiip,  or  wings  to  a  bird.  I  find  mv 
 Lord  hath  overgilded  that  black  tree,  and  hath  perfumed  it,  aiul 
 oiled  it,  with  joy  and  confolation.  Like  a  fool,  once  I  would  chide; 
 and  plead  with  Chrift,  and  flander  him  to  others  of  unkindnefs  : 
 but  1  truft  in  God,  not  to  call  his  glooms  unkind  again  ;  for  he 
 hath  taken  from  me  my  fackcloth  :  and  I  verily  cannot  tell  you, 
 what  a  poor  Jofeph  and  prifoner  (with  whom  my  mother's  chil- 
 dren were  angry)  doth  now  think  of  kind  Chrift.  I  will  chide  no 
 more,  providing  he  will  quit  me  all  by-gones  ;  for  I  am  poor.  I 
 am  taught,  in  this  ill-weather  to  go  on  the  lee-fide  of  Chrift,  and 
 to  put  him  in  between  me  and  the  ftorm  r  and  I  thank  God  I  walk 
 on  the  funny  Gd«  of  the  brae.  1  write  it,  tk^t  yc  may  fpeak  in  my 
 
248  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  EpJft.  162.3 
 
 behalf  the  praifes  of  my  Lord  to  others,  that  my  bonds  may  preach. 
 
 0  if  all  Scotland  knew  the  fcafts  and  love-blinks,  and  vifus,  that 
 the  prelates  have  fent  me  unto  !  1  will  verily  give  my  Lord  Jefus 
 a  free  cUfcharge  of  all,  that  I,  like  a  fool,  laid  to  his  charge,  and  beg 
 him  pardon  to  the  mends.     God  rrant,  that,  in  my  temptations, 
 
 1  come  not  on  this  wrong  fide  again,  and  never  again  fall  a  ravine; 
 againft  my  Phyiician,  in  my  fever.  Brother,  plead  with  your 
 mother,  while  ye  have  time  :  a  pulpit  would  be  a  high  feaft  to 
 me  j  but  I  dare  not  fay  one  word  againll  him,  who  hath  done  it : 
 I  am  not  out  of  the  houfc  as  yet;  my  fweet  Maftcr  faith,  I  (hail 
 have  houfe-room  at  his  own  elbow,  albeit  their  fynagogue  will 
 need  force  to  caft  me  out.  A  letter  were  a  work  of  charity  te 
 me.     Grace  be  with  you.     Pray  for  me. 
 
 Aberd.  Nov.  22.  Tour  brother  and  Chriji^s  prtfcner, 
 
 1636.  8.  R. 
 
 162.     n  JAMES  MURP.AY. 
 
 Denr  brother^ 
 T  RECEIVED  your  letter  :  T  am  in  good  health  of  body,  but 
 •*■  far  better  in  my  foul.  I  find  my  Lord  no  worfe  than  his 
 word;  i  will  be  with  him  in  trouble,  is  made  ^Oi\  to  me  now  r 
 he  heareth  the  fighing  of  the  prifoner.  Brother,  1  am  comforted 
 in  my  royal  Prince  and  King  :  the  world  knoweth  not  our  life,  it 
 is  a  myftery  to  them  ;  we  have  the  funny  fide  of  the  world,  and 
 our  paradife  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  Ciui^e  to  fight  it  out,  for  the  day  of 
 our  laureation  is  approaching.  I  find  my  priCon  the  fwceteft  place 
 that  ever  I  was  in  ;  my  Lord  Jefus  is  kind  to  me,  and  hath  taken 
 the  mafk  ofi^his  face,  and  is  content  to  quit  me  all  by-gones ;  I  dare 
 not  complain  of  him.  And  for  my  filence,  I  lay  it  before  Chrift; 
 I  hope  it  fhall  be  a  fpeaking  (ilence  ;  he  who  knoweth  what  I 
 would,  knoweth  that  my  foul  deiireth  no  more,  but  that  King  Je- 
 fus may  be  great  in  the  north  of  Scotland,  in  the  fouth,  and  in  the 
 eaft  and  weft,  through  my  fufferings  for  the  freedom  of  my  Lord*s 
 houfe  and  kingdom.  If  1  could  keep  good  quarters  in  time  to  come 
 with  Chrift,  I  would  fear  nothing;  but  oh  !  oh  !  1  complain  of 
 my  woful  outbreakings ;  I  tremble  at  the  remembrance  of  a  ncvr 
 out-caft  betwixt  him  and  me;  and  I  havecaufe,  when  I  confider 
 what  fick  and  fad  days  I  have  had  for  his  ab(ence,  who  is  now 
 come.  I  find  Chrift  dow  not  be  long  unkind ;  our  Jofeph's 
 bowels  yearn  within  him,  he  cannot  fmother  love  long,  it  mufk 
 break  out  at  length.  Praife,  praife  with  me,  brother,  and  defire 
 my  acquaintance  to  help  me:  I  dare  not  conceal  his  love  to  my 
 foul,  I  wifii  you  all  a  part  of  my  feaft,  that  ray  Lord  Jefus  may  be 
 
Epift.  163.]  LETTERS.  249 
 
 honoured;  I  allow  you  not  to  bide  Chrift's  br^unty  to  me,  -when 
 ye  meet  with  fuch  as  know  Chrifl;  Ye  write  nothing  to  me,  what 
 are  the  cruel  mercies  of  the  prelates  toward  mc.  The  miniilers  ot 
 this  town,  as  I  hear,  intend  that  I  lliall  be  more  ftriftly  confined, 
 or  elfe  tranfported,  becaufe  they  find  fome  people  affecl:  me.  Grace 
 be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  NoVk  21,  1637.         Toiirs  in  the  Lord  J  ejus  ^  S.  R. 
 
 163.    To  JOHN  FLEMING  Baillie  of  Lcith-, 
 
 My  very  vj  or  thy  friend ^ 
 /^>R.ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  received  your  letter:  I 
 ^-^  blefs  my  Lord  through  Jcius  Chriit,  I  find  his  word  good» 
 da.  xlviii.  10.  /  have  chofen  thee  in  the  furnace  of  afjiiBion^  and  Pi*. 
 xci.  15.  /  'will  be  -with  him  in  trouble.  I  never  expc£ted  other  at 
 Chrift's  hand,  but  much  good  and  comfort;  and  I  am  not  difap- 
 pointed :  I  find  my  Lord's  crofs  overgilded  and  oiled  with  comforts. 
 My  Lord  hath  now  (hewn  me  the  white  fide  of  his  crofs  :  I  would 
 not  exchange  my  weeping  in  prifon  with  the  fourteen  prelates 
 laughter,  amidft  their  hungry  and  lean  joys.  This  world  knoweth 
 not  the  fweetnefs  of  Chrifl's  love,  it  is  a  myftery  to  them*  At  my 
 firft  coming  here,  I  found  great  heavinefs,  efpecially  becaufe  it  had 
 pleafed  the  prelates  to  add  this  gentle  cruelty  to  my  former  fufFer*- 
 ings  (for  it  is  gentle  to  them)  to  inhibite  the  minifters  of  the  town 
 to  give  me  the  liberty  of  a  pulpit :  I  faid,  what  aileth  Chrift  at  my 
 I'ervice  ?  but  I  was  a  fool,  he  hath  chid  himfeif  friends  with  me: 
 if  ye  and  others  of  God's  children  (liall  praife  his  great  name,  who 
 maketh  worthlefs  men  witnefies  for  him,  my  filencc  and  fufl'erings 
 fhall  preach  more  than  my  tongue  could  do ;  if  his  glory  be  feeri 
 in  me,  I  am  fatisfied  ;  for  I  want  no  kindnefs  of  Chrilt.  And,  Sir, 
 I  dare  not  fmother  his  liberality  :  I  write  it  to  you,  that  ye  may 
 praife,  and  defire  your  brother  and  others  to  join  with  me  in  this 
 work.  Thi-;  land  Ihall  be  made  defolate,  our  iniquities  are  full: 
 the  Lord  fairh,  we  (liall  drink,  and  fpue,  and  fall.  K.emember  my 
 love  to  your  good  kind  wife.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberd.  Nov.  13,  1636.        Tours  m  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus^  S.  R.. 
 
 164.    To  EARLSTOUN,  Elder, 
 
 Rev.  xil.  ir.  And  they  overcame  the  drngon  by  the  hhod  of  the 
 Lamby  and  the  ivord  of  their  teflimony  ;  and  they  loved  not  their 
 lives  unto  the  death. 
 
 Much  honoured  5/>, 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  atul  peace  be  to  you  :  I  lon^  to  (ef  you  in  p^per, 
 ^-^   and  to  be  reircihcd  by  you.    I  cannot  but  defire  you,  aiii 
 
 I  1 
 
tS^  "^it  RVrHERfOOkm  Eplfl.  165.3 
 
 charge  you  to  help  me  to  praife  him,  who  feedeth  a  poor  pri- 
 i^n^r  with  the  fatncfs  of  his  houiV,  O  how  weighty  is  his  love? 
 O  hut  there  is  miuh  telling  in  ChrilFs  kindnels  !  The  Amen,  tha 
 faithful  and  true  Witnefshaih  pai(i  nie  my  hunnre<l  fohi,  well  tohJ» 
 iiut  one  to  the  hunched:  1  complained  of  him,  but  he  n  owing 
 me  nothing  now.  Sir,  1  charge  you  to  help  me  to  praiie  his  good- 
 iieii),  and  to  proclaim  to  others  my  Uridegroofn's  kindnel,?,  whole 
 love  is  i)ettef  than  wine.  1  took  up  an  actionagai-nil  Chriit  my  Lord ; 
 and  i  faid,  This  is  my  dealh,  he  hath  forgotten  me :  but  my  meek 
 Lord  held  his  peace,  and  beheld  me,  and  would  not  contend  for 
 the  lall  word  of  flyting,  and  now  he  hath  chided  himfelt  friends 
 with  me  :  and  now  I  fee  he  muft  be  God,  and  1  mull  be  ficlh.  i  pais 
 from  my  fummons,  I  acknowledge  he  might  have  given  me  my 
 fill  of  it,  and  never  troubled  himleii:  but  now  he  hath  taken  av(\\j 
 the  malk  -,  I  have  been  comforted  :  he  could  rwt  fmothcr  his  lovs; 
 «ny  longer  to  a  priloner  and  a  llranger.  God  grant  that  i  may  ne- 
 ver buy  a  plea  againlt  Chrift  again,  but  may  keep  good  qu,;rtej* 
 with  him.  1  want  no  kinilnefs,  no  love-tokens:  l>iw:  oh,  wife  i* 
 his  love  !  for  norwithftanding  of  this  hot  funvmer-blink,  I  am  kept 
 low  with  the  grief  of  my  filcnce  •,  for  his  word  is  in  me  as  a  hrc 
 in  my  bowels;  and  I  fee  the  Lord's  vineyard  laid  walte,  and  the 
 heathen  entered  into  the  fantluary  ;  and  my  belly  is  pained,  and 
 my  foul  in  heavincfs,  bccaufe  the  Lord's  peopk  iiy  gone  into  cap- 
 tivity, and  bccaufe  of  the  fwry  of  the  Lord,  and  that  wind  (but 
 neither  to  fan  nor  to  purge)  thiit  is  coming  upon  apoltate  iScotland* 
 Aifo  i  am  kept  awake  with  the  late  wrong  done  to  my  brother; 
 but  I  trull  ye  will  counfel  and  comfort  him.  Yet  in  this  milt,  I 
 fee,  and  believe,  the  Lord  will  heai  this  halting  kirk,  and  -will  lay 
 her  Ji ones  ivithfair  colour iy  and  her  joundutiotis  ivith  fa^'phireSy  ami 
 tv ill  make  her  -windoivs  of  agates  y  and  her  gates  carbuncles y  ila.  iiv. 
 II,  12.  /iud  for  brafs  he  iviJI  bring  gold:  he  hath  created  the 
 fmith  that  formed  the  fword,  no  weapon  in  war  Ihall  proiper  it- 
 gain  11  us.  Let  us  be  glad  and  rejoice  in  the  Lord,  for  his  falvatioa 
 is  riear  to  come.  Remember  me  to  your  wife  and  yoor  i(>n  Johii; 
 and  I  intreat  you  to  write  to  me.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you^ 
 Aberd.  Dec,  30.  Tc/urs  in  hU  Qnlyy  Oidy  Lord  Jefui, 
 
 1636.  S.  R. 
 
 165.    To  Mr.  JOHN  FERGUSHILL. 
 
 Reverend  and  vjell-heloved  in  our  Lord  JefuSy 
 T  MUST  ftill  provoke  you  to  write  by  my  lines,  whereat  ye  need 
 •*■  not  wonder;  for  the  crofs  is  full  oi  talk,  and  fpeak  it  mult, 
 cither  good  or  bad  :  neither  can  grief  be  lilent.  I  have  no  dittay 
 nor  inditement  to  bring  aga i n ft  Chr ill's  crofs,  feeing  he  hath  made 
 a  friendly  agreecmeut  betwixt  me  and  it,  and  wc  are  in  term*  of 
 
r.piA.  165.3  LETTERS.        '  25* 
 
 love  together.  If  my  former  mifcarriages,  and  my  now  Clfnt  fab- 
 baths.  Icem  to  me  to  fpeak  wraih  from  rhe  Lord,  J  dare  fay.  i^  i* 
 but  Sstan  borrowing  the  ufe  and  Joan  oi  my  cowardly  and  feeble 
 Bpprehenficns,  which  ftarts  at  llrav.'S.  I  know  faith  is  not  fo  faint 
 and  fooiifli  as  to  tremble  at  every  falfe  iklarm  :  vet  I  gather  this  oui 
 of  it,  *  Blci3'ed  are  they  v.'ho  are  graced  of  God  to  guide  a  crofe 
 well,  and  that  there  is  fome  art  rt  quired  therein  *  i  pray  God  I 
 nijy  not  be  fo  ill  rricnd-fiicad,  as  that  Ciiiill  my  Lord  !houid  leave 
 nic  to  be  my  own  tutor,  and  my  own  phyfician.  Shall  I  not  think, 
 but  my  Lord  Jefus,  who  defervcth  his  own  place  very  well,  wiU 
 fake  his  own  place  upon  him  as  it  becometb  him,  and  that  he  will 
 fiii  his  own  chair?  for  in  this  is  his  office,  to  c&nt/ort  us,  a>id  ihcfi 
 that  are  cj-ficn  do^j^n,  in  all  their  tribulation:^  2.  Cor.  1.  4.  Alas  !  1 
 know  I  am  a  fool  to  feek  an  hole  or  deftcl  in  Chriit's  way  with  my 
 foul.  If  I  have  not  a  (lock  to  prcfent  to  Chrift,  at  his  appearance, 
 yet  I  pray  God  I  may  be  able,  with  joy,  faith,  and  conftancy,  to 
 4hew  the  Captain  of  my  falvation,  in  thai  day,  a  bloody  ht-ad  that  I 
 received  in  his  fervice.  Houbcit  my  faith  hang  by  a  tznall  tack  and 
 thread,  I  hope  tht  tack  fliall  not  break  ^  and  Lowbei:  my  Lord  get 
 no  fervice  of  in^  bi:t  broken  wiihes,  yet  1  trull:  ih^'fe  fhail  be  ac- 
 cepted upon  Chi  ill's  account  I  have  nothing  10  comfort  mi,  but 
 that  i  fay,  Oh!  will  the  Lord  difappoint  an  hungry  on-whiter? 
 The  fmell  of  Cbrifl's  wine  and  apples,  v>  hich  fur  pals  ihe  up-tak- 
 ing of  <lull  Uni^,  blowcth  upoii  my  foul,  and  I  get  no  more  for 
 the  mean  time.  I  am  fure,  to  let  a  familb.ing' body  fee  meat,  and 
 gire  him  none  of  it,  is  a  double  pain :  our  i^ord's  love  i^  ijot  fo 
 cruel,  as  to  let  a  poor  man  fee  Chrili  and  heaven,  and  never  give 
 him  more,  ((^r  want  of  money  to  buy:  nay,  I  rather  think  Chrift 
 fuch  fdir  market  wares,  as  buyers  may  have  without  money  and 
 without  price:  ar.d  thus  I  kno.'/,  it  Ihall  not  Hand  upon  my  want 
 of  money  ;  for  Chrift  upon  his  own  charges,  mud  buy  my  wci> 
 ding-garment,  and  redeem  the  inheritance  which  I  have  forfcifrd, 
 and  give  his  xford  for  one  the  like  of  me,  who  am  not  law-bid*- 
 ing  of  myfelf :  poor  folks  mult  either  borrow  or  beg  from  the  rich 4 
 ;^ik1  the  only  thing  that  commendetli  fmnersto  Chrift,  is  extreme 
 iL^ceirity  and  wvujt  :  Chrifl's  love  is  ready  to  make  and  provide  a 
 ranfom  and  money  for  a  poor  body,  who  hath  loif  his  purfe:  Ho 
 ye  that  have  no  money,  come  and  buy,  Ifa.  Iv-  i.  that  is  the  poor 
 man^s  market.  Now,  brother,  1  fee  old  croiies  would  have  done  no-- 
 thir.g  at  me,  and  therefore  Chrift  haih  taken  a  new  frelh  rod  to  i.ie, 
 that  fcemcth  to  talk  with  my  foul,  and  make  me  tremble,  i  !;a"c 
 otten  more  ado  now  v.iih  faith,  wh^n  1  lofe  my  ccmpp.fs,  and  am 
 blown  on  4  rock,  than  thofe  who  are  my  bchg»iders,  llandir:g  upon 
 the  (bore,  are  aware  of.  A  counfcl  to  a  fick  man  is  fooner  givc:i 
 th.\n  taken.  Lord  fend  the  wearied  man  a  borrowed  bed  froai 
 iJhrift:  I  think  often  it  is  aft^^r  fupper  r'ith  ijic,  and  I  am  heavy; 
 
 1  i   2 
 
152  Mr  nUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  165.] 
 
 0  but  I  would  flcep  foundly,  with  Ch rift's  left  hand  under  my  head, 
 and  his  right  hand  embracing  me  ^  the  devil  could  not  fpili  that  bed. 
 When  1  confider  how  tenderly  Chrlft  hath  cared  for  me  in  thi§ 
 prifon,  i  think  he  hath  handled  me  as  the  bairn  that  is  pitied  and 
 bemoaned  :  I  defire  no  more  till  I  be  in  heaven,  but  fuch  a  feaft 
 and  fill  of  Chrift's  iove  as  I  would  have-,  this  love  v.-ould  be  fair 
 and  adorning  palTments,  which  would  beautify  and  fet  forth  my 
 black  unpleafant  ciofs.  I  cannot  tell,  my  dear  brother,  what  a  great 
 load  I  would  bear,  if  I  had  a  hearty  fill  of  the  love  of  that  lovely 
 One,  Chiift  Jefus:  oh  if  ye  would'feek  and  pray  for  that  to  mc  ! 
 
 1  would  give  Chriit  all  his  love-ftyles  and  titles  of  honour,  if  he 
 would  give  me  but  this ;  nay,  1  would  fell  myfelf  (if  I  could)  for 
 that  jovc.  I  have  been  waiting  to  fee  what  friends  of  place  and 
 power  would  do  for  us :  but  when  the  Lord  loofeth  the  pins  of  his 
 own  tabernacle,  he  will  hive  himfelf  to  be  acknowledged  as  the 
 only  builder  up  thereof;  and  therefore  I  would  take  back  again 
 my  hope,  that  I  lent  and  laid  in  pawn  in  mens  hands,  and  give 
 it  wholly  to  Chrift.  It  is  no  time  for  m.e  now  to  fet  up  idols  of 
 my  ov/n  :  it  were  a  pity  to  give  an  ounce  v/eight  of  hope  to  any 
 befides  Chrifl:;  1  think  him  v/ell  worthy  of  all  my  hope,  though 
 it  were  as  weighty  as  both  heaven  and  earth.  Happy  were  I,  if  I 
 had  any  thing  that  Chrift  would  feek  or  accept  of:  but  now  alas, 
 I  fee  not  what  fervice  I  can  do  to  him,  except  it  be  to  talk  a  little, 
 and  babble  upon  a  piece  of  paper,  concerning  the  love  of  Chrift. 
 I  am,  often  as  if  my  faith  were  wadfet,  fo  that  I  cannot  command 
 it;  and  then,  when  he  hideth  himfelf,  Irun  to  the  other  extreme, 
 in  making  each  wrng  and  toe  of  my  cafe  as  big  as  a  mountain  of 
 iron ;  and  then  rhifbelief  can  fpin  out  an  hell  of  heavy  and  defpond- 
 ing  thoughts  :  then  Chrift  feeketh  law-borrows  of  my  unbelieving 
 apprehenfions,  and  chargeth  me  to  believe  his  day- light  at  mid- 
 ni^^ht.  But  i  make  pleas  with  Chrift,  though  it  be  ill  my  com- 
 mon fo  to  do :  it  were  my  happinefs,  when  I  am  in  his  houfe  of 
 wine,  and  wfien  I  find  a  feaft-day,  if  1  could  hearken  and  hear  for 
 the  time  tc  come^  Ifa.  xlii.  23.  But  I  fee,  we  muft  be  off  our  feet 
 in  wading  a  deep  water;  and  then  Chrift's  love  fihdeth  timeous 
 employment  at  fuch  a  dead  lift  as  that  :  and  befides,  after  broken 
 brows',  bairns  learn  to  v/alk  more  circumfpL-(Slly.  If  I  come  to  hea- 
 ven any  way,  hcwbeit,  like  a  tired  traveller,  upon  my  Guide's 
 fnoulcier,  it'  is  good  enough  for  thofe  who  have  np  legs  of  their 
 own  for  fuch  a  journey.  I  n^^wfi  thought  there  had  been  need  of 
 fo  much  wreftling  to  win  to  the  top  of  that  fteep  mountain  as  now 
 I  find.  Wo  is  me  for  this  broken 'and  back-fliding  church  ;  it  is 
 like  an  oki  bowing  wall,  leaning  to  the  one-fide,  and  there  are 
 nc/rie  of  ail  her  foxis  who  will  fet  a  prop  under  her.  I  know,  I  need 
 •r^ot  bemoan  Chrift;  for  he  caieth  for  nis  own  honour,  more  than 
 
 can  do :  but  who  can  blame  mc  to  be  wo  (if  I  had  grace  fo  10 
 
Ipift.  1 66.']  letters;  253 
 
 do)  to  fee  my  Well-beloved's  fair  fnce  fpitted  upon,  and  his  own 
 crown  plucked  off  his  head,  and  the  ark  of  God  taken,  and  car- 
 ried in  the  Philiftines  cart,  and  the  kine  put  to  carry  it,  who  will 
 let  it  fall  to  the  ground  ?  The  Lord  put  to  his  own  helping  hand. 
 I  would  defire  you  to  prepare  yourfelf  for  a  hght  with  hearts  :  yc 
 will  not  get  leave  to  fteal  quietly  to  heaven,  in  Chrift's  company, 
 without  a  conflict  and  a  crofs.  Remember  my  bonds,  and  praifc 
 my  fecond  and  tcllovv-prifoner,  Chrill.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 Aberd.  1637.  Tours  iti  Chrift  J  ejus  his  Lord,    S.  R. 
 
 166.    To  WILLIAM  GLENDINNING. 
 
 Dear  Brother^ 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Your  cafe  is  unknown  to 
 ^^  me,  whether  ye  be  yet  our  Lord's  prifoner  at  Wigtoun,  or 
 not;  however  it  be,  I  know  our  Lord  Jefus  hath  been  inquiring 
 for  you  ;  and  that  he  hath  honoured  you  to  bear  his  chains,  which 
 is  the  golden  end  ct  his  crofs  j  and  fo  hath  wailed  out  a  chofen 
 and  honourable  crofs  tor  you  t  I  wiih  you  much  joy  and  comfort 
 of  it ;  for  I  have  nothing  tq  fay  of  Ch rill's  crofs  but  much  good : 
 I  hope  rny  ill  word  flrall  never  rneet  either  Chrift,  or  his  fweet  and 
 eafy  crols.  I  know  he  feeketh  of  us  an  out-caft  with  this  houfe  of 
 ti..y,  this  mother-prifon,  this  earth,  that  we  love  full  well  ;  and 
 verily,  when  Chriit  fnuffeth  my  candle,  and  caufeth  my  light  to 
 fhine  upward,  it  is  one  of  my  greatefl:  wonders,  that  dirt  and  clay 
 hath  fo  much  court  with  a  foul  not  made  of  clay:  and  that  our 
 foul  goeth  out  of  kind  fofar,  as  to  make  an  idol  of  this  earth,  fuch 
 ^  deformed  harlot,  as  that  it  fliould  wrong  Chrift  of  our  love. 
 How  faft,  how  faft  doth  our  iliip  fail !  And  how  fair  a  wind  hatk 
 time,  to  blow  us  off  thefe  coails,  and  this  l.md  of  dying  and  perilh- 
 ing  things  !  and  ahis,  our  lliip  faileth  one  way,  and  fieeth  many 
 miles  in  one  hour,  to  haften  us  upon  eternity  i  and  our  love  and 
 hearts  are  failing  clofe  back  over,  and  l\vimming  towards  eafe,  law- 
 lefs  pleafure,  vain  honour,  pcrifhing  riches,  and  to  build  a  fool's- 
 nelt,  I  know  not  where,  and  to  lay  our  eggs  within  the  fea-mark, 
 and  fatten  our  bits  of  broken  anchors  upon  the  worft  ground  in 
 the  world,  this  iiceting  and  peridiing  life  ;  and  in  the  mean  while, 
 time  and  tide  carry  us  upon  another  life,  and  there  is  daily  lefs 
 and  lefs  oil  in  our  lamps,  ainl  lefs  and  lefs  fand  in  our  watch-glafs. 
 O  what  a  wife  courfe  were  it  for  us,  to  look  away  from  the  falfe 
 beauty  of  our  borrowed  prifon,  and  to  mind,  and  eye,  and  lull  for 
 our  country  !  Lord,  Lord,  take  us  home.  And  for  myfelf,  I  think, 
 if  a  poor,  weak,  dying  fheep,  feek  for  an  old  dike,  and  the  lee  fide 
 of  an  hill,  in  a  ftorm,  1  have  caufe  to  long  for  a  covert  from  thi< 
 (torm  in  heaven :  I  know  none  will  take  my  room  over  my  head 
 th^re.  .  But  certainly,  lleepy  bodies  would  be  at  relt  and  a  weli- 
 
-254  ^^r  RUrNKRFOORD'%  Eplft.  f/J;.] 
 
 made  bed,  and  an  old  crnzed  bark  at  a  fnore,  and  a  wearied  tr^- 
 ^^elier  at  home,  snd  a  breathlefs  horfe  at  the  rink's  end.  I  fe^ 
 'nothing  in  this  life  btttfin,  and  the  four  fruits  of  fin  :  and  O  wha{ 
 i  burden  is  iin  !  and  ^vbat  a  flavery  and  miferable  bondage  is  it, 
 10  be  at  the  nod,  and  yea's  and  nay's  of  fuch  a  lord-matter  as  a 
 body  of  fm  !  truly,  when  J  think  of  it,  it  is  a  wonder  that  Chrilt 
 juakcth  not  fjre  and  afbes  of  fuch  a  dry  branch  as  I  am.  I  would 
 often  iy  down  uiidcr  Cbrifl's  feet,  and  bid  him  trample  upon  me, 
 when  I  confuier  myguiltinefs :  but  feeing  he  hath  fworn,  that  fin 
 ihail  not  loofe  his  unchangeable  covenant,  I  keep  houfe-room  a- 
 mongft  the  reft  of  the  ill-learned  bairns,  and  muft  cumber  the 
 Lord  of  the  houfe,  with  the  reft,  till  my  Lord  take  the  fetters  oft 
 legs  and  arms,  and  dcftroy  this  body  of  fin,  and  make  a  hole  or  a 
 breach  in  this  cage  of  earth,  that  the  bird  may  flee  out,  and  the 
 impriibned  foul  be  at  Hberry.  In  the  mean  time,  the  leall  intl- 
 nation  of  Chrift's  iove  is  fv/cct,  and  the  hope  of  mairiuge  with 
 the  Bridegroom  heidcth  me  in  fomc  joyful  on-waiting,  that  when 
 Chrift's  fummer-nirds  ihali  fing  upon  the  branches  of  the  tree  of 
 !ife,  I  fliail  be  tuned  bv  God  himielf,  to  help  them  jto  ling  the 
 home-coming  of  oiir  Well-beloved  and  his  bride  to  their  houfe 
 together.  When  I  think  of  this,  I  think  winters  and  Summers, 
 pnd  years  and  d'.>ys,  :xvA  time  do  me  a  pleafure,  that  they  ihnrten 
 this  untwifted  and  weak  thread  of  my  life,  and  that  they  pur  fin 
 and  miferies  by-hand,  and  that  they  (hall  carry  me  to  my  Bride-r 
 groom  within  a  clap.  Dear  brother,  pray  for  me,  that  it  would 
 pleafe  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard  to  give  me  room  to  preach  his 
 righteoufnefs  again  to  the  great  congregation.  Grace,^  grace  be 
 ^ith  you.     Remember  me  to  your  wife. 
 
 Aherdeeriy  16,7.  Tours  in  his  fiveet  Lord  JefuSy  S.  R. 
 
 167.     To  the  Udy  CULROSS. 
 
 Rev.  vil.  14.    Thcfc  are  they  ivhich  came  out  of  great  tribulation^ 
 and  haw;  xvaficd  their  robcsy  and  7nade  them  white  in  the  blood  of 
 the  Lfimb. 
 Madam  y 
 
 GRACE,  mercv  «nd  peace  be  multiplied  upon  yoq.  I  greatly 
 long  to  be  refreftied  with  your  letter.  I  am  now  (all  ho- 
 notir  and  glory  to  the  King  eternal,  immortal,  and  invifible !)  ia 
 better  terms  with  Chrift  than  I  was.  I,  like  a  fool,  fummoned 
 mv  Hulband  and  Lord,  and  libelled  unkindnefs  againft  him ;  but 
 now  I  pafs  from  that  foolilh  purfuit,  I  give  over  the  plea  :  he  i« 
 God-,  and  I  am  man.  I  was  loofing  a  fall  ftone,  and  digging  at 
 the  ground-ftone  ^the  love  of  my  Lord)  to  ihake  and  unfettle  it ; 
 but,  God  be  thanked,  it  is  fall :  all  is  fure.  In  my  prifon  h« 
 kath  fnewed  me  day-light ;  he  dought  not  hide  his  iove  any  longer. 
 
fplft.  i68.]  LETTERS.  ^51 
 
 Chrift  was  difguifcd  and  mafked,  and  I  apprehended  it  was  not 
 he;  and  he  haih  laid,.  It  is  I,  be  noc  afraid:  and  now  his  Jova 
 is  blotter  than  wine.  O  that  all  the  virgins  had  part  of  the  Btide- 
 groom's  Jove,  whsreupcin  he  makcth  me  to  kwd  I  Help  me  to 
 praife  :  1  charge  you,  Mad^m,'  help  me  to  pay  praifes  ;  and  tt\\ 
 others,  the  daughters  of  Jerufalem,  how  kind  Chrift  is  tq  a  poor 
 prifoner:  he  bath  paid  me  my  hundied-fold,  it  is  well  told  me,  anU 
 one  to  the  huntiied  :  I  am  nothing  behind  with  Chriit.  Let  not 
 foois,  becaufe  of  their  lazy  and  foft  ilcili,  r^ife  a  (lander  and  ai\ 
 ill  report  upon  the  crofs  of  Chrift  \  it  is  fleeter  than  fair.  I  fee 
 grace  grosveth  beft  in  winter  :  this  poor  pverfecuted  kirk,  this 
 lily  among  the  thorns,  fli-ill  bloflbm  and  laugh  upon  the  Gardc-» 
 ner  ;  the  Hufb:«.ndn-kan*s  bleiTing  (hall  lig'.it  upon  it.  Qh  if  J 
 could  be  free  of  je^iloufies  of  Chrift,  after  this ;  and  believe,  and 
 keep  good  quarters  with  my  deareft  Hufoand  !  for  he  hath  beea 
 kind  to  the  Itranger:  and  yet  in  all  this  f^iir  hot  fummer- weather, 
 1  am  kept  from  faying,  It  is  good  to  be  here,  with  my  filence, 
 and  with  grief  to  fee  my  mother  wounded,  and  her  vail  taken 
 from  her,  and  the  fair  temple  caftcn  down  ;  ari.d  my  belly  is  painr 
 ed,  my  foul  is  heavy  for  the  captivity  of  the  daughter  of  my  peo- 
 pie,  and  becaufe  of  the  fury  of  the  Lord,  and  his  tierce  indignatioa 
 againft  apoftatc  Scotland.  I  pray  you,  Madarn,  let  me  have  thai 
 which  is  my  prayer  here,  that  my  futTcrings  may  preach  to  the 
 four  quarters  of  this  land  ;  and  therefore  tell  others,  how  opea 
 handed  Chrift  hath  been  to  the  prifoner,  and  the  oppreflcd  ftrang- 
 cr :  why  (liould  1  conceal  it?  1  know  no  oiher  way  hovv  to  glo- 
 rify Chrift,  but  to  make  an  open  proclamation  of  his  love,  and  or 
 bis  foft  and  fweet  kiftes  to  me  in  the  furnace,  and  of  his  Edelity 
 to  fuch  as  fuffer  for  him.  Give  it  me  under  your  hand,  that  ye 
 will  help  me  to  prav  and  praife;  but  rather  to  praife,  and  rejoice 
 in  the  falvaiion  of  God.     Grace,  grace  be  with  \ou. 
 
 j4berd.  Dec,  30.  Tours  in  h'n  dearrji  and  snly 
 
 1636.  Lord  Jf/m,    S.  R. 
 
 168.     To  the  Udy  CAPvDONESS. 
 
 My  dearly  beloved  and  longed  for  in  the  L'^rd^ 
 /^^RACE,  mercy  and  pe^ce  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your 
 ^^  foul  profpereth,  and  how  the  kingdom  of  Chrift  thriveth 
 in  you.  I  exhort  you  and  befecch  you,  in  the  bowels  of  Chrift, 
 faint  not,  weary  not.  There  ii  a  great  neceflity  of  heaven  \  yc 
 muft  necdvS  have  it:  all  other  things,  as  houfes,  lands,  children, 
 huitand,  friends,  country  credit,  health,  wealth,  honour,  may 
 he  wanted  ;  hut  heaven  is  your  one  thing  necelTary,  the  good 
 part  that  (hall  not  be  taken  from  you.  See  that  ye  buy  the  field 
 where  the  Fearl  is ;   fell  all  and  make  a  purchafc  of  falvation  : 
 
is6  "Mr  RUTHERFOOnD's  Epift.  16S.3 
 
 think  it  not  eafy,  for  it  is  a  fteep  afcent  to  eternal  glory ;  many 
 ire,lying  dead  by  the  way,  that  are  llain  with  fecurity.  I  have  now 
 been  led  by  my  Lord  Jefus  to  fuch  a  nick  in  Chriftianity,  as  I 
 think  little  of  former  things.  Oh  what  I  want !  I  want  fo  many 
 things,  that  I  am  almofl  afking  if  I  had  any  thing  at  all.  Every 
 man  thinketh  he  is  rich  enough  in  grace,  till  he  take  out  his  purfe. 
 and  tell  his  money,  and  then  he  (indeth  his  pack  but  poor  and  light 
 in  the  day  of  a  heavy  trial.  I  found,  I  had  not  to  bear  my  expen- 
 ccs,  and  fhould  have  fainted,  if  want  and  penury  had  not  chafed 
 me  to  the  Store-houfe  of  all.  I  befeech  you,  make  confcience 
 of  your  ways  ;  deal  kindly  and  with  confcience  with  your  tenants  : 
 to  fill  a  breach,  or  an  hole,  make  not  a  greater  breach  in  the  con- 
 fcience. I  wifh  plenty  of  love  to  your  foul :  let  the  world  be  the 
 "portion  of  baftards,  make  it  not  yours  ;  after  the  laft  trumpet 
 is  blown,  the  world  and  all  its  glory  will  be  like  an  old  houfe, 
 that  is  burnt  to  afhes,  and  like  an  old  fallen  caftle,  without  a  roof. 
 Fy,  fy  upon  us,  fools,  who  think  ourfelves  debtors  to  the  world. 
 My  Lord  hath  brought  me  to  this,  that  I  would  not  give  a  drink 
 of  cold  water  for  this  world's  kindnefs:  1  wonder  that  men  long 
 after,  love,  or  care  for  thefe  feathers ;  it  is  almoft  an  uncouth  world 
 to  me,  to  think,  that  men  are  fo  mad  as  to  block  with  dead  earth  : 
 to  give  out  confcience,  and  to  get  in  clay  again,  is  a  ftrange  bar- 
 gain. I  have  written  my  mind  at  length  to  your  hufband  :  write 
 to  mc  again  his  cafe;  I  cannot  forget  him  in  my  prayers:  I  am 
 looking,  Chrift  hath  fome  claim  to  him.  My  counicl  is,  that  ye  bear 
 with  him,  when  pafTion  overtaketh  him  ;  a  foft  anfwer  putteth  a- 
 way  wrath  :  anfwer  him  in  what  he  fpeaketh,  and  apply  your- 
 felf  in  the  fear  of  God  to  him  ;  and  then  ye  will  remove  a  pound 
 weight  of  your  heavy  crofs,  that  way,  and  fo  it  fliall  become 
 •light.  When  Chrift  hideth  himfelf,  wait  on,  and  make  din 
 till  he  return ;  it  is  not  time  then  to  be  carelefly  patient : 
 I  love  it,  to  be  grieved  when  he  hideth  his  fmiles;  yet  believe 
 his  love  in  a  patient  on-waiting  and  believing  in  the  dark. 
 Yc  muft  learn  to  fwim  and  hold  up  your  head  above  the  wa- 
 ter, even  when  the  fcnfe  of  his  prefence  is  not  with  you,  to  hold 
 up  your  chin  :  I  truft  in  God,  he  (hall  bring  your  fliip  fafe 
 to  land.  I  counfel  you,  ftudy  fan^lification,  and  to  be  dead  to 
 this  world  :  urge  kindnefs  on  Knockbrex:  labour  to  benefit  by  his 
 company,  the  man  is  acquaint  with  Chrift.  I  beg  the  help  of 
 your  prayers,  for  I  forget  not  you.  Counfel  your  hufband  to 
 fulfil  my  joy,  and  to  feek  the  Lord's  face  :  (hew  him  from  me, 
 that  my  joy,  and  defire  is  to  hear  he  is  in  the  Lord ;  God  cafteth 
 him  often  in  my  mind,  I  cannot  forget  him  :  I  hope,  Chrift  and 
 he  have  fomething  to  do  together.  Blefs  John  from  me  *,  I  write 
 blelTmgs  to  him,  and  to  your  hufband,  and  the  reft  of  your  chil- 
 
Epift.  1 69.]  LETTERS.  257 
 
 dren.    Let  it  not  be  faid,  I  am  not  in  your  houfe,  through  negle£t 
 of  the  fabbath-exercife. 
 
 Jberd.  Feb.  20.  Tour  laivful  and  loving  Pajior  in 
 
 1637.  his  cnlji  only  Lord,  S.  R. 
 
 169.    To  JONET  MACKCULLOCH. 
 
 Dear  Jljler, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  long  to  hear  how  your 
 foul  profpereth.  I  am  as  well  as  a  piifoner  of  Chrift  can  be, 
 feafted  and  made  fat  with  the  comforts  of  God  :  Chrift's  kiiles  arc 
 made  fweeter  to  my  foul  than  ever  they  were.  I  would  not  change 
 my  Mafter  with  all  the  kings  of  cl-,iy  upon  the  earth,  O!  my  Well- 
 beloved  is  altogether  lovely  and  loving.  1  care  not  what  flefli  can 
 do.  1  perfuade  my  foul,  I  delivered  the  truth  of  Chrifb  to  you  ; 
 flip  not  from  it,  for  no  boafts  or  fear  of  men  :  if  ye  go  againft  the 
 truth  of  Chrift  that  I  now  fufFer  for,  I  {hall  bear  witnefs  againft 
 you  in  the  day  of  Chrift.  Sifter,  faften  your  grips  faft  on  Chrift; 
 follow  not  the  guifes  of  this  finful  world  :  let  not  this  clay-portion 
 of  earth  take  up  your  foul ;  it  is  the  portion  of  baftards,  and  yc 
 are  a  child  of  God  j  and  therefore  feck  your  Father's  heritage. 
 Send  up  your  heart  to  fee  the  dwelling  houfe  and  fair  rooms  in 
 the  new  city.  Fy,  fy  upon  thefe,  who  cry,  Up  with  the  world, 
 and  down  with  confcience  and  heaven :  we  have  bairn's  wits, 
 and  therefore  we  cannot  prize  Chrift  aright.  Counfel  your  huf- 
 band  and  mother  to  make  them  ready  for  eternity:  that  day  is 
 drawing  nigh.  Pray  for  me,  the  prifoner  of  Chrift :  I  cannot  for- 
 get you. 
 
 Aherd.  Feb.  20.  XcAir  lavjful  pajior  and  brother, 
 
 1637.  ^S.  R. 
 
 170.     To  my  Lord  CRAIGHALL. 
 
 My  Lord, 
 T  Received  Mr  L's  letter  with  your  lordfhip's,  and  his  learned 
 •■"  thoughts  in  the  matter  of  ceremonies.  1  owe  refpedl  to  the 
 man's  learnmg.  for  that  1  hear  him  oppofite  to  Armlnian  herefie'^: 
 but  with  (reverence  of  that  worthy  man)  I  wonder  to  hear  fucii 
 Popifli-like  expreftions  as  he  hath  in  his  letter,  as,  your  lordlhip 
 may  fpare  doubtings,  when  the  king  and  church  have  agreed  in 
 the  fettling  of  fuch  orders;  and  the  church's  direclion  in  thint-s 
 in  liftercnt  and  circumftantiai  (as  if  iiuiitrerent  ami  circumftann^l 
 were  all  one)  Ihould  be  the  rule  of  every  private  Chriftian.  i  only 
 viewed  the  papers  two  hours  fpace,  the  bearer  baftcning  me  to 
 write.  I  find  the  v.-orthy  man  not  fo  in  this  contiovcrfy,  as  fome 
 turbuleiu  men  of  our  country,  as  he  calls  rclufcrs  of  conformity  : 
 
 Kk 
 
2s8  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  170.3 
 
 and  let  me  fay  it,  I  am  more  confirmed  in  nonconformity,  when 
 I  lee  fuch  a  great  wit  play  the  agent  fo  flenderly ;  but  I  will  liiy 
 the  blame  on  the  weaknefs  of  the  caufe,  not  on  the  meannefs  of 
 Mr  L's  learning.  1  have  ever  been  and  ftill  am  confident,  that 
 Britain  cannot  anfvver  one  argument  a  fcahdalo :  aiid  I  longed 
 much  to  hear  Mr  L.  fpcak  to  the  caufe  :  and  1  would  fay,  if  feme 
 ordinary  divine  had  anfwered  as  Mr  L.  doth,  that  he  undci  ilood  not 
 the  nature  of  Scandal^  but  I  da^e  not  vilify  that  worthy  man  fo. 
 I  am  now  upon  the  heat  of  fome  other  employment:  I  Ihall  (God 
 willing)  anfwer  this,  to  the  fatisfying  of  any  not  prejudiced.  I  will 
 not  fay,  that  every  one  is  acquaint  with  the  reafon,  in  my  letter, 
 from  God's  prefence  and  bright  fhining  face,  in  fuffering  for  this 
 caufe :  Ariflotle  never  knew  the  medium  of  the  conclufion  5  and 
 Chrifl  faith,  few  know  it.  See  Rev.  ii.  17.  I  am  fure,  a  con- 
 fcience  ftanding  in  awe  of  the  Almighty,  artd  fearing  to  make  a 
 little  bole  in  the  bottom  for  fear  of  undtr-water,  is  a  ftrong  medi- 
 um, to  holdotf  an  erroneous  conclufion,  in  the  leaft  wing  or  lith  of 
 fweet,  fweet  tiuth,  that  concerncth  the  royal  prerogative  of  our 
 kingly  and  higheft  Lord  Jefus  :  and  my  witnefs  is  in  heaven,  I 
 faw  neither  pleafure,  nor  profit,  nor  honour,  to  hook  me,  or 
 catch  me,  in  entering  in  prifon  for  Chrifl;  but  the  wind  on  my 
 face  for  the  prefent ;  and  if  I  had  loved  to  fleep  in  a  whole  Ikin, 
 with  the  eafe  and  prefent  delight  that  I  favf  on  this  fide  of  fun 
 and  moon,  I  fhould  have  lived  at  eafe,  in  good  hopes  to  fare  a$ 
 'veil  as  others  The  Lord  knoweth,  I  preferred  preaching  of  Chrift, 
 and  ftill  do,  to  any  thing  next  to  Chrift  himfelf :  and  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  more :  and  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,  i.  e.  for  knots  of  ftraws, 
 and  things  (as  they  mean)  off  the  way  to  heaven.  I  deiire  not  that 
 my  name  take  journey,  and  go  a  pilgrim  to  Cambridge,  for  fear 
 I  come  in  the  ears  of  authority,  1  am  fufficiently  burnt  already. 
 In  the  mean  time,  be  pleafed  to  try,  if  the  bilhop  of  St»  Andrews, 
 and  Glafgow  (Galloway's  Ordinary)  will  be  pleafed  to  abate 
 from  the  heat  of  their  wrath,  and  let  me  go  to  my  charge.  Few 
 know  the  heart  of  a  prifoner ;  yet  1  hope  the  Lord  fhall  hew  his 
 own  glory  out  of  as  knotty  timber  as  I  am.  Keep  Chrift,  my  dear 
 and  worthy  lord:  pretended  paper  arguments  from  angering  the 
 mother-church,  that  can  reel  and  nod  and  ftagger,  are  not  of  fuch 
 weight  as  peace  witb  the  Father  and  Hufband  :  let  the  wife  gloom, 
 I  care  not,  if  the  Hufband  laugh.  Remember  my  fefvice  to  my 
 lord  your  father,  and  mother,  and  your  l^ady.  Grace  be  with 
 you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  Jan.  24*  Teun  at  all  obediaiQe  in  Chrifit 
 
 1637.  S»  R.  • 
 
Epift.  171.]  LETTERS.  159 
 
 171.   To  his  reverend  and  dear  brother,  Mr  ROBERT  BLAIR. 
 
 Reverend  and  Sear  Brother^ 
 'T'HE  reaion  yc  gave  for  your  not  writing  to  me,  afFe£leth  me 
 •*-    much,  and  givcth  me  a  dafh,  when  fuch  an  one  as  ye  conceive 
 an  opinion  of  me,  or  any  thing  in  me  :  the  truth  is,  when  I  come 
 hon.e  to  myfelf,  O  what  penury  do  I  find,  and  how  fecklefs  is  nriy 
 fuppofed  ftock,  and  how  little  have  1  !  He,  to  whom  1  am  as  cry- 
 .ftai,  and  who  Teeth  through  me,  and  perceiveth  the  leaft  mote 
 that  is  in  me,  knoweth  th<.t  1  fpeak  what  [think  and  am  convinced 
 of:  but  meo  cafl  me  through  a  grofs  and  wide  fieve.     My  very 
 dear  brother,  the  room  of  the  lead  of  all  faints  is  too  great  for  the 
 like  of  me  :   but,   left  this  fhould  feemart,  to  fetch  heme  reputa- 
 tion,  I  fpeak  no  more  of  it :  it  is  my  worth,  to  be  Chrifts  ran- 
 fomed  finncr  and  fick  one  \  his  relation  to  me  is  that  I  am   fick, 
 5ind  he  is  the  Pbyfician  of  whom  I  ftand  in  need.   Alas  hov/  often 
 play  i  faft  and  loofe  with  Chrift?  he  bindeth,  I  loofe  ;   he  build- 
 cth,  I  caft  down  ;  he  trimmeth  up  a  falvation  for  me,  and  I  mar  it  j 
 1  caft  out  with  Chrift,  and  he  agreeth  with  me  again,  twenty 
 times  a-day;  I  forfeit  my  kingdom  and  heritage,   I  lofe  what  I 
 had  ;  but  Chrift  is  at  my  back,  and  following  on,  to  ftoop  and 
 take  up  what  falleth  from  me.    Were  i  in  heaven,  and  had  the 
 crown  on  my  head,  if  free-will  were  my  tutor,  I  fliould  lofe  hea- 
 ven ;  feeing  I  lofe  myfelf,  what  wonder  I  fhould  let  go,  and  lofe 
 Jefus  my  Lord  ?  O  well  to  me  for  evermore,  that  I  have  cracked 
 my  credit  with  Chrift,  and  cannot  by  law  at  all  borrow  from  him, 
 upon  my  fecklefs  and  worthlefs  bond  and  faith  I  For  my  faith 
 and  reputation  with  Chrift,  is,  that  I  am  a  creature  that  God  will 
 not  put  any  truft  into:  I  was,  and  am  bewildered  with  tempta- 
 tions, and  wanted  a  guide  to  heaven.    O  what  have  I  to  fay  of 
 that  excellent,  furpafling  and  fupereminent  thing,  they  call,   The 
 grace  of  God,  the  way  of  free  redemption  in  Chrift  !   And  when 
 poor,  poor  I,  dead  in  law,  was  fold,  fettered  and  imprifoned  in 
 juftice*s  clofeft  ward,  which  is  hell  and  damnation;  when  I,  a 
 wretched  one,  lighted  upon  noble  Jefus,  eternally  kind  Jefus,  ten- 
 der-hearted Jefus ;  nay,  when  he  lighted  upon  me  firft,  and  knew 
 me;  I  found  that  he  fcorned  to  take  a  price,  or  any  thing  like 
 hire,  of  angels  or  feraphims,  or  any  of  his  creatures ;  and  therefore 
 I  would  praife  him  for  this,  that  the  whole  army  of  the  redeem- 
 ed ones  fit  rent  free  in  heaven  :  our  holding  is  better  than  blench  : 
 we  are  all  free-hofders  :  and  feeing  our  eternal  feu-duty  is  but 
 thanks,  O  woful  me !  that  I  have  but  fpilt  thanks,  lame  and  bro- 
 ken and  mifcarried  praifes  to  give  him,  and  fo  my  filver  is  not  good 
 and  current  with  Chrift,  were  it  not  that  free  merits  have  ftamp- 
 €d  it,  and  waflien  it  and  me  both !  and  for  my  filence,  I  fee  fome- 
 what  better  through  it  now :  if  my  high  and  lofty  One,  my  princdy 
 
 K  k  2 
 
26o  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  172.I 
 
 and  royal  Mafter,  fay,  Hold,  hold  thy  peace,  I  lay  bonds  on  thee, 
 thou  miiil  fpeak  none;  I  would  fain  be  content,  and  let  my  fire 
 be  Imothered  under  afhes,  without  light  or  flame  !  I  cannot  help 
 it :  I  take  the  laws  from  my  Lord,  but  I  give  none.  As  for  your 
 journey  to  F.  ye  do  well  to  follow  it :  the  camp  is  Chrift's  ordi- 
 nary bed;  a  carried  bed  is  kindly  to  the  Beloved,  down  in  this  low- 
 er houfe.  It  may  be,  and  who  knoweth  but  our  Lord  hath  fome 
 centurions,  ye  are  fent  to,  feeing  your  angry  mother  denicth  you 
 lodging  and  houfe-room  with  her.  Chrift's  call  to  unknown  faces 
 niuft  be  your  fecond  wind,  feeing  ye  cannot  have  a  firft.  O  that 
 our  Lord  would  water  again,  with  a  new  vifit,  this  pie^e  withered 
 and  dry  hill  of  our  widow  mou!it  Zion  !  My  dear  brother,  I  will 
 think  it  comfort,  if  ye  fpeak  my  name  to  our  Well-beloved. 
 Wherever  ye  are,  I  am  mindful  of  you.  O  that  the  Lord  would 
 yet  make  the  light  of  the  moon  in  Scotland  like  the  li^ht  of  the 
 fun,  arid  the  light  of  the  fun  feven-fold  brighter.  For  myfelf,  as 
 yet  I  have  received  no  anfwer  whither  to  go ;  I  wait  on  :  O  that 
 Jefus  had  my  love  !  Let  matters  frame  as  they  lift,  I  have  fome 
 more  to  do  with  Chrift;  yet  I  would  fain  we  were  nearer.  Now, 
 the  great  Shepherd  of  the  fheep,  the  very  God  of  peace,  eftabliili 
 and  confirm  you,  till  the  day  of  his  coming. 
 
 J  herd.  Sept.  9.  Tours  in  his  lovely  andfweet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1637,  S.  R. 
 
 172.    To  the  Lady  GARLETO.V. 
 
 Miftrcfs, 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  My  foul  longeth  once  a- 
 ^''^  gain  to  be  amongft  you,  and  to  behold  that  beauty  of  the 
 Lord,  that  I  would  fee  in  his  houfe:  but  I  know  not  if  he,  in 
 ■whofe  hands  are  all  our  ways,  feeth  it  expedient  for  his  glory.  I 
 owe  my  Lord  (I  know)  fubmiftion  of  fpirit,  fuppofe  he  (hould  turn 
 me  into  a  ftone  or  pillar  of  fait.  Oh  that  I  were  he  in  whom  my  Lord 
 could  be  glorified;  fuppofe  my  little  heaven  were  forfeited,  to  buy 
 glory  to  him  before  men  and  ane;els ;  fuppofe  my  want  of  his  pre- 
 tence, and  feparation  from  Chrift  were  a  pillar,  as  high  as  ten  hea- 
 vens for  Chrift's  glory  tn  ftand  upon,  above  all  the  world  !  What 
 ?m  I  to  him  ?  how  little  am  I  (though  my  feathers  ftood  out  as 
 broad  as  the  morning  light)  to  fuch  a  high,  to  fuch  a  lofty,  to  fuch 
 a  never-enough  admired  and  glorious  Lord!  My  trials  are  heavy, 
 becaufe  of  my  fad  fabb'.iths;  but  I  know  they  are  lefs  than  my 
 high  provocations:  1  feek  no  more,  but  that  Chrift  may  be  the 
 gainer,  and  I  the  lofer ;  that  he  may  be  raifed  and  heightened,  and 
 1  cried  down,  and  my  worth  made  duft  before  his  glory.  Oh  that 
 Scotland,  all  with  one  fhout,  would  cry,  Up  Chrift,  and  that  his  name 
 Were  high  in  this  land!    I  find  the  very  utmoft  borders  of  Chrift's; 
 
jLpIft.  173.1  LETTERS.  261 
 
 high  excellency  and  deep  fweetnefs,  heaven  and  earth's  wonder. 
 
 0  what  is  he,  if  I  could  win  in  to  fee  his  iniier-fide  !  Oh  I  am  run 
 dry  of  loving,  and  wondering  and  adoring  of  that  greateft  and 
 moft  admirable  One !  Wo,  wo  is  me,  I  have  not  half  love  for  him  ! 
 Alas,  what  can  my  diop  do  to  bis  great  fea  !  what  gain  is  it  to 
 Chrifl,  that  1  have  c?.iicn  my  little  fparkle  in  his  great  fire  !  what 
 can  I  give  to  him  !  O  that  I  had  love  to  fill  a  thoufand  worlds,  that 
 
 1  might  empty  my  foul  of  it  all  upon  Chrifl !  I  think  1  have  now 
 jufl  reafon  to  quit  my  part  of  any  hope  or  love  that  I  have  to  this 
 Icum,  and  the  refufe  of  the  drofs  of  God's  workmanfhip,  this  vain 
 earth  :  I  owe  to  this  flormy  world  (whofe  kindneis  and  heart  to 
 me  hath  been  made  of  iron,  or  of  a  piece  of  a  wild  fea-ifiand,  that 
 never  a  creature  of  God  yet  lodged  in)  not  a  look :  I  owe  it  no  love, 
 no  hope;  and  therefore,  oh  if  my  love  were  dead  to  it,  and  my 
 foul  dead  to  it  !  what  am  I  obliged  to  this  houfe  of  my  pilgrimage  ? 
 a  ftraw  for  all  that  God  hath  made,  to  my  foul's  liking,  except  God, 
 and  that  lovely  One,  Jefus  Chrifl.  Seeing  1  am  not  this  world^s 
 debtor,  I  defire  I  may  be  flripped  of  all  confidence  in  any  thing, 
 but  my  Lord,  that  he  may  be  for  me,  and  I  for  my  only,  only,  only 
 Lord  -,  that  he  may  be  the  morning  and  evening  tide,  the  top  and 
 the  root  of  my  joys,  and  the  heart  and  flower  and  yolk  of  all  my 
 foul's  delights.  O  let  me  never  lodge  any  creature  in  my  heart 
 and  confidence  !  let  the  houfe  be  for  him  :  I  rejoice,  that  fad 
 days  cut  off  a  piece  of  the  leafe  of  my  fliort  life  ;  and  that  my  fha- 
 dow  (even  v.hile  I  fuuer)  v/eareth  long,  and  my  evening  hafleneth 
 on.  I  have  c^ufe  to  love  home  with  all  my  heart,  and  to  take  the 
 opportunity  of  the  day,  to  haften  to  the  end  of  my  journey,  be- 
 fore the  night  came  on,  wherein  a  man  cannot  fee  to  walk  or  work  ; 
 that  once  after  my  falls,  I  may  at  night  fall  in,  weary  and  tired  as 
 I  am,  in  Chrifl's  bofom,  and  betwixt  his  breails.  Our  prifon  can- 
 not be  our  beft  country  :  this  world  lookeih  not  like  heaven  and 
 the  happincfs  that  our  tired  fouls  would  be  at:  and  therefore  it 
 were  good  to  feek  about  for  the  wind,  and  hoife  up  our  fails  to- 
 wards our  New  Jerufalem,  for  that  is  our  belt.  Remember  a 
 prifoncr  to  Chrifl:.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 ^he;  d'ecn,  Tours  in  his  cnly  Lord  and  Majlefj 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 173.     To  my  Lord  CRAIGH  ALL. 
 
 My  Lord, 
 T   Received  one  letter  of  your  Lordfhip's  from  C.  and  another  of 
 
 lite  trom  A.  B.  wherein  I  find  your  LordOiip  in  perplexity 
 what  to  do  :  but  let  me  entreat  your  Lordfliip  not  to  c-iufe  your- 
 fell  miflrike  truth  and  Chrill,  becaufe  they  feem  to  encounter  with 
 your  peace  and  eafe.     My  Lord,  remember  that  a  prifoncr  hat^ 
 
262  Mr  RUTHEnFOORD's  Epift.  173.} 
 
 written  it  to  you,  *  As  the  lord  liveth,  if  ye  put  to  your  hand  with 
 other  apoftates  in  this  land,  to  pull  down  the  fometime  beautiful 
 tabernacle  of  Chrift  in  this  land,  and  join  hands  with  them  in  one 
 hair-breadth,  to  welcome  Antichrift  to  Scotland,  there  is  wrath 
 gone  out  from  the  Lord  againil:  you  and  your  houfe  .'  If  the  terror 
 of  a  Icing  hath  overtaken  you,  and  your  Lordfhip  looketh  to  fleep 
 in  your  neft  in  peace,  and  take  the  nearefl:  lliore,  there  are  many 
 ways,  too,  too  many  ways,  how  to  (hift  Chrlft  with  fome  ill- 
 walben  and  foul  diftin£lions;  but  afTure  yourfelf,  fuppofe  a  king 
 fhould  afTure  you,  he  would  be  your  God  (as  he  (hall  never  be,  for 
 that  piece  of  fervice)  your  clay-god  iliall  die,  and  your  carnal  coun^ 
 fellors,  when  your  confcience  Ihall  ftorm  againii  you,  and  ye  com- 
 plain to  them,  they  will  fay,  What  is  that  to  us  ?  believe  not  that 
 Chrift  is  weak,  or  that  he  is  not  able  to  fave:  of  two  fires  that  ye 
 cannot  pafs,  take  the  leaft.    Some  few  years  will  bring  us  all  out 
 in  our  blacks  and  whites,  before  our  Judge ;  eternity  is  nearer  to 
 you,  th?.n  ye  are  aware  of.    To  go  in  a  courfe  of  defection,  when 
 an  enlightened  confcience  is  furring,  and  looking  you  in  the  face, 
 and  crying  within  you,  That  ye  are  going  in  an  evil  way,  is  a  ftep 
 to  the  {in  againil  the  Holy  .Ghoft:  either  many  of  this   land  are 
 near  that  (in,  or  elfe  I  know  not  what  it  is.   And  if  this,  for  which 
 I  now  fuffcr,  be  not  the  vray  of  peace,  and  the  king'?  high  way 
 to  falvation,  I  believe  there  is  not  a  way  at  all  j  there  is  not  fuch 
 breadth  and  elbow-room  in  the  way  to  heaven,  as  men  believe : 
 howbeit  this  day  be  not  Chrift's,  the  morrow  (hall  be  his.     I  be- 
 lieve afluredly,  our  Lord  (hall  repair  the  old  walte  places,  and  his 
 ruined  houfe  in  Scotland;  and  this  wildernefs  ihall  yet  bloiTom  as 
 the  role.    My  very  worthy  and  dear  Lord,  wait  upon  him,  who 
 hideth  his  face  from  the  houfe  of  Jacob,  and  look  for  him  ;  wait 
 patiently  a  little  upon  the  Bridegroom's  return  again^  that  your  foul 
 may  live,  and  ye  may  rejoice  with  the  Lord's  inheritance:   I  dare 
 pawn  my  foul  and  life  for  it,  if  ye  take  this  ftorm  with  borne  down 
 Chrift,  your  (ky  ihall  quickly  clear,  and  your  fair  morning  dawji. 
 Think  (as  the  truth  is)  that  Chnftis  juft  now  faying,  And  will  ye 
 alfo  leave  me  ?  Ye  have  a  fair  occafion  to  gratify  Chrift  now,  if 
 ye  will  ftay  with  him,  and  want  the  nlght*s  fleep  with  your  fuffer- 
 ing  Saviour,  one  hour,  now  when  Scotland  hath  fallen  aikep,  and 
 Jeaveth  Chrift  to  fend  for  himfelf.    I  profefs  myfelf  but  a  weak 
 feeble  man  :  when  I  came  firft  to  Chrift's  camp,  I  had  nothing  to 
 maintain  this  war,  or  to  bear  me  out  in  this  encounter,  snd  I  am 
 little  better  yet.    But  fince  1  End  furniture,  armour,  and  ftrength 
 from  the  confecrated  Captain,  the  Prince  of  our  falvation,  who  was 
 perfeded  through  fufFering  ;  I  efteem  fuffering  for  Chrift  a  king's 
 life.     I  find  that  our  wants  qualify  us  for  Chrift;  and  howbeit 
 your  Lorddiip  write,  ye  defpair  to  attain  to  fuch  a  communion  and 
 tcllowniip  (which  1  would  not  have  you  to  think)  yet  would  ye 
 
Eplft.  1740  LETTERS.  26{ 
 
 nobly  and  courageoufly  venture,  to  make  over  to  Chrift,  for  his 
 honour,  now  lying  at  the  flake,  your  eftate,  place  and  honour,  he 
 would  lovingly  and  largely  requite  you,  and  give  you  a  king's 
 word  for  a  recompence :  venture  upon  Chrift's  come,  and  I  dare 
 fwear  ye  fliall  fay,  as  it  is,  Pfal.  xvi,  7.  /  blefs  the  Lord  ivbo  gavi 
 me  coujifel.  My  very  worthy  Lord,  many  eyes  in  both  the  king- 
 doms are  upon  \  ou  now,  and  the  eye  of  our  Lord  is  upon  you  j  ac- 
 quit yourfelf  manfully  for  Chrift :  fpill  not  this  good  play  :  fub- 
 fcribe  a  blank  fubmillion,  and  put  it  in  Chriil's  hands  :  win,  win 
 the  blefTings  and  prayers  of  your  fighing  and  forrovvful  mother- 
 church,  feeking  your  help  :  win  Chrift's  bond  (who  is  a  King  of 
 his  word)  for  a  hundred-fold  more  even  in  this  life.  If  a  weak 
 man  hath  paft  a  promife  to  a  king,  to  make  a  flip  to  Chrift  (if  we 
 look  to  fielh  and  blood,  I  wonder  not  of  it ;  poffibly  I  might  have 
 done  worfe  myfelf,  but)  add  not  further  guikinefs,  to  go  on  in  fuch 
 a  fcaridalous  and  foul  way ;  remember  that  there  is  a  wo,  wo  to  him 
 by  whom  offences  come  :  this  wo  came  out  of  Chrifi's  mouth,  and 
 it  is  heavier  than  the  wo  of  the  law ;  it  is  the  Mediator's  vengeance, 
 and  that  is  two  vengeances  to  thofe  who  are  enlightened.  Free 
 yourfelf  from  unlawful  anguifh,  about  advifing  and  refol  ving :  when 
 the  truth  is  come  to  your  hand,  hold  it  faft,  go  not  again  to  make 
 a  new  fearch  and  inquiry  for  truth;  it  is  eafy  to  caufe  confcience 
 believe  as  ye  will,  not  as  ye  know  ;  it  is  eafy  for  you  to  call  your 
 light  into  prifon,  and  detain  God's  truth  in  unrightcoufnefs;  but 
 that  prifoner  will  break  ward,  to  your  incomparable  torture.  Fear 
 your  light,  and  ftand  in  awe  of  it  •,  for  it  is  from  God  :  think  what 
 honour  it  is  in  this  life  alfo,  to  be  inrolled  to  the  fucceeding  ages, 
 amongft  Chrift's  witnefles,  ftanding  againft  the  re-entry  of  Anti- 
 chrift.  I  know  certainly,  your  light  looking  to  two  ways,  and  to 
 ihetwo  fides,  crieth  (hame  upon  the  courfe  that  they  would  counfel 
 you  to  follow :  the  way,  that  is  halfer  ind  comp.irtncr  v^ith  the 
 fmokeof  this  fat  world,  and  with  eafe,  fmelieth  ftrong  of  a  foul  and 
 falfe  way.  The  Prince  of  peace,  he  who  brought  again  from  the 
 dead  the  great  Shepherd  of  his  (heep,  by  the  blood  of  the  eternal 
 covenant,  eftablifh  you,  and  give  you  found  light,  and  counfel  you 
 to  follow  Chrift.  Remember  my  obliged  fervice  to  my  Lord  your 
 father,  and  mother,  and  your  Lady.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 Aberd.  Aug^  10.  Tour  LordJUfs  at  all  obliged  obedience^ 
 1637.  in  his  fweet  Lord  J  ejus  y  S.  R. 
 
 174.     To  JEAN  GORDON. 
 
 My  very  dear  and  loving  fiftcr^ 
 
 /^Pi  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you:  I  long  to  hear  from  you  : 
 
 ^-^  I  exhort  you  to  fet  up  the  brae  to  the  King's  city,  that  muft 
 
 tc  taken  with  violence:  your  afteraooxi's  fun  is  wearing  low: 
 
164  Mr  RUTHERFOORLTs  Eplft.  ly^-.] 
 
 time  will  eat  up  your  frail  life,  like  a  worm  gnawing  at  the  root  of 
 a  May-flower  :  lend  Chrift  your  heart,  fet  him  as  a  feal  there  ;  take 
 him  in  within,  and  let  the  world,  and  children  ftand  at  the  door; 
 they  are  not  yours,  make  you  and  them  for  your  proper  owner, 
 Chrift:  it  is  good,  he  is  your  Hufband  and  their  Father.  What 
 mifling  can  there  be  of  a  dying  man,  when  God  fillcth  his  chair  ? 
 Give  hours  of  the  day  to  prayer:  fafh  Chrift  (if  I  may  fpeak  ib) 
 and  importune  him;  be  otten  at  his  gate  -,  give  his  door  no  reft; 
 I  can  tell  you,  he  will  be  found.  O  what  fweet  fellowftiip  is  be- 
 twixt him  and  me  !  I  am  imprifoned,  but  he  is  not  imprifon- 
 cd  :  he  hath  aftiamed  me  with  kindnefs  ;  he  hath  come  to  my  pri- 
 fon,  and  run  away  with  my  heart  and  all  my  love ;  well  may  he 
 bruik  it!  I  wifh  my  love  get  never  an  owner  but  Chrift:  fy,  fy 
 upon  old  lovers,  that  held  us  fo  long  afunder !  we  ftiall  not  part 
 now:  he  and  I  ftiall  be  heard,  before  he  win  out  of  my  grips  :  I 
 refolve  to  wreftle  with  Chrift,  ere  I  quit  him.  But  my  love  to 
 him  hath  caften  my  foul  in  a  fever,  and  there  is  no  cooling  of  my 
 fever,  till  I  get  real  pofleflion  of  Chrift :  O  ftrong,  ftrong  love  of 
 Jefus,  thou  haft  wounded  ray  heart  with  thine  arrows  !  O  pain  1 
 O  pain  of  love  or  Chrift  !  who  will  help  me  to  praife  ?  Let  me 
 have  your  prayers.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  March  13.  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1637.  S.R. 
 
 175.     To  GRISSEL  FULLERTON. 
 
 Dear  fifiery 
 T  Exhort  you  in  the  Lord,  to  feek  your  one  thing,  Mary's  good 
 ■*■  part,  that  fhall  not  be  taken  from  you.  Set  your  heart  and  foul 
 on  the  children's  inheritance:  this  clay-idol,  the  world,  is  but  for 
 baftards,  and  ye  are  his  lawful-begotten  child.  Learn  the  way, 
 (as  your  dev^r  mother  hath  gone  before  you)  to  knock  at  Chrift's 
 door:  many  an  alms  of  mercy  hath  Chrift  given  to  her,  and  hath 
 abundance  behind  to  give  to  you.  Ye  are  the  feed  of  the  faithful, 
 and  born  within  the  covenant;  krlaim  your  right.  I  would  not 
 exchange  Chrift  Jefus  for  ten  worlds  of  glory  :  I  know  now  (blef- 
 fed  be  myTeacHer!)  how  to  (liut  the  lock,  and  unbolt  my  Well- 
 beloved's  door;  and  he  maketh  a  poor  ftranger  welcome  when  he 
 cometh  to  his  houfe.  I  am  fwelled  up  and  fatisfied  with  the  love 
 of  Chrift,  that  is  better  than  wine:  it  is  a  fire  in  my  foul ;  let  hell 
 and  the  world  caft  water  on  it,  they  will  not  mend  themfelves.  I 
 have  now  gotten  the  right  gate  of  Chrift :  I  recommend  him  to  you 
 above  all  thi'igs  ;  come  and  lind  the  fmell  of  his  breath  :  fee  if  his 
 kifles  be  not  fweet;  he  defireth  no  better  than  to  be  much  made 
 of;  be  homely  with  him,  and  ye  fhall  be  the  more  welcoDie  ;  ye 
 know  not  how  fain  Chrift  would  have  all  your  love.     Think  not 
 
.1 
 
 Xplft.  i76,  I77-]  LETTERS.  265 
 
 this  is  imaginations  and  bairns-play,  we  make  din  for;  I  would 
 not  fuffer  for  it,  it  it  were  fo:  I  dare  pawn  my  heaven  for  it,  that 
 it  is  the  wav  to  glory.  Think  much  of  truth,  and  abhor  theirs 
 ways  devifed  by  men  in  God's  wortliip.  The  grace  of  Chriil  bs 
 with  you. 
 
 Aberd.  March  14.  Tours  in  bis  f-xcct  Lord  Jcfus^ 
 
 1637.  ^-  ^^• 
 
 176.     To  PATRICK  CARSLN. 
 
 Dear  and  loving  friend^ 
 T  Cannot  but,  upon  the  opportunity  of  a  bearer,  exhort  you  to 
 "*■  reiign  the  love  of  your  youth  to  Chrift,  and,  in  this  oay, 
 v/hile  your  fun  is  high,  and  your  youth  ferveth  you,  to  feek  the 
 Lord  and  his  face ;  for  there  is  nothing  out  of  heaven  fo  neccffary 
 for  you  as  Chrifl :  and  ye  cannot  be  ignorant  but  your  viay  v/ili 
 end,  and  the  night  of  death  will  call  you  from  the  p^eafures  of  this 
 life,  and  a  doom  given  out  in  death 'ftandeth  for  ever,  as  long  as 
 God  iiveth.  Youth  ordinarily  is  a  pofl:  and  ready  fervant  lor  Su- 
 tan,  to  run  errands;  for  it  is  a  neft  for  luft,  curfing,  drr.nkenneis, 
 blafpheming  of  God,  lying,  pride  and  vanity.  O  that  there  were 
 fuch  an  heart  in  you,  as  to  fear  the  Lord,  and  to  dedicate  your  foul 
 and  body  to  his  fervice  !  When  the  time  cometh  that  your  eye- 
 firings  lliall  break,  and  your  face  wax  pale,  and  legs  and  arms  trem.- 
 ble,  and  your  breath  grow  cold,  and  your  poor  foul  look  out  at 
 your  prifon  houfe  of  clay,  to  be  fet  at  liberty  •,  then  a  good  con- 
 fcience,  and  your  Lord's  favour  iliall  be  worth  all  the  world'* 
 glory:  feek  it  as  your  garland  and  crown.  '  Grace  be  wuh  you. 
 
 Aberd.  March  14.  Tours  in  his  five  i^t  Lord  Jcfm^ 
 
 1637.  "S.  R. 
 
 177.     To  JOHN  CARSEN. 
 
 My  li} ell-beloved  and  dear  friend ^ 
 "Tj*  VERY  one  feeketh  not  God ;  and  far  fewer  find  him,  becaufc 
 •■-'  they  feek  amifs:  he  is  to  be  fought  for  above  all  thmgs,  if 
 men  would  find  what  they  feck.  Let  feathers  and  fliadows  alone 
 to  children,  and  go  feek  your  Well-beloved  :  your  only  errand  to 
 the  world,  is,  to  woo  Chriff ;  therefore  put  other  lovers  from  a- 
 bout  his  houfe,  and  let  Chriil:  have  all  your  love,  wlthocit  minc- 
 ing or  dividing  It:  it  is  little  enough,  If  there  were  more  of  it. 
 The  fcrving  of  the  world  and  fin  hath  but  a  bafe  reward  and  fmoke, 
 inftead  of  pleafurcs  ;  and  but  a  night-dream,  for  true  eafe  to  thsi 
 foul.  Go  where  ye  will,  your  foul  (hall  rot  fleep  found  but  in 
 ChriR's  bofom  :  come  in  to  him,  and  ly  down,  arul  reit  you  on 
 ihe  (lain  Son  of  God,  and  inquire  for  him :  I  fouch:  him^  and  now 
 
 Li 
 
266  Mr  nUTHERFOORD's  Efk,  178.3 
 
 a  ng  for  all  the  worm-eaten  pleafures,  ^nd  moth-eaten  glory  out 
 of  heaven,  (uiqc  1  have  found  him,  and  in  him  all  I  can  want  or 
 wifli :  he  hath  made  me  a  king  over  the  world  :  princes  cannot 
 overcome  me :  ChriiHiath  given  me  the  marriage- kifs,  and  he 
 hath  my  marriagc-iove  :  we  have  made  up  a  full  bargain,  that  ihall 
 not  go  back  on  either  iide  :  O  ir  ye,  and  all  in  that  country,  knew 
 wh.it  fweet  teims  of  mercy  are  betwixt  him  and  me  !  .Grace  be 
 with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  March  1 1 ,  Tcurs  in  Ins  fujcet  Lord  Ji^fus, 
 
 1637.  ^-  ^• 
 
 1 78.  To  the  Lady  BOYD. 
 ^  ^adanty 
 T  WOULD  have  written  to  your  Ladyfliip  ere  now;  but  people* 
 -*■  believing  theie  is  in  me  that  which  I  know  there  is  not,  hath 
 put  me  out  of  love  with  writing  to  any :  for  it  is  eafy  to  put  religion 
 to  a  market  and  public  fair ;  but  alas  !  it  is  not  fo  foon  made  eye- 
 fweet  for  Chriir.  My  Lord  fccth  me  a  tired  man  far  behind  •,  I 
 have  *jotten  much  love  from  Chrift,  but  I  give  him  little  or  none 
 again.  My  white  fide  cometh  out  in  paper  to  men;  but  at  home 
 and  within,  I  ^iiid  much  black-work,  and  great  caufe  of  a  low  fail, 
 and  of  little  boafting  :  and  yet  howbeic  I  fee  challenges  to  be  true, 
 the  manner  of  the  tempter's  prelling  of  them  is  unhoneil,  and,  in 
 my  thoughts,  knaviili-like  :  my  peace  is,  that  Chrift  maylind  falc 
 and  outing  of  his  wares  in  the  like  of  me,  1  mean,  for  faving  grace. 
 I  wifh  all  profeflbrs  to  fall  in  love  with  grace  ;  all  our  fongs  fliould 
 be  of  his  free  grace;  we  are  but  too  lazy  and  carelefs,  in  feeking 
 of  it ;  it  is  all  our  riches,  we  have  here,  and  glory  in  the  bud  :  1 
 wilh  I  could  fet  out  free  grace.  I  was  the  Livv*s  man,  and  under 
 the  law,  and  under  a  curfe  ;  but  grace  brou«];ht  me  from  under  that 
 hardlord,  and  I  rejoice  that  I  am  grace's  free-holder.  I  pay  tri- 
 bute to  none  for  heaven,  feeing  my  land  and  heritage  holdeth  of 
 Chrift,  my  new  King  :  infinite  wifdom  hath  devifed  this  excellent 
 way  of  free-holding  for  fmners;  it  is  a  better  way  to  heaven  than 
 the  old  way  that  was  in  Adam's  days;  it  hath  this  fair  advantage, 
 that  no  man's  emptir.efs  and  want  layeth  an  inhibition  upon  Chrift, 
 or  hindereth  his  I'aivation,  (and  that  is  far  bcft  for  me)  but  our 
 new  Landlord  putteth  the  names  of  dyvours,  and  Adam's  forlorn 
 heirs,  and  beggars,  and  the  crooked  and  blind,  in  the  free  char- 
 ters. Heaven  and  angels  may  wonder,  that  we  have  gotten  fuch  a 
 gate  of  fm  and  hell :  fuch  a  back-entry  out  of  hell,  as  Chrift  made, 
 and  brought  out  the  captives  by,  is  more  than  my  poor  ilialiow 
 thoughts  can  comprehend.  I  would  think  fuflerings,  glory  (and  I 
 am  fometimes  not  far  from  it)  if  my  Lord  would  give  me  a  new 
 ^lais  of  free  grace.    I  hear  that  the  prelates  are  intending  banifti- 
 
Epift.  173.]  LETTERS.  267 
 
 ment  for  me;  but  for  more  graoj,  and  no  other  hire,  I  v'onW  make 
 it  welcome.    The  bits  of  this  clay-honfe,  the  earth,  and  the  other 
 fide  of  the  Tea,  are  my  Father's  :  if  my  fwcet  Lord  Jefus  would  bud 
 iny  fufferings  with  a  new  meafure  of  grace,  I  were  a  rich  man ; 
 but  I  have  not  now  oi'  a  long  time  found  fuch  high  fpring-tidcs, 
 as  formerly.  The  fea  is  out,  and  the  wind  of  his  Spirit  calm,  and 
 I  cannot  buy  a  wind,  or,  by  requcfting  the  fea,  caiiie  it  to  flow  a- 
 gain  ;  only,  I  wait  on,  upon  the  banks  and  fliore-fide,  till  the  Lord 
 lend  a  full-fea,  that  with  up  fails  I  may  lift  up  Chrift  :  yet  fprrow 
 for  his  abfence  is  fweet ;  and  fighs,  with,   faw  ye  him  whom  my 
 foul  loveth  ?  have   their  own  delights:  oh  that  I  might  gather 
 hunger  againfr  his  long  luoked-for  return  !    Well  were  my  foul, 
 if  Chriti  were  the  element,  mine  own  element,  and  that  I  loved 
 and  breathed  in  him,  and  if  I  could  not  live  without  him.   I  allow 
 not  laughter  upon  myfejf,  when  he  is  away.;  yet  he  never  leaveth 
 the  houfe,  but  he  leaveth  drink-n^.oiiey  behind  him,  and  a  pav^n 
 that  he  will  return  :  wo,  wo  to  mc,  if  he  fhouKl  go  away,  and  take 
 all  his  flitting  with  him  :  even  to  dream  of  him  is  iweet.  To  build 
 a  houfe  of  pining  wifiies  for  his  return,  to  fpi;!  cut  a  web  of  for- 
 rovv,  and  care,  and  languiiliing,  and  lighs,  either  dry  of  wet,  as 
 they  may  be,  becaufe  he  hatlr  no  Icifure  (if  I  may  fpeak  fo)  to 
 make  a  vifit,  or  to  fee  a  poor  friend,  fweeteneth  and  rehefheth  the 
 thoughts  of  the  heart.     A  mifty  dew  will  (land  for  rain,  and  do 
 fome  good,  and  keep  fome  greenneCs  in  the  kerbs,  till  our  Lord's 
 clouds  rue  upon  the  earth,  and  fend  down  a  watering  of  rain  :  truly 
 I  think  Chrifi's  mifty  dew  a  welcome  mefTage  from  heaven,  till  my 
 Lord's  rain  fail.     Wo,  w^o  is  me  for  the  Lord's  vineyard  in  Scot- 
 land. Howbeit  the  Father  of  the  houfe  embrace  a  child,  and  (fzd 
 him,  ?.nd  kifs  him  ;    yet  it  is  forrow  and  ladnefs  to  the  children, 
 that  our  poor  mother  hath  gotten  her  K-;tve,  and  that  our  Father 
 hath  given  up  houfe :  it  is  an  unheartfome  thing,  to  fee  our  Fa- 
 ther and  mother  agr^e  fo  ill ;  yet  the  baftards,  if  they  be  fed,  care 
 not.    O  Lord  caft  not  water  on  Scotland's  fmoaking  coal.    It  is  z 
 ftrangc  ga:e  the  faints  go  to  heaven ;  our  enemies  often  eat  and 
 drinj:  us,  and  we  go  to  licaven  through  their  l^ellies  and  flomachs, 
 and  they  vomit  rhe  church  of  God,  undigeftcd  among  their  hands; 
 ami  even  while  we  arc  fhut  up  ii]  prifons  by  them,  we  advance  in 
 our  journey,     llemember  my  fervice  to  my  Lord  your  kind  fon, 
 who  was  kind  to  me  in  my  bonds,  and  was  not  afliaincd  to  own 
 me  :  I  would  be  ^lad  that  Chrift  got  the  morning-fervice  of  his 
 life,  now  in  his  young  years;   it    would  fuit  him  v/ell,  to  give 
 Chrift  his  young  and  green  love  :   Chrifi's  ftamp  and  fcal  would 
 go  far  down  in  a  young   foul,   if  he  would  receive  the  thrull  of 
 Chrift's  ftamp  :  I  woufd  defire   him,   to  make  fearch  for  Chrift; 
 for  nobks  now  arc  but  dry  friends  to  Chrift.    The  peace  of  Coi 
 
 LI  a 
 
468  Mr  RUTliEnFOORD'&  Epifl.  179.3 
 
 our  Father,  and  the  good-will  of  him  who  dwelt  in  the  bufli, 
 be  with  your  Ladyfhip. 
 
 Jberdee72t  1637.  Toun  in  his  fweet  Lord  JcfuSy     S.  R. 
 
 ■'■■  ■  '  .1  «  <mt' 
 
 179.     To  the  Lady  CAROONESS  elder. 
 
 IVorthy  and  iv ell-beloved  in  the  Lordy 
 /^^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  long  to  hear  from  yon 
 ^-^  in  paper,  that  1  may  know  how  your  foul  profpcreth.  My 
 defire  and  longing  is,  to  hear  that  ye  walk  in  the  truth,  and  that 
 ye  are  content  to  loUowthe  defpifed,  hut  moft  lovely  Son  of  God : 
 7  cannot  but  recommend  him  unto  you,  as  your  Hufband.  your 
 Well-beloved,  your  Portion,  your  Comfort,  and  your  Joy :  I  fpeak 
 this  of  that  lovely  One,  because  I  praife  and  commend  the  ford  (as 
 we  ufe  to  fpeak)  as  I  find  it.  He  hath  watered  with  his  fweet  com* 
 forts  an  opprefied  prifoner :  he  was  always  kind  to  my  foul,  but 
 never  fo  kind  as  now,  in  my  greateft  extremities  :  I  dine  and  fup 
 with  Chrift  :  he  vifiteth  my  foul  vrith  the  viGtations  of  love,  in 
 the  night  watches. .  I  perfuade  my  foul  that  this  is  the  way  to  hea- 
 ven, and  his  own  truth,  I  now  (uli'er  for.  I  exhort  you  in  the 
 name  of  Chrift,  to  continue  in  the  tiuth,  which  1  delivered  to  you: 
 make  Chrift  fure  to  your  foul ;  for  your  day  draweth  nigh  to  an 
 end.  Many  Hide  back  now,  who  ieemcd  to  be  Chrift's  friends, 
 and  prove  diflioneft  to  him  r  but  be  ye  faithful  to  the  death,  and 
 ye  fhall  have  the  crown  of  life.  This  fpan-length  of  your  days, 
 whereof  the  Spirit  of  God  fpeaketh,  Pfal.  xxxix,  will  within  a  ftiort 
 time  come  to  a  finger-breadth,  and  at  length  to  nothing.  Ohovr 
 fweet  and  comfortable  fhall  the  feaft  of  a  good  confcience  be  to 
 you,  when  your  eye-ftrings  iliall  break,  your  face  wax  pale,  and 
 the  breath  turn  cold,  and  your  poor  foul  come  fighing  to  the  win- 
 dows of  the  houfe  of  clay  of  your  dying  body,  and  fnali  long  to  be 
 out,  and  to  have  the  jaylor  to  open  the  door,  that  the  prifoner  may 
 be  fet  at  liberty:  ye  draw  nigh  the  w^ater-fide  ;  look  your  ac- 
 counts :  afk  for  your  Guide  to  take  you  to  the  other  fide ;  let  not 
 the  world  be  your  portion  ;  what  have  ye  to  do  with  dead  clay  ? 
 re  are  not  a  baftard,  but  a  lawful-begotten  child  ;  therefore  fet  your 
 herTton  the  inheritance  -,  go  up  before-hand  and  fee  your  lodging  : 
 look  through  all  your  Faiher's  rooms  in  heaven,  in  your  Father's 
 houfe  are  many  dwelling-places  :  men  take  a  fight  of  lands  ere  they 
 buy  them.  I  know  Chrift  hath  made' the  bargain  already  ;  but 
 be  kind  to  the  houfe  ye  are  going  to,  and  fee  it  often  :  fet  your 
 heart  on  things  that  are  above,  where  Chrift  is  at  the  right-hand 
 of  God.  Stir  up  your  hufoand  to  mind  his  own  country  at  home  ; 
 counfel  him  to  deal  mercifully  with  the  poor  people  of  God  under 
 him  :  they  are  Chrift's,  and  not  his  ;  therefore  defire  him  to  {hew 
 them  merciful  dealing  and  kindnefs,  and  to  be  good  to  their  foul*. 
 
Epift.  iSo.J         5        LETTERS.  269 
 
 I  defire  yoa  to  writeto  me.  It  may  be,  that  my  parifh  forget  mc ; 
 but  my  wltncfs  is  in  heaven,  I  dow  not,  I  do  not  forget  them  : 
 they  are  my  ligb?;  in  the  night,  and  m,y  tears  in  the  day.  1  think 
 mylelf  like  a  hu:l)  md  p  uckcd  from  the  wife  of  his  youth  ;  OLori 
 btfUny  Judge,  -".vhat  "joy  it  would  be  to  my  foul,  to  hear  that  my 
 minidry  haih  iert  the  Son  of  God  among  them,  and  that  they  arc 
 walking  in  Chrift  !  Remember  my  love  to  your  fon  and  daughter: 
 delire  them  from  me  to  feek  the  Lord  in  their  youth,  and  to  give 
 him  the  morning  ci  their  days:  acquaint  them  with  the  word  of 
 God  and  prayer.  Grace  be  with  you.  Pray  for  the  prifoner  of 
 Chrift:  in  my  heart  1  forget  you  not. 
 
 Jberd.   March  6,  Tjur  twiiful and  lov'mg  Pajior^ 
 
 163.7.  in  his  only  Lord  jefusy  S.  R. 
 
 iSo.     To  Mr  JAMES  HAMILTON. 
 
 Reverend  and  dearly  beloved  in  our  Lord, 
 /">  RACE,  mercv  2nd  peace  be  to  ycu.  Our  acquaintance  is  nel- 
 ^-^  ther  in  bodily  prefence,  nor  in  paper ;  but  as  fons  of  the  fame 
 Fatiier,  and  futiVreis  for  the  fame  tiuth.  Let  no  man  doubt,  but 
 the  (late  of  our  queition,  we  are  now  ibrced  to  itand  to  by  fuf- 
 fering  exile  and  imprifonmeni,  is,  If  jefus  fhould  reign  over  his 
 kirk  or  not?  O  it  my  liiifui  arm  could  hold  the  crown  on  his  head, 
 hov^beitit  ihuulci  be  firicken  off  from  the  (liouldcr-biade  !  For 
 your  tnfuir.g.iDd  fenred  trial,  my  very  deareft  in  our  Lord  Jefus, 
 alas  I  what  aYiiyl,  tq  ipeak,  to  comfort  a  foldier  of  Chrifl,  who  hath 
 clone  a  hundred  times  n^ure  for  that  worthy  and  honourable  caufe 
 than  1  can  do !  h\ii  I  know,  thoie,  whom  the  world  was  not  wor- 
 thy of,  wander^^up  and  down  in  defarts,  and  in  mountains,  and 
 in  dens,  and  cavcs  ot  the  earth  ;  and  that  while  there  is  one 
 member  of  nyllical  Chrifr  cut  of  heaven,  that  member  muft  fuiTer 
 ftrokes.  till  our*Lord  Jefus  <\r:\w  in  that  member  v.'ithin  the  gatei 
 of  the  new  JerufaU  i^,  which  he  will  not  fail  to  do  at  lafl ;  for  not 
 one  toe  or  fing«r,of  that  body,  but  it  (hall  be  taken  in  within  the 
 city.  Wh.»t  can  he  our  part,  in  this  pitched  batde  betwixt  the 
 Lamb  and  the  drngon,  but  to  receive  the  darts  in  patience,  that 
 rebound  off  us  upon  our  fv/eet  Mailer;  or  rather  light  firfc  upon 
 him,  and  then  rebound  oiT  him  upon  his  fervants  ?  I  think  it  a 
 fweet  north  wind,  that  blov/eth  firfi.  upon  the  fair  face  of  the  Chief 
 among  ten  ihoufaud,  and  then  lighteth  upon  our  finful  and  black 
 faces:  when  once  the  wind  bloweth  off  him  upon  me,  I  think  it 
 hath  a  fweet  fmell  o^Chrift  ;  and  fo  mud  be  fome  more  than  a 
 fijigle  crofs.  1  know,  ye  have  a  guard  about  ycu,  and  your  at- 
 tendance and  ft-ain  for  your  fafety,  is  fjr  beyond  your  purfuers 
 force  or  traud ;  it  is. good  under  feud  to  be  near  our  war-hou<>, 
 ^nd  (Iforg  hold,    Wc  czn  do  but  litdj  to  reHfl  them,  who  perfe- 
 
Z7^  M^  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  180.3 
 
 cute  us  and  oppofe  him,  but  keep  our  blood  and  our  wounds  to 
 the  next  court  day,  when  our  complaints  wiU  be  read.  If  this  day 
 be  not  Chrift's,  I  am  fure  the  morrow  fhall  be  his.     As  for  any 
 thing  i  do  in  my  bonds,  when  now  and  then  a  word  falleth  from 
 me,  alas  it  is  very  little:  I  am  exceedingly  grieved  thit  any  IhcJlild 
 conceive  any  thing  to  be  in  fuch  a  broken  and  empty  reed :  let  no 
 man  impute  it  to  me,  that  the  free  and  unbought  wind  (for  I  gave 
 nothing  for  it;  blovreth  upon  an  empty  reed  :  I  am.  his  over-bur- 
 dened debtor;  I  cry,  Down  with  men,  down,  down  with  all  the 
 excellency  of  the  world  ;  and  up,  up  withChrift;  long,  long  may 
 that  fair  One,  that  holy  One  be  on  high  ;  my  curfe  be  upon  them 
 that  love  him  not.    O  how  glad  would  I  be,  if  his  glory  would 
 grow  out,  and  fpring  up  out  of  my  bonds  and  fufferings  !  certainly 
 fmcel  became  his  prifoner,  he  hath  won  the  yolk  and  heart  of  my 
 foul:   Chriil:  is  even  become  anew  Chrifl  tome,   and  his  love 
 greener  than  it  was  ;  and  now  I  drive  no  more  with  him,  his  love 
 (hall  carry  it  away:    I  lay  down  myfelf  under  hi»  love;  I  defire 
 to  fnig,  and  to  cry,  and  to  proclaim  myfelf,  even  under  the  v/ater, 
 in  his  common,  and  eternally  indebted  to  his  kindnefs :  I  will  not 
 offer  to  quit  commons  with  him  (as  we  ufe  to  fay)  for  that  will 
 not  be.  All,  all  for  evermore  be  Chrifl:'s.   What  further  trials  are 
 before  me,  I  know  not;  but  I  know  Chrifl  will  have  a  faved  foul  of 
 me,  over  on  the  other  fideoTthe  water,  in  the  yonder-fide  of  crof- 
 fes,  and  beyond  mens  wrongs.    I  had  but  one  eye,  and  that  they 
 have  put  out ;  my  one  joy,  next  to  the  flov/er  of  my  joys,  Chrift, 
 was  to  preach  my  fweeteit,  fweeteft  Mafter,  and  the  glory  of  his 
 kingdom  ;  and  it  feemed  no  cruelty  to  them,  to  put  out  the  poor 
 man's  one  eye.     And  now  I  am  feeking  about  to  fee  if  fuffering 
 will  fpeak  my  fair  One's  praifes  ;  and  I  am  trying  if  a  dumb  man's 
 tongue  can  raife  one  note,  or  one  of  Zion*s  fprings,  to  advance  my 
 l^ell-beloved's  glory  :  oh  if  he  would  make  fome  glory  to  hlmfelf 
 out  of  a  dumb  prifoner  !   I  go  with  child  of  his  word ;  I  cannot 
 be  delivered;  none  here  will  have  my  Mailer;  alas,  what  aileth 
 them  at  him  .?  I  blcfs  you  for  your  prayers ;  add  to  them  praifes ; 
 as  I  am  able,  I  pay  you  home.   I  commend  your  diving  in  Chrift's 
 teihment;  I  Avould  I  could  fet  out  the  dead  man's  good  will  to 
 his  friends,  in  his  fweet  teftament;  fpeak  a  prifoner's  hearty  com- 
 mendations to  Chriil: ;  fear  not,  your  ten  days  will  over.    Thefe 
 that  are  gathered  againft  mount  Zion,  their  eyes  fliall  melt  away 
 in    their   eye-holes,  end   their  tongues   confume   away  in   their 
 mouths,  and  Chrift's  withered  garden  (hall  grow  green  again  in 
 •Scotland  :  m.vLord  Jefushath  a  word  hid  iiWieaven  for  Scotland, 
 liot  yet  brought  out.   Grace  be  with  you.      , 
 
 Aberd.  July  j.  Tours  in  bis  fweet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1637.  *.  R. 
 
Epift.  iSi.]  LETTERS.  271 
 
 I  Si.     ro  Mrs  STEWART. 
 
 Mijlrefsy 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  am  ferry  that  yc  take  it 
 ^-^  fo  hardly,  that  I  have  not  vvriti»n  to  you.  I  am  judged  to 
 be  that  which  I  am  not :  I  fear,  if  I  were  put  to  the  fire,  I  Ihould 
 melt  away,  and  fail  down  in  fheards  of  painted  nature  ;  for  truly  f 
 have  little  ftutr  at  home,  that  is  worth  the  eye  of  God's  fervants. 
 If  there  be  any  thing  of  Chrift  in  me  (as  I  dare  not  deny  feme  of 
 his  work)  it  is  but  a  fpunk  of  borrowed  fire,  that  can  fcarce  warm 
 myfelf,  and  hath  little  heat  for  ftanders-by  :  I  v/ould  fain  have 
 that,  which  ye  and  others  believe  I  have ;  but  ye  are  only  witnef- 
 fes  to  my  outer-fule,  and  to  fome  words  in  paper :  O  that  he  would 
 give  me.  more  than  paper-grace  or  tongue-grace  !  were  it  not  that 
 want  paineth  me,  I  Ihould  have  flcailed  houfe,  and  gone  a  begging 
 long  fmce  ;  but  Chrilt  hath  leftme  with  fome  hunger,  that  is  more 
 hot  than  wife,  and  is  ready  often  to  fay,  '  If  Chriit  longed  for 
 me,  as  i  do  for  him,  we  fliould  not  be  long  in  meeting  i  and  if  he 
 loved  my  company  as  well  as  I  do  his,  even  while  I  am  writing 
 this  letter  to  you,  we  (liould  llee  in  others  arms :'  but  I  know,  there 
 is  more  will  than  wit,  in  this  languor  arhi  pining  love  for  Chrift; 
 and  no  marvel,  for  Chrift's  love  would  have  hot  harveft,  long  ere 
 mid-fummer.  But,  if  I  have  any  love  to  him,  Chrifl  hath  both 
 love  to  me  and  wit  to  guide  his  love;  and  I  fee,  the  belt  thing  I 
 have  hath  as  much  drofs  belide  it,  as  might  curfe  me  and  it  both  ; 
 and  if  it  were  for  no  more,  we  have  need  of  a  Saviour  to  pardon 
 the  very  faults,  and  difeafes,  and  weaknefs  of  the  new  man,  and 
 to  take  away  (to  fay  fo}  our  godly  fins,  or  the  fins  of  our  fan£tifi- 
 cation,  and  the  drofs  and  fcum  of  fpi ritual  love.  Wo,  wo  is  me  ! 
 O  what  need  is  there  then  of  Chrift's  calling  to  fcour,  and 
 cleanfe,  and  wa(h  away  an  ugly  old  body  of  fin,  the  very  image 
 of  Satan  !  I  know  nothing  furer,  than  that  there  is  an  oilice  for 
 Chrill:  amongft  us  :  1  wifii  for  no  other  heaven  in  this  fide  of  the 
 laft  fea  that  1  muftcrofs,  than  this  fcrvice  of  Chrift,  to  make  my 
 blacknels  beauty,  my  deadncfs  life,  my  guiltinefs  fancftification.  I 
 long  much  for  that  day,  when  I  will  be  holy  :  O  what  fpots  are  yet 
 unwafhen  !  O  that  1  could  change  the  fkin  of  the  leopard  and  the 
 moor,  and  nifler  it  with  fome  of  Chrift's  fairnt^fs  !  were  my  black- 
 nefs  and  Chrift's  beauty  carded  through  other  (as  we  ufe  to  fpeak) 
 his  beauty  and  holinefs  would  eat  up  my  filthinefs  :  but  oh,  I  have 
 not  caftcn  old  Adam's  hue  and  colour  yet !  I  trow  the  bcft  of  us 
 hath  a  finell  yet  of  the  old  lothfome  body  of  fin  and  guiltinefs  : 
 happy  are  they  for  evermore,  who  can  employ  Chrift,  and  fct  his 
 blood  and  death  on  wurk^  to  make  clean  work,  to  God,  of  foul 
 
27t  Ux  RUTHERFOORD's,  Epift.  182.'] 
 
 fouls.     I  know,  it  is  our  fin  that  would  have  fan£lificatioh  on  the 
 funny-fide  of  the  hill,  and  holiiiefs  with  nothing  but  lummer,  and 
 no  crofles  at  all.    Sin  hath  made  us  as  tend<rr,  ^s  if  we  were  made 
 of  paper  or  glafs.     1  am  often   thinkmg,  what  I  would  think  of 
 Chrift  and  burning  quick  together,  of  Ghrifl:  and   torturing,  and 
 hot  melted  lead  poured  in  at  my  rnouth  and  navel ;  yet  1  have  fomc 
 weak   experience  (but  very  t/eak  indeed)  that  luppcfe  Chrift  and 
 hell's  torments  were  married  together,  and  if  there  were  no  find- 
 ing of  Chrift  at  all,  except  I  went  to  hell'sturnace,  that  there,  and 
 in  no  other  place,  I  could  meet  with  him'",  *i  trow,  if  I  were  as  I 
 have  been  fince  I  was  his  prifoner,  I  would  *be^  lodging  for  God's 
 fake  in  hell's  hottcft  furnace,  that  1  might  rub  fouls  with  Chrift. 
 But  God  be  thanked,  I  ftiall  find  him  in  a  Setter  lodging  :  we  get 
 Chriit  better  cheap  than  io  ;  when  he  is  reuped  to  us,  we  get  him 
 but  vf'ixh  a  lliov/er  of  fummer-troubles  in  tKis  life,  as  fwcet  and 
 as  foft  to  believers  as  a  Islay-dew.     I  would  have  you  and  myfelf 
 helping  Chrift  myftical  to  weep  for  his  wife  ;    and   O  that  we 
 could  mourn  for  Chrift  buried  in  Scotland,   and  for  his  two  (lain 
 witnefies  killed,  becaufe  they  prophelied  !   if  we  could  fo  impor- 
 tune and  folicit  God,   our  buried  Lord  and  his  two  burled  wit- 
 iieffcs  fliould  rife  again :  earth,  and  clay,  and  ftone  will  not  bear 
 down  Chrift  and  the  gofpel  in  Scotland.     I  know  not,    if  I  will 
 fee  the  fecond  temple,  and  the  glory  of  it ;  but  the  Lord  hath  de- 
 ceived mc,  if  it  be  not  to  be  reared  up  again.  - 1  would  willi  to 
 give  Chrift  his  welcome  home  again  :  my  blefling,  my  joy,   my 
 ^j^lory  and  love  be  on  the  home-comer.  I  find  no' better  ule  of  dif- 
 fering, than  thatChrift's  winnowing  puttcth  chaff  and  corn  in  the 
 faints  to  fundry  places,   and  difcovereth  our  drofs  from  his  gold, 
 fo  as  corruption  and  grace  are  fo  feen,  that  Chrift  faith  in  the  fur- 
 nace, *  That  is  mine,  and  this  is  yours  :  thy  fcum  and  the  grounds,, 
 thy  ftomach  againll  the  perfecutors,  thy  impatience,  thy  unbelief, 
 thy  quarrelling,  thefe  are  thine;  and  faith,  on-waiting,  love,  joy, 
 courage,  are  mine.  Oh  let  me  die  one  01  Ch rift's  on-waitcrs,  and 
 one  of  his  attendants  !   1  know  your  heart  and  Chrift  are  married 
 together,  it  were  not  good  to  make  a  divorce.    Rue  rot  of  that 
 meeting  and   marriage  with  fuch  a  Huiband.     Pray  for  me  his 
 prifoner.     Grace,  grace  be  vrith  you. 
 
 Aberdscuy  Tours  m  his  fmeit  Lord  Jefiis, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 182.     To  Mr.  Hugh  HUGH  MACKAIL. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother, 
 /^  11  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  received  your  letter,  I 
 ^^  blefs  you  for  it :   my  dry  root  would  take  ruore  dew  and  lum- 
 rrier-rain  than  it  gericih,  wtre  ir  not  Chrift  will  have  drynefs  and 
 
Epift.  182.]  LETTERS.  273 
 
 deadnefs  in  us  to  work  upon ;  if  there  were  no  timber  to  work 
 upon,  art  would  die  and  nevei  be  ieen  :  I  fee  grace  hath  a  field  to 
 play  upon,  and  to  courfe  up  and  down  in  our  wants ;  fo  that  I  am 
 often  thanking  God,  not  for  guiltinefs,  but  for  guiltinefs  for  Chrift 
 to  whet  and  fnarpen  his  grace  upon ;  I  am  half  content  to  have 
 boils  for  my  Lord  Jefus's  plaifters.  Sicknefs  hath  this  advantage, 
 that  it  draweth  our  fweet  Phyfician's  hand,  and  his  holy  and  fott 
 fmgcrs,  to  touch  our  withered  and  leper  Ikins:  it  is  a  blefled  fe- 
 ver, that  fctcheth  Chrift  to  the  bed-fide.  I  think  my  Lord's  how 
 doft  thou  with  it,  fick  body  ?  is  worth  all  my  pained  nights  :  fure- 
 ly,  I  have  no  more  for  Chrift,  but  emptincfs  and  want-,  take  or 
 leave,  he  will  get  me  no  otherwife  :  I  muft  fell  myfelf,  and  my 
 wants  to  him,  but  I  have  no  price  to  give  for  him  :  if  he  would 
 put  a  fair  and  real  feal  upon  his  love  to  me,  and  beftow  upon  me 
 a  larger  (hare  of  Chrift'*  love  (which  I  would  faineft  be  in  hjnds 
 with  of  any  thing,  I  except  not  heaven  itfelf)  I  ftiould  go  on  figh- 
 irig  and  finging  under  his  crofs  •  but  the  worft  is,  many  take  me 
 for  fome  body,  becaufe  the  wind  bloweth  upon  a  withered  prilon- 
 er :  but  the  truth  is,  I  am  both  lean  and  thin  in  that,  wherein 
 many  believe  I  abound.  I  would  (if  bartering  were  in  my  power) 
 niffer  joy  with  Chrift's  love  and  faith  ;  and,  inftead  of  the  hot  fun 
 fhine,  be  content  to  walk  under  a  cloudy  fliadow,  with  more  grief 
 and  fadnefs,  to  have  more  faith,  and  a  fair  occafion  of  fetting  forth 
 and  commending  Chrift.  and  to  make  that  lovely  One,  that  fair 
 One,  that  fweetelt  and  deareft  Lord  Jefus,  market-fwcet  for  many 
 ears  and  hearts  in  Scotland  :  and  if  it  were  in  my  power  to  roup 
 Chrift  to  the  three  kingdoms,  and  withal  10  pcrfuade  buyers  to 
 come,  and  rake  fuch  fweet  wares  as  Chrift'-,  I  would  think  to  have 
 many  fweet  bargains  betwixt  Chrift  and  the  fons  of  men.  I  uould, 
 I  could  be  humble,  and  go  with  a  low  fail  -,  I  would  I  had  defires 
 with  wings,  and  running  upon  wheels  ^  fwift  and  aclive,  and 
 fpeedy,  in  longing  for  Chrift's  honour-,,  but  I  know  my  Lord  is 
 as  wife  here,  as  1  dow  be  thirfty,  and  infinitely  more  zealous  of 
 his  honour,  than  I  can  be  hungry  for  the  manifeftation  of  it  to  men 
 and  angels:  but  oh  that  my  Lord  would  take  my  defires  otF  my 
 hand,  and  a  thoufand-fold  more  unto  them,  and  low  fpljitual  in- 
 clinations upon  them,  for  the  coming  of  Chrift's  kingdom  to  the 
 fons  of  men  !  that  they  might  be  higher,  and  deeper,  and  longer, 
 and  broader :  for  my  longeil  meafures  are  too  ftiort  for  Chrift,  my 
 depth  is  ebb,  and  the  breadth  of  my  afte£tions  to  Chrift,  narrowed 
 and  pinched.  O  for  an  engine  and  a  wit,  to  prcfcribe  ways  to  men, 
 how  Chrift  might  be  all,  in  all  the  world  !  wit  is  here  behind  af- 
 fe<Slion,  andafteclion  behind  obligation.  O  how  little  dow  1  give 
 to  Chrift,  and  how  much  hath  he  given  me !  Oh  that  I  could  fing 
 grace's  praifes,  and  love's  praifes  !  feeing  I  was  like  a  fool,  folicit- 
 ing  the  law,  and  making  moyen  to  the  law';>  touit  for  mercy,  aiMl 
 
 Mm 
 
/ 
 
 ^74  ^Ir  RUfHEUFOdRD's  Epl ft.  183.3 
 
 found  cViallenges  that  way ;  but  now  I  deny  that  judge's  power; 
 for  I  am  grace's  man  r  1  hold  not  worth  a  drink  of  water  of  the 
 law,  or  of  any  lord,  but  Jefus:  and  till  I  bethought  me  of  this,  I 
 was  flain  with  doubtings,  and  fears,  and  terrors.  I  praife  the  new 
 court,  and  the  new  Landlord,  and  the  new  falvation,  purchafed  iri 
 Jefus  his  name,  and  at  his  inlfance.  Let  the  old  man,  if  he  pleafe^ 
 go  make  his  moan  to  the  law,  and  feek  acquaintance  thereaway, 
 becaufe  he  is  condemned  in  that  court,  I  hope  the  neW  man^  and 
 I,  and  Chrift  together  fiiall  not  be  heard  :  and  this  is  the  more  foft 
 and  the  more  eafy  way  for  me,  and  for  my  crofs  together ;  feeing 
 Chrift  fingeth  my  welcome-home,  and  taketh  me  in  and  maketh 
 fhort  counts,  and  fiiort  work  of  reckoning  betwixt  me  and  my 
 Judge.  I  muft  be  Chrift's  man,  and  his  tenant,  and  fubjeft  to  his 
 Court:  I  am  fure,  fuffering  for  Chrift  tould  not  be  borne  other- 
 wife;  but  I  give  my  hand  and  my  faith  to  all  who  would  fuffer  for 
 Chrift;  they  (liall  be  well  handled,  and  fare  well  in  the  fame  way, 
 that  1  have  found  the  crofs  eafy  and  light.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 Aberdscji^  July  8.  Tours  in  his  five et  Lord  Jefus , 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 183.    To  ALEXANDER  GORDON  of  Gar  lock. 
 
 Dear  Brother, 
 f^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  if  Chrift  were  as  I  am, 
 ^^  that  time  could  woik  upon  him  to  alter  him,  or  that  the 
 morrow  could  bring  a  new  day  to  him,  or  bring  a  new  mind  upon 
 him,  as  it  is  to  me  a  new  day,  I  could  not  keep  a  houfeor  a  cove- 
 ftant  with  him:  but  I  find  Chrift  to  be  Chrift,  and  that  he  is  far, 
 far,  even  infinite  heavens  height  above  men ;  and  that  is  all  our 
 happinefs.  Sinners  can  do  nothing,  but  make  wounds,  that  Chrift 
 mriy  heal  them  :  and  make  debts  that  he  may  pay  them  ;  and  make 
 falls,  that  he  may  raife  them;  and  make  deathi,  that  he  may  quick- 
 en them;  and  fpin  out  and  dig  hells  for  themfelves.  that  he  may 
 ranfom  them.  Now  I  wift  blefs  the  Lord,  that  ever  there  was 
 fuch  a  thing  as  the  free  grace  of  God,  and  a  free  ranfom  given  for 
 fold  fouls :  onlv  alas,  guikinefs  maketh  me  afhamed  to  apply  Chrift,- 
 and  to  think  it  pride  in  me,  to  put  our  my  unclean  and  withered 
 hand  to  fuch  a  Saviour  !  But  it  is  neither  fhame  nor  pride,  for  a 
 drowning  man  to  fwim  to  a  rock,  nor  for  a  fhip-broken  foul,  to  rui* 
 himfelf  adiore  upon  Chrift.  vSuppofe  once  I  be  guilty,  need  force 
 I  cannot,  I  do  not  go  by  Chrift:  we  take  in  good  part  that  pride, 
 that  beggars  beg  from  the  richer;  and  who  is  fo  poor  as  we  ?  and 
 who  is  ib  rich  as  he  who  felleth  fine  gold  .?  Rev.  iii.  1 8.  I  fee,  then,- 
 it  is  our  beft  (let  guikinefs  plead  what  it  liiletb)  that  we  have  no 
 mean  under  the  covering  of  heaven,  but  to  creep  in  lowly  and  fub- 
 mifiiveiy  with  oui  wants  to  Chrift:  I  h.iye  alfo  caufe  to  give  hi# 
 
Epift.  184.]  LETTERS.  275 
 
 crofs  a  good  name  and  report.  O  how  worthy  is  Chrlft  of  my 
 fecklefs  and  light  fuffering  !  and  how  hath  he  deferved  it  at  my 
 hands,  that  for  his  honour  and  glory,  I  iliould  lay  my  back  under 
 fcFep  hells  pain  in  one,  if  he  call  me  to  that !  But  alas  !  my  foul 
 is  like  a  (hip,  run  on  ground  through  ebbnefs  of  water:  lam  fand- 
 ed,  and  my  love  is  fanded ;  I  find  not  how  to  bring  it  on  float  a- 
 gain ;  it  is  fo  cold  and  dead,  that  I  fee  not  how  to  bring  it  to  a 
 flame:  fy,  fy  upon  the  meeting  that  my  love  hath  given  Chrift; 
 wo,  wo  is  me,  i  have  a  lover  Chrift,  and  yet  I  want  love  for  him ; 
 I  have  a  lovely  and  defirable  Lord,  who  is  love- worthy,  and  who 
 beggeth  my  love  and  heart,  and  I  have  rvothing  to  give  him.  Dear 
 brother,  come  further  in  on  Chrift,  and  fee  anew  trcafure  in  him  : 
 come  in,  and  look  down,  and  fee  angels  wonder,  and  heaven  and 
 earth's  wonder  of  love,  fweetnefs,  majefty  and  excellency  in  him. 
 I  forget  you  not :  pray  for  me,  that  our  Lord  would  be  pleafed  to 
 fend  me  among  you  again,  fraughted  and  full  of  Chrift.  Grace, 
 grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  1637.  Tours  in  his  fveet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 r  ■  ■  - 
 
 184.    To  JOHN  BELL,  tlder. 
 
 My  very  loving  Friend ^ 
 /^^  R.  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  have  very  often  and  long 
 ^^  expected  your  letter :  but  if  ye  be  well  in  foul  and  body, 
 I  am  the  lefs  folicitous.  I  befeech  you  in  the  Lord  Jej'us,  to  mind 
 your  country  above  ;  and  now,  when  old  age,  the  twilight  going 
 before  the  darknefs  of  the  grave,  and  the  failing  low  of  your  fun 
 before  your  night,  is  now  come  upon  you,  advife  with  Chrift,  ere 
 ye  put  your  foot  in  the  fliip,  and  turn  your  back  on  this  life. 
 Many  are  beguiled  with  this,  that  they  are  free  of  fcandalous  and 
 crying  abominations :  but  the  tree  that  bringeth  not  forth  good 
 fruit,  is  for  the  fire;  the  man  that  is  not  born  again,  cannot  en- 
 ter into  the  kingdom  of  God  :  common  honefty  will  not  take  men 
 to  heaven  ;  aias  that  men  fhould  think  they  ever  met  with  Chrift, 
 who  had  never  a  uck  night,  through  the  terrors  of  Gpd  in  their 
 fouls,  or  a  fore  heart  for  lin.  I  know,  the  Lord  hath  given  yoi» 
 light,  and  the  knowledge  of  his  will;  but  that  is  net  all,  neither 
 will  that  do  your  turn.  I  wifti  you  an  j^wak^med  foul,  and  that 
 ye  beguile  not  yourfelf,  in  the  matter  of  your  falvation.  My  dear 
 brother,  fe?.rch  yourfelf  with  the  candle  of  God,  and  try  if  the 
 jjfe  of  God  and  Chrift  be  in  you:  falvation  is  not  caften  to  every 
 rPfin's  door:  many  are  carried  over  fea  and  land,  to  a  far  courir 
 try  in  a  fliip,  while  as  they  fleep  much  of  the  way  ;  but  men  are 
 not  landed  at  heaven  fleeping :  the  righteous  are  fcaicely  faved  ; 
 ^pd  rpany  run  as  faft  ab  either  ye  or  I,  who  mifs  the  prize  audi 
 
 IVj  ni   2 
 
27^  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  1S5.] 
 
 the  crown:  God  fend  me  falvatlon,  and  favc  me  from  a  difap- 
 polntment,  and  I  feek  no  more.  Men  think  it  but  a  ftride,  or 
 flcp  over  to  heaven ;  but  when  fo  few  are  favcd,  (even  of  a  num- 
 ber like  the  fand  of  the  fea,  but  a  handful  and  a  remnant,  as  God's 
 Ti'ord  faith)  what  caufc  have  we  to  fhake  ourielves  out  of  ourfelves, 
 and  to  ailc  our  poor  foul,  Whither  goeft  thou  ?  where  (halt  thou 
 lodge  at  night  ?  where  are  thy  charters  and  writs  of  thy  heavenly 
 inheritance  ?  i  have  known  a  man  turn  a  key  in  a  door,  and  lock 
 it  by  :  many  men  leap  over,  (as  they  think)  and  leap  in.  O  fee !  fee 
 that  ye  give  not  your  fdvation  a  wrong  caft,  and  think  all  is  well, 
 and  leave  your  foul  loofe  and  uncertain  :  look  to  your  building^, 
 and  to  your  ground-itone,  and  what  figns  of  Chriil  are  in  you, 
 and  fet  this  world  behind  your  hack.  It  is  time,  now  in  the  even- 
 ing, to  eeafe  from  your  ordinary  woik,  and  high  time  to  know 
 of  your  lodging  at  night:  it  is  your  falvation  that  is  in  depend- 
 ence, and  that  is  a  great  and  weighcy  bufmefs,  though  many  make 
 light  oi"  the  matter.  Now,  the  Lord  enable  you  by  his  grace  to 
 work  it  out. 
 
 jiberd,  1637.  Tour  laitful  atid  loving  Pq/Ior,  S.  R. 
 
 185.    n  WILLIAM  GORDON  /  Robertoun. 
 
 Dear  Brother, 
 /^  ?».  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  So  often  as  I  think  o» 
 ^^  our  cafe,  in  our  foldiers  pight- watch,  and  of  our  fighting  life 
 in  the  fields,  while  we  are  here,  I  am  forced  to  fay,  priibners 
 in  a  dungeon,  condemned  by  a  judge  to  want  the  light  of  the  fun 
 and  moon  and  candle  till  their  dying  day,  are  no  more,  nay  notfo 
 much  to  be  pitied  as  we  are  ;  for  they  are  weary  of  their  life,  they 
 hate  their  prifon  :  but  we  fall  to,  in  our  prifon,  where  we  fee 
 little,  to  drink  ourielves  drunk  with  the  night  pleafures  of  our 
 wejk  dreams;  and  we  long  for  no  better  lite  than  this  :  but  at 
 the  blaft  of  the  lafl:  trumpet,  and  the  ihout  of  the  arch-angel, 
 when  God  fhall  tr.ke  dov/n  the  fhepherd's  tent  of  this  fading  world, 
 we  ihall  not  have  fo  much  as  a  drink  of  water,  of  all  the  dreams 
 that  we  nov/  build  on.  Alas  !  that  the  fiiarp  and  bitter  biafts  on 
 face  and  fides,  which  meet  us  in  this  life,  have  not  learned  us  mor- 
 tification, and  made  us  dead  to  this  world  I  we  buy  our  own  for- 
 row,  and  we  pay  dear  for  it,  when  we  fpend  out  our  love,  our  joy, 
 our  defires,  our  confidence,  upon  an  handful  of  fnow  and  ice, 
 that  time  will  melt  away  to  nothing,  and  go  thirfty  out  of  the 
 drunken  inns,  when  all  is  done  :  alas  that  we  enquire  not  for  the 
 clear  fountain;  but  are  fo  foolifh,  as  to  drink  foul,  muddy  and 
 rotten  waters,  even  till  our  bed  time  ;  and  then  in  the  refurrec^ 
 tion,  when  we  Ihall  be  awakened,  our  yefternight's  fowre  drink 
 and  fwiniih  dregs  ihall  rift  tip  upon  us ;  and  fick,  fick  fi;all  many 
 
Eplft.  185.]  LETTERS.  277 
 
 a  foul  be  then  :  I  know  no  wholefome  fountain  but  one;  I  know- 
 not  a  thing  worth  the  buying,  but  heaven.  And  my  own  mind 
 is,  if  comparifon  were  made  betwixt  Chrift  and  heaven,  1  would 
 fell  heaven  with  my  blefling,  to  buy  Chrift.  Oh  if  I  could 
 raife  the  market  for  Chrift,  and  heighten  the  market  a  pound  for 
 a  penny,  and  cry  up  Chrift  in  mens  eftimation,  ten  thoufand  ta- 
 lents more  than  men  think  of  him  !  but  they  arc  fhaping  him, 
 and  crying  him  down,  to  valuing  him  at  their  unworthy  halfpen- 
 ny; or  elfe  exchanging  and  bartermg  Chrift  with  the  miferable 
 old  fallen  houfe  of  this  vain  world  ;  or  then  they  lend  him  out 
 upon  intereft,  and  play  the  ufurcrs  with  Chrift  ;  becaufe  they 
 profefs  him,  and  give  out  before  men,  that  Chrift  is  their  trea- 
 fure  and  ftock  ;  and  in  the  mean  time,  praife  of  men,  and  a  name, 
 and  eafe,  and  the  fummer-fun  of  the  gofpel,  is  the  ufury  they  would 
 be  at;  fo  when  the  trial  cometh,  they  quit  the  ftock  for  the  in- 
 tereft, and  lofe  all.  Happy  are  they,  who  can  keep  Chrift  by 
 himfelf  alone,  and  keep  him  clean  and  whole,  till  God  come  and 
 count  with  them.  1  know,  in  your  hard  and  heavy  trials  long 
 fmce,  ye  thought  well  and  highly  of  Chrift ;  but  truly  no  crofs 
 fliould  be  old  to  us  ;  we  fhould  not  forget  them,  becaufe  years 
 are  come  betwixt  us  and  them,  and  caft  them  by  hand,  as  we  do 
 old  cloaths  ;  we  may  make  a  crofs  old  in  time,  new  in  ufe, 
 and  as  fruitful,  as  in  the  beginning  of  it.  God  is  where  and 
 what  he  was,  feven  years  ago,  whatever  change  be  in  us.  I 
 fpeak  not  this,  as  if  I  thought  ye  had  forgotten  what  God  did  to 
 have  your  love  long  fmcc;  but  that  ye  may  awake  yourfelf,  in 
 this  fleepy  age,  and  remember  fruitfully  of  Chrift's  firft  wooing 
 and  fuiting  of  your  love,  both  with  fire  and  water ;  and  try  if  he 
 got  his  anfwer,  or  if  ye  be  yet  to  give  him  it  :  for  I  find  in  my- 
 ielf  that  water  runneth  not  fafter  through  a  fieve,  than  our  war- 
 nings flip  from  us:  for  I  have  loft  and  caften  by-hand  many  fum- 
 monfes,  the  Lord  fent  to  me :  and  therefore  the  Lord  hath  given 
 me  double  charges,  that  I  truft  in  God,  fliall  not  rive  me.  1  blefs 
 his  great  name,  who  is  no  niggard  in  holding  in  crolTes  upon  me, 
 hut  fpendeth  largely  his  rods,  that  he  may  fave  me  from  this  perifti- 
 ing  world.  How  plentiful  God  is  in  means  of  this  kind,  is  e- 
 fteemed  by  many,  one  of  God's  unkind  mercies  ;  but  Chrift's 
 crofs  is  neither  a  cruel  nor  unkind  mercy,  but  the  love-token  of  a 
 father.  I  am  fure,  a  lover  chafing  us  for  our  well,  and  to  have 
 our  love,  fhould  not  be  run  away  from,  or  fled  from.  God  fend 
 me  no  worfe  mercy,  than  the  fan6lified  crofs  of  Chrilt  portcndeth  ; 
 and  I  am  fure,  I  fiiould  be  h^ppy  and  bleft.  Pray  for  me,  th?.t  I 
 may  find  houfe-room  in  the  Lord's  houfe,  to  fpeak  in  his  name. 
 Remember  my  deareft  love  in-Chrift  to  your  wife.  Grace,  grace 
 be  with  you, 
 
 Aberdeen,  1 63  6,  Toiin  in  his  fweet  Lord  J  ejus  ^  S.  R. 
 
n^  Mr  RUTHEnFOORD's  Epift.  i86.]J 
 
 1 86.     To  my  Lady  BOYD. 
 
 Madavz, 
 /^RAGE,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Father,  and  from  our 
 ^-^  Lord  JcfusChrifi:,  be  multiplied  upon  you.     J  have  reafon- 
 ed  with  your  fon  at  large;  I  rejoice  to  fee  him  fet  his  face  in  the 
 right  airth,  now  when  the  nobks  love  the  funny-fide  of  the  gof- 
 pel  belf,  and  are  afraid  that  Chrift  want  foldiers,  and  Ihall  not  be 
 able  to  do  for  himfelf.  Madam,  oii  rdebts  of  obligation  toChriil:  are 
 not  fmall;  the  freedom  of  grace  and  falvation  is  the  wonder  of 
 pien  and  angels :  but  mercy  in  our  Lord  fcorneth  hire  ;  ye  arc 
 bound  to  lift  Chrift  on  high,  who  hath  given  you  eyes  to  difcern 
 the  devil,  now  coming  out  in   his  whites,  and  the  idolatry  and 
 apoftafy  of  the  time  well  waflien  with  fair  pretcrjces  ;  but  the 
 ikin  is  black,  and  the  water  foul :  It  were  art  I  ccnfefs,  to  wafti 
 9  black  devil  and  make  him  white.     I  am  in  ftrange  up*s  and 
 down's,  and  feven  times  a  day  I  lofe  ground  :  I  am  put  often  tQ 
 jfwimming,  and  again  my  feet  are  fet  on  the  rock  that  is  higher  than 
 liiyleU:    he  hath  now  let  me  fee  four  things  I  never  faw  before; 
 I.  The  fupper  will   be  great  cheer,  that  is  up  in  the  great  hall, 
 with  the  royal  King  of  glory,  when  the  four-hours,  the  (landing 
 drink,  in  this  dreary  wildernefs,   is  fo  fwcet  :  when  he  bloweth 
 a  kifs  afar  off  to  his  poor  heart-broken  mourners  in  Zion,  and  fendr- 
 €th  m.e  but  his  hearty  commendations,  till  we  meet,  I  am  confound- 
 ed with  wonder  to  think  what  it  (hall  be,  when  the  faireft  am.ong 
 the  fons  of  men  (hall  lay  a  King's  fwcet  foft  cheek  to  the  fmful 
 cheeks  of  poor  fmners.  O  time,  time,  go  fwiflly,and  haften  that  dayl 
 fweet  Lord  Jefus,  poft,  come  flying  like  a  young  hart  or  a  roe  up- 
 on the  mountains  of  feparation.     1  think,  we  fliould  tell  the  hours 
 carefully,    and  look  often  how  low  the  fun  is  :    for  love  hath 
 no  ho,  it  is  pained,  pained  in  itfelf,  till  it  come  in  grips  with  the 
 party  beloved.      2.  I   find   Chriil's   abfence,  love's  ficknefs,  and 
 Jove's  death :  the  wind  that  bloweth  out  of  the  airth,  where  my 
 Lord  Jefus  reigneth,  is  fweet-fmelled,  foft,  joyful,  and  heartfom 
 to  a  foul  burnt  with  abfence.     It  is  a  painful  battle,  for  a  foul  fick 
 of  love  to  fight  with  abfence  and  delavs :  Chrifl's  not  yet,  is  a 
 ftounding  of  all  the  joints  and  liths  of  the  foul  ;  a  nod  of  his 
 head,  when  he  is  under  a  malk,  would  be  half  a  pawn  ;  to  fay, 
 Fool,  what  aileth  thee  ?  he  is  coming,  would  be   life  to  a  dea4 
 man.    I  am  often  in  my  dumb  Sabbaths  feeking  a  new  plea  with 
 my  Lord  Jefus,  God  forgive  me  :  and  I  care  not  if  there  be  not 
 rwo  or  three  ounce-weight  of  black  wrath  in  my  cup.      3.  For  the 
 third  thing,  I  have  feen  my  abominable  vilenefs  *,  if  I  were  well 
 known,   there  would  none  in  this  kingdom  afk  how  I  do.    Men 
 take  my  ten  to  be  an  hundred,  but  I  am  a  deeper  hypocrite  and 
 fhallower  profeuor  than  every  one  believeth,  God  knoweth  I  feign 
 
Eplft.  i86.]  LETTERS.  27^ 
 
 not  :  but  I  think,  my  reckonings  on  the  one  page  written  in 
 great  letters,  and  his  mercy  to  fuch  a  forlorn  and  wretched  dyvour 
 on  the  other,  more  than  a  miracle.  If  I  could  get  my  finger-ends 
 upon  2  full  affurance,  I  trow,  I  fhould  grip  faft ;  but  my  cup 
 wanteth  not  gall  •,  and,  upon  my  pait,  defpair  might  be  almoft 
 excufed,  if  every  one  in  this  land  faw  my  inner  fide  :  but  I 
 know  I  am  one  of  them  who  have  made  great  fale  and  a  free 
 market  to  free  grace  :  if  I  could  be  faved,  as  I  would  fain  be- 
 lieve, fure  I  am,  1  have  given  Chrift's  blood,  his  free  grac^,  and 
 the  bowels  of  his  mercy,  a  large  field  to  worjc  upon,  and  Chrift 
 hath  manifefled  his  art  (I  dare  not  fay,  to  the  uttermoft ;  for  h^ 
 can,  if  he  would,  forgive  all  the  devils  and  damned  reprobateSi 
 in  refpeft  of  the  widenefs  of  his  mercy :  but  I  fay)  to  an  admirable 
 degree.  4.  I  am  ftricken  with  fear  of  unthankfulnefs.  This  a- 
 poftate  kirk  hath  played  the  harlot  with  many  lovers  ;  they  are 
 {pitting  in  the  face  of  my  lovely  King,  and  mocking  him,  and  I 
 dow  not  mend  it  •,  and  they  are  running  away  from  Chrift  ia 
 troops,  and  1  dow  not  mourn  and  be  grieved  for  it.  I  think  Chrill: 
 lyeth  like  an  old  forecaften  caftle,  forfaken  of  the  inhabitants ;  all 
 men  run  away  now  from  him  :  truth,  innocent  truth  goeth  mourn- 
 ing and  wringing  her  bands  in  fackcloth  and  afhes.  Wo,  wo,  wo 
 is  me,  for  the  virgin  daughter  of  Scotland !  wo,  wo  to  the  inhabi- 
 tants of  this  land  !  for  they  are  gone  back  with  a  perpetual  batk- 
 fliding.  Thefe  things  take  me  fo  up,  that  a  borrowed  bed,  ahothcf 
 man's  fire-fide,  the  wind  upon  my  face,  (I  being  driven  from  my 
 lovers,  and  dear  acquaintance,  and  my  poor  flock)  find  no  room  in 
 my  forrow  ;  I  have  no  fpare  or  odd  forrow  for  thefe :  only  I  think,- 
 the  fparrows  and  fwallows,  that  build  their  nefts  in  the  kirk  of 
 Anwoth,  blelTed  birds.  Nothing  hath  given  my  faith  a  harder 
 back-fet  till  it  crack  again,  than  my  clofed  mouth.  But  let  me  be 
 miferable  myfelf  alone,  God  keep  my  dear  brethren  from  it;  but 
 ftill  I  keep  breath :  and  when  my  royal,  and  never,  never-enough 
 praifed  King  returneth  to  his  finful  prifoner,  I  ride  upon  the  high 
 places  of  Jacob,  I  divide  Sheehem,  I  triumph  in  his  ftrength.  l( 
 this  kingdom  would  glorify  the  Lord,  in  my  behalf,  I  defire  to  bs 
 weighed  in  God's  even  balance  in  this  point,  if  I  think  not  my 
 wages  paid  to  the  full-,  I  (hall  crave  no  more  hire  of  Chriit.  Ma- 
 dam, pity  me  in  this,  and  help  me  to  praife  him  :  for,  whatever  I 
 be,  the  chief  of  finners,  a  devil,  and  a  mofi:  guilty  devil  ;  yet  it  is 
 the  apple  of  Chrill's  eye,  his  honour  and  glory,  as  the  head  of  th« 
 church,  that  I  futTer  for  now,  and  that  I  v/ill  go  to  eternity  with. 
 1  am  greatly  in  love  with  Mr.  M.  M.  I  fee  him  ftamped  with  the 
 image  of  God.  I  hope  well  of  your  fon,  my  Lord  Boyd.  Your 
 Ladyfiiip  and  your  children  have  a  prifoner's  prayers.  Grace, 
 grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Ji;crd.  May  i.  ICqut  LaJyJhifi  at  aH  obedience 
 
 1637,  in  Chrift y     S.  R. 
 
a»o  lit  RUTHERFOORiys        Epift.  187,  188.] 
 
 187.     To  Mr.  THOMAS  GAP.VEN. 
 
 Dear  Brother^ 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  rejoice,  that  ye  cannot 
 ^^  be  quit  of  Chrift,  (if  I  may  fpeak  fo)  but  he  mult,  he  will  have 
 you.  Betake  yourfelf  to  Chrilt,  my  dear  brother.  It  is  a  great 
 Dufinefs  to  make  quit  of  fuperfluities,  and  of  thofe  things  which 
 Chrift  cannot  dwell  with.  I  am  content  with  my  own  crofs,  that 
 Chrift  hath  made  mine  by  an  eternal  lot,  becaufe  it  is  Chrift's  and 
 mine  together.  I  marvel  not,  that  winter  is  without  heaven  ;  for 
 there  is  no  winter  within  it :  all  the  faints  therefore  have  their  own 
 meafure  of  winter,  before  their  eternal  fummer.  Oh  for  the  long 
 day,  and  the  high  fun,  and  the  fair  garden,  and  the  King's  great 
 city  up  above  thefe  vifible  heavens  !  What  God  layeth  on,  let  me. 
 fuffer-,  for  fome  have  one  crofs,  fome  feven,  fome  ten,  fome  half  a 
 crofs  j  yet  all  the  faints  have  whole  and  full  joy,  and  feven  crofTes 
 have  feven  joys.  Chrift  is  cumbered  with  me  (to  fpeak  fo)  and  my 
 crofs,  but  he  falleth  not  off  me,  we  are  not  at  variance.  I  find  the 
 very  glooms  of  Chrift^s  wooing  a  foul  fweet  and  lovely  \  I  had  ra- 
 ther have  Chrift's  buffet  and  love-ftroke,  than  another  king's  kifs: 
 fpeak  evil  of  Chrift  who  will,  I  hope  to  die  with  love  thoughts  of 
 him.  Oh  that  there  are  fo  few  tongues  in  heaven  and  earth  to 
 extol  him  !  I  wifti  his  praifes  go  not  down  amongft  us  :  let  not 
 Chrift  be  low  and  lightly  efteemed  in  the  midft  of  us  ;  but  let  all 
 hearts  and  all  tongues  caft  in  their  portion,  and  contribute  fome- 
 thing,  to  make  him  great  in  mount  Zion.  Thus  recommending 
 you  to  his  grace,  and  remembering  my  love  to  your  wife  and 
 mother,  and  your  kind  brother  R.  B.  and  entreating  you  to  re- 
 member my  bonds,  1  reft 
 
 Jberd,  Sept,  8,  1637.  Yours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus,  S.  R. 
 
 188.     To  the  Laird  5/ MONCRIEF. 
 Much  honoured  Sir, 
 
 a 
 
 RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  although  not  acquaint, 
 yet  at  the  defire  of  your  worthy  fifter,  the  Lady  Leys,  and 
 upon  the  report  of  your  kindnefs  to  Chrift,  and  his  oppreffed  truth, 
 I  am  bold  to  write  to  you,  earneftly  defiring  you  to  join  with  us 
 (fo  many  as  in  thefe  bounds  profefs  Chrift)  to  wreftle  with  God, 
 one  day  of  the  week,  efpecially  the  Wednesdays,  for  mercy  to  this 
 fallen  and  decayed  kirk,  and  to  fuch  as  fuffer  for  Chrift's  name, 
 and  for  your  own  necelTities,  and  the  neceftities  of  others,  who  arc 
 by  covenant  engaged  in  that  bufmefs  :  for  we  have  no  other  ar- 
 mour in  thefe  evil  times  but  prayers,  now  when  wrath  from  the 
 Lord  16  gone  cut  agaiiift  this  backfliding  land  j  for  ye  know  wc 
 
Epifl.  i88.]  LETTERS.  i2i 
 
 can  have  no  true  public  fnfts,  neither  are  the  true  caufes  of  our 
 humiliation  ever  laid  before  t^f  p'^ople.  Now,  very  worthy  Sir, 
 I  am  glad  in  the  Lord,  that  the  Lord  rcferveth  any  of  your  place, 
 or  of  note,  in  this  time  of  common  apoftacy,  to  come  forth  in  pub- 
 lic to  bear  Chrifl's  name  before  iiien,  when  the  great  men  think 
 Chrift  a  cumberfome  neighbour,  and  that  reiig'v^n  carrieth  hazards, 
 trials  and  perfecutions  with  it.  1  piriuade  myielf,  it  is  your  glory 
 and  your  garland,  and  fliall  be  your  joy  in  the  day  of  Chrift.  and 
 the  ftanding  of  your  hou^e  and  feed  to  iiibcrit  the  earth.,  that  you 
 truly  and  fmcerely  profefs  Chrift  neither  is  our  King,  whom  the 
 Father  hath  crowned  in  mount  Zlon,  fo  weak,  that  he  cannot  do 
 for  himfelf,  and  his  own  caufe.  1  verily  believe  they  are  blefled  who 
 can  hold  the  crown  upon  his  head,  and  carry  up  the  train  of  his 
 lobe-royal,  and  that  he  flirll  yet  be  vi<£iorious  and  triumph  in  this 
 land.   It  is  our  part  to  back  our  ro}  al  King,  ho  wbeit  there  were  not 
 
 ,  fix  in  all  the  land  to  follow  him.  It  is  our  wifdom  now  to  take  up, 
 
 [  and  difcern  the  devil  and  the  Antichrift  coming:  out  in  their  whites, 
 and  the  apoflafy  and  i<io';'try  of  this  land  waiheYi  with  foul  water : 
 
 ,\  confefs  it  is  art  to  wain  the  devil  till  his  ficin  be  white.  For  my- 
 felf,  Sir.  1  have  bought  a  plea  againft  Chrilt  fince  I  came  hither, 
 in  judging  my  princely  Mafter  angry  at  me,  becaufc  I  was  cafl:  out 
 
 I  of  the  vineyard  as  a  withered  tree,  my  dumb  fabbaths  working  me 
 much  forrow:  but  I  fee  now  forrow  hath  not  eyes  to  read  love  writ- 
 ten upon  the  crofs  of  Chrift;  and  therefore  1  pafs  from  my  rafti 
 plea:  wo,  wo  is  me,  that  I  ihculd  have  received  a  (lander  of 
 Chrift's  love  to  my  foul.  And  for  all  this,  my  Lord  Jcfus  hath 
 forgiven  all,  as  not  willing  to  be  heard  with  fuch  a  fool,  and  is  con- 
 tent to  be,  as  it  were,  confined  with  me,  and  to  bear  m.e  company; 
 and  to  feaft  a  poor  opprefTed  prifoncr.  And  now  I  write  it  under  my 
 hand,  worthy  Sir,  that  I  think  well  and  honourably  of  this  crofs  of 
 Chrift:  I  wonder,  that  he  will  take  any  glory  from  the  like  of 
 me  ;  1  find  when  h^i  bvit  Ti^ndeth  his  hearty  commendations  to  me, 
 and  but  hloweth  a  kifs  afar  off,  I  am  confounded  with  woniicring 
 
 ^ivhat  the  fupper  of  the  Lamb  will  be,  up  in  our  Father's  dining- 
 palace  of  glory,  fince  the  four-hours  in  thi'>-  difmal  wildernefs,  and 
 when  in  prilons,  and  in  our  fad  days,  a  kifs  of  Chrift  is  fo  com- 
 fort.ible.  O  how  fweet  and  glorious  ftiall  our  cafe  be,  when  thaC 
 faireft  among  the  Ions  of  mt^n  ftiall  lay  his  fair  face  to  our  now  finful 
 
 ,  faces,  and  wipe  away  all  tears  from  our  eyes  !  O  time,  time,  run 
 fwiftly,  and  haften  ^his  day!  O  fweet  Lord  Jv^fus,  come  flying  like 
 a  roe  or  a  young  hart  ^  Alas !  that  we.  blind  fools,  are  tallcn  iii 
 love  with  moon-fhine  and  fhadov/s.  How  fweet  is  the  wind  that 
 bloweth  out  of  the  airth  v/hore  Chrift  is  !  Every  day  we  may  kc 
 fome  new  thing  in  Chvlftj  his  love  !iath  neither  bri^n  nor  bottom. 
 Oh  if  I  had  help  to  praife  him  !  He  knoweth,  if  my  fuffcrings  glo- 
 rify his  name,  and  encourage  others  to  ftand  faft  for  the  honour 
 
 Nn 
 
282  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  189.] 
 
 ot  our  fupreme  Lawgiver,  Chrift,  my  wages  then  are  paid  to  the 
 fuii.  Sir,  help  me  to  love  that  never-enough  praifed  Lord.  I  find 
 now,  that  the  faith  oi  the  faints,  under  fufrering  for  Chrill,  is  fair 
 befoj  e  the  wind,  and  with  full  fails  carried  upon  Chrift ;  and  I 
 hope  to  lofe  nothing  in  this  furnace  but  drofs  ;  for  Chriil  can  tri- 
 umph in  a  weaker  man  than  I  am,  if  there  beany  fuch  :  and  when 
 all  is  done,  his  love  paineth  me,  and  leaveth  me  under  fuch  debt  ta 
 Chrilt,  as  I  can  neither  pay  principal  nor  interefl.  Oh  if  he  would 
 comprize  myfelf,  and  if  I  were  fold  to  him  as  a  bond-man,  and 
 that  he  would  take  me  home  to  his  houfc  and  fire-fide ;  for  I  have 
 nothing  to  render  to  him  !  Then,  after  me,  let  no  man  think  hard 
 of  ChrilVs  fweet  crofs*,  for  I  would  not  change  my  fighs  with  the 
 painted  laughter  of  all  my  advcrfarics.  I  defire  grace  and  patience 
 to  wait  on,  and  to  ly  upon  the  brink,  till  the  water  fill  and  llow^ 
 I  know  he  is  fafl  coming.  Sir,  ye  will  excufe  my  boldnefs;  and,: 
 till  it  pleafe  God  I  fee  you,  ye  have  the  prayers  of  a  prifoner  o£ 
 Chrift,  to  whom  I  recommend  you,  and  in  whom  I  reft 
 jiberd.  May  1 4.  Tours  at  all  obedience  in  Chrifly 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 189.    To  JOHN  CLARK, 
 
 Loving;  brother, 
 TTOLD  faftChrift  without  wavering,  and  contend  for  the  falth^ 
 ^■^  becaufe  Chrift  is  not  eafiiy  gotten  or  kept.  The  lazy  profef- 
 for  hath  put  heaven  (as  it  were)  at  the  very  next  door,  and  think- 
 eth  to  fly  up  to  heaven  in  his  bed,  and  in  a  night  dream  ;  but 
 truly,  that  is  not  fo  eafy  a  thing  as  moft  men  believe  :  Chrift  him- 
 feif  did  fweat,  ere  he  won  this  city,  howbeit  he  was  the  free-born: 
 Heir.  It  is  Chriftianity,  my  heart,  to  be  fincere,  unfeigned,  ho- 
 neft  and  upright-hearted  before  God  ;  and  to  live  and  ferve  God, 
 fuppofe  there  was  net  one  man  or  woman-  in  all  the  world  dwel- 
 ling befide  you,  to  eye  you.  Any  little  grace  that  ye  have,  fee  that 
 it  be  found  and  true;  ye  may  put  a  ditTerence  betwixt  you  and  re- 
 probates, if  ye  have  thefe  marks:  i.  If  ye  prize  Chrift  and  his 
 truth  fo,  as  ye  will  fell  all  and  buy  him,  and  fufFer  for  it.  2.  If  the 
 love  of  Chrift  keepeth  you  back  from  finning,  more  than  the  law 
 or  fear  of  hell.  3.  If  ye  be  humble,  and  deny  your  own  will,  wit, 
 credit,  eafe,  honour,  the  world,  and  the  vanity  and  glory  of  it. 
 
 4.  Your  profeflion  muft  not  be  barren,  and  void  of  good  works.- 
 
 5.  Ye  muft  in  all  things  aim  at  God's  honour;  ye  muft  eat, 
 drink,  fleep,  buy,  fell,  fit,  ftand,  fpeak,  pray,  read,  and  hear  the 
 word  with  a  heart-purpofe  that  God  may  be  honoured.  6.  Ye 
 muft  iliew  yourfelf  an  enemy  to  fin,  and  reprove  the  works  of  dark- 
 nefs,  fuch  as  drunkennefs,  fwearing,  and  lying,  albeit  the  company 
 iliould  hate  you  for  fo  doing.  7.  Keep  in  mind  the  truth  of  God, 
 
Epift.  190.1  LETTERS.  28J 
 
 that  ye  heard  mc  teach,  and  have  nothing  to  do  with  tl^e  corrup- 
 tions and  new  guifes  entered  into  the  houie  of  God.  8.  Make  con- 
 fcience  of  your  calling,  in  covenants,  in  buying  and  felling.  9. 
 Acquaint  yourfelf  with  daily  prying;  commit  all  your  ways  and 
 actions  to  God  by  prayer,  fuppiication  and  thankfgiving ;  and 
 xrount  not  much  of  being  mocked  -  for  C'lrift  Jefus  v/as  mocked 
 before  you.  Perfuade  yourfelf,  that  this  is  the  way  of  peace  and 
 comfort  I  now  fuffer  for :  I  dare  go  to  death  and  into  eternity  with 
 it,  though  men  may  pofTibly  feek  another  way.  R.emember  me 
 in  your  prayers,  and  the  ilate  of  this  opprell'ed  church.  Grace  be 
 with  you. 
 
 Aherd,  1637.     *  Tour  fold's  lucH  wijhery     S.  R. 
 
 190.    To  CARDONESS,  elder. 
 
 Much  honoured  Sir^ 
 T  Long  to  hear  how  your  foul  profpereth  :  I  wonder  that  ye  write 
 -■•  not  to  me^  for  the  Holy  Ghoft  bearcth  me  witnefs,  I  cannot, 
 I  dare  not,  I  dow  not  forget  you,  nor  the  fouls  of  thofe  with  you, 
 who  are  redeenied  by  the  blood  of  the  great   Shepherd  ;   ye  are 
 in  my  heart  in  the  night  watches,  ye  are  my  joy  and  crown  in  the 
 day  of  Chrift.    O  Lord,  bear  me  witnefs,  if  my  foul  thirfteth  for 
 any  thing  out  of  heaven,  more  than  for  your  falvation  :  let  God 
 lay  me  in  an  even  balance,  and  try  me  in  this.    Love  heaven,  let 
 your  heart  be  on  it:   up,  up,  and  vifit  the  new  land,  a-nd  view  the 
 fair  city,  and  the  white  throne,  and  the  Lamb,  the  bride's  Huf- 
 i>and,  in  his  Bridegroom's  clothes,  fitting  on  it:  it  were  time,  your 
 foul  caft  itfelf  and  all  your  burdens  upon  Chrift.  i  befcech  you  by 
 the  wounds  of  your  Redeemer,  aiid  by  your  compearance  before 
 him,  and  by  the  falvation  of  your  foul,  lofe  no  more  time;  run  fall, 
 for  it  is  late:   God  hath  fworn  by  himfelf,  who  made  the  world 
 and  time,   That  time  jl?all be  no  more^  Rer.  x.    Ye  are  now  upon 
 the  very  border  of  the  other  life;  your  Lord  cannot  be  blamed  for 
 not  giving  you  warning:   I  have  taught  the  truth  of  Chriil  to  you, 
 and  delivered  unto  you  the  whole  counfcl  of  God,  and  \  have  ftood 
 bcfpre  the  Lord  for  you,  and  I  fhall  yet  (till  ftand.     Awake,  a- 
 wake  to  do  righreoufly.     Think  not  to  be  eafed  of  the  burdens 
 and  debts,  that  are  on  your  houfe,  by  opprelHng  any,  or  being  ri- 
 gorous to  thofe  that  are  under  you:  remember  how  I  endeavour- 
 ed to  walk  before  you  in  this  matter,  as  an  example.     *  liehold, 
 here  am  I,  witnefs  againft  mc,  before  the  Lord,  and  his  anointed, 
 whofe  ox  or  whofc  afs  have  I  taken  ?    whom  have  I  defrauded/ 
 whom  have  I  oppreficd  V  Who  knoweth  ho  v.'  my  foul  feedeth  up- 
 on a  good  confcience,  when  I  remember  how  I  fpent  this  body  in 
 feeding  the  lambs  of  Chrift.'^    At  my  fuft  entry  hither,  I  jjrant,  I 
 
 Na  I 
 
2^4  Mr  RUTHERFOOR D's  Epift.  1 90.] 
 
 took  a  ftomach  againft  my  Lord,  becaufe  be  had  caften  me  over 
 the  dike  of  the  vineyard,  as  a  dry  tree,  and  would  have  no  more  of 
 my  fervicej  my  dumb  iabbaths  broke  my  heart,  and  1  would  not 
 be  comforted :  but  now  he  whom  my  foul  loveth  is  come  again, 
 and  it  pleafeth  him  to  feaft  me  with  the  kifles  of  his  love :  a  King 
 dineth  with  me,  and  his  fpikenard  cafLech  a  fweet  fmell.  The  Lord 
 my  vvitneis  is  above,  that  I  write  my  heart  to  you.  I  never  knew, 
 by  my  nine  years  preaching,  fo  much  01  Ch rift's  love,  as  he  hath 
 taught  me  in  Aberdeen,  by  fix  months  imprifonment.  I  charge 
 you  in  Chrift's  name,  help  me  to  praife,  and  (hew  that  people  and 
 country  the  loving-kindnefs  of  the  Lord  to  my  foul,  that  fo  my 
 iufferings  may  fome  way  preach  to  them  when  1  am  filent.  lie  hath 
 made  me  know  now  better  than  before,  what  it  is  to  be  crucified 
 to  the  world  ;  I  would  not  now  give  a  drink  of  cold  water  for  all 
 the  world's  kindnefs;  I  ov/c  no  fervice  to  it:  I  am.  not  the  fiefli's 
 debtor  i  my  Lord  Jefus  hath  dawied  his  prifoner,  and  hath  thoughts 
 of  love  concerning  me.  I  would  not  exchange  my  fighs,  with  the 
 jaugnlng  of  adverfaries.  Sir,  I  write  this  toinfofm  you,  that  ye 
 may  know,  it  is  the  truth  of  Chrilt  I  now  fufFer  for,  and  he  hath 
 icaied  my  fuiTering  with  the  comiorts  of  his  Spirit  on  my  foul  ; 
 and  knovvhe  putteth  not  his  feai  upon  blank  paper.  Now,  Sir,  I 
 have  no  com.fort  earthly,  but  to  know,  that  I  have  efpoufed,  and 
 fliall  prefent  a  bride  to  Chriii  in  that  congregation.  The  Lord 
 hath  given  you  much,  and  therefore  he  will  require  much  of  you 
 again  j  number  your  talents,  and  fee  what  ye  have  to  render  back 
 again ;  ye  cannot  be  enough  perfuaded  of  the  fliortnefs  of  your 
 time.  I  charge  you  to  write  to  me,  and  in  the  fear  of  God  be  plain 
 with  me,  whether  or  not  ye  have  made  your  falvation  fure  :  I  am 
 confident,  and  hope  the  beft;  but  I  know,  vyour  reckonings  with 
 your  judge  are  many  and  deep.  Sir,  be  not  beguiled,  neglecl  not 
 your  one  tb'ingy  (Phil.  iii.  1 1^.) your  one  nccefjary  things  (Luke  x.  42.) 
 ihe  good  part  that  jIjuH  not  be  taken  from  you.  Look  beyond  time; 
 things  here  are  but  moon-lhine  :  .they  have  but  chiidrens  wit, 
 who  are  delighted  with  ihadows,  and  deluded  with  feathers  flying 
 in  the  air.  Defire  your  children  in  the  morning  of  their  life,  to 
 begin  and  feck  the  Lord,  and  to  remember  their  Creator  in  the  days 
 of  their  yeuth^  (Eccitf.  xii.  i.)  to  cleanfe  their  way^  by  taking  heed 
 thereto  according  to  God^s  laordy  (Pfal.  cxix.  9  )  Youth  is  a  glaffy 
 age,  Satan  finds  a  fwept  chamber  (for  the  moft  part)  in  youth- 
 hood,  and  a  garnilbied  lodging  for  himfelf  and  his  train.  Let  the 
 Lord  have  the  flower  of  their  age  ;  the  bsft  facrifice  is  due  to  him  : 
 inftrucl  them  in  this,  that  they  have  a  foul,  and  that  this  life  is 
 nothing  in  comparifon  of  eternity :  they  will  have  much  need  of 
 God's  conduct  in  this  world,  to  guide  them  by  thofe  rocks  upon 
 -fehich  moft  men  fplit ;  but  far  miorc  need  when  it  cometh  to  the 
 jioui'  ol  death,  and  ihcir  compcafaace  before  Chriii  '  O  that  there 
 
Eplft.  191.]  LETTERS.  25^- 
 
 wcre  fuch  an  heart  in  tbeai,  to  fear  the  name  of  tke  great  and 
 dreadful  God,  v/ho  hath  laid  up  great  things  for  thofe  that  love  and 
 fear  him  1'  I  pray  that  God  may  be  their  portion.  Shew  others  of 
 my  parifliioncrs,  that  I  write  to  them  my  beft  willxes,  and  the  blef- 
 fings  of  their  lawful  paftor;  fay  to  them  from  me.  That  I  befeech 
 them  bv  the  bowels  of  Chrifl,  to  keep  in  mind  the  doctrine  of  our 
 Lord  Jefus  Chrili,  which  1  taught  them  ;  that  fo  they  may  lay 
 hold  on  eternal  life,  (triving  together  for  the  faith  of  the  goipcl, 
 and  making  fure  falvation  to  themfelves.  Walk  in  love,  and  do 
 righteoufnefsj  feek  peace,  love  one  another,  wait  for  the  coming 
 Gi  our  Mailer  and  Judge :  receive  no  doctrine  contrary  to  that 
 which  I  delivered  to  you ;  if  ye  fall  away,  and  forget  it,  and  that 
 catechifm  which  I  taugnt  you,  and  fo  forfike  your  own  mercy,  the 
 Lord  be  Judge  betwixt  you  and  me,  I  take  heaven  and  earth  to 
 witnefs,  that  fuch  Tnall  eternally  periih  -,  but  if  they  ferve  the  Lord, 
 great  will  their  reward  be,  when  th;y  and  1  Ihali  itand  before  our 
 Judge.  Set  forward  up  the  mountain,  to  meet  with  God  j  climb 
 up,  for  your  Saviour  calleth  on  you.  It  may  be  God  will  call  you 
 to  your  rcit,  when  I  a-r.  lar  from  you  :  but  ye  have  my  love,  and 
 the  defires  of  my  heart,  for  your  foul's  welfare.  He  that  is  holy, 
 keep  you  from  falling,  and  cltaDlidi  you,  till  his  own  glorious  ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 jiherdeeriy  Tour  offeElionate  and  lawful  pqflory 
 
 .037.  S.  R. 
 
 191.     To  C APvDONESS,  younger. 
 
 Much  honoured  Sir, 
 T  l^ONGto  hear,  whether  or  not  your  foul  be  hand-fafted  with 
 '*'  Chiilt:  loic  your  time  no  longer,  flee  the  follies  of  youth  : 
 gird  up  the  loin.s  of  your  mind,  and  make  you  ready  for  meeting  the 
 Lord,  1  have  often  fum.moned  you,  and  now  I  fummon  you  again, 
 to  compear  before  your  Judge,  to  make  a  reckoning  of  your  life  j 
 while  ye  have  time,  look  upon  your  papers,  and  confider  your 
 ways  :  '  O  that  there  were  fuch  an  heart  in  you,  as  to  think  what 
 an  ill  conieicncc  will  be  to  you,  when  ye  are  upon  the  border  of 
 eternity,  and  your  one  foot  out  of  time !'  O  then,  ten  thoufand 
 thouland  Hoods  of  tears  cannot  extinguifti  thefe  flames,  or  purchafc 
 to  you  one  hour's  releafe  from  that  pain  !  O  how  fwect  a  day  have 
 ye  had !  But  this  is  a  fair-day  that  runneth  faft  away ;  fee  how 
 ye  have  Ipent  it,  and  confider  the  necellity  of  falvation  ;  and  tell 
 n\e  (in  the  fear  of  Godj  if  ye  have  made  it  fure:  I  am  perfuaded, 
 ye  have  a  confcience  that  will  be  fpeaking  fomewhat  to  you:  why 
 will  ye  die  and  deftroy  yourfelf  ?  I  charge  you  in  Chrift's  name,  to 
 rouze  up  your  confcience,  and  begin  to  indent  and  contrail  with 
 ChiiH  ill  time,  filvatioji  is  in  youi  otl'cr ;  this  is  the  accepted  lime^ 
 
1Z^6  Mr  nUTHERFOORD*s  Epift.  191. 5 
 
 this  is  the  day  of  falvation  :  play  the  merchant,  for  ye  cannot  ex- 
 pect another  market-day  when  this  is  done  ;  therefore  let  me  again 
 befeech  you,  to  confider,  in  this  your  day,  the  things  that  belong 
 to  your  peace,  before  they  be  hid  from  your  eyes.     Dear  brother, 
 fuihi  my  joy,  and  begin  to  feek  the  Lord  while  he  may  be  found : 
 forfake  the  follies  of  deceiving  and  vain  youth  ;   lay  hold  upon  e- 
 ternal  life.    Whoring,  night-drinking,  and  mif  fpending  the  fab^ 
 bath,  and  neglecting  of  prayer  in  your  houfe,  and  refufing  of  an 
 offered  falvation,  will  burn  up  your  foul  with  the  terrors  of  the 
 Almighty,  when  your  awakened  confcience  fliall  flee  in  your  face. 
 Be  kind  and  loving  to  your  wife  :   make  confcience  of  cherilhing 
 her,  and  not  being  rigidly  auftere.  Sir,  I  have  not  a  tongue  to  ex- 
 prefs  the  glory  that  is  laid  up  for  you,   in  your  F^.ther's  houfe,   if 
 ye  reform  your  doings,  and  frame  your  heart  to  return  to  the  Lord. 
 Ye  know,  this  world  is  but  a  fhadow,  a  (hort-living  creature    un- 
 der the  law  of  time ;  within  lefs  than  fifty  years,  when  ye  look 
 back  to  it,  ye  (hail  laugh  at  the  evanifhing  vanities  thereof,  as  fear 
 thers  flying  in  the  air,  and  as  the  houfes  of  fand  within  the  fear 
 mark,  which  the  children  of  men  are  building.     Give  up  with 
 courting  of -this  vain  world  :  feek  not  the  baftard's  moveables,  but 
 the  fon's  heritage  in  heaven.    Take  trial  of  Chrifl:,  look  unto  him, 
 and  his  love  (liall  fo  change  you,  that,  ye  (hall  be  taken  with  him^ 
 and  never  choofe  to  go  from  him.    I  have  experience  of  his  fweet- 
 iiefs,  in  this  houfe  of  my  pilgrimage  here:  my  witnefs,  who  is  a- 
 bove,  knoweth,  I  would  not  exchange"  my  fighs  and  tears,  with 
 the  laughing  of  the  fourteen  prelates:  there  is  nothing  will  make 
 you  a  Chriftian  indeed,  but  a  tafteof  the  fweetncfsof  Chrift;  come 
 and  fee,  will  fpeak  beft  to  your  foul.     I  would  fain  hope  good  of 
 you:  be^ not  difcouraged  at  broken  and  fpilt  refolutions  ;   but  to 
 it,  and  to  it  again  :   v/oo  about  Chrift,  till  ye  get  your  foul  elpou- 
 fed  as  a  chafte  virgin  to  him  ;  ufe  the  means  of  profiting  with  your 
 confcience,  pray  in  your  family,   and  read  the  word ;  remember 
 how  our  Lord's  day  was  fpent  when  I  was  among  you  :  it  will 
 be  a  great  challenge  to  you  before  God,  if  ye  forget,  the  good 
 that  was  done  within  the  walls  of  your  houfe  on  the  Lord's  day, 
 and  if  ye  turn  afide  after  the  fafliions   of  this  world,  and  if  yc 
 go   not   in  time  to  the   kirk,  to  wait   on  the  public  worfnip  of 
 God,  and  if  ye  tarry  not  at  it,  till  all  the  exercifes  of  religion  be 
 ended.     Give  God  fome  of  your  time  both   morning  and  even- 
 ing, and  afternoon  j  and  in  fo  doing,  rejoice  the  heart  pf  a  poor 
 opprefled  prifoner.     Rue  upon  your  own  foul,  and  from   your 
 heart  fear  the  Lord.    Now  he  that  brought  again  from  the  dead 
 the  great  Shepherd  of  his  (heep,  by  the  blood  of  the  eternal  co- 
 venant, eflablilh  your  heart  with  his  grace,  and  prefent  you  be- 
 fore his  prefence  with  joy. 
 
 j^i>efd.  1637.  TQur  affcLiionate  and  loving  pajlsry  S.  R. 
 
Epifl.  192.]  LETTERS.  257 
 
 192.    To  CARLETOUN,     .'", 
 
 Much  honoured  Sir^ 
 T  U'ILL  not  impute  your  not  writing  to  me  to  forgetrulnefs  ? 
 "*■  however,  I  have  one  above  who  forgetteth  me  not;  nay,  he 
 groweth  in  his  kindnefs:  it  hath  pleafed  his  holy  Majefty  to  take 
 me  from  the  pulpit,  and  teach  me  many  things,  in  my  exile  and 
 prifon,  that  were  myfteries  to  me  before:  as,  i.  I  fee  his  bottom- 
 lefs  and  boundlefs  love  and  kindnefs,  and  my  jealoufies  and  raving?, 
 which,  at  m.y  firft  entry  into'this  furnace,  were  fo  foolifh  and  bold, 
 as  to  fay  to  Chrilt  who  is  truth  itfelf,  in  his  face,  Thou  lieft.  \ 
 had  well  nigh  loft  my  grips:  I  wondered  if  it  was  Chriil  or  not; 
 for  the  mift  and  fmoke  of  my  perturbed  heart  made  me  miftake  my 
 Mafter  Jefus:  my  faith  was  dim,  and  hope  frozen  and  cold  ;  and 
 my  love,  which  caufed  jealoufies,  had  fome  warmnefs,  and  heat, 
 and  fmoke,  but  ho  flame  at  all  •,  yet  I  was  looking  for  fome  good  of 
 Chrift's  old  claim  to  me.  I  thought,  I  had  forfeited  all  my  rights  v 
 but  the  tempter  was  too  much  upon  my  counfels,  and  was  ftill 
 blowing  the  coal:  alas!  I  knew  not  well  before,  how  good  fkill 
 my  Interceffor  and  Advocate,  Chrift,  hath  of  pleading  and  par- 
 doning me  fuch  follies.  Now  he  is  returned  to  my  foul  with  heal- 
 ing under  his  wings;  and  I  am  nothing  behind  with  Chrift  now, 
 for  he  hath  overpaid  me,  by  his  prefence,  the  pain  I  was  put  ta 
 by  on-waiting,  and  any  little  lofs  I  fuftained  by  my  witneiTing  a- 
 gainftthe  wrongs  done  to  him.  I  trow,  it  was  a  pain  to  my  Lord 
 to  hide  himfelf  any  longer;  in  a  manner,  he  was  challenging  his 
 own  unkindnefs,  and  repented  him  of  his  glooms  :  and  now,  what 
 want  I  on  earth,  that  Chrift  can  give  to  a  poor  prifoner !  O  how 
 fweet  and  lovely  is  he  now  !  Alas,  that  I  can  get  none  to  help  me 
 to  lift  up  my  Lord  Jefus  upon  his  throne,  above  all  the  earth  !  2. 
 I  am  now  brought  to  fome  meafure  of  fubmiflion,  and  I  refolve  to 
 wait  till  I  fee  what  my  Lord  Jefus  will  do  with  me  :  I  dare  not 
 now  nick-name  or  fpeak  one  word  againft  the  all-feeing  and  over- 
 watching  providence  of  my  Lord.  I  fee,  providence  runneth  not 
 on  broken  wheels ;  but  I,  like  a  fool,  carved  a  providence  for 
 mine  own  eafe,  to  die  in  m,y  neft,  and  to  fieep  ftill  till  my  gray 
 hairs,  and  to  ly  on  the  funny  fide  of  the  mountain,  in  my  miniftry 
 at  Anwoth  :  but  now,  I  h^ve  nothing  to  fay  againft  a  borrowed 
 fire-fide,  and  another  man's  houfe,  nor  Kedar's  tents,  where  I  live, 
 being  removed  far  from  my  acquaintance,  my  lovers  and  my  friends : 
 I  fee,  God  hnth  the  world  on  his  wheels,  and  cafteth  it  as  a  pot- 
 ter doth  a  vefiel  on  the  wheel.  I  dare  not  fay  that  there  is  any  in- 
 ordinate or  irregular  motion  in  providence;  the  Lord  hath  done 
 it :  I  will  not  go  to  law  with  Chrift,  for  I  would  gain  nothing  of 
 that.    3.  I  Ujve  learned  fome  greater  mortification,  and  not  to 
 
28^  Mr  RUTHSRFOORD's  Epifl:.  193.] 
 
 mourn  after,  or  feek  to  fuck  the  world's  dry  breafts  ;  nay,  my 
 Lord  hath  filled  me  vtith  fuch  dainties,  that  I  am  like  to  a  full  ban- 
 queter, who  is  nor  for  common  cheer.  What  have  I  to  do  to  fall 
 down  upon  my  knees,  and  worfhip  mankind's  great  idol,  the  world  ? 
 I  have  a  better  God  than  any  clay-god ;  nav,  at  prefent,  as  I  am 
 now  difpofed,  I  care  not  much  to  give  this  world  a  difcharge  of 
 my  life-rent  of  it,  for  bread  and  water:  I  know  it  is  not  my  home, 
 nor  my  Father's  houfe  ;  it  is  but  his  footrtool,  the  outei-ciofe  of 
 his  houfe,  his  out-fields,  and  muir-ground:  let  baftards  take  if,  I 
 hope  never  to  think  myfelf  in  its  common,  for  honour  or  riches  : 
 nay  now,  I  fay  to  laughter,  thou  ars  madnefs.  4.  I  firid  it  moft 
 true,  that  the  greateft  temptation  out  of  hell,  is,  to  live  without 
 temptations  ;  if  my  waters  fhould  ftand,  they  would  rot:  faith  is 
 the  better  of  the  free  air,  and  of  the  fliarp  winter-florm  in  its  face; 
 grace  withereth  without  adverfity :  the  devil  is  but  God's  maftcr- 
 fencer,  to  teach  us  to  handle  our  weapons.  5.  I  never  knew  how 
 weak  I  was,  till  now,  when  he  hideth  himfelf,  and  when  I  have 
 him  to  feek  feven  times  a  day.  I  am  a  dry  and  withered  branch, 
 and  a  piece  of  a  dead  carcafe,  dry  bones,  and  notable  to  Hep  over 
 a  ftraw :  the  thoughts  of  m.y  old  fms  are  as  the  fummons  of  death 
 to  me  ;  and  of  late  my  brother's  cafe  hath  ftricken  me  to  the  heart; 
 when  my  wounds  are  clofmg,  a  little  riffle  caufeth  them  to  bleed 
 afrefii:  fo  thin-(kinned  is  my  foul,  that  1  think,  it  is  like  a  tender 
 man's  fkin,  that  may  touch  nothing:  ye  f««,  how'fliort  I  would 
 ihoot  of  the  prize,  if  his  grace  were  not  iuiXicient  for  me.  Wo  is 
 me  for  the  day  of  Scotland,  wo,  wo  is  me  for  my  harlor-mother; 
 for  the  decree  is  gone  forth :  womeu'of  this  land  lba*l  call  the 
 childlefs  and  mifcarrying  wombs  blefied.  The  anger  of  the  Lord  . 
 is  gone  forth,  and  Ihall  not  return,  till  he  perform  the  purpofe  of 
 his  heart  againfl  Scotland :  yet  he  (hall  make  Scotland  a  new  flvarp 
 inllrument  having  teeth,  to  threfh  the  mountains,  and  fan  the  hills 
 as  chaff.  The  prifoner's  bleffing  be  upon  you. 
 
 yiberd.  March  14.  Tours  in  his  fiveet  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 193.    To  the  Lady  BUSBIE. 
 
 Mijirefs, 
 
 I  Know,  ye  are  thinking  fometlmes  what  Chrift  is  doing  in  Zion, 
 and  that  the  haters  of  Zion  may  get  the  bottom  of  our  cup, 
 and  the  burning  coals  of  our  furnace,  that  we  have  been  tried  in 
 thofe  many  years  by-gone.  O  that  this  nation  would  be  awaken- 
 ed, to  crv  mightily  unto  God,  for  the  fetting  up  of  a  new  taber- 
 nacle to  Chrill  in  Scotland.  O  if  this  kingdom  knew  how  worthy 
 Chrift  were  of  his  room  !  His  worth  was  ever  above  man's  ellima- 
 tion  of  him.  And  for  myft^if,  I  am  pained  at  the  heart,  that  I  can- 
 
Epift.  193-]  LETTERS.  iSg^ 
 
 not  find  myfelf  difpofed  to  leave  myfelf,  and  go  wholly  in  to  Chrift; 
 alas  that  there  fhould  be  one  bit  of  me  out  of  him,  and  that  we  leave 
 too  much  liberty  and  latitude  for  ourfelves,  and  our  own  eafe, 
 and  credit,  and  pleafures,  and  fo  little  room  for  all  love-worthy 
 Chrift  !  O  what  pains  and  charges  it  cofteth  Chrift  ere  he  get  us! 
 and  when  all  is  done  wc  are  not  worth  the  having  :   it  is  a  won-" 
 der,  that  he  ftiould  feekthe  like  of  us  :  but  love  overlooketh  black- 
 ncfs  and  fecklefnefs  ;  for  if  it  had  not  been  fo,  Chrift  would  never 
 have  made  fo  fair  and  blcfTed  a  bargain  v/ith  us»  as  the  covenant 
 of  grace  is.  I  find,  that  in  all  our  mfFerings,  Chrift  is  but  ridding 
 marches,  that  every  one  of  us  may  fay,  mine  and  thine,  and  that 
 men  may  know  by  their  crofles,  how  weak  a  bottom  nature  is  to 
 ftand  upon  in  a  trial ;  that  then  which  our  Lord  intendeth,   in  all 
 our  fufFerings,  is  to  bring  grace  in  court  and  requeft  amongft  us: 
 I  would  fuccumband  come  fliort  of  heaven,  if  I  h..d  no  more  but 
 my  own  ftrength  to  fupport  me;  and  if  Chrilt  (liould  fay  to  me» 
 either  do  or  die,  it  were  eafy  to  determine,  what  fhould  become  of 
 me:  the  choice  were  eafy,  for  I  behoved  to  die,  if  Chrift  ftiould 
 pafs  by  with  ftraitened  bowels  j  and  who  then  ftiould  take  us  up  in 
 our  Itraits  ?  I  know,  wc  may  fay,  Chrift  is  kindeft  in  his  love, 
 when  we  are  at  our  weakeft ;  and  that  if  Chrift  had  not  been  to 
 the  fore,  in  our  fad  days,  the  waters  had  gone  over  our  foul.  His 
 mercy  hath  a  fet  period  and  appointed  a  place,  how  far,  and  no 
 further  the  fea  of  afflicflion  fhall  flow,  and  where  the  waves  there- 
 of ftiall  be  ftayed  :  he^prefcribeth  how  much  pain  and  forrow,  both 
 for  weight  and  meafure,   we  muft  have  ;  ye  have  then  good  caufc 
 to  recal  your  love  from  all  lovers,  and  give  it  to  Chrift  :  he  who  is 
 afflid:ed  in  all  your  afflictions,  looketh  not  on  you,  in  your  fad  hours, 
 with  an  infenfible  heart  or  dry  eyes.     All  the  Lord's  faints  may 
 fee,  that  it  is  loft  love,  which  is  beftowed  upon  this  peri  filing  v;orld  : 
 death  and  judgment  will  make  men  lament,  that  ever  their  mif- 
 carrying  hearts  carried  them  to  lay  and  Javifh  out  their  love,  upon 
 falfe  appearances  and  night-dreams.    Alas  !  that  Chrift  fhould  fare 
 the  worfe,  becaufe  of  his  own  goodnefs,  in  making  peace  and  the 
 gofpel  to  ride  together;   and  that  we  have  never  yet  weighed  the 
 worth  of  Chrift  in  his  ordinances  -,  and  that  now  we  are  like  to  be 
 deprived  of  the  well,  ere  we  have  tafted  the  fweetnefs  of  the  wa- 
 ter:  it  may  be  with  watery  eyes,  and  a  wet  face,  and  wearied  feet, 
 we  feek  Chrift,  and  ftiall   not  find  him.     Oh  that  this  land  were 
 humbled  in  time,  and  by  prayers,  cries  and  humiliation  would  bring 
 Chrift  hi  at  the  church  door  again,  now  when  his  back  is  turned 
 towards  us,  and  he  is  gone  to  the  threfliold,  and  his  one  foot  (as 
 it  were)  is  out  of  the  door !   I  am  fure  his  departure  is  our  defci v 
 iiig.   we  have  bought  it  with  our  iniquities  •,  Tor  even  the  Lord't 
 own  children  are  fallen  afleep  :  and  alas !  profeflbrs  are  made  all 
 of  iiiewj  and  fafliions,  aod  are  not  at  pains  to  recover  ihcmfelve^ 
 
290  llr  nUTHERFOORD'i  Eplft.  194.5 
 
 again.  Every  one  hath  his  fet  meafure  of  faith  and  holinefs.  and 
 contenteth  himfelf  with  a  ftinted  meafure  of  godlinefs,  as  if  that 
 were  enough  to  bring  them  to  heaven :  wc  forget  that  as  our  gifts 
 and  light  grow,  fo  God's  gain  and  the  intereft  of  his  talents  fliould 
 grow  alfo  i  and  that  we  cannot  pay  God  with  the  old  ufe  and 
 wont  (as  we  ufe  to  fpeak)  which  we  gave  him  feven  years  ago; 
 for  this  were  to  mock  the  Lord,  and  to  make  price  with  him  as  we 
 lift.  O  what  difficulty  is  there  in  our  Chriftian  journey  !  and  how 
 often  come  we  fliort  of  many  thoufand  things  that  are  Chrift's 
 due  !  andwe  confider  not  how  far  our  dear  Lord  is  behind  with 
 us.  Miftrefs",  I  cannot  render  you  thanks,  as  I  would,  for  your 
 kindnefs  to  my  brother,  an  opprefled  ftrangcr ;  but  I  remember 
 you  unto  the  Lord,  as  I  am  able :  I  entreat  you,  think  upon  me> 
 his  prifoner,  and  pray  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleafed  to  give  me 
 room  to  fpeak  to  his  people  in  his  name.  Grace,  grace  be  with 
 you. 
 
 Jberd.   1636*  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  and  Mafier, 
 
 S.  IL 
 
 194.    To  Y\]]J^OOTiy  younger. 
 
 Much  honoured  Siry 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Upon  the  report  of  thiV 
 ^^  worthy  bearer  concerning  you,  I  thought  good  to  fpeak  a 
 word  to  you:  it  is  enough  for  acquaintance,  that  we  are  one  ia 
 Chrift.  My  earneft  defire  to  you  is,  that  ye  would,  in  the  fear  of 
 God,  compare  your  inch  and  hand-breadth  of  time  with  vaft  eter- 
 nity, and  your  thoughts  of  this  now  fair,  blooming  and  green  world, 
 with  the  thoughts  ye  (hall  have  of  it,  when  corruption  and  worms 
 ihall  make  their  houfes  in  your  eye-holes,  and  fliall  eat  your  flefti, 
 and  make  that  body  dry-bones  :  if  ye  fo  do,  I  know  then,  that 
 your  light  of  this  world's  vanity  lliall  be  more  clear,  than  now  it 
 is  j  and  I  am  perfuaded  ve  fhall  then  think,  that  mens  labours  for 
 this  clay-idol  are  to  be  laughed  at.  Therefore  come  near,  and  take 
 a  view  of  that  tranfparent  beauty  that  is  in  Chrift,  which  would 
 bufy  the  love  of  ten  thoufand  millions  of  worlds  and  angels,  and 
 hold  them  all  at  work :  furely  I  am  grieved,  that  men  will  not 
 fpend  their  whole  love  upon  that  royal  and  princely  Well-beloved, 
 that  high  End  lofty  one  i  for  it  is  curfed  love  that  runneth  another 
 way  than  upon  him.  And  for  myfelf,  if  I  had  ten  loves  and  ten  fouls, 
 O  how  glad  would  1  be,  if  he  would  break  in  upon  me,  4jid  take 
 pofteffion  of  them  all !  Wo,  wo  is  me,  that  he  and  I  are  fo  far  afun- 
 der !  I  hope,  we  fhall  be  in  one  country  and  one  houfe  together. 
 Truly  pau!  of  love-rickncfs  for  Jefus,  maketh  me  to  think  it  long, 
 long,  long  to  the  dawning  of  that  day.  Oh  that  he  would  cut  fhort 
 years  and  months  and  hows,  and  over-leap  time,  that  we  might 
 
Epjft.  195]  LETTERS.  2^£ 
 
 meet !   And  for  this  truth,  Sir,  that  ye  profefs,  I  avow  before  the 
 world  of  men  and  angels,  that  it  is  the  way,  and  the  only  way,  to 
 our  country,  the  reft  are  by-ways  ;  and  that  what  1  fuffer  for,  is  the 
 apple  of  Chriit's  eye,  even  his  tionoiir  as  Lawgiver  and  King  of 
 his  church,  i  think  death  too  little  ere  I  forfook  it.  Do  not,  Sir,  I 
 befeech  you  in  the  Lord,  make  Chrift's  court  thinner  by  drawing 
 back  from  him  ;  it  is  too  thin  already ;  for  I  dare  pledge  my  hea- 
 ven upon  it,  he  fhall  win  this  plea,  and  the  fools  that  plea  againlt 
 him  Ihall  lofe  the  wager,  which  i^  their  part  of  falvation,  except 
 they  take  better  heed  to  their  ways.    Sir,  free  grace  that  we  give 
 no  hire  for,  is  a  jewel  our  Lord  giveth  to  few.    Stand  faft  in  the 
 hope  ye  are  called  unto:  our  Mafter  will  rend  the  clouds,  and 
 Aviil  be  upon  us  quickly,  and  clear  our  caufe,  and  bring  us  ail  out 
 in  our  blacks  and  whites.  Clean,  clean  garments  in  the  Bridegroom's 
 eye,  are  of  great  worth :    ftep  over  this  band-breadth  of  woHd^s 
 j^Jory,  in  to  our  Lord's  new  y/orld  of  grace,  and  ye  will  laugh  at 
 ihe  feathers  that  children  are  chafing  in  the  air.     I  verily  judge, 
 ihat  thefe  inns,  men  are  building  their  neft  in,  is  not  worth  a  drink 
 of  cold  water.    It  is  a  rainy  and  fmoky  houle;  beft  wc  come  out 
 of  it,  left  we  be  choked  with  the  fmoke  thereof.   O  that  my  adver- 
 faries  knew  how  fweet  my  fighs  for  Chrift  are,  and  what  it  were 
 for  a  finner  to  lay  his  head  between  Chrift's  breafts,  and  to  be  o- 
 ver  head  and  ears  in  Chrift's  love  \  Alas,  I  cannot  caufe  paper  fpeak 
 the  height  and  breadth  and  depth  of  it !   1  have  not  a  balance  to 
 weigh  my  Lord  Jefus*s  worth  :  heaven,  ten   heavens  would  not 
 be  the  beam  of  a  balance,  to  weigh  him  in.  I  muft  give  over  praif- 
 ing  of  him  j  angels  fee  but  littk  of  him  :  O  it  that  fair  one  would 
 take  offthe  malk  off  his  fair  face,  that  I  might  lee  him  :  a  kifs  of 
 him  through  his  mafk  is  half  a  heaven.    *  O  day,  dawn  !  O  time, 
 run  faft  !   O  Bridegroom,  poft,  poft  faft,  that  we  may  meet  !   O 
 heavens,  cleave  in  two,  that  that  bright  face  awd  head  may  fet  it- 
 Ifelf  through  the  clouds  !"  O  that  the  corn  were  ripe,  and  this  world 
 prepared  for  his  hook!     Sir,   be  pleafed  to  remember  a  prifoner's 
 bonds.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberd.  July  10.  Tours  in  his  fwcct  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 Y 
 
 195.    To  Mr.  HUGH  MACK  AIL. 
 
 My  very  dear  Brother^ 
 
 E  know,  that  men  may  take  their  fweet  fill  of  the  four  law, 
 in  grace's  ground  j  and  Sjtwixt  the  Mediator's  breafts  and 
 this,  is  finners  fafeft  way;  for  there  is  a  bed  for  wearied  finners 
 to  reft  them  in,  in  the  new  covenant,  though  no  bed  of  Chrift's 
 making  to  flecp  in.  The  law  ftiall  never  be  my  doomfter,  by 
 Chrift's  grace,  if  1  get  no  more  good  of  it^  I  fiiali  find  a  lure 
 
 Co  ; 
 
292  Mr  RUTffERFOORD*s  Epift.  196.I 
 
 <?noiigh  doom  in  the  gofpe),  to  humble  and  to  caft  me  down  :  it  is 
 (I  grant)  a  good  rough  friend,  to  follow  a  traitor  to  the  bar,  and 
 to  back  him,  till  he  come  to  Chrift.  We  may  blame  ourfelves, 
 ■who  caufe  the  law  to  crave  well-paid  debt,  to  fear  us  away  from 
 Jefus,  and  difpute  about  a  righteouinefs  of  our  own,  a  world  iri 
 the  moon,  a  chimera,  and  a  night-dream,  that  pride  is  father  and 
 mother  to:  there  cannot  be  a  more  humble  foul  than  a  believer;  it 
 3S  no  pride  for  a  drowning  man  to  catch  hold  of  a  rock.  I  rejoice 
 that  the  wheels  of  this  confufed  world  are  rolled,  and  cogged,  and 
 driven  according  as  our  Lord  will.  Out  of  whatever  airth  the 
 wind  blow,  it  will  blow  us  on  our  Lord  :  no  wiad  can  blow  our 
 fails  over-board;  becaufe  Chrift's  fkill,  and  the  honour  of  his  wif- 
 dom,  are  empawned  and  laid  down  at  the  ftake  for  the  fea-paflen- 
 gers,  that  he  fhall  put  them  fafe  off  his' hand  on  the  (hore,  in  his 
 Father's  known  bounds,  our  native  home-ground.  My  dear  bro- 
 ther, ffar  not  at  the  crofs  of  Chrift:  it  is  not  feen  yet  what  Chrift 
 •will  do  for  you,  when  it  cometh  to  the  worft ;  he  will  keep  his 
 grace  till  ye  be  at  a  flrait,  and  then  bring  forth  the  decreed  birth 
 For  your  falvation.  Ye  are  an  arrow  of  his  own  making,  let  him 
 flioot  you  againfl  a  wall  of  brais,  your  point  ihall  keep  whole.  I 
 cannot,  for  multitude  of  letters,  and  diitra6tion  of  friends,  prepare 
 what  I  would  for  the  times  :  I  have  not  one  hour  of  fpare  time, 
 fuppofe  the  day  were  forty  hours  long.  Remember  me  in  prayer. 
 Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberd.  Sept.  5.  1^37.  Yours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jcfus^  S.  R. 
 
 196.    To  his  reverend  and  dear  brother ,    Mr,  DAVID 
 DICKSON. 
 
 My  reverend  and  dear  brother ^ 
 T  Fear  ye  have  never  known  me  well:  if  ye  faw  my  inner-fide, 
 •*•  it  is  pofTible  ye  would  pity  me  ;  but  ye  would  hardly  give  me 
 either  love  or  refpecl :  men  miftake  me  the  whole  length  of  the 
 heavens  ;  my  fins  prevail  over  me,  and  the  terrors  of  their  guilti- 
 nefs.  I  am  put  often  to  afk,  if  Chrift  and  I  did  ever  fliake  hands 
 t'^>gether  in  earneft;  1  mean  not,  that  my  feaft-days  are  quite  gone: 
 but  f  am  made  of  extremities.  I  pray  God  ye  never  have  the  woful 
 a!id  dreary  experience  of  a  clofed  mouth;  for  then  ye  fliall  judge 
 the  fparrows,  that  may  fing  in  the  church  of  Irving,  blefTed  birds ; 
 but  my  foul  hath  been  refrefhed  and  watered,  when  I  hear  of  your 
 courage  and  zeal  for  your  never  enough-praifed,  praifed  Mafter,  in 
 that  ye  put  the  men  of  God,  cha^':d  out  of  Ireland,  to  work.-  O 
 if  I  could  confirm  you  I  I  dare  fay,  in  God's  prefence,  *  That  this 
 llrall  never  haften  yourfuffering,  but  fliall  be  David  Dickfon's  feaft 
 and  fpeaking  joy,  that  while  hehad^time  and  leifure,  he  put  many 
 to  work^  to  lift  up  Jefus  his  fweet  Mailer,  high  in  the  Ikies.'   Q 
 
Epift.  197.]  LETTERS.  293 
 
 man  of  God,  go  on,  go  on,  be  valiant  for  that  Plant  of  renown, 
 for  that  Chief  among  ten  thoufands,  for  that  Prince  of  the  kings 
 of  the  earth.  It  is  but  little  that  I  know  of  God  •,  yet  t^is  1  dare 
 write,  Chrift  fhall  be  glorified  in  David  Dickfon,  howbeit  Scot- 
 land be  not  gathered.  I  am  pained,  pained,  that  I  have  not  more 
 to  give  my  fweet  Bridegroom  :  his  comforts  to  me  are  not  dealt 
 with  a  niggard's  hand,  but  I  would  fain  learn  not  to  idolize  com- 
 fort, fenfe,  joy,  and  fweet  felt  prefence ;  all  thefe  are  but  crea- 
 tures, and  nothing  but  the  kingly  robe,  the  gold  ring  and  the 
 bracelets  of  the  Bridegroom  ;  the  Bridegroom  himfelf  is  better  than 
 all  the  ornaments  that  are  about  him.  Now,  I  would  not  fo  much 
 have  thefe,  as  God  himfelf,  and  to  be  fwallowed  up  of  love  to 
 Chrift.  I  fee,  in  delighting  in  a  communion  with  Chrift,  we  may 
 make  more  gods  than  one  ;  but  however,  all  was  but  bairns- 
 play  between  Chrift  and  me,  till  now.  If  one  would  have  fworn 
 unto  me,  I  would  not  have  believed  what  may  be  found  in  Chrift. 
 1  hope,  ye  pity  my  pain  that  much,  in  my  prifon,  as  to  help  me 
 yourfclf,  and  to  caufe  others  help  me,  a  dyvour,  a  fmfal  wretched 
 dyvour,  to  pay  fome  of  my  debts  of  praife  to  my  great  King.  Let 
 my  God  be  judge  and  witnefs,  if  my  foul  would  not  have  fweet 
 eaie  and  comfort,  to  have  many  hearts  confirmed  in  Chrift,  and 
 enlarged  with  his  love,  and  many  tongues  fet  on  work  to  fct  on 
 high  my  royal  and  princely  Well-beloved.  O  that  my  fufFerings 
 could  pay  tribute  to  fuch  a  King  !  I  have  given  over  wondering 
 at  his  love ;  for  Chrift  hath  manifefted  a  piece  of  art  upon  me, 
 that  I  never  revealed  to  any  liviiig  :  he  hath  gotten  fair  and  rich 
 employment,  and  fweet  fale,  and  a  goodly  market  for  his  ho- 
 nourable calling  of  fhewing  mercy  on  me  the  chief  of  finners. 
 Every  one  knoweth  not  fo  well  as  I  do,  my  wofully  often  bro- 
 ken covenants,  my  fins  againft  light,  working  in  the  very  aiSl:  of 
 finning,  have  been  met  with  admirable  mercy  :  but  alas  !  he 
 will  get  nothing  back  agai^n,  but  wretched  uuthankfulnefs.  I 
 am  fure,  if  Chrift  pity  any  thing  in  me,  next  to  my  fin,  it  is  pain 
 of  love  for  an  arm-full  and  foul-full  of  himfelf,  in  faith,  love,  and 
 begun  fruition  :  my  forrow  is,  that  I  cannot  get  Chrift  lifted  off 
 the  duft  in  Scotland,  and  fet  on  high,  above  all  the  fKies,  and 
 heaven  of  heavens. 
 
 j^berd.  May  i .  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 197.     To  his  reverend  and  dear  brother^  Mr.  JOHN 
 LIVINGSTON. 
 
 My  reverend  and  dear  brother ^ 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  long  to  hear  from  you. 
 ^^  and  to  be  refrefhed  w-th  the  comforts  of  the  bride  of  our  Lor^l 
 
$94  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  197.3 
 
 Jefus  in  Ireland.  1  fufFer  with  you  in  grief,  for  the  d^fh  that  you^ 
 defires  to  be  at  N.  E.  have  received  of  late;  but  if  our  Lord,  who 
 liath  (kill  to  bring  up  his  children,  had  not  feen  it  your  beft,  it 
 Ihould  have  not  befallen  you :  hold  your  peace,  and  ftay  yourfelf 
 upon  the  holy  One  of  Ifrael  :  hearken  what  he  faith  in  croffing 
 of  your  defires,  he  will  fpeak  peace  to  his  people.     I  am  here  re- 
 moved from  my  flock,  and  filenced,  and  confined  in  Aberdeen, 
 for  the  teftimony  of  Jefus ;  and  I  have  been  confined  in  fpiritalfo 
 with  defertions  and  challenges :  i  gave  in  a  bill  of  quarrels,  and 
 complaints  of  unkindnefs,  againft  Chrift,  who  feemed  to  caft  me 
 over  the  dike  of  the  vineyard,  as  a  dry  tree,  and  feparated  me  from 
 the  Lord's  inheritance :  but  high,  high  and  loud  praifes  be  to  our 
 royal  crowned  King  in  Zion,   that  he  hath  not  burnt  the  dry- 
 branch  :  I  fhall  yet  live,  and  fee  his  glory.  Your  mother-church, 
 for  her  whoredom,   is  like  to  be  caft  off:  the  bairns  may  break 
 their  heart,  to  fee  fuch  chiding  betwixt  the  hufband  and  the  wife. 
 Our  clergy  is  upon  a  reconciliation  with  the  Lutherans,  and  the 
 do£lors  are  writing  books,  and  drawing  up  a  common  confeffion, 
 at  the  Council's  command.    Our  fervicc-book  is  proclaimed  with 
 found  of  trumpet:  ths  night  is  fallen  down  upon  the  prophets  ; 
 Scotland's  day  of  vifitation  is  come :  it  is  time  for  the  bride  to 
 weep,  while  Chrifl  is  a-faying.  He  will  choofe  another  wife  :  buc 
 our  Iky  will  clear  again ;  the  dry-branch  of  cut  down  Lebanon 
 will  bud  again  and  be  glorious,  and  they  fhall  yet  plant  vines  upon 
 our  mountains.     Now,  my  dear  brother,  I  write  to  your  for  this 
 end,  that  ye  may  help  me  to  praife,  and  feek  help  of  others  with 
 you,  that  God  may  be  glorified  in  my  bonds.  My  Lord  Jefus  hath 
 taken  the  withered  dry-ltranger,  and  his  broken-in-heart  prifoner, 
 into  his  houfe  of  wine.    O  !  O!  If  ye,  and  ail  Scotland,  and  all 
 our  brethren  with  you,  knew  how  I  am  feafted !    Chrift's  honey- 
 combs drop  comforts  :  he  dineth  with  his  prifoner,  and  the  King's 
 fpikenard  cafteth  a  fmell.     The  devil  cannot  get  it  denied,  but 
 we  fuffer  for  the  apple  of  Chrifl:*s  eye,  his  royal  prerogatives,  as 
 King  and  Law-giver;  let  us  not  fear  or  faint.     He  will  have  his 
 gofpel  once  again  roupcd  in  Scotland,  and  have  the  matter  going 
 to  voices,   to  fee  who  will  fay,  Let  Chrifl  be  crowned  Kmg  in 
 Scotland  :  it  is  true,  Antichrift  flirreth  his  tail :  but  I  love  a  rumb- 
 ling and  raging  devil  in  the  kirk  (fince  the  church  militant  can- 
 not or  may  not  want  a  devil  to  trouble  her)  rather  than  a  fubtile 
 or  fleeping  devil :  Chrifl  never  yet  got  a  bride  without  ftroke  of 
 fvvord ;  it  is  now  nigh  the  Bridegroom's  entering  into  his  cham- 
 ber, let   us  awake  and  go   in  with  him  :  I  bear  your  name  to 
 Chrifl's  door ;  I  pray  you,  dear  brother,  forget  me  not:  let  me 
 hear  from  you  by  a  letter,  and  I  charge  you,  fmothcr  not  Chrifl's 
 bounty  towards  me :  I  write  what  I  have  found  of  him,  in  the 
 houfe  of  my  pilgrimage.     Remember  my  love  to  all  our  brethren 
 
Epift.  198,  I99-]  LETTERS,  2^^ 
 
 and  fifters  there.     The  keeper  of  the  vineyard  watch  for  his  be- 
 Ceged  city,  and  for  you. 
 
 Aberd,  Feb.  7.  1637.      Tour  brother  and fellow-fufferer^  S.  R. 
 
 198.     To  Mr.  EPHRAIM  MELVIL. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother ^ 
 T  Received  your  letter,  and  am  contented  with  all  my  heart,  that 
 "'•  our  acquaintance  in  our  Lord  continue.  I  am  wreftling,  as  I 
 dow,  up  the  mount  with  Chrift's  crofs :  my  Sccon,d  is  kind,  and 
 able  to  help.  As  for  your  queftions,  becaufe  of  my  manifold  di- 
 ftra£tion9,  and  letters  to  multitudes,  I  have  not  time  to  anfwer 
 them  :  what  (hall  be  faid  in  common  for  that,  (hall  be  imparted  to 
 you:  for  I  am  upon  thefe  queftions :  therefore  fpare  me  a  little, 
 for  th€  Service-book  would  take  a  great  time,  but  I  think,  Sicut 
 deofculatio  religiofa  imaginis,  aut  etimn  elementorum,  eft  infe  idola- 
 tria  externa,  etftintentio  deo/culandi,  tota^  qua?ita  in  a5lu  eft.fera^ 
 tur  in  Deum  rpoUvriv ;  ita  geniculatio  coram  pane^  qua?ido,  nempe^ 
 ex  inftitutio  totus  homo  externus  b  intermis  verfari  debeat  circa  ele^ 
 mentaria  ftgna^  eft  adoratio  rclativay  6"  adoratio  ipftiis  panis,  Ra^ 
 tio ;  intentio  adorandi  objeElum  materiale,  non  eft  de  eftentia  exteruit 
 adorationiSj  ut  patet  in  deoftulatione  religiofa.  Sic  geniculatio  coram 
 imagine  Babylonica  eft  externa  adoratio  imaginis  ^etft  tres  pueri  ments 
 intendijfent  adorare  Jehovam.  Sic  qui  ex  metu  jolo,  aut  fpe  pretii^ 
 aut  inanis  gloriae,  geniculatur  coram  aureo  vitulo  Jercboami,  (quod 
 ab  ipfo  rege,  qui  nulla  religione  indu5lus ,  fed  libidine  dominandi  tan' 
 turn  vitulum  erexit,faE}itatum  effcy  textus  fatis  luculenter  claniat) 
 adorat  vitulum  externa  adoraticne ;  eft  quod  putaret  vitulum  effe 
 meram  creaturam,  <b  ho7iore  nullo  dignum  :  quia  geniculatioyftve  nos 
 nolumus,  five  volumus  ex  inftituto  Dei  ij  naturce^  in  aFru  religiofo, 
 eft  fymbolum  religiofa  adorationis :  ErgOyficiit  panis  ftgnijicat  corpus 
 Chri/tiy  etfi  abfit  alius  cmnis  ncftra  intent ioni s  ;  ftc  religiofa  genicu~ 
 latio,  fublata  omni  intentionc  humana,  eft  externa  adoratio  panis^ 
 coram  quo  adoramuSy  itt  coram  figno  vicario  <b  reprefentativo  Dei^ 
 Thus  recommeding  you  to  God's  tender  mercy,  I  defire  that  ye 
 would  remember  me  to  God.  San£lification  (hall  fettle  you  mod 
 in  the  truth.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberd.  1637.  Tour  brother  in  Chrift  Jefus^     S.  R. 
 
 1 99.     To  a  Gentlewoman  upon  the  death  of  her  Husband, 
 Miftrefs, 
 OR  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.   I  cannot  but  rejoice,  and 
 ^-^  withal  be  grieved,  at  your  c:ik:  It  harh  pleafed  the  Lord  to 
 remove  your  hufband  (my  friend,  and  this  kirk's  faithful  profefTor) 
 (oon  to  his  reft  j  but^  Qiall  we  be  forry  that  our  lofs  is  his  gain,  feeing 
 
296  Ut  RUTHERFOORD'b,  Epift.  199.J 
 
 his  Lord  would  want  his  company  no  longer?  Think  not  much 
 of  fhort  fummons;  for,  feeing  he  walked  with  his  Lord  in  his  life, 
 and  defired  that  Chrift  fhould  be  magnified  in  him  at  his  death,  ye 
 ought  to  be  filent  and  fatisfied.  When  Chrift  cometh  for  his  own, 
 he  runneth  faft :  mercy,  mercy  to  the  faints  goeth  not  at  leifure ; 
 love,  love  in  our  Redeemer  is  not  flow,  and  withal  he  is  homely 
 with  you,  who  cometh  at  his  own  hand  to  your  houfe,  and  intro- 
 mitteth,  as  a  friend,  with  any  thing  that  is  yours :  I  think,  he  would 
 fain  borrow  and  lend  with  you.    Now  he  (hall  meet  with  the  fo- 
 lacious  company,  the  fair  flock,  and  blefled  bairn-time  of  the  iirft- 
 born,  banqueting  at  the  marriage-fupper  of  the  Lamb.     It  is  a 
 mercy,  that  the  poor  wandering  Iheep  get  a  dike- fide  in  this  ftormy 
 day,  and  a  leaking  fhip  a  fafe  harbour,  and  a  fea-fick  pafTcnger  a 
 found  and  foft  bed  afhoie.    Wrath,   wrath,  wrath  from  the  Lord 
 is  coming  upon  this  land,  that  he  hath  left  behind  him :  know 
 therefore,  that  your  Lord  Jefus  his  wounds  are  the  wounds  of  a 
 lover,  and  that  he  will  have  compafTion  upon  a  fad-hearted  fcrvantj 
 and  that  Chrift  hath  faid,  hewill  have  the  hufband's  room  in  your 
 heart :  he  loved  you  in  your  firft  hufband's  time  ;  and  he  is  but 
 wooing  you  ftill ;  give  him  heart  and  chair,  houfe  and  all :  he  will 
 net  be  made  companion  with  any  other-,  love  is  full  of  jealoufies, 
 he  will  have  all  your  love,  and  who  fhould  get  it  but  he  ?  I  know, 
 ye  allow  it  upon  him  ;  there  are  comforts,  both  fweet  and  fatisfy- 
 ing,  laid  up  for  you';  wait  on.  Frift,  Chrift,  he  is  an  honeft  debtor. 
 Now  for  mine  own  cafe,  I  think  fome  poor  body  would  be  glad  of 
 a  dawted  prifoner's  leavings.     I  have  no  fcarcity  of  Chrift's  love  : 
 he  hath  wafted  more  comforts  upon  his  poor  bnniflied  fervant,  than 
 would  have  refreflied  many  fouls.    My  burden  was  once  fo  heavy, 
 that  one  ounce-weight  would  have  caften  the  balance,  and  broken 
 my  back  ;  but  Chrift  faid,   hold,  hold,   to  my  forrow,  and  hath 
 wiped  a  bluthered  face,  which  was  foul  with  weeping.     I  may 
 joyfully  go  my  Lord's  errands,  with  wages  in  my  hands  ;  deferred 
 hopes  need  not  make  me  dead-fwier  (as  we  ufe  to  fay)  my  crofs 
 is  both  my  crofs  and  my  reward.     Oh  that  men  would  found  his 
 high  praifes !   I  love  Chrift's  worft  reproaches,  his  glooms,  his 
 crofs,  better  than  all  this  world's  plaiftered  glory;  my  heart  is  not 
 longing  to  be  back  again  from  Chrift's  country;  it  is  a  fweet  foil 
 I  am  come  to.     I  (if  any  in  the  world)  have  good  caufe  to  fpeak 
 much  good  of  him.     O  !   hell  were  a  good  cheap  price  to  buy 
 him  at.    Oh  if  all  the  three  kingdoms  were  witneffes  to  my  p  lin- 
 ed, pained  foul,  overcome  and  wounded  with  Chrift's  love  !  I 
 thank  you  moft,kindly,  my  dear  fifter,  for. your  love  to,  and  ten- 
 der care  of  my  brother.     I  will  think  myfelf  obliged  to  you,  if 
 ye  continue  his  friend:  he  is  more  to  me  than  a  brother  now,  be- 
 ing engaged  to  fufFcr  for  fo  honourable  a  Mafter  and  caufe.  Pray 
 for  Chrift's  prifoner;  and  grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Jberd,  March  7.  1637.    l^ours  in  his  Jw eat  Lord  Jefus y    S.  R. 
 
Epifl.  200.]  LETTERS.  ^97 
 
 2GO.   To  his  reverend  and  dear  brother^  Mr.  JOHN  NEVAY. 
 
 My  reverend  and  dear  brother, 
 /'^  R  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  have  exceeding  many 
 ^^  I  write  to,  elfe  I  would  be  kinder  in  paper.  I  rejoice  that 
 my  fweet  Mafter  hath  any  to  back  him  :  thick,  thick  may  my  roy- 
 al King's  court  be.  O  that  his  kingdom  might  grow!  it  were  my 
 joy  to  have  his  houfe  full  of  guefts.  Except  that  I  have  fome 
 cloudy  days,  for  the  moft  part  I  have  a  king's  life  with  Chrift;  he 
 is  all  perfumed  with  the  powders  of  the  merchant :  he  hath  a  king's 
 face  and  a  king's  fmell  :  his  chariot,  wherein  he  carrieth  his  poor 
 prifoner,  is  of  the  v/ood  of  Lebanon,  it  is  paved  with  love':  is  not 
 that  foft  ground  to  walk  or  ly  on  ?  I  think  better  of  Chrift  thaa 
 ever  I  did  ;  my  thoughts  of  his  love  grow  and  fwell  on  me  :  I  ne- 
 ver write  to  any  of  him  fo  much  as  I  have  felt.  Oh  if  I  could  write 
 a  book  of  Chrift  and  of  his  love  !  Suppofe  I  were  made  white 
 allies,  ajid  burnt  for  this  fame  truth,  that  men  count  but  as  knots 
 of  ftraws,  it  were  my  gain,  if  my  alhes  could  proclaim  the  worth, 
 excellency,  and  love  of  my  Lord  jefus  :  there  is  much  telling  of 
 Chrift  j  I  give  over  the  weighing  of  him,  heaven  would  not  be  the 
 beam  of  a  balance  to  weigh  him  in.  What  eyes  be  on  me,  or  what 
 wind  of  tongues  be  on  me,  I  care  not:  let  me  ftand  in  this  ftage  in 
 the  fooFs  coat,  and  a£t  a  fool's  part  to  the  reft  of  this  nation  ;  if 
 I  can  fct  my  Well-beloved  on  high,  and  witnefs  fair  for  him,  a  fig 
 for  their  hofanna  :  if  I  can  roll  myfelf  in  a  lap  of  Chrift's  garment, 
 I  will  ly  there,  and  laugh  at  the  thoughts  of  dying  bits  of  clay. 
 Brother,  we  have  caufe  to  weep  for  our  harlot-mother,  her  huf- 
 band  is  fending  her  to  Rome's  brothel-houfe,  which  is  the  gate  fhe 
 liketh  well :  yet  1  perfuade  you,  there  fliall  be  a  fair  after-growth 
 for  Chrift  in  Scotland,  and  this  church  ftiall  fing  the  Bridegroom's 
 welcome-home  again  to  his  own  houfe  :  the  worms  fhall  eat  them 
 firft,  ere  they  caufe  Chrift  take  good-night  at  Scotland.  I  am  here 
 afl^aulted  with  the  doctors'  gun^  but  I  blefs  the  Father  of  lights, 
 they  draw  not  blood  of  truth.  I  find  no  lodging  in  the  heart  of 
 natural  men,  who  are  cold  friends  to  my  Mafter :  I  pray  you,  re- 
 member my  love  to  that  gentleman,  A.  C.  My  heart  is  knit  ta 
 him,  bccaufe  he  and  I  have  one  Mafter.  Remember  m.y  bonds, 
 and  prefent  my  fervice  to  my  Lord  and  mv  Ladv :  I  wifti  Chrift 
 may  be  dearer  to  them,  than  to  many  of  their  place.  Grace  be 
 with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  July  5.  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus ^ 
 
 1637.  S-  ^- 
 
 PP 
 
apS  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  201.3 
 
 201.     To  my  Lady  BOYD. 
 Madanii 
 /"^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Few  (I  believe)  know  the 
 ^^  pain  and  torment  of  Chrill's  frifted  love  :    frifting  of  ChrilVs 
 prefence  is  a  matter  of  torment.     I  know  a  poor  foul  that  would 
 lay  all  oars  in  the  water  for  a  banquet  or  feafl  of  Chrill's  love.     I 
 cannot  think,  but  it  mull  be  up-taking  and  fweet,  to  fee  the  white 
 and  red    of    Chrill's    fair    face  •,    for  he    is  white    and    ruddy, 
 and  the  chiefefl  among  ten  thoufands,  Cant  v.  10.  I  am  fure,  that 
 mull  be  a  well-made  face  of  his,  heaven  mud  be  in  his  vifage  :  glo- 
 ry, glory  for  evermore  muil  fit  on  his  countenance.     I  dare  not 
 curie  the  mafk  and  covering  that  is  on  his  face  ;   but  O  if  there 
 were  a  hole  in  it !  O  if  God  would  tear  the  malk  !  Fy,  fy  upon  us, 
 v.-e  were  never  afliamed  till  now  that  we  do  not  proclaim  our  pining 
 and  languilhing  for  him.    I  am  fure,  never  tongue  fpake  of  Chrill 
 as  he  is.    I  am  dill  of  that  mind,  and  (till  will  be,  that  we  wrong 
 and  undervalue  that  holy,  holy  One,  in  having  fuch  fl^ort  and  (hal- 
 low thoughts   of  his  weight  and  worth.     O  if  I  could  have  but 
 leave  to  ftand  befide,  and  fee  the  Father  weigh  Chrill  the  Son,  if 
 it  were  pofiible  1  but  how  every  one  of  them  comprehendeth  an- 
 other, we,  who  have  eyes  of  clay,  cannot  comprehend  ;  but  it  is 
 pity  for  evermore,  and  more  than  (hame,  that  fuch  an  one  as 
 Chril!:  fliould  lit  in  heaven  his  alone  for  us  :  to  go  up  thither  anes 
 errand,  and  on  purpofe  to  fee,  were  no  fmall  glory.     O  that  he 
 would  flrike  aut  windows,  and  fair  and  great  lights,  in  this  old 
 houfe,    this  fallen  down  foul,    and  then  fet  the  foul  near-hand 
 Chrill,  that  the  rays  and  beams  of  light,  and  the  foul-delighting 
 glances  of  the  fair,  fair  God-head,  might  Qiine  in  at  the  windows, 
 and  fill  the  houfe !   a  lairer  and   more  near  and  dire£l   fight  of 
 Chrill  would  make  room  for  his  love  ;  for  we  are  but  pinched  and 
 ftraitened  in  his  love.      Alas,  it  were  eafy  to  meafure  and  weigh 
 the  love   that  we   have  for  Chrifl,  and  by  inches  and  ounces  1 
 Alas,  that  we  fliould  love  by  meafure  and  weight,  and  not  rather 
 have  floods  and  fcads  of  Chiift's  love  !  O  that  Chrifl  would  break 
 down  the  old  narrow  veilcis  of  thefe  narrow  and  ebb  fouls  ;  and 
 make  fair^   deep,   wide,   and  broad  fouls,   to  hold  a  fea  and  a  full' 
 tide,  flowing  over  all  its  banks,  of  Chrill's  love  !  Oh  that  the  Al- 
 mighty would  give  me  my  requeft  !  that  I  might  fee  Chrifl  come 
 to  his  temple  again  (as  he  is  minting,   and  it  is  like  minding  to 
 do)  and  if  the  land  were  humbled  :  the  judgments  threatened  are 
 v/ith  this  refervation,  I  know,  *  if  ye  fiiall  turn  and  repent,'    Q 
 what  a  heaven  fliould  we  have  on  earth,  to  fee  Scotland's  noon, 
 like  the  light  of  the  fun,  and  Scotland's  fun-light  feven-fold  like 
 the  light  of  feven  days,  in  the  day  that  the  Lord  bindeth  up  the 
 breach  of  his  people,  and  healeth  the  ftroke  of  their  wounds  *^ 
 
Epifl.  202.]  LETTERS.  299 
 
 Ifa.  XXX.  26.  Alas  !  tliat  we  \Yill  not  pull  and  dra'^  Chrifl  to  his 
 old  tents  again,  to  come  and  feed  among  the  lilies,  till  the  day 
 break,  and  the  ihadows  flee  away  !  O  that  the  nobles  would  go 
 on,  in  the  ftrength  and  courage  of  the  Lord,  to  bring  our  lawful 
 King  Jefus  home  again  !  I  am  perfuaded  he  fhall  return  again  in 
 glory  to  this  land  :  but  happ\  were  they,  who  could  help  to  con- 
 voy him  to  his  fanduary,  and  fet  him  agiin  up  upon  the  mercy- 
 feat  betwixt  the  cherubims.  *  O  fun,  return  to  darkened  Britain! 
 O  faired  amc  ix  ;ill  the  fpns  of  men,  O  moft  excelienl  One,  come 
 home  again,  come  home,  and  win  the  praifes  and  bleffings  of  the 
 mourners  in  Zion,  the  prifoners  of  hope,  that  wait  for  thee!'  I 
 know  he  can  alio  triumph,  in  futfering,  and  weep  and  reign^  and 
 die  and  triumph,  and  remain  in  prifon,  and  yet  fubdue  his  ene- 
 mies :  but  how  happy  were  I  to  fee  the  coronation-day  of  Chrift; 
 to  fee  his  mother,  who  bare  him,  put  the  crown  upon  his  head 
 again,  and  cry  with  (houting  till  the  earth  fliouid  ring,  '  Let 
 Jefus  our  Kmg  live  and  reign  for  evermore!'  Grace,  grace  be 
 with  your  Ladyfhip. 
 
 JberdeeUy  Tour  Ladyjhip's  at  all  obedience  in  Chrifl^ 
 
 i6j7.  S.  R. 
 
 202.     To  Mr  ALEXANDER  COLVIL  of  BUir, 
 
 Much  honoured  Sir, 
 /^  Race,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  would  dcfire  to  know  how 
 ^-^  my  Lord  took  my  letter  I  fent  him,  and  how  he  is  :  I  de- 
 fire  nothing,  but  that  he  be  faft  and  honeft  to  my  royal  Mafter  and 
 King.  I  am  well  every  way,  all  praife  to  him,  in  whofe  books  I 
 mull  (land  for  ever  as  his  debtor  !  only  my  filence  palneth  me. 
 I  had  one  joy  out  of  heaven,  next  to  Chrift  my  Lord,  and  that  was 
 to  preaxh  him  to  this  faiihlefs  generation;  and  they  have  taken 
 that  from  me :  it  was  to  me  as  the  poor  man's  one  eye,  and  they 
 have  put  out  t-hat  eye.  I  know  the  violence  ilone  to  me  and  his 
 poor  bereft  bride,  is  come  up  before  the  Lord :  and  fuppofe  I  fee 
 not  the  other  fide  of  my  crofs,  or  what  my  Jjord  will  bring  out  of 
 it ;  yet  I  believe  the  vifjon  fliall  not  tarry,  and  that  Chrift  is  on 
 his  journey  for  my  deliverance;  he  gocth  not  ri')wly,  but  pafTctii 
 over  ten  mountains  at  one  ftride  :  in  the  mean  time,  I  am  pained 
 with  his  love,  becaufe  I  want  real  pofieffion.  \Vhen  Chrift  cometh. 
 he  ftaycth  not  long-,  but  certainly  the  blowing  of  his  breath  up- 
 on a  poor  foul  is  heaven  upon  earth  :  and  when  the  wind  turneth 
 into  the  North,  and  he  goeth  away,  I  die,  till  the  wind  change  in- 
 to the  Weft,  and  he  vltit  his  prifoner  :  but  he  hoUleth  mc  not  o^- 
 ten  at  his  door.  I  am  richly  repaid  for  fufFerii:g  for  him.  O  if 
 all  Scotland  were  as  I  am,  except  my  bonds  !  O  v  hat  pain  I  have, 
 becaufe  I  canno:  get  him  praifed  by  my  fufferingi !  O  that  heaven, 
 
 Pp  2 
 
300  Mv  RUTNERFOORD's  Eplfl.  203.] 
 
 within  and  without,  and  the  earth  were  paper,  and  all  the  rivers, 
 fountains,  and  feas  were  ink,  and  I  able  to  write  all  the  paper  with- 
 in and  without,  full  of  his  praifes,  and  love,  and  excellency,  to  be 
 read  by  man  and  angel !  Nay  this  is  little ;  lowe  my  heaven  to 
 Chrift ',  and  to  defire  howbeit  I  fhould  never  enter  in  at  the  gates 
 of  the  New  Jerufakm,  to  feud  my  love  and  my  praifes  over  the 
 ■wall  to  Chrifl.  Alas  that  time  and  days  ly  betwixt  him  and  me, 
 and  adjourn  our  meeting  !  it  is  my  part  to  cry,  '  O  when  will  the 
 night  be  pad,  and  the  day  dawn,  that  we  fhall  f.  j  one  another  1* 
 Be  pleafed  to  remember  my  fervice  to  my  Lord,  to  whom  I  wrote  ; 
 and  flievv  him  that,  for  his  affection  to  me,  I  cannot  but  pray  for 
 him,  and  earneftly  defire  that  Chrill  mifs  him  not  out  of  the  roll 
 cf  thofe  who  are  his  wdtneffes,  now  when  his  kingly  honour  is  cal- 
 led in  queftion  -,  it  is  hh  honour  to  hold  up  Chrift^s  royal  train, 
 and  to  be  an  inflrument  to  bold  the  crown  upon  Chrift's  head. 
 Shew  him,  becaufe  I  love  his  true  honour  and  (landing,  that  this 
 is  my  earneft  defire  for  him.  Now  I  blefs  you  ;  and  the  prayers 
 of  Chrift's  prifoner  come  upon  you  •,  and  his  fweeteft  prefence, 
 whom  ye  ferve  in  the  Spirit,  accompany  you. 
 
 J  herd.  June  23.  Tours  at  all  obliged  obedience  in  Chrift  ^ 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 203.     To  Mr  JOHN  ROW. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother^ 
 T  Received  yours.  1  blefs  his  high  and  great  name,  I  like  my  fweet 
 ■^  Mafter  ftill  the  longer  the  better :  a  fight  of  his  crofs  is  more 
 awfome  than  the  weight  of  it.  I  think  the  worft  things  of  Chrift, 
 even  his  reproaches  aiid  his  crofs,  (when  I  look  on  thefe  not  with 
 bleired  eyes)  far  rather  to  be  chofen  than  the  laughter  and  worm- 
 eaten  joys  of  my  adverfaries.  O  that  they  were  as  I  am,  except 
 jny  bonds!  My  witnefs  is  above,  my  miniftry,  next  to  Chrift,  13 
 deareft  to  me  of  any  thing  \  but  I  lay  it  down  at  Chrift's  feet,  for 
 his  glory  and  his  honour  as  fupreme  Law-giver,  which  is  dearer 
 '  to  me.  My  dear  brother,  if  ye  will  receive  the  teftimony  of  a  poor 
 prifoner  of  Chrift,  \yho  dare  not  now  diffemble  for  the  world,  I 
 believe  certainly,  and  e:;pecl:  thanks  from  the  Prince  of  the  kings 
 cf  the  earth,  for  my  poor  hazards  (fuch  as  they  are)  for  his  ho- 
 nourable caufe,  v^horn  1  can  never  enough  extol,  for  his  running- 
 over  love  to  my  fad  foul,  fince  I  came  hither.  O  that  1  could  get 
 him  fet  on  high  and  praifed  !  1  feek  no  more,  as  the  top  and  root 
 of  my  defires,  but  that  Chrift  may  make  glory  to  himfelf,  and  edi- 
 fication to  the  weaker,  out  of  my  fufterings.  I  defire  ye  would 
 help  me  both  to  pray  and  praife.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 juberd,  July  8,  1637.         fours  in  his  fjjcct  Lord  Jefus,  S.  P^^ 
 
Epiil.  204-]  LETTERS.  301 
 
 204.  To  the  Lady  CULROSS. 
 Madam  ^ 
 /^  R  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  am  much  refrefhed  with 
 ^^  your  liitter,  now  at  length  come  to  me.  I  find  my  Lord  Jc- 
 fus  comcith  not  in  that  precile  way  that  I  lay  wait  for  him,  he  hath 
 a  gate  of  his  own:  O  how  high  are  his  ways  above  my  ways!  I 
 fee  but  little  of  him ;  it  is  beft  not  to  offer  to  learn  him  a  leflbn, 
 but  to  give  him  abfolutely  his  own  will,  in  coming,  going,  ebbing, 
 flowing,  and  in  the  manner  of  his  gracious  working.  I  want  no- 
 thing but  a  back  burdtn  of  Chriit's  love:  I  would  go  through 
 hell,  and  the  thick  of  the  damned  devils,  to  have  a  hearty  feaft  of 
 Chrill's  love ;  for  h<^  h?.th  fettered  me  with  his  love,  and  run  a- 
 w?fy  and  left  nie  a  chained  man.  Wo  is  me,  that  I  was  fo  loofe, 
 raih,  vain,  and  gracelefs,  in  my  unbelieving  thoughts  of  Chrill's 
 love  :  but  what  can  a  foul  under  a  non-entry  (when  my  rights 
 wer  J  wadfet  and  lo(t)  do  elfe,  but  make  a  falfe  libel  againft  Chrifl's 
 love!  I  know  yourfelf,  madam,  and  many  more,  will  be  witnefTes 
 againft  me,  if  I  repent  not  of  my  unbelief  j  for  I  have  been  fecking 
 the  pope's  wares,  fome  hire  for  grace  within  myfelf.  I  have  not 
 learned,  as  I  fhould  d^o^  to  put  my  ftock,  and  all  my  treafure,  in 
 Chrift's  hand  \  but  I  would  have  a  ftock  of  mine  own :  and  ere  I 
 was  aware,  1  was  taking  hire  to  be  the  law's  advocate,  to  feek  ju- 
 ftificaiion  by  works.  1  torgot,  that  grace  is  the  only  garland  that 
 is  worn  in  heaven,  upon  the  heads  of  the  glorified.  And  nov7,  I 
 half  rejoice,  that  I  have  ficknefs  for  Chrift  to  work  upon  ;  fince  I 
 muft  have  wounds,  well's  my  foul,  I  have  a  day*s  work  for  my  Phy- 
 iician  Chrift:  1  hope  to  give  Chrift  his  ovvn  calling,  it  fetteth  him 
 full  well  to  cure  dlfcafes.  Ivly  ebbings  are  very  low,  and  the  tide  is 
 far  out  when  m\  Beloved  goeth  away;  and  then  I  cry,  Oh  cruel- 
 ty! to  put  out  the  poor  man's  one  eye  •,  and  that  that  v.-as  my  joy, 
 jiext  to  Chrift,  to  preach  my  Well-beloved:  then  I  make  a  noife 
 about  Chriit's  houfe,  looking  uncouth-like  in  at  his  window,  and 
 cafting  my  love  and  my  defires  over  the  wall,  till  Cod  fend  better. 
 I  am  orien  content,  my  bill  ly  in  heaven,  till  the  day  of  my  depar- 
 ture, providing  I  had  afiurance,  that  mercy  (hall  be  written  on  ths 
 b.'.ck  of  it.  I  would  not  care  for  on  waiting  :  but  when  I  draw-in 
 a  tired  arm,  and  an  empty  hand  Vv-ithal,  it  is  much  to  me  to  keep 
 my  iholights  in  order:  but  I  will  not  get  a  gate  for  Chrift's  love, 
 when  I  have  done  all  I  can.  I  would  fain  yield  to  his  ftream,  ?nd 
 r  )w  with  ChrKt,  and  not  againft  him.  But  while  I  live,  I  fee  that 
 Chrift's  kingdom  in  me  will  not  be  peaceable,  fo  many  thoughts 
 in  me  rife  up  againft  his  honour  and  kingly  power.  Surdy,  I  have 
 not  exprcflvrd  all  his  fweet  kindnefs  to  mc;'  1  fpare  to  do  it,  left  I  b- 
 deemed  to  f:ek  myfelf  j  but  his  brcalh  hath  finelJcd  of  the  powders 
 
S02  Mr  RUTHERFOORDh  Epift.  204.] 
 
 of  the  merchant  and  of  the  King's  fpikenard.    I  think  I  conceive 
 new  thoughts  of  heaven,  becaufc  the  card  and  the  map  of  heaven, 
 that  he  ietreth  me  now  fee,  is  fo  fair,  and  fo  fweet ;  I  am  fure,  we 
 are  niggards,  and  fparing  bodies  in  feeking.    I  verily  judge,  we 
 know  not  how  much  may  be  had  in  this  life ;  there  is  yet  fome- 
 thing  beyond  all  we  fee,  that  feeking  would  light  upon.    O  that 
 my  love-ficknefs  would  put  me  to  a  bufinefs,  when  all  the  world 
 are  found  ileeping,   to  cry  and  knock  I    but  the  truth  is.   fmce  1 
 came  hither,  I  have  been  wondering,  that  after  my  importunity  to 
 have  my  fill  of  Chrift's  love,  I  have  not  gotten  a  real  fign,  but  have 
 come  from  him,  crying,  hunger,  hunger.  I  think  Chrift  letteth  me 
 fee  meat,  in  my  extremity  of  hunger,  and  giveth  me  none  of  it : 
 when  I  am  near  the  apple,   he  draweth  back  his  hand,  and  goeth 
 away,  to  caufe  me  follow;  and  again  when  I  am  within  an  arm- 
 length  of  the  apple,  he  maketh  a  new  break  to  the  gate,  and  I  have 
 him  to  feek  of  new :   he  feeketh  not  to  pity  my  dwining  and  my 
 fwooning  for  his  love.    I  dare  fometimes  pujt  my  hunger  over  to  v 
 him  to  be  judged,  if  I  would  not  buy  him  with  a  thoqfand  years 
 in  the  hottefi:  furnace  in  hell,  fo  being  I  might  enjoy  him  :  but 
 my  hunger  is  icd  with  want  and  abfence;  I  hunger,  and  I  have 
 not ;  but  my  comfort  is,  to  ly  and  wait  on,  and  to  put  my  poor 
 foul  and  my  fufferings  in  Chrift's  hand :   let  him  make  any  thing 
 out  of  me,  fo  being  he  be  glorified  in  my  falvation ;  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  eafe,  while  I  but  ftand  fo  far  aback  :  O  if 
 I  were  near  him,  and  with  him,  that  this  poor  foiil  might  be  fatis- 
 fied  with  himfeif !  Your  fon-in-law,  W.  G.  is  now  truly  honoured 
 for  his  Lord  and  Mailer's  caufe :  when  the  Lord  is  farining  Zion, 
 it  is  a  good  token  that  he  is  a  true  branch  of  the  vine,  that  the  Lord 
 bcginneth  firft  to  drefs  him  j  he  is  ftrong  in  his  Lord,  as  he  hath 
 written  to  me,  and  h'-s  wife  is  his  encourager,  which  fliould  make 
 you  rejoice.   For  your  fon,  who  is  your  grief,  your  Lord  waited  on 
 you  and  me,  till  we  \yere  ripe,  and  brought  us  in.   It  is  your  part 
 to  pray  and  AVait  upon  him  :  when  he  is  ripe  he  v/ill  be  fpoken  for. 
 Who  can  command  our  Lord's  wind  to  blow  r  I  know  it  fliall  be 
 your  good  in  the  latter  end  :  that  is  «ne  of  your  waters  to  heaven, 
 ye  could  not  go  about  It;  there  are  the  fewer  behind.    I  remem- 
 ber you,  and  him,  and  yours,  as  I  am  able:  but  alas,  I  am  believ- 
 ed to  be  fomething,  and  I  am  nothing  but  an  empty  reed  :   vrants 
 ^re  my  beft  riches,   becaufe  I  have  thefe  fupplied  by  Chrift.    R.c- 
 member  my  dearefl  love  to  your  brother :  I  know  he  pleadeth  with 
 Ms  harlot-mother  for  her  apoftafy.  I  know  alfo,  ye  are  kind  to  my 
 worthy  Lady  Kcnmure,  a  woman  beloved  of  the  Lord,  who  hatli 
 been  very  m.indful  of  my  bonds:    the  Lord  give  her,  and  her 
 child,  to  find  mercy  in  the  day  of  Chrift !    Great  men  are  dry 
 and  cold  ir?  doing  for  mc}  the  tinkling  of  chains  for  ChiiH  af- 
 
Epifl.  105]        '  LETTERS.  ^^ 
 
 frighteth  them  :  but  let  my  Lord  break  all  my  idols,  I  will  yet 
 bleis  him.  I  am  obliged  to  my  Lord  Lorn;  1  wilh  him  mercy. 
 Remember  my  bonds  withpraifes,  and  pray  tor  me,  that  my  Lord 
 may  leaven  the  North,  by  my  bonds  and  fufFerings.  Grace  be 
 with  you. 
 
 yjbcrdeeny  July  9.  Tours  in  his  fxect  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 205.    To  ALEXANDER  GORDON  of  Knockgray, 
 Dear  br^Aher^  * 
 
 /^^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  There  is  no  queftion  but 
 ^^  our  mother-church  hath  a  Father,  and  that  flie  fhall  not  die 
 vithout  an  heir,  that  her  enemies  fhall  not  make  mount  Zioii 
 their  heritage.  We  fee,  whitherfoever  Zion's  enemies  go,  fuppofe 
 they  dig  many  miles  under  the  ground,  yet  our  Lord  findeth  them 
 out,  and  he  hath  vengeance  laid  up  in  ftore  for  them,  and  the  poor 
 and  needy  (hall  not  always  be  forgotten.  Our  hope  was  drooping 
 and  withering,  and  man  was  faying,  What  can  God  make  out  ot 
 the  old  dry  bones  of  this  buried"  kirk  ^  the  prelates  and  their  fol- 
 lowers were  a  grave  above  us :  it  is  like  our  Lord  is  to  open  our 
 graves,  and  purpofeth  to  caufe  his  two  flain  witnefTes  rife  the  third 
 day.  O  how  long  wait  I,  to  hear  our  weeping  Lord  Jefus  fing  a- 
 gain,  and  triumph  and  rejoice,  and  divide  the  fpoil !  1  find  it  hard 
 work  to  believe,  when  the  courfe  of  providence  goeth  crofs-ways 
 to  our  faith,  and  when  mifted  fcmls  in  a  dark  night  cannot  know 
 Eaft  by  Weft,  and  our  fea-campafs  feemeth  to  fail  us.  Every  man 
 is  a  believer  in  day-light:  a  fair  day  feemeth  to  be  made  all  of 
 faith  and  hope.  What  a  trial  of  gold  is  it,  to  fmoke  it  a  little  above 
 the  fire?  but  to  keep  gold  perfe^  yellow-coloured  amidit  the 
 flames,  and  to  be  turned  from  veffel  to  veffel,  and  yet  to  caufe  our 
 furnace  found,  and  fpeak,  and  cry  the  praifes  of  the  Lord,  is  ano- 
 ther matter.  I  know  my  Lord  made  me  not  for  fire,  howbeit  he 
 hath  fitted  me  in  fome  meafure  for  fire.  I  blefs  his  high  name, 
 that  i  wax  not  paler,  neither  have  I  loft  the  colour  of  gold,  and 
 that  his  fire  hath  made  me  fomewhat  thin,  and  that  my  Lord 
 may  pour  me  in  any  veflel  he  pleafeth  :  for  a  fmall  wager,  I  may 
 juftly  quit  my  part  of  this  world's  laughter,  and  give  up  with 
 time,  and  caft  out  with  the  pleafures  of  this  world.  I  know  a  man, 
 ^vho  wondered  to  fee  any  in  this  life  laugh  or  fport :  furely  our 
 Lord  feeketh  this  of  us,  as  to  any  rejoicing  in  prefent  perilhing 
 things.  I  fee  above  all  things,  and  that  we  may  fit  down,-  and 
 fold  legs  and  arms,  and  ftretch  ourfelves  upon  Chrift,  and  laugh 
 at  the  feathers  that  children  are  chafing  here:  for  I  think  the  men 
 of  this  world,  like  children  in  a  dangerous  ftorm  in  the  fea,  that 
 play  and  make  fport  with  the  white  foam  of  the  waves  thereof, 
 
304  Ur  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  205.] 
 
 coming  in  to  fink  and  drown  them  ;  fo  are  men  making  fool's  fports 
 with  the  white  pleafures  of  a  flormy  world,  that  will  fink  them. 
 But  alas,  what  have  we  to  do  with  their  fports  that  they  make  ? 
 If  Solomon  faid  of  laughter  that  it  was  madnefs,  what  may  we  fay 
 of  this  world's  laughing  and  fporting  themfelves  with  gold  and 
 filver,  and  honours,  and  court,  and  broad  large  conquefts,  but  that 
 they  are  poor  fouls,  in  the  height  and  rage  of  a  fever  gone  mad  ? 
 then  a  llraw,  a  fig  for  all  created  fports  and  rejoicing  out  of  Chriit : 
 nay,  I  think,  that  this  world  at  its  prime  and  perfection,  when  it 
 is  come  to  the  top  of  its  excellency,  and  to  the  bloom,  might  be 
 bought  with  an  halfpenny;  and  that  it  would  fcarcs  weigh  the  worth 
 of  a  drink  of  water :  there  is  nothing  better  than  to  efteem  it  our 
 crucified  idol,  that  is  dead  and  flain,  as  Paul  did,  Gal.  vi.  14.  Then 
 let  pleafures  be  crucified,  and  riches  be  crucified,  and  court  and 
 honour  be  crucified;  and  fince  the  apoftle  faith,  the  world  is  cru- 
 cified to  him,  we  may  put  this  world  to  the  hanged  man's  doom> 
 and  to  the  gallows  ;  and  who  will  give  much  for  a  hanged  man  ? 
 and  as  little  (hould  we  give  for  a  hanged  and  crucified  world :  yet 
 what  a  fweet  fmell  hath  this  dead  carrion,  to  many  fools  in  the 
 world  ?  and  how  many  wooers  and  fuiters  findeth  this  hanged  car- 
 rion ?  fools  are  pulling  it  ofl'  the  gallows,  and  contending  for  it. 
 O  when  fliall  we  learn  to  be  mortified  men,  and  to  have  our  fill  of 
 thofe  things  that  have  but  their  fliort  fummer-quarter  of  this  life! 
 If  we  faw  our  Father's  houfe,  and  that  great  and  fair  city,  the  New 
 Jerufalem,  which  is  up  above  fun  and  moon,  we  would  cry  to  be 
 over  the  water,  and  to  be  carried  in  Chrifl's  arms  out  of  this  bor- 
 rowed prifon.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 yiberdeeuy  Years  in  his  fweet  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1636,  S.  Pv. 
 
 206.    Tothe  LairdofQt^VJJKlOV'i:^. 
 
 Worthy  Sir, 
 
 GR  A.CE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  received  your  letter,  and 
 am  heartily -glad  that  our  Lord  hath  begun  to  work  for  the 
 apparent  delivery  of  this  poor  opprefled  kirk :  O  that  falvation 
 would  come  for  Zion  !  I  am  for  the  prefent  hanging  by  hope,  wait- 
 ing what  my  Lord  will  do  with  me,  and  if  it  will  pleafe  my  fweet 
 Mafter  to  fend  me  amongft  you  again,  and  keep  out  a  hireling  from 
 my  poor  people  and  flock :  it  were  my  heaven  till  I  come  home, 
 even  to  fpend  this  life  in  gathering  in  fome  to  Chrift.  I  have  ftill 
 great  heavinefs  for  my  filence,  and  my  forced  (landing  idie  in  the 
 market,  when  this  land  hath  fuch  a  plentiful  thick  harveft;  but  I 
 know  his  judgments,  who  hath  done  it,  pafs  finding  out :  I  have 
 no  knowledge  to  take  up-the  Lord,  in  all  his  fiirange  ways  and 
 pafiages  of  deep  and  unfearchable  prof  idences  j   for  the  Lord  is 
 
Kpift-  206.]  LETTERS.  305 
 
 before  me,  and  I  am  fo  bemifted,  that  I  cannot  follow  bim :  he  is 
 behind  me,  and  following  at  the  hf  els,  and  I  am  not  aware  of  him  : 
 he  is  above  me.  but  his  glory  fodazzleth  my  twilight  of  fhort  know- 
 ledge, that  I  cannot  look  up  to  him  :  he  is  upon  my  right-hand, 
 and  I  fee  him  not :  he  is  upon  my  left-hand,  and  within  me,  and 
 goeth  and  cometh,  and  his  going  and  coming  are  a  dream  to  me  : 
 he  is  round  about  me,  and  compaffeth  all  my  goings,  and  ftill  I  have 
 him  to  feek :  he  is  every  way  higher,  and  oeeper,  and  broader, 
 than  the  fhallow  and  ebb  hand-breadth  gf  my  ihort  and  dim  light 
 can  take  lipj  and  therefore  I  would  my  heart  could  be  filent,  and 
 fit  down  in  the  learnedly-ignorant  wondering  at  that  Lord,  whom 
 men  and  angels  cannot  comprehend.  I  know  the  noon-day-light 
 of  the  higheft  angels,  who  fee  him  face  to  face,  feeth  not  the  bor- 
 ders of  his  infinitenefs  :  they  apprehend  God  near-hand,  but  they 
 cannot  comprehend  him.  And  therefore  it  is  my  happinefs  to  look 
 afar  off,  and  to  come  near  to  the  Lord's  back  parts,  and  to  light 
 my  dark  candle  at  his  brightnefs,  and  to  have  leave  to  fit  and  con- 
 tent myfelf  with  a  traveller's  light,  without  the  clear  vifion  oi  an 
 enjoyer.  I  would  feek  no  more,  till  I  were  in  my  country,  but  a 
 little  watering  and  fprinkling  of  a  withered  foul,  with  fome  half- 
 out-breakings  and  half-out-lookings  of  the  beams,  and  fmall  ra- 
 vifhing  fmiles  of  the  faireft  face  of  a  revealed  and  believed-on 
 God-head  :  a  little  of  God  would  make  my  foul  bnnk-full.  O  that 
 I  had  but  Chrift's  odd  ofF-fallings,  that  he  would  let  but  the  mean- 
 eft  of  his  love-rays  and  love-be-^ms  fall  from  him,  fo  as  I  might  ga- 
 ther and  carry  them  with  me !  1  would  not  be  ill  to  pleafe  with 
 Chrift,  and  vailed  vifions  of  Chrift ;  neither  would  I  be  dainty  in 
 feeing  and  enjoying  of  him  :  a  kifs  of  Chrift  blown  over  his  (boul- 
 der, the  parings  and  crumbs  of  glory  that  fall  under  his  table  in 
 heaven,  a  ihower  like  a  thin  May-mift  of  his  love  would  make  me 
 green,  and  fappy,  and  joyful,  till  the  fummer-fun  of  an  eternal  glo- 
 ry break  up.  O  that  I  had  any  thing  of  Chrift!  O  that  1  had  a 
 fip.  or  half  a  drop,  out  of  the  hollow  of  Chrift's  hand,  of  the 
 fweetnefs  and  excellency  of  that  lovely  One  !  O  that  my  Lord  Jefus 
 •would  rue  upon  me,  and  give  me  but  the  meaneft  alms  of  felt  and 
 believed  falvation  !  O  how  little  were  it  for  that  infinite  Foun- 
 tain of  love  and  joy,  to  fill  as  many  thoufand  thoufand  little  vef- 
 fels  the  like  of  me,  as  there  are  minutes  of  hours  fince  the  crea- 
 tion of  God  !  I  find  it  true,  that  a  poor  foul  finding  half  a  fmell 
 of  the  God-head  of  Chrift,  hath  defiies  paining  and  wounding  the 
 poor  heart  fo,  with  longings  to  be  up  at  him,  that  make  It  fome* 
 times  think,  were  it  not  better  never  to  have  felt  any  thing  of 
 Chrift,  than  thus  to  ly  dying  twenty  deaths,  under  thefe  felt 
 vrounds,  for  the  want  of  him  !  *  O  where  is  he  ?  O  faireft,  where 
 dwelleft  thou  ?  O  never-enough  admired  God-head,  how  cai>  clay 
 win  up  to  thcc  .•*  how  can  creatures  of  ycftcrday  be-  able  to  cnjuj 
 
 0^4 
 
3o6  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  207.J 
 
 thee  !*  O  what  pain  is  it,  that  time  and  fin  fliould  be  fo  many 
 thoufand  miles  betwixt  a  loved  and  longed-for  Lord,  and  a  dwin- 
 ing  and  love-fick  foul,  who  would  rather  than  all  the  world  have 
 lodging  with  Chrift !  O  let  this  bit  love  of  ours,  this  inch  and 
 half-ipan  length  of  heavenly  longing,  meet  with  thy  infinite 
 love!  O  if  the  little  I  have  were  fvvallowed  up  with  the  infinite- 
 nel's  of  that  excellency  which  is  in  Chrift !  O  that  we  little  ones 
 were  in  at  the  greateft  Lord  Jefus  !  Our  wants  fhould  foon  be  fwal- 
 lowed  up  with  his  fulnefa.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 J  herd.  May  i  o.  Taurs  in  his  five  et  Lord  Jefus^ 
 
 1637.  ^-  R- 
 
 207.     To  ROBERT  GORDON  of  Kmckbrex. 
 
 Dear  brother^ 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  received  your  letter 
 ^^  from  Edinburgh.  I  would  not  wifh  to  fee  another  heaven, 
 while  I  get  mine  own  heaven,  but  a  new  moon  like  the  light  of 
 the  fun,  and  a  new  fun  like  the  light  of  feven  days  fhining  upon 
 my  poorfelf,  and  the  church  of  Jews  and  Gentiles,  and  upon  my 
 withered  and  fun- burnt  mother,  the  church  of  Scotland,  and  upon 
 her  fifter-churches  England  and  Ireland  ;  and  to  have  this  done, 
 to  the  fetting  on  high  our  great  King :  it  maketh  not,  howbeit  I 
 were  feparate  from  Chrift,  and  had  a  fenfe  of  ten  thoufand  year* 
 pain  in  hell,  if  this  were.  O  blefled  nobility  !  O  glorious  renown- 
 ed gentry  I  O  blefled  were  the  tribes  in  this  land,  to  wipe  my  Lord 
 Jefus's  weeping  face,  and  to  take  the  fackcloth  ofFChrift's  loins, 
 and  to  put  his  kingly  robes  upon  him  !  O  if  the  Almighty  would 
 take  no  lefs  wager  of  me,  than  my  heaven,  to  have  it  done  !  but 
 my  fears  are  ftill  for  wrath  once  upon  Scotland  :  but  I  know 
 her  day  fliall  clear  up,  and  glory  Jball  be  upon  the  top  of  the 
 mountains,  and  joy  at  the  noife  of  the  married  wife,  once  again^ 
 O  that  our  Lord  would  make  us  to  contend,  and  plead,  and  wreftle 
 by  prayers  and  tears,  for  our  Hufband's  reftoring  of  his  forfeited 
 heritage  in  Scotland  !  Dear  brother,  I  am  for  the  prcfent  in  no 
 fmall  battle,  betwixt  felt  guiltinefs,  and  pining  longings  and  high 
 fevers  for  my  Well-beloved's  love.  Alas!  I  think  Chrift's  love  play- 
 cth  the  niggard  to  me,  and  I  know  it  is  not  for  fcarcity  of  love,  there 
 is  enough  in  him  :  but  my  hunger  prophefieth  of  in-holding  and 
 fparingncfs  in  Chrift ;  for  I  have  but  little  of  him,  and  little  of  his 
 fweetnefs ;  it  is  a  dear  fummer  with  me;  yet  there  is  fuch  joy,  in 
 the  eagernefs  and  working  of  hunger  for  Chrift,  that  I  am  often  at 
 this,  that  if  I  had  no  other  heaven,  but  a  continual  hunger  for 
 Chrift,  fuch  a  heaven  of  ever- working  hunger,  were  ftill  a  heaven 
 to  me.  I  am  fure  Chrift's  love  cannot  be  cruel  ;  it  muit  be  a 
 f.uijig,  a  pitiful,  a  melting-hearted  love  :    but  fufpenfion  of  that 
 
Eplfl.  207.]  LETTERS.  307 
 
 love,  I  think  it  Haifa  hell,  and  the  want  of  it  morcthan  a  whole 
 bell.  "When  I  look  to  my  guiltlnefs,  I  fee  my  falvation  one  of  our 
 Saviour*s  greateft  miracles,  either  in  heaven  or  earth  ;  I  am  fure, 
 I  may  defy  any  man  to  fliew  me  a  greater  wonder:  but  feeing  I 
 have  no  wares,  n»  hire,  no  money  for  Chrift,  -he  muft  either  take 
 me  with  want,  mifery,  corruption,  or  then  want  me,     OJif  he 
 would  be  pleafed  to   be  companionate  and  pitiful-hearted  to  my 
 pining  fevers  of  longing  for  him  ;  or  then  give  me  a  real  pawn  tp 
 keep,  out  of  his  own  hand,  till  God  fend  a  meeting  betwixt  him 
 and  me!   but  I  find  neither  as  yet:  howbeit  he  who  is  abfejit  be 
 not  cruel  nor  unkind,  yet  hisabfence  is  cruel  and  unkind  :  his  love 
 is  like  itfelf ;  his  love  is  his  love  ;  but  the  covering  and  the  cloud, 
 the  vail  and  the  mafic  of  his  love,  is  more  wife  than  kind,  if  I  durft 
 fpeak  my  apprehcnfions.     I  lead  no  procefs  now  againft  the  fuf- 
 penfion  and  delay  of  God's  love:  I  would  with  all  my  heart  frill 
 till  a  day  ten  heavens,  and  the  fweet  manifcftations  of  his  love. 
 Certainly  1  think,  I  could  give  Chrift  much  jon  his  word  :  but  my 
 whole  pleading  is  about  intimated  and  born-in  aflurance  of  his 
 love.  01   if  he  would  perfuade  me  of  my  heart's  defire  of  his  love 
 at  all,  he  fhould  have  the  term-day  of  payment  at  his  on  carving. 
 But  1  know,  raving  unbelit-f  fpeaketh  its  plcafure,  v/hile  it  look- 
 eth  upon  guiltinefs  and  this  body  of  corruption.     O  how  loth- 
 fome  and  burdenfome  is  it  to  carry  about  a  dead  corps,  this  old 
 carrion  of  corruption  !  O  how  Pleadable  a  thing  is  a  Saviour,  to 
 make  a  (inner  rid  of  his  chains  and  fetters  I   I  have  now  made  ^ 
 new  queftion,  whether  Chifl  be  more  to  be  loved  for  giving  fane- 
 lification,  or  for  free  juftification  ?  And  I  hold  he  is  more  and 
 moft  to  be  loved  for  fandification  :   it  is  in  fome  refpecl  greatpr 
 Jove  in  him,  to  fan£lify  than  to  juftify  ;  for  he  maketh  us  moft 
 like  himfelf,  in  his  own  eflential  portraiture  and  image,  in  fanc- 
 tiFyir^  us:  juftification  doth  but  make  us  happy,   which  is  to  be 
 like  the   angels  only:   neither  is   it  fuch  a  mifery,  to   ly  a  ccij- 
 dcmned  man,  and  under  unforgiven   guiltinefs,  as  to  ferve  fin, 
 and  work  the  works  of  the  devil  ;    and  therefore,  I  think  fan<Sli- 
 fication  cannot  be  bought,  it  is  above  price.    God  be  thanked  for 
 ever,  that  Chrift  was  a  told-down  price  for  fanclification.     Let  3 
 finner  (if  poluble)  ly  in  bell  for  ever,  if  he  make  him  truly  holy, 
 and  iet   him   ly  there  burning  In  love  to  God,    rejoicing  in  the 
 Holy   Ghoft,  Ifianging  upon  Chrifl   by  faith  and   hope;    that  is 
 heaven  in  the  heart  and  bottom  of  hell.     Alas!   I  fmd  a  very  thin 
 Jiarveft  here,  and  few  to  be  faved.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen^  Tours  in  his  lovely  and  longed fcr  Lord  Jefiis^ 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 C^q   2 
 
 J 
 
$o8  Mr  RUTHERFQORD's         Epift,  208,  209.3 
 
 208.     To  my  Lord  CRAIGHALL. 
 
 Afy  Lord, 
 T  Pcrfuade  myfelf,  notwithftanding  of  the  grcatnefs  of  this  temp-r 
 ■*■  tation,  ye  will  not  let  Chrift  -want  a  witnefs  of  you,  to  avow 
 him  before  this  evil  generation.     And  if  ye  advife  with  God's 
 truth  (the  perfedl  teftament  of  Chrift,  that  forbiddcth  all  mens  ad- 
 ditions to  his  worfhip)  and  with  the  truly  learned,  and  with  all  the 
 fanttified  in  this  land,  and  with  that  warner  within  you,  (that  will 
 not  fail  to  ipeak  againft  you,  in  God's  name,  if  ye  be  not  now  faft 
 and  fixed  for  Chrift)  I  hope  then,  your  Lordfliip  will  acquit  your- 
 felf  as  a  man  of  courage  for  Chrift,  and  refufe  to  bow  your  knee  fu- 
 perftitioully  and  induftrioufly  to  wood  or  ftone,  or  any  creature 
 whatfoever.    1  perfuade  myfelf,  when  ye  fhall  take  good  night  at 
 this  world,  ye  ftiall  think  it  God's  truth  I  now  write.     Some  fear 
 your  Lordftiip  hath  obliged  yourfelf  to  his  majefty  by  promife  to 
 fatisfy  his  defire.   If  it  be  fo,  my  dear  and  worthy  Lord,  hear  me 
 for  your  foul's  good.     Think  upon  fwimmmg  afliore  after  this 
 fhipwreck,  and  be  pleafed  to  write  your  humble  apology  to  his 
 majefty  ;  it  may  be  God  give  you  favour  in  his  eyes.     However 
 it  be,  far  be  it  from  you  to  think,  a  promife  made  out  of  weak- 
 nefs,  and  extorted   by  the  terror  of  a  king,   fhould   bind  you  to 
 wrong  your  Lord  Jefus.     But  for  myfelf,  1  give  np  faith  to  that 
 report,  but  I  believe  ye  (hall  prove  faft  to  Chrift :   to  his  grace  I 
 recommend  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  July  8.  Tour  LordJhip*s  at  all  obedieiice 
 
 1637.  in  Chrijiy     S.  R. 
 
 •~— "^ —         ■  ■  — _^ —     ^_ 
 
 205.    To  my  lord  CRAIGHALL. 
 
 My  Lordy 
 /^R  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  not  only  content, 
 ^^  but  I  exceedingly  rejoice,  that  I  find  any  of  the  rulers  of  this 
 land,  and  efpecially  your  Lordftiip,  fo  to  aftecf  Chrift  and  his  truth, 
 as  ye  dare,  for  his  name,  come  to  yea  and  nay  with  monarchs  in 
 their  face.  I  hope,  he  who  hath  enabled  you  for  that,  will  give 
 more,  if  ye  (hew  yourfelf  courageous,  and  (as  his  word  fpeaketh) 
 a  man  in  the  ftreets  for  the  Lord  :  but  I  pray  your  Lordlhip,  give 
 me  leave  to  be  plain  with  you,  as  one  who  loveth  both  your  honour 
 and  your  foul.  1  verily  believe,  there  was  never  idolatry  at  Rome, 
 never  idolatry  condemned  in  God's  word  by  the  prophets,  if  reli- 
 gious kneeling  before  a  confecrate  creature,  ftanding  in  room  of 
 Chrift  crucified,  in  that  very  acl,  and  that  for  reverence  of  the  ele- 
 ments (as  our  aft  cleareth)  be  not  idolatry.  Neither  will  your  in- 
 tention help,  which  is  not  of  the  elTence  of  worftiip  ;  for  then 
 Av.rcn,  faying.  To-morrow  ihail  be  a  feaft  for  Jehovah,  that  is,  for 
 
ppift.  209,]  LETTERS.  509 
 
 the  golden  calf,  fhould  not  have  been  guilty  of  idolatry ;  for  he 
 intended  only  to  decline  the  lafli  of  the  peoples  fury,  not  to  ho- 
 nour the  calf.  Your  intention  to  honour  Chrift  is  nothing,  feeing 
 religious  kneeling  by  God*s  inftitution  doth  neceflarily  import  re- 
 ligious and  divine  adoration,  fuppofe  our  intention  were  both  dead 
 and  lleepingi  otherwife  kneeling  before  the  image  of  God,  direct- 
 ing prayer  to  God,  were  lawful,  if  our  intention  go  right.    My 
 Lord,  I  cannot  in  this  bounds  difpute;  but  if  Cambridge  and  Ox- 
 ford, aud  the  learninj^  of  Britain,  will  anfwer  this  argument,  an4 
 the  argument  from  active  fcandal,  which  your  Lordi^liip  feemeth 
 to  liand  upon,  I  will  turn  a  formalift,  and  call  myfelf  an  arrant 
 fool,  by  doing  what  I  have  done,  in  my  fuffering  for  this  truth. 
 I  do  much  reverence  Mr.  L's  learning;   but,  my  Lord,  1  will  an- 
 fwer what  he  writes  in  that,  to  pervert  you  from  the  truth  j  elfc 
 repute  me,  befide  an  hypocrite,  an  afs  alfo  :    1  hope  ye  (hall  fee 
 *fomething  upon  that  fubje£l,  if  the  Lord  permit,  that  no  fophiftry 
 in  Britain  (hall  anfwer.    Courtiers  arguments,  for  the  moft  part, 
 are  drawn  trom  their  own  Ikin,  and  arc  not  worth  a  ftraw  for  your 
 confcience;  a  marquis  or  a  king's  word,   when  ye  ftand  before 
 Chrilt  s  tribunal,   (hall   be  lighter   than  the  wind.     The  Lord 
 knoweth,  I  love  your  true  honour,  and  the  (landing  of  your  houfe  j 
 but  I  would  no'-,  your  honour  or  houfe  were  e(tablifhed  upon 
 land,  and  hay,  and  (lubble.    But  let  me,  my  very  dear  and  wor- 
 thy Lord,  moft  humbly  befeech  you,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  by 
 the  confolations  of  his  Spirit,   by  the  dear  blood  and  wounds  of 
 your  lovely  Redeemer,  by  the  falvation  of  your  foyl,  by  your  com- 
 pearance before  the  awful  face  of  a  fin-revenging  and  dreadful 
 Judge,  not  to  fet  in  comparifon  together  your  foul's  peace,  Chrift's 
 love,  and  his  kingly  honour,  now  called  in   queftion,  with  your 
 place,  honour,  houfe,  or  eafe,  that  an  inch  of  time  will  make  out 
 of  the  way.   I  yerily  believe,  Chrift  is  now  begging  a  teftimony  of 
 you  ;  and  is  faying,  And  will  ye  alfo  leave  me  ^  It  is  poffible,  the 
 wind  ihall  not  blow  fo  fair  for  you  all  your  life,  for  coming  out 
 and  appearing  before  others,  to  back  and  countenance  Chrift,  the 
 faireft  among  the  fons  of  men,  the  prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth, 
 Ifa.  li.  7.  Fear  not  the  reproach  of  men^  neither  be  afraid  of  their  re- 
 vilings.  Ver.  8.  For  the  jnothfball  eat  them  tip  like  a  garment y  and 
 the  -diormfbdll  eat  them  like  -wool.   When  the  Lord  fhall  begin,  he 
 (hall  make  an  end,  and  mow  down  his  adverfaries  •,  and  they  (hall 
 ly  before  him  like  withered  hay,  and  their  bloom  (liaken  off  them. 
 Confiiler  how  many  thoufands  in  this  kingdom  ye  (hall  caufe  to 
 fall  and  ftumble,  if  ye  go  with  them  ;  and  that  ye  (liall  be  out  of 
 the  prayers  of  many  who  do  ftand  before  the  Lord  for  you  and 
 your  houfe  :  and  further,  when  the  time  of  your  accounts  cometh, 
 and  your  one  foot  ftiall  be  within  the  border  of  eternity,  and  th« 
 cye-itrings  (liall  break,  and  the  face  wax  pale,  and  the  poor  foul 
 
Sio  ,    lliv  RUTHERFOOHD's  Epift.  209.] 
 
 fhall  look  out  at  the  windows  of  the  houfe  of  clay,  longing  to  be 
 out,  and  ye  fiiall  find  yourfelf  arraigned  before  the  Judge  of  quick 
 and  dead,  to  anfwer  for  your  putting  to  your  hand  with  the  reft, 
 confederate  againft  Chrlft,   to  the  overturning  of  his  ark,  and  the 
 loofing  of  the  pins  of  Chrift's  tabernacle  in  this  land,  and  ihall  cer- 
 tainly fee  yourfelf  mired  in  a  courfe  of  apoftafy  j   then,  then  a 
 king's  favour  and  yourworm»eaten  honour  (hall  be  miferable  com- 
 forters to  you.    The  Lord  hath  enlightened  you  with  the  know- 
 ledge of  his  will :  and,  as  the  Lord  liveth,  they  lead  you  and  o- 
 thers  to  a  communion  with   great  Babel,  the  mother  of  fornica- 
 tions j  and  God  faid  of  old,  and  continueth  to  fv^y  the  fame  to  you, 
 Come  out  of  her  my  people,  left  ye  be  partakers  of  her  plagues. 
 Will  ye  then  go  with  them,  and  fet  up  your  lip  to  the  whore's 
 golden  cup,  and  drink  of  the  wine  of  the  wrath  of  God  Almighty 
 with  them  P  O  poor  hungry  honour!  O  curfed  pleafure !  and  O 
 damnable  eafe,  bought  with  the  lofs  of  God  !  how  many  ftiall  pray  * 
 for  you  1  what  a  fweet  prefence  fhall  ye  find  of  Chrift  under  your 
 fufterings,  if  ye  ftiall  lay  down  your  honours  and  place  at  the  feet 
 of  Chrift!  what  fair  fccompence  of  reward  !  I  avouch  before  the 
 Lord,  that  I  am  now  fliewing  you  a  way  how  the  houfe  of  Craig- 
 hall  m.iy  ftand  on  fure  pillars:  if  ye  will  fet  it  on  rotten   pillars, 
 ye  cruelly  wrong  your  pofterity;  ye.  have  the  word  of  a  king  for 
 an  hundred  fold  more  in  this  life  (if  it  be  good  for  you)  and  for 
 Jife  everlafting  alfo.    Make  not  Chrift   a  liar,  in  diftrufting   his 
 promife.    Kings  of  clay  cannot  back  you  when  you  ftand  before 
 him  :  a  ftraw  for  them  and  their  hungry  heaven,  that  ftandcth  on 
 this  fide  of  time;  a  fig  for  the  day's-fmile  of  a  worm.    Confjder 
 who  have  gone  before  you  to  eternity,  and  would  have  given  a 
 world  for  a  new  occafion  of  avouching  that  truth  :  it  is  true,  they 
 call  it  not  fubftantial,  and  we  are  made  a  fcorn  to  thofethat  are  at 
 cafe,  for  futTering  thefe  things  for  it;  but  it  is  not  time  to  judge  , 
 of  our  lofTes  by  the  morning ;  ftay  till  the  evening,  and  we  ftiall 
 count  with  the  beft  of  them.  I  have  found  by  experience,  fince  the 
 time  of  my  imprifonment  (my  witnefs  is  above)  Chrift  fealing  this 
 honourable  caufe  with  another,  and  a  nearer  fellowfhip  than  ever 
 I  knew  before;  and  let  God  weigh  me  in  an  even  balance  in  this, 
 if  I   would  exchange  the  crofs  of  Chrift,  or  his  truth,   with   the 
 fourteen  nrelacles,  or  what  elfe  a  king  can  give.     My  dear  Lord, 
 venture  o  take  the  wind  on  your  face  for  Chrift ;  1  believe,  if  he 
 (hould  come  from  heaven  in  his  own  perfon,  and  feek  the  charters 
 of  Craighall  from  you,  and  a  dimiftion  of  your  place,  and  ye  faw 
 his  face,  ye  would  fall  down  at  his  feet,  and  fay.  Lord  Jefus,  it  is 
 too  little  for  thee.   If  any  man  think  it  not  a  truth  to  die  for,  I  am 
 iigainft  him  :  I  dare  go  to  eternity  with  it,  that  this  day  the  honour 
 or   our  Law-giver  and  King,    in  the  government  of  his^  ow.a 
 free  kingdom  (who  ftiould  pay  tribute  to  no  dying  kiug)  is  tU 
 
Epift.  210.]  LETTERS.  31* 
 
 true  ftate  of  the  queftion.  My  Lord,  be  ye  upon  Chrift's  fide 
 of  it,  and  take  the  word  of  a  poor  prifoner,  nay  the  Lord  Jefus 
 be  Surety  for  it,  ye  have  incomparably  made  the  wifeft  choice  : 
 for  my  own  part,  I  have  been  in  this  prifon,  that  I  would  be  half 
 alliamed  to  leek  more  till  I  be  up  at  the  Weli-head.  Few  knovir 
 in  this  world  the  fweetnefs  of  Chrift's  breath,  the  excellency  of 
 his  love,  which  hath  neither  brim  nor  bottom  :  the  world  hath 
 raifed  a  (lander  upon  the  crofs  of  Chrift,  becaufe  they  love  to  go 
 to  heaven  by  dry-land,  and  love  not  fca-ftorms ;  but  1  write  it  un- 
 der my  hand  (and  would  fay  more,  if  pofTibly  a  reader  would  not 
 deem  it  hypocrify)  my  obligation  to  Chrift  for  the  fmell  of  his  gar- 
 ments, for  his  love-kiffes,  thefe  thirty  weeks,  ftandeth  fo  greats 
 that  I  Ihould,  and  I  defire  alfo  to  choofe  to  fufpend  my  faivation, 
 to  have  many  tongues  loofed  in  my  behalf  to  praife  him ;  and  fup- 
 pofe  in  perfon  I  never  entered  within  the  gates  of  the  New  Jerufa- 
 lem,  yet  fo  being  Chrift  may  be  fet  on  high,  and  I  had  the  liberty 
 to  caft  my  love  and  praifes  for  ever  over  the  wall  to  Chrift,  I 
 would  be  filent  and  content.  But  O  he  is  more  than  my  narrow 
 praifes  !  O  time,  time,  flee  fwiftly,  that  our  communion  with  Je- 
 fus may  be  perfe£led !  I  wifti  your  Lordftiip  would  urge  Mr.  L. 
 to  give  his  mind  in  the  ceremonies,  and  be  pleafed  to  let  me  fee 
 it  as  quickly  as  can  be,  and  it  (hall  be  anfwcred.  To  his  rich 
 grace  I  recommend  your  Lordfhip,  and  ftiall  remain 
 
 Aberdeen^  July  8.  Tours  at  all  refpeclive  obedience 
 
 1637.  in  Chrijiy  S.  R. 
 
 210.  To  the  Lady  CULROSS. 
 Madam, 
 VOUR  letter  came  in  due  time  to  me,  now  a  prifoner  of  Chrift, 
 -*■  and  in  bonds  for  the  gofpel.  I  am  fentenced  with  depriva- 
 tion, and  confinement  within  the  town  of  Aberdeen  :  but  oh  my 
 guiltinefs,  the  follies  of  my  youth,  the  negle£lsin  mycalHng,  and 
 cfpecially  in  not  fpeaking  more  for  the  kingdom,  crown  andfcep- 
 tre  of  my  royal  and  princely  King  Jefus,  do  fo  ftare  me  in  the  face, 
 that  I  apprehend  anger  in  that  which  is  a  crown  of  rejoicing  to  the 
 dear  faints  of  God  !  This,  before  my  compearance  (which  was  three 
 feveral  days)  did  trouble  me,  and  burdeneth  me  more  now ;  how- 
 beit  Chrift,  and,  in  him  God  reconciled,  met  me  with  open  arms, 
 and  tryfted  me,  precifely  at  the  entry  of  the  door  of  the  Chancel- 
 lor's hall,  and  aftifted  me  to  anfwer  fo,  as  the  advantage  that  is,  is 
 not  theirs,  but  Chrift's.  Alas !  that  is  no  caufe  of  wondering, 
 that  I  am  thus  borne  down  with  challenge;^ ;  for  the  world  hath 
 miftaken  me,  and  no  man  knoweth  what  guiltinefs  is  in  me,  fo  weJI 
 as  thefe  two  (who  keep  my  eyes  now  waking,  and  my  heart  heavy) 
 I  mean,  my  heart  and  confcience,  and  my  Lord,  who  is  great«f 
 
3n  UtRUfHEkF06RD's  Epifl:.  211.] 
 
 than  my  heart.  Shew  your  brother,  that  I  defire  him,  while  he 
 is  on  the  watch  tower,  to  plead  with  his  mother,  and  to  plead  with 
 this  land^  and  fpare  not  to  cry,  for  my  fweet  Lord  Jefus  his  fair 
 crown,  that  the  interdi£^cd  and  forbidden  lords  are"  plucking  off 
 his  royal  head.  If  I  were  free  of  challenges  and  a  high  commilHon 
 within  my  foul,  I  would  not  give  a  ftraw  to  go  to  my  Father's 
 houfe,  through  ten  deaths,  for  the  truth  and  caufe  of  my  lovely, 
 lovely  One,  Jefus  I  but  I  walk  in  heavinefs  now.  If  ye  love  me, 
 and  Chrift  in  me,  my  dear  Lady,  pray,  pray  for  this  only,  that 
 bygones  betwixt  my  Lord  and  me  may  be  bygones ;  and  that  he 
 would  pafs  from  the  fummons  of  his  high  commilfion,  and  feek 
 nothing  from  me,  but  what  he  will  do  for  me,  and  work  in  me.  If 
 your  Ladyfhip  knew  me,  as  I  do  myfelf,  ye  would  fay.  Poor  foul, 
 no  marvel.  It  is  not  my  apprehenfion  that  createth  this  crofs  to 
 me  ;  it  is  too  real,  and  hath  fad  and  cortain  grounds.  But  I  will 
 not  believe  that  God  will  take  this  advantage  of  me  when  my 
 back  is  at  the  wall  :  he  who  forbiddeth  to  add  aifli£^ion  to  afflic- 
 tion, will  he  do  it  himfelf  ?  why  (hould  he  purfue  a  dry  leaf  and 
 ftubble  ?  Defire  him  to  fpare  me  now.  Alfo  the  memory  of  the 
 fair  feaft  days  that  Chrift  and  I  had  in  his  banqueting-houfe  of 
 wine,  and  the  fcattercd  flock,  once  committed  to  me,  and  now 
 taken  off  my  hand  by  himfelf,  becaufe  I  was  not  fo  faithful  in  the 
 end,  as  I  was  in  the  firft  two  years  of  my  entry,  when  deep  de- 
 parted from  my  eyes,  becaufe  my  foul  was  taken  up  with  a  care 
 for  Chrifl's  lambs,  even  thefe  add  forrow  to  my  forrow.  Now  my 
 Lord  hath  only  given  me  this  to  fay,  ind  I  write  it  under  mine 
 own  hand,  (be  ye  the  Lord's  fervant's  witnefs)  welcome,  wel- 
 come, fweet,  fweet  crofs  of  Chrift  :  welcome,  welcome,  fair,  fair, 
 lovely,  royal  King,  with  thine  own  crofs :  let  us  all  three  go  to 
 heaven  together.  Neither  care  I  much  to  go  from  the  South  of 
 Scotland  to  the  North  ;  and  to  be  Chrift's  prifoner  amongit  un- 
 couth faces*,  a  place  of  this  kingdom,  which  1  have  little  reafon 
 to  be  in  love  with.  I  know,  Chrift  (hall  make  Aberdeen  my 
 garden  of  delights.  I  am  fully  perfuaded  that  Scotland  fliall  eat 
 Ezekiel's  book,  that  is  written  within  and  without,  Lamentation, 
 and  mourning,  and  woe,  Ezek.  ii.  10.  but  the  faints  fhall  get  a 
 drink  of  the  well,  that  goeth  through  the  ftreets  of  the  new  Je^ 
 rufelem,  to  put  it  down.  Thus,  hoping  ye  will  think  upon  the 
 poor  prifoner  of  Chrift,  I  pray,  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 Edin.  July  30,  Tour  LadyJIoip^s  in  hh  fweet 
 
 1 636.  Lord  Jefus,  S.  R. 
 
 211.     To  ALEXANDER  GOPtDON  of  Earljloun, 
 Much  honoured  Sir^ 
 T  FIND  fmall  hopes  of  Q^s  bufinefs.     I  intend  after  the  council- 
 •*■  ^ay  to  go  on  to  Aberdeen ;  the  Lord  id  with  me,  I  care  not 
 
Epift.  212,  213.]  LETTERS.  313 
 
 what  man  can  do.  I  burden  no  man,  and  I  want  nothing  ;  no  king 
 is  better  provided  than  I  am :  fwcet,  fweet  and  eafy  is  the  crols  of 
 my  Lord  ;  all  men  I  look  in  the  face  (of  whatfoever  rank,  nobles 
 and  poor,  acquaintance  and  ftrangers)  are  friendly  to  me.  My 
 Well-beloved  is  fome  kinder  and  more  warmly  than  ordinary,  and 
 Cometh  and  vifitethTny  foul:  my  chains  are  over  gilded  with  gold. 
 Only  the  remembrance  of  my  fair  days  with  Chrift  in  Anwoth, 
 and  of  my  dear  flock  (whofe  cafe  is  my  heart's  forrow)  is  vineg;^r 
 to  my  fugared  wine  ;  yet  both  fweet  and  four  feed  my  foul.  No 
 pen,  no  words,  no  engine  can  exprefs  to  you  the  lovelinefs  of  my 
 only,  only  Lord  Jefus.  Thus  in  hafte,  making  for  my  prJace  at 
 Aberdeen,  I  blefs  you,  your  wife,  your  eldeft  fon  and  other  chil- 
 dren. Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 £uin.  Sept.  5.  Tours  in  his  cnly,  only  Lord  Jefus ^ 
 
 1636.  S.  R. 
 
 212.    To  ROBERT  GORDON  of  Knockbrex, 
 
 My  deareji  Brother^ 
 T  See  Chrift  thinking  (ham.e  (if  I  may  fpeak  fo)  to  be  in  fncb  a 
 •*■  poor  man's  common  as  mine.  I  burden  no  man  ;  I  want  no- 
 thing ;  no  hct  hath  gloomed  upon  me  fince  I  left  you  :  God's 
 fun  and  fair  weather  conveyeth  me  to  my  time-paradife  in  Aber- 
 deen; Chrift  hath  fo  handfomely  fitted  for  my  fhoulders  this 
 rough  tree  of  the  crofs,  as  that  it  hr.rteth  rrie  no  wsys.  My  trea- 
 fure  is  up  in  Ch rift's  cofi'ers ;  my  comforts  arc  greater  than  ye  can 
 believe  ;  my  pen  ftiall  ly  for  penury  of  words  to  write  of  them. 
 God  knowetb,  1  am  filled  with  the  joy  of  the  holy  Ghoft.  Only 
 the  memory  of  you,  my  deareft  in  the  Lord,  my  flock  and  others* 
 keepeth  me  under,  and  from  being  exalted  above  meafure:  Chrift  s 
 fweet  fauce  hath  this  four  mixed  with  it;  but  O  luch  a  fweet  and 
 pleafant  taite  !  I  find  fmall  hopes  of  Q^  matter.  Thus  in  hafte. 
 Remember  m.e  to  your  wif'j,  and  to  William  Gordon.  Grace  be 
 with  you. 
 
 Edin.  Sept.  5,  Tours  in  his  only^  only  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1636.  S.  R. 
 
 213.     To  my  Lord  LOWDON. 
 
 Right  honourable  and  very  worthy  Lord, 
 /'"^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you:  hearingof  your  Lord  fin  p*» 
 ^^  zeal  and  courage  for  Chrift  our  Lord,  in  owning  his  honour- 
 able caufe,  I  am  bold  (and  I  pleiul  pardon  for  it)  to  fpeak  in  paper 
 by  a  line  or  two  to  your  LordOiip,  (fince  I  have  not  accefs  any  o- 
 ther  way)  bcfeeching  your  LordOiip,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  and 
 by  the  everlafting  peace  of  your  foul,  and  by  the  tears  and  prayerl 
 
 Rr 
 
314  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  213.] 
 
 of  our  mother- church,  to  go  on  as  ye  have  worthily  begun,  in 
 purging  the  Lord^s  houfe  in  this  land,  and  plucking  down  the 
 flicks  of  Antichrift's  filthy  neft,  this  wretched  prelacy,  and  that 
 black  kingdom,  whofe  wicked  aims  have  ever  been,  and  ftill  are, 
 to  make  this  fat  world  the  only  compafs  they  would  have  Chrill 
 and  religion  to  fail  by;  and  to  mount  upon  the  man  of  fin,  their 
 godfather  the  pope  of  Rome,  upon  the  highefl  flair  of  Chrifl's 
 throne,  and  to  make  a  velvet-church,  (in  regard  of  parliament 
 grandeur  and  worldly  pomp,  whereof  always  their  flinking  breath 
 fmelleth)  and  put  Chrift  and  truth  in  fackcloth  and  prifon,  and  to 
 eat  the  bread  of  adverfity,  and  drink  the  water  of  affli£lion  :  half 
 an  eyeof  any,  not  mifled  with  the  darknefsof  Antichriftian  fmoke, 
 may  fee  it  thus  in  this  land;  and  now  our  Lord  hath  begun  to  a- 
 waken  the  nobles  and  others,  to  plead  for  borne-down  Chrift,  and 
 his  weeping  gofpel.  My  dear  and  noble  Lord,  the  eye  of  Chrift 
 is  upon  you;  the  eyes  of  many  noble,  many  holy,  many  learned 
 and  worthy  ones,  in  our  neighbour  churches  about  are  upon  you. 
 This  poor  church,  your  mother  and  Chrifl's  fpoufe,  is  holding  up 
 her  hands  and  heart  to  God  for  you,  and  doth  befeech  you  with 
 tears,  to  plead  for  her  hufband,  his  kingly  fceptre,  and  for  the  li- 
 berties th.it  her  Lord  and  King  hath  given  to  her  as  to  a  free  king- 
 dom, that  oweth  fpiritual  tribute  to  none  on  earth,  as  being  the 
 free-born  princcfs  and  daughter  to  the  King  of  kings.  This  is  a 
 caufe  that,  before  God,  his  angels,  the  world,  before  fun  and  moon, 
 needeth  not  to  blufli,  O  what  glory  and  true  honour  is  it,  to  lend 
 Chrift  your  hand  and  fervice,  and  to  be  amongfl  the  repairers  of 
 the  breaches  of  Zion's  walls,  and  to  help  to  build  the  old  wafte  pla- 
 ees,  and  flretch  forth  the  curtains,  and  ftrcngthen*the  flakes  of 
 Chrifl's  tent  in  this  land  1  O  blefled  are  they,  who,  when  Chrift 
 is  driven  away,  will  bring  him  back  again,  and  lend  him  lodging  \ 
 and  blefied  are  ye  of  the  Lord !  your  name  and  honour  fhall  never 
 rot  nor  wither  in  heaven  (at  leaft)  if  ye  deliver  the  Lord's  flieep, 
 that  have  been  fcattered  in  the  dark  and  cloudy  day,  out  of  the 
 hands  of  flrange  Lords  and  hirelings,  who  with  rigour  and  cruel- 
 ty have  caufed  them  to  eat  the  pallures  trodden  apon  with  their 
 foul  feet,  and  to  drink  muddy  water,  and  who  have  fpun  out  fuch 
 a  world  of  yards  of  indilferencies  in  God's  worfhip,  to  make  and 
 weave  a  web  for  the  Antichrift,  (that  fliall  not  keep  any  from  the 
 cold)  as  they  mind  nothing  elfe,  but  that  by  the  bringing  in  of 
 the  pope's  foul  tail  firft  upon  us,  (their  wretched  and  beggarly 
 ceremonies)  that  they  may  thrufl  in  after  them  the  Antichrift's  leg« 
 and  thighs,  and  his  belly,  head  and  fhoulders;  and  then  cry  down 
 Chrift  and  the  gofpel,  and  up  the  merchandize  and  wares  of  the 
 great  whore.  Fear  not,  my  worthy  Lord,  to  give  yourfelf,  and 
 all  ye  have,  out  for  Chrift  and  his  gofpel :  no  man  dare  fay,  who- 
 ever did  thus  hazard  for  Chrifl,  that  Chrifl  p^id  him  not  his  hua- 
 
Epift.  214-]  LETTERS.  31^ 
 
 dred-fold  in  this  life,  duly,  and  in  the  life  to  come,  life  everlafling. 
 This  is  his  own  truth  ye  now  plead  for;  for  God  and  man  can- 
 •  not  but  commend  you,    to  beg  juftice  from  a   jiiii:  prince  for  op-, 
 prefled  Chrift;  and  to  plead  that  Chrift,   Avho  is  the  king's  Lord, 
 may  be  heard  in  a  free  court  to  fpealc  for  himfelf,  when  the  ftindinsj 
 and  eftablifhcd  laws  of  our  natioji  can  ilrongly  plead  for  Chrifl's 
 crown  in  the  pulpits,  and  his  chair,  as  Law-giver  in  the  free  go- 
 vernment of  his  own  houfe  :   but  Chrift    lliall   never  be  content 
 and  pleafed  with  this  land,  neither  fliall  his  hot  fiery  indignation 
 be  turned  away,  fo  long  as  the  prelate  (the  man  that  lay  in  Anti- 
 chrift's   foul  womb,  and   the  Antichrift's  Lord-bailiff)   (hall   fit 
 Lord-carver,  in  the  Lord  Jefus  his  courts  :  the  prelate  is  both  the 
 €gg  and  the  neft  to  deck  and  bring  forth  popery  :  plead  therefore 
 in  Chrift's  behalf,  for  the  plucking  down  of  the  neii,  and  crufhing 
 of  the  egg',  an  i  let  Chrilt's  kingly  office  fuffer  no  more  unworthy 
 indignities.     Be  valiant  lor  your  royal  King  Jefus;   contend  for 
 liim  :  your  adverfaries  iliall  be  moth-eaten  worms,  and  fhall  die 
 as  men.     Chrift  and  his  honour  now  licth  upon  your  iboulders, 
 let  him  not  fall  to  the  ground  :  caft  your  eye  upon  him,   who  is 
 xjuickly  coming  to  decide  all   the  controverlies  in  Zion ;  and  re*- 
 member,  the  fand  in  your  night-glafs  will  run  out  :  time  with 
 wings  will  flee  away,  eternity  is  hard  upon  you,  and  what  will 
 Chrift's  love-fmiles,  and  the  light  of  his  lovely  and  fcul-delighting 
 countenance  be  to  you  in  that  day,  when  God  fliall  take  up  in  his 
 right-hand  this  little  lodge  of  heaven  (like  as  a  Iheph.erd  lifteth  up 
 his  little  tent)   and  fold  together  the  two  leaves  of  this  tent,  and 
 put  the  earth  and  all  the  plenilhing  of  it  into  a  fire,  and  turn  this 
 clay-idol,  the  god  of  Adam's  fons,  into  fmoke  and  white  nvlies  I 
 O!  what  hire,   and  how  many  worlds  would   many  then  give,  tp 
 have  a  favourable  decreet  of  the  Judge  ?  or  whvit  moneys  would 
 they  not  give,  to  buy  a  mountain,  to  be  a  grave  above  both  i'oul 
 and  body,  to  hide  them  from  the  awfome  looks  of  an  angry  Lord 
 and  Judge  ?  1  hope,  your  Lordihip  thinketh  upon  this,  and  that 
 ye  mind  loyalty  to  Chrift,  and  to  the  king  both.     Now  the  vei-y 
 God  of  peace,  the  only  wife  God,  eftabliOi  and  ftrengthen  }ou 
 upon  the  Piock  laid  in  Zion. 
 
 y^berd.  Jan.  ^.  i6jv*:^.  Your  Lordfiip's  at  all  obedience 
 
 in  Chrijt,   iS.  R. 
 
 214.  To  a  Chrijt ian  Gentldivoman. 
 Mijlrejiy 
 /^RACE,  mercy,  and  peace  be  to  you.  Though  not  acquainted, 
 ^-^  yet,  at  the  defire  of  a  Chrifti.m  brother,  I  thought  good  to 
 write  a  line  unto  you,  intreating  \ou  in  the  Lord  Jefus,  under 
 your  trials,  to  keep  an  ear  open  to  Chrift,  who  can  Ipeak  for  him- 
 felf, howbeit  your  viiitations,  and  your  own  fenfc,  tnould  dream 
 
 Rr  2 
 
3i6  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  214.] 
 
 hard  things  of  his   love  and  favour.     Our  Lord  never  getteth  fo 
 kind  a  look  of  us,  nor  our  love  in  fuch  a  degree,  nor  our  faith  in 
 iuch  a  meafure  of  (ledfaftnefs,  as  he  getteth  out  of  the  furnace  of 
 our  tempting  fears  and  fharp  trials.      I  verily  believe  (and  too  fad 
 proofs  in  me  fay  no  lefs)  that  if  our  Lord  would  grind  our  whorifh 
 luft  in  powder,  the  very  old  afhes  of  our  corruption  fhould  take 
 life  again,  and  live,  and  hold  us  under  fo  much  bondage,  that  may 
 humble  us,>  and  make  us  fad,  till  we  be  in  that  country  where  we 
 fhall  need  no  phyfic  at  all.  O  what  violent  means  doth  our  Lord 
 life  to  gain  us  to  him,  as  if  indeed  we  were  a  prize  worthy  his 
 lighting  for !  And  be  fure,  if  leading  would  do  the  turn,  he  would 
 not  ufe  pulling  of  the  hair  and  drawing  :  but  the  bcft  of  us  will 
 bide  a  ftrong  pull  of  our  Lord's  right  arm,  ere  we  follow  him. 
 Yet  I  fay  not  this,  as  if  our  Lord  al  vays  meafured  affliclions  by  fo 
 inany  ounce-weights,  anfwerable  to  the  grnin-welghts  of  our  guil- 
 tinefs  :  I  know  he  doth  in  many  (and   pollibly  in  you)  feek  no- 
 thing fo  much  as  faith,    that  can  endure  fummer  and  winter  in 
 their  extremity.     O  how  precious  to  the  Lord  is  faith  and  love, 
 that  when  threfhed,    beaten,  and  chafed  away,  and  boafted  (as  it 
 iverc)  by  God  himfelF,  doth  yet  look  warm-like,  love-like,  kind- 
 like, and  life-like  home  over  to  Chrift,  and  would  be  in  at  him, 
 ill  and  well  as  it  may  be!  Think  not  much,  that  your  hulband, 
 or  the  nearefl;  to  you  in  the  world,  proveth  to  have  the  bowels  and 
 mercy  of  the  oftrich,  hard  and  rigorous  and  cruel;  for  Pfal.  xxvii. 
 10.  the  Lord  taketh  up  fuch  fallen  ones  as  thefe.  I  could  not  wiih 
 a  more  fweet  life,  nor  more  fatisfying  expreflions  of  kindnefs,  till 
 I  be  up  at  that  Prince  of  kindnefs;  than  the  Lord's  faints  find, 
 Tv^hen  the  Lord  taketh  up  men's  refufe,  and  lodgeth  this  world's 
 outlaws,  whom  no  man  feeketh  after.    His  breath  is  never  fo  hot, 
 his  love  cafteth  never  fuch  a  flame,  as  when  this  world,  and  thofe 
 who  fhould  be  the  helpers  of  our  joy,  caft  water  on  our  coal.    It 
 5s  a  fweet  thing  to  fee  them  caft  out,   and  God  take  in  ;    and  to 
 iee  them  throw  us  away,  as  the  refufe  of  men,  and  God  take  us 
 up  as  his  jewels  and  his  treafure.  Often  he  maketh  gold  of  drofs, 
 as  once    he  made  the  caft-away  ftonc,   the  Sione  rejeEled  by  the 
 builders,  the  Head  of  the  corner.     The  princes  of  this  world  would 
 not  have  cur  Lord  Jefus  a  pinning  in  the  wall,  or  to  have  any  place 
 in   the  building;  but  the  Lord   made   him   the  Mafter-ftohe  of 
 power  and  place.     God   be   thanked,   that  this  world  hath  "not 
 power  to  cry  us  down  fo  many  pounds,  as  rulers  cry  down  light 
 gold,  or  light  filver;   we  Ihall  itand  tor  as  much  as  our  Mafter- 
 coinerChrifl,  whofe  coin,  arms,  andftamp  we  bear,  will  have  us: 
 Chrill  hath  no  mifcarrying  balance     Thank  your  Lord,  who  cha- 
 feth  your  love  through  two  kingdoms,   and  followeth    you  and  it 
 over  fea,  to  have  you  for  himfelf,  as  he  fpeaketh,  Hof.  iii.     Fo^f 
 iGod  layeth  up  his  fuints,  as  the  wail  and  the  choice  of  all  th«, 
 
Epift.  214.]  LETTERS.  317 
 
 world,  for  himfelf ;  and  this  Is  like  Chrift  and  his  love.  O  what, 
 in  heaven  or  out  of  heaven,  is  comparable  to  the  fmell  of  Chrift's 
 garments  !  Nay,  fuppofe  our  Lord  would  manifefl  his  art,  and 
 make  ten  thoufand  heavens  of  good  and  glorious  things,  and  of 
 new  joys,  devifed  out  of  the  deep  of  infinite  Wifdom,  he  coul4 
 not  make  the  like  of  Chrift  ;  for  Chrift  is  God,  and  God  cannot 
 be  made  -.  and  therefore  let  us  hold  us  with  Chrift,  hovvbeit  we 
 might  have  our  wail  and  will  of  an  hoft  of  lovers,  as  many  as 
 three  heavens  could  contain  :  O  that  he  and  we  were  together  ! 
 O  !  when  Chrift  and  ye  lliall  meet  about  the  outmoft  march  and 
 borders  of  time,  and  the  entry  into  eternity,  ye  ftiall  fee  heaven 
 in  his  face  at  the  fii  ft  look,  and  falvatlon  and  gloi  y  fitting  in  his 
 countenance,  and  betwixt  his  eyes.  Faint  not :  the  miles  to 
 heaven  are  but  few  and  ftiort ;  he  is  making  a  green  bed  (as  the 
 word  fpeaketh.  Cant,  i.)  of  love,  for  himfelf  and  you:  there  are 
 many  heads  lying  in  Chrift's  bofom,  but  thcie  is  room  for  yours 
 among  the  reft :  and  therefore  go  on,  and  let  hope  go  before  you. 
 Sin  not  in  your  trials,  and  the  victory  is  yours.  Pray,  wreftle 
 and  believe,  and  ye  ftiall  overcome  and  prevail  with  God,  as  Ja- 
 cob did  :  no  windleftraws,  no  bits  of  clay,  no  temptations,  which 
 are  of  no  longer  life  than  an  hour,  will  then  be  able  to  withftand 
 you,  Avhen  once  ye  have  prevailed  with  God.  Help  me  with 
 your  prayers,  that  it  would  pleafe  the  Lord  to  give  me  houfe-room 
 again,  to  fpeak  of  his  righteoufnefs  in  the  great  congregation,  if 
 it  may  fecm  good  in  his  fight.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Jhrd.  July  6.  Tours  in  his  pweet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1637.  .     S.  R- 
 
31?  Ut  nUTHERFOORD's  Epld.  i.] 
 
 THE 
 
 SECOND    PART. 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 Some  LETTERS  of  the  fame  author,  from  Anwoth,  be- 
 fore his  Confinement  at  Aberdeen  ;  and  others  from 
 St.  Andrews,  London,  &c.  after  his  Enlargement. 
 
 I.  To  the  Vifcountefs  0/ KENMURE. 
 
 Mddamy 
 
 ALL  dutiful  obedience  in  the  Lord  remembered  :  I  have  heard 
 of  your  Ladyfliip's  infirmity  and  ficknefs,  with  grief;  yet  I 
 truft  ye  have  learned  to  fay,  It  is  the  Lordy  let  him  do  ivhatfoever 
 J'ecmcth  good  in  his  eyes.  It  is  now  many  years  fince  the  apoftate 
 angels  made  a  queftion,  whether  their  will  or  the  will  of  their 
 Creator  Oiould  be  done  ;  and  fmce  that  time,  fro  ward  mankind 
 hath  always  in  that  fame  fuit  of  law  compeared  to  plead  with 
 them  againfl  God,  in  daily  repining  againft  his  will:  but  the  Lord 
 being  both  party  and  judge,  hath  obtained  a  decreet,  and  faith,  Ifi. 
 xlvi.  10.  My  coLinfel  Jljall  Jland,  and  I -will  do  all  my  pie afure.  It 
 is  then  beft  for  us,  in  the  obedience  of  faith,  and  in  an  holy  fub- 
 mifiion,  to  give  that  to  God,  v/hich  the  law  of  his  Almighty  and 
 jufl:  power  will  have  of  us.  Therefore,  Madam,  your  Lord  willeth 
 you,  in  all  dates  of  life,  to  fay,  Thy  will  be  done  in  earth  as  it  is  in 
 heaven  :  and  herein  fhall  ye  have  comfort,  that  he  who  feeth  per- 
 fectly through  all  your  evils,  and  knoweth  the  frame  and  conftitu- 
 tion  of  your  nature,  and  what  is  moil:  healthful  for  your  foul,  hold- 
 eth  every  cup  of  affliction  to  your  head,  with  his  own  gracious 
 hand.  Never  believe,  that  your  tender-hearted  "Saviour,  who 
 knoweth  the  ftrength  of  your  flomach,  will  mix  that  cup  with 
 one  drachm-weight  of  poifon.  Drink  then  with  the  patience  of  the 
 faints;  and  the  God  of  patience  blefs  your  phyfic.  I  have  heard 
 your  Ladylhip  complain  of  deadnefs,  and  want  of  the  beflirring 
 power  of  the  life  of  God  ;  but  courage  j   he  who  walked  in  the 
 
Epift.  I.]  LETTERS.  319 
 
 garden,  and  made  a  noife  that  made  Adam  hear  his  voice,  will  alfo 
 at  fome  times  walk  in  your  foul,  and  make  you  hear  a  more  fweet 
 word  :  yet  ye  will  not  always  hear  the  noife  and  the  din  of  his 
 feet,  when  he  walketh.  Ye  are  at  fuch  a  time  like  Jacob  mourn- 
 ing at  the  fuppofed  death  of  Jofeph,  when  Jofeph  was  living.  The 
 new  creature,  the  image  of  the  fecond  Adam,  is  living  in  you; 
 and  yet  ye  are  mourning  at  the  fuppofed  death  of  the  life  oPChrift: 
 in  you.  Ephraim  is  bemoaning  and  mourning,  Jer.  xxxi.  18.  when 
 he  ihinketh  God  is  far  off  andheareth  not;  and  yet  God  is  like 
 the  Bridegroom,  Cant.  ii.  ftanding  only  behind  a  thin  wall,  and 
 laying  to  his  ear;  for  he  faith  himfelf,  ver.  18.  I  have  furely  heard 
 Ephraim  bemoaning  himfelf.  I  have  good  confidence,  Madam, 
 that  Chrift  Jefus,  whom  your  foul  through  forefts  and  mountains 
 is  feeking,  is  within  you  :  and  yet  I  fpeak  not  this,  to  lay  a  pillow 
 under  your  head,  or  to  diffuade  you  from  an  holy  fear  of  the  lofs 
 of  your  Chrift,  or  of  provoking  and  ftining  up  the  Beloved  be- 
 fore he  pleafe,  by  fin.  I  know,  in  fpiritual  confidence,  the  devil 
 will  come  in,  as  in  all  other  good  works,  and  cry.  Half  mine  \  and 
 fo  endeavour  to  bring  you  under  a  fearful  lleep,  till  he  whom  your 
 foul  loveth  be  departed  from  the  door,  and  have  left  off  knock- 
 ing ;  and  therefore,  here  the  Spirit  of  God  muft  hold  your  foul's 
 feet  in  the  golden  mid-line,  betvvixt  confident  refting  in  the  arms 
 of  Chrift,  and  prefumptuous  and  droufy  fleeping  in  the  bed  of 
 fleftily  fecurity.  Therefore,  worthy  Lady,  fo  count  little  of  your- 
 felf,  becaufe  of  your  own  wretchednefs  and  finful  droufinefs,  that 
 ye  count  not  alfo  little  of  God  in  the  courfe  of  his  unchangeable 
 mercy  ;  for  there  be  many  Chriftians,  moft  like  unto  young  failors, 
 who  think  the  Ihore  and  the  whole  land  doth  move,  when  the 
 fhip  and  they  themfelves  are  moved  \  juft  fo,  not  a  few  do  ima- 
 gine that  God  moveth  and  faileth,  and  changeth  places,  becaufe 
 their  giddy  fouls  are  under  fail,  and  fubje6t  to  alteration,  to  eb- 
 bing and  flowing ;  but  the  foundation  of  the  Lord  abideth  fure. 
 God  knoweth,  that  ye  are  his  own  :  wreftle,  fight,  go  forward, 
 ■watch,  fear,  believe^  pray;  and  then  ye  have  all  the  infallible 
 fymptoms  of  one  of  the  elecl  of  Chrift  within  you.  Ye  have  now> 
 Madam,  a  ficknefs  before  you;  and  alfo  after  that,  a  death  :  ga- 
 ther then  now  food  for  the  journey.  God  give  you  eyes  to  fee 
 through  (icknefs  and  death,  and  to  fee  fomething  beyond  death. 
 1  doubt  not,  but  if  hell  were  betwixt  you  and  Chiift,  as  a. river 
 which  ye  behoved  to  crofs,  ere  ye  could  come  at  him,  but  ye 
 would  willingiy  put  in  your  foot,  and  make  through,  to  be  at 
 hin\,  upon  hope  that  he  would  come  in  himfelf  in  the  deepefUaf 
 the  river,  and  lend  you  his  hand.  Now  I  believe,  your  hell  is 
 dried  up,  and  ye  have  only  thefe  two  (hallow  brooks,  ficknefs  and 
 death,  to  pafs  through  ;  and  ye  have  alfo  a  promife,  that  Chrift 
 Ihall  do   more  than  meet  you,  even  that  he  Ihail  come  himfeif 
 
310  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epifl.  r.:J 
 
 and  go  with  you  foot  for  foot,  yea,  and  bear  you  in  his  arms.  O 
 then !  O  then,  for  the  joy  that  is  fet  before  you,  for  the  love  of 
 the  man  (who  is  alfo  God  over  all,  blefled  for  ever)  that  is  ftand- 
 ing  upon  the  fhore  to  welcome  you,  run  your  race  with  patience. 
 The  Lord  go  with  you.  Your  Lord  will  not  have  you,  nor  any 
 of  his  fervants,  to  exchange  for  the  worfe.  Death  in  itfelf  in- 
 cludeth  both  the  death  of  the  foul,  and  the  death  of  the  body; 
 but  to  God's  children  the  bounds  and  the  limits  of  death  are  a- 
 bridged,  and  drawn  into  a  more  narrow  compafs :  fo  that  when 
 ye  die,  a  piece  of  death  fhall  only  feize  upon  you,  or  the  leafl  part: 
 of  you  fhall  die,  and  that  is  the  diflblution  of  the  body;  for  in 
 Chrift  ye  are  delivered  from  the  fecond  death :  and  therefore,  as 
 one  born  of  God,  commit  not  fin  (although  ye  cannot  live  and  not 
 fin)  and  that  ferpent  Oiall  but  eat  your  earthly  part.  As  for  your 
 foul,  it  is  above  the  law  of  death  :  but  it  is  fearful  and  dange- 
 rous, to  be  a  debtor  and  fervant  to  fin  ;  for  the  count  of  fin  ye  will 
 not  be  able  to  make  good  before  God,  except  Chrift  both  count 
 and  pay  for  you.  1  trult  alfo.  Madam,  that  ye  will  be  careful  to 
 prefent  to  the  Lord  the  prefent  eftate  of  this  decaying  kirk ;  for 
 what  fliall  be  concluded  in  parliament  anent  her,  the  Lord  know- 
 eth :  fure  I  am,  the  decree  of  a  moft  fearful  parliament  in  heaven 
 is  at  the  very  point  of  coming  forth,  becaufc  of  the  fins  of  the  land; 
 for  vje  have  caji  away  the  law  of  the  Lordy  and  defpifed  the  ivords 
 of  the  holy  One  of  Ifraely  Ifa.  v.  24.  Judgment  is  turned  away  back- 
 ivardy  and  jujiicc  Jiandcth  afar  off ;  truth  is  fallen  in  thejlreets,  and 
 equity  camiot  enter,  Ifa.  lix.  14.  Lo,  the  prophet,  as  if  he  had  feen 
 us  and  our  kirk,  refembleth  juftice  to  be  handled  as  an  enemy, 
 holden  out  at  the  ports  of  our  city,  fo  is  ihe  banifhed  :  and  truth 
 to  a  perfon  fickly  and  difeafed,  fallen  down  in  a  deadly  fwooning 
 fit,  in  the  ftreets,  before  he  can  come  to  an  houfe.  The  pricjls  have 
 caufed  many  to  Jhimble  at  the  laiu,  and  have  corrupted  the  covenant 
 of  Levi,  Mai.  ii.  8  But  what  will  they  do  in  the  end?  Jer.  v.  -^i. 
 Therefore  give  the  Lord  no  reft  for  Zion.  Stir  up  your  hufband, 
 your  brother,  and  all  with  whom  ye  are  in  favour  and  credit,  to 
 ftand  upon  the  Lbrd's  fide,  again  ft  Baal.  I  h^ve  good  hope,  your 
 huftjand  loveth  the  peace  and  profperity  of  Zion  :  the  peace  of  God 
 be  upon  him,  for  his  intended  courfes,  anent  the  eftablidnTicnt 
 of  a  powerful  miniftry  in  this  land.  Thus,  not  willing  to  weary 
 your  Ladyfhip  farther,  I  commend  you,  now  and  always,  to  the 
 grace  and  mercy  of  that  God,  who  is  able  to  keep  you,  that  ye- 
 fall  not.  The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 Jnwcthy  July  2"],  Tour  Ladyjlnp's  fervant  at  all 
 
 1628.  dutiful  obedience  in  Chi  ijlf  S.  R. 
 
Eplft.  2.]  LETTERS.  321 
 
 2.     To  the  parijlmmrs  of  KILMACOLME. 
 
 Worthy  and  -jj ell-beloved  in  Chrijt  Jefus  our  Lord, 
 /^^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Your  letters  could  not 
 ^^  come  to  my  hand  in  a  greater  throng  of  bufiners,  than  I  am 
 now  prefled  with  at  this  time,  when  our  kirk,  requireth  the  public 
 help  ot  us  all ;  yet  I  cannot  but  anfwer  the  heads  of  both  your  let- 
 ters, with  provifion  that  ye  chufe,  after  this,  a  fitter  time  for  writ- 
 ing. I.  1  would  not  have  you  pitch  upon  me.  as  the  man  able 
 by  letters  to  anfwer  doubts  of  this  kind,  while  there  are  in  your 
 bounds  men  of  fuch  great  parts,  moft  able  for  this  work.  I  know 
 the  beft  are  unable  ;  yet  it  pleafeth  that  Spirit  of  Jefus,  to  blow  his 
 fvvect  wind  through  a  piece  of  dry  ftick,  that  the  empty  reed  may 
 keep  no  glory  to  itfelf  5  but  a  minifter  can  make  no  fuch  wind  as 
 this  to  blow,  he  is  fcarce  able  to  lend  it  a  pafiage  to  blow  through 
 him.  2.  Know  that  the  wind  of  this  Spirit  hath  a  time,  when  it 
 blowcth  fharp,  and  pierceth  fo  ftrongly,  that  it  would  blow  through, 
 an  iron  door;  and  this  is  commonly  rather  under  fufFering  for 
 Chrift,  than  at  any  other  time.  Sick  children  get  of  Chrift's 
 pleafant  things,  to  play  them  withal,  becaufe  Jefus  is  moil  tender 
 of  the  fufferer,  for  he  was  a  fufferer  himfelf.  O  if  I  had  but  the 
 leavings  and  the  drawing  of  the  by- board  of  a  fuiFerer's  table  !  But 
 I  leave  this  to  anfwer  yours.  Firj^y  Ye  write,  That  God's  vows 
 are  lying  on  you  ;  and  fecurity  ftrong,  and  fib  to  nature,  ftealing 
 on  you  who  are  weak.  I  anfwer,  i .  Till  we  be  in  heaven,  the 
 beft  have  heavy  heads,  as  is  evident,  Cant.  v.  i.  Pfal.  xxx.  6.  Joi^ 
 xxix.  18.  Matth.  xxvi.  33.  Nature  is  a  fluggard,  and  loveth  not 
 the  labour  of  religion :  therefore  reft  fliould  not  be  taken,  till  we 
 know  the  difeafe  be  over,  and  in  the  way  of  turning,  and  that  it  is 
 like  a  fever  paft  the  cool :  and  the  quietnefs  and  calms  of  the  faith 
 of  victory  over  corruption,  would  be  entertained  in  the  place  of 
 fecurity ;  fo  that  if  1  lleep,  I  would  defire  to  Ileep  faith's  fleep  in 
 Chrift's  bofom.  2.  Know  aifo,  none  that  llcep  found  can  leriouf- 
 ly  compLin  of  fleepinefs  ;  forrow  for  a  llumbering  foul,  i$  a  token 
 of  fome  watchfulnefs  of  fpirit:  but  this  is  fooa  turned  into  wan- 
 tonnefs  (as  grace  in  us  too  often  is  abufcd)  therefore  our  waking 
 niuft  be  watched  over,  elfe  flcep  will  even  grow  out  of  watclnng  ; 
 and  there  is  as  much  need  to  watch  over  grace,  as  to  Avatch  over 
 lin :  full  men  will  foon  fleep,  and  fooner  than  hungry  men.  3. 
 For  your  weaknefs  to  keep  off  fecurity,  that  like  a  thief  ftealeth  up- 
 on you,  I  would  fay  two  things:  (i.)  To  want  coiuplaints  of 
 weaknefs,  is  for  heaven,  and  angels  that  never  finned,  not  for 
 Chrillians  in  Chrift's  camp  on  earth  :  1  think  our  weaknefs  maketh 
 us  ihe  church  of  the  rcdeem.ed  ones,  and  Chrift's  field  that  the 
 Mediator  ftiould  labour  in.  If  there  were  no  difeafes  on  earth, 
 there  needed  no  phyficians  on  earth.     If  Chrift  had  cried  dowa 
 
 5f 
 
322  Mr  RUTHERFOORITs  Epift.  2.3 
 
 weaknefsjhe  might  have  cried  down  his  own  calling  ;  but  weak- 
 nefs  is  our  Mediator's  world  :  fin  is  Chrift's  only,  only  fair  and  mar- 
 ket. No  man  fliould  rejoice  at  weaknsfs  and  difeafes  ;  but  I  think, 
 we  may  have  a  fort  of  gladnefs  at  boils  and  fores,  becaufe,  without 
 them,  Chrift's  fingers,  as  a  flain  Lord,  fnould  never  have  touched 
 our  fkln.  I  dare  not  thank,  myfelf,  but  I  dare  thank  God's  depth 
 of  wife  providence,  that  I  have  an  errand  in  me,  while  I  live,  for 
 Chrift  to  come  and  viiit  me,  and  bring  with  him  his  drugs  and  his 
 bairn.  O  how  fv/ect  is  it  for  a  finner  to  put  his  weaknefs  in  Chrift's 
 ftrengthening  hand,  and  to  father  a  fick  foul  upon  fuch  a  Phyfician, 
 and  to  lay  weaknefs  before  him,  to  weep  upon  him,  and  to  plead 
 and  pray  !  Weaknefs  caji  fpeak  and  cry,  when  we  have  not  a  tongue  ,- 
 Ezck.  xvi.  6.  ^nd  luben  I  paffcd  by  thee,  and  Jaw  thee  polluted  in 
 thins  civil  bhod,  I J  aid  unto  thee,  ivhen  thsu  wajt  in  thy  blood,  Live, 
 The  kirk  could  not  fpeak  one  word  to  Chrift  then  5  but  blood  and 
 guiltinefs  out  of  meafure  fpake,  and  drew  out  of  Chrift  pity, 
 and  3  word  oi  life  and  love.  (2.)  For  weaknefs,  we  have  it,  that 
 we  may  employ  Chrift's  ftrength  becaufe  of  our  weaknefs  :  weak- 
 ilefs  is  to  make  us  the  ftrorlgeft  things ;  that  is,  when  having  no 
 ftrength  of  our  own,  we  are  carried  upon  Chrift's  (lioulders,  and 
 walk  (as  it  were)  upon  his  legs  :  if  our  finful  weaknafs  fwell  up  to 
 the  clouds,  Chrift's  ftrength  will  fwell  up  to  the  fun,  and  far  above 
 the  heaven  of  heavens.  2/f/y,  Ye  tell  me.  That  there  is  need  of 
 counfel  for  ftrengthening  of  new  beginners.  I  can  fay  little  to 
 that,  who  am  not  well  begun  myfelf;  but  I  know,  honeft  begin- 
 nings are  nourifhed  by  him,  even  by  lovely  Jefus,  who  never  yet 
 put  out  a  poor  man's  dim  candle,  who  is  wreftling  betwixt  light 
 and  darknefs.  I  am  fure,  if  new  beginners  would  urge  themfelves 
 upon  Chrift,  and  prcfs  their  fouls  upon  him,  and  importune  him 
 for  a  draught  of  his  fweet  love,  they  could  not  come  wrong  to  Chrift : 
 ccme  once  in  upon  the  right  nick  and  ftep  of  his  lovely  love,  and  J 
 defy  you  to  get  free  of  him  again  :  if  any  beginners  fall  oft' Chrift 
 ag?.in,  and  mifs  him,  they  never  lighted  upon  Chrift  as  Chrift;  it 
 was  but  an  idol,  like  Jefus,  they  took  for  him.  -^dfyy  Whereas  ye 
 complain  of  a  dead  miniftry  in  your  bounds:  ye  are  to  remember 
 thnt  the  Bible  among  you  is  the  ccntraft  of  marriage  ;  and  the 
 manner  of  Chrifts  conveying  his  love  to  your  heart  is  not  fo  abfo- 
 lutely  dependent  upon  even  lively  preaching,  as  that  there  is  no  con- 
 Terfion  at  all,  no  life  of  God,  but  thi?t  that  is  tied  to  a  man's  lips  ; 
 the  daughters  of  Jerufal^m  have  done  often  that  which  the  watch- 
 men could  not  do.  IVIake  Chrift  your  minifter,  he  can  woo  a  foul 
 at  a  dyke-fide  in  the  field ;  he  needeth  not  us,  howbeit  the  flock 
 be  obliged  to  fcek  him  in  the  ftiepherds  tents.  Hunger  of  Chrift's 
 making  may  thrive,  even  under  ftewards  v/ho  mind  not  the  feed- 
 ing of  the  fiock.  O  bleflcd  foul,  that  can  leap  over  a  m.an,  and 
 liDok  above  a  pulpit  up  to  drift,  who  can  preach  home  to  the 
 
Epift.  2.]  LETTERS.  32^ 
 
 heart,  howbelt  we  were  all  dead  and  rotten  !     ^,thly.  So  to  com-, 
 plain  of  yourfelf,  as  to  juftify  God,  is  right;  providing  ye  juitiTy 
 his  Spirit   in  yourfelf ;  for  men  fddom   advocate  againlt  Satsn's 
 work  and  fin  in  themfelvts,  butagainit  God's  work  in  themielves: 
 fome  of  the  people  of  God  flander  God's  grace  in  thtiir  fouls,  as 
 fome  wretches  ufe  to  do,  who  complain  and  munniir  of  want ;  I 
 have  nothing  (fay  they)  all  is  gone,  the  ground  yieideth  but  weeds 
 and  windleftraws;   when  as  their  fat  harveft,  and  their  money  on 
 bank  maketh  them  liars.     But  for  myfelf,  alas  !   I  think  it  is  net 
 my  fin,  I  have  fcarce  wit  to  fm  this  fm :  but  I  advifc  you  to  fpeak 
 good  of  Chrift  for  his  beauty  and  fwcetnefs,  and  fpeak  good  of  him 
 for  his  grace  to  yourfelves.     S^^^y^  Light  remaineth,  ye  fay,  but 
 ye  cannot  attain  to  painfulnefs.   See  if  this  complaint  be  not  book- 
 ed in  the  New  Teftament:  and  the  place,  Rom. vii.  18.  is  like  this, 
 T5  ivill  is  prefent  nuith  me^  but  k'-.'vj  to  pcrfonn  that  which  is  good  I 
 knew  not.     But  every  one  hath  not  Pauls  fpirit  in  coniplaini«g  : 
 ibr  often  in  us  complaining  is  but  an  humble  back-biting  and  tra- 
 ducing of  Chrift's  new  work  in  the  foul.     But  for  the  matter  of 
 the  complaint,  I  would  fay,  the  light  of  glory  is  perfcclly  obeyed  in 
 loving,  and  praiiing,  and  rejoicing,  and  reiting  in  a  ittn  and  known 
 Lord  :  but  that  light  is  not  bereaway.  in  any  clay-bo<iy  ;  for,  while 
 we  are  here,  light  is  in  the  moft  part  broader  and  longer  than  our 
 ;iarrow  and  fecklefs  obedience  :  but  if  there  be  ligbt,  with  a  fair 
 train  and  a  great  back,  I  mean,  armies  of  challenging  thoughts,  aiui 
 forrow  for  coming  (hort  of  performance  in  what  we  know  arid  fee 
 ought  to  be  performed,  then  that  forrow  for  wot  doing  is  accepted 
 of  our  Lord  for  doing :  our  honeft  forrow  a-nd  fincere  aims,  toge- 
 ther with  Chrift's  in-tercelTion,  pleading  that  God  would  welcome 
 that  which  we  have,  and  forgive  what  we   have  not,  rauft  be  eur 
 life,   till  we  be  over  the  bound-road,  and  in  the  other  country, 
 where  the  law  will  get  a  perfect  foul.     6thly,  In  Chriii's  abfencc, 
 there  is  (as  ye  write)  a  willingnefs  to  ufe  means,  but  heavinefs  af- 
 ter the  life  ot  them,  becaufe  of  the  formal  and  flight  pc  rform.ance. 
 In  Clirift's  abfence,  I  confefs,  the  work  lyeth   behind  ;  but  if  ye 
 rnean  abfence  of  comfort,  and  abfence  of  fenfe  of  his  fweetf  refcncc, 
 I  think  that  abfence  is  Chrift's  trying  of  us,  not  fimply  cur  fin  a- 
 galnft  him  :  therefore,  howbeit  our  obedience  be  not  iugarcd  and 
 fweetened  with  joy ;  (which  is  the  fweet-meat  bairns  would  fiiil  be 
 at)  yet  the  lefs  fenfe,  and  the  more  willingnefs  in  obeying,  the  lefs 
 formality  in  our  obedience,  howbeit  w©  think  not  fo  ;  for  I  believe, 
 many  think  obedience  formal  and  lifelefs,  except  the  v.ind  be  fair 
 in  the  Weft,  and  <«ils  filled  with  joy  and  fenfe,  till  fouls,  like  a  (liip 
 fair  before  the  wind,  can  fnread  no  more  fail :  but  I  am  not  of  their 
 minrl,  who  think  fo.     But  if  ye  mean,   by  abfence  of  Chrift,  the 
 withdrawing  of  his  working  grace,  I  fee  not  how  willingnefs  to  ule 
 means  can  beat  all  under  fuch  an  abfence  :  therefoie,  be  humbled 
 
324  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  2.] 
 
 for  heavmefs  in  that  obedience,  and  thankful  for  wlllingnefs  :  for 
 the  Bridegroom  is  bufking  his  fpoufe  oftentimes,  while  (lie  is  half 
 fleeping ;  and  your  Lord  is  working  and  helping  more  than  ye  fee. 
 jWio  I  recommend  to  you  heavinefs  for  formality,  and  for  lifelefs 
 deadncfs  in  obedience  :  be  caften  down,  as  much  as  ye  will  or  can, 
 for  deadncfs  •,  and  challenge  that  flow  and  dull  carcafe  of  fin,  that 
 will  neither  lead  nor  drive,  in  your  fpiritual  obedience.     O  how 
 fweet  to  lovely  Jefus  are  bills  and  grievances,  given  in  againft  cor- 
 ruption and  the  body  of  fin  !   I  would  have  Chrilt,  in  fuch  a  cafe  ! 
 falhed  (if  I  may  fptak  fo}  and  deavcd  with  our  cries,  as  ye  fee  the 
 spoftle  doth.  Pvom.  vii.  24.   0  wretched  man  that  I  am,    ivhofiall^ 
 deliver  me  from  the  body  of  this  death  r    Proteftations  again  ft  the 
 law  of  fm  in  you,  are  law  grounds  why  fin  can  have  no  law  againft 
 you  :  feek  to  have  your  proteftation  difculled  and  judged,  and  then 
 iball  ye  find  Chrift  on  your  fide  of  it.     ^thly^  Ye  hold,   That 
 Chrift  muft  either  have  hearty  fervice,   or  no  fervice  at  all      If  ye 
 mean,  he  will  not  half  a  heart,  or  have  feigned  fervice,  fuch  as  the 
 hypocrites  give  him,  I  grant  you  that;  Chrift  muft  have  honefty 
 or  nothing :  but  if  ye  mean,  he  will  have  no  fervice  at  all,  where 
 the  heart  draweth   back  in  any  meafure ;  I  would  not  that  were 
 true,  for  my  part  of  heaven,  and  all  that  I  am  worth  in  the  world. 
 If  ye  mind  to  walk  to  heaven,  without  a  cramp  or  a  crook,  I  fear 
 ye  muft  go  your  alone  :   he  knowcth  our  drols  and  defeats;  and 
 fweet  Jefus  pitieth  us,  when  weakncfs  and  deadnefs  in  our  obe^ 
 dience  is  our  crofs,  and  not  our  darling,     ^thfyy  The  liar  (as  ye 
 write)  challengeth  the  work  as  formal ;  yet  ye  blefs  your  Caution- 
 er for  the  ground-work  he  hath  laid,  and  dare  not  fay,  but  ye  have 
 aiTurance  in  fome  meafure.     To  this  I  fay,  i.  It  fhall  be  no  fault 
 to  fave  Satan's  labour,  and  challenge  it  youfelf,  or  at  leaft  examine 
 jind  cenfure;  but  beware  of  Satan's  ends  in  challenging,  for  he 
 mindeth  to  put  Chrift  and  you  at  odds.    2.  Welcome  home  faith 
 in  jefus,  who  wafheth  iLill,  when  we  have  defiled  our  fouls,  and 
 made  ourfelves  lothfome,  and  feek  ftill  the  blood  of  atonement  for 
 fauiis  little  or  meikle.  Know  the  gate  to  the  well,  and  ly  about  it. 
 3.  Make  meikle  of  affurance,  for  it  kcepcth  your  anchor  fixed. 
 <}thiy,  Out-breakings  (ye  fay)  difcouragc  you,  fo  that  ye  know  not, 
 if  ever  ye  fliall  win  again  to  fuch  overjoying  confolations  of  the  Spi- 
 rit in  this  life,  as  formerly  ye  had;  and  therefore  a  queftion  may 
 be.  If,   after  aflurance  and  mortification,  the  children  of  God  be 
 ordinarily  fed  with  fenfe  and  joy  ?  I  anfwer,  I  fee  no  inconvenience 
 to  think  it  is  enough,  in  a  race,   to  fee  the  gold  at  the  ftarting- 
 place,  howbeit  the  runners  never  get  a  view  of  it,  till  they  come 
 to  the  rink's  end  ;  and  that  our  wife  Lord  thinketh  it  fitted  we 
 faould  nor  always  be  fingering  and  playing  with  Chrifl's  apples. 
 Our  Well-beloved,  I  know,  will  fport  and  play  with  his  bride,  as 
 rr.uQh  as  he  thinketh  w^ill  allure  her  to  the  rink's  end  :  yet  I  judge 
 
Ppift.  3-]  LETTERS.  32^ 
 
 it  not  unlawful  to  feck  renewed  confolanons,  provtding;,  i.  The 
 heart  be  fubniiilive,  and  content  to  leave  the  meafure  and  tijneing 
 of  them  to  him.  2.  Providing  they  be  fought,  to  excite  us  to  praife, 
 and  ftrengthen  our  aflurance,  and  (harpen  our  defires  after  himfelf. 
 3.  Let  them  be  fought,  not  for  our  humours  or  fwelling  of  nature, 
 but  as  the  earncll:  of  heaven:  and  I  think  many  do  attain  to  great- 
 er confolations  after  mortihc;^tion,  than  ever  they  had  formerly. 
 But  I  know,  our  Lord  walketh  here  flill  by  a  fovereign  latitude, 
 and  keepcth  not  the  fame  way,  as  to  one  hair-breadth,  without  a 
 mifs,  towards  all  his  children.  As  for  the  Lord's  people  with  you, 
 I  am  not  the  man  fit  tofpeak  to  them.  I  rejoice  exceedingly,  that 
 Chrift  is  engaging  fouls  amongft  you :  but  I  know,  in  converfion 
 all  the  v/inning  is  in  the  inil  buying,  (as  we  ufe  to  fay)  for  many 
 lay  falfe  and  baftard  foundations,  and  take  up  converfion  at  their 
 foot,  and  get  Chriil  for  as  good  as  half  nothing,  and  had  never  a 
 fjck  night  for  (in,  and  this  maketh  loofe  work:  I  pray  you  dig 
 deep;  Chrifl's  palace-work,  and  his  new-dwelling,  laid  upon  hell 
 felt  and  feared,  is  mofl:  firm  :  and  heaven,  grounded  and  laid 
 upon  fuch  a  hell,  is  fureft  work,  and  will  not  wafh  away  with 
 winter  florms.  It  were  good  that  profeffbrs  were  not  like  young 
 heirs,  that  come  to  their  rich  ellate,  long  ere  they  come  to  their 
 wit ;  and  fo  is  feen  on  it;  the  tavern,  and  the  cards,  and  the  har- 
 lots (teal  their  ridges  from  them,  ere  ever  they  be  aware  what  they 
 are  doing.  1  know,  a  Chrifl  bought  with  ftrokes  is  fweeteft.  (2.) 
 I  reoommend  to  you  conference  and  prayers  at  private  meetings: 
 for  warrant  whereof,  fee  Ifa,  ii.  3.  Jer.  1.  4,  5.  Hof.  ii.  i,  2,  Ezek. 
 viii.  20,  21,  22,  23.  Mai.  iii.  16.  Luke  xxiv.  13,  14,  15,  16,  17. 
 John  XX.  i().  Aclsxii.  12.  Col.  iii.  16.  and  iv.  6.  Ephef  iv.  29. 
 1  Pet.  iv.  10,  1  ThefT.  v.  14.  Heb.  iii.  13.  and  x.  25.  Many  coals 
 make  a  good  fire,  and  that  is  a  part  of  the  communion  of  faints. 
 1  muft:  entreat  you,  and  your  Chrillian  acquaintances  in  the  pa- 
 rifh,  to  remember  me  to  God  in  your  prayers,  and  my  flock  and 
 miniitry,  and  my  tranfportation  and  removal  from  this  place, 
 which  I  fear  at  this  aflembly :  and  be  earncfl:  with  God  for  our 
 mother-kirk.  For  want  of  time,  I  have  put  you  all  in  one  letter. 
 The  rich  grace  of  our  Lord  Jcfus  Chriil  be  with  you  all. 
 j^nwothy  Aug.  15,    1629.  Tours  in  his  j'-wcet  Lord 
 
 Jefus,     S    R. 
 
 3.   To  a  Chrijiian  Gentlewoman. 
 Miflrcfs, 
 "V/TY  love  in  Chrifl  remembered  to  you  :  I  was  indeed  forrow-, 
 -*■  -*•  fulat  my  departure  from  you,  efpecially  fince  ye  were  in 
 fuch  heavinefs  after  your  daughter's  death ;  yet  I  do  perfuade  my- 
 felf,  yc  knovy,  that  the  weightier  end  of  the  crofs  of  Chrift,  ihat 
 
326  Mr  Rl/THERFOORD's  Epifl.  3.] 
 
 is  laid  upon  you,  lyeth  upon  yourftrong  Saviour:  forlfaiah  faith, 
 chap.  Ixiii.  9.  *  In  all  your  afflidlions  he  is  affli£led  :*  O  blefled  Se- 
 cond, who  fufFereth  v.'-ith  you  !   and  glad  may  your  foul  be,  even  to 
 walk  in  the  fiery  furnace,  with  one  like  unto  the  Son  of  man,  who 
 is  alfo  the  Son  of  God.  Courage,  up  your  heart ;  when  ye  do  tire, 
 he  will  bear  both  you  and  your  burden,  Pfal,  Iv.  22.    Yet  a  little 
 while,  and  ye  (hall  fee  the  falvation  of  God.    Remember  of  what 
 age  your  daughter  was,  as  long  was  your  leafe  of  her ;  if  fhe  was 
 eighteen,  nineteen,  or  twenty  years  old,  I  know  not ;  fure  I  am, 
 feeing  her  term  was  come,  and  your  Icafe  run  out,  ye  can  no  more 
 juftly  quarrel  your  great  Superior  for  taking  his  own,    at  his  juit 
 term-day,  than  a  poor  farmer  can  complain,  that  his  mafler  taketh 
 a  portion  of  his  own  own  land  to  himfelf,  when  his  leafe  is  expired. 
 Good  Miftrefs,  if  ye  would  not  be  content  that  Chrifl  would  hold 
 from  you  the  heavenly  inheritance,  which  is  made  yours  by  his 
 death,  fiiall  not  that  fame  Chrift  think  hardly  of  you,  if  ye  refufc 
 to  give  him  your  daughter  willingly,  who  is  a  part  of  his  inheri- 
 tance and  conqueft?  I  pray  the  Lord  to  give  you  all  your  own, 
 and  to  grace  you  with   patience,   to  give  God  his  alfo :    he  is  an 
 ill  debtor,  who  payeth  that  which  he  hath  borrowed  with  a  grudge : 
 indeed  that  long  loan  of  fuch  a  good  daughter,  an  heir  of  grace,  a 
 member  of  Chnlt,  (as  I  believe)  defer veth  more  thanks  at  your 
 Creditor's  hand,  than  that  ye  fhould  gloom  and  murmur,   when 
 he  craveth  but  his  own  :  I  believe  ye  would  judge  them  to  be  but 
 thanklefs  neighbours  who  would  pay  you  3  fum  of  money  after  this 
 manner.   But  what?  do  ye  think  her  loft,  when  Oie  is  but  fleeping 
 in  the  bofom  of  the  Almighty?  Think  her  not  abfent,  who  is  in 
 fuch  a  friend's  houfe.  Is  ihe  loft  to  you,  who  is  found  to  Chrifl:  ?  if 
 file  were  with  a  dpar  friend,  aitho'  ye  fliould  never  fee  her  again, 
 your  care  of  her  would  be  but  fmall:  oh  now,  is  fne  not  with 
 a  dear  friend,  and  gone  higher,   upon  a  certain  hope  that  ye  fhall 
 in  the  refurre^lion  fee  her  again,  when  (be  ye  fure)  fhe  fliall  neii- 
 ther  be  heclic  nor  confumed  in  body  !    Ye  would  be  forry  either 
 to  be,  or  be  efl:eemed  an  atheifl;  and  yet  not  I,   but  the  apoftle, 
 I  Thefl^.  iv.  13.  Thinketh  thofe  to  be  hopelefs  atbeifls,  who  mourn 
 excelTively  for  the  dead.    But  this  is  not  a  challenge  on  my  part  j 
 I  do  fpeak  this  only  fearing  your  weaknefs  :  for  your  daughter  wa$ 
 a  part  of  yourfelf ;  and  therefore  nature  in  you,  being  as  it  were, 
 cut  and  halved,  will  indeed  be  grieved  :  but  ye  have  to  rejoice,  that 
 •when  a  part  of  you  is  on  earth  ,  a  great  part  of  you  is  glorified  in 
 heaven.    Follow  her,  but  envy  her  not;   for  indeed  it  is  felf-love 
 in  us,  that  maketh  us  mourn  for  them  that  die  in  the  Lord.  Why  ? 
 becaufe  for  them  we  cannot  mourn,  fmce  they  are  never  happy  till 
 thev  be  dead ;  therefore  we  mourn  for  our  own  private  refpecl :  take 
 heed  then,  that  in  fiiewing  your  alteftion  in  mourning  for  your 
 daughter,  ye  be  not,  out  of  felt  a(fc6tion,  mourning  for  yourfeif. 
 
Eplft.  4-]  LETTERS.  327 
 
 Confider  what  the  Lord  is  doing  in  it  -,  your  daughter  is  plucked 
 out  of  the  fire,  and  ihe  refteth  from  her  labours  :  and  your  Lord 
 in  that  is  trying  you,  and  calling  you  in  the  fire :  go  through  all 
 fires  to  your  rei^ :  and  now  remember,  that  the  eye  of  God  is  up- 
 on the  burning  bulb  and  not  confumed  •,  and  he  is  gladly  content, 
 that  fuch  a  weak  woman  as  ye  (hould  fend  Satan  away,  fruflratc 
 of  his  defign  :  now  honour  God,  and  lliame  the  ftrong  roaring  lion, 
 when  ye  feem  weakeft.  Should  fuch  an  one  as  ye  faint  in  the  day 
 of  adverfity  ?  Call  to  mind  the  days  of  old  :  the  Lord  yet  liveth  : 
 truft  in  him,  although  he  fhould  flay  you.  Faith  is  exceeding  cha- 
 ritable, and  believeth  no  evil  of  God.  Now  is  the  Lord'laying  in 
 the  one  fcale  of  the  balance,  your  making  conicience  of  fubmifTion 
 to  his  gracious  will ;  and  in  the  other,  your  affection  and  love  to 
 your  daughter  :  which  of  the  two  will  ye  then  choofe  to  fatisfy  ? 
 Be  wife  then  •,  and,  as  I  truft  ye  love  Chrift  better  than  a  finful 
 woman,  pafs  by  your  daughter,  and  kifs  the  Lord's  lod.  Men  do 
 lop  the  branches  off  their  trees  round  about,  to  the  end  they  may 
 grow  up  high  and  tall-  the  Lord  hath  this  way  lopped  your  branch, 
 in  taking  from  you  many  children,  to  the  end  ye  fliould  grow  up- 
 ward, like  one  of  the  Lord's  cedars,  fetting  your  heart  above,  where 
 Chrift  is  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father.  What  is  next,  but  that 
 your  Lord  cut  down  the  ftock,  after  he  hath  cutted  the  branches  ? 
 Prepare  yourfelf;  ye  are  nearer  your  daughter  this  day,  than  you 
 were  yefterday  :  while  ye  prodigally  fpend  time  in  mourning  for 
 her,  ye  are  fpeedily  polling  after  her.  Run  your  race  with  pati- 
 ence :  let  God  have  his  own,  and  afli  of  him,  inftead  of  your 
 daughter,  which  he  hath  taken  from  you,  the  daughter  of  faith, 
 which  is  patience;  and  in  patience  poffefs  your  foul.  Lift  up 
 your  head  :  ye  do  not  know  how  near  your  redemption  doth  draw- 
 Thus,  recommending  you  to  the  Lord,  who  is  aWe  to  eilablifli 
 you,  I  reft 
 
 Arrjjothy  April  i^.  Tour  loving  and  affeBionate  friend 
 
 1628.  in  the  Lord  J  ejus  y  S.  R. 
 
 4.    To  the  eleEl  and  noble  Lady,  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 
 Mad  amy 
 C  ALUTIN^G  your  Ladyfnip  with  grace  and  mercy  from  God  our 
 *^  Father,  and  from  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift;  I  was  forry  at  m? 
 departure,  leaving  your  Ladyftiip  in  grief;  and  would  ftill  be 
 grieved  at  it,  if  1  were  not  affured,  that  ye  have  One  with  you  in 
 the  furnace,  whofc  vifage  is  like  unto  the  Son  of  God.  I  am  glad 
 that  ye  have  been  acquainted  from  your  youth  with  the  wreftlings 
 of  God  ;  and  that  ye  get  fcarce  liberty  to  fwallow  down  your  fpit- 
 tle,  being  caften  from  furnace  to  furnace,  knowing  if  ye  were  not 
 dciir  to  God,  and  if  your  health  did  not  require  fo  much  of  him,  he 
 
§28  yir  RUTHERFOORD'^  Epift.  4.3 
 
 would  not  fpend  fo  much  phyfic  upon  you.  All  the  brethren  and 
 fillers  of  Chrift  muft  be  conform  to  his  image  and  copy,  in  fuf/er- 
 ing,  Rom.  viii.  and  fome  do  more  vively  refemble  the  copy  than 
 others.  Think,  Madam,  that  it  is  a  part  of  your  glory,  to  be  en- 
 rolled among  thofe  whom  one  of  the  elders.  Rev.  vii.  14.  point- 
 ed out  to  John,  •  Thefe  are  they  which  came  out  of  great  tribula- 
 tion, and  have  wafhed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the 
 blood  of  the  Lamb.'  Behold  your  forerunner  going  outof  the  world, 
 all  in  a  lake  of  blood ;  and  it  is  not  ill  to  die  as  he  did  :  fulfil  with 
 joy  the  remnant  of  the  grounds  and  remainders  of  the  affiiOiions 
 of  Chrift,  in  your  body.  Ye  have  loft  a  child  :  nay,  fhe  is  nor  loft 
 to  you,  who  is  found  to  Chrift  j  \ht  is  not  fent  away,  but  only 
 fent  before;  like  unto  a  ftar,  which,  going  out  of  our  fight,  doth 
 not  die  and  vanilh,  but  (hineth  in  another  hemifphere  :  ye  fee  her 
 not,  yet  ftie  doth  fhine  in  another  country.  If  her  glafs  was  but  a 
 ihort  hour,  what  \ht  wanteth  of  time,  that  fhe  haih  gotten  of  eter- 
 nity :  and  ye  have  to  rejoice,  that  ye  have  now  fome  plenifliing 
 up  in  heaven.  Build  your  neft  upon  no  tre>!J'heVe  :  for  ye  fee  God 
 hath  fold  the  foreft  to  death  \  and  every  tree,  whereupon  we  would 
 reft,  is  ready  to  be  cut  down,  to  the  end  we  might  flee  and  mount 
 up,  and  build  upon  the  Rock,  and  dwell  in  the  holes  of  the  Rock. 
 What  ye  love  befides  Jcfus  your  huft)and,  is  an  adulterous  lover: 
 now  it  is  God's  fpecial  blefling  to  Judah,  that  he  will  not  let  her 
 find  her  paths  in  following  her  ftrange  lovers,  Hof.  ii.  6.  *  There- 
 fore behold  I  will  hedge  up  her  way  with  thorns,  and  make  a  wall 
 that  ftie  ftiail  not  find  her  paths,  ver.  7.  And  fhe  fliall  follow  af- 
 ter her  lovers,  but  fhe  fliall  not  overtake  them.'  O  thrice  happy 
 Judah,  when  God  buildeth  a  double  ftone-wall  betwixt  her  and 
 the  fire  of  hell  !  The  world,  and  the  things  of  the  world,  Madam, 
 is  the  lover  ye  naturally  afFecl,  befide  your  own  huft)and  Chrift: 
 the  hedge  of  thorns,  and  the  wall  which  God  buildeth  in  your 
 way,  to  hinder  you  from  this  lover,  is  the  thorny  hedge  of  daily 
 grief,  lofs  of  children,  weaknefs  of  body,  iniquity  of  the  time,  un- 
 certainty of  eftate,  lack  of  worldly  comfort,  fear  of  God's  anger  for 
 old  unrepented-of  fins.  What  lofe  ye,  if  God  twift  and  plait  the 
 hedge  daily  thicker?  God  beblefled,  the  Lord  will  not  let  you 
 find  your  paths :  return  to  your  firft  hufband :  do  not  weary,  neither 
 think  that  death  walketh  towards  you  with  a  ilow  pace;  ye  muft 
 be  riper  ere  ye  be  ftiaken  :  your  days  are  no  longer  than  Job's,  that 
 were  fwifter  than  a  poft,  and  paiTed  away  as  the  fhips  of  defire,  and 
 as  the  eagle  that  hafteth  for  the  prey,  Job  ix.  25,  26.  There  is 
 lefs  fand  in  your  glafs  now,  than  there  was  yefterday;  this  fpan- 
 length  of  ever  polling  time  will  foon  be  ended  :  but  the  greater  is 
 the  mercy  of  God,  the  more  years  ye  get  to  advife  upon  what  terms, 
 and  upon  what  conditions,  ye  caft  your  foul  in  the  huge  gulf  of 
 never-ending  eternity.    The  Lord  hath  told  you  what  ye  fncuid 
 
l?:pifl.  5-]  LETTERS.  ^-^^ 
 
 be  doing  till  he  come,  -jjait  and  haflen  (faith  Peter) /or  the  corning 
 of  our  Lord :  all  is  night  that  is  here,  in  refpecl  of  ignorance  and 
 daily  enfuing  troubles,  one  always  making  w?.y  to  another,  as  the 
 ninth  wave  of  the  fea  to  the  tenth  •,  therefore  figh  and  long  for  the 
 dawning  of  that  morning,  and  the  breaking  of  that  day  of  the 
 coming  of  the  Son  of  man,  when  the  (hadows  (liall  fiee  away.  Per- 
 fuade  yourfelf  the  King  is  coming  :  read  his  letter  fent  before  him. 
 Rev.  iii.  1 1.  Behold,  I  come  quickly  :  wait  with  the  wearied  night- 
 watch  for  the  breaking  of  the  eaftcrn  fky,  and  think  that  ye  hav<5 
 not  a  morrow;  as  the  wife  father  faid,  who,  being  invited  againit 
 to  morrow  to  dine  with  his  friends,  anfwered,  Thofe  manv  days  I 
 had  no  morrow  at  all.  I  am  loath  to  weary  you:  (hew  yourfelf 
 a  Chriflian,  by  fuffering  without  murmuring,  for  which  fin  four- 
 teen thoufmd  nnd  feven  hundred  were  (lain,  Numb.  xvi.  49.  In 
 l^tience  poiTefs  your  foul :  they  lofe  nothing,  who  gain  Chrift. 
 'I'hus,  remembering  my  brother's  and  my  wife's  humble  fervice 
 to  your  Ladyihip  •,  I  commend  you  to  the  mercy  and  grace  of  our 
 Lord  Jefus,^{ruring  you.  that  your  day  is  coming,  and  that  God's 
 merry  is  abiding  you.  The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit 
 JiiTvothy  Jan,  15.  Tours  in  the  Lord  Jefus  at  all  dutiful 
 
 1629,  obedience^  S.  R. 
 
 5.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Mad (7171, 
 C  ALUTING  you  in  Jefus  Chrift,  to  my  grief  I  muR  bid  you  (it 
 ^  may  be)  for  everfarewel  in  paper,  having  fmall  aflurance  ever 
 tp  fee  your  face  again,  till  the  laft  general  aflembly,  where  the  whole 
 church  univerfal  (hail  meet :  vet  promifing,  by  his  grace,  to  pre- 
 fent  yourLadyftiip,  and  your  burdens,  to  him  who  is  able  to  fave 
 you,  and  give  you  an  inheritance  with  the  faints,  after  a  more  fpe- 
 cial  manner  than  ever  I  have  done  before.  Ye  are  going  to  a 
 country,  where  the  Sun  of  righteoufnefs  in  the  gofpel  (luneth  not 
 fo  clearly  as  in  this  kingdom  :  but  if  ve  would  know  where  he  whom 
 your  foul  loveth  doth  reft,  and  wiiere  he  feedeth  at  the  noon-tide 
 of  the  day,  wherever  ye  be,  get  you  forth  by  the  footfteps  of  the 
 fiock,  and  feed  yourfelf  befide  the  fliepherds  tents,  Cant.  i.  7.  that 
 is,  alk  for  fome  of  the  watchmen  of  the  Lord's  city,  who  will  tell 
 you  truly,  and  will  not  lie,  where  ve  (hal!  find  him  whom  your 
 foul  loveth.  I  truft  ye  are  fo  betrothed  in  marria^^e  to  the  true 
 Chrift,  that  ye  will  not  give  your  love  to  any  falfe  Chrift  :  ye  know 
 not  how  foon  your  marriage-day  will  come  :  nay,  is  not  eternity 
 hard  upon  you  }  it  were  time  then,  that  ye  had  your  wedding- 
 garment  in  readinefs  :  be  not  fleeping  at  your  Lord's  coming:  I 
 ipray  God,  ye  may  be  upon  vour  feet  ftandin?,  when  he  knocketh. 
 Be  not  difconraged  to  go  from  this  country  to  another  part  f^ 
 
 Tt 
 
3^3.0  Mr  .lUrUERFOOR D's  Eplfl.  d.J 
 
 the  Lord!s  earth  :  Tfie  farth  is  his^  and  the  fulnefs  thereof y  PfaU 
 xxiv.  I.  This  is  the  Lord's  lower  houfe  ;  while  we  are  lodged 
 liere,  we  have  no  ail u ranee  to  ly  ever  in  one  chamber,  but  muft  be 
 content  to  remove  from  one  corner  of  our  Lord's  nether-houfe  to 
 another,  refting  in  hope,  that,  when  we  come  up  to  the  Lord's 
 upper- city,  Jerufaicm  that  is  above,  we  {hall  remove  no  more;  be- 
 caufe  then  we  fliail  be  at  home.  And,  go  whitherfoever  ye  will,  if 
 your  Lord  go  with  you,  ye  are  at  home  :  and  your  lodging  is  ever 
 taken  before  night,  fo  long  as  he,  who  is  Ifraei's  dwelling  houfe,  is 
 your  home,  Pfal.  xc.  i.  Believe  me,  Madam,  my  mind  is,  that  ye 
 ;ire  well  lodged,  and  that  in  your  houle  there  are  fair  eale-rooms 
 and  pleaf-mt  lights,  if  ye  can  in  faith  lean  down  your  head  upon 
 the  bicaits  of  Jefus  Chi  ill ;  and  till  this  be,  ye  Ihall  never  get  a 
 found  fleep.  Jefus,  Jefus,  be  your  (hadow  and  your  covering  : 
 it  is  a  fweet  foul-lleep  to  ly  in  the  arms  of  Chrift,  for  his  breath  is 
 very  fweet.  Pray  for  poor  friendlefs  Zion  ;  alas !  no  man  will 
 fpeak  for  her  now,  although  at  home  in  her  own  country  Tne  hath 
 good  friends,  her  Huiband  Chrift,  and  his  Father,  her  Father-in- 
 ?aw :  befeech  your  hulband  to  be  a  friend  to  Zion,  and  pray  for 
 her.  I  have  received  many  and  divers  daflies  and  heavy  Itrokes, 
 fmce  the  Lord  called  me  to  the  miniftry;  b\it  indeed  I  elleem 
 your  departure  from  us  amonglt  the  weightieft :  but  I  perceive, 
 God  will  have  us  to  be  deprived  of  whatfoever  we  idolize,  that  he 
 niAV  have  his  own  room.  I  fee  exceeding  fmall  fruit  of  my  mi- 
 niltry,  and  would  be  glad  to  know  of  one  foul,  to  be  my  crown 
 and  rejoicing  in  the  day  of  Chrift.  Though  I  fpend  my  Ifrength 
 in  vain,  yet  my  labour  is  with  my  God,  ila.  xlix.  4.  I  wifli  and 
 pray,  that  the  Lord  would  harden  my  face  againft  all,  and  make 
 me  tolearn  ;o  go  with  my  faceagainft  aftorm.  Again,  I  commend' 
 you,  body  and  fpirit,  to  him,  who  hath  loved  us,  and  wathed  us 
 from  our  fins  in  his  own  blood.  Grace,  grace,  grace  for  ever  be 
 with  you.    Pray,  pray  continually. 
 
 Anwoth,  Sept,  1 4.       Tour  LordJJjip's  at  all  dutiful  obedience 
 1629.  in  Chrift f  S.  R. 
 
 6.     To  JOHN  KENNEDY. 
 
 My  loving  and  mqft  affectionate  brother  in  Chrift y 
 T  Salute  you  with  grace,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Father, 
 ■*-  and  from  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.  I  promifed  to  write  to  you, 
 and  although  late  enough  yet  now  I  make  it  good.  I  heard  with 
 grief  of  your  great  danger  of  perifhing  by  the  fea.  but  of  your 
 merciful  deliverance  with  joy.  Sure  I  am,  brother,  Satan  will  leave 
 no  ftone  unrolled  (as  the  proverb  is)  to  roll  you  oiFyour  Rock,  or, 
 at  leaft,  to  fhake  and  unfettle  yoii :  for  at  the  fame  time,  the  mouths 
 of  wicked  men  were  opened  in  hard  fpeeches  againft  you,  by  laiid  ; 
 
Epift.  6:]  LETTERS.  331 
 
 .and  the  prince  of  the  power  of  the  air  was  angry  with  you,  by  fea'. 
 See  then  how  much  ye  are  obliged  to  that  malicious  murderer, 
 who  would  beat  you  with  two  rods  at  one  time;  but,  bkffed  be 
 God,  his  arm  is  fliort :  if  the  fea  and  winds  would  have  obeyed 
 him,  ye  had  never  come  to  land.  Thank  your  God,  who  faith'. 
 Rev.  i.  1 1 .  *  1  have  the  keys  of  hell  and  of  death,  Dc^ut.  xxxii.  39. 
 *  I  kill  and  make  alive,  i  Sam.  ii.  6.  The  Lord  bringeth  down  to 
 the  grave,  and  bringeth  up.'  If  Satan  were  jailor,  and  had  the 
 keys  of  death  and  of  the  grave,  they  fhouid  be  ftored  with  more 
 prifoners.  Ye  were  knocking  at  thefe  black  gates,  and  ye  found 
 the  doors  ihut;  and  we  do  all  welcome  you  b?.ck  again.  I  tiuil, 
 ye  know  it  is  not  for  nothing,  that  ye  are  fent.  to  us  again  :  the 
 Lord  knew,  ye  had  forgotten  fomething  that  w'as  necefiary  for  your 
 journey';  that  your  armour  was  not  as  yet  thick  enough  againft 
 the  (troke  of  death.  Now,  in  the  ftrength  of  Jefus,  difpatch  your 
 bufinefs;  th:n  debt  is  not  forgiven,  bur  frlded  :  death  hath  not 
 bidden  you  farewel,  but  hath  only  left  you  for  a  fhort  feafon.  End 
 your  journey,  ere  the  night  come  upon  you ;  have  all  in  readinel's 
 againft  the  time  that  ye  muft  fail  through  that  black  and  impetu- 
 ous Jordan  ;  and  Jefus'  Jefus,  who  knoweth  both  thefe  depths 
 and  the  rock,  and  all  the  coafts,  be  your  pilot;  the  laft  tide  will 
 not  wait  for  you  one  moment :  if  ye  forget  any  thing,  when  your 
 fea  is  full,  and  your  foot  in  that  fliip,  there  is  no  returning  again 
 to  fetch  it.  What  ye  do  amifs  in  your  liie  to-day,  ye  m^J  amend 
 it  to-morrow:  for  as  many  funs  as  God  maketh  to  arife  upon  you, 
 ye  have  as  many  new  lives:  but  ye  can  die  but  once;  and jf '^^^'e 
 mar  or  fpill  that  bulinefs,  ye  cannot  come  b^ck  to  rnend  that  piecfe 
 of  work  again  ;  no  man  finneth  t\yice  in  dying  ill ;  as  we  die  but 
 once,  fo  we  die  but  ill  or  well  once.  Ye  fee  how  the  number  of 
 your  fnonthsis  written  in  God's  book  ;  and  as  one  of  the  Lord's 
 hirelings,  ye  muft  work  till  the  ftiadow  of  the  evenijig  come  upon 
 you,  and  yc  fhall  run  out  your  glafs  even  to  the  l?.ll  pickle  of  fand': 
 fulfil  your  courfe  with  joy  ;  for  we  take  norhing  to  the  grave  with 
 us,  but  a  good  or  evil  confcience.  And  akhough  the  iky  clear  af- 
 ter this  ftorm,  yet  clouds  will  engender  another.  Ye  contradted 
 with  Chrift,  I  hope,  when  fiift  ye  began  to  follow  him,  that  ye 
 would  bear  his  crofs :  fulfil  your  part  of  the  cor)tra£l  vyith  pati- 
 ence, and  break  not  to  Jefus  Chrift;  be  honeft,  brother,"in  your 
 bargaining  with  him  ;  for  who  knoweth  better  how  to  bring  up 
 children  than  our  God?  For  (to  lay  afide  his  knowledge,  of  the 
 which  there  is  no  fearching  out)  he  hath  been  pra£lifed  in  bring- 
 ing up  his  heirs  thefe  five  thoufaud  years,  and  his  bairns  are  all 
 well  brought  up,  and  many  of  them  are  honeft  men  now  at  home, 
 up  in  their  own  houfe  in  heaven,  and  a:e  entered  heirs  to  their 
 Father's  inheritance.  Now  the  form  of  his  bringing-up  was  by 
 chaftifenicnts,  fcourging,  corrc(Slin::,  nurtuiing:  lee  if  he  makcti 
 
332  Mr  RUT  HE  R  FOO.R  D's  Epift.  6.} 
 
 exception  of  any  of  bis  bairns',  Rev.  iii.  19.  Heb.  xii.  7,  8.    No  : 
 his  eldeli:  Son  and  his  Heir  Jefus,  is  not  excepted,  Heb.  ii.  10.  Suf- 
 fer we  muft :  ere  \vc  were  born,   God  decreed  it ;  and  it  is  eafier 
 to  complain  of  his  decree  than  to  change  it.     It  is  true,  terrors  of 
 confcience  caft  us  down  ;  and  yet  without  terrors  of  confcience  we 
 cannot  be  raifed   up  again:  fears  and  doublings  (bake  us;  and 
 yet  without  fears  and  doubtings  we  would  foon  fleep,   and  lofe 
 our  grips  of  Chriit :  tribulation  and  temptations  will  almoft  loofe 
 us  at  the  root;  and  yet  without  tribulations  and  temptations,  we 
 can  now  no  more  grow,  than  herbs  or  corn  without  rain.    Sin  and 
 Satan,  and  the  world  will  fay,  and  cry  in  cur  car,  that  we  have  a 
 hard  reckoning  to  make  in  judgmtnt  *,  and  yet  none  of  thefe  three, 
 except  they  lie,  dare  fay  in  our  face,  that  our  fm  can  change  the 
 tenor  of  the  new  covenant.    Forward  then,  dear  brother,  and  lofe 
 not  your  grips ;   hold  fait  the  truth  ;  for  the  world,  fell  not  one 
 drachm-weight  of  God's  truth,  efpecially  new  when  moft  men 
 meafure  truth  by  time,  like  young  feamen  fetting  their  compafs  by 
 a  cloud:    for  now  time  is  father  and  mother  to  truth,  in  the 
 thoughts  and  practices  of  our  evil  time.    The  God  of  truth  efta- 
 biifh  us;  for  alas  I   njw  there  are  none  to  comfort  the  prifoneis 
 01  hope,  and  the  mourners  in  Zion  :  we  can  do  little,  except  pray 
 and  mourn  for  Jofeph  in  the  (locks  :  ^nd  let  their  tongue  cleave  to 
 the  roof  of  their  mouth,  who  forget  Jcrufalem  now  in  her  day  : 
 and  the  Lord  remember  Edom,  and  render  to  him  as  he  hath  done 
 to  us.     Now,  brother,  i  will  not  weary  you;  but  I  intreat  you,  re- 
 member my  deareft  love  to  Mr.  David  Dickfon,  with  whom  I  have 
 fmall  acquaintance;  yet  I  blefsthe  Lord,  I  know,  he  both  prayeth 
 and  doth  for  our  dying  kirk.     Remember  my  deareft  love  to  John 
 Stewart,  whom  I  love  in  Chrifl:;  and  fhew  him  from  me,  1  do  al- 
 ways remember  him,  and  hope  for  a  meeting  ;  the  Lord  Jefus  cfta- 
 bliih  him  more  and  more,  though  he  te  already  a  ftrong  man  in 
 Chrifl.     Remember  my  heartieft  affeclion  in  Chriil  to  William 
 Rodger,  whom  I  alfo  remember  to  God:   I  wifh  the  firft  news  I 
 hear  of  him,  and  you,  and  all  that  love  our  common  Saviour,  in 
 thofe  bounds,  may  be,  that  they  iire  fo  knit  and  linked,  and  kindly 
 faftened  in  love  with  the  Son  of  God,  that  ye  may  fay,  *  Now  if 
 we  would  ne\^r  fo  fain  efczpe  out  of  Chrift's  hands,  yet  love  hath 
 io  bound  us,   that  we  cannot  get  our  hands  free  again  ;  he  hath 
 fo  raviihed  our  hearts,  that  there  is  no  loofing  of  his  grips  ;  the 
 chains  of  his  foul-ravifhing  love  are  fo  ftrong,  that  the  grave  nor 
 death  will  not  break  them.'     I  hope,  brother,  yea,  i  doubt  not  of 
 it,  but  ye  lay  me,  and  my  firil  entry  ta  the  Lord's  vineyard,  and 
 iny  flock  before  him,  who  hath  put  me  in  his  work;  as  the  Lord 
 knoweth,  fince  firil  1  fav/  you,  I  have  been  mindful  of  you.    Ma- 
 rion Macknaught  doih  remember  mod  heartily  her  love  to  you, 
 iind  \o  John  Stewart .  bkiicd  be  ^he  Lord,  that  in  God's  naercy  I 
 
Epift.  7  3  LETTERS.  335 
 
 found  in  this  country  fuch  a  woman,  to  whom  Jefus  is  dearer  than 
 her  own  heart,  when  there  be  fo  many  that  call  Chrifl:  over  their 
 flioulder.  Good  brother,  call  to  mind  the  memory  of  your  worthy 
 father,  now  alleep  in  Chrift  j  and,  as  his  cuHom  was,  prjy  con- 
 tinually, and  wreftle  for  the  life  of  a  dying  breathlefs  kirk  :  and 
 defire  John  Stewart  not  to  forget  poor  Zion  ;  fhe  hith  few  friends, 
 and  few  to  fpeak  one  good  word  for  her.  Now  I  commend  you, 
 your  whole  foul  and  body  and  fpirit,  to  Jefus  Chrift  and  his  keep- 
 ing, hoping  ye  will  die  and  live,  ftand  and  fall,  with  the  caufe  of 
 Dur  Mailer,  }efus.  The  Lord  Jefus  himfelf  be  w'ith  your  fpirit. 
 Awwoth  Feb,  2.  Tour  loving  brother  in  our  Lord 
 
 1632.  J^fiiSi   S.  Pc. 
 
 7.    ro  ^/j  1^4' KENMURE. 
 
 T  Have  longed  exceedingly  to  hear  of  your  life  and  health,  and 
 "*-  growth  in  the  grace  of  God.  I  lacked  the  opportunity  of  a 
 bearer,  in  refpecl  1  did  not  underftand  of  the  hafty  departure  of  tbs 
 laft,  by  whom  I  might  have  faluted  your  Ladyfhip :  and  therefore 
 I  could  not  write  before  this  time.  I  intreatyou,  Madam,  let  me 
 have  two  lines  from  you,  concerning  your  prefent  condition  :  I 
 know  ye  are  in  grief  and  heavinefs;  and  if  it  were  not  fo,  ye  might 
 be  afraid,  becaufe  then  your  way  fliould  not  be  fo  like  the  way  that 
 our  Lord  faith  leadeth  to  theNcw  Jerufalem.  Sure  I  am,  if  ye  knew 
 what  were  before  you,  or  if  ye  faw  but  fqme  glances  of  it,  ye 
 would  with  gladnefs  fwim  through  the  prefent  floods  of  forrow, 
 fpreading  forth  your  arms  out  of  defire  to  be  at  land.  If  God  have 
 given  you  the  earnefl  of  the  Spirit,  as  part  of  payment  of  God's 
 principal  fum,  ye  have  to  rejoice  ;  for  our  Lord  will  not  lofe  his 
 earneft,  neither  will  he  go  back  cr  repent  him  of  the  bargain.  If 
 ye  find  at  fome  time  a  longing  to  fee  God,  jcy  in  the  aiTurance  of 
 that  fjj^ht  (howbeit  that  feaft  be  but  like  the  paflbver,  that  cometh 
 about  only  once  a  year)  peace  of  confcience,  liberty  of  prayer,  the 
 doors  of  God^s  treafure  caften  up  to  the  foul,  and  a  clear  fight  of 
 himfelf  looking  our,  and  faying  with  a  fmiling  countenance,  wel- 
 come to  me,  afrliciled  foul  \  rhiK  is  the  earnefl  that  he  giveth  fome- 
 times,  and  which  maketh  glad  the  heart,  and  is  an  evidence  that 
 the  bargain  will  hold.  But  to  the  end  ye  may  get  this  earneft,  it 
 were  goad  to  come  oft  in  terms  of  fpeech  v/i:h  God,  both  in  prayer 
 and  hearing  of  the  word  :  ior  this  is  the  houie  of  wine,  where  ye 
 meet  wiih  your  Well-beloved  ^  her<;  it  is  where  he  kifllth  you 
 with  the  kilLb  of  his  mouth,  and  where  ye  feel  the  fmcll  of  his 
 garments;  and  they  have  indeed  a  moft  fragrant  and  glorious 
 fmell:  ve  mufl,  I  fay,  wait  upon  him, and  be  often  communing  with 
 liim,  whofe  lips  arc  as  lilies,  dropping  fwect  fmcllin^  myrrh,  and 
 
334  Mr  RUTH  ERF  0  0  R  D's  Epift.  7.3 
 
 hy  the  moving  thereof  he  will  aflwage  your  grief;  for  the  Chrift 
 "that  faveth  you,  is  a  fpeaking  Chrift;  the  church  knowcth  him, 
 Gant  ii.  by  his  voice,  and  can  difcern  his  voice  among  a  thoufand. 
 i  fay  this,  to  the  end  ye  {hould  not  love  thofe  maflcs  of  Antichri- 
 ftian  ceremonies,  that  the  church,  where  ye  are  for  a  time,  hath 
 caften  over  the  Chrift,  whom  your  foul  loveth  ;  this  is  to  fet  be- 
 fore you  a  dumb  Chrift:  but  when  our  Lord  cometh,  he  fpeaketh 
 to  the  heart  in  the  fimplicity  of  the  gofpel.  I  have  neither  tongue 
 nor  pen,  to  exprefs  to  you  the  happinefs  of  fuch  as  r.re  in  Chrift; 
 when  ye  have  fokl  all  that  ye  have,  and  bought  the  liold  wherein 
 this  pearl  is,  ye  will  think  it  no  bad  market ;  for  if  ye  be  in  him, 
 all  his  is  yours,  and  ye  are  in  him  :  *  therefore  becaufe  he  liv- 
 eth,  ye  iiiall  live  alfo,  John  xiv.  19.'  And  what  is  that  t\ic\  but 
 jiS  if  the  Son  had  fa.id,  *  I  will  not  have  heaven,  except  my  redeem- 
 ed ones  be  wiih  me  ;  they  and  I  cannot  live  afunder  ;  abide  in  me 
 and  I  in  you,  John  xv.  5.'  O  fweet  communion,  when  Chrift  and 
 ■we  are  through  other,  and  are  bo  longer  two  !  *  Father.  I  will  that 
 thofe  whom  thou  haft  given  me,  be  with  me  where  I  am,  to  be- 
 hold my  glory,  that  thou  haftgiven  me,  John  xvii.  24.'  Am^en  ; 
 <iear  Jetus,  let  it  be  according  to  that  word.  I  wonder  that  ever 
 your  heait  Ihould  be  caften  down,  if  ye  believe  this  truth;  and 
 they  are  not  worthy  of  Jefus  Chnft,  who  will  not  fufFer  forty  years 
 trouble  for  him,  fmce  they  have  fuch  glorious  promifes  :  but  we 
 fools  believe  thofe  promifes  as  the  man  that  read  Plato's  writings 
 concerning  the  immortality  of  the  foul ;  fo  long  as  the  book  was 
 in  his  hand,  he  believed  all  was  true,  and  that  the  foul  could  not 
 tiie;  buc  fo  foon  as  he  laid  by  the  book,  prefently  he  began  to  im- 
 agine, that  the  foul  is  but  a  fmoke  or  airy  vapour,  that  perilheth 
 ^^'ith  the  expiring  of  the  breath  :  fo  we  at  ftarts  do  aflent  to  the 
 fweet  and  precious  promifes;  but  laying  afide  God's  book,  we  be- 
 gin to  call  all  in  qucftion.  It  is  faith  indeed  to  believe  without  a 
 pledge,  and  to  hold  the  heart  conftant  at  this  Avork,  and  when  we 
 .;oubt,  to  run  to  the  law  and  to  the  teftiniony,  and  ftay  there. 
 Madam,  hold  you  here;  here  is  your  Father's  teftament,  read  it; 
 in  it  he  hath  left  to  you  remilnon  of  fins  and  life  everlafting.  If 
 all  that  ye  have  here  be  crofles  and  troubles,  down-caftings,  fre- 
 quent defertions,  and  departure  of  the  Lord,  who  is  fuiting  you 
 in  marriage,  courage ;  he  who  is  wooer  and  fuiter  fhould  not  be 
 an  houftiold-man  with  you,  till  ye  and  he  come  up  to  his  Father's 
 houfe  to|i{ether :  he  purpofeth  to  do  you  good  at  your  latter  end, 
 D'-ut.  viii.  16:  and  to  give  you  reft  from  the  days  of  adveriity, 
 Pfal.  xciv.  13.  *  It  is  good  to  bear  the  yoke  of  God  in  your  youth. 
 Lam.  iii.  27.  Turn  \n  to  your  ftrong  hold  as  a  prifoner  of  hope, 
 Zech.  ix.  I  2.  '  For  the  vifion  is  for  an  appointed  time,  but  at  the 
 t;<M  it  (hall  fpeak  and  not  lie ;  though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it,  becaufe 
 it  wUl  furclv  come,  it  will  not  tan  v,'  Hub.  ii.  j.  Hear  himfelf,  fay- 
 
Epift.  8.3  LETTERS.  335 
 
 ing,  Ifa.  XXVI.  20.  *Come  my  people,  (rejoice,  he  calleth  on  you) 
 enter  thou  into  thy  chambers,  and  Ihut  thy  doors  about  thee;  hide 
 thyfelf,  as  it  were  for  a  little  moment,  till  the  indignation  be  pad  * 
 Believe  thenj  believe  and  be  faved  :  think  not  hard,  if  ye  get  not 
 your  will,  nor  your  delights  in  this  life;  God  v/ill  have  you  to 
 rejoice  in  nothing  but  himlelf.  God  forbid  that  ye  fliould  rejoice 
 in  any  thing  but  in  the  crofs  of  Chrift,  Gal.  iv.  16.  Our  church. 
 Madam,  is  decaying;  flie  is  like  Ephraim's  cake,  and  gray  hairs 
 are  here  and  there  upon  her,  and  ihe  knoweth  it  not,  Hof.  vii. 
 9.  She  is  old  and  gray-haired,  near  the  grave,  and  no  man  layetK 
 it  to  heart;  her  wine  is  four,  and  is  corrupted.  Now,  if  Phineas's 
 wife  did  live,  fhe  might  travail  in  birth  and  die,  to  fee  the  ark  of" 
 God  taken,  and  the  glory  departing  from  our  Ifrael:  the  power 
 and  life  of  religion  is  away;  *  Wo  be  to  us,  for  the  day  goeth  a- 
 way,  for  the  fhadows  of  the  evening  are  flretched  out,  Jer.  vi.  4.* 
 Madam,  Zion  is  the  fliip  wherein  ye  are  carried  to  Canaan  v  if  ^I^^Q 
 fufler  fhipwreck,  ye  will  be  caften  over-board  upon  death  and  life^ 
 to  fwim  to  land  upon  broken  boards:  it  were  time  for  us,  by 
 prayer,  to  put  upon  our  Mafter-pilot  Jefus,  and  to  cry.  Mailer^ 
 lave  us,  we  perifh.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you.  We  would  think 
 it  a  bklfmg  to  our  kirk,  to  fee  you  here;  but  our  fins  withhold 
 good  things  from  us.  The  great  meffenger  of  the  covenant  pre- 
 serve you  in  body  and  in  fpirit. 
 
 Jniuothy  Feb.  i .  Tours  in  the  Lord, 
 
 1630.  S.  R. 
 
 8.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madam^ 
 /^^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  multiplied  upon  you.  I  received 
 ^-^  your  Ladyfhip's  letter,  in  the  which  I  perceive  your  cafe  in 
 this  world  fmelleth  of  worfhip  and  communion  with  the  Son  of 
 God  in  his  fuiierings.  Ye  cannot,  ye  muft  not  have  a  more  plca- 
 fant  or  more  eafy  condition  here,  than  he  had,  who  through  afflic- 
 tions was  made  perfect,  Heb.  ii.  10.  We  may  indeed  think,  can- 
 not God  bring  us  to  heaven  witheafe  and  profperity  ?  Who  doubt- 
 eth  but  he  can  ?  but  his  infinite  wifdom  thinketh,  and  decreeth 
 the  contrary;  and*  we  cannot  fee  a  reafon  of  it,  yet  hthath  a  moft 
 juit  reafon.  V/e  never  with  our  eyes  law  our  own  foul,  yet  we 
 have  a  foul ;  we  fee  many  rivers,  but  we  know  not  their  firft  ipring 
 and  original!  fountain,  yet  they  have  a  beginning.  Madam,  when 
 ye  are  come  to  the  other  fide  of  the  water,  and  iiave  fet  down  your 
 foot  on  the  fhore  of  glorious  eternity,  and  look  back  again  to  the 
 Welters,  and  to  your  wearifome  journey,  and  (liall  fee  in  that  clear 
 j>hfs  of  endlefs  glory,  nearer  to  the  bottom  of  God's  wifdom  ;  ye 
 fliail  then  be  forced  to  fay,  If  God  had  done  otherwife  with  nm 
 
53^  Mv  RUTtiERFOORD'%  Epift.  SJ 
 
 than  he  hath  donc»  I  had  never  come  to  the  enjoying  of  this  crown 
 ef  glory.  It  is  your  part  now  to  believe,  and  fuffer,  and  hope, 
 and  wait  on  :  for  I  proteft  in  the  prefence  of  that  all-difcerning 
 Eye,  who  knoweth  what  I  write,  and  what  I  think,  that  1  would 
 not  want  the  fweet  experience  of  the  confolations  of  God,  for  all 
 the  bitternefs  of  affliction  :  nay,  whether  God  come  to  his  children 
 "with  a  rod  or  a  crown,  if  he  come  himfelf  with  it,  it  is  well ;  v/el- 
 come,  welcome  Jelus,  what  way  foever  thou  come,  if  we  can  get 
 a  fight  of  thee.  And  fure  \  am,  it  is  better  to  be  fick,  providing 
 Chrift  come  to  the  bed-fide,  and  draw  by  the  curtains,  and  fay,. 
 Courage,  I  am  thy  falvation,  than  to  enjoy  health,  being  luftv  and 
 ftrong,  and  never  to  be  vifited  of  God.  Worthy  and  dear  Lady, 
 in  the  ftrength  of  Chri^,  fight  and  overcome  :  ye  are  now  your  a- 
 lonc  *,  but  yc  may  have  for  the  feeking,  Three  always  in  your 
 company,  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit ;  I  truft  they  are  near 
 you.  Ye  are  now  deprived  of  the  comfort  of  a  lively  miniftry,  fo 
 was  Ifrael  in  their  captivity  j  yet  hear  God's  promife  to  them, 
 Ezek.  xi.  i6.  *  Therefore  fay,  Thus  faith  the  Lord  God,  Al- 
 though I  have  caft  them  far  off  among  the  heathen,  and  althougli 
 1  have  fcattered  them  among  the  countries,  yet  will  I  be  to  them 
 as-  a  little  fantluary,  in  the  countries  where  they  fhall  come :  be- 
 hold a  fanctuary !  for  a  fantluary  God  himfelf,  in  the  place  and 
 room  of  the  temple  of  Jerufalem  :  I  truft  in  God,  carrying  this - 
 temple  about  with  you,  ye  iliail  fee  Jehovah's  beauty  in  his  houfe* 
 We  are  in  great  fears  of  a  great  and  fearful  trial  to  come  upon  the 
 kirk  of  God;  for  thefe,  who  would  build  their  houfes  and  ncfts 
 upon  the  afhes  of  mourning  Jcrufalem,  have  drawn  our  king  up- 
 on hard  and  dangerous  conclufions,  againft  fuch  as  are  termed  Pu- 
 ritans, for  the  rooting  of  them  out.  Our  prelates  (the  Lord  take 
 the  keys  of  his  houfe  from  thefe  baftard  porters)  afTure  us.  that  for 
 fuch  as  will  not  conform,  there  is  nothing  but  imprifonment  and 
 deprivation.  The  fpcufe  of  Jefus  will  ever  be  in  the  fire  *,  but  I 
 truil  in  my  God,  flie  fnali  notconfume,  becaufe  of  the  good- will  of 
 him  who  dwelleth  in  the  bufh,  for  he  dwelleth  in  it  with  good 
 will.  All  forts  of  crying  fins  without  controulment  abound  in  our 
 land;  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  departing  from  Ifrael,  and  the  Lord 
 is  looking  back  over  his  fhoulder,  to  fee  if  any  will  fay,  Lord,  tar- 
 ry, and  no  man  requefteth  him  to  ftay.  Corrupt  and  falfe  doc- 
 trine is  openly  preached  by  the  idol-'nepherds  of  the  land.  For 
 myfelf,  I  have  daily  griefs,  through  the  dilbbedlence  unto,  and 
 contempt  of  the  word  of  God.  I  was  fummoned  before  the  high 
 commiffion  by  a  profligate  perfon  in  this  parifh,  convicted  of  in- 
 ceft:  in  the  bufmefs,  iVir.  Alexander  Colvil  (for  rcfpecl  to  your 
 Ladyfhip)  was  my  great  friend,  and  wrote  a  moft  kind  letter  to  me: 
 the  Lord  give  him  mercy  in  that  day.  Upon  the  day  of  my  com- 
 pearance, the  fea  and  winds  refufed  to  give  pafTage  to  the  Bifliop 
 
Epift.  90  LETTERS.  337 
 
 cf  St.  Andrews.  I  Intrcat  your  Ladvfhipto  thank  Mr.  Alexander 
 Colvil  with  two  lines  of  a  letter.  My  wife  row,  after  a  long  dif- 
 eafe  and  torment,  for  the  fpace  of  a  year  and  month,  is  deprirted 
 this  life  :  the  Lord  hath  done  it,  blelTcd  be  his  name.  I  have  been 
 diieafed  of  a  fever  tertian  for  the  fpace  of  thirteen  weeks,  and 
 am  yet  in  that  ficknefs,  fo  that  I. preach  but  once  on  the  fabbath 
 with  great  diiHculty :  I  am  not  able  either  to  viilt  or  examine  the 
 congregation      The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 An-a-'Othy  June  26.  Tcur  Ladyjhip's  at  all  ohediencgy 
 
 \6-\o.  S.  R. 
 
 9.  To  my  Lady  KENMUR.E. 
 Maddfn^ 
 TTAving  frJuted  you  in  the  Lord  Jefus,  I  thought  it  my  duty, 
 ■*--■"  having  the  occafion  of  this  bearer,  to  write  again  unto  your 
 Ladylhip.  Though  I  have  no  new  purpofe,  but  what  I  wrote  of 
 before;  yet  ye  cannot  be  too  often  awakened  to  go  forward  to- 
 ward your  city,  fmce  your  way  is  long,  and  (for  any  thing  ye  know) 
 your  day  is  (liort  *,  and  your  Lord  requireth  of  you,  as  you  ad- 
 vance in  years,  and  ileal  forward  infenfibly  towards  eternity,  that 
 your  faith  m.ay  grow  and  ripen  for  the  Lord's  harveft  ;  for  the 
 great  Hufbandman  giveth  a  feafon  to  his  fruits,  that  they  may  come 
 to  maturity;  and  having  gotten  their  fill  of  the  tree,  they  may  be 
 then  fhaken  and  gathered  in  for  his  ufe  :  whereas  the  wicked  rot 
 upon  the  tree,  and  their  branch  ("hall  not  be  green,  Job  xv.  32, 
 33.  He  (had  JJjake  '.^  bis  unripe  grapes  as  the  vine^  and  Jh rill  ca/f 
 cff  his  Jicu'cr  as  the  olive.  It  is  God's  mercy  to  you.  Madam,  that 
 he  giveth  you  your  fill,  even  to  Icthing,  of  this  bitter  world,  th;U  ye 
 may  willingly  leave  it,  and.  like  a  full  and  fatisfied  banqueter, 
 long  for  the  drawing  of  the  table:  and  at  laft,  having  trampled 
 under  your  feet  all  the  rotten  pleafures  that  are  under  fun  and 
 moon,  and  having  rejoiced  as  though  ye  rejoiced  not.  and  having 
 bought  as  though  ye  poirclTed  not,  i  Cor.  vii.  30.  ye  may,  like  an 
 old  crazy  fhip,  arrive  at  your  Lord's  harbour,  and  be  made  wel- 
 come, as  one  of  thofe  who  have  ever  had  one  foot  loofe  from  this 
 earth,  longing  for  that  place  where  your  foul  fhall  fcall  and  ban- 
 quet for  ever  and  ever  upon  a  glorious  fight  o^  the  incomprehen- 
 fible  Trinity,  and  where  ye  fliall  fee  the  fair  face  of  the  man  Chrift, 
 even  the  beautiful  f^^ce,  that  was  once,  for  your  caufe,  more  marred 
 than  any  of  the  vifages  of  the  fons  of  men,  Ifa.  v.  2,  i-^.  and  was 
 all  covered  with  fpitting  and  blood.  Be  content  to  wade  through 
 the  waters  betwixt  you  and  glory  with  him,  holding  his  hand 
 fafl ;  for  he  knoweth  all  the  fords:  howbeit  ye  maybe  duckt,  yet 
 ye  cannot  drown,  being  in  his  com.pany ;  and  ye  may,  all  the  way 
 to  glory,  fee  the  way  bedewed  with  )^\%  blood,  \?ho  is  ibc  forc-run- 
 
 Uu 
 
338  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  9.3 
 
 ner :  be  not  afraid  therefore,  when  ye  come  even  to  the  bhck 
 aiid  fwelling  river  of  death,  to  put  in  your  foot  and  wade  after 
 him;  the  current,  how  llrong  foever,  cannot  carry  you  down  the 
 water  to  hell :  the  Son  of  God  his  death  and  refurre£lion  are  ftep- 
 ping-ftones  and  a  flay  to  you  ;  fet  down  your  feet  by  faith  upon 
 thefe  ftones,  and  go  through  as  on  dry  land.  If  ye  knew  what  he 
 is  preparing  for  you,  ye  \yould  be  too  glad  ;  he  will  not  (it  may  be) 
 give  you  a  full  draught  till  ye  come  up  to  the  well-head,  and  drinks 
 yt;a  drink  abundantly  of  the  pure  river  of  the  water  of  life,  that 
 proceedeth  out  from  the  throne  of  God,  and  from  the  Lamb,  Rev. 
 xxii.  I.  Madam,  tire  not,  weary  not  •,  I  dare  find  you  the  Son  of 
 God  caution,  when  ye  are  got  up  thither,  and  have  caften  your 
 eyes  to  view  the  golden  city,  and  the  fair  and  never-withering 
 tree  of  life,  that  beareth  twelve  manner  of  fruits  evcrv  month,  ye 
 ihall  then  fay,  Four  and  twenty  hours  abode  in  that  place  is  worth 
 threefcore  and  ten  years  forrow  upon  earth.  If  ye  can  but  fay.  ye 
 long  earneftly  to  be  carried  up  thither  (as  I  hope  ye  cannot  for 
 fhame  deny  him  the  honour  of  having  wrought  that  defire  in  your 
 foul)  then  bath  your  Lord  given  '.ou  an  earnell:  and  Madam,  da 
 ye  believe  that  our  Lord  will  lofe  his  earned,  and  rue  of  the  bar- 
 gain, and  change  his  mind,  as  if  he  were  a  man  that  can  lie,  or  the 
 fon  of  man  that  can  repent  ?  Nay,  he  is  unchangeable,  and  the  f^.me 
 this  year  that  he  was  the  former  year:  and  his  Son  Jefus,  who- 
 upon  earth  eat  and  drank  with  publicans  and  finners,  and  fpake 
 and  conferred  with  whores  and  harlots,  and  put  out  his  holv  hand, 
 and  touched  the  lepers  filthy  fkin,  and  came  ever  more  nigh  fin- 
 ners, even  now  in  glory,  is  yet  that  fame  Lord:  his  honour 
 and  his  great  court  in  heaven  hath  not  made  him  forget  his  poor 
 friends  on  earth :  in  him  honours  change  not  manners,  and  he 
 doth  yet  defire  your  company.  Take  him  for  the  old  Chrift,  and' 
 claim  Hill  kindnefs  to  him.  and  fay.  Oh  it  is  fo,  he  is  notchangedy. 
 but  I  am  changed:  nay.  it  is  a  part  of  his  unchangreable  love,  and 
 an  article  of  the  new  covenant,  to  keep  you  that  ye  cannot  difpone 
 him,  nor  fell  him  :  he  hath  not  played  faft  and  loofe  with  us,  in 
 the  covenant  of  grace  ;  fo  that  we  may  run  from  him  at  our  plea- 
 fure;  his  love  bach  made  the  bargain  furer  than  fo ;  for  Jefus  as 
 the  cautioner  is  bound  for  us,  Heb  vii.  22.  and  it  cannot  fi:andwitb 
 his  honour  to  die  in  the  burrows  (as  we  ufe  to  fay>  and  lofe  thee, 
 whom  he  mufl:  render  again  to  the  Father,  when  he  fhall  give  up 
 the  kingdom  to  him.  Confent  and  fay  amen  to  the  promifes,  and 
 ye  have  fealed  that  God  is  true,  and  Chrift  is  yours  :  this  is  an  ca- 
 fy  market;  ye  but  look  on  with  faith;  for  Chrift  fuffered  all, 
 and  paid  all.  Madam,  fearing  I  be  tedious  to  your  Ladyfliip,  I 
 muft  ftophere.  defiring  ahravs  to  hear  that  your  Ladyfhip  i«;  well, 
 and  that  yc  have  ftill  your  face  up  the  mountain.  Pray  for  us^ 
 Madam,  aud  for  Zion,  whereof  ye  are  a  part :  we  expect  a  trial  i 
 
Eplft.  10.]  LETTERS.  339 
 
 God's  wheat  in  this  land  muft  go  through  Satan's  fieve,  but  their 
 faith  fhall  not  fail.  I  am  ftill  wreilling  in  our  Lord's  work,  and 
 have  been  tried  and  tempted  with  brethren,  who  look  awry  to  the 
 gofpel.  Now  he  that  is  able  to  keep  you  until  that  dav,  preferve 
 your  foul,  body  and  fpirit,  and  prefent  you  before  his  face  with 
 his  own  bride,  fpotle^  and  blamelefs. 
 
 j^nwoth,  Nov.  26.         Tcur  Ladyflyip* s  to  he  commanded  al- 
 163 1.  ways  in  the  Lord  JefuSj  S.  R. 
 
 10.     To  my  Lady  KENMUHE. 
 Madam, 
 T  AIVI  grieved  exceedingly  that  your  LadyHiip  (lioiild  think,  or 
 •■•  have  caufc  to  think;  that  fuch  as  love  you  in  God,,  in  this  coun- 
 try, are  forgetful  of  you  :  for  myfelf,  Madam,  I  owe  ro  yourLady- 
 ihip  all  evidences  of  my  high  rcfped:   (in  the  tight  of  my  Lord, 
 whofe  ttuth  1  preach,  I  am  bold  to  fay  it)  for  his  rich  grac^  in 
 you.     My  communion  is  put  off  till  the  end  of  a  longfome  and 
 rainy  harveft,  and  the  pielbyterial  exercife  (as  the  bearer  can  in- 
 form your  Ladyfhip)    hindered  me  to  fee  you  :  and  for  my  pv"0- 
 ples  fake  (finding  them  like  hot  iron  that  cooieth  being  out  of  the 
 hre,  and  that  is  pliable  to  no  work)  1  do  not  Itir  abro  id,  neither 
 have  I  left  them   at  all,  fmce  your  Ladyfhip  was  in  the  country, 
 fave  at  one  time  only,  about  two  years  ago;  yet  I  d.ire  not  fay  but 
 it  is  a  fault,  howbeit  no  defect  in  my  alfcction  j  and  I  truft  to  make 
 it  up  again,   fo  foon  as  poilibly  I  am  able  to  wait  upon  you.     Ma- 
 dam, 1  have  no  new  purpofc  to  write  unto  you,  but  of  that  which 
 I  think,  nay,  which  our  Lord  thinketh  needful,  that  one  thing. 
 Mary's  good  part,  which  ye  have  chofen,  Luke  x.  42.    Madam,  all 
 that  God  harh,  both  himfelt  and  the  cieatu'-es,  he  is  dealing  and 
 parting  amongit  the  fons  of  Adam  ;  there  are  none  fo  poor,  as  that 
 they  can  fay  in  his  face,  he  hath  given  them  nothiiigj  but  there  is 
 no  fmall  odds  betwixt  the  gifts  given  to  iawiul  bairns,  and  to  ba- 
 ftards :  and  the  more  greedy  ye  are  in  fuiting,  the  more  willing  is 
 he  to  give,  delighting  to  be  called  open-handed.    I  hope  yourLa- 
 dy'bip  laboiireth  to  get  aflu ranee  of  the  fureft  patrimony,  even  God 
 himfelf.     Ye  will  find  in  Chriftianity,  that  God  aimeth,  in  all  his 
 dealings  with  his  children,  to  bring  them  to  a  high  contempt  of, 
 and  deadly  feud  with  the  world ;  and  to  fet  an  high  price  upon  Chrifr, 
 and  to  think  him  one  who  cannot  be  bought  tor  gold,  and  well- 
 worthy  the  fighting  for:  and  for  no  other  caufc.  Madam,  doth  the 
 Lord  withdraw  from  you  the  childilh  tovs,   and  the  earthly  de- 
 lights, that  he  givcth  unto  ethers;  but  that  he  may  have  you  whol- 
 ly to  himfelf:  think  therefore  of  the  Lord,  as  of  one  who  cometh  to 
 woo  you  in  marriage,  when  ye  are  in  the  fui  n-tce  ;  he  feeketh  his  an- 
 fwcr  of  you  in  affliclion,  to  fee  if  ye  will  fay,  Even  fo  1  take  him, 
 
 UU2 
 
340  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  lo.] 
 
 Madam,  give  him  this  anfwer  prcfently,  and  in  your  mind  do  not 
 lecretly  grudge  nor  murniur.      When  he  is  ftriking  you  in  love, 
 beware  to  Ihike  :igain,  that  is  dangerous  ;  for  thofe  who  ftrike  a- 
 gain,  fliall  get  the  lait  blow.     If  I  hit  not  upon  the  right  ftring,  it. 
 ]»  becaufe  I  am  not  acquainted  with  your  Ladyfhip's  prefent  con- 
 dition ;  but  I  believe  your  Ladyihip  goeth  on  foot  laughing,  and 
 putting  on  a  good  countenance  before  the  world,  and  yet  ye  carry 
 heavinefs  about  with  you.     Ye  do  well,  Madam,  net  to  make 
 them  vv'itneiTes  of  your  grief,  who  cinnot  be  curers  of  it  :  but  be 
 exceeding  charitable  of    your  dear  Lord.       As  there    be  fome 
 friends  worldly,  ot  whom  ye  will  not  entertain  an  ill  thought ;  far 
 more  ought  ye  to  believe  good  evermore  of  your  dear  friend,  that 
 lovely  fair  Perfon,  Jefus  Chriif.    The  thorn  is   one  of  the  moil 
 curfed  and  angrvand  crabbed  weeds,  that  the  earth  yieldcth  \  and 
 yet  out  of  it  fpringerh  the  rofe,  one  of  the  fweeteft  fmelled  flow- 
 ers, and  moit  delightful   to  the  eye,  that  the  earth  hath  :    your 
 Lord  (hall  make  jay  and  gladnefs  out  of  your  affli£lions  ;    for  all 
 his  rofes  have  a  fragrant  Imell.    Wait  for  the  time,  when  his  own 
 holy  hand  fhajl  htjld  thern  to   your  nofe  :  and  if  ye  would  have 
 prefent  comfort  under  the  crofs,  be  much  in  prayer;  for  at  thrt 
 time  your  fviith  kilfeth  Chriit,  and  he  kiiTeth  the  foul.    And  O  if 
 the  breath  of  his  holy  mouth  be  fweet !   I  dare  be  caution,   out  of 
 fome  fmall  experience,  that  ye  Ibail  not  be  beguiled  ;  for  the  world 
 (yea,  not  a  few  number  of  God's  children)   know  not  well  what 
 that  is,  which  they  call  a  God-head.    But,  Madam,  come  near  to 
 the  God-head,  and  look  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  well  ;  there  is 
 much  in  him,  and  fweet  were  that  death  to  drown  in  fuch  a  well ; 
 your  grief  taketh  liberty  to  work   upon  your  mind,  when  ye  are 
 hot  bufied  in  the  meditation  of  the  ever-rdelightrng  and  all-blelfed 
 God-head.     If  ye  would  lay  the  price  ye  give  out   (which  is  but 
 fome  few  vears  pnin  and  trouble)  befide  the  commiOdities  ye  are 
 to  receive,  ye  w^ould  fee  they  were  not  w^orthy  to  be  laid  in  the 
 balance  together  •,  but  it  is  nature  that  maketh  you  look  what  ye 
 give  out,  and  weaknefs  of  faith  that  hindereth  you  to  fee  what  ye 
 fhall  take  in.     Amend  your  hope,  and  fiifl  your  faithful  Lord  a 
 •while;  he  m.aketh  himfelf  your  debtor  in  the  new  covenant ;  he 
 is  honeft,   take  his  word,  Nahum  i.  9.    ^ijfiidfio?i  firJl  not  faring 
 vp  the  fecond  time.  Rev.  xxi.  7.   He  that  over  comet  h  Jljall  inherit  alt 
 things.    Of  all  things  then  which  ye  want  in  this  life,  Madam,  I 
 am  able  to  fay  nothmg,   if  that  be   not  believed  which  ye  have, 
 Rev.  ii.  7,  and  R.ev.  iii.  5.  •  The  overconv r  Jhali  be  chthed  iniuhiti 
 rniment.   See.    and  v.  28.    To  the  oner  comer  I  'will  give  to  fit  with 
 me  in  my  throne^  as  I  overcame  and  am  Jet  down  with  my  Father  in 
 his  throne.   Confider,  Madam,  if  ye  are  not  high  up  now,  and  far 
 ben  in  the  palace  of  our  Lord,   when   ye  are   upon   a   throne  in 
 white  raiment,  at  lovely  Chrilt's  elbow.     O  thrice  fools  are  wej^ 
 
Ep'.ft.  II.]  LETTERS.  341 
 
 who,  like  nevv'torn  princes  weeping  in  the  cradle,  know  not  that 
 there  is  a  kingdom  before  them  !  then  let  our  Lord's  fweet  hand 
 fquareusand  hammer  us.andftrikeofFthe  knots  of  pride,  I'elf-love, 
 2ind  world'V/orihip,  and  infidelity,  that  he  may  make  us  (tones 
 and  pillars  in  his  Father's  houfe,  Rev.  iii.  12.  Madam,  what  think 
 ye  to  take  binding  with  the  fair  corner-ftonc,  Jefus  ?  The  Lord 
 f^ive  you  wifdom  to  believe  and  hope,  your  da\  is  coming.  I  hope 
 to  be  witnefs  of  your  joy,  as  I  have  been  a  hearer  and  beholder  of 
 your  grief.  Tnink  ye  much  to  follow  the  heir  of  the  crown,  who 
 had  experience  of  forrows,  and  was  acquainted  with  grief  .^  Ifa.liii. 
 It  were  pride  to  aim  to  be  above  the  King's  Son  ;  it  is  more  thaa 
 "Sve  deferve,  that  we  are  equals  in  glory,  in  a  m.aniier.  Now  com^ 
 ^lending  you  to  the  deareft  grace  and  mercy  oi  Gud,  I  reft 
 /inwoth^  Jan.  4.  Tour  Ladxjlip^s  at  all  obedience  in  Chrifty 
 1632.  S.  R. 
 
 II.  To  my  Lady  KENMLTIE. 
 Madamy 
 1  TNderftanding  a  little  after  the  writing  of  my  laft  letter,  of  the 
 ^  g'-^i'ig  of  this  bearer,  I  would  not  omit  the  opportunity  of 
 remembring  yonr  Ladylliip,  Itill  harping  upon  that  firing,  which 
 in  our  whole  liletime  is  never  too  often  touched  upon  ;  nor  is 
 our  IcfTonwell  enough  learned,  that  there  is  a  necellity  of  advanc- 
 ing in  the  way  10  the  kingdom  of  God,  of  the  contempt  of  the 
 world,  of  denying  ourfelt,  and  bearing  of  our  Lord's  crofs  *,  which 
 is  no  lefs  needful  for  us,  than  daily  food  j  and  among  many  marks 
 that  we  are  on  this  journey,  and  uuilerfailtow^ird  heaven,  this  is  one. 
 when  the  love  of  God  fohileth  our  hearts  that  we  forget  to  love,  and 
 care  too  much  for  the  having  or  wanting  of  other  tni^igs  ;  as  one 
 extreme  heat  burneth  oat  another.  By  this,  Madam,  ye  know  ye 
 have  betrothed  your  foul  in  marriage  to  Chrilf,  when  yedo  make  but 
 fmall  reckoning  of  all  other  fuiters  or  woers,  and  when  ye  can 
 (having  little  in  hand,  but  much  in  hope)  live  as  a  young  heir  dur- 
 ing the  time  of  his  non-age  and  minority,  being  content  to  be  as 
 haidly  handled,  and  under  as  precife  a  reckoning,  as  fcrvants;  be- 
 cnule  his  hope  is  upon  the  inheritance  :  for  this  caufe,  God's  bairns 
 take  well  with  the  /foiling  of  their  goods  y  Heb  xi.  34.  knowing  in 
 themjelves,  that  they  have  in  heaven  a  better  and  an  Cijtdurin^  lub^ 
 jtance.  That  day  that  the  earth  and  the  works  therein  Jhall  he  burn- 
 ed with  fire,  2  Pet.  iii.  10.  your  hidden  hope  and  your  hidden  life 
 ihall  yppt-ar :  and  therefore,  hnce  ye  have  not  now  many  years  of 
 your  endlefs  eternity,  and  know  not  how  foon  the  iky  above  your 
 head  will  cive,  and  the  iSon  of  Man  will  be  fecn  in  the  clouds  of  hea- 
 ven; whr.t  better  and  wifer  courfe  can  ye  take,  than  to  think  that 
 your  one  foo;  is  here,  and  your  other  foot  in  the  life  to  come,  and 
 
34*  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  rr.] 
 
 to  leave  ofF  loving,  defiring,  or  grieving  for  the  wants,  that  fhall 
 be  made  up,  when  your  Lord  and  ye  (hall  meet,  and  when  ve  Ihall 
 give  in  your  bill  that  day  of  all  your  wants  here?  If  your  IclTes  be 
 not  made  up,  ye  have  place  to  challenge  the  Almighty ;  but  it  fhall 
 not  be  fo,  Yefiallthen  rejoice  luithjoy  mifpeakable  and  full  of  glory  y 
 a)  id  your  joy  Jhall  none  take  from  you,  John  xvi.  2  2.  It  is  enough, 
 that  the  Lord  hath  promiled  you  great  things  ;  only  let  the  time  of 
 bellowing  them  be  in  his  own  carving.  It  is  not  for  us  to  fet  an 
 hour-glafs  to  the  Creator  of  tim.e,  fince  he  and  we  ditTer  only  in  the 
 term  of  payment;  fince  he  hath  promifed  payment,  and  we  believe 
 It,  it  is  no  great  matter,  we  will  put  that  in  his  own  will ;  as  the 
 frank  buyer,  who  comeih  near  to  what  the  feller  feeketh,  uffth  at 
 iall^o  refer  the  difference  to  his  will,  and  fo  cutteth  off  the  courle 
 of  mutual  prigging.  Madam,  do  not  prig  with  your  frank-heart- 
 ed and  grncious  Lord,  about  the  time  of  the  fulfilling  of  your 
 joys :  it  will  be,  God  hath  faid  it ;  bide  his  harveft,  wait  upon 
 his  Whitfunday  :  his  day  is  better  than  your  day;  he  puttcth  not 
 the  hook  in  the  corn,  till  it  be  ripe,  and  full-eared.  *  The  great 
 Angel  of  the  covenant  bear  you  company  till  the  trumpet  fliall 
 found,  and  the  voice  of  the  arch-angel  awaken  the  dead/  Ye  ihall 
 find  it  your  only  happinefs,  under  whatever  thing  dilturbeth  and 
 croiTeth  the  peace  of  your  mind  in  this  life,  to  love  nothing  for 
 itfelf,  but  only  God  for  himfclf :  it  is  the  crooked  love  of  fome 
 harlots,  that  they  love  bracelets,  ear-rings,  and  rings,  better  than 
 the  lover  that  fendeth  them  :  God  will  not  be  fo  loved :  for  that 
 were  to  behave  as  harlots,  and  not  as  the  chafte  fpoufe,  to  abate 
 from  our  love  when  thefe  things  are  pulled  away.  Our  love  to  him 
 fliould  begin  on  earth,  as  it  fiiall  be  in  heaven :  for  the  bride  taketh 
 not  by  a  thoufand  degrees  fo  much  delight  in  her  wedding-gar- 
 ment, as  (he  doth  in  her  Bridegroom';  fo  we,  in  the  life  to  come, 
 bowbeit  clothed  with  glory  as  with  a  robe,  (hall  not  be  fo  much 
 affefted  with  the  glory  that  goetb  about  us,  as  with  the  Bride- 
 groom's joyful  face  and  prefence.  Madam,  if  ye  can  win  to  this 
 here,  the  held  is  won  ;  and  your  mind,  for  any  thing  ye  want,  or 
 for  any  thing  your  Lord  can  take  from  you,  fhall  foon  be  calmed 
 and  quieted  :  get  himfelf  as  a  pawn,  and  keep  him,  till  your  dear 
 Lord  come  and  loofe  the  pawn,  and  rue  upon  you,  and  give  you 
 all  again,  that  he  took  from  you,  even  a  thoufand  talents  for  one 
 penny.  It  is  not  ill  to  lend  God  v^illingly,  who  otherwife  both 
 will  and  may  take  from  you  againft  your  will:  it  is  good  to  pl^y 
 the  ufurer  with,  and  take  in,  inltead  often  of  the  hundred,  an  hun- 
 dred of  ten.  often  an  hundred  of  one.  Madam,  fearing  to  be  te- 
 dious to  you,  I  break  off  here,  commending  you  (as  I  trull  to  do 
 while  I  live)  your  perfon,  ways,  burdens,  and  all  that  concerneth 
 you,  to  that  Almighty,  who  is  able  to  bear  you  and  your  burdens  : 
 1  itill  remember  you  tc  him,  who  will  caufe  you  one  day  to  Lugh. 
 
Eplft.  12.]  LETTERS.  343 
 
 I  expecl  that,  whatever  ye  can  do  by  word  or  deed,  for  the  Lord'g 
 friendiefs  Zion,  ye  will  i.\o  it:  flie  is  your  mother,  forget  her  not, 
 for  the  Lord  intcndeth  to  melt  and  try  this  land,  and  it  is  high 
 time  we  were  all  upon  our  feet,  and  falling  about  to  try  what  claim 
 we  have  to  CbriH:.  It  is  like  the  Bridegroom  will  be  taken  from 
 us,  and  then  we  fliall  mourn.  Dear  Jefus  remove  not,  elfe  take 
 us  with  thee  !   Grace,  grace  be  with  you  for  ever. 
 
 ^n-woth,  Jan.  14.  Tour  LadyJJjip*s  at  all  dutiful 
 
 1632.  obedience,  S.  R. 
 
 12.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madam, 
 "yOUR.  Ij?.dyfliip  will  not  (1  know)  weary  nor  ofFend,  though  I 
 -■■  trouble  you  with  many  letters  ;  the  memory  of  what  obliga- 
 tions I  am  under  to  your  LadyQilp  is  the  caufe  of  it.  I  am  pofll- 
 bly  impertinent  in  what  I  write,  becaufe  of  my  ignorance  of  your 
 prefent  eftate :  but  for  all  that  is  faid,  I  have  learned  of  Mr.  W. 
 D.  that  ye  have  not  changed  upon,  nor  wearied  of  your  fweet  Ma- 
 fter,  Chrlft,  and  his  fervice  5  neither  were  it  your  part  to  change 
 upon  him,  who  refteth  in  his  love.  Ye  are  among  honourable 
 company,  and  fuch  as  afFecl  grandeur  and  court.  But,  Madam, 
 thinking  upon  your  eftate,  I  think  I  fee  an  improvident  wooer, 
 coming  too  late  to  feek  a  bride,  bec&ufe  (he  is  contracted  already, 
 and  promifed  away  to  another  j  and  fo  the  wooer's  bulking  and 
 bravery  (who  cometh  to  you,  as  who  but  he)  is  in  vain :  the  out- 
 ward pomp  of  this  bufy  wooer,  a  beguiling  world,  is  now  coming 
 in  to  fuit  your  foul  too  late,  when  ye  have  promifed  away  your 
 foul  to  Chrii-t  many  years  ago.  And  1  know.  Madam,  what  anfwer 
 ye  may  juftly  make  to  the  late  fuiter,  even  this,  '  Ye  are  too  long 
 of  coming  :  my  foul  the  bride  is  away  already,  and  the  contract 
 with  Chriit  fubfcribed  ;  and  I  cannot  choofe,  but  I  mud  be  honeffc 
 and  faithful  to  him.'  Honourable  Lady,  keep  your  firfl:  love,  and 
 hold  the  firlt  match  with  that  foul-delighting  lovely  Bridegroom, 
 our  fweet,  fweet.  Lord  Jefus,  fairer  than  all  the  children  of  men, 
 the  rofe  of  Sharon,  and  the  faireft  and  fweeteil  fmelled  rofe  in  ail 
 his  Father's  garden ;  there  is  none  like  him  :  I  would  not  ex- 
 change one  fmile  of  his  lovely  face  with  kingdoms.  Madam,  let 
 others  take  their  filly  fecklefs  heaven  in  this  life,  envy  them  not; 
 but  let  your  foul,  like  a  tarrowing  and  miflearned  child,  take  the 
 dorts  (as  wc  ufe  to  fpeak)  or  caft  at  all  things  and  difdain  them, 
 except  one  only,  either  ChriH:  or  nothing.  Your  Well-beloved 
 Jefus  will  be  content,  that  ye  be  here  devoutly  proud,  and  ill  to 
 pleafe,  as  one  that  contemneth  all  hufbandt,  but  himfelf :  either  the 
 King's  Son,  or  no  huiband  at  all ;  this  is  humble  and  worthy  am- 
 bition.   What  have  ye  to  do  to  dally  with  a  whorilh  and  fooli(k 
 
344  J>^i-  RUTHERFOORD's  lEpIft.  12.I 
 
 world  ?  your  jealous  Hufband  will  not  be  content  that  ye  look  by 
 him  to  another  j  he  will  be  jealous  indeed,  and  olTend,  if  ye  kifs 
 another  but  himlelf.  What  weights  do  burden  you,  Madsm,  I 
 know  not;  but  think  it  great  mercy,  that  your  Lord  from  your 
 youth  hath  been  hedging  in  your  out-ftraying  alfeclions,  that  they 
 may  not  go  a-whoring  from  himfeif:  if  ye  were  his  baflard,  he 
 would  not  nurture  you  fo-,  if  ye  were  for  the  flaughter,  ye  would 
 be  fattened:  but  be  content,  ye  are  his  wheat  growing  in  our 
 Lord's  field,  Matth.  xiii.  i^,  38.  And  if  wheat,  ye  mud:  go  under 
 our  Lord's  threfhing  inflrument,  in  his  bam-floor,  and  go  through 
 his  fieve,  Amos  ix.  9.  and  through  his  mill  to  be  bruifcd,  as  the 
 Prince  of  our  falvation  Jefus  was,  Ifa.  liii.  9.  that  ye  may  be  found 
 good  bread  in  your  Lord's  houfe.  Lord  Jefus,  blefs  the  fpiritual 
 hufbandry,  and  feparate  you  from  the  chaff,  that  dow  not  bide  the 
 wind.  I  am  perfuaded,  your  glafs  is  fpending  itfclf  by  little  and 
 little;  and  if  ye  knew  who  is  before  you,  ye  would  rtjoice  in 
 your  tribulation.  Think  ye  it  a  fmall  honour  to  (land  before  the 
 throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb,  and  to  be  clothed  in  white,  and  ta 
 be  called  to  the  marriage-fupper  of  the  Lamb,  and  to  be  led  to  the 
 Fountain  of  living  waters,  and  to  come  to  the  Well-head,  even 
 God  himfeif,  and  get  your  fill  of  the  clear,  cold,  fwcct,  refrefh- 
 ing  Water  of  life,  the  King's  own  well,  and  to  put  up  your  own 
 fniful  hand  to  the  tree  of  life,  and  take  down  and  eat  the  fweeteft 
 apple  in  all  God's  heavenly  paradife,  Jefus  Chrift,  your  Life  and 
 your  Lord  !  Up  your  heart,  (hout  for  joy,  your  King  is  coming 
 to  fetch  you  to  his  Father's  houfe.  Madam,  1  am  in  exceeding 
 great  heavinef;,  God  thinking  it  bed  for  my  own  foul  thus  to  ex- 
 crcife  me  thereby  (it  may  be)  to  fit  me  to  be  his  mouth  to  others. 
 I  fee  and  hear,  at  home  and  abroad,  nothing  but  matter  of  grief 
 and  difcouragement,  which  indeed  maketh  my  life  bitter;  and  I 
 hope  in  God  never  to  get  my  will  in  this  world:  and  I  expect  ere 
 long  a  fiery  trial  upon  the  church  ;  for  as  many  men  almoft  in 
 England  and  Scotland,  as  many  falfe  friends  to  Chrifl,  and  as 
 many  pulling  and  drawing  to  pull  the  crown  ofF  his  holy  head; 
 and  for  fear  that  our  Beloved  flay  among fi:  us  (as  if  his  room  were 
 more  defirable  than  himfeif)  men  are  bidding  him  go  feek  his  lodg- 
 ing. Madam,  if  ye  have  a  part  in  filly  friendlefs  Zion,  (as  I  knovs^ 
 ye  have.'  fpeak  a  word  on  her  behalf  to  God  and  man:  if  ye  can 
 do  nothing  elfe,  fpeak  for  Jefus,  and  ye  fhall  thereby  be  a  witnefs 
 againlt  this  declining  age.  Now,  from  my  very  foul,  laying  and 
 leaving  you  on  the  Lord,  and  defiring  a  part  in  your  prayers  (as 
 rnv  Lord  knoweth,  I  remember  you)  I  deliver  over  your  body, 
 I'pirit,  and  all  your  neccfTities  to  the  hands  of  our  Lord,  and  re- 
 Hiain  for  ever 
 
 JnwGth,  Feb.  1 3,  Tour  Ladyjhifs  in  yourfweet  Lord 
 
 1632.  Jefus  and  mine,  S.  R. 
 
Epift.  13.]  LETTERS.  345 
 
 13.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madam, 
 T^HE  caufe  of  my  not  writing  to  your  Ladyiliip,  is  not  my  for- 
 •*•  getfulnefs  of  you,  but  the  want  of  the  opportunity  of  a  con- 
 venient bearer;  for  I  am  under  more  than  a  iimple  obligation  to 
 be  kind  (in  paper,  at  lead)  to  your  Ladyflilp.  1  blefs  our  Lord 
 through  Chriil,  who  hath  brought  you  home  again  to  your  coun- 
 try, from  that  place,  where  ye  have  feen  with  your  eyes  that 
 .which  our  Lord's  truth  taught  you  before,  to  wit,  that  worldly 
 glory  is  nothing  but  a  vapour,  a  fliadow,  the  foam  of  the  watej , 
 or  fome  lefs  and  lighter,  even  nothing;  and  that  our  Lord  hath 
 not  without  caufe  faid  in  his  word,  i  Cor.  vii.  31.  *  The  coun- 
 tenance or  fafhion  of  this  world  paficth  away.  In  which  place, 
 our  Lord  compareth  it  to  an  image  in  a  looking  glafs,  for  it  is  thi 
 looking  glafs  of  Adam's  fons  :  fome  come  to  the  giafs,  and  fee  in 
 it  the  piclure  of  honour,  and  but  a  picture  indeed;  for  true  ho- 
 nour is  to  be  great  in  the  nght  of  God  ;  and  others  fee  in  it  the 
 (hadow  of  riches,  and  but  a  fliadow  indeed  ;  for  durable  riches 
 ftand,  as  one  of  the  maids  of  wifdom,  upon  her  left  hand,  Pro  v. 
 iii.  16.  and  a  third  fort  fee  in  it  the  face  of  painted  pleafures,  and 
 tlie  beholders  will  not  believe,  but  the  image  they  fee  in  this  glafs 
 is  a  living  man,  till  the  Lord  come  and  break  the  glafs  in  pieces, 
 and  remove  the  face;  and  then,  like  Pharaoh  awakened,  they  fay. 
 And  behold  it  was  a  dream.  I  know  your  Ladylhip  thinketh  your- 
 felf  little  in  the  common  of  this  world,  for  the  favourable  afpe£l  of 
 any  of  thefe  three  painted  faces;  and  blefled  be  our  Lord  that  it 
 isfo;  the  better  for. you:  Madam,  they  are  not  worthy  to  be 
 wooers  to  fuit  in  marriage  your  foul,  that  looks  to  aa  higher  match 
 than  to  be  married  upon  painted  clay.  Know  therefore.  Madam, 
 the  place  whither  our  Lord  Jefus  corneth  to  woo  a  bride,  it  is  e- 
 ven  in  the  furnace :  for  if  ye  be  one  of  Zion's  daughters  (which  I 
 ever  put  beyond  all  qucftion,  fince  I  firfl  had  occafion  to  fee  in 
 your  Ladyfhip  fuch  pregnant  evidences  of  the  grace  of  God)  the 
 Lord,  who  hath  his  fire  in  Zion,  and  his  furnace  in  Jerufalem,  Ifa. 
 xxxi.  9.  is  purifying  you  in  the  furnace  :  and  therefore  be  content 
 to  live  in  it,  and  every  <lay  to  be  adding  and  fewing  to  a  pafment 
 to  your  wedding-garment,  that  ye  may  he  at  laft  decorated  and  ti  im- 
 mcd  as  a  bride  for  Chriil:,  a  bride  of  his  own  bulking,  beautified 
 in  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart,  forgettiniryour  fathir's  boufc,  Jo 
 Jhall  the  Kin^  greatly  dtf,re  your  beauty ^  Pfal.  xlv.  11.  If  your  La- 
 dyfliip  be  not  changed  (as  I  hope  )e  are  not)  I  believe  ye  eftecm 
 yourfelf  to  be  of  thofe,  whom  God  hath  tried  ihefe  many  vears, 
 and  refined  as  filvcr.  But,  Madam,  1  will  fhew  your  Ladyfhip  a 
 privilege  that  others  want,  and  ve  have,  in  this  cafe  :  fuch  a*  are 
 
 Xx 
 
346  Mr  ntlTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  13,3 
 
 in  profperity,  and  are  fatted  with  earthly  joys,  and  increafed  with 
 children  and  friends,  though  the  word  of  God  is  indeed  written  ta 
 luch  for  their  inftrudiion  ;  yet  to  you  who  are  in  trouble,  (fpare 
 me,   Madam,  to  fay  this)  from  whom  the  Lord  hath  taken  many 
 children,  and  whom  he  hath  exercifed  otherwife,  there  are  fome 
 chapters,  fome  particular  promifes  in  the  word  of  God,  made,  in 
 a  nioit  fpecial  manner,  which  ihould  never  have  been  yours,  fo  as 
 they  now  are,  if  ye  had  your  portion  in  this  life,  as  others  :  and 
 therefore  all  the  comforts,  promifes  and  mercies,  God  offereth  to 
 the  afHi^led,  they  are  as  many  love-letters  written  to  you ;  take 
 them  to  you,  Madam,  and  claim  your  right,  and  be  not  robbed. 
 It  is  no  fmall  comfort,   that  God  hath  written  fome  fcriptures  to 
 you,  which  he  hath  not  written  to  others  :  ye  feem  rather  in  this 
 to  be  envied  than  pitied ;  and  yc  are  indeed  in  this  like  people  of 
 another  world,  and  thofe  that  are  above  the  ordinary  rank  of  man- 
 kind, whom  our  King  and  Lord,  our  Bridegroom  Jefus,  in  his  love- 
 letter  to  his  well-beloved  fpoufe,  hath  named,   befide  all  the  reft, 
 and  haih  written  comforts  and  his  hearty  commendations,  in  the 
 56th  of  Ifaiah,  ver.  4.  5.  Pfal.  cxivii.  2,  3.  to  you:  read  thefe  and 
 the  like,  and  think  your  God  is  like  a  friend,  thatfendeth  a  letter 
 to  a  whole  houfe  and  family^  but  fpeaketh  in  his  letter  to  fome 
 by  name,  that  are  dearell  to  him  in  the  houfe:  ye  are  then,  Ma- 
 Ham,  of  the  deartft  friends  of  the  Bridegroom  ;  if  it  were  lawful, 
 I  would  envy  you,  that  God  honoured  you  fo  above   many  of  his 
 dear  children.  Therefore,  Madam,  your  part  is,  in  this  cafe,  (fee- 
 ing God  taketh  nothing  from  you,  but  that  which  he  is  to  fupply 
 ■with  his  own  prefence)  to  defire  your  Lord  to  know  his  own  room, 
 2.\\<\  to  take  it  even  upon  hini  to  come  in,  in  the  room  of  dead 
 children :  Jehovah,  know  thy  own  place,  and  take  it  to  thee,  is  all 
 you  h?.ve  to  fay.  Madam,  I  perfuade  myself,  that  this  world  is  to 
 you  an  uncouth  inns  ;  and  that  ye  are  like  a  traveller,  who  hath 
 his  bundle  upon  his  back,  and  his  lliafr  in  his  hand,  and  his  feet 
 upon  the  door-thre{hold:  go  forward,  honourable  and  elect  Lady, 
 ■in  the  ftrength  of  your  Lord,    (let  the  world  bide  at  home  and 
 ■keep the  houfe)  with  your  face  toward  him,  who  longeth  more  for 
 a  fight  of  yoa,  than  ye  can  do  for  him :  ere  It  be  long  he  will  fee 
 ^us.    I  hope  to  fee  you  laugh  as  chearfully  after  noon,  as  ye  have 
 mourned  before  noon :  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  the  hand  of  the  Lord 
 be  with  you  in  your  journey.  What  have  ye  to  do  here  ?  This  is 
 not  your  mountain  of  reft;  arife  then,  and  fet  your  foot  up  the 
 mountain  :  go  up  out  of  the  wildernefs  leaning  upon  the  (boulder 
 ■  of  vour  Beloved,  Cant.  viii.  5.  If  ye  knew  the  welcome  that  abid- 
 rth  YOU  when  vc  come  home,  ye  would  haften  your  pace;  for  ye 
 Ihall  fee  your   Lord  put  up  his  own  holy  hand  to  your  face,  and 
 wipe  all  tears  from  your  eyes;  and  I  trow,  then  ye  Ihall  have  fome 
 -joy  of  heart.    Madam,  paper  willeth  ms  to  end  before  affeclion. 
 
Eplft.  14.]  LETTERS.  347 
 
 Remember  the  eftate  of  Zlon;  pray  that  Jerufulem  may  be  as  Ze- 
 chariah  prophefied,  chap  iiL  13.  A  burdeiifome  Jione  tor  all^  that 
 whofoever  boweth  down  to  roil  the  ftone  out  of  the  way,  may  hurt 
 and  break  the  joints  of  their  back,  and  ftrain  their  arms,  r.nd  dif- 
 joint  their  flioulder-blades;  and  pray  Jehovah,  that  the  ftonc  may 
 ly  fiill  in  its  own  place,  keep  bond  with  the  Cornrr-iionc,  I  hope 
 it  Ihall  be  fo;  he  is  a  flcillcd  Mafter-builder  who  laid  it.  I  would. 
 Madam,  under  great  heavinefs  be  refrelhed  with  two  lines  from 
 your  Ladyfliip,  which  1  refer  to  your  own  wifdom.  Madam,  I 
 would  ieem  undutiful  hot  to  fhew  you,  thnt  great  follicitation  is 
 made  by  the  town  of  Kirkcudbright,  for  to  have  the  ufe  of  my  poor 
 labours  amongll  them.  If  the  Lord  (liail  call,  and  his  people  cry, 
 who  am  1  to  refift?  But  without  his  feen  calling,  and  till  the  flock, 
 "whom  I  now  overfee,  be  planted  with  one,  to  whom  I  dare  intruft 
 Chriit's  fpoufe ;  gold  nor  filver.  nor  favour  of  men,  I  hope,  iliall 
 not  loofe  me.  I  leave  your  Ladyihip,  praying  more  eamcilly  for 
 <^race  and  mercy  to  be  with  you,  and  multiplit'd  upon  you,  here 
 and  hereafter,  than  my  pen  can  exprefs.  The  Lord  Jefus  be  witii 
 your  fpiiit. 
 
 Kirkcudbright.  Tour  Ladyfov/s  at  all  oredicnce 
 
 in  the  Lcrdy  S.  R. 
 
 14.  'To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Mad'im, 
 TT AViNG  faluted  you,  with  grace  and  mercy  from  God  our  Fa- 
 •*■-■"  ther,  and  from  our  Lord  Jefus  Chriit,  I  long  to  fee  your 
 Ladylhip,  and  to  hear  how  it  goeth  with  you.  I  do  remember 
 you,  and  prefentyou  and  your  neceflicies  o  him,  who  is  able  to  keep 
 you,  and  preient  yoii  blamelefs  before  his  f?.c€  with  joy:  and  my 
 prayer  to  our  Lord  is,  that  ye  may  be  fick  of  love  for  him,  who 
 died  of  love  for  you;  I  mean  your  Saviour  Jefus  :  and  O  fweet 
 were  that  ficknef:^,  to  be  foul-iick  for  him !  and  a  living  death  it 
 were,  to  die  in  the  fire  of  the  love  of  that  foul-iover.  Jefus  !  And, 
 Madam,  it  ye  love  him,  ye  will  keep  his  commandments;  and  this 
 is  not  one  of  the  leaft,  to  lay  your  neck  chearfully  ajid  willingly 
 under  the  yoke  of  Jefus  Chiifl:  for,  I  truft,  your  Ladyflup  did 
 firit  contract  and  bargain  with  the  Son  of  God,  to  follow  him  up- 
 on thefe  terms,  that  by  his  grace  ye  fliould  endure  hardlhip,  and 
 fuffer  iifliiction  as  the  foldierof  Chrifl-,  they  are  not  worthy  of  Je- 
 fus, who  will  not  take  a  blow  for  their  Mailer's  fake.  For  our 
 Crdorious  peace-maker,  when  he  came  to  make  up  the  friendfhip 
 betwixt  God  and  us,  God  bruifcd  him,  and  ilruck  him,  the  finful 
 world  alfo  did  beat  him,  and  crucify  him ;  yet  he  took  buflets  of 
 both  the  parties:  and  honour  to  our  Lo)\l  Jefus,  he  would  not 
 leave  the  Held  for  all  that,  till  he  had  mav!e  peace  betwixt  the  par- 
 ties. I  pcifuadc  myfclf,  your  fufferings  are  but  like  your  Saviour's, 
 
 X  X  2 
 
348  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's        '     Eplft.  14.] 
 
 (yea,  incomparably  lefs  and  lighter)  which  are  called  bm  a  bruifin? 
 ot  his  heel    Gen.  iii.  15.  a  wound  tar  from  the  heart.   Your  life  is 
 hid  with  Chrift  in  God,  Col. iii.  3.  and  therefore  ye  cannot  be  rob- 
 bed ot  It.    Our  Lord  handleth  us,  as  fathers  do  their  young  chil- 
 dren ;  they  lay  up  jewels  in  a  place  above  the  reach  of  the  frort 
 arm  ot  bairns,  elfe  bairns  would  put  up  their  hands,  and  take  them 
 aown,  and  lofe  them  foon  :  fo  hath  our  Lord  done  with  our  ipiri- 
 tual  htej  Jefus  Chrift  is  the  high  coffer,  in  the  which  our  Lord  bath 
 hid  our  lite  ;  we  children  arc  notable  to  reach  up  our  arm  fo  high 
 as  to  take  down  that  life  and  lofe  it;   it  is  in  our  Chrift's  hand: 
 U,  long,  long  may  Jefus  be  lord-keeper  of  our  life!   and  happy 
 are  they  that  can,  with  the  apoftle,   2  Tim.  i.  lay  their  foul  in 
 pawn  in  the  hand  ot  Jefus  ;  for  he  is  able  to  keep  that  which  is 
 committed  in  pawn  to  him  againlt  that  day.    Then,  Madam,  fo 
 Jong  as  this  hte  is  not  hurt,  all  other  troubles  are  but  touches 
 in  the  heel :   1  truft  ye  will  foon  be  cured.     Ye  know.  Madam, 
 kings  have  fome  lervants  in  their  courts,  that  receive  not  prefent 
 •vvragts  in  their  hand,  but  live  upon  their  hopes  :    the  King  of 
 kings   alfo   hjith  fervants  in  his  courf*  that  for  the  prefent  get 
 Jictle  or  nothing,  but  the  heavy  crofs  of  Chrift,  troubles  without 
 and  terrors  within  ;  but  they  live  upon  hope  ;   when  it  cometh  tq 
 the  parting  of  the  inheritance,  they  remain  in  the  houfe  as  heirs  : 
 It  is  better  to  be  fo,  than  to  get  prefent  payment,  and  a  portion 
 in  this  life,  an  inheritance  in  this  world  ;  (God  forgive  me,  th^t 
 I  /hould  honour  it  with   the  name  of  an  inheritance,  it  is  rather 
 a  farm-room)  and  then  in  the  end  to  be  caften  out  of  God's  houfe, 
 Avith   this  word,  ye  have  received  your  confolation,  ye  will  get 
 no  more.    Alas  !   what  get  they  .^  The  rich  glutton's  heaven.    O 
 but  our  Lord,  Luke  xvi.  maketh  it  a  filly  heaven  I  he  fared  well 
 (faith  our  Lord)    and  delicately  every  day:    Oh!    no  more  .^  a 
 iiily  heaven!  truly  no  more,  except  that  he  was  clothed  in  pur- 
 ple, and  that  is  all.    I  perfuade  mylelf,  Madam^  ye  have  joy, 
 ^vhen  ye  think  that  our  Lord  hath  dealt  more  graciouHy  with 
 your  foul.     Ye   have  gotten  little  in  this  life,    it  is  true,    in- 
 deed :  ye  have  then  the  more  to  crave  :  yea,  ye  have  ail  to  crave  : 
 for,  except  fome  taftjngs  of  the  firft  fruits,  and  tome  kiiTes  of 
 his  mouth,  whom  your  foul  loveth,   ye  get  no  more.    But  I  can- 
 not tell  you  what  is  to  come ;  yet  I  may  fpeak  as  our  Lord  doth 
 oi  it :  the  foundation  of  the  city  is  pure  gold,  clear  as  cryftal ;  the 
 twelve  ports  are  fet  with  precious  ftones  :    if  orchards  and  ri- 
 vers commend  a  foil  upon  earth,  there  is  a  paradife  there,  where- 
 in grovveth  the  tree  of  life,  that  beareth  twelve  manner  of  fruits 
 every  month,  which  is  fevenfcore  and  four  harvefts   in  the  year; 
 and  there  is  there  a  pure  river  of  water  of  life,  proceeding  out 
 of  the  throne  of  God  and  of  the  Lamb:   and  the  city  hath  no 
 need  of  the  light  of  the  fun  or  moon,  or  of  a  candle :  for  the  Lord 
 
Epift.  isJ  LETTERS.  349 
 
 God  Almighty  and  the  Lamb  is  the  light  thereof.  Madam,  believe 
 and  hope  for  this,  till  ye  fee  and  enjoy.  Jefus  is  faying  in  the 
 gofpel.  Come  and  fee;  and  he  is  come  down  in  the  chariot  of 
 truth,  wherein  he  rideth  through  the  world,  to  conquer  mens 
 fouls,  Pfal.  xlv.  4.  and  is  now  in  the  world  faying,  *  Who  will  go 
 with  me  ?  will  ye  go  ?  My  Father  will  make  you  welcome,  and 
 give  you  houfe-room ;  for  in  my  Father's  houfe  are  many  dwel- 
 ling-places.' Madam,  confent  to  go  with  him.  Thus  I  reft, 
 commending  you  to  God's  deareft  mercy, 
 
 Anujoth.  Tours  in  the  L^rd  Jefus y  S.  R. 
 
 15.     To  viy  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madanif 
 
 I  AM  afraid  now  (as  many  others  are)  that  at  the  fitting  down 
 of  our  parliament,  our  Lord  Jefus  his  fpoufe  fhall  be  roughly 
 handled  :  and  it  muft  be  fo,  fmce  falfe  and  declining  Scotland, 
 whom  our  Lord  took  off  the  dunghill  and  out  of  hell,  and  made  a 
 f^ir  bride  to  himfelf,  hath  broken  her  faith  to  her  fweet  Hu(band, 
 and  hath  put  on  the  forehead  of  a  whore;  and  therefore  he  faith, 
 he  will  remove.  V/ouldto  God  we  could  ftir  up  ourfelves  to  lay 
 liold  upon  him,  who,  being  highly  provoked  with  the  handling 
 he  hath  met  with,  is  ready  to  depart.  Alas,  we  do  not  importune 
 him,  by  prayer  and  fupplication,  to  abide  amongit  us  !  If  we  could 
 but  weep  upon  him,  and  in  the  holy  pertinacy  of  faith  wreOile 
 with  him,  and  fay,  We  will  not  let  thee  go ;  it  may  be  that  then 
 he,  who  is  eafy  to  be  intreated,  would  yet,  notwithlianding  of  our 
 high  provocations,  condefcend  to  ftay,  and  feed  among  the  lillies, 
 till  that  fair  and  defirable  day  break,  and  the  fliadows  fiee  away. 
 Ah !  what  caufe  of  mourning  is  there,  when  our  gold  is  become 
 dim,  and  the  vifage  of  our  Nazarites,  fometimes  whiter  than  fnow, 
 is  become  blacker  than  a  coal  :  and  Levi's  houfe,  once  comparable 
 to  fine  gold,  is  now  changed,  and  become  like  veflels  in  whom  he 
 hath  no  pleafure?  Mad:irn,  think  upon  this'  that  when  our  Lord, 
 who  hath  his  h.and kerchief  to  wipe  the  face  of  the  mourners  in 
 Zion,  fiiall  come  to  wipe  av/ay  all  tears  from  tlieir  eyes,  he  may 
 wipe  yours  alfo,  in  palFing  amongll  others.  I  am  conlident,  Ma- 
 dam, that  our  Lord  will  yet  build  a  new  houfe  to  himfelf,  of  our 
 reje£led  and  fcattered  flones ;  for  our  Bridegroom  cannot  want  a 
 wife :  can  he  lire  a  widow  ?  nay,  he  will  embrace  both  us  the  lit- 
 tle young  filter,  and  the  eider  fifter,  the  church  of  the  Jews  :  and 
 there  will  yet  be  a  day  of  it ;  and  therefore  we  have  caufe  to  rejoice, 
 yea  to  fing  and  Ihout  for  joy.  The  church  hath  been,  fmce  the 
 world  began,  ever  hanging  by  a  fmall  thread,  and  all  the  hands  of 
 hell  and  of  the  wicked  have  been  drawing  at  the  thread  :  but 
 God  be  thanked,  they  only  break  their  arnis  by  pulling,  but  the 
 
35^  Mr  nUTHERFOORD'^  Eplft.  i6.] 
 
 thread  Is  not  broken  ;  for  the  fweet  fingers  of  Chrift  our  Lord 
 bavefpun-and  twiftedit:  Lord,  hold  the  thread  whole.  Madam, 
 (lir  up  your  hiiiVand,  to  lay  hold  upon  the  covenant,  and  to  do 
 good.  What  hath  he  to  do  with  the  world  ?  it  is  not  his  inheri- 
 tance :  deiire  him  to  make  home  over,  and  put  to  his  hand  to  lay 
 one  ftone  or  two  upon  the  wall  of  God's  houfe,  before  he  go  hence. 
 I  have  heard  aifo,  Madam,  that  your  child  is  removed ;  but  to  have 
 or  want  is  heft,  as  he  pleafeth.  Whether  (he  be  with  you,  or  in 
 God's  keeping,  think  it  all  one  ;  nay,  think  it  tlie  better  of  the 
 two  by  far,  that  (he  is  with  him.  I  trull;  in  our  Lord,  that  there 
 is  fomething  laid  up  and  kept  for  you;  for  our  kind  Lord,  who 
 "hatti  wounded  you,  will  not  be  fo  cruel,  as  not  to  alhiy  the  pain 
 of  your  green  wcund;  and  therefore  claim  Chrift  ftill  as  your 
 own,  and  own  him  as  your  One  thing.  80  refting,  I  recommend 
 your  Ladylhip,  your  foul  and  fpirit  in  pawn  to  him,  who  keepeth 
 liis  Father's  pawns,  and  will  make  an  account  of  them  faithfully, 
 even  to  that  faireft  amongft  the  ions  of  men,  our  fweet  Lord  Je- 
 fus,  the  faireft,  the  fweeteft,  the  moll  delicious  Roie  of  all  his  Fa- 
 ther's great  tield.  1  he  fmell  of  that  Rofe  perfume  your  foul. 
 Anv^oth  April  i,  Tour  Ladyjbip's  in  his /meet ^Ji 
 
 1633.  '  Urd  Jejus,  S.  R. 
 
 16.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madamy 
 T  Determined,  and  was  defirous  alfo  to  have  {^txi  your  Ladyfhip, 
 ■^  but  becaufe  of  a  pain  in  my  arm  I  could  not.  I  know  ye  will 
 not  impute  it  to  any  unfuitabie  forgetfulnefs  of  your  Ladyfhip, 
 from  whom,  at  niy  lirft  entry  to  my  cailinp:  in  this  country,  and 
 .fince  alfo,  I  received  fuch  comfort  in  my  aiBiclion,  as,  I  trufi:  in 
 God,  never  to  forget  it,  and  (hall  labour  by  his  grace  to  recompence 
 it,  the  only  way  poiuble  to  me,  and  that  is,  by  prefenting  your 
 foul,  perfon,  houfe,  and  all  your  neceiTities,  in  prayer  to  him,whofe 
 I  hope  ye  are,  and  who  is  able  to  keep  you  till  that  day  of  appear- 
 ance, and  to  prefenr  you  before  Lis  face  with  joy.  I  am  confident 
 your  LadyTnip  is  goJr!<]^  forwardj  in  the  bgun  journey  to  your  Lord 
 and  Father's  home  and  kingdom  ;  howbeit  ye  want  not  temptati- 
 ons within  and  without:  and  who  among  the  faints  hath  ever  ta- 
 ken that  caflle  without  ftroke  of  fword  ?  The  chief  of  the  houfe, 
 our  elder  brother,  cur  Lord  Jefus,  not  being  excepted,  who  won 
 his  own  houfe  at  home,  due  to  him  by  birth,  with  much  blood 
 and  many  blows.  Your  Lady(hip  hath  the  more  need  to  look  to 
 yourfelf,  becaufe  our  Lord  hath  placed  you  higher  than  the  reft, 
 and  your  way  to  heaven  iieth  through  a  more  wild  and  wafte  wil- 
 dernefs,  than  the  way  of  many  of  your  fellow-travellers  5  not  only 
 through  the  midil  of  this  wood  of  thorns,  the  cumberfotne  world, 
 
Epift.  i6.]  LETTERS.  ?5t 
 
 buralfo  through  thefe  dangerous  paths,  the  tain- glory  of  it:  the 
 cfinfi deration  whereof  hath  often  moved  me  to  pity  your  foul,  and 
 the  foul  of  your  worthy  and  noble  hufband.      And  it  is  more  to 
 you  to  win  heaven,  being  fhips  of  greater  burden,  and  in  the  main- 
 fea.  than  for  iittle  veiTels,  that  are  not  fo  much  in  the  mercy  and 
 reverence  of  the  florms;  becaufe  they  may  come  quietly  to  their 
 port  by  hunching  alongfl:  the  co;'.ft :  for  the  which  c?,ufe  ye  <^o 
 much,  if  in  the  midO:  of  fuch  a  tumult  of  bufmefs,  and  crowd  of 
 temptations,  ye  fhall  give  Chriit  Jefus  his  own  court,  and  his  own 
 due  place  in  your  foul.    1  know  and  am  perfuaded,  that  that  love- 
 ly One  Jefus  is  dearer  to  you  than  many  kingdoms  v  and  that  ye 
 efieem  him  your  Well-beloved,  and  the  Siandnrd-bearer  among 
 ten  thoufand.  Cant.  v.  lo.  And  it  becometh  him  full  well  to  take 
 the  place,  and  the  board-head  in  your  foul,  before  all  the  world :  I 
 knew  and  faw  him  with  you  in  the  furnace  of  affliction*:  for  there 
 he  wooed  you  to  himfelf,  and  chofe  you  to  be  his ;  and  now  he 
 craveth  no  other  hire  of  you  but   your  Jove,  and  that  he  get  no 
 caufe  to  be  jealous  of  you.    And  therefore  dear  and  worthy  Lady, 
 be  like  to  the  freih  river,  that  keepeth  its  own  frefh  talle  in  the 
 falt-fea.     This  world  is  not  worthy  of  your  foul  :  give  it  not  a 
 good-day,  when  Chrift  cometb  in  competition  with  it.     Be  like 
 one  of  another  country  :  home  and  flay  not  j  for  the  fun  is  fallen 
 low,  and  ni;:jh  the  tops  of  the  mountains,  and  the  fliadows  are 
 ilretch^d  out  in  great  length.     Linger  net  by  the  way:  the  world 
 and  fin  would  train  you  on,  and  mike  you  turn  afide;  leave  not 
 the  way  for  them,  and  the  Lord  Jefus  be  at  the  voyage  f  Madam ^ 
 many  eyes  are  upon  you,  and  many  would  be  glad  yourLadyfhip 
 {hould  fpill  a  Chriftian,  and  mar  a  good  profeiTor.     Lord  Jefus 
 mar  their  godlefs  defires,  and  keep  the  confcience  whole  without 
 a  crack  !   If  there  be  a  hole  in  it,  fo  that  it  take  in  water  at  a  leak, 
 it  will  with  dilHcuIty  rr.^nd  again,   ft  is  a  dainty  delicate  creature, 
 and  a  rare  piece  of  the  workmanfhip  of  your  Maker  ;  and  therefore 
 deal  gently  with  it,  and  keep  it  entire,    that,  amidft  this  world's 
 glory,  your  Ladylliip  may  learn  to  entertain  Chrilt-,  and  whatfo- 
 every  creature  your  Ladylhip  fmdeth  not  to  fmell  of  bim,  it  may 
 have  no  better  relifh  to  you  than  the  white  of  an  egg      Madam, 
 it  is  a  part  of  the  truth  of  your  profefTion,   to  drop  words  in  the 
 .cars  of  your  noble  hufband  continually,  of  eternity,  judgment, 
 death,  hell,  heaven,    the  honourable  profeflion,   the  fins  of  his 
 father's  houfe  •,  he  mull  reckon  with  God  for  his  father's  debt  : 
 forgetting  of  accounts  payeth  not  debtj  nay,  the  intereft  of  a  for- 
 gotten bond  runneth  up  with  God,  to  intereft  upon  intereft.     I 
 know,  he  looketli  homeward,  and  loveth  the  truth  ;  but  I  pity 
 him,  with  my  foul,  becaufe  of  his  many  temptations  i  Satan  lay- 
 cth  upon  men  a  burden  of  cares  above  a  load,  and  maketh  a  pack- 
 horfe  of  mens  fouls,  when  they  are  wholly  ft:  upon  this  woild. 
 
352  Mr  RUTHERFOORDh  Eplft.  17.] 
 
 We  owe  the  devil  no  fuch  fervice :  it  were  wifdom  to  throw  oft' that 
 load  into  a  mire,  and  caft  all  our  cares  over  upon  God.  Madam, 
 think  ye  have  no  child;  fubfcribe  a  bond  to  your  Lord,  that  (lie 
 {hall  be  his,  if  he  take  her  ;  and  thanks  and  praife  and  glory  to  his 
 holy  name,  fliall  be  the  intereft  for  a  year's  loan  of  her.  Look  for 
 crofles ;  and  while  it  is  fair  weather,  mend  the  fails  of  the  ihip. 
 Now,  hoping  your  Ladyihip  will  pardon  my  tedioufnefs,  I  recom- 
 mend your  foul  and  perfon  to  the  grace  and  mercy  of  our  fweet 
 Lord  Jefus,  in  whom  I  am 
 
 Anw(yth^  Nov.  1 5,       Tour  LadyJ]jip*s  at  all  dutiful  obedieine 
 1633.  in  Chrijl,  S.  R. 
 
 17.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madaniy 
 TT  Aving  received  a  letter  frem  fome  of  the  worthieft  of  the  mi- 
 •*^  niftry  in  this  kingdom,  the  contents  whereof  I  am  defired 
 to  communicate  to  fuch  profeflbrs  in  thefe  parts,  as  I  know  iove 
 the  beauty  of  Zion,  and  are  affli£led  to  fee  the  Lord's  vineyard 
 trodden  under  foot  by  the  wild  boars  out  of  the  wood,  who  lay  it 
 wafte;  I  could  not  but  alfo  defire  your  Ladyfhip's  help,  to  join 
 with  the  reft,  defiring  you  to  impart  it  to  my  Lord  your  hufband  ; 
 and  if  ye  think  it  needful,  I  (hall  write  to  his  Lordfhip,  as  Mr.  G. 
 G.  (liall  advertife  me.  Know  therefore,  that  the  beft  affecled  of 
 the  miniftry  have  thought  it  convenient  and  neceflary,  at  fuch  a 
 time  as  this,  that  all  who  love  the  truth  fliould  join  their  prayers 
 together,  and  cry  to  God  with  humiliation  and  fafting:  the  times 
 which  are  agreed  upon,  are  the  firft  two  fabbaths  of  February  next, 
 and  the  fix  days  intervening  betwixt  thefe  fabbaths,  as  they  may 
 conveniently  be  had,  and  the  firft  fabbath  of  every  quarter  :  and 
 the  caufes,  as  they  are  written  to  me,  are  thefe  ;  i.  Befides  the 
 diftrefles  of  the  reformed  churches  abroad,  the  many  reigning  fins 
 of  uncleannefs,  ungodlinefs,  and  unrighteoufnefs  in  this  land  ;  the 
 prefent  judgments  on  the  land,  and  many  more  hanging  over  us, 
 whereof  few  are  fenfible,  or  yet  know  the  right  and  true  caufe  of 
 them.  2.  The  lamentable  and  pitiful  eltate  of  a  glorious  church 
 (in  fo  fhort  a  time,  againft  fo  many  bonds)  in  doftrine,  f\acrament 
 and  difcipline,  fo  fore  perfecuted,  in  the  perfons  of  faithful  paftors 
 and  profeffors,  and  the  door  of  God's  houfe  kept  fo  ftrait,  by  ba- 
 ftard-portcrs,  in  fo  much  that  worthy  inftruments,  able  for  the 
 work,  are  held  at  the  door  *,  the  rulers  having  turned  over  religion 
 into  policy,  and  the  multitude  ready  to  receive  any  religion  that 
 fhall  be  enjoined  by  authority.  3.  In  our  humiliation,  befides 
 that  v/c  are  under  a  neceffity  of  deprecating  God's  wrath,  and 
 vowing  to  God  fincerely  new  obedience ;  the  weaknefs,  coldnefs,  fi- 
 lei^ice  and  lukewarm nefs  of  fome  of  the  bell  of  the  minillry,  and 
 
Epift.  i8.]  LETTERS.  353 
 
 the  deadnefs  of  profefibrs,  who  have  fuffered  the  truth  both  fecret- 
 ly  to  be  llolen  away,  and  openly  to  be  plucked  from  us,  would  be 
 conferred.  4.  Atheifm,  id<)i?*.try,  profanity,  and  vanity  would  be 
 confefled  ;  our  king's  heart  recommended  to  God  ;  and  God  en- 
 treated, that  he  would  ftir  up  the  nobles  and  the  people  to  turn 
 from  their  evil  ways.  Thus,  Madam,  hoping  that  your  Lad)  (hip 
 will  join  with  others,  that  fuch  a  work  be  not  il^gb^cl/at  fuch  a  ne- 
 ceflary  time,  when  our  kirk  is  at  the  overturning;  1  vwill  promife 
 to  myfelf  your  help,  as  the  Lord  in  fecrecy  andrf)rudencefnali  en- 
 able you,  that  your  Ladyrnip  may  rejoice  wlth^e  Lord's  people, 
 when  deliverance  flK^ll  come:  for  true  and  fincere  humiliation  comes 
 alwa\s  fpeed  with  God  j  and  when  authority,  .king,  court,  and 
 church-men  oppofe  the  truth,  what  Other  armour  have  we  but 
 prayer  and  faith?  whereby  if  we  wreftle  wiih  him,  there  is  ground 
 to  hope  that  thofe  who  would  remove  the  burdenfome  ftone  out 
 of  its  place,  lliail  but  hurt  their  back,  and  the  ftone  fl^all  not  be 
 moved,  at  leail:  not  removed,  Zech.  xii.  3.  Grace,  grace  be  with 
 you,  from  him  who  hath  called  you  to  the  inheritance  of  the 
 iaints  in  light. 
 
 Amuothy  Jan  23.       Tcur  Ladyjl^'ip s  at  all fubmijjive  obedience 
 1634.  in  his  five  et  Lord  JeJuSy  S.  R, 
 
 18.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madaniy 
 A  LL  fubmilTive  and  dutiful  obedience  in  our  Lord  Jefus  re- 
 ■^■*-  membered  ;  I  trull  I  need  not  much  intreat  your  Ladyfhip 
 to  look  to  him,  who  haih  ftricken  you  at  this  time;  but  my  duty, 
 in  the  memory  of  that  comfort  I  found  in  your  Ladylliip's  kind- 
 nefs,  when  I  was  no  lefs  heavy,  in  a  cafe  not  unlike  that,  fpe^keth 
 to  me,  to  fay  fomething  now  \  and  I  wifti  I  could  eafc  your  Laay- 
 ihip  at  ic?Jl  with  words  :  I  am  perfuaded,  your  Phyfician  will  not 
 ilay  you,  but  purge  you;  and  feeing  he  cailclh  himfelf  the  Chi- 
 rurgeon,  who  maketh  the  wound  and  bindcth  it  up  a^ain  (for  to 
 lance  a  wound  is  hot  to  kill,  but  to  cure  the  patient)  Deut.  xxxii. 
 30.  1  Sam.  ii.  6.  Job  vi.  18.  Hof  vi.  i.  i  believe,  faith  will  teach 
 you  to  kifs  a  ftriking  Lord,  and  fo  acknowledge  the  fovercignty  of 
 God  (in  the  death  of  a  child)  to  be  above  the  powf.r  of  us  morta.! 
 men,  who  may  pluck  up  a  flower  in  the  bud,  and  not  be  blamed 
 for  it:  if  our  dear  Lord  pluck  up  one  of  his  rofes,  and  pull  dowa 
 four  and  green  fruit  before  harveil,  who  can  challenge  him.'*  For 
 he  fendeth  us  to  his  world,  as  men  to  a  market,  wherein  feme  Hay 
 many  hours,  and  eat  and  drink,  and  buy  and  fell,  and  pafs  through 
 the  fair,  till  they  be  weary,  and  fuch  are  thofe  who  live  long,  and 
 get  a  hearty  fill  of  this  life  :  and  others  again  come  Hipping  in  ro 
 the  morning  marker,  and  do  neither  fit  nor  ftand,  nor  buy  nox  fell. 
 
354  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  iS/j 
 
 but  look  about  them  a  little,  and  pafs  prefently  home  again  ;  and 
 thefe  are  infants  and  young  ones,  who  end  their  iliort  market  in 
 the  morning,  and  get  but  a  (hort  view  of  tlve  fair.  Our  Lord,  who 
 hath  numbered  man's  months,  and  fet  him  bounds  that  he  cannot 
 pafs,  Job  xiv.  5.  hath  written  the  length  of  our  market;  and  it  is 
 eafier  to  complain -of  the  decree,  than  to  change  it.  1  verily  be- 
 lieve, when  1  write  this,  your  Loi^d  hath  taught  your  Ladyfliip  ta 
 lav  your  hand  on  your  mouth  :  but  I  fhiall  be  far  from  dehring 
 your  Ladyfliip  or  any  others  to  call  by  a  crofs,  like  an  old  ufelcfs 
 bill»  that  is  only  for  the  fire  ;  but  rather  would  wifh,  each  crofs 
 were  looked  in  the  face  feven  times,  and  were  read  over  and  over 
 again.  It  is  the  mefienger  of  the  Lord,  and  fpeaks  fomething  y 
 and  the  man  of  underllanding  will  hear  the  rod,  and  him  that  hath 
 appointed  it :  try  what  is  the  tafte  of  the  Lord's  cup,  and  drink 
 with  God's  blefling,  that  ye  may  grow  thereby.  1  truil  in  God, 
 whatever  fpeech  it  utter  to  your  foul,  this  is  one  word  in  it,  Job 
 V.  ly.  Beholdy  blejj'ed  is  the  man  whom  God  correal cth  :  and  thar 
 it  faith  to  you,  ye  are  from  home  while  here  ;  ye  are  not  of  this 
 world,  as  your  Redeemer  Chrifl  was  not  of  this  world.  There  is- 
 fomething  keeping  for  you,  which  is  worth  the  having.  All  that 
 is  here  is  condemned  to  die,  to  pafs  away  like  a  fnow-balLbefore 
 A  fummer-fun  ,  and  fince  death  took  lirfl  pofrcifion  of  fomething 
 of  vours,  it  hath  been  and  dciily  is  creeping  nearer  and  nearer  to 
 yourfelf,  howbeit  with  no  noife  of  feet.  Your  hulbandman  and 
 Lord  hath  lopped  off  fome  branches  already,  the  tree  itfdf  is  to  be 
 tranfplanted  to  the  high  garden ;  in  a  good  time  be  it,  our  Lord 
 ripen  your  Ladyfliip.  All  thefe  erofles  (and  indeed  when  I  re- 
 member them,  they  are  heavy  and  many,  peace,  peace  be  the  end 
 of  them)  are  to  make  you  white  and  ripe  for  the  Lord's  harveil-» 
 hook.  I  have  feen  the  Lord  weaning  you  from  the  breafts  of  this 
 world  :  it  was  never  his  mind,  it  fliould  be  your  patrimony,  and 
 God  be  thanked  for  that  \  ye  look  the  liker  one  of  the  heirs  :  let  the 
 Hioveables  go,  why  not  ?  they  are  not  yours :  fafl:en  your  grips 
 upon  the  heritage  :  and  our  Lord  Jefus  make  the  charters  fure, 
 and  give  your  Ladyfliip  to  grow  as  a  palm-tree  on  God's  mount 
 Zion ;  howbeit  fliaken  with  winds,  yet  the  root  is  faft.  This  is 
 all  I  can  do,  to  recommend  your  cafe  to  yoiir  Lord,  who  hath 
 you  written  upon  the  palms  of  his  bands.  If  I  were  able  to  do 
 more,  your  Ladyfhip  may  believe  me,  that  gladly  I  would.  Itruft 
 iliortly  to  fee  your  Ladyfliip  Noav  he  who  hath  called  you,  con- 
 firm and  eltablifli  your  heart  in  grace  unto  the  day  of  the  liberty 
 of  the  fons  of  God. 
 
 Ardiiel,  /Jpril  29.         Tour  Ladyfilp's  at  all fubmijfive  ohedi- 
 1 634.  encc  in  his  J'luect  Loid  Jt^/us,     S.  R. 
 
Epid.  ip.]  LETTERS.  355 
 
 19.    To  my  Lady  KEl^MU'B.E. 
 
 My  very  noble  and  -worthy  Lady^ 
 0*0  oft  as  I  call  to  mind  the  comforts^  that  I  myftrlf,  a  poor  frlend- 
 *^  leis  firanger,  received  from  your  Ladyfhip  here  in  a  ftrp.nge 
 part  of  the  country,  when  my  Lord  took  from  me  the  delight  of 
 mine  eyes,  as  the  word  fpeaketh,  Ezek.  xxiv.  16.  (which  wound  is 
 not  yet  fully  healed  and  cured)  I  truft  your  Lord  (hall  remem- 
 ber that,  and  give  you  comfort  now,  at  fuch  a  tune  as  this,  where- 
 in your  deareft  Lord  hath  made  you  a  widow,  that  ye  may  be  a 
 free  woman  for  Chrifl,  who  is  now  fuiting  for  marriage-love  of 
 you  i  and  therefore,  fmce  you  ly  alone  in  your  bed,  let  Chrifl  he 
 as  a  bundle  of  myrrh,  to  fleep  and  ly  all  the  night  betwixt  your 
 breads,  Cant  i.  13.  and  then  your  bed  is  better  filled  than  before: 
 and  feeing,  among  all  crofles  fpoken  of  in  our  Lord's  word,  this 
 giveth  you  a  particukr  right  to  make  God  your  hufl3and  (v\hich 
 was  nat  fo  yours,  while  your  huiband  was  alive)  read  God's  mercy 
 out  of  this  vifitation.  And  albeit  I  m.ufl:  out  of  ibme  experience 
 fay,  the  mourning  for  the  hufbiind  of  your  youth  be  by  God's  own 
 mouth  the  heavleil  worldly  forrow,  Joel  i.  8.  and  though  this  be 
 the  weightieft  burden  that  ever  lay  upon  your  b;ick,  yet  ye  knov/ 
 (when  the  iields  are  emptied,  and  your  huibcmd  now  aflcep  in  the 
 Lord)  if  ye  fhall  wait  upon  him,  who  hidcth  his  face  for  a  wliile, 
 that  it  lyeth  upon  God's  honour  and  truth  to  fill  the  field,  and  to 
 be  a  huiband  to  the  widow:  fee  and  confider  then  what  ye  have 
 Joft,  and  how  little  it  is.  Therefore,  Madam,  let  me  entreat  you 
 in  the  bowels  of  Chrifl:  Jefus,  and  by  the  comforts  of  his  Spirit, 
 ;md  your  appearance  before  him,  let  God,  and  men,  and  angels 
 now  fee  what  is  in  you  :  the  Lord  hiith  pierced  the  veflel,  it  will 
 be  known  whether  there  be  in  it  wine  or  water  :  let  your  faith 
 and  patience  be  feen,  that  it  may  be  known  your  only  beloved  firft 
 and  L'.it  hath  been  Chrilt :  and  therefore  now,  were  your  whole 
 love  upon  him,  he  alone  is  a  fuitable  object  for  your  love  and  all 
 the  affetlions  of  your  foul.  God  hath  dried  up  one  channel  of  vour 
 love,  by  the  removal  of  your  huiband:  let  now  that  fpeat  run 
 upon  Cliriil:  your  Lord  and  Lover  hath  gracioufly  taken  out  your 
 hulband's  nariie,  and  your  name,  out  of  the  fummonfes,  that  are 
 raifed  at  the  infiance  of  the  terrible  fin-revenging  Judge  of  the 
 world,  againfl;  the  houfe  of  Kenmure  :  and  I  dare  fay  that  God's 
 hammering  of  you  from  your  youth,  is  only  to  make  you  a  fair 
 carved  (lone,  in  the  high  upper  temple  of  the  New  Jerufalem. 
 Your  Lord  never  thought  this  world's  vain  painted  glory  a  gift 
 worthy  of  you  ;  and  therefore  would  not  beftow  it  on  you,"bccauie 
 be  is  to  propine  you  with  a  better  poitlon  :  let  the  moveables  go, 
 :he  inheritance  is  yours.     Ye  are  a  child  of  the  houfe,  and  juy  i» 
 
 Y  y  2 
 
356  Ut  RUTHERFOORDh  Eplfl.  20.5 
 
 laid  up  for  you ;  it  is  long  in  coming,  but  not  the  worfe  for  that* 
 I  am  now  expecling  to  fee,  and  that  with  joy  and  comfort,  that 
 which  I  hoped  of  you,  fince  I  knew  you  fully  \  even  that  ye  have 
 laid  fuch  ftrength  upon  the  holy  One  of  Ifrael,  that  ye  defy 
 troubles;  and  that  your  foul  is  a  caft!e  that  may  he  bcfieged,  but 
 cannot  be  taken.  What  have  you  to  do  here  ?  This  world  never 
 looked  like  a  friend  upon  you ;  ye  owe  it  little  love,  it  looked  e- 
 ver  four  like  upon  you;  howbeit  ye  (liould  woo  it,  it  will  not 
 match  with  you  ;  and  therefore  never  ieek  warm  fire  under  cold 
 ice.  This  is  not  a  field  where  your  h.ippinefs  groweth  ;  it  is  upa- 
 bove,  where,  Rev.  vii.  9.  thcreareagrcrit  multitude,  which  no  man 
 can  number,  of  ail  nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and  tongues, 
 (l::ndi]ig  before  the  irnoiie  and  before  the  Liimb,  clothed  with 
 white  robes,  and  palms  u\  ihcir  h^nds  :  what  ye  could  never  get 
 here,  ye  fliall  lintl  there.  And  withal  confider,  how  in  ail  thefe 
 trials  (and  truly  they  have  been  m?iiy)  your  Lord  hath  been  loofing 
 you  at  the  root  from  perilling  things,  and  hunting  after  you,  to 
 grip  your'  foul.  Maciam,  for  the  Sun  of  God^s  fake,  let  him  not 
 mils  his  grip,  but  ilay  and  abide  in  the  love  of  God,  as  Jude  faith, 
 ver.  2 1 .  Now,  Madam,  1  hope  your  Ladyfhip  will  take  thefe 
 lines  in  good  part  \  and  v/herein  I  have  fallen  fhort  and  failed  to 
 yourLadyfliip,  in  not  evidencing  what!  was  obliged  to  your  more 
 than  undeferved  love  and  refpeci,  1  requeft  for  a  full  pardon  for  it. 
 Again,  my  4ear  and  noble  Lady,  let  me  befcech  you  to  lift  up 
 ycur  head,  for  the  day  of  your  redemption  draweth  near ;  and 
 remember,  that  flar  that  (hincd  in  Galloway  is  now  fhining  in 
 another  world.  Now  I  pray  that  God  may  anfwer  his  own  llile 
 to  your  foul ;  and  that  he  may  be  to  }ou  the  God  of  all  confola- 
 tions.     Thus  I  remain 
 
 rhiwoth,  Sept.  14.       Your  Ladyfljip's  at  all  dutiful  obedience 
 1634.  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 
 
 20.    To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madam^ 
 
 ALL  dutiful  obedience  in  our  Lord  remembered  ;  I  know  ye 
 are  now  near  one  of  thofe  flraits  in  which  ye  have  been  be- 
 fore ;  but  becaufe  your  outward  comforts  are  fewer,  I  pray  him, 
 whofc  ye  are,  to  fupply  what  ye  xyant,  another  way:  for  howbeit 
 wc  cannot  win  to  the  bottom  of  his  wife  providence,  who  ruleth 
 ail ;  yet  it  is  certjin,  this  is  not  only  good,  which  the  Almighty 
 hath  done,  but  it  is  beft:  and  he  hath  reckoned  all  your  fteps  to 
 heaven  ;  and  if  your  Ladyfliip  were  through  this  water,  there  are 
 the  fewer  behind  ;  and  if  this  were  tl\e  lafl,  I  hope  your  Ladyfhip 
 hath  learned  by  on-waiting  to  make  your  acquaintance  with  death, 
 which  being,  to  the  Lord,  the  woman's  Seed,  Jefus,  only  a  bloody 
 ]becl,'aiid  noi  a  broken  head.  Gen.  iji.  15.  cannot  be  ill  to  bis  filendS;^ 
 
Jipift.  21.]  LETTERS.  357 
 
 who  get  far  Icfs  of  death  than  himfelf.  Therefore,  Madam,  fee- 
 ing ye  know  not  but  tne  journey  is  ended,  and  ye  are  come  to 
 the  water-fide,  in  God  s  wifdom,  look  all  your  papers  and  your 
 counts,  and  whether  ye  be  ready  to  receive  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
 ven as  a  little  child,  in  whom  thc^re  is  little  haughtinefs  and  much 
 humility.  I  would  be  i^.r  from  dilcourajring  your  Ladyflup  5  but 
 there  is  an  abfolute  necrtlny,  that,  near  cteinity,  we  look  ere  we 
 leap,  fetir.g  no  man  winiieth  back  again  to  mt^nd  his  lean.  1  am 
 confident  your  Ladyfliip  thinketh  oite^i  upon  it,  and  that  your  old 
 Guide  (hall  go.  belore  ycu  and  tiike  your  hand  :  his  love  to  you 
 will  not  grov/  four,  nor  v.ear  out  of  date,  as  the  love  of  men, 
 which  growerh  old  and  gray-haned  often  before  themfelves.  Ye 
 have  fo  much  the  more  realbn  to  love  a  better  lite  than  this,  be- 
 caufe  this  woiid  hath  been  to  you  a  cold  fire,  with  little  heat  to 
 the  body,  and  as  little  light,  and  much  fmoke  to  hurt  the  eyes. 
 But,  Madam,  your  Lor,d  would  have  you  thinking  it  but  dry 
 breads,  full  or  wind,  and  empty  of  food.  In  this  late  vifitation  that 
 hath  befallen  your  Ladyfliip,  ye  have  feen  God's  love  and  care,  in 
 fuch  a  mealure,  that  I  thought  our  Lord  brake  the  fharp  point  off 
 the  crols,  and  made  us  and  your  Ladylliip  fee  Chrift  take  poifeflion 
 and  infeftment  upon  earth  of  him  who  is  now  reigning  and  tri- 
 umphing with  the  hundred  and  forty  four  thoufand,  who  (land 
 witii  the  Lamb  on  mount  Zion.  1  know,  the  fweeteil  of  it  is  bit- 
 ter to  you*,  but  your  Lord  will  not  give  you  painted  crofles:  he 
 pareth  not  all  the  bitternefs  from  the  crofs,  neither  taketh  he  the 
 Iharp  edge  quite  from  it ;  then  it  fliould  be  of  your  wailing,  and 
 not  of  his,  which  fliould  have  as  little  reafon  in  it,  as  it  fhould 
 have  profit  for  us.  Only,  Madam,  God  commandeth  you  now  to 
 believe,  and  caft  anchor  in  the  dark  night,  and  climb  up  the 
 mountain  :  he  who  hath  called  you,  eftablilh  you  and  confirm  yoii 
 to  the  end.  I  had  a  purpofe  to  have  vifited  your  Ladyfliip;  but 
 when  I  thought  better  upon  it,  the  truth  is,  I  cannot  fee  what  my 
 company  could  profit  you  :  and  this  hath  broken  off  my  purpofe, 
 and  no  other  thing.  I  know  many  honourable  friends  and  worthy 
 profciTors  will  fee  your  Ladyihip  ;  and  thnt  the  Son  of  God  is 
 with  you,  to  whole  love  and  mercy,  from  my  foul,  I  recommend 
 your  Ladyflnp,  and  remain 
 
 Jnivoth^  Nov.  29.  Tour  Lady/hip's  at  all  dutiful  obedience 
 
 1634.  in  his  Jwcct  Lord  JcfuSf  S.     R. 
 
 21.    To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 
 MAdaniy 
 
 'JYTY  humble  obedience  in  the  Lord  remembered.     Know  it 
 
 ^^^  hath  picafed  the  Lord,  to  let  me  fee,  by  all  appearance,  my 
 
 labours  in  God's  houfe  here  are  at  an  end  j  and  1  mull  now  learu 
 
3S^  Mr  RUrffERFOORD's  Epift.  22] 
 
 to  fuffer,  in  the  whicli  I  am  a  dull  fchohr.  By  a  flrange  provi- 
 dence, fome  of  my  papers  anent  the  corruptions  of  this  time,  are 
 come  to  our  king^s  hand  :  I  know  by  the  wife  and  vve]i-affe(ltc:d,  I 
 (hall  be  cenfurcd,  as  not  wife  nor  circumfpe£l  enough  ;  but  it  is 
 ordinary  that  that  fhould  be  a  part  of  the  crofs  of  thole  who  fuffer 
 for  him  :  yet  I  love  and  pardon  the  inflrument ;  I  would  commie 
 my  life  to  him,  howbeit  by  him  this  hath  befallen  me ;  but  I  look 
 higher  than  to  him.  I  make  no  queftion  of  your  Ladylhip's  love 
 and  care  to  do  what  ye  can  for  my  help  ;  and  f  am  perfuaded  that 
 in  my  adverfities  your  Ladyfliip  will  wifti  me  well.  I  feek  no  other 
 thing,  but  that  m.y  Lord  may  be  honoured  by  me,  in  giving  a  tef.. 
 timony,  I  was  willing  to  do  him  more  fervice;  but  feeing  he  will 
 have  no  more  of  my  labours,  and  this  land  will  thruft  me  out,  I 
 pray  for  grace  to  learn  to  be  acquaint  with  mifery,  if  I  may  give 
 lb  rough  a  name  to  fiich  a  mark  of  thofe  who  fliali  be  crowned 
 with  ChiiU:  and  howbeit  I  will  pofTibly  prove  a  faint-hearted  un- 
 wife  man  in  that,  yet  I  dare  fay,  I  intend  otherwife  :  and  I  defire 
 not  to  go  on  the  lee-fide  or  funny-fide  of  religion,  to  put  truth  be- 
 twixt me  and  a  dorm  ;  mv  Saviour  did  not  fo  for  me,  who  in  his 
 fuffering  took  the  windy  fide  of  the  hill.  No  further,  but  the  Son 
 of  God  be  with  you. 
 
 JnwGth,  Dec,^.  Tour  LadyJInp's  in  the  Lord  Jefus^ 
 
 1634.  S.  R, 
 
 I 
 
 21.   To  my  Lady  KENMURE 
 Madam  i 
 
 Received  your  Ladyfiiip's  letter  from  J.  G.  I  thank  our 
 Lord  ye  are  as  well,  at  leaft,  as  one  may  be,  who  is  not  come 
 home:  it  is  a  mercy,  in  this  ftormy  fea,  to  get  a  fecond  wind ;  for 
 none  of  the  faints  get  a  fird:,  but  they  muft  take  the  winds,  as  the 
 Lord  of  the  feas  caultrth  them  to  blow;  and  the  inn,  as  the  Lord 
 and  Mafter  of  the  inns  hath  ordered  it:  if  contentment  were  here, 
 heaven  were  not  heaven.  Whoever  feek  the  world  to  be  their 
 bed,  fhali  at  bcfl:  find  it  fliort  and  ill  made,  and  a  (tone  under  their 
 fide  to  hold  them  waking,  rather  than  a  foft  pillow  to  fleep  upon. 
 Ye  ought  to  blefs  your  Lord,  that  it  is  not  worfe  :  we  live  in  a  fea, 
 where  many  have  fuffered  Ihipwreck,  and  have  need  thatChrill  fit 
 at  the  helm  of  the  ihip.  It  is  a  mercy  to  win  to  heaven,  though 
 with  much  hard  toil  and  heavy  labour,  and  to  take  it  by  violence, 
 ill  and  well  as  it  may  be :  better  go  fwimming  and  wet  through 
 our  waters,  than  drown  by  the  way;  efpecially  now  when  truth  fuf- 
 fereth,  and  great  men  bid  Chrift  fit  lower,  and  contrail  himfelf  in 
 lefs  bounds,  as  if  he  took  too  much  room.  I  expect  our  new  Prelate 
 ihall  try  my  fitting.  I  hang  by  a  thread,  but  it  is  (if  I  may  fpeak 
 fo)  of  Cb rift's  fpinning  ;  there  is  no  quarrel  more  honefl  or  honour- 
 
Epift.  22.]  LETTERS.  355^ 
 
 able,  than  to  fuffer  for  truth;  but  the  worfl  Is,  thst  this  kirk  is 
 like  to  fink,  and  all  her  lovers  and  friends  fland  afar  ofF,  none 
 mourn  with  her,  and  none  mourn  for  her.  But  the  Lord  Jefus 
 will  not  be  put  out  ot  his  conqueft  fo  foon,  in  Scotland  :  it  will  be 
 feen,  the  kirk  and  truth  will  rife  again  within  three  days,  and  Chriil 
 again  ilrall  ride  upon  his  white  borfc  ;  howbeit  his  horfe  feem  now 
 to  ftumble,  yet  he  cannot  fall  :  the  fulnefs  of  Chrifl's  barvclt  in  the 
 end  of  the  earth  is  not  yet  come  in.  I  fpeak  not  this,  becaufe  I 
 Vv'oiild  have  it  fo,  but  upon  better  grounds  than  my  naked  liking. 
 But  enough  of  this  fad  fubje<!i^.  I  long  to  be  fully  afTured  of  your 
 Ladylhip's  welfare,  and  that  your  foul  profpereth,  efpecially  now 
 in  your  folitary  life,  when  your  comforts  outward  are  few,  and 
 when  Chrill  hath  you  for  the  very  uptaking.  1  know  his  love  to 
 you  is  Itill  running  over,  and  his  love  hath  not  fo  bad  a  memory  as 
 to  forget  you  and  your  dear  child,  who  hath  two  Fathers  in  hen- 
 ven,  the  one  the  Ancient  of  days.  I  truft  in  his  mercy,  he  hath 
 fomethiiig  laid  up  for  him,  above,  however  it  may  go  with  him 
 here.  1  know,  it  is  long  fince  your  Ladyfliip  faw  this  world  turn- 
 ed your  ftep- mother,  and  did  forfake  you.  IMadam,  ye  have  rea- 
 fon  to  take  in  good  part  a  lean  dinner  and  fpare  diet,  in  this  life, 
 feeing  your  large  fuf  per  of  the  Lamb's  preparing  will  recompenfe 
 all :  let  it  go,  which  was  never  yours,  but  only  in  fight,  not  in  pro- 
 perty: the  time  of  your  loan  will  wear  fborter  and  fhorter,  and 
 time  is  meafured  to  you  by  ounce-weights:  and  then  I  know,  your 
 hope  fnall  be  a  full  ear  of  corn,  and  nor  blafted  with  wind  :  it  may 
 be  your  joy,  that  your  anchor  is  up  within  the  vail,  and  that  the 
 ground  it  is  caft  upon,  is  not  falfe,  but  firm.  God  hath  done  his 
 part :  I  hope  ye  will  not  deny  to  filh  and  fetch  home  all  your  love 
 to  himfelf -,  and  it  is  but  too  narrow  and  fliort  for  him,  if  it  were 
 more  :  if  ye  were  before  pouring  all  your  love  (if  it  had  been  ma- 
 ny gallons  more)  in  upon  your  Lord,  if  drops  fell  by  in  the  in-pour- 
 ing, he  forgiveth  you  :  he  hath  done  now  all  thr^t  can  be  done,  to 
 win  beyond  it  all,  and  hath  left  little  to  woo  your  love  from  him- 
 felf, except  one  only  child :  what  is  his  purpofe  herein,  he  know- 
 eth  bed,  who  hath  taken  your  foul  in  tutoring.  Your  faith  may  be 
 boldly  charitable  of  Chrift,  that,  however  matters  go,  the  worlt 
 Ihall  be  a  tired  traveller,  and  a  joyful  and  fweet  welcome  home. 
 The  back  of  your  winter  night  is  broken  :  look  to  the  eaft,  the 
 day  Iky  is  breaking;  think  not  that  Chrill  lofeth  time,  or  lingcr- 
 eth  unfuitably.  O  fair,  lair  and  fweet  morning  !  We  are  but  as 
 fea-paflengers  ;  if  we  look  right  we  are  upon  our  country  coait ; 
 our  Redeemer  is  fall  coming,  to  take  this  old  worm-eaten  world, 
 like  an  old  moth  eaten  garment,  in  his  two  hands,  and  to  roll  it  up, 
 and  lay  it  by  him.  Thefe  are  the  lafl  days,  and  an  oath  is  given, 
 Rev.  X.  by  God  himfelf,  that  time  Ihall  be  no  more:  and  when 
 time  itfeif  is  old  and  gray-haiicd,  it  were  good  we  were  away. 
 
360  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  23,  24.J 
 
 Thus,  Madam,  ye  fee  I  am,  as  my  cuftom  is,  tedious  in  my  lines ; 
 your  Ladyftiip  will  pardon  it.  The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your 
 fpirit. 
 
 Anivothy  Jan.  1 8.  Tour  LddyJJnp\^  at  all  obedience, 
 
 1636.  inChrift,  S.  R. 
 
 23.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 
 Right  honourable^ 
 T  Cannot  find  a  time  for  writing  fome  things  I  intended  on  Job, 
 ^  1  have  been  fo  taken  up  with  the  broils  that  we  are  incumber- 
 ed with  in  our  calling  :  ^^or  Prelates  will  have  us  either  tofwallow 
 our  light  over,  and  digeft  it,  contrary  to  our  ftomachs,  howbeit  we 
 fhould  vomit  our  confcience  and  all,  in  this  troublefome  conformi- 
 ty; or  then  he  will  try  if  deprivation  can  convert  us  to  the  cere- 
 monial faith.  I  write  to  your  Ladyfliip,  Madam,  not  as  diftrufting 
 your  afFe£lion,  orwillingnefs  to  help  me,  as  your  Ladyfhip  is  able 
 by  yourfelf,  or  others,  but  to  advcrtife  you,  that  I  hang  by  a  fmall 
 thread:  for  our  learned  Prelate,  becaufe  we  cannot  fee  with  his 
 eyes,  fo  far  in  a  miil-llone,  as  his  light  doth,  will  not  follow  his 
 Mafter,  meek  Jefus,  who  waited  upon  the  wearied  and  fhort-breath- 
 ed  in  the  way  to  heaven  :  and  where  all  fee  not  alike,  and  fomc 
 arc  weaker,  hecarrieth  the  lambs  in  his  bofom,  and  leadeth  gently 
 thofe  that  are  with  young.  But  we  muft  either  fee  all  the  evil  of 
 ceremonies  to  be  but  as  indifferent  ftraws,  or  fuifer  no  lefs  than  to 
 be  caften  out  of  the  Lord's  inheritance.  Madam,  if  I  had  time, 
 I  would  write  more  at  length  ;  but  your  Ladyfliip  will  pardon 
 me,  till  a  fitter  occafion.  Grace  be  with  you  and  your  child,  and 
 bear  you  company  to  your  beft  home. 
 
 Anvjoth,  June  8.  Tour  Ladyjlnp's  in  his  five et 
 
 1636.  Lord  Jefus y     S.  R. 
 
 24.  To  EARLSTOUN  Elder, 
 Much  honoured  Sir, 
 
 T  Have  heard  of  the  mind  and  malice  of  your  adverfaries  agalnfl: 
 ■*•  you  :  it  is  like  they  will  extend  the  law  they  have,  in  length 
 and  breadth,  anfwerable  to  their  heat  of  mind  ;  but  it  is  a  great 
 p.irt  of  your  glory,  that  the  caufe  is  not  yours,  but  your  Lord's 
 whom  ye  ferve  -  and  I  doubt  not,  but  Chrift  will  count  it  his  ho- 
 nour to  back  bis  weak  fervant ;  and  it  were  a  fliam.c  for  him  (with 
 reverence  to  his  ho'y  name)  that  he  (hould  fuffer  himfeif  to  be  in 
 the  common  of  fuch  a  poor  man  as  ye  are,  and  that  ye  Ihould  give 
 out  for  him,  and  not  get  in  again :  write  up  your  depurfements  for 
 your  Mafter  Ch rill,  and  keep  the  count  what  ye  give  out,  whether 
 nam 2,  credit,  goods  or  life,  and  fufpend  your  reckoning  till  nigh 
 
Epift.  24.]  LETTER  S.  361 
 
 the  evening  ;  and  remember  that  a  poor  weak  fervant  of  Chrift 
 wrote  it  to  you,  ye  iliall  have  Chrift,  a  King,  caution  for  your  in- 
 comes and  all  your  loiTes.  Pieckon  not  from  the  forenoon  ;  take 
 the  word  of  God  lor  your  warrant,  and  for  Chrift's  acb  of  caution- 
 ry,  howbeit  body,  lifv^  and  goods  go  for  Chrift  your  Lord,  <ind 
 though  ye  ftiould  lofethe  head  for  him;  yet,  Luke  xxi.  18.  Thi'rg 
 Jbiil  not  one  hair  of  your  head  per  ifi',  ver.  10.  In  pathnce  therefor  s 
 p'.'jjefs  your  foul.  And  becaufe  ye  are  the  firft  man  in  Galloway 
 called  out,  and  queftioned  for  the  name  of  Jefus,  his  eye  hath  bee:i 
 upon  you,  as  upon  one  whom  he  dedgned  to  be  aniong  his  witnei- 
 {k%.  Chrift  hath  faid,  Alexander  Gordon  fliall  lead  llie  ring,  in 
 witneiTmg  a  good  confefiion  :  and  therefore  he  hnth  put  the  garland 
 or"  fu  fieri  ng  for  himfelf  firft  upon  your  head:  think  yourfelf  fo 
 much  the  more  obliged  to  him,  and  fear  not ;  for  he  layeth  his 
 right-hand  on  your  head.  He  who  was  dead  and  is  alive,  w:il 
 plead  your  caufe,  and  will  look  attentively  upon  theproQcfs  from 
 the  beginning  to  the  end  :  and  the  Spirit  of  glory  ftiall  reft  uoon 
 you,  Rev.  ii.  lo.  Fear  none  rf  thcfe  ih'u;gs  ivhich  thou  fhalt  fuffcr  : 
 behold  the  devil fbill  cafi  fomc  if  you  into  prifon,  that  ye  viciy  be  triedy 
 and  ye  jhall  have  tribulation  ten  days.  Be  thou  faithful  imto  the 
 deaths  and  I  will  give  thee  the  crown  of  life.  This  lovely  One  Je- 
 fus, who  alfo  became  the  Son  of  man,  that  he  might  take  ftrokes 
 for  you,  write  the  crofs-fweetening  and  foul-fupporting  fenfe  of 
 thefe  words  in  your  heart.  Thefe  rumbling  wheels  of  Scotland's 
 ten  days  tribulation  are  under  his  looks,  who  hath  feven  eyes. 
 Take  an  houfe  on  your  head,  and  flip  yourfelf  by  faith  under  Chrift's 
 wings,  till  the  ftorm  be  over  :  and  remember,  when  they  have 
 drunk  us  down,  Jerufalem  will  be  a  cup  of  trembling  andof  poi- 
 fon,  Zech.  xii  2-  They  Ihall  be  faiR  to  vomit  out  the  faints  •,  for 
 Judab,  ver.  6.fhall  he  an  hearth  ofjire  in  afJjeaf  and  they  fjull  de- 
 vour all  the  people  round  about,  on  the  right  hand,  and  on  the  left. 
 Wo  to  Zion's  enemies,  they  have  the  worft  of  it :  for  we  have 
 wiit  for  the  victory.  Sir,  Ye  were  never  honourable  till  now  : 
 this  is  your  glory,  that  Chrift  hath  put  you  in  the  roll  with  him- 
 felf, and  the  reft  of  the  witneflV?,  \vho  are  come  out  of  great  tribu- 
 lation, and  have  walhed  their  garments,  and  made  them  white  in 
 the  blood  of  the  Lamb.  Ce  not  c?ft  down,  for  what  the  fervnnts 
 of  Antichrift  caft  in  your  teeth,  That  ye  are  a  head  to.  and  favour- 
 er of  the  Puritans,  and  leader  to  ihat  fccf.  If  your  confcience 
 fay,  Alas,  here  is  much  din  and  little  done  (as  the  proverb  is)  be- 
 caufe  ye  have  not  done  fo  much  fjrvice  to  Chrift  that  wav  as  vc 
 might  and  (hould:  take  courage  from  that  fame  temptation  ;  for 
 your  Lord  Chrift  looketh  upon  that  very  challenge,  as  an  hunger- 
 ing defire  in  you  to  have  done  more  than  ye  did  ;  and  th;»t  ftlletri 
 up  the  blank,  and  he  will  accept  of  what  ye  have  done  in  that  kiruL 
 li  gre.Vi  men  be  kind  to  vou,  I  pray  you  overUok  them  i  if  they 
 
 Zvf 
 
3^^  'iSlr  RUTHER  f  00 RD's  EplPt.  25.] 
 
 fmile  on  you,  Chrifl:  but  borroweth  their  face,  to  fmile  through 
 them  upon  his  affli£led  fervant :  know  the  Well-head  ;  and  for  ail 
 that,  learn  the  way  to  the  Well  itfelf.  Thank  God  that  Chrift 
 came  to  your  houfe  in  your  abfence,  and  took  with  him  fome  of 
 your  children  :  he  prelumeth  that  much  on  your  love,  that  ye 
 would  not  offend  ;  and  howbeit  he  fhould  take  the  reft,  he  cannot 
 come  upon  your  wrong  fide  :  1  queftion  not,  if  they  were  children 
 of  gold,  but  ye  thinkt  hem  well  beftowed  upon  him.  Expound 
 well  two  rods  on  you,  one  in  your  houfe  at  home,  another  on 
 your  own  perfon  abroad  :  love  thinketh  no  evil ;  if  ye  were  not 
 Ch rift's  wheat,  appointed  to  be  bread  in  his  houfe,  he  would  not 
 grind  you.  But  keep  the  middle  line,  neither  defpife  nor  faint, 
 Hcb.  xii.  6.  Ye  fee  your  Father  is  homely  with  you  :  (trokes  of 
 a  father  evidence  kindnefs  and  care  j  take  them  fo.  I  hope  your 
 Lord  hath  manifefted  himfelf  to  you,  and  fuggefted  thefe  or  more 
 choice  thoughts  about  his  dealing  with  you  :  we  are  ufing  our 
 weak  moyen  and  credit  for  you,  up  at  our  own  court ;  as  we  dow, 
 we  pray  the  king  to  hear  us,  and  the  Son  of  man  to  go  fide  for  fide 
 with  you,  and  hand  in  hand,  in  the  fiery  oven,  and  to  quicken  and 
 encourage  your  unbelieving  heart,  when  ye  droop  and  defpond. 
 bir,  to  the  honour  of  Chrift  be  it  faid,  my  faith  goeth  with  my 
 pen  now :  I  am  prefently  believing  Chrift  (hall  bring  you  out. 
 Truth  in  Scotland  {hall  keep  the  crown  of  the  caufeway  yet;  the 
 faints  ihall  fee  religion  go  naked  at  noon-day,  free  from  Ihame  and 
 fear  of  men:  we  fhall  divide  Shechem,  and  ride  upon  the  high 
 places  of  Jacob.  R.emember  my  obliged  refpeds  and  love  to  my 
 i^ady  Kenmure  and  her  fweet  child. 
 
 j^nwothy  July  6.  Tours  ever  in  hh  fweet  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1636.  S.  Pt. 
 
 25.  To  the  Vifcountefs  of  KENMURE. 
 Madam, 
 /^R  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  know  ye  are  near  many 
 ^^  comforters,  and  that  the  promifed  Comforter  is  near  hand  al- 
 fo  •,  yet  becaufe  i  found  your  Ladyfhip  comfortable  to  myfelf,  in  my 
 fad  days,  that  are  not  yet  over  my  head,  it  is  my  part,  and  more  iii 
 many  refpecls  (howbeit  I  can  do  little,  God  knoweth,  in  that  kind) 
 to  Ipeak  to  you  in  your  wildernefs  lot.  I  know,  dear  and  noble 
 Lady,  this  lofs  of  your  dear  child  came  upon  you,  one  piece  and 
 part  of  it  after  another:  and  that  ye  was  looking  for  it,  and  that 
 now  the  Almighty  hath  brought  on  you  that  which  ye  feared  ;  and 
 that  your  Lord  gave  you  lawful  warning:  and  1  hope,  for  his 
 fake,  who  brewed  and  maflced  this  cup  in  heaven,  ye  will  gladly 
 drink,  and  faiute  and  welcome  the  crofs.  I  am  fure,  it  is  not  your 
 Lord's  mind  to  feed  you  with  judgment  and  worm-wood,  and  to 
 
Epia.isO  LETTERS.  3^3 
 
 give  you  waters  of  gall  to  drink,  Ezek.  xxxiv.  1 6.  Jer.  ix.  15.  I 
 know,  your  cup  is  fugared  with  mercy ;  and  that  the  withering  of 
 the  bloo'.n,  the  flower,  even  the  white  and  red  of  worldly  joys,  is 
 for  no  other  end,  but  to  buy  out  at  the  ground  the  reverfion  of 
 your  heart  and  love.  Madam,  fubfcribe  to  the  Almighty's  will  5 
 putjyour  hand  to  the  pen,  and  let  the  crofs  of  your  Lord  Jefus  have 
 your  fubmiiiive  and  refolute  Amen.  If  ye  afk  and  try  whofe  this 
 crofs  is  ?  I  dare  fay,  it  is  not  all  your  own,  the  heft  h?.if  of  it  is 
 ChriiVs  i  then  your  crofs  is  no  born-ballard,  but  lawfully  begot- 
 ten, it  fprang  not  out  of  the  dull,  Job  v.  6.  If  Chriit  and  ye  be 
 halvers  of  this  fuffering,  and  he  fay,  half-mine,  what  fhould  ail 
 you  ?  And  I  am  here  right  upon  the  (lile  of  the  word  of  God,  Phil. 
 iii..iO.  The  fellowfhip  of  Chrift's  fuiTerings,  Col.  i.  29.  The 
 remnant  of  the  afiilctions  ot  Chrili,  Heb.  xi.  28.  reproach  of 
 Chrift.  It  were  but  to  fliift  the  comforts  of  GckI,  to  fay,  Chriit 
 had  never  fuch  a  crofs  as  mine,  he  had  never  a  dead  child,  and  fo 
 this  is  not  his  crofs,  neither  can  he  in  that  meaning  be  the  owner 
 of  this  crofs  :  but  I  hope,  Chrift  when  he  married  you,  married 
 you  and  all  the  crofies  and  wo-hearts  that  foliow  you :  and  the 
 word  maketh  no  exception,  l(.\.  Ixiii.  9.  In  ail  their  alrlittions 
 he  was  afflicted:  then  Chrill  bore  the  firft  ilroke  of  this  crofs,  it 
 rebounded  oil' him  on  upon  you,  and  ye  get  it  at  the  fecond  hand, 
 and  ye  and  he  are  halvers  in  it:  and  1  fliall  believe,  for  my  part, 
 he  mindeth  to  diftil  heaven  out  of  this  lofs,  and  all  others  the  like  ; 
 for  wifdom  devifed  it,  and  love  laid  it  on,  and  Chrift  owneth  it  as 
 his  own,  and  putteth  your  flioulder  only  beneath  a  piece  of  it. 
 Take  it  with  joy  as  no  baftard-crofs,  but  as  a  vifitation  of  God 
 well-born;  and  fpend  the  reft  of  your  appointed  time,  till  your 
 change  come,  in  the  work  of  believing  i  and  let  faith,  that  never 
 yet  made  a  lie  to  you,  fpeak  for  God's  part  of  it,  *  He  will  not,  he 
 doth  not  make  you  a  fca  or  a  whalefilh,  that  he  keepeth  you  in 
 ward.  Job  vii.  1  i.'  It  may  be,  ye  think  not  many  of  the  chihlren 
 of  God  in  fuch  a  hard  cafe  as  yourfelf ;  but  what  would  ye  think  of 
 fome,  who  would  exchange  affli£tions,  and  give  you  to  the  boot  ? 
 but  I  know,  yours  muft  be  your  own  alone,  and  Chrift's  together. 
 I  confefs  it  feemed  ftrange  to  me,  that  your  Lord  iliould  have  done 
 that  which  kemeth  to  ding  out  the  bottom  of  your  comforts 
 wojldly :  but  wc  fee  not  the  ground  of  the  Almighty's  fovereign- 
 ty  ;  he  goeth  by  on  our  right-hand,  and  on  our  left-hand,  and  we 
 fee  him  not :  we  fee  but  pieces  of  the  broken  links  of  the  chains  of 
 his  providence,  and  he  coggeth  the  wheels  of  his  own  providence, 
 that  we  Ice  not.  O  let  the  Former  work  his  own  clay  in  what 
 frame  he  pleafeih!  Shall  any  teach  the  Almij^hty  knowledge  ?  if 
 hepuifuedry  ftubble,  who  dare  fay,  what  doft  thou?  do  not  wonder, 
 to  fee  the  Judge  of  the  world  weave  in  one  web,  your  mercies  and 
 the  judgments  of  the  houfe  of  Kenmure.  he  can  make  one  web  of 
 
 Zz  i 
 
364  Ur  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  25.] 
 
 contraries.  But  my  weak  advice,  with  reverence  and  corre£lion, 
 were  tor  you,  dear  and  worthy  Lady,  to  fee  how  far  mortification 
 goeth  on,  and  what  fcum  the  Lord's  fire  cafteth  out  of  you.  I 
 know,  ye  fee  your  knottinefs,  fince  our  Lord  whyteth  and  hcweth 
 snd  plaineth  you;  and  the  glancing  of  the  furnace  is  to  let  you 
 fee  what  fcum  or  rcfufe  ye  mud  want,  and  what  froth  is  in  nature, 
 that  mull  be  boiled  out,  and  taken  off  in  the  fire  of  your  trials.  I 
 do  not  fay,  heavier  afiiittions  prophefy  heavier  guiltinefs  ;  a  crofs 
 is  often  but  a  falfe  prophet  in  this  kind.:  but  I  am  fure.  our  Lord 
 v/oald  have  the  tin,  and  the  bafiard  metal  in  you,  removed  j  left 
 the  Lord  fay,  '  'i  lie  bellows  are  burnt,  the  lead  is  confumed  in 
 the  fire,  the  founcltT  melteth  in  vain,  Jer.  vi.  29,  And  I  (liaii  hope, 
 that  grief  fliall  noi  fo  far  fmother  your  light,  as  not  to  praclife  this 
 io  necefiary  a  duty,  to  concur  with  him  in  this  bkfled  dcfign.  I 
 would  gladiy  plead  for  the  Comfoner's  part  of  it,  not  againil  you, 
 Madam  Cfor  i  am  lure  ye  arc  not  his  party)  but  againft  your  gr-ief, 
 which  will  have  its  own  violent  incurfions  in  your  foul ;  and  I  think 
 it  be  not  in  your  power  to  help  it :  but  i  mufl  fay,  there  are  com- 
 forts allowed  upon  you  •,  and  therefore  want  them  not.  When 
 yc  have  gotten  a  running-over  foul,  joy  now,  that  joy  will  never 
 be  mined  out  of  the  infinite  ocean  of  delight,  which  is  not  dimi- 
 iiifhed  by  drinking  at  it,  or  drawing  out  of  it.  It  is  a  Chriftian  art, 
 to  conifort  yourfdf  in  the  Lord ;  to  fay,  I  was  obliged  to  render 
 back  again  this  child  to  the  giver ;  and  if  I  have  had  four  years 
 loan  of  him,  and  Chrift  eternity's  pofleflion  of  him,  the  Lord 
 hath  keeped  condition  with  me  :  if  m\  Lord  would  not  have  him 
 2nd  me  to  tryft  both  in  one  hour,  at  death's  door-threfliold  toge- 
 ther, it  is  his  wifdom  fo  to  do,  I  am  fatisfied  :  my  tryft  is  fufpend- 
 ed,  not  broken  off,  nor  given  up.  Madam,  I  would  1  could 
 dividt  forrow  with  you,  for  your  eafe  ;  but  I  am  but  a  beholder,  it 
 is  eafy  to  me  to  fpeak:  the  God  of  comfort  fpeak  to  you,  and  aj- 
 luie  you  with  his  feafts  of  love.  My  removal  from  my  flock  is  fo 
 heavy  to  me,  that  it  maketh  my  life  a  burden  to  me  ;  I  had  never 
 fuch  a  longing  for  death  :  the  Lord  help  and  hold  up  fad  clay. 
 I  fear  ye  fin  in  drawing  Mr.  William  Dalglcifii  from  this  coun- 
 try, where  the  labourers  are  few,  and  the  harveft  great.  Madam, 
 dcfire  my  Lord  Argyle  to  fee  for  provifion  to  a  paftor  for  this  poor 
 people.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Kirkcudbright,  Oci.  i.  Tour  Lady  flip's  at  all  obedience 
 
 1649.  inChriji,  S.  R. 
 
Epift.  26.]  LETTERS.  365 
 
 26.     To  the  perfcaited  church  in  IRELAND. 
 
 Much  honciiredy  revered  and  dearly  beloved  in  our  Lord, 
 
 GR  ACE»  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  all.  I  know  there  arc  many 
 in  this  nation  more  able  than  I  tofpeak  to  the  fufFerers  for,  and 
 witnefiesof  Jefus  Chrift;  yet  pardon  me  to  fpeak  a  little  toyou,who 
 are  called  in  quellion  for  the  gofpel  once  committed  to  you.  1  hope 
 ye  are  not  ignorant,  that  as  peace  was  left  to  you  in  ChrKt's  tefta- 
 ment,  fo  the  other  half  of 'the  teftament  was  u  legacy  of  Ch rift's 
 fufFerings,  John  xvi.  35.  *  Thefe  things  have  I  fpoken,  that  in 
 rne  ye  might  have  peace  ;  in  the  world  ye  fnall  have  trouble.'  Be- 
 caufe  then  ye  are  made  affigns  and  heirs  to  a  life-rent  of  Chrift's 
 crofs,  think  that  fiery  trial  no  ftrange  thing:  ibr  the  Lord  Jefusfhall 
 be  no  lofer  by  purging  the  drofs  and  tin  out  of  his  church  in  Ire- 
 land ;  his  wine  prefs  is  but  Squeezing  out  the  dregs,  the  fcum, 
 the  froth  and  refufe  of  ihat  church.  I  had  once  the  proof  of  the  fweet 
 fmell,  and  the  honeitand  honourable  peace,  of  that  flandcred  thing 
 the  crofs  of  our  Lord  Jefus :  but  though  alas  that  thefe  golden  days 
 that  then  I  had,  be  now  in  a  great  part  gone  •,  yet  I  dare  fay,  that 
 the  iffue  and  ontgate  of  your  fufferings  tliall  be  the  advantage,  the 
 golden  reign  and  dominion  of  the  gcfpel,  and  the  high  glory  of  the 
 never-enough-praifed  Prince  of  the  icings  of  the  earth,  and  the 
 changing  of  the  brafs  of  the  Lord's  temple  among  you  into  gold, 
 and  the  iron  into  filver,  and  the  wood  into  brafs  :  your  officers  ihall 
 yet  be  peace,  and  your  exadtors  rightcoufnefs,  Ifa.  Ix.  ver.  17,  18. 
 Your  old  fallen  walls  (hall  get  a  new  name,  and  the  gates  of  your 
 Jerufalem  ihall  get  a  new  flile  ;  thev  (liall  call  your  walls  falvation, 
 and  your  gates,  praife.  I  know  that  Deputy-Prelates,  Pypifts, 
 temporizing  Lords,  and  proud  mockers  of  our  Lord,  crucifiers  of 
 Ch'iit  for  his  coat,  and  all  your  enemies,  have  neither  fingers  nor 
 inftrumcnts  of  war  to  pick  out  one  ftone  out  of  your  wall;  for 
 each  Hone  of  your  v/all  is  falvation.  I  dare  give  you  my  royal  and 
 princely  Mafter's  word  for  it,  that  Ireland  ihal!  be  a  fair  bride  to 
 Jefus,  and  Chrift  ihall  build  on  her  a  palace  of  fiiver,  Cant.  viii. 
 9.  Therefore  weep  not,  as  if  there  were  no  hope-,  fear  not,  put 
 on  (trength,  put  on  your  beautiful  garmejits,  Ifa  lii.  i.  your  foun- 
 dation ihall  be  fcrpphircs,  Ifa.  liv.  11,  12.  your  windows  and  gates 
 precious  ftones.  Look  over  the  water,  and  behold  and  fee,  who  is 
 on  the  dry-land  waiting  for  your  landing  :  your  deliverance  is  con- 
 cluded, lubfcribed  and  fealed  in  heaven*,  your  goods  that  are  taktn 
 from  you,  forChriil  and  his  truth's  fake,  are  Lut  arrelled  and  laid 
 in  pawn,  and  not  taken  away:  there  is  much  laid  up  for  you  iu 
 liis  ftore-houfe,  whofe  the  earth  and  the  fulnefs  thereof  is  :  your 
 garments  are  fpun,  and  your  Hocks  are  feeding  ih  tlie  fields,  your 
 bread  is  laid  up  for  you,  your  drink  is  brcwn,  your  gold  and  filvtr 
 
366  llit  RUTHERFOORDh  Epift.  26.] 
 
 is  at  the  bank,  and  the  interefl  goeth  on  and  growcth ;  and  yet  I 
 hear,  that  your  tafii-mafters  do  rob  and  fpoil  you,  and  fine  you. 
 Your  prilons  (my  brethren)  have  two  keys  ;  the  deputy-prelates 
 and  officers  keep  but  the  iron  keys  of  the  pi  ifon,  wherein  they  put 
 you:  but  he  that  hath  created  the  fmith,  hath  other  keys  in  hea- 
 ven ;  therefore  ye  (hall  not  die  in  the  prifon  :  other  mens  ploughs 
 are  labouring  for  your  bread,  your  enemies  arc  gathering  in  your 
 rents.  He  that  is  kifling  ins  bride  on  this  fide  of  the  fea  in  Scot- 
 land, is  beating  her  beyond  the  fea  in  Ireland,  and  feeding  her  with 
 ihe  bread  of  adverfity  and  the  water  of  afflldion ;  and  yet  he  is  the 
 fame  Lord  to  both.  Alas !  I  fear  that  Scotland  be  undone  and 
 (lain  with  this  great  mercy  of  reformation,  becaufe  there  is  not 
 here  that  life  of  religion,  anfwerable  to  the  huge  greatnefs  of  the 
 work,  that  dazzleth  our  eyes  :  for  the  Lord  is  rejoicing  over  us  in 
 this  land,  as  the  bridegroom  rejoiceth  over  the  bride  ;  and  the  Lord 
 hath  changed  the  name  of  Scotland*,  they  call  us  now  no  more 
 forf^^ken  nor  defolate,  but  our  land  is  called  Hephzibah  and  Beu- 
 lah,  Ifa.  Ixii.  4.  for  the  Lord  delighteth  in  us,  and  this  land  is  mar- 
 ried to  himfelf :  there  is  now  an  high  way  made  through  our  Zi- 
 on,  and  it  is  called  the  way  of  holinefs  j  the  unclean  fiiall  not  pafs 
 over  it;  the  way-faring  men,  though  fools,  fliall  not  err  in  it :  the 
 wildernefs  doth  rejoice  and  bloflbm  as  the  rofe;  *  The  ranfomed 
 of  the  Lord  are  returned  back  unto  Zion,  with  fongs  and  everlaft- 
 ing  joy  upon  their  heads,  Ifa.  xxxv.  10.'  The  Canaanite  is  put 
 out  of  our  Lord's  houfe  *,  there  is  not  a  bead:  left  to  do  hurt  (at 
 lead  profeiTcdly)  in  ail  the  holy  mountain  of  the  Lord.  Our  Lord 
 is  fallen  to  wrefile  with  his  enemies,  and  hath  brought  us  out  of 
 Egypt  \  we  have  the  ftrength  of  an  unicorn.  Num.  xxiii.  22.  The 
 Lord  hath  eaten  up  the  fons  of  Babel,  he  hath  broken  their  bones, 
 and  hath  pierced  them  through  with  his  arrows;  Ave  take  them 
 captives  whofe  captives  we  were,  and  we  rule  over  our  oppreflbrs, 
 Ifa.  xiv.  2.  It  is  not  brick,  nor  clay,  nor  Babels  curfed  timber 
 and  ftones,  that  is  in  our  fecond  temple  ;  but  our  princely  King  Je- 
 fas  is  building  his  houfe  all  palace-work  and  carved  ftones-,  it  is 
 the  habitation  of  the  Lord.  "We  do  welcome  Ireland  and  England 
 to  our  Weli-heloved  :  we  invite  you,  O  daughters  of  Jerufalem,  to 
 come  down  to  our  Lords  garden,  and  feek  our  Well-beloved  with 
 us  i  for  his  love  will  fufiice  both  you  and  us :  we  do  fend  you  love- 
 letters  over  the  fea,  to  requclc  you  to  come  and  to  marry  our  King, 
 and  to  take  part  of  our  bed ;  and  we  trufl  our  Lord  is  fetching 
 a  blow  upon  the  bcaft  and  the  fcarlet-coloured  whore,  to  the  end 
 he  may  bring  in  his  ancient  widow-wife,  our  dear  fifter,  the  church 
 of  the  Jews.  O  what  a  heavenly  heaven  were  it  to  fee  them  come 
 jn  by  this  mean,  and  fuck  the  breafts  of  their  little  fifter,  and  renew 
 their  old  love  with  their  firft  hufband,  Chriit  our  Lord  !  They  are 
 booked  in  God's  word,  as  a  bride  contradted  upon  Jefus !  O  for  a 
 
Epift.  26.]  LETTERS.  367 
 
 fight,  in  this  flcPn  of  mine,  of  the  prophefied  marriage  bettveen 
 C'hrilt  and  them  !  '  The  kings  of  Taiftiifh  and  thelfles  mull  brin^ 
 prefenrs  to  our  Lord  Jefus,  Pfal.  Ixxii.  10/    And  Britain  is  one 
 of  the  chiekit  illes  :  why  then  but  we  may  believe,  thnt  our  kings 
 of  this  ifland  fnail  come  in,  and  bring  their  glory  to  the  New  Jeru- 
 i  falem,  wherein  Chrifl:  fhall  dwell  in  the  latter  davs?  It  is  our  part 
 to  pray,  That  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth  may  become  ChrilVs. 
 Now  I  exhort  you  in  the  Lord  Jefus,  not  to  be  difmayed  nor  afraid 
 for  the  two  tails  of  thefc  fmoking  fire-brands,  the  fierce  anger  of 
 the  deputy  with  civil  power,  and  of  the  baftard  prelates  with  the 
 power  of  the  beail;  for  they  fhall  be  cut  off:  they  may  well  eat 
 you  and  drink  you,  but  they  diall  be  forced  to  vomit  you  out  a- 
 gain  alive.    If  two  things  were  firmly  believed,  fufferings  would 
 have  no  weight:  if  the  fellowfliip  of  Chrift's  futFerings  were  weli 
 known,   who  would  not  gladly  take  part  with  Jefus  ^    for  Chrift 
 and  we  are  halvers  and  joint  owners  of  one  and  the  fame  crofs : 
 and  therefore  he  that  knew  well  what  futierings  were,  as  he  eileem- 
 ed  all  tnings  but  lofs  for  Chrift,  and  did  judge  them  but  dung.ffo 
 did  he  alio  judge  of  them,  that  he  might  know  the  fellowlhip  of 
 his  luiTcrings,  Phil.  iii.  10.  O  how  fweet  a  fight  is  it,  to  fee  a  crofs 
 betwixt  Chrifl  and  us;  to  hear  our  Redeemer  fay,  at  every  figh, 
 and  every  blow,  and  every  lofs  of  a  believer,  half  mine  !  fo  they 
 are  called,  *  The  fuiferings  of  Chrift,  and  the  reproach  of  Chriil, 
 Col.  ii.  24.   Heb.  xi.  26.     As  when  two  are  partners  and  owners 
 of  a  (hip,  the  half  of  the  gain  and  half  of  the  lofs  belongeth  to  ci- 
 ther of  the  two  ;  fo  Chrilt  in  our  fufferings  is  half-gainer  and  hah- 
 lofer  with  us  :  yea  the  heavieft  end  of  the  black  tree  of  the  crofs 
 lieth  on  your  Lord,  it  falleth  firft  upon  him,  and  it  but  rebound- 
 eth  off  him  upon  you:  '  The  reproaches  of  them  that  reproached 
 thee  are  falltn  upon  me,  Pfal.  Ixix.  9.     Your  fufferings  are  your 
 treafurc,  and  are  greater  riches  than  the  treafures  of  Egypt,  Heb. 
 xi.  26.     And  if  your  crofs  come  through  Chriil's  fingers  ere  ic 
 come  to  you,  it  receivcth  a  fair  lufhe  from  him,  it  getteth  a  tafte 
 and  relifli  of  the  King's  fpikenard,  and  of  heaven's  perfume  ;  and 
 the  half  of  the  gain,  when  Chrift's  (hip-full  of  gold  cometh  home, 
 flinll  be  yours:  it  is  an  augmenting  of  your  treafure  to  be  rich  iu 
 fufferings,  *  to  be  in  labours  abundant,  in  ftripes  above  meafure, 
 2  Cor.  xi.  ver.  23.  and  to  have  the  fulVcrings  of  Chrifl:  abounding 
 in  you,  2  Cor.  i.  5.  is  a  part  of  heaven's  flock.    Your  goods  are 
 not  lofl  which  they  have  plucked  from  you,  for  your  Lord  hath 
 them  in  keeping;  they  are  but  arrefted  and  fcized  upon,  he  Ihall 
 loofe  the  arrefl :  ye  (liall  be  fed  with  the  heritage  of  Jacob  your  fa- 
 ther, for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  fpoken  it,  Ifa.  Iviii  14.  Till 
 I  fhall  be  in  the  hall  floor  of  the  highell  palace,  and  get  a  draught 
 of  glory  out  of  Chrift's  hand,  above  and  beyond  time  and  beyond 
 death,  I  will  never  (it  is  like)  fee  fairer  days,  than  I  faw  under 
 
368  Uv  RUTHERFOORD'^  Epift.  26.] 
 
 that  bleflcd  tree  of  my  Lord's  crofs  :  his  kiffes  then  were  king's 
 kifles,  thefe  kiffes  were  fweet  and  foul-reviving  ;  one  of  them  at 
 the  fame  time  was  worth  two  and  a  half  (if  I  may  (peak  fo)  of 
 Chrift's  week-days  kiffes.  O  fweet,  fweet  for  evermore,  to  fee  a 
 rofe  of  heaven  growing  in  as  ill  ground  as  hellj  and  to  fee  Chrift's. 
 love, his  embracements,  his  dinnc^rsand  fuppersof  joy,  peace,  fi^ith, 
 goodnefs,  long-fuffering  and  patience,  growing  anrl  fpringing,  like 
 the  flowers  of  God's  garden,  out  of  fuch  ftony  and  curfed  ground 
 as  the  hatred  of  the  prelates,  and  the  malice  of  their  high  cpmmif- 
 Con,  and  the  Antichrift's  bloody  hand  and  heart !  is  not  here 
 art  and  wifdom  ?  Is  not  here  heaven  indented  in  hell  (if  I  may 
 fay  fo)  like  a  jewel  fet  with  fkill  in  a  ring  with  the  enamel  of 
 Chrift's  crofs  ?  the  ruby  and  riches  of  glory,  that  groweth  up  out 
 of  his  crofs,  is  beyond  telling.  Now  the  blacked  and  hotteft  wrath 
 and  moft  fiery  and  all-devouring  indignation  of  the  Judge  of  men 
 and  angels,  fliall  come  upon  them  who  deny  our  fweet  Lord 
 Jefus,  and  put  their  hand  to  that  oath  of  wickednefs  now  preffed. 
 The  Lord's  coal  at  their  heart  fhall  burn  them  up  both  root  and 
 branch  ;  the  eftates  of  great  men  that  have  done  fo,  if  they  do  not 
 repent,  Ihall  confume  away,  and  the  ravens  ihall  dwell  in  their 
 houfes,  and  their  glory  fhall  be  fhame.  Oh,  for  the  Lord's  fake, 
 keep  fall  by  Chrill,  and  fear  not  man  that  (hall  die,  and  wither 
 as  the  grafs.  The  deputy's  blo6m  (hall  fall,  and  the  prelates  fhall 
 caft  their  flower,  and  the  eaft  wind  of  the  Lord,  of  the  Lord  ftrong 
 and  mighty,  (hall  blaft  and  break  them:  therefore  fear  them  not: 
 they  are  but  idols,  that  can  neither  do  evil  nor  good.  Walk  not 
 in  the  way  of  thofe  people  that  flander  the  footfteps  of  our  royal  and 
 princely  anointed  king,  Jefus,  now  riding  upon  his  white  horfe 
 in  Scotland  :  let  Jehovah  be  your  fear.  That  decree  of  Zion's  de- 
 jivefiance,  paffed  and  fealed  up  before  the  throne,  is  now  ripe  and 
 fliall  bring  forth  a  child,  even  the  ruin  and  fall  of  the  black  king- 
 dom, and  the  Antichrift's  throne,  in  thefe  kingdoms:  the  Lord 
 hath  begun,  and  he  (hall  make  an  end.  Who  did  ever  hear  the 
 like  of  this?  Before  Scotland  travailed,  (he  brought  forth;  and 
 before  her  pain  came,  flie  was  delivered  of  a  man-child,  Ifa,  Ixvi. 
 7,  8.  And  when  all  is  done,  fuppofe  there  were  no  fweetnefs.  in 
 our  Lord's  crofs,  yet  it  is  fweet  for  his  fake,  for  that  lovely  One, 
 Jefus  Chrift ;  whofe  crown  and  royal  fupremacy  is  the  queQ:'ion 
 this  day  in  Great  Britain,  betwixt  us  and  our  adverfaries :  and 
 who  would  not  think  him  worthy  of  the  fuffering  for  ?  What  is 
 burning  quick  ?  what  is  drinking  of  our  own  heart's-blood  ?  and 
 what  is  a  draught  of  melted  lead  for  his  glory  t  lefs  than  a  draught 
 of  cold  water  to  a  thirfty  man,  if  the  right  price  and  due  value  were 
 put  on  that  worthy,  worthy  Prince,  Jefus.  Oh,  who  can  weigh 
 him  !  Ten  thoufand  thoufand  heavens  would  not  be  one  fcale,  or 
 the  half  of  the  fcale  of  the  balance  to  lay  him  in.  Oh  black  angels, 
 
Epift.  26.]  LETTERS.  369 
 
 in  comparifon  of  him  !  Oh,  dim  and  dark  and  lightlefsfun,  in  re- 
 gard of  that  fair  Sun  of  riL-hteournefs  !  Oh,  feckiefs  and  worthlefs 
 heaven  of  heavens,  v/hcn  they  itand  befide  my  worthy  and  lofty, 
 and  high  and  excellent  Well-beloved  !  Oh,  weak  -and  infirm  clay- 
 kings!  Oh,  foft  and  feeble  mountains  of  brafs,  and  weak  created 
 flrength,  in  regard  of  our  mighty  and  ftrong  Lord  of  armies  !  Oh, 
 fooliih  wiiciom  of  men  arid  angf-!s,  when  it  is  laid  in  the  balance 
 befide  that  fpotlcfs  fubftjntl^l  v/ifdom  of  the  Father  !  If  heaven 
 and  earth,  and  ten  thouUi;.d  heavens,  even  round  about  thefe  hea- 
 vens that  now  are,  were  all  in  one  garden  of  paradife,  decked  with 
 ail  the  rofes,  flowers  and  trees  that  can  com.e  forth  from  the  art  of 
 the  Almighty  himfelf ;  )£t  fet  but  our  one  Flo^-er,  that  grcweth 
 out  of  the  root  of  Jcife,  befide  that  orchard  of  pleafure,  one  look 
 of  him,  one  view,  one  tafte,  cue  fmell  of  his  God-head,  would  in- 
 finitely exceed  and  go  beyond  the  fmeli,  colour,  beauty  and  loveli- 
 nefs  of  that  paradife.  O  to  be  with  child  of  his  love  !  and  to  be 
 fulFocate  (if  that  could  be)  with  the  fmell  of  his  fweetnefSjWerea 
 fweet  fill  and  lovely  pain.  Oh»  v/orthy,  worthy  lovelinefs  I  Oh, 
 h{^s  of  the  creatures,  and  more  of  thee  !  Oh,  open  the  pailage  of 
 the  well  of  love  and  glory  on  us,  drv  pits  and  withered  trees  !  Oh, 
 that  Jewel  and  Flower  of  heaven  !  if  our  Beloved  were  not  mifta- 
 ken  by  us,  and  unknown  to  us,  he  would  have  nolirarcity  of  wooeis 
 and  fuitors  ;  he  would  make  heaven  and  earth  both  fee,  that  they 
 cannot  quench  his  love,  for  his  love  is  a  fea  :  oh,  to  be  a  thoufand 
 fathoms  deep  in  this  fea  of  love  !  He,  he  himfelf,  is  more  excellent 
 than  heaven  ;  for  heaven,  as  it  coiiieth  into  the  fouls  and  fpirits  of 
 the  glorified,  is  but  a  creature  ;  and  he  is  fomething,  and  a  great 
 fomething  more  than  a  creature.  Oh,  what  a  life  were  it,  to  lit 
 befide  this  well  of  love,  and  drink  and  fing,  and  fing  and  drink ; 
 and  then  ro  have  defires  and  foul-faculties  flretched  and  extended 
 cut  many  thoufand  fathoms  in  length  and  breadth,  to  take  in  feas 
 and  riv  rs  of  love  I  I  earnediy  defire  to  recommend  this  love  to 
 YOU,  that  this  love  may  ciule  you  to  keep  his  commandments,  and 
 to  keep  clean  fingers,  and  make  clean  feet,  that  ye  may  walk  as  the 
 redeemed  of  the  Lord.  Wo,  wo  be  to  them  that  put  on  his  name, 
 and  fhame  this  love  of  Chrift  with  a  loofe  and  profar.e  life:  their 
 feet,  tongue,  and  hands,  and  ey^s,  give  a  fiiamelefs  lie  to  the  holy 
 gofpcl,  which  they  profcfs.  1  befeech  you  in  the  Lord,  keep 
 Chrifl,  and  walk  wiili  him  ;  let  not  his  fairnefs  be  fpotted  and 
 ftained  by  godlefs  living.  Oh  !  who  can  find  in  their  heart  to  liii 
 againfllove  .**  andfuch  a  love  as  the  glorified  in  heaven  fhall  delight 
 to  dive  into,  and  drink  of  for  ever;  for  they  are  evermore  drink- 
 ing in  love,  and  the  cup  is  ffill  at  their  head,  and  yet  withor.t  loth- 
 ing  ;  for  they  ftill  drink,  and  ftill  defire  to  drink  for  ever  and  ever  : 
 is  not  this  a  long-lallir.g  fuppti.^  Now  if  any  of  our  country-pcoplr, 
 profeUiiig  Chrift  Jcfus,  hsve  brought  themfelves  under  the  Itrokf 
 
370  Mr  RUTHBRFOORD's  Epift.  27/J 
 
 and  \vrath"of  the  Almighty,  by  yielding  to  Antichrift  in  an  hair- 
 breadth, but  efpecially  by  fwearing  and  fubfcribing  that  blafphe- 
 mous  oath  (which  is  the  church  ot  Ireland's  black  hour  of  temp- 
 tntion)  I  would  entreat  them,  by  the  mercies  of  God  at  their  laft 
 fummons,  to  repent  and  openly  confefs  before  the  world,  to  the ' 
 glory  of  the  Lord,  their  denial  of  Chrift:  or  otherwife,  if  either 
 man  or  woman  will  Rand  and  abide  by  that  oath,  then,  in  the  name 
 and  authority  of  the  Lord  Jefus,  I  let  them  fee  that  they  forfeit 
 their  part  of  heaven,  and  let  them  look  ibr  no  lefs  than  a  back- 
 Lurdcn  of  the  pure  unmixed  wrath  of  God,  and  the  plague  of  apo- 
 ifates  and  deniers  of  our  Lord  Jeius.  Let  not  me,  a  Itranger  to 
 you,  who  never  faw  your  face  in  the  fielli,  be  thought  bold  in 
 writing  to  you;  for  the  hope  I  have  of  a  glorious  church  in  that 
 land,  and  the  love  of  Chrift  conftraineth  me.  1  know  the  wor- 
 thy fcrfants  of  Chrift,  who  once  laboured  among  you,  ceafe  not 
 to  writ^  to  you  aifo,  and  I  ftiall  defire  to  be  excufed  that  I  do 
 join  wii^  them.  Pray  for  your  lifter-church  in  Scotland,  and  let 
 me  entre-Jt-you  for  the  aid  of  your  prayers  for  myfelf  and  ftock  and 
 miniitiy,  and  my  fear  of  a  tranfportation  from  this  place  of  the 
 Lord's  vineyard.  Now  the  very  God  of  pea<:e  fan£lify  you  through- 
 out.  Grace  be  with  you  all. 
 
 Jn-dtothy  16  j9*  ICqut  brother  and  companion  in 
 
 the  kingdom  and  patience  of 
 Jefus  Chriji,  S.  R. 
 
 27.  To  his  reverend  and  much  hojtoured  brother^  Dr.  ALEX- 
 ANDER LEIGHTON,  Chrifi's  pnfcner  in  bonds  at  Lou-- 
 don. 
 
 Reverend  and  much  honoured  prifcner  of  hope, 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  It  was  not  my  part  whom 
 ^^  onr  Lord  h^ith  enlarged,  to  forget  you  his  prifoner.  When 
 1  confider  how  long  your  night  hath  been,  I  think  Chrift  hath  a 
 mind  to  put  you  in  free  grace's  debt  fo  much  the  deeper,  as  your 
 fuffeiings  have  been  of  fo  long  a  continuance.  But  what  if  Chriit 
 mind  you  no  joy  but  public  joy  with  enlarged  and  triumphing 
 Zion  :  I  think,  Sir,  ye  would  love  it  beft  to  fhare  and  divide  your 
 fongof  joy  with  Zion,  and  to  have  myftical  Chrift  in  Britain  hal- 
 ver  and  compartner  with  your  enlargement.  I  am  fure,  your  joy 
 bordering  and  neighbouring  with  the  joy  of  Chrift's  bride,  would 
 be  fo  much  the  fweeter  that  it  were  public.  I  thought  if  Chrift 
 had  halved  my  mercies,  and  delivered  his  bride  and  not  me,  that 
 his  praifes  lliould  have  been  double  to  what  they  are :  but  now 
 two  rich  mercies  conjoined  in  one  have  ftolen  from  our  Lord  more 
 than  half  praifes  :  Oh  that  mercy  fhould  fo  beguile,  and  fteal  a- 
 %vay  our  counts  and  acknowledgmeRts !  Worthy  Sir,  I  hope  I  need 
 
Epift.  27-1  LETTERS.  371 
 
 not  exhort  you  to  go  on,  in  hoping  for  the  falvation  of  God :  therf^ 
 hath  not  been  fo  much  taken  from  ynur  time  of  eafe  and  created 
 joys,  as  eternity  fhall  add  to  your  htaven  :  ye  knowwh^n  one  day 
 in  heaven  halh  paid  you,  yea,  and  over-paio.  your  blood,  bond?, 
 forrow  and  fufferings,  that  it  would  trouble  angels  underftanding 
 to  lay  the  count  of  that  fuperplu5  of  gtory»  which  eternity  can  -^vd 
 will  give  you.  O  but  your  land-glafs  of  fufferings  and  lofTes  coineth 
 to  little,  when  it  fiiall  be  counted  and  comp  ired  with  the  glory  that 
 ahideth  you  on  the  other  fide  oi  the  water !  Yc  have  no  Icifure  to 
 rejoice  and  Cm^  here  wnile  time  goeth  about  you,  and  where  your 
 pialms  will  be  fhort :  therefore  ye  will  t'aink  eternity  and  the  long 
 day  of  heaven  that  fliall  be  meafured  with  no  other  fua  nor  horo- 
 Jodge  than  the  long  life  of  the  Ancient  of  days,  to  meafure  your 
 praiJ::s,  little  enough  for  you  :  ifyourfpan  length  of  time  be  cloudy, 
 ye  cannot  but  think,  your  Lord  can  no  more  tike  your  blood  and 
 ^rour  b-^nds  without  the  income  and  recompence  of  free  grace,  thnn 
 •he  would  take  the  fufferinjis  of  Paul  and  his  other  dear  lervants  that 
 were  well  paid  home  beyond  counting,  R.om.viii.  i  8^  Ifthewifdom 
 •of  Chrift  hath  made  you  Antichrifl's  eye-fore  and  bis  envy,  ye  are 
 to  thank  God  that  fuch  a  piece  of  ci^y  as  ye  are  is  made  the  field  of 
 glory  to  woi  kupon :  it  was  the  Potter's  aim  that  the  clay  fhould  praife 
 him,  and  1  hope  it  fatisfieth  you  that  your  clay  is  for  his  glory. 
 Oh  who  can  fuller  enough  for  fuch  a  Lord  I  and  who  can  J-'y  out 
 in  bank  enough  of  pain,  ihame,  lofles,  tortures,  to  receive  in  again 
 the  free  intereft  of  eternal  glory!  2  Cor.  iv.  17.  Oh  how  advan- 
 t?.geous  a  bargaining  is  it  with  fuch  a  rich  Lord]  If  your  hand 
 and  pen  had  been  at  leifure  to  gain  glory  in  paper,  it  had  been  but 
 paper-glory  :  but  the  bearing  of  a  public  crofs  fo  long  for  the  now 
 controverted  privileges  of  the  crown  and  fceptre  of  free  King  Je- 
 fus,  the  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth,  is  glory  booked  in  heaven. 
 Worthy  and  dear  brother,  if  ye  go  to  weigh  Jefus  his  fweetnefs, 
 excellency,  glory  and  beauty,  and  lay  fore-gainll  him  your  ounces 
 or  drachnos  of  fuffering  for  him,  ye  fliall  be  ftraitened  two  ways, 
 I.  It  will  be  a  pain  to  make  the  comparifon,  the  difproportion 
 being  by  no  underffanding  imaginable:  nay,  if  heaven's  ariihmetic 
 and  angels  were  fet  to  work,  they  Oiould  never  number  the  degrees 
 of  difference.  2.  It  ihould  ftraiten  you  to  find  a  fcale  for  the 
 balance  to  lay  that  hi^h  and  lofty  One,  ihtt  over-tranfcenciing 
 Prince  of  excellency  into :  if  your  mind  could  fancy  as  many  creat- 
 ed heavens  as  rime  hath  had  minutes,  trees  hath  had  leaves,  and 
 clouds  have  had  rain-drops,  fincethe  firft  (lone  of  the  creation  was 
 laid,  they  Ihould  not  make  half  a  fcalc  to  bear  and  weigh  bound- 
 iefs  excellency  into.  And  therefore  the  King  whofe  marks  y/^ 
 are  bearing,  and  whofe  dying:  ye  carry  about  with  you  'n  your 
 body,  is,  out  of  all  cry  and  confidcration,  beyond  and  above  alJour 
 ihougbts.  For  myfcli,  I  am  content  to  feed  upon  wondering  fome^ 
 
 A  a  a  Z 
 
37^  Mr  nUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  28.] 
 
 times,  at  the  beholding  but  of  the  borders  and  (kirts  of  the  incom- 
 parable glory  which  is  in  that  exalted  Prince;  and  I  think,  y^ 
 could  wi(h  for  mere  ears  to  give  him  than  ye  have,  fince  ye  hope 
 thefe  ears  ye  now  have  given  him  fhail  be  pafiages  to  take  in  the 
 mufic  of  his  glorious  voice.  I  would  fain  both  believe  and  pray 
 for  a  new  bride  of  Jews  and  Gentiles  to  our  Lord  Jefus,  after 
 the  land  of  graven  images  fiiall  be  laid  wafte;  and  that  our  Lord 
 Jefus  is  on  horftvback,  hunting  and  purfuing  the  beaft;  and  that 
 England  and  Ireland  fhali  be  well  fweeped  chambers  for  Chrid  and 
 his  righteoufnefs  to  dvvell  in;  for  he  hath  opened  our  graves  in 
 Scotland,  and  the  two  dead  and  buried  \vitnefies  are  rifen  again, 
 and  are  prophefying.  Oh  that  Princes  would  glory  and  boaft 
 themleives  in  carrying  the  train  of  Chrift's  robe-royal  in  their  arms  I 
 Let  me  die  within  half  an  hour  after  1  have  feen  the  Son  of  God 
 his  temple  enlarj.^ed,  and  the  cords  of  Jerufalem's  tent  lengthened, 
 to  take  in  a  more  numerous  company  for  a  bride  to  the  Son  of 
 God.  Oh,  if  the  corner  or  foundation-ftone  of  that  houfe,  that 
 new  houfe,  were  laid  above  my  grave  !  Oh  !  who  can  add  to  him, 
 who  is  that  great  AH  ?  If  he  would  create  funs  and  moons,  new- 
 heavens,  thoufanci  thoufand  degrees  more  perfect  than  thefe  that 
 now  arc;  and  again,  make  a  new  creation  ten  thoufand  thoufand 
 degrees  in  perft<l-lion  beyond  that  new  creation;  and  again,  ftill 
 for  eternity  multiply  new  heavens ;  they  ihould  never  be  a  perfedt 
 refemblance  of  that  iniinite  excellency,  order,  weight,  meafure, 
 beauty  and  fweetnefs  that  is  in  him.  Oh,  how  little  of  him  do  we 
 fee  !  oh  how  ihaliow  are  our  thoughts  of  him  !  Oh  !  if  I  had  pain 
 for  him,  and  (hame  and  lofles  for  him,  and  more  clay  and  fpirits  for 
 him  ;  and  that  I  could  go  upon  earth  without  love,  defire,  hope, 
 becaufe  Chriil  hath  taken  away  my  love,  defire  and  hope  to  heaven 
 with  him  !  I  know,  worthy  Sir,  your  fufferings  for  him  are  your 
 glory ;  and  therefore  weary  not ;  his  falvation  is  near  at  hand,  and 
 ihaii  not  tarry.  Pray  for  me.  His  grace  be  with  you. 
 St.  Andrews^  Nov.  22,  Tours  in  his  fiueet  Lord  Jcfus, 
 
 1639.  S.  R, 
 
 28.    To   Mr  HENRY  STEWART,  his  -wife,    and  two 
 daughters y  all  prifoncrs  of  Chriji  at  Dublin. 
 
 Rev.  iii.  10.  Fear  none  of  thefe  things ^  luhich  ye  Jball  fuffer^  &c. 
 
 Truly  honoured  and  dearly  beloved^ 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  from  God  our  Father,  and 
 ^^  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift.    Think  it  not  ftrange,  beloved  in 
 our  Lord  Jefus,  that  Satan  can  command  keys  of  prifons,  and  bolts, 
 ^n^  chains  j  this  is  a  piece  of  the  devil's  princedom  that  he  hath 
 
Epift.  28.]  LETTERS.  373 
 
 over  the  world.  Interpret  and  underfland  our  Lord  well  in  this; 
 be  not  jealous  of  his  love,  though  he  make  devils  and  men  his  un- 
 der-fervants  to  fcour  the  ruft  off  your  faith,  and  purge  you  from 
 your  drofs.  And  let  me  charge  you,  O  pri Toners  of  hope,  to  open 
 your  window,  and  to  look  out  by  faith  :  behold  heaven's  poll,  that 
 fpeedy  and  fvvift  falvation  of  God,  that  is  coming  to  you.  It  is  a 
 broad  river  that  faith  will  not  look  over:  it  is  a  mighty  and  a  broad 
 fea,  that  they  of  a  lively  hope  cannot  behold  the  fartheft  bank  and 
 other  fhore  thereof :  look  over  the  water,  your  anchor  is  fixed  with- 
 in the  vail ;  the  one  end  of  the  cable  is  about  the  prifoner  of  Chrifl, 
 and  the  other  is  entered  within  the  vail,  whither  the  Forerunner 
 is  entered  for  you,  Heb.  vi.  ig.  20,  It  can  go  ftraight  through 
 the  liames  of  the  fire  of  the  v.'rath  of  men,  devils,  lofles,  tortures, 
 (death,  and  not  a  thread  of  it  be  fmged  or  burnt;  men  and  devils 
 have  no  teeth  to  bite  it  in  two.  Hold  faft  till  he  come :  your  crofs 
 is  of  the  colour  of  heaven  and  Chrift,  and  pafmented  over  with 
 the  faith  and  comforts  of  the  Lord's  faithful  covenant  with  Scot- 
 l^nd  ;  and  that  dye  and  colour  dov;r  abide  foui  weather,  and  nei- 
 ther be  ftained  nor  caPi  the  colour;  yea,  it  reiiec3:s  a  fcad,  like  the 
 crofs  of  Chrift,  whofe  holy  hands  many  a  day  lifted  up  to  God, 
 praying  for  finners,  were  fettered  and  bound,  as  if  thefe  bicfied 
 hands  had  ftolen,  and  fned  innocent  blood  :  when  your  lovely, 
 lovely  Jefus  had  no  better  than  the  thief's  doom,  it  is  no  wonder 
 that  your  procefs  be  lav/lefs  and  turned  upfide  down  ;  tor  he  was 
 taken,  fettered,  buffeted,  v/hipped,  fpitted  upon,  before  he  was 
 convi£fed  of  any  fault,  or  fentenced.  Oh  fuch  a  pair  of  fufferers 
 and  witneffes,  as  high  and  royal  Jefus,  ar;d  a  poor  piece  guilty  clay 
 piarrowed  together  under  one  yoke  !  oh  how  lovely  is  the  crofs 
 with  fuch  a  fecond  !  I  believe  that  your  prifon  is  enabled  in  God's 
 court,  not  to  keep  ycu  till  your  hope  breathe  out  its  life  and  laft ; 
 your  crofs  is  under  law  to  rcftore  you  again  fafe  to  your  brethren 
 and  fifters  in  Chrift  :  take  heaven  and  Chrill's  back-bond  for  a  fair 
 back-door  out  of  your  fuffering.  The  Saviour  is  on  his  journey 
 with  falvation  and  deliverance  for  mount  Zion;  and  the  fword  of 
 the  Lord  is  drunk  with  blood,  and  made  fat  with  fatnefs;  his 
 fword  is  bathed  in  heaven  againft  LJabylon,  for  it  is  the  day  of  the 
 Lord's  vengeance,  and  the  year  of  recoinpence  for  the  controverfy 
 of  Zion  :  and  perfuade  yourfelves,  the  ftreams  of  the  river  of  Ba- 
 bylon (liall  be  pitch,  andtheduft  of  the  bnd  brimftoneand  burn- 
 ing pitch,  Ifa.  xxxiv.  8.  And  if  your  deliverance  be  joined  with 
 the  deliverance  of  Zion,  it  (hall  be  two  falvations  to  you.  ]t  v/ere 
 good  to  be  armed  before  hand  for  death  or  bodily  tortures  for 
 Chrift;  and  to  think  what  a  crown  of  honour  it  is,  that  God  hath 
 given  you  pieces  of  living  clay,  to  be  tortured  witneffes  for  faving- 
 truth  ;  and  that  ye  are  io  happy,  as  to  have  fomc  pints  of  blood  to 
 give  out  for  the  crown  of  that  royal  Lord,  who  hath  caufed  you 
 
374  Mr  nUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  28.] 
 
 to  avouch  himfelf  before  men  :  if  ye  can  lend  fines  of  three  tbou- 
 fand  pounds  fterling  for  Chrlft,  let  heaven's  regifter  and  Chrift's 
 count-book  keep  in  reckoning  your  depurfements  for  him  •,  it  (hall 
 be  engraven  and  printed  in  great  letters  upon  heaven's  throne, 
 what  you  are  willing  to  give  for  him  :  Chrill's  papers  of  that  kind 
 cannot  be  loft  or  fall  by.  Do  not  wonder  to  fee  clay  boaft  the 
 great  Potter,  and  to  fee  blinded  men  threaten  the  gofpel  with  death 
 and  burial,  and  to  raze  out  truth's  name.  But  where  will  they  make 
 a  grave  for  the  gofpel  and  the  Lord's  bride  ?  earth  and  hell  iball 
 be  but  little  bounds  for  their  burial ;  lay  all  the  clay  and  rubbilh  of 
 this  inch  of  the  whole  earth  above  our  Lord's  fpoule,  yet  it  will 
 not  cover  her,  nor  hold  her  down ;  (he  (ball  live  and  not  die,  uie 
 fliall  behold  thefalvation  of  God.  Let  your  faith  frift  God  a  little, 
 and  not  be  afraid  for  a  fmoking  fire-brand  ;  there  is  more  fmcke 
 in  Babylon's  furnace  than  there  is  fire :  till  doom's-day  fhall 
 come,  they  fball  never  fee  the  kirk  of  Scotland  and  our  covenant 
 burnt  to  afbes;  or  if  it  fhould  be  thrown  in  the  fire,  yet  it  cannot 
 be  fo  burnt  or  buried,  as  not  to  have  a  refurreclion :  angry  clay's 
 wind  fhall  fhake  none  of  Chrift's  corn  ;  he  will  gather  in  all  his 
 wheat  into  his  barn  :  only  let  your  fellowlbip  with  Chrift  be  re- 
 newed. Ye  are  fibber  to  Chrift  now,  when  you  are  imprifoned 
 for  him,  than  before,  for  now  the  ftrokes  laid  on  you  do  come  in 
 remembrance  before  our  Lord,  and  he  can  own  his  own  wounds: 
 a  drink  of  Chrift's  love,  w^hich  is  better  than  wine,  is  the  drink-fil^ 
 ver  which  fufFering  for  his  Majefty  leaves  behind  it.  It  is  not  your 
 fins  which  they  perfecute  in  you,  but  God's  grace  and  loyalty  to 
 King  Jefus :  they  fee  no.treafon  in  you  to  your  prince  the  king  of 
 Britain,  albeit  they  fay  fo ;  but  it  is  heaven  in  you  that  earth  is 
 fighting  agalnft,  and  Chrift  is  owning  his  own  caufe  :  grace  is  a 
 party  that  fire  will  not  burn,  nor  water  drown  ;  when  they  have 
 eaten  and  drunken  you,  their  ftomach  fhall  be  fick,  and  they  ftiall 
 fpue  you  out  alive.  O  what  glory  is  it,  to  be  fufiering  abjetSts  for 
 the  Lord's  glory  and  royalty  !  Nay,  though  his  fervants  had  a  body 
 to  burn  for  ever  for  this  gofpel,  fo  being  that  triumphing  and  ex- 
 alted Jefus  his  high  ^\oxy  did  rife  out  of  thefe  flames,  and  out  of 
 that  burning  body,  Oh,  what  a  fweet  fire  !  Oh  what  foul-refrefiw 
 ing  torment  ftiall  that  be  I  what  if  the  pickles  of  duft  and  afties 
 of  the  burnt  and  difiblved  body  were  muficians  to  fing  his  praifes, 
 and  the  highnefs  of  that  never-enough  exalted  Prince  of  ages  ! 
 O  what  love  is  it  in  him,  that  he  will  have  fuch  muficians  as  we 
 are,  to  tune  that  pfalm  of  his  everlafting  praifes  in  heaven !  Oh 
 what  fhining  and  burning  flames  of  love  are  thofe,  that  Chrift  will 
 divide  his  Ihare  of  life,  of  heaven  and  glory  with  you  !  Luke  xxii. 
 29.  John  xvii.  24.  Rev.  iii.  2  r .  A  part  of  his  throne,  one  draught 
 of  his  wine  (his  wine  of  glory  and  life,  that  comes  from  under  the 
 throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb)  and  one  apple  of  the  tree  of  life. 
 
Epiil.  23.]  LETTERS.  375 
 
 will  do  more  than  make  up  all  the  expences  and  charges  of  clay, 
 lent  out  for  heaven.  Oh  1  Oh  !  but  we  have  ftiort»  and  narrow, 
 and  creeping  thoughts  of  Jefus,  and  do  but  (hape  Chrift  in  our  con- 
 ceptions, according  to  fome  created  portraiture !  O  angeis,  lend  in 
 your  help  to  make  love-books  and  fongs  of  our  fair,  and  white, 
 and  ruddy  Standard-bearer  amongd  ten  thoufand  !  O  heavens  \ 
 O  heaven  of  heavens!  O  gloritied  tenants,  and  triumphing  houf- 
 holders  with  the  Lamb,  put  in  new  pfalms  and  love  fonnets  of 
 the  excellency  of  our  Bridegroom,  and  help  us  to  fet  him  on  high  I 
 O  indwellers  of  earth  and  heaven,  fea  and  air,  and  O  all  ye  created 
 beings,  within  the  bofom  of  the  utmolt  circle  of  this  great  world, 
 O  come  help  to  fet  on  high  the  praifes  of  our  Lord  1  O  iairnefs  of 
 creatures,  blulh  before  his  uncreated  beauty  I  O  created  ftrength, 
 be  amazed  to  fland  before  your  (Irong  Lord  of  hofts!  O  created 
 love,  think  (hame  of  thyfelf  before  this  unparalleled  love  of  hea- 
 ven !  O  angel  of  vvifdom,  hide  thyfelf  before  our  Lord,  whole  un- 
 derftanding  pafleth  finding  out !  O  fun  in  thy  ihining  beauty,  for 
 fhame  put  on  a  web  of  darknefs,  and  cover  thyfelf  before  thy  bright- 
 eft  Mailer  and  Maker !  Oh,  what  can  add  glory,  by  doing  or  fuf- 
 fering  to  this  never-enough  admired  and  praifed  Lover  !  Oh,  we 
 can  but  bring  our  drop  to  this  fea,  and  our  candle,  dim  and  dark 
 as  it  is,  to  this  clear  and  lightfomeSun  of  heaven  and  earth  !  Oh, 
 but  we  have  caufe  to  drink  ten  deaths  in  one  cup  dry,  to  fwim 
 through  ten  feas,  to  be  at  that  land  of  praifes,  where  we  (hall  fee 
 that  wonder  of  wonders,  and  enjoy  this  Jewel  of  heaven's  jewels ! 
 O  death,  do  thy  utmoft  againft  us  !  O  torments,  O  malice  of  men 
 and  devils,  wafte  thy  ftrength  on  the  witnefles  of  our  Lord's  tefta- 
 ment!  O  devils,  bring  hell  to  help  you,  in  tormenting  the  fol- 
 lowers of  the  Lamb  !  we  will  defy  you  to  make  us  too  foon  happy, 
 and  to  waft  us  too  foon  over  the  water,  to  the  land  where  the  no- 
 ble Plant,  the  PJant  of  renown,  groweth.  O  cruel  lime,  that  tor- 
 ments us,  and  fufpends  our  deareft  enjoyments,  that  we  wait  for, 
 when  we  fhall  be  bathed  and  fteeped,  foul  and  body,  down  in  the 
 depths  of  this  love  of  loves  !  O  time,  I  fay,  run  fail !  O  motions, 
 mend  your  pace  !  O  Well-beloved,  be  like  a  young  roe  on  the 
 mountains  of  feparation  !  Poft,  poft,  and  haften  our  defired  and 
 hungered-for  meeting;  love  is  fick  to  hear  tell  of  to-morrow  :  and 
 what  then  can  come  wrong  to  you,  O  honourable  witnefles  of  his 
 krngly  truth  ?  Men  have  no  more  of  you  to  work  upon,  but  fome 
 few  inches  and  fpan-lengths  of  lick,  coughing  and  phlegmatic  clay  : 
 yourfpirits  are  above  their  benches,  courts,  or  high  commiiTions; 
 your  fouls,  your  love  to  Chrift,  your  faith  cannot  be  fummoned, 
 nor  fentenced,  nor  accufed,  nor  condemned  by  pope,  deputy-pre- 
 late, ruler  or  tyrant ;  your  faith  is  a  free  lord,  and  cannot  be  a 
 captive  :  all  the  malice  of  hell  and  earth  can  but  hurt  the  fcabbard 
 of  »  believer  i  and  dcatia  at  the  v/orfi.can  get  bu;  -^  clay  p.iv,a  in 
 
37<5  Mr  RUfffERFOORD^  Epift.  jg.] 
 
 keeping  till  your  Lord  make  the  king's  keys,  and  open  your  graves. 
 Therefore  upon  luck's  head,  (as  we  ule  to  fay)  take  your  fill  of  his 
 ]ove,  and  let  a  poft-way  or  caufevvay  be  laid  betwixt  your  prifon 
 and  heaven,  and  go  up  and  vifit  your  treafure.  Enjoy  your  Belov- 
 ed, and  dwell  upon  his  love,  till  eternity  come  in  time's  room, 
 and  poilefs  you  of  your  eternal  happinefs.  Keep  your  love  to  Chriit, 
 lay  up  your  faith  in  heaven's  keeping,  and  follow  the  chief  oi'  the 
 houfe  of  the  martyrs,  that  witneffed  a  fair  confefTion  before' Pon- 
 tius Pilate;  your  cau'^e  and  his  is  all  one.    The  oppofers  of  his 
 caufe  are  like  drunken  judges  and  tranfported,  who  in  their  cups 
 would  make  acts  and  laws  in  their  drunken  courts,  that  the  fun 
 lllould  not  rife  and  ihine  on  the  earth  ;  and  fend  their  officers  and 
 purfuivants,  to  charge  the  fun  and  moon  to  give  no  more  light  to 
 the  world ;  and  would  ena6t  in  their  court-books,  that  the  fea,  af- 
 ter once  ebbing,  fliould  never  flow  again  :  but  would  not  the  fun, 
 moon,  and  fea  break  thefe  a6ts,  and  keep  their  Creator's  directions  ? 
 The  devil,  the  great  fool,  and  father  of  thefe  under-fools,  is  older, 
 and  more  malicious  than  wife,  that  fets  the  fpirits  in  earth  on  work, 
 to  contend  and  claOi  with  heaven's  wifdom,  and  to  give  mandates 
 and  law-fummons  to  our  Sun,  to  our  great  Star  of  heaven,  Jefus, 
 not  to  (hint  in  the  beauty  of  his  gofpel,  to  the  chofen  and  bought 
 ones.  *  O  thou  fair  and  faireft  Sun  of  righteoufnefs,  arife  and  fnine 
 in  thy  ftrength,  whether  earth  or  hell  will  or  not :  O  victorious,  O 
 royal,  O  ftout,  princely  Soul-conqueror,  ride  profperoufly  upon 
 truth  ;  ftretch  out  thy  fceptre,  as  far  as  the  fun  fhines,  and  the 
 moon  waxeth  and  waineth.  Put  on  thy  glittering  crown,  O  thou 
 Maker  of  kings,  and  make  but  one  fi:ride,  or  one  ftep  of  the  whole 
 earth,  and  travel  in  the  greatnefs  of  thy  ftrength.  Ifa.  Ixiii.  i,  2. 
 And  let  thy  apparel  be  red,  and  all  dyed  with  the  blood  of  thy  e- 
 iiemies  :  thou  art  fallen  righteous  Heir  by  line  to  the  kingdoms  of 
 the  world.'  Laugh  ye  at  the  giddy-headed  clay-pots,  and  Itout-brain 
 fick  worms,  that  dare  fay  in  good  earneft:,  This  man  (hall  not  reign 
 over  us;  as  though  they  were  cafting  the  dice  for  Chrift's  crown, 
 who  of  them  fhould  have  it.    1  know  ye  believe  the  coming  of 
 Chrift's  kingdom  :  and  that  there  is  a  hole  out  of  your  prifon,  thro' 
 which  ye  fee  day-light;  let  not  faith  be  dazzled  with  the  tempta- 
 tions from  a  dying  deputy,  and  from  a  fick  prelate  ;  believe  under 
 a  cloud,  and  wait  for  him,  when  there  is  no  moon-light  nor  ftar- 
 light;  let  faith  live  and  breathe,  and  lay  hold  on  the  fure  falvation 
 of  God,  when  clouds  and  darknefs  are  about  you,  and  appearance 
 of  rotting  in  the  prifon  before  you.     Take  heed  of  unbelieving 
 hearts,  which  can  father  lies  upon  Chrift ;  beware  of,  doth  his 
 promife  fail  for  evermore  ?  Pfal.  Ixxvii.  8.  For  it  was  a  man  and 
 not  God,  that  faid  it,  who  dreamed  that  a  promife  of  God  could 
 fail,  fall  a-fwoon  or  die    We  can  make  God  fick,  or  his  promifes 
 weak,  when  we  are  pleafed  to  fcek  a  plea  with  Chrift.  O  fwect,  O 
 
Eplft.  29-]  LETTERS.  377 
 
 (tout  word  of  faith,  Job  xiii.  ver.  15.  *  Though  he  flay  me,  yet 
 will  I  truft  in  him  !'  O  fweet  epitaph,  written  upon  the  grave-^ 
 Itone  of  a  dying  believer,  viz.  1  died  hoping,  and  my  dult  and 
 afhes  believe  lite  !  Faith's  eyes,  that  can  fee  through  a  mill-(tone, 
 can  fee  through  a  gloom  of  God,  and  under  it  read  God's  thoughts 
 of  love  and  peace.  Hold  faft  Chrift  in  the  dark  ;  furely  ye  ihall 
 fee  the  falvation  of  God.  Your  adverfaries  are  ripe  and  dry  tor 
 the  fire ;  yet  a  little  while,  and  they  fhall  go  up  in  a  llame  ;  the 
 breath  of  the  Lord,  like  a  river  of  brimltone,  (hail  kindle  about 
 them,  Ifa  xxx.  33.  What  I  write  to  one,  I  write  to  you  all,  that 
 are  found-hearted  in  that  kingdom,  whom,  in  the  bowels  of  Chrift, 
 I  would  exhort,  not  to  touch  that  o?ith :  albeit  the  adverfaries  put 
 a  fair  meaning  on  it,  yet  the  fwearer  muft  fwear  according  to  the 
 profefled  intent  and  godlefs  pra£lice  of  the  oath-makers,  which  is 
 known  to  the  world  j  otherwife  I  might  fwear  that  the  creed  is 
 falfe,  according  to  this  private  meaning  andfenfe  put  upon  it.  OK 
 let  them  not  be  beguiled,  to  walh  perjury,  and  the  denial  of  Chriil 
 and  the  gofpel,  with  ink-water,  fome  foul  and  rotten  di(tin£lions. 
 Wafti,  and  wafh  again  and  again  the  devil  and  the  lie,  it  iliail  be 
 long  ere  their  Ikin  be  white.  I  profefs,  it  fhould  befeem  men  ot 
 great  parts,  rather  than  me,  to  write  to  you  :  but  I  love  your 
 caufe,  and  delire  to  be  excufed ;  and  muft  entreat  for  the  help  of 
 your  prayers,  in  this  my  weighty  charge  here  for  the  univerhty  and 
 pulpit,  and  that  ye  would  entreat  your  acquaintance  alfo  to  help 
 me.     Grace  be  with  you  all.     Amen. 
 
 St.  Andrews y  Tour  brother  and  CGmfariion 
 
 1640.  in  the  patience  and  king- 
 
 dom of  Jefus  Chriji,     S.  R. 
 
 29.     To  Mrs.  PONT,  prifoner  at  Dublin. 
 
 Worthy  and  dear  Mijirefs^ 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  The  caufe  ye  fuffer  for, 
 ^^  and  your  willingnefs  to  fuffer,  is  ground  enough  of  acquaint- 
 ance for  me  to  write  to  you ;  although  I  do  confefs  myfelf  unable 
 to  fpeak  for  a  prifoner  ofChriils  encouragement.  1  know,  ye 
 have  advantage  beyond  us,  who  are  not  under  fuffer  in  gs  :  for  vour 
 fighing  (Pfal.  cxx.  20.)  it  is  a  written  bill,  for  the  ears  of  your 
 head,  the  Lord  Jefus  5  and  your  breathing,  Lam.  iii.  51.  and  your 
 looking  up,  Pfal.  v.  3.  and  Ixix.  3.  And  therefore  your  meaning 
 half-fpoken,  half-unfpoken,  will  fcek  no  jaylor's  leave,  but  will  go 
 to  heaven  without  leave  of  prelate  or  deputy,  and  be  heartily  wel- 
 come; fo  that  ye  may  figh  and  gro.m  out  your  mind  to  him,  who 
 bath  all  the  keys  of  the  king's  three  kingdoms  and  dominions.  I 
 dare  believe  your  hopes  fhall  not  die;  your  trouble  is  a  part  of 
 Zion's  burning,  and  ye  know  who  guides  Zion'a  furnace,  and  wh« 
 
 B  bb 
 
3/8  Ur  RUtHERFOORD's  Epifl.  29.3 
 
 foves  the  afhes  of  his  burnt  bride,  becaufe  his  fervants  love  them, 
 Pfal.  cii  14.  I  believe  your  aflies,  if  ye  were  burnt  for  this  caufe, 
 ihail  praife  him :  for  the  wrath  of  men  and  their  malice  fiiall  make 
 a  pfalm  to  praife  the  Lord,  Pfal.  Ixxvi.  10.  And  therefore -ftand 
 iliil,  and  behold,  and  fee  what  the  Lord  is  to  do  for  this  illand ; 
 his  work  ib  perfect,  Deut.  xxxii.  4.  The  nations  have  not  feeii 
 the  laft  end  of  his  work,  his  end  is  more  fair  and  more  glorious^ 
 than  the  beginning.  Ye  hare  more  honour  than  ye  can  be  able  to 
 guide  well,  in  that  your  bonds  are  made  heavy  for  fuch  an  honour- 
 able caufe.  The  feals  of  a  controuied  gofpel,  and  the  feals  by 
 bonds,  and  blood  and  fuffcrings,  are  not  committed  to  every  ordi- 
 nary profeflbr.  Some  that  would  back  Chrift  honeftly  in  fummer- 
 time,  would  but  fpill  the  beauty  of  the  gofpel,  if  they  were  put  ta 
 fuffering.  And  therefore  let  us  believe,  that  Wifdom  difpenfeth 
 to  every  one  here,  as  he  thinks  good,  who  bears  them  up  that 
 bear  the  crofs :  and  fince  our  Lord  hath  put  you  to  that  part, 
 which  was  the  flower  of  his  own  fufferings,  we  all  expe£l,  that  as 
 ye  have  in  the  ftrength  of  our  Captain  begun,  fo  ye  wiU  go  on 
 without  fainting.  Providence  maketh  ufe  of  men  and  devils,  for 
 the  refining  of  all  the  veffels  of  Gods  houfe,  fmall  and  great;  and 
 for  doing  of  two  great  works  at  once  in  you,  both  for  fmoothing  a 
 flone,  to  make  it  take  bond  with  Chrift,  in  Jerufalem*s  wall  j  and 
 for  witnelFing  to  the  glory  of  this  reproached  and  borne-down  gof- 
 pel,, which  cannot  die,  though  hell  were  made  a  grave  about  it. 
 Jt  fliali  be  timeous  joy  for  you,  to  divide  joy  betwixt  you  and  Chrift^s 
 laughing  bride,  in  thefe  three  kingdoms :  and  what  if  your  mourn- 
 ing continue  till  myftical  Chrift  in  Ireland  and  in  Britain,  and  ye, 
 laugh  both  together  ?  Your  laughing  and  joy  were  the  more  bleiT- 
 ed,  that  one  fun  iliould  fliine  upon  Chrift,  the  gofpel,  and  you, 
 laughing  altogether  in  thefe  three  kingdoms.  Y''our  time  is  mea- 
 Aired,  and  your  days  and  hours  of  futteringfrom  eternity  were  by 
 infinite  WifdoiT)  coiifKiered  :  if  heaven  recompenfe  not  to  your 
 own  mind  inches  of  forrow,  then  I  muft  fay,  that  infinite  Mercy 
 cannot  get  you  pleafed  ;  but  if  the  firlt  kifs  of  the  white  and  rud- 
 dy cheek  of  the  iStandard-bearer  and  Chief  among  ten  thoufand» 
 Cant.  vi.  10.  ftiall  over-pay  your  prifon  at  Dublin  in  Ireland,  then 
 ye  (hall  have  no  counts  unanfwered,  to  give  in  to  Chrift  :  if  your 
 faith  cannot  fee  a  nearer  term  day,  yet  let  me  charge  your  hope  to 
 give  Chrift  a  new  day,  till  eternity  and  time  meet  in  one  point.  A 
 paid  fum,  if  ever  paid,  is  paid,  if  no  day  be  broken  to  the  hungry 
 creditor  ;  take  heaven's  bond  and  fubfcribed  obligation  for  the 
 fum,  John  xiv.  3.  If  hope  can  truft  Chrift,  I  know  he  can,  and 
 will  pay  :  but  when  all  is  done  and  fuffered  by  you,  ten  hundred 
 deaths  for  lovely,  lovely  Jefus,  is  but  eternity*s  half-penny  -,  figures 
 and  cyphers  cannot  lay  the  proportion.  Oh  but  the  fuperplus  of 
 Chrift 's  glory  is  broad  and  large  !  Ch rift's  items  of  eternal  glory 
 
Ep'ift.  30.]  LETTERS.  379 
 
 arc  h^rd  and  cumberfome  to  tell;  and  if  ye  borrow  by  faith  and 
 hope  ten  days,  or  ten  hundred  years  from  that  eternity  of  glory 
 that  abides  you,  ye  are  paid,  and  more  in  your  hand.  There- 
 fore, O  prifoners  of  hope,  wait  on  j  porting,  halting  falvation  fleeps 
 not.  Antichrill  is  bleeding,  and  in  the  way  to  death;  and  he 
 bites  foreft,  when  he  bleeds  falleft.  Keep  your  intelligence  be- 
 twixt you  and  heaven,  and  your  court  with  Chrill ;  he  hath  in 
 heaven  the  keys  of  your  prifon,  and  can  fct  you  at  liberty  when 
 he  pleafech  :  his  rich  grace  fupport  you.  I  pray  you  help  me  with 
 jour  prayers.    Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 St.  /^ndrewSy  Your  brother  in  the  patience  and  kingdom 
 
 1640.  •  of  Jefus  Chriji,     S.  R. 
 
 30.     To  Mr,  JAMES  WILSON, 
 
 Dear  brother^ 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  multiplied  upon  you.  I  blefs  our 
 ^^  rich  and  only  wife  Lord,  who  carcth  fo  for  his  new  creation, 
 that  he  is  going  over  it  agahi,  and  trying  every  piece  in  you,  and 
 blowing  away  the  motes  of  his  new  work  m  you.  Alas  !  I  am  not 
 fo  fit  a  phyfician  a:;  your  difeafe  requireth  :  fweet,  fweet,  lovely  Je- 
 fus be  your  phyfician,  where  his  under-chirurgeon  cannot  do  any 
 thing  for  putting  in  order  the  wheels,  paces  and  goings  of  a  mar- 
 ried foul.  I  have  lirtle  time;  but  yet  the  Lord  hath  made  me  fo 
 concern  myfeif  in  your  condition,  that  I  do  not,  I  dare  not  be  alto- 
 gether filent.  Firft,  Ye  doubt  from  2  Cor.  xiii.  5.  whether  ye  be 
 in  Chrift  or  not .''  and  fo,  whether  ye  be  a  reprobate  or  not  ?  I 
 anfwcr  three  things  to  the  doubt:  i.  Ye  owe  charity  to  all  men, 
 but  moft  of  all  to  lovely  and  loving  Jefus,  and  fome  alfo  to  your- 
 felf,  efpecially  to  your  renewed  fcU  ;  becaufe  your  new  felf  is  not 
 yours,  but  another  Lord's,  even  the  work  of  his  own  Spirit:  there- 
 fore to  flander  his  work,  is  to  wrong  himfelf.  Love  thinketh  no 
 evil ;  if  ye  love  grace,  think  not  ill  of  grace  in  yourfelf ;  and  ye 
 think  ill  of  grace  in  yourfelf,  when  ye  make  it  but  a  baftard  and  a 
 ivcrk  of  nature.  For  a  holy  fear  that  yc  be  not  Chri(t*s,  and  with- 
 al a  care  and  a  defire  to  be  his,  and  not  your  own,  is  not,  nay  con- 
 pot  be  baftard  nature.  The  great  Advocate  pleadeth  hard  for 
 you  ;  be  upon  the  Advocate's  fide,  O  poor  feared  client  of  Chrift ! 
 Stay  and  fide  with  fuch  a  Lover,  who  pleadeth  for  no  other  man's 
 goods  but  his  own ;  (for  he,  if  I  may  fay  fo,  fccrneth  to  be  enrich- 
 ed vuth  an  unjull  conqueft)  and  yet  he  pleadeth  for  you,  whereof 
 your  letter  (though  too  too  full  of  jealoufy)  is  a  proof;  for  if  ye 
 were  not  his,  your  thoughts,  which  I  hope  are  but  the  fuggeftions 
 of  his  Spirit  (that  only  bringeth  the  matter  in  debate,  to  make  it 
 fure  to  you)  would  not  be  fuch,  nor  Co  ferious  as  thefe,  Am  I  his  ? 
 pr,  Whofe  am  I?    2.  Dare  ye  forfwear  ypur  Owner,  aiid  fay  i^ 
 
 Bbb  2 
 
38o  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  30.] 
 
 cold  blood,  I  am  not  his  ?  What  nature  or  corruption  faith  at  ftarts 
 in  you,  I  regard  not :  your  thoughts  of  yourfelf,  when   fin  and 
 guiltincfs  round  you  in  the  ear,  and  when  you  have  a  fight  of  your 
 defervings,  are  apocrypha,  and  not  fcripture,  I  hope.     Hear  what 
 the  Lord  faith  of  you,  fie  will  fpeak  peace:  if  your  Mafler  fay,  I 
 quit  you,  I  (hall  then  bid  you  eat  afhes  for  bread,  and  drink  wateis 
 of  gall  and  worm-wood.      But,  howbeit  Chrift  out  of  his  own 
 mouth  fhouid  feem  to  fay,  I  came  not  for  thee,  as  he  did,  Matth. 
 XV.  24.  yet  let  me  fay.  The  words  of  tempting  Jefus  are  not  to  be 
 ftretched  as  fcripture  beyond  his  intention,  feeing  his  intention  in 
 fpeaking  them  is  to  ftrengthen,  not  to  deceive;  and  therefore  here 
 faith  may  contradi<tt  what  Chrift  feenieth  at  firft  to  fay,  and  fo  may 
 ye.    I  charge  you,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  be  not  that  cruel  to 
 grace  and   the  new  birth,  as  to  caft  water  on  your  own  coal  by 
 mifbelief :  if  ye  muft  die  (as  I  know  ye  ftiall  not)  it  were  a  folly 
 to  flay  yourfelf.     3.   I  hope  ye  love  the  new  birth  and  a  claim  to 
 Chrift,   howbeit  ye  do  not  make  it  good  •,  and  if  ye  were  in  hell, 
 snd  faw  the  heavenly  face  of  lovely,  tentheufand  times  lovely  Je- 
 fus, that  hath  God's  hue,  and  God*s  fair,  fair  and  comely  red  and 
 white,  wherewith  it  is  beautified  beyond  comparison  and  imagina-^ 
 tion,  ye    could  not  forbear  to  fay,  Oh  if  I  could  but  blow  a 
 kifsfrom  my  finful  mouth,  from  hell  up  to  heaven,  upon  his  cheeks, 
 that  arc  a  bed  of  fpices,  as  fweet  flowers.  Cant.  v.  13.     1  hope  ye 
 dare  fay,  '  O  faireft  fight  of  heaven  !  O  boundlefs  mafs  of  crucified 
 and  flain  Love  for  me,  give  me  leave  to  wifli  to  love  thee!  O 
 Flower  and  Bloom  of  heaven  and  earth's  love  !  O  angels  Wonder  i 
 O  thou,  the  Father's  eternal  fealed  Love!  and  O  thou,  God's  old 
 Delight !  give  me  leave  to  ftand  befide  thy  love,  and  look  in  and 
 ■wonder,  and  give  me  leave  to  wifti  to  love  thee,  if  I  can  do  no 
 more.'     2.  We  being  born  in  atheifm,  and  bairns  of  the  houfe 
 that  we  are  come  of,  it  is  no  new  thing,  my  dear  brother,  for  us  to 
 be  under  jealoufies  and  miftakes  about  the  love  of  God.     What 
 think  ye  of  this,  that  the  man  Chrift  was  tempted  to  believe  there 
 were  but  tv^o  perfons  in  the  blefied  God-head,  and  that  the  Son 
 cf  God,  the  fubftance  and  cc-eternal  Son,  was  not  the  lawful  Son 
 of  God  ?  Did  not  Satan  fay.  If  thou  be  the  Son  of  God  .''    3.  Ye 
 lay,  that  ye  know  not  what  to  do.     Your  Head  faid  once  that 
 fame  word,    or  not  far  from  it,  John  xii.  27.     Now  is  my  foul 
 troubled,  and  what  fhall  I  fay  ?  And  faith  anfwered  Ch rift's  What 
 lliall  1  fay  ?  with   thefe  words,  O  tempted   Saviour,  alkeft  thou, 
 What  fhail  I  fay?  Say,  Pray,  Father,   fave  me  from  this  hour. 
 What  courfe  can  ye  take  but  pray  and  frift  Chrift  his  own  comforts  ? 
 He  is  no  dyvour,  take  his  word.  Oh  (fay  ye)  I  cannot  pray.  Anfw. 
 Honell  fighing  is  faith  breathing  and  whifpering  in  the  ear:  the 
 life  is  not  out  of  faith,  where  there  is  fighing,  looking  up  with  the 
 eyes,  aiid  bre<ithing  toward  God.     Lam.  iii.  36.    Hide  not  thii^e 
 
Epift.  30.3  LETTERS.  381 
 
 car  at  my  breathing.    But  what  {hall  I  do  in  fpiritua!  exercifes  ? 
 ye  fay,  Anfw.  i.    If  ye  knew  particularly  what  to  do,  it  were  not 
 a  fpiritual  exercifc.     2.  In  my  weak  judgment  ye  would  firft  fay, 
 I  would  glorify  God  in  believing  David's  falvation,  and  the  bride's 
 marriage  with  the  Lamb,  and  love  the  church's  llain  Hufband,  al- 
 though I  cannot  for  the  prefent  believe  mine  own  falvaticn.    3. 
 Say,  i  will  not  pafs  from  my  claim ;  fuppofe  Chrift  would  pafs  from 
 his  claim  to  me,  it  (hall  not  go  back  upon  my  fide  :  howbeit  my 
 love  to  him  be  not  worth  a  drink  of  water,  yet  Chrift  fhall  have 
 it  fuch  as  it  is.    4.  Say,  I  fhall  rather  fpill  twenty  prayers,  than 
 not  pray  at  all :  let  my  broken  words  go  up  to  heaven  j  when  they 
 come  up  into  the  great  Angel's  golden  ccnfer,  that  compaflionate 
 Advocate  will  put  together  my  broken  prayers,  and  perfume  them : 
 ■words  are  but  accidents  of  prayer.    Oh  (fays  he)  I  am  (lain  with 
 bardnefs  of  heart,  and  troubled  with  confufed  and  melancholious 
 thoughts.    Anfw.  My  dear  brother.  What  would  ye  conclude 
 thence,  that  ye  knew  not  well  who  aught  you  !  I  grant :  Oh,  my 
 heart  is  hard !  Oh,  my  thoughts  of  faithlefs  forrow  !  Ergo,  I  know 
 not  who  aught  me,  were  good  logic  in  heaven  amongft:  angels  and 
 the  glorified  ;  but  down  in  ChriiVs  hofpital,  where  fick  and  di- 
 llempered  fouls  are  under  cure,  it  is  not  worth  a  draw ;  give  Chriil 
 time  to  end  his  work  in  your  heart;  hold  on  in  feeling  and  be- 
 wailing your  bardnefs;  for  that  is  foftnefs  to  feel  hardnefs.    2.  I 
 charge  you  to  make  pfalms  of  Chrlfl's  praifes  for  his  begun  work 
 of  grace  ;  m.ake  Chrift  your  mufic  and  your  fong  ;  for  complain- 
 ing and  feeling  of  want  doth  often  fwallow  up  your  praifes.  What 
 think  ye  of  thofe  who  go  to  hell  never  troubled  with  fuch  thoughts  ? 
 If  your  exercifes  be  the  way  to  hell,  God  help  me  ;  I  have  a  cold 
 coal  to  blow  at,  and  a  blank  paper  for  heaven:  I  give  you  Ch rift's 
 caution,   and  my  heaven  furety  for  your  falvation.    Lend  Chrift 
 your  melancholy,  for  Satan  hath  no  right  to  make  a  chamber  in 
 your  melancholy  ;  borrow  joy  and  comforts  from  the  Comforter  ; 
 bid  the  Spirit  do  his  office  in  you;  and  remember,  that  faith  is  one 
 thing,  and  the  feeling  and  notice  of  faith  another  :   God  forbid 
 that  feeling  were  prcprium  quarto  niodo  to  all  the  faints  ;  and  that 
 this  were  good  reafoning,  no  feeling,  no  grace.  I  am  fure,  ye  were 
 not  always,  thefe  twenty  years  by-paft,  actually  knowing  that  yc 
 live;  yet  all  this  time  ye  are  living  :  fo  is  it  with  the  life  of  faith. 
 But,  alas  !  dear  brother,  it  is  eafy  for  me  to  fpeak  words  and  fvl- 
 lables  of  peace  ;  but  Ifa.  Ivii.  1 9.  telleth  you,  I  create  peace ;  there 
 is  but  one  Creator,  ye  know.  Oh,  that  ye  may  get  a  letter  of  pence 
 i'ent  you  from  heaven  !  Pray  for  me,  and  for  grace  to  be  faithful, 
 and  gifts  to  be  able  with  tongue  and  pen  to  glorify  God.  I  forget 
 you  not. 
 
 St.  Jndrcu'S,  Jan.  B.  Tours  in  his  fwcet  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 i(^-\o,  S.  R. 
 
38^  m  RUTHERFOORiy^  EpiU  31.J 
 
 31.    To  my  Lady  BOYD, 
 Maddniy 
 T  Received  your  LadyQiIp's  letter ;  but  beca^fe  T  was  ftlll  going 
 -*■  through  the  country  for  the  affairs  x>f  the  church*  I  have  had 
 no  time  to  anfvver  it.    I  had  never  more  caufe  to  fear  than  I  have 
 now,  when  my  Lord  hath  reftored  me  to  my  fecond  created  hea- 
 ven on  earth,  and  hath  turned  my  apprehended  fears  into  joys, 
 and  great  deliverance  to  his  church,  whereof  1  have  my  (hare  and 
 part.     Alas  that  weeping  prayers,  anfwered  and  fent  back  from 
 heaven  with  joy,    (hould  not  have  laughing  praifes  !  O  that  this 
 land  would  repent,  and  lay  burdens  of  praifes  upon  the  top  of  the 
 fair  mount  Zion  !  Madam,  except  this  land  be  humbled,  a  refor- 
 mation is  rather  my  wonder  than  belief  at  this  time;  but  furely  it 
 muft  be  a  wonder,  and  what  is  done  already  is  a  wonder:  our  Lord 
 muft  reftore  beauty  to  his  churches  without  hire  \    for  we  were 
 fold  without  money,  and  now  our  buyers  repent  them  of  the  bar- 
 gain, and  would  gladly  give  again  better  cheap  than  rtiey  bought 
 us  :  they  devoured  Jacob,  and  ate  up  his  people  as  bread ;  now  Jacob 
 is  growing  a  living  child  in  their  womb,  and  they  would  fain  be 
 delivered  of  the  child,  and  remler  the  birth  ;  our  Lord  {hall  be 
 Midwife.    Oh  that  this  land  be  not  like  Lphraim,  an  unwife  fon, 
 that  ftayeth  too  long  in  the  place  of  breaking  forth  of  children  ! 
 Your  Ladylhip  is  blefled  with  children,  who  are  honoured  to  build 
 up  Chrift's  wafte  places  again  ;  I  believe  your  Lady  (hip  will  thinic 
 them  well  bellowed  on  that  work,  and  that  Zion's  beauty  is  your 
 joy:  this  is  a  mark  and  evidence  from  heaven,  which  helpeth  weal; 
 ones  to  hold  their  grip,  when  other  marks  fail  them,  i  hope  your 
 Ladyftiip  is  at  a  good  underftanding  with  Chrift;  and  that,  as  be- 
 cometh  a  Chriilian,  ye  take  him  up  aright  (for  many  miflake  and 
 miiliape  Chrift)  in  his  comings  and  goings ;  your  wants  and  falls 
 proclaim,  ye  have  nothing  of  your   own,  but  what  ye  borrow; 
 (nay,  yourfelf  is  not  your  own)  but  Chrift  hath  given  himfelf  to 
 5'ou  :  put  Chrift  to  the  bank,  and  heaven  fnail  be  your  intereft  and 
 income;  love  him,  for  ye  cannot  over-love  him  ;  take  up  your 
 houfe  in  Chrift,  let  him  dwell  in  you,  and  abide  in  him ;  and  then 
 ye  may  look  out  of  Chrift,  and  laugh  at  the  clay  heavens,  that  the 
 fons  of  men  are  fecking  after  on  this  fide  of  the  water.    Chrift 
 mindeth  to  make  your  lofies  grace's  great  advantage :  Chrift  will 
 lofe  nothing  of  you ;  nay,  not  your  fins,  for  he  hath  an  ufe  for  them, 
 as  well  as  for  your  fervice;  howbcit  ye  are  to  lothe  yourfelf  for 
 thefe.  I  hope  ye  fetch  all  the  heaven  ye  have  here  in  this  life  from 
 that  which  is  up  above ;  and  that  your  anchor  is  caften  as  high 
 and  deep  as  Chrift;  oh,  but  it  is  far  and  many  a  mile  to  his  bot- 
 tom !  If  I  had  known  long  fince,  as  I  do  now,  (ihough  ftill  alasj 
 
Epiil.  32]  LETTERS.  383 
 
 I  am  ignorant)  what  was  in  Chrift,  I  would  not  have  been  fo  late 
 in  darting  to  the  gate  to  feek  him.  Oh,  what  can  I  do  or  fay  to 
 him,  who  hath  made  the  north  render  me  back  again  !  A  grave 
 is  no  fure  prilbn  to  him  for  the  keeping  of  dry  bones.  Wo  is  me, 
 that  my  foolirn  forrow  and  unbelief,  being  on  horfeback,  did  ride 
 fo  proudly  and  witlefsly  over  my  Lord's  providence :  but  when 
 my  fairh  was  aflecp,  Chrifi:  was  awake ;  and  nov/,  when  I  am  a- 
 wake,  I  fay,  he  did  all  things  well.  Oh,  infinite  wifdom  !  Oh,  in- 
 comparable loving  kindneis  !  Alas,  that  the  heart  I  have,  is  fo 
 little  and  worthlefs  for  fuch  a  Lord  as  Chrifi  is  !  Oh,  what  odds 
 find  the  faints  in  hard  trials,  when  they  feel  fap  at  their  roots,  be- 
 twixt them  and  fun-burnt  withered  profeffors  !  crofies  and  ftorms 
 caufe  them  to  cafe  their  blooms  and  leaves.  Poor  worldlings,  what 
 will  ye  do,  when  the  fpan-iength  of  your  forenoon's  laughter  is 
 ended,  and  when  the  weeping  fide  of  providence  is  turned  to  you  ? 
 I  put  up  all  the  favours  ye  have  beftowed  on  my  brother  upon 
 Chriil's  fcore,  in  whofe  books  are  many  fuch  counts,  and  who  will 
 requite  them  :  I  wifh  you  to  be  bui!ded  more  and  more  upon  the 
 ftone  laid  in  Zion.  and  then  ye  fhall  be  the  more  fit  to  have  a  hand 
 in  rebuilding  our  Lord's  fallen  tabernacle  in  this  land,  in  which  yc 
 fliall  find  great  peace,  when  ye  come  to  grips  with  death  the  king 
 of  terrors.  The  God  of  peace  be  with  your  Ladyfhip,  and  keep 
 you  blamelefs  till  the  day  of  cur  Lord  Jefus. 
 
 St.  /indreiis.  Tour  Ladyfhip^s  at  a!!  obedience  in  his 
 
 fii'cei  Lord  and  Mujicry     S.  R. 
 
 32.    To  his  very  dear  friend  JOHN  FENNICK. 
 
 Much  honoured  and  dear  friend, 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  the  necefTary  impedi- 
 ^-^  ments  of  my  calling  have  hitherto 'kept  me  from  making  a 
 return  to  your  letter,  the  heads  whereof  1  fhall  now  briefly  anfwer ; 
 as,  I.I  approve  your  going  to  the  Fountain,  when  your  own  ci- 
 ftern  is  dry:  a  difference  there  mull  be  betwixt  Chriil's  well  and 
 your  borrowed  water ;  and  why  but  ye  have  need  of  emptinefs  and 
 drying  up,  as  well  as  ye  have  need  of  the  well  ?  want,  and  a  hole, 
 there  mult  be  in  our  veffel,  to  leave  room  to  Chrift's  art ;  his  well 
 hath  its  own  need  of  thirfty  drinkers,  to  commend  infinite  love, 
 which  from  eternity  did  brew  fuch  a  cellar  of  living  waters  for  us. 
 Ye  commend  his  free  love;  and  it  is  well  done:  oh,  if  I  could 
 help  you,  and  if  I  could  be  mafter-conveener,  to  gather  an  earth-fuH 
 and  an  heaven-full  of  tongues,  dipped  and  fbeeped  in  my  Lord's 
 well  of  love,  or  his  wine  of  love,  even  tongues  drunken  with  hit 
 love,  to  raife  a  fong  of  praifes  to  him,  betwixt  the  eaft  and  weft 
 end,  and  furtheft  points  of  the  broad  heavens  !  If  I  were  in  your 
 Cafe  (as  alas !  my  dry  and  dead  heart  is  not  novv  in  that  garden} 
 
3^4  Uv  nUTHERFOOR D's  Eplft.  3 2.] 
 
 I  would  borrow  leave  to  come,  and  ftand  upon  the  banks  and  coafts 
 of  that  fea  of  love,  and  be  a  feafted  foul,  to  fee  love's  fair  tide,  free 
 love's  high  and  lofty  waves,  each  of  them  higher  than  ten  earths, 
 flowing  in  upon  pieces  of  loft  clay.  O  welcome,  welcome,  great 
 fea  !  Oh,  if  I  had  as  much  love  for  widenefs  and  breadth,  as  twen- 
 ty outmofl  fhells  and  fpheres  of  the  heaven  of  heavens,  that  I  might 
 receive  in  a  little  fiood  of  his  free  love  !  Come,  come,  dear  friend, 
 and  be  pained,  that  the  king's  wine  cellar  of  free  love  and  his  ban- 
 queting houfe  (O  fo  wide,  fo  ftatcly  !  O  fo  God-like,  fo  glory- 
 like I)  Ihould  be  fo  abundant,  fo  oversowing,  and  your  fhallow  vef- 
 fel  fo  little,  to  take  in  fome  part  of  that  love;  but:  fince  it  cannot 
 come  into  you,  for  want  of  room,  enter  yourfelf  in  this  fea  of  love, 
 and  breathe  unt^er  thefe  waters,  and  die  of  love,  and  live  as  one  dead 
 and  drowned  of  this  love.  But  why  do  ye  complain  of  waters  going 
 over  your  foul,  and  that  the  fmoke  of  the  terrors  of  a  wrathful  Lord 
 doth  almofl:  fufFocate  you,  and  bring  you  to  death's  brink  ?  I  know 
 the  fault  is  in  your  eyes,  not  in  him;  it  is  not  the  rock  that  fleeth 
 and  moveth,  but  the  green  failor;  if  your  fenfe  and  apprehenfion 
 be  made  judge  of  his  love,  there  is  a  graven  image  made  prefently, 
 even  a  changed  god,  and  a  foe-god,  who  was  once  (when  ye  walh- 
 ed  your  fteps  with  butter,  and  the  rock  poured  you  out  rivers  of 
 oil.  Job  xxix.  6.)  a  Friend-God.  Either  now  or  never  let  God 
 work;  ye  had  never,  fince  ye  was  a  man,  fuch  a  fair  field  for  faith ; 
 for  a  painted  hell,  and  an  apprehenfion  of  wrath  in  your  Father, 
 is  faith's  opportunity  to  try  what  ftrength  is  in  it.  Now,  give 
 God  as  large  a  meafure  of  charity  as  ye  have  of  forrow :  now  fee 
 faith  to  be  faith  indeed,  if  ye  can  make  your  grave  betwixt  Ghrift's 
 feet,  and  fay,  *  Though  he  fliould  flay  me,  I  will  truft  in  him ; 
 his  believed  love  fnall  be  my  winding-Hieet,  and  all  my  grave- 
 clothes;  I  fhall  roll  and  few  in  my  foul,  my  flain  foul,  in  that  web, 
 his  fweet  and  free  love  :'  and  let  him  write  upon  my  grave,  *  Here 
 lieth  a  believing  dead  man,  breathing  out  and  making  an  hole  in 
 death's  broad-fide,  and  the  breath  of  faith  cometh  forth  through 
 the  hole.'  See  now  if  ye  can  overcome  and  prevail  with  God,  and 
 wreftle  God's  tempting  to  death  quite  out  of  breath,  as  that  re- 
 nowned wreftler  did,  Hof.  xii.  3.  *  And  by  his  ftrength  he  had 
 power  with  God  ;  ver.  4.  Yea,  he  had  power  over  the  Angel,  and 
 prevailed.'  He  is  a  ftrong  man  indeed,  who  overmatcheth  heaven's 
 ftrength,  and  the  holy  One  of  Ifrael,  the  ftrong  Lord,  which  is 
 done  all  by  a  fecret  fupply  of  divine  ftrength  within,  wherewith  the 
 tveakeft  being  ftrcngthened,  overcome  and  conquer.  It  ftiall  be 
 great  vi£lory,  to  blow  out  the  flame  of  that  furnace  ye  are  nov*^  in, 
 with  the  breath  of  faith  :  and  when  hell,  men,  malice,  cruelty, 
 falftiood,  devils,  the  feeming  glooms  of  a  fweet  Lord,  meet  you  in 
 the  teeth,  if  ye  then  as  a  captive  of  hope,  as  one  fettered  in  hope's 
 prifon,  run  to  your  ftrong  hold,  even  from  God's  glooming  to  God 
 
Epift.  32.]  LETTERS.  385 
 
 glooming  ;  and  believe  the  lalvation  of  th^  Lord  In  the  darlc,  which 
 is  your  only  viclory  :  your  enemies  sre  but  pieces  of  malicious 
 clay  ;  they  ihali  die  as  men,  and  be  confounded.  But  that  your 
 troubles  are  many  at  once,  and  arrows  come  in  from  all  airts,  trom 
 country,  friends,  wife,  children,  foes,  eftate,  and  right-down  from 
 God,  who  is  the  hope  and  fi:ay  of  your  foul,  I  confefs  is  more,  and 
 very  heavy  to  be  borne  :  vfrt  all  thcfeare  not  more  than  grace;  all 
 thefe  bits  of  coals,  caften  in  your  fea  of  mercy,  cannot  dry  it  up. 
 Your  troubles  are  many  and  great,  yet  not  an  ounce-weight  be- 
 yond the  meafure  of  intinite  wifdom,  I  hope,  nor  beyond  the  mea- 
 fure  of  grace  that  he  is  to  bei^ow ;  for  our  Lord  never  yet  brake 
 the  back  of  his  child,  nor  fpilt  his  own  work  :  nature's  plaiflering 
 and  counterfeit-work  he  doth  often  break  in  fhreads  and  putteth 
 out  a  candle  not  lighted  at  the  Sun  of  righteoufnefs  j  but  he  mult 
 cherifh  his  own  reeds,  and  handle  them  foi'tiy  ;  never  a  reed  gettetb 
 a  thrult  with  the  Mediator's  hand,  to  lay  together  the  two  ends  of 
 the  reed.  O  what  bonds  and  ligaments  hath  cur  Chirurgeon  of 
 brok;!n  fpirits,  to  bind  up  all  his  iame  and  bruifed  ones  with  !  calt 
 your  disjointed  fpirit  in  his  lap,  and  lay  your  burden  upon  One, 
 who  is  fo  willing  to  take  your  cares  and  your  fears  off  you,  and  to 
 exchange  and  nitf'er  your  crofies,  and  to  give  you  new  for  old, 
 and  gold  for  Iron,  even  to  give  you  garments  of  praife  for  ttie  fpi- 
 rit of  heavinefs.  It  is  true  in  a  great  part  what  ye  write  of  this 
 kirk,  that  the  letter  of  religion  only  is  reformed,  and  fcarce  that :  I 
 do  not  believe,  our  i-ord  will  build  his  Zion  in  this  land,  upon  this 
 Ikin  of  reformation :  fo  long  as  our  fcum  remainerh,  and  our  heart- 
 idols  are  keeped,  this  work  mull:  be  at  a  ftand ;  and  therefore  our 
 Lord  muft  yet  fift  this  land,  and  fearch  us  with  candles;  and  £ 
 know,  he  (hail  give  and  not  fell  us  his  kingdom.  His  grace  and 
 our  remaining  gulhinefs  m.uft  be  compared,  and  the  one  mull  be 
 feen  in  the  glory  of  it,  and  the  other  in  the  Anfulnefs  of  it ;  but  I 
 dcfire  to  believe,  and  would  gladly  hope  to  fee,  that  the  ^lanciii;];' 
 andfliiniiig  luilre  of  glory, coming  from  thediaaiondsandftonesfcE 
 in  the  crown  of.  our  Lord  Jefus,  ftjall  calt  rays  and  beams  many 
 thoufand  miles  about.  I  hope  Chrift  is  upon  a  great  marriage; 
 and  that  his  wooing  and  fuitingof  his  excellent  bride  doth  take  its 
 beginning  from  us,  the  ends  of  the  earth  O  what  joy  and  wh  it 
 glory  would  I  judge  it,  if  my  heaven  Ihculd  befufpended  tilllmiglii: 
 have  leave  to  run  on  foot  to  be  a  witnefs  of  that  marriage-glory, 
 and  fee  Chrift  put  on  the  glory  oi  his  lafl  married  bride,  and  his 
 lafl  marriage  love  on  earth,  when  he  Ihall  enlarge  his  love-bed,  and 
 fet  it  upon  the  top  of  the  mountains,  and  titke  in  the  elder  fiftcr, 
 the  Jews,  and  the  fulnefs  of  the  Gentiles !  It  were  heaven's  honour 
 and  glory  upon  earth,  to  be  his  lackey,  to  run  at  his  hoife's  foot, 
 and  hold  up  the  train  of  his  marringe-rube- royal,  in  the  day  vi 
 9ur  high  and  royal  Solomon's  cfojiifaU.     But  O  what  elory  f 
 
 Ccc 
 
386  Mr  RUTNERFOORD's  Epift.  32.J 
 
 have  a  feat  or  bed  in  Jefus's  chariot,  that  is  bottomed  with  gold, 
 and  paved  and  lined  over,  and  floored  within  with  love  for  the 
 daughters  of  Jerufaiem  !  Cant.  iii.  10.  To  ly  upon  fuch  a  King's 
 Jove,  were  a  bed  next  to  the  flower  of  heaven*s  glory.  I  am  forry 
 to  hear  you  fpeak,  in  your  letter,  of  a  Gad  angry  at  you,  and  of 
 the  fenfe  of  his  indignation,  which  only  arifeth  from  fuffering 
 for  Jefus ,  all  that  is  now  come  upon  you.  Indeed  appre- 
 hcntled  wrath  flameth  out  of  fuch  aflies  as  apprehended  fin,  but 
 not  from  fuffering  foi  Chrift:  but,  fuppofe  ye  were  in  hel!,  for 
 by-goues  and  for  old  debt,  I  hope  ye  owe  Chrift  a  great  fum  of 
 charity,  to  believe  the  fweetnefs  of  his  love.  I  know  what  it  is  to 
 fm  in  that  kind  ;  it  is  to  fin  out  (if  it  were  pofiible)  the  uncbange- 
 ablenefs  of  a  God-head  out  of  Chrift,  and  to  fin  away  a  lovely  and 
 unchangeable  God.  Put  more  honeft  apprchenfions  upon  Chriit^ 
 put  on  his  own  mafk  upon  his  face,  and  not  your  vail  made  of 
 unbeliet,  which  fpeaketh  as  if  he  borrowed  love  to  you  from  you> 
 and  your  demerits  and  finful  defervings.  Oh,  no !  Chrift  is 
 man,  but  he  is  not  like  man;  he  hath  man's  love  in  heaven,  but 
 it  is  luftred  with  God's  love,  and  it  is  very  God's  love  ye  have  to 
 do  with:  when  your  wheels  go  about,  he  ftandeth  ftill.  Let  God 
 be  God,  and  be  ye  a  man,  and  have  ye  the  deferring  of  man,  and 
 the  fin  of  one,  who  hath  fuffered  your  "Well-beloved  to  flip  away, 
 nay,  hath  rcfufed  him  entrance,  when  he  was  knocking,  till  his 
 head  and  locks  were  frozen  :  yet,  what  is  that  to  him?  His  bock 
 keepeth  your  name,  and  is  not  fainted  and  re-printed,  and  chan- 
 ged and  corrected:  and  why,  but  h«  (hould  go  to  his  place  and 
 hide  himfeif  ?  howbeit  his  departure  be  his  own  good  work,  yet 
 the  belief  of  it  in  that  manner  is  your  fin  ;  but  wait  on  till  he  re- 
 turn with  falvation,  and  caufe  you  rejoice  in  the  latter  end.  It  ist 
 not  much  to  complain ;  but  rather  believe  than  complain,  and  fii 
 in  the  duft,  and  clofe  your  mouth,  till  he  make  your  fown  light 
 grow  again  ;  for  your  afSiiSlions  are  not  eternal,  time  will  end  them, 
 and  fo  fliall  ye  at  length  fee  the  Lord's  falvation  ;  his  love  fleepeth 
 not,  but  is  flill  in  working  for  you  ;  his  falvation  will  not  tarry  nor 
 linger ;  and  fuffering  for  him  is  the  nobleft  crofs  that  is  out  ot  hea- 
 ven. Your  Lord  hath  the  wail  and  choice  of  ten  thoufand  other 
 crofTes,  befide  this,  to  exercife  you  withal  *,  but  his  wifdom  and  his 
 love  wailed  and  choofed  out  this  for  you,  befide  them  all :  and  take 
 it  as  a  choice  one,  and  make  ufe  of  it,  fo  as  ye  look  to  this  world 
 »syourftep-mother,  in  your  borrowed  prifon  •,  for  it  is  a  love-look 
 to  heaven,  and  the  other  fid«  of  the  water,  that  God  feeketh  :  and 
 this  is  the  fruit,  the  flower  and  bloom  growing  out  of  your  crofs, 
 that  ye  be  a  dead  man  to  time,  to  clay,  to  gold,  to  country,  to 
 friends,  wife,  children,  and  ail  pieces  of  created  nothings;  for  in 
 them  there  is  not  a  feat  nor  bottom  for  foul's  love.  O  what  roon* 
 S?  for  voui  love  (if  it  were  as  bioad  as  thefea)  up  in  heaven  ;ind  in 
 
^pift.  33-1  LETTERS.  3^7 
 
 God!  and  what  would  not  Qhritl:  give  for  your  love  ?  God  g;»ve 
 lb  much  for  your  foul ;  and  bliriTed  are  ye  if  ye  have  a  love  for  hlir., 
 and  Cdii  call  in  >our  foul's  love  from  all  idols,  and  can  make  a  Got! 
 of  God,  a  God  of  Chrift,  aud  draw  a  line  betivixt  your  heart  ruul 
 him.  If  your  deliverance  come  not,  Chrlft's  prefence  and  his  be- 
 lieved love  mud  fl:and  as  caution  and  furety  for  your  deliverance, 
 till  your  Lord  fend  it  in  his  bkfled  time;  for  Chrill  hath  many 
 faivacions,  if  we  could  fee  them :  and  I  would  think  it  better  born 
 comfort  and  joy,  that  comcth  from  the  faith  of  deliverance,  and  the 
 fui:h  of  bis  love,  than  that  which  cometh  from  deliverance  itfelf. 
 It  is  not  much  matter,  if  yc  find  e^fe  to  your  atHidied  foul,  what 
 be  the  means,  either  of  your  own  wilTiing,  or  of  God*s  choofing; 
 the  latter  I  am  fure  is  bell,  and  the  comfort  ftrongeO:  and  fweeteO: ; 
 let  the  Lord  abfolutely  have  the  ordering  o(  your  evils  and  troubles, 
 and  put  them  ofF  you,  by  recommending  your  crofs  and  your  fur- 
 nace to  him,  who  hath  fkili  to  melt  his  own  metal,  and  knoweih 
 well  what  to  do  with  his  furnace;  let  your  heart  be  willing,  that 
 Goi*s  fire  have  your  tin,  and  brafs,  and  drofs;  to  confent  to  want 
 corruption,    is    a    greater  mercy  than    many  profefTors  do  well 
 know;   and  to  refer  the  manner  of  God's  phyfic  to  his  own  wif- 
 dom,  whether  it  be  by  drawing  blood,  or  giving  fugared  drinks: 
 that  he  cureth  (Ick  folks  without  pain,  it  is  a  great  point  of  faith  ; 
 and  to  believe  Chrift's  crofs  to  be  a  friend,  as  he  himfelf  is  a  Friend, 
 is  alfo  a  fpecial  aci  of  faith  :   but  when  ye  are  over  the  water,   this 
 cafe  (liall  be  a  yefterday,  paft  an  hundred  years  ere  ye  were  born  ; 
 and  the  cup  of  pjory  fti  ill  walh  the  memory  of  all  this  away,  and 
 make  it  as  nothing  :  only  now  take  Chrift  \u  with  you  under  vo-ji- 
 yoke,  and  let  patience  have  her  perfecl  work  ;  for  thib  h.ale  is  your 
 infirmity.     The  Lord  is  rifing  up  to   do  yo*j  good  in  the  latter 
 end :  put  on  the  faiih  of  his  falvation,   ajid  fee   him  poftiiig  and 
 hailing  towards  you.    Sir,  my  empioyniencs,  being  lb  great,  hin- 
 der me  to  write  at  more  length  ;  excufe  me  ;  1  hope  to  be  mind- 
 ful of  you.     I  fliall  be  obliged  to  you,  if  }e  help  me  with  your 
 prayers  for  this  people,  this  college,  and  my  own  poor  foul.    Grace 
 be  with  you.     Remember  my  love  to  your  wife. 
 
 St.  Andrews y  Feb.  ij.  1640.  Tcurs  inChnJl  Jcfus,   S.  R.. 
 
 33.  To  the  much  honoured  PETER  STIRLING. 
 T\Iuch  honoured  and  worthy  Sir, 
 T  Rccei^-ed  yours,  and  cannot  but  be  aHinmed  that  miftaking  love 
 •*•  hath  brought  me  in  court  and  account  in  the  he:\!t  of  God's 
 children,  Specially  of  another  nation.  I  fliould  no:  make  a  lie  ci 
 the  grace  of  God,  if  I  fhould  tlunk  I  have  little  fiiare  of  it  myult  • 
 O  how  much  better  were  it  for  me,  to  (land  in  the  counting-table 
 •f  many  for  a  halfpenny,  and  to  be  eileemed  a  liker,  ruthcr  than  a. 
 
 Ccc2 
 
3S8  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  34.] 
 
 Jover  of  Chrifi: !  If  I  were  weighed,  vanity  fhould  bear  down  the 
 fcale,  as  having  weight  in  the  balance  above  me,  except  my  lovely 
 Saviour  fhould  caft  inbefideme  Ibme  of  his  borrowed  worth.  And, 
 oh,  if  I  were  writing  now  fmcerely  in  this  extenuation,  which  may 
 be,  and  I  fear  is,  fubtile  and  cozening  pride  !   I  would  I  could  love 
 fomething  of  heaven's  worth,  in  you  and  all  of  your  metal.     O 
 bow  happy  were  1,  if  I  could  regain  and  conquer  back  from  the 
 creature  my  fold  and  loft  love,  that  I  might  lay  it  upon  heaven's 
 Jewel,  that  ever,  ever  blooming  Flower  of  the  higheft  garden,  everi 
 my  foul-redeeming  and  never-enough  prized  Lord  Jefus  !   O  that 
 he  would  wa{h  my  love,  and  put  it  on  the  Mediator's  wheel,  and 
 refine  it  from  its  drols  and  tin,  that  I  might  propine  and  gift  that 
 Lord,   (n  love-wcrthy,  v/ith  all  my  Jove!  O  if  i  could  fet  a  leafe 
 of  thoufands  of  years,  end  a  fufpenfion  of  my  part  ot  heaven's  glo- 
 ry, and  frill  till  a  long  day  my  dellred  fslvation,  fo  being  I  could, 
 in  this  lower  kitchen  and  under-vardt  of  his  creation,  be  fealted 
 with  his  love,  and  that  1  might  be  :».  loot-ltool  to  his  glory,  before 
 nien  and  angels  I  Oh  if  he  would  let  out  heaven's  fountain  upon 
 v/ithered  me,  dry  and  laplefs  me  !  if  I  were  but  fick  of  love  for  his 
 love,   (and  oh,  how  would  that  ficknefs  delight  me  !)  how  fweet 
 would  that  eafing  and   refreibing  pain  be  to  my  foul  ?  1  fhall  be 
 glad  to  be  a  witnefs  to  behold  the  kingdoms  of  the  world  become 
 < 'hrift's  :  I  could  ftay  out  of  heaven  many  years,  to  fee  that  victo- 
 rious triumphing  Lord  acl  that  prophefied  part  of  his  foul-conque- 
 ring love,  in  taking  into  his  kingdom  the  greater  filter,  that  kirk  of 
 the  Jews,  who  fometimes  courted  our  well-beloved  for  her  little 
 iifter,  Cant.  viii.  8.  to  behold  him  fet  up  as  an  enfign  and  banner 
 of  love,  to  the  ends  of  the  world.     And  truly  we  are  to  believe, 
 that  his  wrath  is  ripe  for  the  bnd  of  graven  images,  and  for  the 
 falling  of  that  mill-ftone  in  the  midft  of  the  fca.     Grace  be  with 
 you. 
 
 iSY,  Andrews i  March  6t  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1640.  S.  R. 
 
 34.     To  the  Lady  FINGASK. 
 
 Madam, 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you:  though  not  acquainted, 
 ^^  yet,  at  the  defire  of  a  Chriftian,  I  make  bold  to  write  a  line 
 or  two  unto  vou  by  way  of  counfel  (howbeit  I  be  moft  unfit  for 
 that),  I  hear,  and  I  blefs  the  Father  of  lights  for  it,  that  ye  have  a 
 fpirit  fet  to  feek  God,  and  that  the  pofture  of  your  heart  is  to  look 
 heaven-ward;  which  is  a  work  and  caft  of  the  Mediator  Chrift's 
 right-hand,  who  putteth  on  the  heart  a  new  franae,  for  the  which 
 I  would  h'lve  your  Ladyfhip,  to  fee  a  tye  and  bond  of  obedience 
 laid  upon  you,  that  all  may  be  done,  not  fo  much  from  obligation 
 
Epift.  34.]  LETTERS.  3S9 
 
 of  law,  as  from  the  tye  of  free  love  ;  that  the  law  of  ranfom-pay- 
 ing  by  Chrift  may  b^  the  chief  ground  of  all  your  obedience,  fee- 
 ing that  ye  are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace.  Withal,  know 
 that  unbelief  is  a  fpiritual  fin,  and  fo  not  feen  by  nature's  light; 
 and  that  all  confcit^nce  faith  is  not  fcripture :  fuppofe  your  heart 
 bear  witnefs  againft  you,  for  fins  done  long  ago;  yet,  becaufe 
 manv'have  pardon  with  God,  that  have  not  peace  with  themfelve^, 
 ye  are  to  (land  and  fall  by  Chrift's  efi:eem  and  verdict  of  you,  and 
 net  by  that  which  your  heart  faith.  Suppofe  it  may  by  accident  be 
 a  good  fign,  to  be  jealous  of  your  heavenly  Hufband's  love,  yet  it 
 is  a  finful  fign;  as  there  be  fome  happy  fins  (if  I  may  fpeak  fo) 
 not  of  themfelves,  but  becaufe  they  are  neighboured  with  faith 
 and  love.  And  fo,  worthy  Lady,  I  would  have  you  hold  by  this, 
 that  the  ancient  love  of  an  old  hufband  ftandeth  firm  and^  fure  ; 
 arid  let  faith  hing  by  this  fmall  thread,  that  he  loved  you  before 
 he  laid  the  corner-flone  of  the  world  ;  and  therefore  he  cannot 
 change  his  mind,  becaufe  he  is  God,  and  refts  in  his  love.  Nei- 
 ther is  fin  in  you  a  good  reafon,  wherefore  ye  fhould  doubt  of  him, 
 or  think,  becaufe  fin  hath  put  you  in  the  courtpfy  and  reverence 
 of  juftice,  that  therefore  he  is  wroth  with  you:  neither  is  it  pre- 
 fu mption  in  you,  to  lay  the  burden  oi  your  falvation  upon  One 
 mighty  to  fave ;  fo  being  ye  lay  afide  all  confidence  in  yourfelf, 
 your  worth  and  righteoufnefs.  True  faith  is  humble,  and  feeth  no 
 way  to  efcr.pe  but  only  in  Chrift;  and  I  believe  ye  have  put  an  e- 
 fteem  anc'  high  price  upon  Chrift;  and  they  cannot  but  believe, 
 and  fo  be  faved,  who  love  Chrift,  and  to  whom  he  is  precious  : 
 for  the  love  of  Chrift  hath  chofen  Chrift  as  a  Lover;  and  it  were 
 not  like  God,  if  ye  ftiould  choofe  him  as  your  liking,  and  he  not 
 choofe  you  ag?in  :  nay,  he  hath  prevented  you  in  that ;  for  ye  have 
 not  chofen  him,  but  he  hath  chofen  you.  O  confider  his  lovelinefs 
 and  beauty,  and  that  there  is  nothing  which  can  commend  and 
 jivjke  fair  heaven  or  earth,  or  the  creature,  that  is  not  in  him,  in 
 infinite  perfecllon ;  for  fair  fun  and  fair  moon  are  black,  and  thii}k 
 fliame  to  fliine  before  his  fairnefs,  Ifa.  xxiv.  23.  Bafe  heavens  and 
 excellent  Jefus ;  weak  angels,  and  ftrong  and  mighty  Jefus;  fool- 
 ifli  angcl-wifdom,  and  only  wife  Jefus  ;  Ihort  living  creature,  and 
 long  living,  and  ever-living  Ancient  of  days;  miferable  and  fick- 
 ly,  and  wretched  are  thofe  things  that  are  within  time's  circle, 
 r-nd.  only,  only  blefled  Jefus  !  if  ye  can  wind  in  his  love  (and  he 
 giveth  you  leave  to  love  him,  and  allurements  alfo)  what  a  fecond 
 heaven's  paradife,  a  young  heaven's  glory  is  it  to  be  hot  and  burn- 
 ed with  fevers  of  love-ficknefs  for  him  ?  and  the  more  your  Lady- 
 /liip  drinks  of  this  love,  there  is  the  more  room,  and  the  greater 
 delij>bt  and  delire  for  this  love.  He  homely  and  hunger  for  a  feaft 
 smd  fill  of  his  love  ;  for  that  is  the  borders  and  mr.rch  of  heaven  : 
 nothing  hath  a  nearer  refemblance  to  the  colour  and  hue  and  luftre 
 
3^90  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  35.] 
 
 of  heaven  than  Chrift  loved,  and  to  breathe  out  love-words,  and 
 9ove--fighs  for  him.  Reir.em'oer  what  he  is  ;  when  twenty  thoufand 
 millions  of  heaven's  lovers  have  worn  their  hearts  thread-bare  of 
 Jove,  all  is  nothing,  yea,  iefs  than  nothing  to  his  matchlefs  worth 
 and  exceliency  :  O  fo  broad  and  To  deep  as  the  (c^  of  his  defirable 
 lovclinefs  is  !  glorified  fpirits,  triumphing  angels,  the  crowned 
 and  exalted  lovers  of  heaven,  (land  without  his  iovelinefs,  and  can- 
 not put  a  circle  on  it.  Oh,  if  fin  and  time  were  from  betwixt  us 
 and  that  royal  and  King's  Jove,  that  high  Majefty,  eternity's  Bloom, 
 and  Flower  of  high  luftered  beauty,  might  (hine  upon  pieces  of 
 created  fpirits,  and  might  bedew  and  overflow  us,  who  are  por- 
 tions of  endleis  mifery,  and  lumps  of  redeemed  fin  !  Alas,  what 
 do  I  ?  I  but  fpill  and  lofe  words  in  fpeaking  highly  of  him,  who 
 will  bide  and  be  above  the  mufic  and  fongs  of  heaven,  and  never 
 be  enough  praifed  by  us  all ;  to  whofe  boundlefs  and  bottomlef^ 
 love  I  recommend  your  Ladyfhip,  and  am 
 
 tit.  JndrcwSy  March  27.     Tour  LadyJIjip-s  in  Chriji  Jefw^ 
 1640.  S.  R. 
 
 35.     To  his  reverend  and  dear  brother^  Mr.  DAViD 
 DICKSON. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  br other ^ 
 "Y  E  look  like  the  houfe  whereof  ye  are  a  branch  ;  the  crofs  is  a 
 ^  part  of  the  life-rent,  that  lieth  to  all  the  fons  of  the  houfe.  I 
 defire  to  fufier  with  you,  if  I  could  take  a  lift  of  your  houfc-trial 
 off  you  ;  but  ye  have  preached  it,  ere  I  knew  any  thing  of  God  : 
 your  Lord  may  gather  bis  rofes,  and  fhake  his  apples,  at  what  fea^ 
 Ion  of  the  year  he  pleafeth ;  each  hufbandman  cannot  make 
 harveft  when  he  pleafeth,  as  he  can  do :  ye  are  taught  to  know 
 and  adore  his  fovereignty,  which  he  exercifeth  over  you,  which 
 yet  is  luftred  with  mercy.  The  child  h::th  but  changed  a  bed  in 
 the  garden,  and  is  planted  up  higher  nearer  the  fun,  where  he 
 ihall  thrive  better  than  in  this  out-field  moor-ground ;  ye  muft 
 think  your  Lord  would  not  want  him  one  hour  longer ;  and  fince 
 the  date  of  your  loan  of  him  was  expired  (as  it  is  if  ye  read  the 
 leafe)  let  him  have  his  own  with  gain,  as  good  reafon  were.  I  read 
 on  it  an  exaltation  an<l  a  richer  meafure  ot  grace,  as  the  fweet  fruit 
 of  your  crofs ',  and  I  am  bold  to  fay,  that  that  college,  where  ycur 
 Mailer  hath  fet  you  now,  fliall  find  it.  I  am  content,  that  Chriffc 
 is  fo  homely  with  my  dear  brother,  David  Dickfon,  as  to  borrow 
 and  lend,  and  take  and  give  with  him  ;  and  yc  know,  what  are 
 called  the  vifitations  of  fuch  a  friend  •,  it  is  to  come  to  the  houfe, 
 and  be  homely  with  what  is  yours.  I  perfuade  myfelf  upon  his  cre- 
 dit, he  hath  left  drink-money,  and  that  he  hath  made  the  houfe 
 the  better  of  him  j  I  envy  not  \{\^  waking  love,  who  faw  that  this 
 
Epift.  36.]  LETTERS.  391 
 
 water  was  to  "be  paft  through,  and  that  now  the  number  of  croflrj 
 Jying  in  your  way  to  glory  are  fewer  by  one  than  when  I  faw  you; 
 they  mufl;  decreafe.  It  is  better  than  any  ancient  or  modern  com- 
 mentary on  your  text,  that  ye  preach  upon,  in  Glafgow  :  n^Tid  and 
 fpell  right,  for  he  knoweth  what  he  doth  ;  he  is  only  lopping  and 
 fnedding  a  fruitful  tree,  that  it  may  be  more  fruitful.  I  congratu- 
 late heartily  with  you  his  new  welcome  to  your  new  charge.  Dear- 
 eft  brother,  go  on  and  faint  not;  fomeihing  of  yours  is  in  hea* 
 ven,  befide  the  fleih  of  your  exalted  Saviour,  and  ye  go  on  after 
 your  own.  Time's  thread  is  fnorter  by  one  inch  than  it  was :  an 
 oath  is  fworn  and  paft  the  feals,  whether  afflictions  will  or  not, 
 ye  muft  grow  and  fwell  out  of  your  fhell,  and  live,  and  triumph, 
 and  reign,  and  be  more  than  a  conqueror:  for  your  Captain,  who 
 leadeth  you  on,  is  more  than  Conqueror,  and  he  makes  you  par- 
 taker of  his  conqueft  and  vi£tory.  Did  not  love  to  you  compel  me, 
 I  would  not  fetch  water  to  the  well,  and  fpeakto  one  who  know- 
 eth  better  than  I  can  do  what  God  is  doing  with  him.  R.emember 
 my  love  to  your  wife,  to  Mr  John,  and  all  friends  there.  Let  us 
 be  helped  by  your  prayers,  for  I  ceafe  not  to  make  mention  o£ 
 you  to  the  Lord  as  1  dow.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 St.  JndrevjSy  May  28.  Tours  in  his  fwect  Lord  Jcfus, 
 
 1640.  S.  R. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 36.    To  my  Lady  BOYD. 
 
 /'^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Impute  it  not  to  a  dlfrc- 
 ^^  fpedivc  forgetfulnefs  of  your  Ladylhip,  who  miniftred  to 
 me  in  my  bonds,  that  I  write  not  to  you:  1  wlfli  I  could  fpeak  or 
 write  what  might  do  good  to  your  Ladyfhip  •,  efpecially  now,  when 
 I  think  ye  cannor  but  have  deep  thoughts  of  the  deep  andbottom- 
 Jefs  ways  of  our  Lord,  in  taking  away  with  a  fudden  and  wonder- 
 ful ftroke,  your  brethren  and  friends.  Ye  m.ay  know,  all  that  di(i 
 for  fin,  die  not  in  fin  ;  and  that  none  can  teach  the  i\lmighty 
 knowledge  :  he  anfwereth  none  of  our  courts;  and  no  man  can 
 fay,  What  doft  thou  }  It  is  true  your  brethren  faw  not  many  fum- 
 mers;  but  adore  and  fear  the  fovereignty  of  the  great  Potter,  who 
 makcth  and  marreth  his  clay-vefTels,  when  and  how  it  pleafeth 
 him.  The  under-garden  is  abfolutely  his  own,  and  all  that  groweth 
 in  it  :  his  abfolute  liberty  is  law>bidingi  the  flvowcrs  arc  hid  own  : 
 if  fome  be  but  fummer-apples,  he  may  jjluck  them  down  before 
 others.  O  what  wifdom  is  it  to  believe,  and  not  to  difpute ;  to  fub- 
 jeft  the  thoughts  to  his  court,  and  not  to  repine  at  any  a£l  of  hiA 
 juftice  .^  he  hath  done  it,  all  ficfli  be  filent.  It  is  impoffible  to  ba 
 fubmiflive  and  religioufly  patient,  if  ye  ftay  your  thoughts  down 
 among  the  con/ufcU  roJUn^«  and  wheels  of  k^owX  cavi.^csj  as,  Oh^ 
 
391  Mt  ntJTHERFOOR  D's  Epift.  36.I 
 
 the  place  !  Oh,  the  time  !  Oh,  if  this  had  been,  this  had  not  follow- 
 ed !  Oh,  the  linking  of  this  accident  with  this  time  and  place  ! 
 Look  up  to  the  mafter-motion  and  the  firft  wheel  j  fee  and  read 
 the  decree  of  heaven  and  the  Creator  of  men,  who  brevveth  death 
 to  his  children,  and  the  manner  of  it :  and  they  fee  far  in  a  mili- 
 Itone,  and  have  eyes  that  make  a  hole  to  fee  through  the  one  fide 
 of  a  mountain  to  the  other,  who  can  take  up  iiis  ways  ;  how  un- 
 fearchabie  are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways  part  finding  out !  His 
 providence  halteth  not,  but  goeth  with  even  and  equal  legs;  yet  are 
 they  not  the  greateft  fmners  upon  whom  the  tower  of  Siioarn  fell. 
 Was  not  time's  leafe  expired,  and  the  fand  of  heaven's  fand-glafs 
 fet  by  our  Lord  run  out  ?  Is  not  he  an  unjuft  debitor,  who  payeth 
 due  debt  with  chiding  ?  I  believe,  Chriitian  Lady,  your  faith  leav- 
 eth  that  much  charity  to  our  Lord's  judgments,  as  to  believe,  how- 
 beit  ye  be  in  blood  fib  to  that  ciofs,  that  yet  ye  are  exempted  and 
 freed  from  the  gall  and  wrath  that  is  in  it.  I  dare  not  deny  but 
 (Job  xviii.  15.)  The  king  of  terrors  dwelleth  in  the  wicked  man's 
 tabernacle;  brimftone  (hall  be  fcattered  on  his  habitation;  yet. 
 Madam,  it  is  fafe  for  you  to  live  upon  the  faith  of  his  love,  whofe 
 arrows  are  over-watered  and  pointed  with  love  and  mercy  to  his 
 own,  and  who  knoweth  how  to  take  you  and  yours  out  of  the  roll 
 and  book  of  the  dead.  Our  Lord  hath  not  the  eyes  of  flelh,  in 
 diftributing  wrath  to  the  thoufandth  generation  without  exception. 
 Seeing  ye  are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace,  and  married  to 
 another  Hufband  ;  wrath  is  not  the  court  that  ye  are  liable  to.  As 
 i  would  not  with,  neither  do  I  believe  your  Ladydiip  doth  defplfe; 
 fo  neither  faint.  Read  and  fpell  aright  all  the  words  and  fyiiables 
 in  the  vifitalion,  and  mifcal  neither  letter  nor  fyllable  in  it.  Come 
 along  with  the  Lord,  and  fee,  and  lay  no  more  weight  upon  the  law 
 than  your  Chrill  hath  laid  upon  it.  If  the  law's  bill  get  an  anfwer 
 from  Chrift,  the  curfes  of  it  can  do  no  more:  and  1  hope  ye  have 
 refolved,  that  if  he  lliould  grind  you  to  powder,  your  duft  and 
 powder  (hall  believe  his  falvation.  And  who  can  tell,  what 
 thoughts  of  love  and  peace  our  Lord  hath  to  your  children  ^  I 
 truft  he  (hall  make  them  famous,  in  executing  the  written  judg- 
 ments upon  the  enemies  of  the  Lord;  this  honour  have  all  his 
 faints,  Pfal.  cxlix.  9.  and  that  they  fhall  bear  ftones  on  their  fiioui- 
 ders  for  building  that  fair  city,  that  is  called,  Ezek.  xlvi.  35.  The 
 Lord  is  there.  And  happy  fliall  they  be,  who  have  a  hand  in  the 
 fecking  of  Babel,  and  come  out  in  the  year  of  vengeance,  for  the 
 controverfy  of  Zion,  againft  the  land  of  graven  images.  Therefore, 
 Madam,  let  the  Lord  make  out  of  your  father's  houfe  any  work, 
 even  of  judgment,  that  he  pleafeth  :  what  is  wrath  to  others,  -is 
 mercy  to  you  and  your  houfe.  It  is  faith's  work,  to  claim  and  chal- 
 lenge loving  kindnefs  out  of  all  the  roughed  lirokcs  of  God.  Do 
 that  foi  the  Lord,  which  ye  will  do  for  timej  time  will  calm  your 
 
Epift.  36.]  LETTERS.  395 
 
 heart  at  that  which  God  hath  done,  and  let  our  Lord  have  it  now. 
 What  love  ye  did  bear  to  friends  now  dead,  leeing  they  ftand  no^v 
 in  no  need  of  it,  let  it  fall  as  jufi  legacy  to  Chrift.  Oh,  how  fweet 
 to  put  out  many  ftrange  lovers,  and  to  put  inChrill!  It  is  much 
 for  our  half-ilain  affedions,  to  part  with  that,  which  we  believe 
 we  have  right  unto:  but  the  fervant's  will  fhould  be  our  will,  and 
 he  is  the  beii  fervant,  ^'ho  retaineth  leaft  of  his  own  will,  and 
 mofl  of  his  maftcr's.  That  much  wifdom  mufl:  be  afcribed  to  our 
 l^ord,  that  he  knoweth  how  to  lead  his  own  in-through  and  out- 
 through  the  little  time-hells,  and  the  pieces  of  time-during 
 wraths  in  this  life;  and  yet  keep  fafe  his  love  without  any 
 blur  upon  the  old  and  ^reat  feal  of  free  eledtion  :  and  feeing  his 
 mountains  of  brafs,  the  mighty  and  ftrong  decrees  of  free  grace  in 
 Chrift,  ftand  fure,  and  the  covenant  ftandcth  faft  for  ever,  as  the 
 days  of  heaven,  let  him  ftrike  and  nurture  :  his  ftriking  muft  be 
 a  very  a6l  of  faving  :  feeing  ftrokes  upon  his  fecret  ones  come 
 from  the  loft  and  heavenly  hand  of  the  Mediator,  and  his  rods  are 
 fteeped  and  watered  in  that  flood  and  river  of  love,  that  cometh 
 from  the  God-man's  heart  of  our  foul-loving  and  foul-redeeming 
 Jesus.  I  hope  ye  are  content  to  frift  the  Cautioner  of  mankind 
 his  own  conqueft,  heaven,  till  he  pay  it  to  you,  and  bring  you  to 
 a  ftate  of  glory,  where  he  (hall  never  crook  a  linger  upon,  nor  lift 
 a  hand  to  you  again ;  and  be  content,  and  withal  greedily  covet- 
 ous of  grace,  the  intereft  and  pledge  of  glory.  If  I  did  not  be- 
 lieve your  crop  to  be  on  the  ground,  and  your  part  of  that  heaven 
 of  the  faints  heaven,  white  and  ruddy,  fair,  fair  and  beautiful  Je- 
 fus  were  come  to  the  bloom  and  the  liower,  and  near  your  hook, 
 1  would  not  write  this:  but  feeing  time's  thread  is  Ihort,  and  ye 
 are  upon  the  entry  of  heaven's  harveft,  and  Chrift,  the  field  of 
 heaven's  glory  is  white  and  ripe  like,  the  loftes  that  I  write  of  to 
 your  Ladylliip  are  but  fummer-fnowers,  that  will  only  wet  your 
 garments  for  an  hour  or  two,  and  the  fun  of  the  New  Jerufaiem 
 ihall  cjuickly  dry  the  wet  coat;  efpecially  feeing  rains  of  aiTiiclioii 
 cannot  ftain  the  image  of  God,  or  caufe  grace  to  caft  the  colour. 
 And  fince  yc  will  nor  alter  upon  him,  who  will  not  change  upon 
 you,  I  durft  in  wcaknefs  think  myfelf  no  fpiritual  feer,  if  I 
 ihould  not  prophefy,  that  day-light  is  near,  when  fuch  a  morn- 
 ing darknefs  is  upon  you;  and  that  this  trial  rf  your  Chriftian 
 mind  towards  him,  whom  ye  dare  not  h^avc,  howbeit  he  fhould 
 flay  you,  ftiall  clofe  with  a  doubled  mercy.  It  is  time  for  faith 
 to  hold  faft  as  much  of  Chrift  as  ever  ye  had,  and  to  nrake  the 
 grip  ftronger,  and  to  cleave  clofer  to  him;  feeing  Chrift  loverh 
 to  be  believed  in,  and  trulted  to.  The  glory  of  laying  HrengfU 
 upon  One  that  is  mighty  to  lave,  is  more  than  we  can  think  : 
 that  piece  of  fervice  of  believing  in  a  fmiting  Redeemer  is  a  pre- 
 cious part  of  obedience.     O  what  glory  to  him,  10  lay  oyer  the 
 
 D  d4 
 
394  Mr  RUTHERFOORDh  Epid  37.5 
 
 burden  of  our  heaven  upon  him,  that  purchafed  for  us  an  eternal 
 kingdom  !  O  bleiled  foul,  who  can  a^.ore  and  kifs  his  lovely,  free 
 grace.     The  rich  grace  of  Chriii  be  with  your  fpirit 
 
 St.  /Andrews,  Otl.  1 5.  Tours  at  all  obedience  in 
 
 1 640.  '  Chrift  Jejus,     S.  R. 
 
 37.     To  AGNES  MACM.ATH. 
 
 Dear  fijier, 
 7F  our  Lord  hath  taken  away  your  child,  your  leafe  of  him  Is 
 •■■  expired  \  and  feeing  Chrilt  would  want  him  no  longer,  it  is  your 
 part  to  hold  your  peace,  and  worOiip  and  adore  the  Sovereignty  and 
 liberty  that  the  Potter  hath  over  the  clay,   and  pieces  of  clay-no- 
 tilings,  th^t  he  gave  life  unto :  and  what  is  man,  to  call  and  fum- 
 mon  the  Almighty  to  his  lower  court  down  here  ?  for  he  givetli 
 account  of  none  of  his  doings.     And  if  ye  will  take  a  loan  of  a 
 child,  and  give  him  back  again  to  our  Lord,  laughing,  as  his  bor- 
 rowed goods  (houid  return  to  him  ;  believe,  he  is  not  gone  away, 
 but  lent  before  i  and  that  the  change  of  the  country  ihould  make 
 you  think,  he  is  not  loft  to  you,  who  is  found  to  Chrift  \  and  that 
 he  is  now  before  you,  and  that  the  dead  in  Chrilt, fliall  be  raifed  a- 
 gain-  A  going-down  ftar  is  not  annihilate,  but  fhall  appear  again  : 
 if  hehath  caftcn  his  bloomand  iiower,the  bloom  isfalien  in  heaven, 
 111  Chriffs  lap  \  and  as  he  was  lent  a  while  to  time,  fo  is  he  givers 
 now  to  eternity,  which  v/ill  take  yourfclf :  and  the  difference  of 
 YOur  fhipping  and  his  to  heaven  and  Ciniil's  fliore,  the  land  of  life> 
 is  only  in  fome  few  years,  which  weareth  every  day  fhorter,  and 
 iome  ihort  and  foon-reckoned  fummers  will  give  you  a   meeting 
 with  him  ;  but  what,  with  him  ?  nay,  with  better  company,  with 
 the  Chief  and  Leader  of  the  heavenly  troops,  that  are  riding  on 
 white  horfes,  that  are  triumphing  in  glory.     If  death  were  alleep 
 that  had  no  wakening,  we  might  forrow  :  but  our  Hufband  fhall 
 quickly  be  at  the  bed-iides  of  all  that  ly  lleeping  in  the  grave,  and 
 iiiall  raife  their  mortal,  bodies.    Chrift  was  death's  Cautioner,  who 
 gave  bis  word  to  come  and  loofe  all  the  clay-pawns,  and  fet  them 
 at  his  own  right-hand  ;  and  our  Cautioner,  Chrift,  hath  an  act  of 
 law-furety  upon  death,  to  render  back  his  captives  :  and  that  Lord 
 Jefus,  who  knoweth  the  turnings  and  windirjgs  that  are  in  that 
 black  trance  of  death,  hath  numbered  all  the  fteps  of  the.  ftair  up 
 to  heaven ;   he  knoweth  how  long  the  turn-pike  is,  or  how  many 
 pair  of  flairs  high  it  is  ;  for  he  afcended  that  way  himfelf,  Rev.  i. 
 18.    I  was  dead,  and  am  alive.     And  now  he  liveth  at  the  right- 
 hand  of  God,  and  his  garments  have  not  fo  much  as  a  finell  of 
 •  death.    Your  atHictions  fmeli  of  the  children's  cafe  ;  the  bairns  of 
 the  houfe  are  fo  nurtured :  and  fuffering  is  no  new  life,  it  is  but 
 the  rent  of  the  fons  •,  baltards  have  not  10  much  af  the  lenc.    Take 
 
Epift-sS.]  LETTERS.  ^^9S 
 
 kindly  and  heartfomely  with  hiscrofs,  who  never  yet  flew  a  child 
 with  the  crofs.  He  breweth  your  cup;  therefore  drink  it  pntient- 
 ly,  and  with  the  better  will  Stay  and  wait  on  till  Chrift  loole  the 
 knot  that  faftcneth  his  crois  on  your  back  ;  for  he  is  coming  to  de- 
 liver :  and  I  pray  you,  hfter,  learn  to  be  worthy  of  his  pains,  v/ho 
 correfteth  i  and  let  him  wring,  and  be  ye  wailien ;  for  he  hatii  a 
 Father's  heart  and  a  Father's  hand,  who  is  training  you  up,  and 
 making  you  meet  for  the  high  hail.  This  fchool  of  fullering  is  a 
 preparation  for  the  King's  higher  houfe;  and  let  all  your  viutati- 
 ons  fpeak  all  the  letters  of  your  Lord's  fummons.  They  cry,  i^ 
 O  vain  world  !  2.  O  bitter  fin  !  3.  O  fhort  and  uncertain  time  ! 
 4.  O  fair  eternity,  that  is  above  ficknefs  and  death  I  5.  O  kingly 
 and  princely  Bridegroom  !  haiten  glory's  marriiige,  fliorten  time'a 
 iliort  fpun  and  foon  broken  thread,  and  conquer  fin  !  6.  O  hunpy: 
 and  blclFed  death,  that  golden  bridge  laid  over  by  Chrift  my  Lord, 
 bc^twixt  time's  clay-banks  and  heaven's  lliorc  !  And  the  Spirit 
 and  the  bride  fay,  Come!  and  anfwer  ye  with  them,  Even  fo, 
 come,  Lord  Jcfus,  come  quickly!   Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 iS^.  .■Andrews,  Ocl.  15.  Tour  brother  in  hii  Juett  Lord 
 
 1640.  Jd^'h    S.  R. 
 
 38.     To  Mr.  MATTHEW  MOW  AT. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother y 
 "^TTHA T  am  1  to  anfwer  you  !  Alas!  my  books  are  all  bire,  and 
 ^^  Ihew  me  little  of  God  :  1  would  fain  go  beyond  books,  into 
 his  houfe  of  love,  to  himfelf.  Dear  brother,  neither  ye  nor  i  are 
 parties  worthy  of  his  love  or  knowledge.  Ah  !  how  hath  fm  bemifi- 
 ed  and  blinded  us,  that  we  cannot  fee  him  ^  But  for  my  poor  felf> 
 I  am  pained  and  like  to  burif.  bccaufe  he  will  not  take  down  the 
 wall,  and  fetch  his  uncreated  Beauty,  and  bring  his  matcniefs, 
 while  and  ruddy  face  out  of  heaven  one's  errand,  that  I  may  havci 
 heavc!)  metering  me  ere  1  go  to  it,  in  fuch  a  wonderlul  fight.  Ye 
 know  that  inajeity  and  love  do  humble,  becaufe  homely  love  to 
 finncrs  dwelleth  in  him  with  majefty  :  ye  (hould  give  him  all  hiS 
 ov\'n  court-ililcs,  his  high  and  heaven-names.  What  am  I,  to  fliape 
 conceptions  of  my  highell  Lord  ?  How  broad,  and  how  high,  and 
 how  deep  he  is,  above  and  beyond  what  thefe  conceptions  are,  I 
 cannot  tell  I  but  for  my  own  weak  pradice  (which,  alas  !  can  be  no 
 rule  to  one  fo  deep  in  love-ficknefs  wiih  Chrilt  as  ye  are)  I  would 
 i^i'i  add  to  my  thoughts  and  elleem  of  him,  and  make  him  more 
 high,  and  would  wifn  an  heart  and  love  ten  thoufand  times  w'der 
 thim  the  utmoft  circle  and  curtain  that  goeth  about  the  heaven  of 
 heavens,  to  entertain  him  in  that  heart,  and  with  that  love.  But 
 that  which  is  your  pain,  my  dear  brother,  is  mine  alfo  \  I  am  con- 
 founded with  the  thoughts  of  him.     I  know  God  is  cilten  ^ii  I 
 
 D  d  d  z 
 
39^  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  39.3 
 
 may  fpeak  fo)  in  a  fweet  mould,  and  lovely  image,  in  the  Per- 
 fon  of  that  heaven's  Jewel,  the  Man  Chrift  ;  and  that  the  fteps  of 
 that  fteep  afcent  and  iVair  to  the  God-head  is  the  flefti  of  Chrift, 
 the  new  and  livin|r  Way;  and  there  is  footing  for  faith  in  that 
 curious  ark  of  the  humanity  ;  therein  dwelleth  the  God-head,  mar- 
 ried upon  our  humanity.  1  would  be  in  heaven,  fuppole  I  had 
 not  another  errand,  but  to  fee  that  dainty  golden  ark,  and  God 
 perfonally  looking  out  at  ears  and  eyes  and  a  body,  fuch  as  we  fm- 
 iiers  have,  that  I  might  wear  my  llnful  mouth  in  kiffes  on  him  for 
 evermore;  and  I  know,  all  the  three  blefled  Perfons  (hould  be 
 well  pleafed  that  nry  piece  of  faint  and  created  love  Ihould  firft 
 coafl;  upon  the  Man  Chrift;  I  ftiould  fee  them  all  through  him. 
 I  am  called  from  writing  by  my  great  employments  in  this 
 town,  and  have  faid  nothing  :  but  what  can  I  fay  of  him  ?  Let  usi 
 go  and  fee. 
 
 St.  Andrews,  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1640.  S.  R. 
 
 39.  ro  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madam, 
 ^^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Ladyfhip.  I  am  heartily 
 ^-^  forry  that  your  Ladyfnip  is  deprived  of  fuch  an  hulband, 
 and  the  Lord's  kirk  of  fo  a£\ive  and  faithful  a  friend.  I  know, 
 your  Ladyftiip  long  ago  made  acquaintance  with  that,  wherein 
 Chrift  will  have  you  joined  in  a  feliowfliip  with  himfelf,  even  with 
 his  own  crofs ;  and  hath  taught  you  to  ftay  your  foul  upon  the 
 Lord's  good-will,  v/ho  givcth  not  account  of  his  matters  to  any  of 
 us:  when  he  hath  led  you  through  this  water,  that  was  in  your 
 way  to  glory,  there  arc  fewer  behind  ;  and  his  order  in  difmiCTing 
 us,  and  fending  us  out  of  the  market,  one  before  another,  is  to  be 
 reverenced.  One  year's  time  of  heaven  Ihall  fwallow  up  all  for- 
 rows,  even  beyond  all  comparifon  :  what  then  will  not  a  duration 
 of  bieflednefs  fo  long  as  God  ftiall  live  fully  and  abundantly  recom- 
 penfe }  It  is  good  that  our  Lord  hath  given  a  Debitor,  obliged  by 
 gracious  promifes,  for  more  in  eternity  than  time  can  take  from  you; 
 and  i  believe  your  Ladylhip  hath  been  now  many  years  advifing 
 and  thinking  what  that  glory  will  be,  which  is  abiding  the  pilgrinis 
 andftrangers  on  the  earth,  when  they  come  home,  and  which  we 
 may  think  of,  love,  and  thirft  for,  but  we  cannot  comprehend  it, 
 nor  conceive  of  it  as  it  is,  far  lefs  can  we  over-think  or  over-love 
 it.  O  fo  long  a  Chapter,  cr  rather  io  long  a  Volume  as  Chrift  is, 
 in  that  divinity  of  glory  !  There  is  no  more  of  him  let  down  now, 
 to  be  feen  and  enjoyed  by  his  children,  but  as  much  as  may  feed 
 hunger  in  this  life,  but  not  fatisfy  it.  Your  Ladyfliip  is  a  debitor 
 \o  thfi  Son  of  God's  crofs,  that  is  wearing  out  love  and  affiance  \\\ 
 
Epift.  40.]  LETTERS.'  397 
 
 the  creature  of  your  heart  by  degrees  ;  or  rather  the  obligation 
 ftandeth  to  his  free  grace,  who  careth  for  your  Ladyfhip  in  this 
 gracious  difpenfation,  and  who  is  preparing  and  making  ready<the 
 garments  of  falvation  for  you ;  and  who  calleth  you  with  a  new 
 name,  that  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath  named,  and  purpoftth  to 
 rraake  you  a  crown  of  glory,  and  a  royal  diadem  in  the  hand  of 
 your  God,  Ifa.  Ixii.  2,  3.  Ye  are  obliged  to  frift  him  more  than 
 one  heaven  ;  and  yet  he'craveth  not  a  long  day  ;  it  is  faft  coming 
 and  is  fure  payment.  Though  ye  give  no  hire  for  him,  yet  hath 
 he  given  a  great  price  and  ranlom  for  you  ;  and  if  the  bargain  were 
 to  make  again,  Chrift  would  give  no  lefs  for  you,  than  what  he 
 hath  already  given  ;  he  is  far  from  ruing.  1  (hall  wifh  you  no 
 more  till  time  be  gone  out  of  the  way,  than  the  earneft  of  that 
 which  he  hath  purchafed  and  prepared  for  you,  which  can  never 
 be  fully  preached,  written,  or  thought  of,  fince  it  hath  not  entered 
 into  the  heart  to  confider  it.  So,  recomm.ending  your  Ladyship  to 
 the  rich  grace  ot  our  Lord  Jefus,  I  am,  and  reft 
 
 St,  Andrews.  Tour  Ladyfiip's  at  all  refpeBive  ohfer- 
 
 vance^  in  Chriji  Jefus ^  S.  R. 
 
 4c.  To  Mrs.  TAYLOR. 
 Miftrcfsy 
 /"^R-ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Though  I  have  no  rela- 
 ^^  tion  worldly  or  acquaintance  with  you,  yet  (upon  the  tefti- 
 mony  and  impoitunity  of  your  elder  fon  now  at  London,  where  I 
 am,  but  chiefiy  becaufe  I  efteem  Jefus  Chrilt  in  you  to  be  in 
 place  of  all  relations)  1  make  bold  in  Chrift  to  fpeak  my  poor 
 thoughts  to  you  concerning  your  fon  lately  fallen  alleep  in  the 
 Lord  (who  was  fome  time  under  the  miniftry  of  the  worthy  fer- 
 vnnt  of  Chrift,  my  fellow  labourer,  Mr.  Blair,  by  whofe  miniftry 
 I  hope  he  reaped  no  fmall  ailvantage).  I  know,  grace  rooteth  not 
 out  the  aifeclions  of  a  mother,  but  putteth  them  on  his  wheel,  -who 
 iTiaketh  all  things  new,  that  they  may  be  refined;  therefore  forrow 
 for  a  dead  child  is  allowed  to  you,  though  by  meafure  and  ounce 
 weights:  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord  hath  not  a  dominion  or  loid- 
 ihip  over  their  forrow  and  other  affections,  to  lavilh  out  Chrift's 
 goods  at  their  pleafure  :  for  ye  are  not  your  own,  but  bought  with 
 a  price ;  and  your  forrow  is  not  your  own,  nor  hath  he  rcedemeil 
 you  by  halves ;  and  therefore  ye  are  not  to  mike  Chrift's  crols  no 
 crofs.  He  commandeih  you  to  weep;  and  that  princely  One,  v/h) 
 took  up  to  heaven  with  him  a  man's  heart  to  be  a  compalfionate 
 High-prieft,  became  your  Fellow  and  Companion  on  earth,  b/ 
 weeping  for  the  dead,  John  xi.  35.  And  therefore  ye  are  to  love 
 that  crofj,,  bicaufe  it  was  once  on  Chrift's  ftiouldf.rs  before  vou  ^.fo 
 th4C  by  hii)  own  praclice,  he  haili  ovcr-rilded  and  covered  your  crois 
 
39^  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  40.] 
 
 •with  the  Mediator's  luflre  :  the  cup  ye  drink  was  at  the  lip  of 
 fw'eet  Jefus,  and  he  drank  of  it  j  and  fo  it  hath  a  fmell  of  his  breath  ; 
 and  I  conceive  ye  love  It  not  the  worfe  that  it  is  thus  fugared  *, 
 therefore  drink,  -And  believe  the  refurreclion  of  your  fon's  body. 
 If  one  coal  of  hell  could  fall  off  the  exalted  Head  Jefus,  Jefus  the 
 Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  burn  me  10  aflies,  knpwing 
 I  were  a  partner  with  Chrifl,  and  a  fellow-fharer  with  him,  (tho* 
 the  unworthiefl  of  men)  I  think  I  iliould  die  a  lovely  death  in  that 
 fire,  with  him.  The  worft  things  of  Chrill,  even  his  crofs,  have 
 much  of  heaven  from  hiaifelfi^  and  fo  hath  your  Chriftian  forrow, 
 being  of  kin  to  Ch rift's  in  that  kind :  if  your  forrow  were  a  ba- 
 flard,  and  not  of  Chrifl's  houfe,  (becaufe  of  the  relation  ye  have  to 
 him  in  coniotmicy  to  his  death  and  fuffcrings)  i  fhould  the  mor^ 
 companionate  your  condition  \  but  kind  and  compafTionate  Jefus, 
 at  every  figh  you  give  for  the  lofs  of  your  now  glorified  child,  (fo 
 1  believe,  as  is  meet)  with  a  man's  heart  crieth  Half-nune.  I  was 
 liot  a  witnefs  to  his  death,  being  called  out  of  the  kingdom  :  but 
 ye  fliall  credit  thofe  whom  I  do  credit,  (and  I  dare  not  lie)  he  died 
 comfortably.  It  is  true,  he  died  before  he  did  fo  much  fervice  to 
 Chrift  on  earth,  as  I  hope  and  heartily  defire,  your  fon  Mr.  Hugh 
 (very  dear  to  me  in  Jelus  Chiift)  fliall  do:  but  that  were  a  real 
 matter  of  forroiv,  if  this  were  not  to  counterbalance  it,  that  he 
 liath  changed  fervice  houfes,  but  hath  not  changed  fervice  or  Ma- 
 fter,  Rev.  xxii.  3.  *  And  there  fhall  be  no  more  curfe  j  but  the 
 throne  ot  God  and  of  the  Lamb  fliall  be  in  it,  and  his  fervants  fliall 
 ferve  him.'  What  he  could  have  done  in  this  lower  houfe,  he  is 
 now  upon  that  fame  fervice,  in  the  higher  houfe  ;  and  it  is  aH  one, 
 it  is  the  fame  fervice,  and  the  fameMafler,  only  there  is  a  change 
 of  conditions:  and  )e  are  not  to  think  it  a  bad  bargain  for  your 
 beloved  fon,  where  he  hath  gold  for  copper  and  brafs,  eternity  fcr 
 time.  I  believe  Chrift  hath  taught  you  (for  I  give  credit  to  fuch 
 a  witnels  of  you,  as  your  fon  Mr.  Hugh)  not  to  forrow  becaufe  he 
 died  :  all  the  knot  muft  be,  he  died  too  foon,  he  died  too  young, 
 he  died  in  the  morning  of  bis  life;  this  is  all  :  but  fovereignty 
 mufl  filtnce  your  (houghts.  I  was  in  your  condition  ;  I  had  but 
 two  children,  anvl  both  are  dead  fince  I  came  hither.  The  fupreme 
 and  abfolute  Former  of  all  things  giveth  not  an  account  of  any  of 
 his  matters :  the  good  Hufaandman  may  pluck  his  rofes,  and  ga- 
 ther in  hislillies  at  mid-fummer,  and,  for  ought  I  dare  fay,  in  the 
 beginning  of  the  fnfifummer  month;  and  he  may  tranfplant  young 
 trees  out  of  the  lower  ground  to  the  higher,  where  they  may  have 
 more  of  the  fun,  and  a  more  free  air,  at  any  feafon  of  the  year  : 
 what  is  that  to  you  or  me  !  The  goods  are  his  own.  The  Creator 
 of  time  and  winds  did  a  merciful  injury  (if  I  dare  borrow  the 
 word)  to  nature,  in  landing  the  paffenger  fo  early.  They  love  the 
 fea  too  well,  who  complain  of  a  fair  wind  and  adcfirable  tide,  and 
 
Epift.  4T.]  LETTERS.  39() 
 
 a  fpeedy  coming  afhore,  efpecially  a  coming  ndiore  in  that  land 
 where  ail  the  inhabitants  have  everlafting  joy  upon  their  heads. 
 He  cannot  be  too  early  in  heaven  -,  his  twelve  hours  were  not  ibort 
 hours  ;  and  withal,  if  ye  confider  this,  had  ye  been  at  his  bed-fide, 
 and  fliould  have  feen  Chrift  coming  to  him,  ye  would  not,  ye 
 could  not  have  adjourned  Ch rill's  free  love,  who  aould  want  him 
 no  longer.  And  dying  in  another  land,  wheie  his  mother  could 
 not  clofe  his  eyes,  is  not  much :  who  clofed  jNIoies*  eyes  ?  and  who 
 put  on  his  winding  (beet?  for  ought  I  know,  neither  father  nor 
 mother,  nor  friend,  but  God  only:  and  there  is  as  expedite,  fair 
 and  eafy  a  way  betwixt  Scotland  and  heaven,  as  if  he  had  died  in 
 the  very  bed  he  was  born  in.  The  whole  earth  is  his  Father's; 
 any  corner  of  his  Father's  houfe  is  good  enough  to  die  in.  It  may 
 be,  the  living  child  (I  fpeak  not  of  Mr.  Hugh)  is  more  grief  to 
 you  than  the  dead  :  you  are  to  wait  on,  if  at  any  time  God  (hall 
 give  him  repentance;  Chrift  waited  as  long  poiTibly  on  you  and 
 me,  certainly  longer  on  me  :  and  if  he  fhould  deny  repentance  to 
 him,  i  could  fay  fomething  to  that;  but  I  hope  better  things  of 
 him.  It  feemeth  that  Chrift  will  have  this  world  your  ftep-dame; 
 1  love  not  your  condition  the  worfe;  it  may  be  a  proof  that  ye  are 
 not  a  child  of  this  lower  houfe,  but  a  ftranger  :  Chrift  feeth  it  not 
 good  only,  but  your  only  good  to  be  led  thus  to  heaven  ;  and  think 
 this  a  favour,  that  he  hath  beftowed  on  you  free,  free  grace,  that 
 is,  mercy  without  hire ;  ye  paid  nothing  for  it :  and  who  can  put 
 a  price  upon  any  thing  of  roval  and  princely  Jefus  Chrift?  And 
 God  hath  given  to  you  to  fuffer  for  him  the  fpoiiing  of  your  goods ; 
 efteem  it  as  an  act  of  free  grace  alfo;  ye  are  no  lofer,  having  him- 
 felf :  and  I  perfjade  mvfelf,  if  ye  could  prize  Chrift,  nothing  could 
 be  bitter  to  you.   Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 London^   i6'-i^.  Tour  brctb^'r  <wd  luell-wijber, 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 41.  To  BARBARA  HAMILTON. 
 IVorthy  friend, 
 II  ACE  be  to  you.  I  do  unwillingly  write  unto  you  of  that 
 which  God  hath  dont;  concerning  your  Ibn-in-law;  only  I 
 believe,  ye  look  not  below  Chrift,  and  the  higheft  and  moft  fu- 
 preme  adt  of  providence,  which  moveth  all  wheels.  And  certain- 
 ly, what  came  down  enabled  and  concluded  in  the  great  book  be- 
 fore the  throne,  and  figned  and  fubfcribed  with  the  Hand  which 
 never  did  wrong,  ftiouid  be  kiiTcd  and  adored  by  us.  We  fee  God's 
 decrees,  when  they  brinir  forth  their  fruits,  all  actions,  good  and 
 ill,  fweet  and  four,  in  their  time  ;  but  we  fee  nf>r  prefently  the 
 aft^r-birth  of  God's  decree,  viz.  his  blefled  end,  and  the  good  that  he 
 bringcth  out  of  the  womb  of  his  holy  and  fpotlel's  counfel :  we  fee 
 
 G' 
 
400  Mr  RUTHERFOQRD's  Epift.  41.3 
 
 his  working,  and  forrow  •,  the  end  of  his  counfel  and  working  lieth 
 hidden  and  undernearh  the  ground,  and  therefore  we  cannot  be- 
 lieve. Even  amongif  men,  we  lee  hewn  (tones,  timber,  and  an 
 hundred  fcattered  parcels  and  pieces  of  an  houfe,  all  under  tools, 
 hammers,  and  axes,  and  faws  ;  yet  the  houfe,  the  beauty  and  eafe 
 of  fo  many  lodgings  and  eafe  rooms,  we  neither  fee  nor  underftand 
 for  the  prefentj.thefe  are  but  in  the  mind  and  head  of  the  builder, 
 as  yet.  We  fee  red  earth,  unbroken  clods,  furrows  and  ftones ; 
 but  we  fee  not  fummer  lilies,  rofes,  and  the  beauty  of  a  garden.  If 
 ye  give  the  Lord  time  to  work  (as  often  he  that  believeth  not  mak- 
 eth  hafte,  but  not  fpeed)  his  end  is  under  the  ground  ;  and  ye  iliali 
 fee  it  was  your  good,  that  your  fon  hath  changed  dwelling-places, 
 but  not  his  Mafler :  Chrift  thought  good  to  have  no  more  of  his 
 fervice  here;  yet.  Rev.  xxii.  3.  His  fervants  ihall  ferve  him:  he 
 needeth  not  us  nor  our  fervice,  cither  in  earth  or  in  heaven  :  but 
 ye  are  to  look  to  him,  who  giveth  the  hireling  both  his  leave  and 
 iiis  wages,  for  his  naked  aim  and  purpofe  to  ferve  Chrift,  as  well 
 as  for  his  labours ;  it  is  put  up  in  Chrift's  account,  fuch  a  labour- 
 er did  fweat  forty  years  in  Chrift's  vineyard ;  howbeit  he  got  not 
 leave  to  labour  fo  long,  becaufe  he  who  accepteth  of  the  will  for 
 the  deed  counteth  fo  :  none  can  teach  the  Lord  to  lay  an  account; 
 he  numbereth  the  drops  of  rain,  and  knoweth  the  ftars  by  their 
 names  :  it  would  take  us  much  ftudying,  to  give  a  name  to  every 
 ftar  in  the  firmament,  great  orfmall.  See  Lev.  x.  3.  And  Aaron 
 held  his  peace ;  ye  know  his  two  fons  were  flain,  whilft  they  of- 
 fered ftrange  fire  to  the  Lord.  Command  your  thoughts  to  be  fi- 
 lent :  if  the  foldicrs  of  Newcaftle  had  done  this,  ye  might  have 
 ftomached  ;  but  the  weapon  was  in  another  hand  :  hear  the  rod 
 ■what  it  preacheth,  and  fee  the  name  of  God,  Micah  vi.  9.  and 
 know  that  there  is  fomewhat  of  God  and  heaven  in  the  rod.  The 
 majefty  of  the  unfearchable  and  bottomlefs  ways  and  judgments  of 
 God  is  not  feen  in  the  rod,  and  the  feeing  of  them  requireth  the 
 eyes  of  the  man  of  wifdom.  If  the  fufferings  of  fome  other  with 
 you  in  that  lofs  could  eafe  yon,  ye  want  them  not.  But  he  can 
 do  no  wrong,  he  cannot  halt ;  his  goings  are  equal,  who  hath 
 done  it.  I  know  our  Lord  aimeth  at  mortification;  let  him  not 
 come  in  vain  to  your  houfe,  and  lofe  the  pains  of  a  merciful  vi- 
 fit.  God,  the  Founder,  never  melteth  in  vain  ;  howbeit  to  us  he 
 feemeth  often  to  lofe  both  fire  and  metal :  but  I  know  ye  are  more 
 in  this  work  than  I  can  be ;  there  is  no  caufe  to  faint  or  weary. 
 Grace  be  with  you,  and  the  rich  confolations  of  Jefus  Chrift  fvveet- 
 en  your  crofs,  and  fupport  you  under  it.    I  reft 
 
 London,  GH.  15.  Tiun  in  his  Lord  and  Mafler^ 
 
 1645.  \S.  R. 
 
Epift.  42.]  LETTERS.  401 
 
 42.     To  Mrs.  HUME. 
 
 Lovingfijler, 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  if  ye  have  any  thing  bet- 
 ^-^  ter  than  the  hulband  cf  your  youth,  ye  are  Jefus  ChrilVs 
 debtor  for  it;  pay  not  then  your  debts  with  grudging.  Sorrow 
 may  diminifh  from  the  fweet  fruit  of  righteoufnefs  ;  but  quietneis, 
 filence,  fubmiffion,  and  faith,  put  a  crown  upon  your  fad  lofles : 
 ye  know  whofe  voice  the  voice  of  a  crying  rod  is,  Micah  vi.  9. 
 The  name  and  majefty  of  the  Lord  is  written  on  the  rod  \  read  and 
 be  inftruded.  Let  Chrifl  have  the  room  of  the  huiband  :  he  hatli 
 now  no  need  of  you,  or  of  your  love  ;  for  he  enjoyeth  as  much  ot* 
 the  love  of  Chriit,  as  his  heart  can  be  capable  of.  I  confefs,  it  is 
 a  dear-bought  experience,  to  teach  you  to  undervalue  the  crea- 
 ture ;  yet  it  is  not  too  dear  if  Chrift  think  it  fo.  I  know,  that  the 
 difputing  of  your  thoughts  againfc  his  going  thither,  the  way 
 and  manner  of  his  death,  the  inf}:ruments,  the  place,  the  time,  will 
 not  eafe  your  fpirits,  except  ye  rife  higher  than  fecond  caufes,  and 
 be  filent  becaufe  the  Lord  hath  done  it ;  if  we  meafure  the  goings 
 of  the  Almighty  and  his  ways,  the  bottom  whereof  we  fee  not^ 
 we  quite  miftake  God.  O  how  little  a  portion  of  God  fee  we  ! 
 He  is  far  above  our  ebb  and  narrow  thoughts :  he  ruled  the 
 world  in  wifdom,  ere  we,  creatures  of  yefterday,  were  born,  and 
 (hall  rule  it  when  we  fhall  be  lodging  befide  the  worms  and  cor- 
 ruption. Only  learn  heavenly  wifdom,  felf-denial,  and  mortifica- 
 tion by  this  fad  lofs  ;  I  know  that  it  is  not  for  nothing  (except  ye 
 deny  God  to  be  wife  in  all  he  doth)  that  ye  have  loft  one  in  earth. 
 There  hath  been  too  little  of  your  love  and  heart  in  heaven,  and 
 therefore  the  jealoufy  of  Chrift  hath  done  this;  it  is  a  mercy  thac 
 he  contendeth  with  you  and  all  your  lovers :  I  fhould  defire  no 
 greater  favour  formyfelf  than  that  Chrift  laid  a  neceility,  and  took 
 on  fuch  bonds  upon  himfelf ;  fuch  an  one  I  m.uft  have,  and  fuch 
 a  foul  I  cannot  live  in  heaven  without,  John  x.  16.  And  believe 
 it,  it  is  incomprehenfible  love,  that  Chrift  faith,  '  If  I  enjoy  the 
 glory  of  my  Father,  and  the  crown  of  heaven  far  above  men  and 
 angels,  I  muft  ufe  all  means,  though  never  fo  violent,  to  have  the 
 company  of  fuch  an  one  for  ever  and  ever.*  If  with  the  eyes  of 
 wifdom,  as  a  child  of  wifdom,  ye  juftify  your  muth'::r,  the  wifdom 
 cf  God  (whofe  child  ye  are)  ye  ftiall  kifs  and  embrace  this  lofs,  and 
 fee  much  of  Chrift  in  it.  Believe  and  fubmit,  and  refer  the  in- 
 come of  the  confolations  of  Jefus,  and  the  event  of  the  trial,  to 
 your  heavenly  Father,  who  numbercth  all  your  hairs :  and  put 
 Chrift  in  his  own  room  in  your  love  ;  it  may  be  hath  cither  been 
 out  of  his  own  place,  or  in  a  place  of  love  inferior  to  his  worth. 
 Repair  Chrift  in  all  his  w:ont!;s  done  to  him,  and  love  him  foi  4 
 
 E  c  c 
 
402  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  45.} 
 
 Hufband ;  and  he  that  is  a  Hufband  to  the  ^vidow,  fhall  be  that 
 to  you  whirh  he  hath  taken  from  you.   Grace  be  with  you. 
 London^  0£i.  1 5.  Tour  fympathizing  brother^ 
 
 1645.  S.  R. 
 
 43.     To  BARBARA  HAMILTON. 
 
 Loving  fifler^ 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  have  heard  with  grief,' 
 ^-^  that  Newcaftle  hath  taken  one  more,  in  a  bloody  account, 
 than  before,  even  your  fon- in-law.  and  my  friend  ;  but  I  hope  ye 
 have  learned  that  much  of  Chrift,  as  not  to  look  to  wheels  rolled 
 round  about  on  earth  :  earthen  veflels  are  not  to  difpute  with  their 
 Former :  pieces  of  finning  clay  may,  by  reafoning  and  contending, 
 with  the  Potter,  mar  the  work  of  him,  who  hath  his  fire  in  Zion, 
 and  his  furnace  in  Jerufalem  ;  as  bullocks,  fweating,  and  wreftling 
 in  the  furrow,  make  their  yoke  more  heavy  :  in  quietnefs  and  reft 
 ye  Ihall  be  faved  :  if  men  do  any  thing  contrary  to  your  heart,  we 
 m.iy  a(k  both,  who  did  it?  and,  what  is  done  ?  and  why  ?  When 
 'God  hath  done  any  fuch  thing,  we  are  to  enquire  who  hath  done 
 it  ?  and  to  know  that  this  cometh  from  the  Lord,  who  is  won- 
 derful in  counfcl  ;  but  we  are  not  to  afk  what  or  why  ?  If  it  be 
 from  the  Lord  (as  certainly  there  is  no  evil  in  the  city  without 
 him.,  Amos  iii.  6.)  it  is  enough  ;  the  faireft  face  of  his  fpotlefs  way 
 is  but  coming,  and  ye  are  to  believe  his  works  as  well  as  his  word. 
 Violent  death  is  a  (liarer  with  Chrifl  in  his  death,  which  was  vio- 
 lent; it  maketh  not  much  what  way  we  go  to  heaven ;  the  hap- 
 py home  is  all,  where  the  roughnefs  of  the  way  fhall  be  forgotten. 
 He  is  gone  hprtie  to  a  Friend's  houfe,  and  made  welcom.e,  and  the 
 race  is  ended :  time  is  recompenfed  with  eternity,  and  copper  with- 
 gpld.  God's  order  is  in  wifdom,  the  hufband  goes  home  before  the 
 wife,  and  the  throng  of  the  market  fliall  be  over  ere  it  be  long,  and 
 another  generation  where  we  now  are;  and  at  length  an  empty 
 houfe,  and  not  one  of  mankind  fliall  be  upon  the  earth,  ivithin  the 
 fixth  part  of  an  hour,  after  the  earth  and  the  works  that  are  there- 
 in lb  ail  be  burnt  up  with  fire :  I  fear  more  that  Chrifl  is  about  to- 
 remove,  w^hen  he  carrreth  home  ib  much  of  his  plenifhing  be- 
 forehand. We  cannot  teach  the  Almighty  knowledge :  when  he 
 was  dire6ling  the  bullet  againfl  his  fervant,  to  fetch  out  the  foul, 
 no  wife  man  could  cry  to  God,  Wrong,  wrong,  Lord,  for  he  is 
 thine  own.  There  is  no  mift  over  his  eyes,  who  is  wonderful  in 
 counfel  :  if  Zion  be  builded  with  your  fon-in-law's  blood,  the 
 Lord  (deep  in  counfel)  can  glevv  together  the  ftones  of  Zion  with 
 blood,  and  with  that  blood  which  is  precious  in  his  eyes,  Chrifl 
 hath  fewer  labourers  in  his  vineyard  than  he  had,  but  fome  more 
 witnefTes  for  his  caufe,  and  the  Lord's  covenant  with  the  three 
 
Epift.  44-3  LETTERS.  403. 
 
 nations.  What  is  Chrifi's  gain,  is  not  your  lofs ;  let  not  that» 
 which  is  his  holy  and  wife  will,  be  your  unbelieving  forrow. 
 Though  I  really  judge  I  had  intereft  in  his  dead  fervant.  yet,  becaufs 
 henowliveth  to  ChriO,  I  quit  the  hopes  I  had  of  his  fuccefsful  la- 
 bouring in  the  miniftry :  1  knaw  he  now  praifeth  the  grace  that  he 
 was  to  preach  ;  and  if  there  were  a  better  thing  on  his  head  now 
 in  heaven  than  a  crown,  or  any  thing  more  excellent  than  heaven, 
 he  would  caft  it  down  before  his  feet  who  fitteth  on  the  throne  : 
 Give  glory  therefore  to  Chrift,  as  he  now  doth,  and  fay,  Thy 
 will  be  done.  The  grace  and  confolation  of  Chrill  be  with  you. 
 London,  Nov.  1 5.  Tours  in  his  fivccT  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1645.  S.  R. 
 
 44.     To  the  Vifcoimtefs  of  KENMURE. 
 
 Madam, 
 C^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Ladyfliip.  Though  Chrifh 
 ^^  lofe  no  time,  yet  when  fmful  men  drive  his  chariot,  the 
 wheels  of  his  chariot  move  flowlv  ;  the  woman,  Zion,  as  foon  as  fhe 
 travailed,  brought  forth  her  children  \  yea,  ifa.  ixvi.  7.  '  Before 
 fhe  travailed,  itie  brought  forth  ;  before  her  pain  came,  fhe  was  de- 
 livered of  a  man-child  :  yet  the  deliverance  of  the  people  was  with 
 the  woman's  going  with  child  feventy  years,  that  is  more  than  nine 
 months.  There  be  many  oppofitions  in  carrying  on  the  work  : 
 but,  1  hope,  the  Lord  will  build  his  own  Zion,  and  evidence  to  us, 
 that  it  is  done,  not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  the  Spirit  of 
 the  Lord.  Madam,  i  have  heard  of  your  inhrmities  of  body  and 
 ficknefs:  I  know  the  iilue  (hall  be  mercy  to  you;  and  that  God's 
 purpofe,  which  lieth  hidden  under  ground  to  you,  is,  to  commend 
 the  fweetnefs  of  his  love,  and  care  to  you  from  your  youth.  And 
 if  all  the  fad  lofles,  trials,  ficknefles,  iniirmities,  griefs,  heavinefs, 
 ana  inconilancy  of  the  creature,  be  expounded  (as  fure  1  am  they 
 are)  the  rods  of  the  jealoufy  of  an  Hufoand  in  heaven,  contending 
 with  all  your  lovers  on  earth  (though  there  were  millions  of  them) 
 for  your  love,  to  fetch  more  of  )our  love  home  to  heaven,  to  make 
 it  fingle,  unmixt,  and  chafte  to  the  faireft  in  heaven  and  earth,  to 
 Jcfus  the  Prince  of  ages  -,  ye  will  forgive  (to  barrow  that  word) 
 eveiy  rod  (»f  God,  and  not  let  the  fun  go  down  on  your  wra.h, 
 againft  any  meffcngcr  of  your  afflicting  and  corre£fing  Father. 
 Since  your  Ladyfhip  cannot  but  {y:<,  that  the  mark  at  which  Chrift 
 hath  aimed,  tlicfe  twenty-four  years  and  above,  is,  to  have  the 
 company  and  fellowfliip  of  fuch  a  fmful  creature,  in  heaven  with 
 him,  for  all  eternity;  and  becaufe  he  wii!  not  (fuch  is  the  power 
 of  his  love)  enjoy  his  Father's  glory,  and  that  crown  due  to  him 
 by  eternal  generation,  without  you  by  name,  John  xvii.  24.  John 
 ::.  16.  John  xiv.  3.  Therefore,  Madam,  believe  no  evil  of  Chiiit; 
 
 E  e  c  2 
 
4e4  m  RUTHERFOORD's  tplft.  45.-3 
 
 liften  to  no  bard  reports  that  his  rods  make  of  him  to  you  :  he 
 hath  loved  you,  and  vvailied  you  from  your  fins;  and  what  would 
 3ve  have  more  ?  Is  that  too  little,  except  he  adjourn  all  croffes,  till 
 ye  be  where  ye  fball  be  out  of  all  capacity  to  figh,  or  be  crofled  ? 
 i  hope  ye  can  defire  no  more,  no  greater,  nor  more  excellent  fuit, 
 than  Chrift,  and  the  fellowfhip  of  the  Lamb  for  evermore;  and 
 if  that  defire  be  anfwered  in  heaven  (as  1  am  fure  it  is,  and  ye  can- 
 not deny  but  it  is  made  fure  to  you)  the  want  of  thefe  poor  acci- 
 dents, of  a  living  hufband,  of  many  children,  of  an  healthful  bo- 
 dy, of  a  life  of  eafe  in  the  world,  without  one  knot  in  the  rufb,  arc 
 nobly  made  up,  and  may  be  comfortably  borne.  Grace,  grace  be 
 \vith  your  Ladyfiiip. 
 
 Loiidoriy  0£f.  1 6.  Tour  LadyJlAp's  at  all  obedience 
 
 1645.  ^'"  ^krifl.i    S.  R. 
 
 45.     To  a  ChrijVian  friend,  upon  the  death  of  his  wife. 
 
 Worthy  friend^ 
 1  Defire  to  fufFer  with  you,  in  the  lofs  of  a  loving  and  good  wife, 
 •*■  now  gone  before  (according  to  the  method  and  order  of  him,' 
 of  whofe  undeiilanding  there  is  x\<i  fcarching  out)  whither  ye  are 
 to  follow.  He  that  made  yeftv^rday  to  go  before  this  day,  and  the 
 former  generation,  in  birth  and  life,  to  have  been  before  this  pre- 
 fent  generation,  and  hath  made  fome  flowers  to  grow,  and  die, 
 and  wither  in  the  month  of  May,  and  others  in  June,  cannot  be 
 challenged  in  the  order  he  hath  made  of  things  without  fouls  : 
 find  fome  order  he  muft  keep  alfo  here,  that  one  might  bury  an- 
 other;  therefore,  I  hope,  ye  Ihall  be  dumb  and  filent,  becaufe  the 
 Lord  hath  done  it :  what  creatures,  or  under-caufes  do  in  finful 
 niiftakes,  are  ordered  in  wifdom  by  your  Father,  at  whofe  feet 
 youi  own  foul  and  your  heaven  lieth,  and  fo  the  days  of  your  wife. 
 If  the  place  fhe  hath  left  were  any  other  than  a  prifon  of  fin,  and 
 the  home  fhe  is  gone  to  any  other  than  where  her  Head  and  Sa- 
 viour is  King  of  the  land,  your  grief  had  been  more  rational ;  but 
 I  truft,  your  faith  of  the  refurreclion  of  the  dead  in  Chrift  to  glo- 
 ry and  immortality,  will  lead  you  to  fufpend  your  longing  for  her, 
 till  the  morning  and  dawning  of  that  day,  when  the  archangel 
 fliall  defcend  with  a  fhout,  to  gather  all  the  prifoncrs  out  of  the 
 grave  up  to  himfelf.  To  believe  this  is  beft  for  you,  and  to  be 
 filent,  becaufe  he  hath  done  it,  is  your  wifdom.  It  is  much  to 
 come  out  of  the  Lord's  fchool  of  trial  wifer  and  more  experienced 
 ill  the  ways  of  God  :  and  it  is  our  happlnefs  when  Chrift  openeth' 
 a  vein,  he  taketh  nothing  but  ill  blood  from  his  fick  ones.  Chrift 
 hath  (kill  to  do,  and  (if  our  corruption  mar  not)  the  art  of  mercy 
 in  correcting.  We  cannot  of  ourfelves  take  away  the  tin,  the 
 lead,  and  the  fcum  that  remaineth  in  us ;  and  if  Chrift  be  niit 
 
Epift.  46.]  LETTERS.  405 
 
 Mafter-of-vvork,  and  if  the  furnace  go  its  alone,  he  not  (landing 
 nigh  the  melting  of  his  own  veffel,  the  labour  were  loft,  and  the 
 founder  ftiould  melt  in  vain:  God  knoweth,  fome  of  us  have  loft 
 much  fire,  fweating  and  pains  to  our  Lord  Jcfus  ;  and  the  veflel 
 is  almoft  marred,  the  furnace  and  rod  of  God  fpiit,  and  day-light 
 burnt,  and  the  reprobate  metal  not  taken  away,  fo  as  Ibme  are  to 
 anfwer  to  the  Majefty  of  God  for  the  abufe  of  many  good  crofles, 
 and  rich  affiiclions  loft  without  the  quiet  fruit  of  righteoufnefs  ; 
 and  it  is  a  fad  thing,  when  the  rod  is  curfed,  that  never  fruit  fhail 
 grow  on  it :  and,  except  Chrift's  dew  fall  down,  and  his  fummer- 
 fun  (hine,  and  his  grace  follow  afflictions,  to  caufe  them  bring 
 forth  fruit  to  God,  they  are  fo  fruitlefs  to  us,  that  our  evil  ground 
 (rank  and  fat  enough  for  briars)  cafteth  up  a  crop  of  noifome 
 weeds.  The  rod  zs  the  prophet  faith,  Ezek.  vii.  10,  11.)  blojom- 
 £lh,  pride  huddtth  forth ^  violence  rifeth  up  into  a  rod  of  luickedncfs: 
 and  all  this  hath  been  my  cafe  under  my  rods  fince  1  faw  you. 
 Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 London,  Yours  in  his  fweet  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1645.  S.  R. 
 
 46.     To  a  Chrijiian  brother. 
 
 Reverend  and  beloved  in  the  Lord, 
 TT  may  be  I  have  been  too  long  filent,  but  I  hope  ye  will  not  im- 
 pute it  to  forgetfulnefs  of  you.  As  I  have  heard  of  the  death 
 of  your  daughter,  with  heavinefs  of  mind  on  your  behalf;  fo  am  I 
 much  comforted,  that  fhe  hath  evidenced  to  yourfelf  and  other 
 witnefies  the  hope  of  the  refurredion  of  the  dead.  As  fown  corn 
 is  not  loft,  (for  there  is  more  hope  of  that  which  is  Town  than  of  that 
 which  is  eaten,  i  Cor.  xv.  42.)  fo  alfo  is  it  in  the  refurreclion  of 
 the  dead;  the  body  isfoiunin  corrttpticni  it  is  raijed  in  incorrupti- 
 on:  it  is  /own  in  diJJjonour,  it  is  raifed  in  glory.  I  hope  ye  wait  for 
 the  crop  and  harveft,  1  Thefl".  iv.  14.  For  if  ive  believe  that  Jefus 
 died  and  rofc  again,  even  fo  alfo  them  -which  fleep  in  Jefus  will  God 
 bring  ivith  him.  Then  they  are  not  loft,  who  are  gathered  into 
 that  congregation  of  the  firft-born,  and  the  general  aflembly  of  the 
 faints.  Though  we  cannot  out-run  nor  overtake  them  that  are 
 gone  before,  yet  we  ftiall  quickly  follow  them  ;  and  the  difterence 
 is,  that  file  hath  the  advantage  of  fome  months  or  years  of  the 
 crown,  before  you  and  her  mother:  and  we  do  not  take  it  ill,  if 
 our  children  out-run  in  the  life  of  grace;  why  then  are  we  fad,  if 
 they  out-ftrip  us  in  the  attainment  of  the  life  of  glory  ?  It  would 
 feem,  that  there  is  more  reafon  to  grieve  that  children  live  behind 
 us,  than  that  they  are  glorified  and  die  before:  all  the  difterence  is 
 in  fome  poor  hungry  accidents  of  time,  lefs  or  more,  fooner  or  later: 
 fo  the  gooiy  child,  thou^^h  young,  died  an  bundled  years  old  ;  and 
 
4o6.  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epifl.  47.] 
 
 ye  could  not  now  have  beftowed  her  better,  though  the  choice  was 
 Chrift's,  not  yours,  i^nd  I  am  fure,  Sir,  ye  cannot  hOw  fay,  Ihe 
 is  married  againftthe  will  of  her  parents;  fbe  might  more  readily, 
 if  alive,  fall  in  the  hands  of  a  worfe  hufband  :  but  can  ye  think, 
 that  fhc  could  have  fallen  in  the  hands  of  one  better  ?  And  if  Chrift 
 marry  with  your  houfe,  it  is  your  honour,  not  any  cauie  of  grief, 
 that  jefus  Ihould  portion  any  of  yours,  ere  flie  enjoy  your  portion; 
 IB  it  not  great  love  ?  The  patrimony  is  more  than  any  other  could 
 give  :  as  good  a  hufband  is  impoihble;  to  fay  a  better,  is  blafphe- 
 my.  The  King  and  Prince  of  ages  can  keep  them  better  than  ye 
 can  do.  While  (fie  was  alive,  ye  could  intrult  her  to  Chrift,  and 
 recommend  her  to  his  keeping:  now,  by  an  after-faith,  ye  have 
 refigned  her  unto  him,  in  whofe  bofom  do  lleep  all  that  are  dead 
 in  the  Lord  :  ye  would  have  lent  her  to  glorify  the  Lord  upon 
 earth,  and  he  hath  borrowed  her  (with  promife  to  reftore  her  a- 
 gain,  I  Cor.  xv.  53.  1  Thefl'.  iv.  15,  16.)  to  be  an  organ  of  the 
 immediate  glorifying  of  hi'mfelf  in  heaven.  Sinlefs  glorifying  of 
 God  is  better  than  finful  glorifying  of  him.  And  fure  your  prayers 
 concerning  her  arc  fulfilled.  I  fhall  defire,  if  the  Lord  Ihali  be 
 pleafcd  the  fame  way  to  difpofe  of  her  mother,  that  ye  have  the 
 fame  mind.  Chrift  cannot  multiply  injuries  upon  you  ;  if  the 
 fountain  be  the  love  of  God,  (as  I  hope  it  is)  ye  are  enriched  with 
 lofTes.  Ye  know  all  I  can  fay  better,  before  I  was  in  Chrift,  than  I 
 can  exprefs  it.    Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 London,  Jan.  6.  Incurs  in  Chriji  Jefus , 
 
 J  646.  S.  R. 
 
 47.  To  a  Chriftian  Gentlcwoma7u 
 Mijlrefs, 
 /^?k.ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  If  death,  which  is  before 
 ^^  you  and  us  all,  were  any  other  thing  but  a  friendly  diflblu- 
 tion,  and  a  change,  not  a  deftru£tion  of  life,  it  would  feem  a  hard 
 voyage,  to  go  through  fuch  a  fad  and  dark  trance,  fo  thorny  a  val- 
 ley, as  is  the  wages  of  fm:  but  I  am  confident,  the  way  ye  know, 
 though  your  foot  never  trod  in  that  black  fhadow ;  the  lofs  of 
 life  is  gain  to  you :  If  Chrift  Jefus  be  the  Period,  the  End  and 
 Lodging-home,  at  the  end  of  your  journey,  there  is  no  fear,  ye  go 
 to  a  Friend;  andfmce  ye  have  had  a  communion  with  him  in  this 
 life,  and  he  hath  a  pav.n  or  pledge  of  yours,  even  the  largeft  fhare 
 oi  your  love  and  heart,  ye  may  look  death  in  the  face  with  joy.  If 
 the  heart  be  in  heaven,  the  remnant  of  you  cannot  be  kept  the  pri^ 
 foiier  of  ihe  fecond  death  :  but  though  he  be  the  fame  Chrift  in 
 the  other  life,  ye  found  him  to  be  here,  yet  he  is  fo  far  in  his  excel- 
 Ifiicy,  beauty,  fweetnefs,  irradiations  and  beams  of  majefty,  above 
 what  he  appeared  here,  when  \\z  is  feen  as  he  is,  that  ye  fl::ail  mii^ 
 
Epift.  47.]  LETTERS.  407 
 
 ken  him,  and  he  fhall  appear  a  newChrift;  and  his  kifTcs-,  breath* 
 ings,  embracei^ents,  the  perfume,  the  ointment  of  his  name  pour- 
 ed out  on  you,  fliall  appear  to  have  more  of  God,  and  a  ilronger 
 fmell  of  heavs^n,  of  eternity,  of  a  God-head,  of  majclty  and  glory 
 there  than  here:  as  water  at  the  fountain,  apples  in  the  orchard 
 and  befide  the  tree,  have  more  of  their  native  fweetnefs,  tafte  and 
 beauty,  than  when  tranfported  to  us  fome  hundred  miles.   I  mean 
 not  thatChrift  can  lofe  a:ny  of  his  fweetnefs  in  the  carrying,  or  that 
 he  in  his  God-head  and  lovelinefs  of  prefence  can  be  changed  to 
 the  worfe,  betwixt  the  little  fpot  of  the  earth  ye  are  in,  and  the 
 right  hand  of  the  Father,  far  above  all  heavens;  but  the  change 
 will  be  in  you,  when  ye  fliall  have  new  fenfes,  and  the  foul  (liall  be 
 a  more  deep  and  more  capacious  vefTel,  to  take  in  more  of  Chrill  v 
 and  when  means,  the  chariot,  the  gofpel,  that  he  is  now  carried 
 in,  and  ordinances  that  convey  him,  ihali  be  removed.    Sure  yd 
 cannot  now  be  faid  to  fee  him  face  to  face,  or  to  drink  of  the  wine 
 of  the  higheft  fountain,  or  to  take  in  feas  and  tides  of  frefh  love 
 immediately,  without  velTels,  midfes  or  meliengers,  at  the  Foun- 
 tain  itfelf,  as  ye  (hall  do  a  few  days  hence,  when  ye  ftiali  be  fo 
 near  as  to  be  with  Chrift,  Luke  xxiii.  43.  John  xvii.  24.   Phil.  i. 
 23.  I  Their.,  iv.  17.   Ye  would  (no  doubt)  beflow  a  day's  journey^ 
 yea,  many  days  journey  on  earth,  to  go  up  to  heaven,  and  fetch 
 down  any  thing  of  Chrift;  how  much  more  may  ye  be  willing  ta 
 make  a  journey  to  go  in  perfon  to  heaven,  (it  is  not  ioit  time,  but 
 gained  eternity)  to  enjoy  the  full  God-head  .'*  and  tlien  in  fucb  a 
 manner,  as  he  is  not  there  in  his  week  days  apparel,  as  he  is  here 
 with  us,  in  a  drop  or  the  tenth  part  of  a  night's  dewing  of  grace 
 and  fweetnefs  ;  but  he  is  there  in  his  marriage-robe  of  glory,  rich- 
 er, more  coflly,  more  precious,  in  one  hem  or  button  of  that  gar- 
 ment of  Fountain-majefty  than  a  m.illion  of  worlds.    Oh  the  well 
 is  deep!  ye  fliall  then  think  that  preachers,  and  finful  ambafiadors 
 on  eaith,  did  but  fpill  and  mar  his  praifes,  when  they  fpoke  of  him 
 and  preached  his  beauty.     Alas  I   we  but  make  Chrift  black,  and 
 lefs  lovely,  in  making  fuch  infignificant,  and  drv,  and  cold,  and 
 low  exprefTions  of  his  higheft:  and  tranfcendent  fuper-excellency,  ta 
 the  daughters  of  Jerulalem.   Sure,  1  have  often,  for  my  own  part, 
 finned  in  this  thiivg  :   no  doubt,  angels  do  not  fulfil  their  talk  ac- 
 cording to  their  obligation,  in  that  Chrift  kept  their  feet  from  fal- 
 ling with  the  loft  devils;  though  1  know,   they  are  not  behind  in 
 going  to  the  utnioft  of  created  power  :  but  there  is  Cm  ifi  our  praif- 
 ing,  and  fin  in  the  quantity,  befides  other  fins.     But  I  muft  leave 
 this  :  it  is  too  deep  for  me.   Go  and  fee,  and  we  defire  to  go  with 
 yoo;  but  we  are  not  mafters  of  our  own  diet.    If  in  that  laft  jour- 
 ney ye  tread  on  a  ferpent  in  the  way,  and  thereby  wound  your  heel, 
 as  Jefus  Chrift  did  before  you,  the  print  X)f  the  wound  (hall  not  be 
 known  at  the  refurreclion  of  the  juft.    Death  is  but  an  awfomc 
 
4o8  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  47.] 
 
 Hep  over  time  and  fin  to  fweet  Jefus  Chrift,  who  knew  and  fek 
 the  worft  of  death  ;  for  death's  teeth  hurt  him  :  we  know  death 
 hath  no  teeth  now,  no  jaws,  for  they  are  broken  ;  it  is  a  free  pri- 
 fon,  citizens  pay  nothing  for  the  grave;  the  goaler,  who  had  the 
 power  of  death,  is  deftroyed  :  praife  and  glory  be  to  the  Firft  be- 
 gotten of  the  dead.  The  v  orft  pofTibly  that  may  be,  is,  that  ye 
 leave  behind  you  children,  hufband,  and  the  church  of  God  in 
 miferies  ;  but  ye  cannot  get  them  to  heaven  with  you  for  the  pre- 
 fent ;  ye  fnall  not  mifs  them,  and  Chrift  cannot  mifcount  one  or 
 the  poorefl  of  his  lambs  :  no  lad,  no  girl,  no  poor  one  fhall  be  a- 
 miffrng,  ere  ye  fee  them  again  in  the  day  that  the  Son  fhall  render 
 up  the  kingdom  to  his  Father.  The  evening  and  the  fiiadow  of 
 every  poor  hireling  is  coming  ;  the  church  of  Chrift's  fun  in  this 
 life  is  declining  low:  not  a  foul  of  the  militant  company  will  be 
 here  within  few  generations;  our  Hufband  will  fend  for  them  all. 
 It  is  a  rich  mercy,  we  are  not  married  to  time,  longer  than  the 
 courfe  be  finifhed.  Ye  may  rejoice  that  ye  got  not  to  heaven,  till 
 ye  knew  that  Jefus  is  there  before  you,  that  when  ye  come  thither, 
 at  your  firft  entry,  ye  may  find  the  fmell  of  his  ointments,  his 
 myrrh,  aloes,  and  caffia.  And  this  firft  falutation  of  his  will  make 
 you  find  it  is  no  uncomfortable  thing  to  die.  Go  and  enjoy  your 
 gain ;  live  on  Chrift's  love  while  ye  are  here,  and  all  the  way.  As 
 for  the  church  ye  leave  behind  you,  the  government  is  upon 
 Chrift's  (boulders,  and  he  will  plead  for  the  blood  of  his  faints; 
 the  bufti  hath  been  burning  above  five  thoufand  years,  and  wc  ne- 
 ver yet  faw  the  aflies  of  this  fire:  yet  a  little  while,  and  the  vifion 
 (hall  not  tarry;  it  fliall  fpeak  and  not  lie.  I  am  more  afraid  of  my 
 duty,  than  of  the  Head  Chrift's  government:  he  cannot  fail  to 
 bring  judgment  to  viclory.  O  that  we  could  wait  for  our  hidden 
 life  !  O  that  Chrift  would  remove  the  covering,  draw  afide  the  cur- 
 tain of  time,  and  rend  the  heavens  and  come  down  !  O  that  Iha- 
 dows  and  night  were  gone,  that  the  day  would  break,  and  he  that 
 feedeth  among  the  lilies  would  cry  to  his  heavenly  trumpeters, 
 Make  ready,  let  us  go  down  and  fold  together  the  four  corners  of 
 the  world,  and  marry  the  bride  !  His  grace  be  with  you.  Now, 
 if  I  have  found  favour  with  you,  and  if  ye  judge  me  faithful,  my 
 laft  fuit  to  you  is,  that  ve  would  leave  me  a  legacy,  and  that  is, 
 that  my  name  may  be  at  the  very  laft  in  your  prayers;  as  I  defire 
 alio  it  may  be  in  the  prayers  of  thofe  of  your  Chriftian  acquaint- 
 ance with  whom  ye  have  been  intimate. 
 
 London^  Jan.  q.  Tour  brother  in  his  cwn  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1646.     '  S.  lU 
 
Epift.  48.]  LETTERS.  409 
 
 48.     To  my  Lady  KENMURK 
 
 .  Madaniy 
 ^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.    It  is  the  lead  of  the 
 ^^  princely  and  royal   bounty  of  Jefus  Chrift,  to  pay  a  king's 
 debts,  and  not  to  have  his  fervants  at  a  lofs.     His  gold  is  better 
 than  yours,  and  his  hundred  fold  is  the  income  and  rent  of  heaven 
 and  far  above  your  revenues  :  ye  are  not  the  firft  who  have  cafteii 
 up  your  accounts  that  way.    Better  have  Chrift  your  Faclor  than 
 any  other ;  for  he  tradeth  to  the  advantage  of  his  poor  fervants. 
 But  if  the  hundred-fold  in  this  life  be  fo  well  told,  as  Chrift  can- 
 not pay  you  with  mifcounting  or  deferred  hope  ;  O  what  muft: 
 the  rent  of  that  land  be,  which  rendereth  every  day  and  every  hour 
 of  the  years  of  long  eternity,  the  whole  rent  of  a  year,  yea,  of  mor» 
 than  thouland  thoulands  of  ages,  even  the  weighty  income  of  a 
 rich  kingdom,  not  every  fummer  once,  but  every  moment !  That 
 fum  of  glory  will  take  you  and  all  the  angels  telling.    To  be  a 
 tenant  to  fuch  a  Landlord,  where  every  berry  and  grape  of  the 
 large  field  beareth  no  worfe  fruit  than  glory,  fulnefs  of  joy,  and 
 pleafures  that  endure  for  evermore  ;  1  leave  it  to  yourfelf  to  think 
 what  a  fummer,  what  a  foil,  what  a  garden  muft  be  there ;  and 
 what  muft  be  the  commodities  of  that  higheft  land,  where  fun  and 
 moon  are  under  the  feet  of  the  inhabitants.    Surely  the  land  can- 
 not be  bought  with  gold,  blood,  banilhment,  lofs  of  father  and  mo- 
 ther, huft^and,  wife,  children.     We  but  dwell  here,  becaufe  we 
 can  do  no  better  \  it  is  need,  not  virtue,  to  be  fojourncrs  in  a  pri- 
 fon  ;  to  weep,  and  figh,  and,  alas  !  to  fin  fixty  or  feventy  years  in 
 a  land  of  tears  i  the  fruits  that  grow  here  are  all  feafoned  and  fak- 
 ed with  fm.  O  how  fweet  is  it,  that  the  company  of  the  Firft-born 
 fliould  be  divided  in  two  great  bodies  of  an  army,  and  fome  in 
 their  country,  and  fome  in  the  way  to  their  country  !  If  it  were 
 no  more  but  to  fee  once  the  face  of  the  Prince  of  this  good  land, 
 and  to  be  feafted  for  eternity  with  the  fatnefs,  fweetnefs,  dainties  of 
 the  rays  and  beams  of  matchlcfs  glory,  and  incomparable  foutain- 
 love,  it  were  a  well-fpent  journey  to  creep  hands  and  iect,  througlx 
 feven  deaths  and  feven  hells,  to  enjoy  him  up  at  the  well-head. 
 Only  let  us  not  weary,  the  miles  to  that  land  are  fewer  and  Ihort- 
 er  than  when  we  firft  believed  •,   ftrangers  are  not  wife  to  quarrel 
 with  their  hoft,  and  complain  of  their  lodging  •,  it  is  a  foul  way, 
 but  a  fair  home.   O  that  I  had  but  fuch  grapes  and  clufters  out  of 
 the  land  as  I  have  fometime  feen  and  tailed  in  the  place  whereof 
 your  Ladyfhip  maketh  mention  !  but  the  hope  of  it  in  the  end  is 
 an  heartfome  convoy  in  the  way.     If  I  fee  little  more  of  the  gold 
 till  the  race  be  ended,  I  dare  not  quarrel  j  it  is  the  Loid;  1  hop« 
 
 F  f  f 
 
4IO  Mr  RUTffERFOORD'5  Epift.  49.} 
 
 his  chariot  (liall  go  through  thefe  three  kingdoms,  after  our  fufFer- 
 ing  Ihall  be  acompiiihed.    Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 LondoHy  Jan,  26.  Xour  Ladyjhifs  in  Jefus  Chriji, 
 
 1646.  8.  R. 
 
 40.    To  Mr  J.  G. 
 
 Reverend  arid  dear  brother^ 
 T  bhail  with  my  ibul  defire  the  peace  of  thefe  kingdoms,  and  I 
 ■*•  do  believe  it  ihall  at  lall  come,  as  a  river  and  as  the  mighty 
 vraves  of  the  fea  \  but  O  that  we  were  ripe  and  in  readinefs  to  re- 
 ceive it !  The  preferving  of  two  or  three  or  four  or  five  berries,  m 
 the  outmoil  boughs  of  the  olive-tree,  after  the  vintage,  is  like  to 
 be  a  great  matter  ere  all  be  done;  yet  I  know  a  clufler  in  both 
 kingdo-nas  fhall  be  faved,  for  a  bleffingis  in  it :  but  it  is  not  (I  fear) 
 ip  near  to  tne  dawning  of  the  day  of  falvation,  but  the  clouds  muft 
 fend  down  more  ihowers  of  blood  to  water  the  vineyard  of  the 
 Lord,  and  to  caufe  it  to  bloiTom.  Scotland's  fcum  is  not  yet  re- 
 moved; nor  is  England's  drofs  and  tin  taken  away  ;  nor  the  filth 
 of  our  blood  purged  by  the  fpirit  of  judgment,  and  the  fpirit  ot 
 burning  :  but  i  am  too  much  on  this  fad  fubjecl.  As  for  myfelf, 
 ]  do  erteem  nothing  out  of  heaven,  and  next  to  a  communion  with 
 Jefus  Chrifi:,  more  than  to  be  in  the  hearts  and  prayers  of  the  faints ; 
 I  knov7  he  feedeth  there  amongft  the  lilies,  till  the  day  break  :  but 
 i  am  at  a  low  ebb,  as  to  any  fenfible  communion  with  Chrilt ;  yea, 
 as  low  as  any  foul' can  be,  and  do  fcarce  know  where  I  am  -,  and 
 do  now  make  it  a  queltion,  if  any  can  go  to  him,  who  dwellcth 
 in  light  inacceiTibie,  through  nothing  but  darknefs?  Sure,  all  that 
 tome  to  heaven,  have  a  liock  in  Chrilt ;  but  I  know  not  where 
 mine  is.  It  cannot  be  enough  for  me  to  believe  the  falvation  of  o- 
 thers,  and  to  know  Chrift  to  be  the  honeycomb,  the  rofe  of  Sha- 
 ron, the  paradife  and  Eden  of  the  faints  and  firfl-born  vv-rittcn  in 
 heaven,  and  not  to  fee  after  the  borders  of  that  good  land.  But 
 what  IbaH  I  fay?  either  this  is  the  Lord  making  grace  a  new  crea- 
 tion, where  there  is  pure  nothing  and  finful  nothing  to  work  upon, 
 or  I  am  gone.  I  Ihould  count  my  foul  engaged  to  yourfelf,  and 
 others  there  with  you,  if  ye  would  but  carry  to  Chrift  for  me  a 
 Jetter  of  cyphers  and  nonfenle  ;  (for  I  know  not  how  to  make  lan- 
 guage of  my  condition)  only  fhewing  that  I  have  need  of  his  love  ; 
 for  I  know  many  fair  and  wafhcn  ones  ftand  now  in  white  before 
 the  throne,  who  were  once  as  black  as  1  am.  If  Chrilt  pafs  his 
 'word  to  wafli  a  finiier,  it  is  lefs  to  him  than  a  word  to  make  fair 
 angels  of  black  devils;  only  let  the  art  of  free  grace  be  engaged. 
 1  have  not  a  cautioner  to  give  furety,  nor  doth  a  Mediator,  fuch  as 
 he  is  in  all  perfection,  need  a  mediator :  but  what  I  need,  he 
 kftoweth  i  onl/j  it  is  his  depth  of  wiidom,  to  let  fome  pafs  millions 
 
Epift.  50.]  LETTERS.  411 
 
 of  miles  over  fcore  in  debt,  thit  they  may  (land  between  the  win- 
 ning and  the  lofing,  in  need  of  more  than  ordinary  free  grace. 
 Chri(t  hath  been  multiplying  grace  by  mercy  above  thefe  five  thou- 
 fand  years;  and  the  latter-born  heirs  have  (o  much  greater  guilti- 
 nefs,  that  Chrift  hath  pailed  more  experiments  and  multiplied  eflays 
 of  heart-love  on  others,  by  mifbelieving,  after  it  is  pall  all  queflion, 
 maiiy  hundred  of  ages,  that  Chrift  is  the  undeniable  and  now  un- 
 controverted  Treafurer  of  multiplied  redemptions;  fo  now  be  is 
 faying,  The  more  of  the  difeafe  there  is,  the  more  of  the  Fhyfici- 
 an's  art,  of  grace  and  tendernefs,  there  muft  be  :  only  I  know, 
 no  finner  can  put  infinite  grace  to  it,  fo  as  the  Mediator  (hall  have 
 difficulty,  or  much  ado,  to  fave  this  or  that  man  ;  millions  of 
 hells  of  Tinners  cannot  come  near  to  exhauft  iniinite  grace.  1  pray 
 you  (remembering  my  love  to  your  wife, -and  friends  there)  \tt 
 me  find  that  I  have  iolliciLors  there  amongft  your  acquaintance; 
 and  forget  not  Scotland. 
 
 London,   Jan.  30.  Tour  brother  in  J  ejus  Chr't/l, 
 
 1646.  S.  R. 
 
 50.  To  my  Lady  KENMUR.E. 
 Madam^ 
 TT  is  too  like,  the  Lord's  controverfy  with  ihefe  two  nations  is 
 ■*■  but  yet  beginning,  and  that  we  are  ripened  and  white  for  the 
 Lord's  iickle.  For  the  particular  condition  your  Ladyfliip  is  in, 
 another  might  fpeak  (if  they  would  fay  all)  of  more  fad  things.  If 
 jhere  were  not  a  fountain  of  free  grace  to  water  dry  ground,  and 
 an  uncreated  wind  to  breathe  on  withered  and  dry  banes,  we  were 
 gone.  The  wheels  of  ChrilVs  chariot  to  pluck  us  out  of  the  womb 
 of  many  deaths,  are  winged  like  eat!;ks.  AW  1  have,  is,  to  defire 
 to  believe,  that  Chrift  will  fliew  all  good-will  to  fave  :  and  as  for 
 your  Ladyrnip,  I  know  that  our  Lord  Jefus  carrieth  en  no  defign 
 againil  you,  but  feeketh  to  fave  and  redeem  you  :  he  lieth  not  in 
 wait  for  your  falls,  except  it  be  to  take  you  up.  His  way  of  re- 
 deeming is  raviHiing  and  taking;  there  arc  more  miracles  of  glo- 
 rinvd  fmuers  in  heaven,  than  can  be  on  earth.  Nothing  of  you, 
 iVIdd^m,  nay,  not  your  leaf,  can  wither.  Verily,  it  is  a  king's  life 
 to  follow  the  Lamb;  but  whtn  ye  fee  him  in  his  own  country  at 
 home,  ye  will  think  ye  never  faw  him  before  :  *  He  Ihall  be  admir- 
 ed of  all  them  that  believe,  2  Thefi".  i.  i  2,  Ye  may  judge  how  far 
 all  your  now  fad  days  and  tolfings,  changes,  loflcs,  wants,  conllicfts, 
 fnall  then  be  below  you.  Ye  look  tothecrofs,  now  it  is  above  v^^ur 
 head,  and  feems  to  threaten  death,  as  having  a  dominion;  but  it 
 fball  then  be  fofar  below  your  thoughts,  or  ynir  thoughts  fo  far  a- 
 bove  it,  that  ye  ihall  have  no  leifurc  to  lend  one  thought  to  old 
 tiated  croffes,  in  youth,  in  age,  in.  this  country  or  in  that,  from 
 
 Ff  f  2 
 
4tz  Ur  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift;5i.] 
 
 this  inflrument  or  from  another  *,  except  it  be  to  the  heightening 
 of  your  confolation,  being  now  got  above  and  beyond  all  thefe. 
 Old  age,  and  waxing  old  as  a  garment,  is  written  on  the  faireft 
 face  of  the  creaiion,  Pfal.  cii.  26,  27.  Death,  from  Adam  to  the 
 fecond  Adam's  appearance,  playeth  the  king  and  reigneth  over  all ; 
 the  prime  Heir  died,  his  children,  which  the  Lord  hath  given,  fol-. 
 low  him :  and  we  may  fpeak  freely  of  the  life  which  is  here ;  were  it 
 heaven,  there  were  not  much  gain  in  godlinefs :  but  there  is  a  reft 
 for  the  people  of  God.  Chriil-man  poffefleth  it  now  one  thoufand 
 iix  hundred  years  before  many  of  his  members;  but  it  weareth  not 
 our.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Londorij  Feb.  16.  Tour  Ladyjkip's  in  Chriji  Jejitiy 
 
 1640.  8.  R. 
 
 51.  To  the  Lady  ARDROSS. 
 Mddam, 
 /^RAC£,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you:  it  hath  feemed  good  (as 
 ^^  I  hear)  to  him  v/ho  hath  appointed  a  bounds  for  the  number 
 of  our  months,  to  gather  in  a  Iheaf  of  ripe  corn  (in  the  death  of 
 your  Chriftian  mother)  into  his  garner :  it  is  the  more  evident, 
 that  winter  is  near,  when  apples,  without  violence  of  wind,  do  of 
 their  own  accord  fall  off  the  tree.  She  is  now  above  the  winter,' 
 ■with  a  little  change  of  place,  not  of  a  Saviour;  only  fhe  enjoyeth 
 }nm  now  without  meiTages,  and  in  his  own  immediate  prefence, 
 from  whom  flie  heard  by  letters  and  mefiengers  before.  1  grant, 
 death  is  to  her  a  very  new  thing,  but  heaven  was  prepared  of  old; 
 ^wA  Chrift  enjoyed  in  his  highelt  throne,  and  as  loaded  with  glory, 
 and  incomparably  exalted  above  men  and  angels,  having  fuch  a 
 heavenly  circle  of  glorified  harpers  and  muficians  above,  compaff- 
 ing  the  throne  v^ith  a  fong,  is  to  her  a  new  thing  ;  but  fo  new, 
 as  the  firft  fummer-rofe,  or  the  firft-fruits  of  that  heavenly  field; 
 or  as  a  new  paradife  to  a  traveller,  broken  and  worn  out  of  breath 
 with  the  fad  occurrences  of  a  long  and  driery  way.  Ye  eafily  judge. 
 Madam,  what  a  large  recompence  is  m.ade  to  all  her  fervice,  her 
 walking  with  God,  and  her  forrows,  with  the  firft  caft  of  the  foul's 
 eye  upon  the  fliining  and  admirably  beautiful  face  of  the  Lamb, 
 that  is  in  the  midft  of  that  fair  and  white  army  that  is  there,  and 
 with  the  firft  draught  and  tafte  of  the  fountain  of  life,  frefh  and 
 new  at  the  well-head  :  to  fay  nothing  of  the  enjoying  of  that  Face, 
 without  date,  for  more  than  this  term  of  life  which  we  now  enjoy. 
 And  it  coft  her  no  more  to  go  thither,  but  to  fuffer  death  to  do 
 her  this  piece  of  fervice  :  for  by  him,  who  was  dead,  and  is  alive, 
 (he  was  delivered  from  the  feQond  death ;  what  then  is  the  firft  death 
 to  the  fecond  ?  Not  a  fcratch  of  the  hide  of  a  finger,  to  the  endlefs 
 fecond  death.    And  now  (lie  ficteth  for  eternity  mail- free,  in  ^ 
 
Epift.52-]  LETTERS.  413 
 
 very  confiderable  land,  which  hath  more  than  four  fummers  iq 
 the  year.  O  what  fpring-iime  is  there  !  even  the  fmelling  of  the 
 odours  of  that  great  and  eternally  blooming  Rofe  of  Sharon  for 
 ever  and  ever  ?  AVhat  a  Tmging  liie  is  there  ?  there  is  not  a  dumb 
 bird  in  all  that  large  field,  but  all  fing  and  breathe  out  heaven, 
 joy,  glory,  dominion,  to  the  high  Prince  of  that  new-found  land  ; 
 and  verily  the  land  is  the  fweeter,  that  Jefus  Chriil  paid  fo  dear  a 
 rent  for  it,  and  he  is  the  glory  of  the  land :  all  which,  I  hope,  doth 
 not  fo  much  mitigate  and  allay  your  grief  for  her  part  (as  truly 
 this  lliould  feem  fufficient)  as  the  unerring  expectation  of  the 
 dawning  of  that  day  upon  yourfelf,  and  the  hope  ye  have  of  the 
 fruition  of  that  fame  Kmg  and  kingdom  to  your  own  foul.  Cer- 
 tainly the  hope  of  it,  when  things  look  fo  dark  like  on  both  king- 
 doms, mufl  be  an  exceeding  great  quickening  to  languifhing  fpi- 
 rits,  who  are  far  from  home  while  we  are  here.  What  mifery,  to 
 have  both  a  bad  way  all  the  day,  and  no  hope  of  lodging  at  night ! 
 but  he  hath  taken  up  your  lodging  for  you.  I  can  fay  no  more 
 now  ;  but  I  pray,  that  the  very  God  of  peace  may  eflablifli  your 
 heart  to  the  end.     I  reft, 
 
 London^  Feb.  24.      Madam,  your  Ladyfiip's  at  all  refpeHive 
 1646.  obedience  in  the  Lcrd^  S.  R. 
 
 I 
 
 52.     To  M.  O. 
 Sir, 
 
 Can  write  nothing  for  the  prefent  concerning  thefe  times  (what- 
 ever others  may  think)  but  that  which  fpeaketh  wrath  and  judg- 
 ment to  thefe  kingdoms.  If  ever  ye,  or  any  of  that  land,  received 
 the  gofpel  in  the  truth,  (as  I  am  confident  ye  and  thev  did)  there 
 is  here  a  great  departure  from  that  faith,  and  our  fufferings  are  not 
 yet  at  an  end  :  however,  I  dare  teftify  and  die  for  it,  that  once 
 Chrift  was  revealed  in  the  power  of  his  excellency  and  glory  to  the 
 faints  there,  and  in  Scotland,  of  which  I  was  a  witnels  :  I  pray 
 God  none  deceive  you,  or  take  the  crown  from  you.  Hell  or  the 
 gates  of  hell  cannot  ravel,  mar  or  undo  what  Chrift  hath  once  done 
 amongft  you  :  it  may  be,  that  I  a!!i  incapable  of  new  light,  and  can- 
 not receive  that  fpirit  whereof  fome  vainly  boaft;  but  that  which 
 was  from  the  beginning,  which  we  have  heard,  which  we  have 
 fcen  with  our  ejcs,  which  we  have  looked  upon,  and  our  hands 
 have  bandied,  even  the  word  of  life,  John  i.  2,  3.  hath  been  de- 
 clared to  you.  Thcufands  of  thoufands,  walking  in  that  liglii  aiul 
 that  good  old  way,  have  gone  to  heaven,  and  are  now  before  the 
 throne;  truth  is  but  one,  and  hath  no  numbers.  Chrift  and  Anti- 
 chrift  are  both  now  in  the  camp,  and  are  come  to  open  blows  : 
 Chrift's  poor  fiiip  faileth  in  ih.i  fca  of  blood,  the  paiTengers  are  fo 
 ffeia-iitk  of  a  high  fever,  that  they  mifcal  one  another  f  Chrift  ^I 
 
4^4  Mr  RUTNERFOORD's  Eplft.  52.] 
 
 hope)  (hall  bring  the  broken  bark  to  land :  I  had  rather  fwim  for 
 life  and  death  on  an  old  plank,  or  a  broken  board,  to  land  with 
 Chrilt,  than  enjoy  the  rotten  peace  we  have  hitherto  had.  It  is 
 like  the  Lord  will  take  a  feverecourfe  with  us,  tocaufe  the  children 
 of  the  family  agree  together.  I  conceive  that  Chriil  hath  a  great 
 defign  of  free  grace  to  thefe  lands  j  but  his  wheels  muft  move  over 
 mountains  and  rocks.  He  never  yet  wooed  a  bride  on  earth,  but 
 in  blood,  in  fire^  and  in  the  wildernefs.  A  crofs  of  our  own  chuf- 
 ing,  honeyed  and  fugared  with  confolations,  we  cannot  have  :  I 
 think  not  much  of  a  crofs,  when  all  the  children  of  the  houfe  weep 
 with  me  and  for  me  •,  and  to  fuffer  when  we  enjoy  the  communi- 
 on of  faints,  is  not  much ;  but  it  is  hard  when  faints  rejoice  in  the 
 fuffering  of  faints,  and  redeeming  ones  hurt,  yea,  even  e.o  nigh  to 
 hate  redeemed  ones.  I  confefs,  I  imagined,  there  had  no  more 
 been  fuch  an  afflidion  on  earth,  or  in  the  world,  as  that  one 
 elect  angel  fhould  fight  againft  another;  but,  for  contempt  of  the 
 communion  of  faints,  we  have  need  of  new-boin  erodes,  fcarce  ever 
 heard  of  before  ;  the  faints  are  not  Chrift,  there  js  no  misjudging 
 in  him,  there  is  much  in  us;  and  a  doubt  it  is,  if  we  fliall  have 
 fully  one  heart,  till  we  (liall  enjoy  one  heaven :  our  ftar-light  hideth 
 us  from  ourfel  ves,  v»nd  hideth  us  from  one  another,  and  Chriit  from 
 us  all;  but  he  will  not  be  hidden  from  us.  1  (hall  wifh  that  all 
 the  fons  of  our  Father  in  that  land  be  of  one  mind,  and  that  they 
 be  not  (haken  nor  moved  from  the  truth  once  received.  Chriil  was 
 in  that  gofpel,  and  Chrift  is  the  fame  now  that  he  was  in  the  pre- 
 lates time:  that  gofpel  cannot  link,  it  will  make  you  free,  and  bear 
 you  out:  Chrift,  the  fubject  of  it,  is  the  chofen  of  God,  and  Com- 
 eth, from  Bozrah  with  garments  dyed  in  blood.  Ireland  and 
 Scotland  both  muit  be  his  field,  in  which  he  (liall  feed  and  gather 
 lillies :  fuppofe  (which  yet  it  is  impofiible)  that  fome  had  an  eternity 
 of  Chriil  in  Ireland,  and  a  (weet  fummer  of  the  gofpel,  and  a  feaft 
 of  fat  things  for  evermore  in  Ireland,  and  one  fhould  never  come 
 to  heaven,  it  fhould  be  a  defirable  life  -,  the  King's  fplkenard, 
 Chriil  s  perfume,  his  apples  of  love,  his  ointments,  even  down  in 
 this  lower  houfe  of  clay,  are  a  choice  heaven  :  O  wh.t  th.^M  is  the 
 King  in  his  own  land,  where  there  is  fuch  a  throne,  li»  uiauy 
 king's  palaces,  ten  thounind  thoufands  of  crowns  of  ^^-v';.,  timt 
 want  heads  yet  to  fill  them  I  O  fo  much  leifure  as  fii»lM.e  I'ltre 
 to  fing  !  O  fuch  a  tree  as  groweth  there  in  the  midft  of  th^.t  para- 
 dife,  where  the  inhabitants  fing  eternally  under  its  branches  1  To 
 look  in  at  a  window  and  fee  the  branches  burdened  v  ith  the 
 apples  of  life,  to  be  the  lad  man  that  fhall  come  in  thither,  were  too 
 much  for  me.  1  pray  you  remember  me  to  the  Chriftians  there, 
 and  remember  our  private  covenant.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 Loni/on,  Jpril  i  7.  Tour  friend  in  the  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1646.  S.  II, 
 
Epifl.  53-1  LETTERS.  415 
 
 53.     To  EARLSTOUN  Elder, 
 
 Sir, 
 T  Know  ye  have  learned  long  ago,  ere  I  kne^/  any  thing  of  Chrift, 
 -*•  that  if  we  had  the  crofs  at  our  own  elecUon,  we  would  either 
 have  law-furety  for  freedom  from  it,  cr  then  we  would  have  it 
 honeyed  and  fu;^;ired  with  comforts,  fo  as  the  fweet  fhould  over- 
 mafler  the  g^l)  and  worm- wood.  Chriit  knoweth  how  to  breed 
 the  fons  of  his  houfe,  and  ye  will  give  him  leave  to  take  his  own 
 way  of  difpenfation  with  you;  and  though  it  be  rough,  forgive 
 him  ;  he  defieth  you  to  have  as  much  patience  to  him,  as  he  hath 
 borne  to  you.  I  am  fure  there  cannot  a  drahm-wcight  of  gall  be 
 lefs  in  your  cup:  and  ye  would  not  defire  he  Ihould  afflict  you, 
 5ind  hurt  your  foul.  When  his  people  cannot  have  a  providence 
 of  filk  and  rofes,  they  muft  be  content  with  fuch  an  one  as  he  car- 
 vcth  out  for  them  :  ye  would  not  go  to  heaven  but  with  compa- 
 ny •,  and  ye  may  perceive  that  the  way  of  thofe  who  went  before 
 you  was  through  blood,  fufFerings,  and  many  afflictions  •,  nay, 
 Chriit,  the  Captain,  went  in  over  the  door-thrcfliold  of  paradife, 
 bleeding  to  death.  I  do  not  think  but  ye  have  learned  to  ftoop, 
 though  ye  (as  others)  be  naturally  (lifF;  and  that  ye  have  found 
 that  the  apples  and  fweet  f'ruits,  which  grow  on  that  crabbed  tree 
 of  the  crofs,  are  as  fweet  as  it  is  four  to  bear  it;  efpecially  confi- 
 dering,  that  Chriil  hath  borne  the  whole  complete  crofs,  and  his 
 faints  bear  but  bits  and  chips;  as  the  apoftle  faith,  The  remnants 
 or  leavings  of  the  crofs.  I  judge  you  ten  thoufand  times  happy, 
 that  ever  ye  was  grace's  debtor  ;  for  certainly  Chrift  hath  engaged 
 you  over  head  and  ears  to  free  grace  ;  and  take  the  debt  with  you 
 to  eternity,  Immanuers  higheft  land,  where  ye  find  before  you  a 
 houfe  full  of  Chrift's  everlafting  debtors,  the  lefs  fhame  to  you  : 
 yea,  and  this  lower  kingdom  of  grace  is  but  Chrift's  hofpital  and 
 gueft-houfe  of  fick  folks,  whom  the  brave  and  noble  Phyfician 
 Chrift  hath  cured,  upon  a  venture  of  life  and  death  ;  and  if  ye  be 
 near  the  watcr-fide  (as  I  know  ye  are)  all  that  I  can  fay  is  this. 
 Sir,  that  I  feel  by  the  fmell  of  that  land  which  is  before  you,  that 
 it  is  a  goodly  country,  and  it  is  well  pnid  for  to  your  hand  ;  and 
 he  is  betore  you,  who  will  heartily  welcome  you.  O  to  fuck  thofe 
 breafts  of  full  confolation  above,  and  to  drink  Chrift's  new  wine 
 up  in  his  Father's  houfe,  is  fome  greater  matter  than  is  believed  ! 
 Since  it  was  brewed  from  eternity  for  the  Head  of  the  houfe,  and 
 fo  many  thoufand  crowned  kings ;  rubs  in  the  way,  where  the 
 lodging  is  fo  good,  are  not  much.  He  that  brought  again  from 
 the  dead  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  fliecp,  by  the  blood  of  the  e- 
 ternal  covenant,  eft.iblifti  you  to  the  end. 
 
 London^  May  15.  T'Mr  friend  and  ferv ant ^ 
 
 1645.  i^  1-fii  (^f^rifly  ii.  R. 
 
fjif  Mr  RUTffERFOORD's  Epift.  54.] 
 
 54.     To  his  reverend  and  -worthy  brother^  Mr.  GEORGE 
 GILLESPIE. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother ^ 
 T  Cannot  fpeak  to  you.  The  way  ye  know,  the  paffage  is  free 
 '■'  and  not  (topped,  the  piint  of  the  footfteps  of  the  Forerunner  is 
 clear  and  manifeft,  many  have  gone  before  you  :  ye  will  not  fleep 
 long  in  the  dull  before  the  day  break  \  it  is  a  far  (horter  piece  of 
 the  hinder-end  of  the  night  to  yon,  than  to  Abraham  and  Mofes  , 
 befide  all  the  time  of  their  bodies  refting  under  corruption,  it  is  as 
 long  yet  to  their  day  as  to  your  morning-light  of  awaking  to  glo- 
 ry; though  their  fpirits,  having  the  advantage  of  yours,  have  had 
 now  the  fore-ftart  of  the  fliore  before  you.  I  dare  fay  nothing  a- 
 gainft  his  difpenfation  ;  I  hope  to  follow  quickly :  the  heirs,  that 
 are  not  there  before  you,  are  polling  with  hafte  after  you,  and  none 
 fhall  take  your  lodging  over  your  head.  Be  not  heavy  :  the  life 
 of  faith  is  now  called  for  ;  doing  was  never  reckoned  in  your  ac- 
 counts, (though  Chrift  in  and  by  you  hath  done  more,  than  by 
 twenty,  yea,  an  hundred  gray-haired  and  godly  paftors)  believing 
 now  is  your  lad  :  look  to  that  word,  Gal.  ii.  20.  Neverthelcfs  I 
 live,  yet  not  /,  but  Chrift  liveth  in  me.  Ye  know  the  I  that  liveth, 
 and  the  I  that  liveth  not  ;  it  is  not  fmgle  ye  that  liveth,  Chrift  by 
 law  liveth  in  the  broken  debtor  ^  it  is  not  a  life  by  doing  or  holy 
 walking,  but  the  living  of  Chrift  in  you.  If  ye  look  to  yourfelf  as 
 divided  from  Chrift,  ye  muft  be  more  than  heavy :  all  yoiir  wants 
 (dear  brother)  be  upon  him :  ye  are  his  debitor,  grace  muft  fum 
 and  fubfcribe  your  accounts  as  paid  :  ftand  not  upon  items,  and 
 fmall  or  little  fandlification  ;  ye  know,  inherent  holinefs  muft  ftand 
 by,  when  imputed  is  all.  I  fear  the  clay-houfe  is  a  taking  down 
 and  undermining ;  but  it  is  nigh  the  dawning,  look  to  the  eaft, 
 the  dawning  of  the  glory  is  near  :  your  Guide  is  good  company, 
 and  knoweth  all  the  miles,  and  the  ups  and  downs  in  the  way  ;  the 
 nearer  the  morning,  the  darker.  Some  traveller  feeth  the  city 
 twenty  miles  off,  and  at  a  diftance  :  and  yet  within  the  eighth  part 
 of  a  mile  he  cannot  fee  it.  It  is  all  keeping,  that  ye  would  now 
 have,  till  ye  need  it ;  and  if  fenfe  and  fruition  come  both  at  once, 
 it  is  not  your  lofs  j  let  Chrift  tutor  you  as  he  thinks  good,  ye 
 cannot  be  marred  nor  mifcarry  in  his  hand.  Want  is  an  excellent 
 qualification  ;  and  no  money,  no  price,  to  you  (who,  I  know,  dare 
 not  glory  in  your  own  righteoufnefs)  is  fitnefs  warrantable  enough 
 to  caft  yourlelt"  upon  him,  who  juftifieth  the  ungodly.  Some  fee 
 t!:e  geld  once,  and  never  again  till  the  race's  end  ;  it  is  coming  all 
 in  a  fum  together,  when  ye  are  in  a  more  gracious  capacity 
 to  tell  it  than  now ;  *  Ye  are  not  come  to  the  mount  that  burnetii 
 v?iih  iiiz^  nor  unto  blacknefs,  darknefs,  and  tempeft ;   but  ye  are 
 
Epifl.  S5-1  LETTERS.  41  ^ 
 
 come  to  mount  Zlon,  unto  the  city  of  the  living  God,  the  heavenly 
 Jerufalem,  and  to  an  innumerable  company  of  angels,  to  the  ge- 
 neral aflembly  and  church  of  the  firft-born  which  are  written  in 
 heaven,  and  to  God  the  Judge  of  ail,  and  to  the  fpirits  of  juft  men 
 madeperfett,  and  to  Jefus  the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant,  and 
 to  the  blood  of  fprinkling,'  &:c.  Ye  mufl  leave  the  wife  to  a  more 
 choice  Hufband,  and  the  children  to  a  better  Father.  If  ye  leave 
 any  teflimony  to  the  Lord's  work  and  covenant,  againft  both  malig- 
 nants  and  feclaries,  (which  I  fuppofe  may  be  needful)  let  it  be 
 under  your  hand,  and  fubfcribed  before  faithful  witnelfes. 
 St,  yj'ndreiuSy  Sept.  27,  Your  hvir.g  a?id  ajHiLled 
 
 1648.  brother y   S.   R. 
 
 SS'  To  Mrs  GILLESPIE. 
 Dear  fij^er, 
 T  Having  heard  how  the  Lord  hath  vifited  you,  in  removing  the 
 "*•  child  Archibald  ;  I  hope  ye  fee,  the  fetting  down  of  the  weight 
 of  your  confidence  and  affection  upon  any  created  thing,  whether 
 hufband  or  child,  is  a  deceiving  thing  ;  and  that  the  creature  is 
 not  able  to  bear  the  weight,,  but  finketh  down  to  very  nothing 
 under  your  confidence:  and  therefore  ye  are  Chrifl's  debitor  for 
 all  providences  of  this  kind,  even  in  that  he  buildeth  an  hedge  of 
 thorns  in  your  way;  for  fo  ye  fee  his  gracious  intention  is  to  fave 
 you  (if  I  may  fay  fo)  whether  ye  will  or  not.  It  is  a  rich  mercv, 
 that  the  Lord  Chrid  will  be  Mafter  of  your  will  and  of  your  de- 
 lights, and  that  his  way  is  fo  fair,  for  landing  of  hufband  and 
 children  before-hand  in  the  country  whitherto  ye  are  journeying. 
 No  matter  how  little  ye  be  engaged  to  the  world,  fnce  ye  have  fuch 
 experience  of  crofs  dealing  in  it;  had  ye  been  a  child  of  thehoufe, 
 the  world  would  have  dealt  more  warmly  with  its  own  ;  there  is 
 lefs  of  you  out  of  heaven,  that  the  child  is  there,  and  the  hufband 
 is  there,  but  much  more  that  your  Head  Kinfm?n  and  Redeemer 
 doth  fetch  home  fuch  as  are  in  danger  to  be  loft:  aud  from  this 
 time  forward,  fetch  not  your  comforts  from  fuch  broken  ciflerns 
 and  dry  wells ;  if  the  Lord  pull  at  tlie  rell,  yc  mull  not  be  the  crea- 
 ture that  fliall  hold  when  he  draweth.  Truly,  to  me  your  cafe  is 
 nTbre  comfortable,  than  if  the  nre-nde  were  well  plenillied  with 
 ten  children  :  the  Lord  fa w  ye  was  able,  by  h»s  grace,  to  bear  the 
 Infs  of  hulband  and  child  \  and  that  ye  are  that  weak  and  tender  a» 
 not  to  be  able  to  ftnnd  under  the  mercy  of  a  gracious  hufband  liv- 
 ing and  flourifliing  in  effeem  with  authority,  and  in  reputation  for 
 godlinefs  and  learning :  for  he  knoweth,  the  weight  of  thefe  mer- 
 cies would  cruih  you  and  break  you ;  and  as  there  is  no  fearching 
 out  of  his  underflanding,  fo  he  halh  (kill  to  know  what  providence 
 will  make  Chrift  deareii  to  you  -,  and  let  not  your  heart  fay,  It  is 
 
41 8  Mr  RUTHER-FOORD's  Epift.  56.3 
 
 an  ill  vrailed  cllfpeiifat'ion.  Sure  Chrift,  who  hath  feven  eyes,  had 
 before  him  the  good  of  a  living  hufband  and  children  for  Marga- 
 ret Murray,  and  the  good  of  a  removed  hulband  and  children  tranf- 
 Jated  to  glory;  now  he  hath  opened  his  decree  to  you,  fay,  Chrift 
 hath  made  for  me  a  wife  and  gracious  choice,  and  1  have  not  one 
 word  to  fay  on  the  contrary.  Let  not  your  heart  charge  any  thing, 
 nor  unbelief  libel  injuries  upon  Chrift-,  becaufe  he  will  not  let 
 you  alone,  nor  give  you  leave  to  play  the  idolatrefs  with  fuch  as 
 have  not  that  right  to  your  love  that  Chrift  hath.  I  (hould  wifh  at 
 the  reading  of  this  that  ye  may  fall  down  and  make  a  furrender  of 
 thofe  that  are  gone,  and  thofe  that  are  yet  alive,  to  him  :  and  for 
 you,  let  him  have  all ;  and  wait  for  himfelf,  for  he  will  come  and 
 will  not  tarry  :  live  by  faith,  and  the  peace  of  God  guard  your 
 heart;  he  cannot  die  whofe  ye  are.  My  wife  fufFcrs  with  you,  and 
 remembereth  her  love  to  you. 
 
 St,  JmirewSy  Jug.  Tear  brother  in  Chrifiy 
 
 1659.  8.  R. 
 
 I 
 
 56.   To  the  -worthy  and  much  honoured  Colonel  GILBERT  KER. 
 i\luch  honoured  and  truly  -worthy ^ 
 
 Hope  I  (hail  not  need  to  ihew  you,  that  ye  are  in  greater  ha- 
 zard from  yourfelf  and  your  own  fpirit,  which  would  be  watch- 
 ed over,  (that  your  actings  for  God  maybe  clean,  fpiritual,  pure- 
 ly for  God,  for  the  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth)  than  ye  can 
 be  in  danger  from  your  enemies.  (>  how  hard  is  it,  to  get  the 
 intentions  fo  cut  off  from,  and  raifed  above  the  creature,  as  to  be 
 without  mixture  of  creature  and  carnal  intereft,  and  to  have  the 
 foul  in  heavenly  a£i;ings,  only  eyeing  himfelf,  and  afting  from 
 love  to  God,  revealed  to  us  in  Jefus  Chrift  !  Ye  will  find  yourfelf, 
 your  dviiights,  vour  folid  glory  (far  above  the  air  and  breathings 
 of  mouths,  and  the  thin,  (hort,  poor  applaufes  of  men)  before 
 yoii  in  God.  All  the  creatures,  all  the  fwords,  all  the  hofts  in  Bri- 
 tain, and  in  this  poor  globe  of  the  habitable  world,  are  but  under 
 him  fingle  cyphers  making  no  number,  the  produft  being  no- 
 thing, but  painted  men,  and  painted  fwords  in  a  brod,  without 
 influence  from  him  :  and,  O  what  a  God  is  in  Gideon's  fword, 
 when  it  is  the  fword  of  the  Lord  !  i  wiih  a  fword  from  heaven  to 
 you,  and  orders  from  heaven  to  you  to  go  out,  and  as  much  pe- 
 remptorinefs  of  a  heavenly  will,  as  to  fay  and  abide  by  it,  /  ■will 
 not<i  I JJjall  mt  go  out  except  thou  goeji  with  me.  I  defire  not  to  be 
 rafli  in  judging  ;  but  I  am  a  ftranger  to  the  mind  of  Chrift,  if  our 
 adverfaries,  M^ho  have  unjuftly  invaded  us,  be  not  now  in  the  camp 
 of  thofe  that  make  war  with  the  Lamb :  but  the  Lamb  ftiall  over- 
 come them  at  length  ;  for  he  is  the  Lord  of  Lords,  and  King  oi 
 Kings,  and  they  who  are  with  him  are  called,  and  chofen,  and 
 
Epift.  570  LETTERS,  419 
 
 faithful ;  and  though  ye  and  I  fee  but  the  dark  fide  of  God's  dif- 
 penfations  this  day  towards  Britain,  yet  the  fair,  beautiful  and^- 
 firable  cloic  of  it  muft  be  the  confederacy  of  the  nritions  or  the 
 world  with  Britain's  Lord  of  armies.  And  let  me  die  in  the  com- 
 forts of  the  faith  of  this,  that  a  throne  Ihall  be  fct  up  for  Chrift  in 
 this  ifland  of  Britain  (which  is  and  ihall  be  a  garden  more  fruitful 
 of  trees  of  righteoufnefs,  and  payeth  and  lliall  pay  more  thoufands 
 to  the  Loid  of  the  vineyard,  than  is  paid  in  thrice  the  bounds  of 
 Great  Britain  upon  the  earth)  and  then  there  can  be  neither  Papift, 
 Prelate,  Malignant,  nor  Sectary,  who  dare  draw  a  fword  againft 
 him  that  fitteth  upon  the  throne.  Sir,  I  fhall  wifh  a  clean  army^ 
 fo  far  as  may  be,  that  the  (licut  of  a  King,  who  hath  many  crowns, 
 may  be  among  you ;  and  that  ye  may  fight  in  faith,  and  prevail 
 with  God  firft.  Think  it  your  glory,  to  have  a  fword  to  acl,  and 
 fuffer,  and  die  (if  it  pleafe  him)  fo  being  ye  may  add'aoy  thing 
 to  the  declarative  glory  of  Chrift,  -the  Plant  of  renown,  ImmaRue], 
 God  with  us :  happy  and  thrice  bltfled  are  they  by  whofe  adiings, 
 or  blood,  or  pain,  or  lofs,  the  diadems  and  rubies  of  his  higheft  and 
 glorious  crown  (whofe  ye  are)  fliall  glifter  and  ilune  in  this  q'j.ii- 
 ter  of  the  habitable  world  :  though  he  need  not  (Jilbert  Ker,  nor 
 his  fword  *,  yet  this  honour  have  ye  with  his  redeemed  foldiers,  to 
 calTChrift  high  Lord-general,  of  whom  ye  hope  for  pay  and  all 
 arrears  well  told.  Go  on,  worthy  Sir,  in  the  courage  oi  tairh,  fol- 
 Jowingthe  Lamb:  make  not  hafte  unbelievingly  ;  but  in  hope  and 
 filence  keep  the  watch-tower  and  look  out;  he  will  come  in  his 
 own  time,  his  Ikivation  fhall  not  tarry,  he  fliali  place  falvation  in 
 Britain's  Zion  for  Ifrael's  glory.  His  good-will  who  dwelt  in  the 
 bufli  and  it  burnt  not,  be  yours,  and  with  you.  I  am 
 St.  ^ndreivSy  ^^ug.  10.  Tours  in  his  Jwect  Lord  J  ejus, 
 
 1650.  S.  R. 
 
 57.  To  the  -worthy  and  much  honoured  Colonel  GILBEFvT  KEPt. 
 
 Much  honoured  and  worthy  Sir, 
 \T7P1AT  1  wrote  to  you  before,  I  fpake  not  upon  any  private 
 ^^  warrant:  I  am  where  1  was;  Cromwell  and  his  army  (I 
 (hall  not  fay,  but  there  may  be  and  arc  feveral  fober  and  godly  a- 
 mongft  them,  who  have  either  joined  through  mifmformation,  or 
 have  gone  alongft  v/ith  the  reft  in  the  fimplicity  of  their  hearts,  not 
 knowing  any  thing)  fight  in  an  unjult  caufe,  againll  the  Lord's 
 fecret  ones  ;  and  now,  to  the  trampling  of  the  worlliip  of  God,  and 
 perfecuting  the  people  of  God  in  England  and  Ireland,  he  hath 
 brought  upon  his  fcore  the  blood  of  the  people  of  God  in  Scotland. 
 J  entreat  you,  dear  Sir,  as  ye  defire  to  be  fcrviccable  to  Jefus 
 Chfiil,  whofe  free  grace  prevented  you,  when  ye  were  his  eacmy. 
 
4ZO  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  58.] 
 
 go  on  without  fr.inting,  equally  efchewiiig  all  mixtures  with  Sec- 
 taries and  Malignants',  neither  of  the  two  fliall  ever  be  inftrumen- 
 tal  to  fave  the  Lords  people,    or  build  his  houfe;    and  without 
 prophefying,  or  fpeakiug  further  than  he,  whofe  I  am,  and  whoni 
 I  defire  to  ferve  in  the  gofpel  of  his  Son,  fhall  warrant,  I  defire 
 to  hope,  and  to  believe,  there  is  a  glory  and  a  majefty  of  the  Prince 
 of  the  kings  of  the  earth,  that  fhall  flniie  and  appear  in  Great  Bri- 
 tdin,  which  fhall  darken  all  the  glory  of  men,  confound  Sectaries 
 »nd  Malignants  j    and  rejoice  the  fpirits  of  the  followers  of  the 
 .Lamb,  and  dazzle  the  eyes  of  the  beholders.    Sir,  i  fuppofe  that 
 (.iod  is  to  gather  Malignants  and  Sectaries,  ere  all  be  done,  as 
 ilieaves  in  a  barn-floor;  and  to  bid  the  daughter  of  Zion  arife  and 
 threfn  :  I  hope  ye  will  mix  with  none  of  them  :  1  am  abundantly 
 iatisiied,  that  our  army  through  the  fmful  mifcarriage  of  men, 
 hath  fallen  ;    and  dare  fay,   it  is  a  better  and  a  more  comfortable 
 diipenfation,  tl^n  if  the  Lord  had  given  us  the  victory,  and  the 
 necks  of  the  reproachcrs  of  the  way  of  God.  becaufe  he  hath  done 
 it:  for,   I.  More  blood,  blafphemies,  cruelty,  treachery,  muft  be 
 upon  the  accounts  of  the  men,  whofe  land  the  Lord  forbid  us  to 
 invade.    2.  Vi£lory  is  fuch  a  burdening  and  weighty  mercy,  that 
 we  have  not  ftrength  to  bear  it  as  yet.   3.  That  was  not  the  army, 
 ror  Gideon's  three  hundred,  by  whom  hp  is  to  fave  us  :  we  muft 
 have  one  of  the  Lord's  carving.  4.  Our  enemies  on  both  fides  arc 
 not  enough  hardened,  nor  we  enough  mortified  to  multitude,  va- 
 lour and  creatures.    Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 
 St,  Andrews,  Sept,  5.  Tourjr'undandfervantinhis 
 
 1650.  Jiveet  Lord  JefuSy  S.  R, 
 
 58.  To  the  worthy  and  much  honoured  Colonel  GILBERT  KER. 
 
 Much  honoured  and  worthy  Sir^ 
 TT  is  confiderable,  that  the  Lord  m.ay,  and  often  doth  call  to  a 
 ^  work,  and  yet  hide  himfelf  and  try  the  faith  of  his  own  :  if  I  con* 
 ceive  aright,  the  Lord  hath  called  you  to  a6t  againft  that  enemy; 
 and  the  withdrawers  of  their  fword^  in  my  weak  apprehenfion, 
 add  their  zeal  unto,  and  take  upon  theni  the  guilt  of  that  unjult 
 jnvafion  of  this  land  made  by  Cromwell's  army,  and  of  the  blood 
 of  the  Lord's  people  in  this  kingdom  ;  fince  the  fword,  put  into 
 the  hand  of  his  children,  is  to  execute  wrath  and  vengeance  upon 
 evil-doers :  the  Lord's  time  of  appearing  for  his  broken  land  is 
 referved  to  the  breathings  of  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  fuch  as  came 
 upon  Gideon  and  Samfon,  and  that  is  an  aO:  of  princely  and  roy- 
 al fovereignty  in  God.  Ye  are,  Sir,  to  lay  hold  on  opportunities 
 pf  providence,  and  to  wait  for  him  :  as  for  your  particular  treating 
 by  youifeives  with  the  invaders  of  our  land,  1  have  no  mind  to  it; 
 
Epift.  58.]  LETTERS.  42I 
 
 and  do  look  upon  their  way  as  a  carrying  on  of  the  myftery  of  ini- 
 quity (for  Babylon  is  a  feat  of  many  names.)  Sir,  let  this  controverfy 
 itand  undecided  till  the  fecond  appearance  of  Jefus  Chrift,  and  our 
 appeal  ly  before  the  throne  undifculTcd  till  that  day,  I  hope  to  ly 
 down  in  the  grave,   in  the  faith  of  the  judnefs  of  our  caufe.    J 
 fpeak  nothing  of  the  maintaining  the  greatnefs  of  men,  not  fubor- 
 dlnate  to  the  Prince  of  the  kings  of  the  earth.     I  judge  that  the 
 blood  of  the  witneffes  of  Jefus  is  found  upon  the  Ikirts  of  this  fo- 
 ciety,  as  well  as  in  Babylon's  fkirts  :  I  believe  the  way  of  the  Lord 
 is  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker's  flrength  and  glory  ;  and  I  fliould  be  con-f 
 tent  to  want  my  part  of  him,  (which  is,   I  confefs,  precious  and 
 dear  in  Chrift)  fo  he  be  fpentin  the  fen'ice  of  him,  who  will  anon 
 make  inqulfition  for  the  blood  of  the  truly  godly,  which  thefe 
 men  have   flied,   after  fair  warning  that  tliey  were  the  godly  of* 
 Scotland.     Worthy  Sir,  believe,  faint  not,  fct  your  fhoulder  un-\ 
 der  the  glory  of  Jefus,  that  is  mifpiifed  in  Scotland,  and  give  a  te- 
 itimony  for  him  j  he  hath  many  names  in  Scotland,  who  fhall  walk 
 with  him  in  white.    This  defpifed  covenant  fhall  ruin  Malignants, 
 Se£l:aries  and  Atheifts  :  yet  a  little  while,  and  behold  he  cometh, 
 ?nu  walketh  in  the  prreatnefs  of  his  ftrength,   and  his  garments 
 dyed  with  blood.     Oh  for  the  fad  and  terrible  day  of  the  Lord  up- 
 on England,  their  fhips  of  Tarfhilh,  their  fenced  cities,  &c.  be- 
 caufe  of  a  broken  covenant !  A  conference  with  the  enemy,  not  to 
 hinder  a£ting,  (O  that  the  Lord  would  thereby,  or  feme  other  way, 
 remove  the  cloud  that  is  over  you)  if  authority  would  concur,  were 
 to  be  dcfired  ;  but  it  can  hardly  be  expected  :  however,  in  the  way 
 of  duty,  and  in  the  filence  of  faith,  go  on  ;  if  ye  peiilh,  ye  are  the 
 firft  of  the  creation  with  whom  the  Lord  hath  tcken  that  difpen- 
 fation.     I  {hould  humbly  defire  you,  Sir,  to  look  to  that.  Dying, 
 and  behold  ire  live ;   killed  all  the  day  lo?7g,   and  yet  more  than  ccU" 
 qucrors.     There  fhall  be  the  lieat   and  warmnefs  of  life  in  your 
 graves,  and  buried  bones  :  but  look  not  for  the  Lord's  coming  the 
 higher  way  only,  for  he  may  come  the  lower  way.     O  how  little 
 of  God  do  we  fee,  and  how  myllenous  is  he  !  Chrift  known  is  a- 
 mongft  the  ^rcateft  fecrets  of  God.     Keep  yourfelf  in  the  love  of 
 Gcd,  and  in  order  to  that,  as  far  in  obedience  and  fubjc£tion  to  the 
 king  ^whofe  falvation  and  true  happinefs  my  foul  dehreth)  and  to 
 every  ordinance  of  man  for  the  L6rd's  fake,  and  to  the  fundamen- 
 tal laws  of  this  kingdom,  as  your  Lord  requiretb.     Sir,  ye  are  in 
 the  hearts  and  prayers  of  the  Lord's  people  in  this  kingdom,  and 
 in  the  other  two  :  the  Lord  hath  faid,  There  is  a  biefting  in  the 
 clufter  of  grapes,  deftroy  it  not.     Grace,  grace  be  upon  the  head 
 of  him  that  is  feparated  from  his  brethren ;  and  the  good-will  of 
 him  that  dwelt  in  the  bufli  be  with  you. 
 
 Perth,  Nov.  23.  lour  fir  v  ant  in  bis  fiueet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1650.  S.  R, 
 
422  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  59.] 
 
 59.     To  ths  worthy  and  much  honoured  Colonel  GILBERT  KER. 
 
 Much  honoured  and  worthy  Sir, 
 T  Know  not  why  the  people  of  God  fhould  not  take  notice  of  the 
 "*•  bonds  of  any  who  have  blood  in  readinefs  to  be  let  out  for  his 
 caufe  :  and  1  judge  it  was  not  of  you,  that  ye  died  not  in  the  un- 
 decided controverfy  which  the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth  hath  with 
 the  men  whom  he  hath  fent  againft  us.  Dear  and  much  honour- 
 ed in  the  Lord,  Jet  me  entreat  you  to  be  far  from  the  thoughts  of 
 leaving  this  land :  I  fee  it,  and  find  it,  that  the  Lord  hath  covered 
 the  whole  land  with  a  cloud  in  his  anger  •,  but  though  I  have  been 
 tempted  to  the  like,  1  had  rather  be  in  Scotland,  befide  angry  Je- 
 lus  Chrilt,  knowing  he  mindeth  no  evil  to  us,  than  in  any  Eden 
 or  garden  in  the  earths  If  we  can  remain  united  with  the  Lord's 
 remnant  in  the  Land,  he  layeth  up  wrath  for  all  forts  of  adverfaries 
 in  Britain.  Though  I  never  fee  the  glory  of  his  gliftcring  fword 
 in  Britain,  I  would  be  folaced  in  the  innocent  thoughts  (far  from 
 revenge)  that  the  faints  (hall  dip  their  feet  in  the  blood  of  theflain 
 of  the  Lord.  And  truly,  Sir,  I  fuppofe,  ye  cannot  but  come  to 
 thefe  thoughts  and  weak  defires  before  the  Hearer  of  prayers,  for 
 as  little  as  ye  think. of  and  value  yourfelf :  for  me,  if  I  could  mind 
 you  in  your  bonds,  I  purpofe  not  to  ftand  to  the  account  ye  give, 
 or  thoughts  ye  have  of  yourfelf;  though  I  know  ye  are  not  a 
 whit  more  or  lefs  before  him  (who  weigheth  his  own  according 
 to  the  weight  of  imputed  righteoufnefs)  for  my  apprehenfions. 
 Chrifl  cannot  miftake  you,  men  may;  and  the  calculation  and  e- 
 fteem  of  free  grace  maketh  you  to  be  what  you  are.  1  hope  to  fee 
 you  an  everlailingly  obliged  debtor  to  him,  whom  ye  fhall  praife, 
 but  never  pay  :  and  truly  ye  have  no  riches  but  that  debt ;  and  I 
 know  ye  love  to  be  engaged  to  Jefus  Chrift,  the  molt  excellent  of 
 creditors.  Much  joy  and  fweetnefs  may  ye  have  in  Handing  writ- 
 ten in  his  book :  i  deiire  to  do  it  myfelf,  and  I  would  have  you 
 alfo  highly  to  efleem  the  defign  of  Chrift,  who  hath  raifed  the 
 riches  of  the  glory  of  io  much  grace  above  the  circle  of  the  heaven 
 of  heavens,  out  of  very  nothings  ;  and  contrived  his  thoughts  of 
 love,  fo  that  lumps  of  glorified  clay  fhould  ftand  before  him,  for 
 all  ages,  the  burdens  and  loaden  debitors  of  free,  eternally  free 
 grace.  Sir,  ye  cannot  caft  the  count  of  the  rents  of  your  fo  great 
 inheritance  of  glory.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 £din.  May  1 8.  Tour  fervant  in  his  own  Lord  Jefus ^ 
 
 1651.  S.  R. 
 
Epift.  60.]  LETTERS.  423 
 
 60.   To  the  much  honoured  and  truly  worthy  Colonel  GILBERT 
 
 KER. 
 
 Hab.  ii.  verfes  3,  4. 
 
 Much  honoured  and  ivorthy  Sir, 
 "Y^UR  chains  now  ihine  as  much  for  Chrift,  the  caufe  being 
 ■*•  his,  as  your  fword  was  made  famous  in  acting  for  that  caufe  : 
 and  blefled  are  fuch  as  can  willingly  tender  to  Chrift  both  aftion 
 and  blood,  doing  and  fufFering.  Refilling  unto  blood  is  little  for 
 that  precious  and  never-enough  exalted  Redeemer,  who,  when  ye 
 were  a-buying,  gave  blood  fomewhat  dearer  thiin  ye  gave  for  him, 
 even  the  blood  of  God,  A<!:l:s  xx.  28.  I  know  a  man,  who,^  upon 
 the  receipt  of  a  letter,  that  ye  were  killed,  and  the  people  of  God 
 deilroyed,  wilhed,  that  he  might  be  quickly  under  the  wall  of 
 the  higher  palace,  from  under  the  dint  of  the  ftorm,  and  who 
 longed  to  have  the  weather-beaten  and  crazy  bark  fafely  landed  in 
 that  harbour  of  eternal  quietnefs.  What  further  fervice  Chrifl 
 bath  for  you,  I  know  not;  it  is  enough,  that  in  your  captivity  ye 
 otier  your  fervice  to  Chrilt :  but,  if  I  fee  any  thing,  it  looks  like  a 
 merciful  defeat.  I  fee  the  nobles  and  the  ftate  fallinj^  off  from 
 Chrift,  and  the  night  coming  upon  the  prophets,  which  we  would 
 pray  to  prevent;  becaufe  it  is  a  rare  thing  to  fee  a  fallen  ftar  win 
 ever  up  again  to  the  firmament  to  (bine  :  and  what  if  this  be  the 
 thick  darknefs  going  before  the  break  of  day?  Sure,  Sir,  the  fun 
 ihall  rife  upon  Scotland;  but  if  I  Iball  fee  it,  or  how  near  it  is  to 
 that  day,  I  leave  that  to  him,  even  unto  Jehovah,  who  creates  upon 
 every  dwellinc^-place  in  mount  Zion,  and  upon  her  aiTemblics  a 
 cloud,  and  a  fmoke  by  day,  and  the  ibining  of  a  flaming  fire  by 
 night.  But,  Sir,  the  wildernefs  Iball  rejoice  and  blolTom  as  a 
 rofe:  and  happy  he,  who  hath  a  bone  or  an  arm,  to  put  the  crown 
 upon  the  head  of  our  highcit  King,  whofe  chariot  is  paved  with 
 love.  Were  there  ten  thoufand  millions  of  heavens  created  above 
 thefe  higheft  heavens,  and  again  as  many  above  them,  and  as 
 many  above  them  till  nngels  were  wearied  with  counting,  it  were 
 but  too  low  a  feat  to  fix  the  princely  throne  of  that  Lord  Jefus 
 (whofe  ye  are)  above  them  all :  created  heavens  are  too  low  a  feat 
 of  majclty  for  him.  Since  then  there  is  none  equal  to  your  Mat- 
 ter and  Prince,  who  hath  chofen  out  for  you,  amoiglt  many  fuf- 
 ferings  for  fin,  that  only  crofs,  which  cometh  nearell  in  likenefs 
 to  his  own  crofs,  watered  with  confolation,  take  courage,  and 
 comfort  yourfelf  in  him,  who  hath  chofen  you  to  glory  hereafter, 
 and  to  conformity  with  him  here  :  we  foqls  wol^ld  have  a  crofs  of 
 our  own  choofing,  and  would  have  our  gall  and  wormwood  fugared, 
 our  fire  cold,  and  our  death  and  grave  warmed  witb  beat  of  life » 
 
42^  Mr  n UTHE RFO 0 R D's  Epift.  60. j 
 
 but  he,  who  hath  brought  many  children  to  glory,  and  loft  none, 
 is  our  beft  Tutor.  I  wiih,  when  I  am  Tick,  that  he  may  be  keep- 
 er and  comforter.  I  judge  it  a  blefled  fall,  that  we  are  forfeited 
 heirs,  broken  and  out  of  credit,  and  thatChrift  is  become  a  Tutor 
 in  the  place  of  free-will,  and  that  \vc  are  no  more  our  own.  I  am 
 broken  and  wafted  with  the  wrath  that  is  on  the  land,  and  have 
 been  much  tempted  with  a  defign  to  have  a  p'^fs  from  Ch rift, 
 which  if  I  had,  I  would  not  ftay  to  be  a  witnefs  of  our  defe£lioni 
 for  no  man's  intreaty,  but  1  know  it  is  my  foftnefs  and  weaknefs, 
 who  would  ever  be  afhore,  -when  a  fit  of  fea-ficknefs  cometh  on  i 
 though  I  know,  I  fhall  come'foon  enough  to  that  defirable  coun- 
 try, and  fhall  not  be  difplaced,  none  lliail  take  my  lodging.  Sir, 
 many  eyes  are  upon  you,  and  the  godly  are  exceedingly  refre/h- 
 ed,  that  ye  liften  not  to  the  ways  of  many  about  you,  who  with 
 fair  words  make  merchandize  of  fouls.  Sir,  if  the  way  you  are 
 in  be  not  the  way  of  Chrift,  then  wo  to  me,  for  lam  eternally  loft;- 
 but  truly,  the  Lord  Chrift's  dealing  with  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker 
 hath  proven  to  me,  that  the  New  Teftament,  and  the  covenant  of 
 grace,  is  a  piece,  that  a  folemn  meeting  and  afTembly  of  all  creat- 
 ed angels,  join  all  their  wits  together,  could  not  have  devifed. 
 Since,  Sir,  ye  paid  nothing  for  the  change  that  Chrift  made,  and 
 ye  will  take  that  debt  of  free  grace  to  heaven  with  you  (for  what 
 was  Chrift  Jefus  indebted  to  you,  more  than  to  all  your  kindred 
 and  name  ?  therefore,  fince  ye  are  made  his  own,  follow  no  other 
 way.  What  is  my  falvation,  though  I  ftiould  lay  it  in  pawn  (it  is' 
 but  a  poor  pledge)  that  this,  this  only  is  the  way  ^  but  Chrift  is 
 furety  himfelf,  that  it  is  the  way,  the  Fore-runner  went  before 
 you,  and  he  is  fafely  landed,  and  there  is  a  fair  company  before 
 you  of  fuch  as  have  come  out  of  great  tribulation,  and  have  wafhed 
 their  garments,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb ; 
 to  whom  thefe  promifes  are  now  performed,  *  He  that  overcomes 
 fliall  eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  that  is  in  the  midft  of  the  paradife  of 
 God  :  and  God  fnall  wipe  away  all  tears  from  their  eyes  ;  and  there 
 fhall  be  no  more  death,  neither  forrow,  nor  crying,  neither  ftiall 
 there  be  any  more  pain :  he  that  fitteth  on  the  throne  fliall  dwell 
 among  them  ;  they  (hall  huncjer  no  more,  neither  thirft  any  more, 
 neither  fhall  the  fun  light  on  them,  nor  any  heat;  for  the  Lamb, 
 that  is  in  the  midft  of  the  throne,  (hall  {cx:d  them,  and  fhall  take 
 tliem  unto  the  living  fountains  of  waters.'  1  may,  Sir,  poffibly 
 keep  you  from  better  work  :  the  God  of  peace,  that  brought  a- 
 gain  from  the  dead  the  great  Shepherd  of  the  flieep,  through  the 
 blood  of  the  eternal  covenant,  make  you  peifedl. 
 
 St^  Jndreius,  Jan,  7.  Tours  In  Jefus  Chr'ijl, 
 
 1651.  S.  R. 
 
Epift.  6i.]  LETTERS.  42| 
 
 6 1.  To  the  much  hohcured  and  tndy  ivorthy  ^(j/owW  GILBER.T 
 
 K£Pv. 
 
 Much  honoured  and  worthy  Sir,  - 
 T  Have  heard  of  your  continued  captivity  in  England,  as  well  as 
 ■*■  in  this  afflicted  land  ;  but,  go  where  ye  will,  ye  cannot  go 
 from  under  your  (hadow,  which  i^  broader  than  many  kingdoms; 
 ye  change  lodging  and  countries ;  but  the  fame  Lord  is  betor<3 
 you  :  if  ye  were  carried  away  c;»puve  to  the  other  fide  of  the  fun, 
 or  as  far  as  the  rifmg  of  the  morning  ftar ;  it  is  fpoken  to  your 
 mother,  who  hath  yet  received  no  bill  of  divorce,  which  way  writ- 
 ten to  Judah,  Micah  iv-  lo.  *  Be  in  pain  and  labour  to  bring 
 forth,  O  daughter  of  Zion,  like  a  woman  in  travail :  for  now  flialc 
 thou  go  forth  out  of  the  city,  and  thou  (halt  dwell  in  the  field,  and 
 thou  (halt  go  even  to  Babylon,  there  llialt  thou  be  delivered,  there 
 the  Lord  (liall  redeem  thee  from  tl>e  hand  of  thine  enemies.'  Eng- 
 land fball  be  countable  for  you,  to  render  you  back,  If:i.  xliv.  0. 
 *  I  will  fay  to  the  north,  Give  up;  and  to  the  fouth,  Keep  not 
 back.*  It  is  a  fermon  that  fleOi  and  blood  laugheth  at,  Ezek. 
 xxxvii.  4.  *  Prophefy  upon  thefe  dry  bones,  and  fay  unto  them, 
 O  ye  dry  bones,  hear  the  word  of  the  Lord  !'  it  is  a  preaching  to 
 the  grave;  *  Thus  faith  the  Lord  unto  the  bones,  Behold,  I  will 
 caufe  breath  enter  into  you,  and  ye  iliall  live,  and  I  will  by  finews 
 upon  you,  and  bring  flelli  upon  you,  and  cover  you  with  Ikin,  and 
 put  breath  in  you.  and  ye  Orall  live.*  Rev.  xx.  i  3.  *  And  the  fea  gave 
 up  the  dead  that  were  in  it.*  Berwick  muft  render  back  the  Scottiih 
 captivesyand  Colonel  Gilbert  Ker  with  them  ;  Ifa.  xliii.  14.  *  For 
 thus  faith  the  Lord,  your  Redeemer,  the  holy  One  of  Ifrael,  *  For 
 your  fake,  I  have  fent  to  Babylon,  and  have  brought  down  all 
 their  nobles,  and  the  Chaldeans,  whofc  ci  y  is  in  the  iliips.'  Deut. 
 XXX.  4.  *  If  any  of  them  be  driven  out  to  the  utmolt  parts  of  hea- 
 ven, from  thence  will  the  Lord  thy  God  gather  thee,  and  from 
 thence  will  he  fetch  thee.*  Zech.  viii.  7.  *  Thus  falih  the  Lord  of 
 hofts.  Behold,  I  will  fave  my  people  from  the  eafl  country,  ami 
 from  the  weft  country,  and  1  will  bring  them,  and  they  fliall  dwell 
 in  the  midft  of  Jerufalem,  and  they  fliall  be  my  peopl-e,  and  1  will 
 be  their  God,  in  truth  and  in  righteoufnefs.*  Sir,  ye  are  boili 
 booked  by  the  Lord,  *  who  writeth  up  the  people.'  Pfal.  Ixxxvii. 
 5,  6.  and  counted  to  the  Lord  as  one  of  the  houle  and  Itock,  Pfal. 
 xxii.  30.  Fear  not,  faint  not,  all  your  hairs  are  numbered.  It  ia 
 the  defire  of  the  people  of  God,  that  as  your  bonds  hitherto  have 
 been  exmeplary,  to  the  Itrengthcning  of  the  feeble,  and  to  the 
 Hopping  of  the  mouth  of  the  adverfary,  without  any  declining  to 
 the  right  or  left  hand  •,  fo  your  fufferings,  in  the  place  ye  now  go 
 10,  may  be  (as  we  are  confident  in  the  Lord  of  youg  aud  In  hu- 
 ll h  ii 
 
426  Mr  RUTHE:RfO.ORD's  Epift.  61.] 
 
 mility  boafl:  of  his  grace  in  you)  favoury,  convincing,  and  like  un- 
 to this  honourable  caule,  that  will  prevail  in  Britain,  contrary  to 
 ail  the  machinations  aiid  counfels  of  devils  and  men :  and  though 
 there  were  no  other  ink  in  the  pen  I  now  write  with,  but  fome 
 dewing  of  my  lafl:  cooling  blood,  this  I  purpofe  (his  grace,  whofe 
 *I  am,  enabling  me)  to  ftand  to.  Sir,  we  defire  to  adore  no  inftru- 
 inents;  yet  we  conceive  the  fhining  and  rays  of  grace,  from  the 
 fountain  Jefus  Chriit,  the  fulnefs  of  the  God-head,  beftowcd  on  fin- 
 ful  men,  hold  forth  the  good  thoughts  of  Chrift  to  this  poor  land, 
 vhofe  multiplied  graves,  and  whofe  fouls  under  the  altar,  ilain  by 
 Sectaries  and  Malignants,  cry  aloud  to  heaven.  I  fee  nothing,  Sir, 
 if  the  Lord  be  not  near  (though  I  dare  not  fay  how  fpon)  to  awake 
 for  the  year  of  Zion's  controverly,  Ifa.  xxxiv.  5.    '  For  my  fword 
 flraVi  be  bathed  in  heaven;  behold,  it  {hall  come  down  upon  Eng- 
 land, and  the  refidue  of  his  enemies  in  Scotland.'  Wo  is  me,  for 
 l^ngland  !  that  land  fhall  be  foaked  with  blood,  and  their  dull  made 
 fat  with  fatnefs ;  that  pleafant  land  fhall  be  a  wildernefs,  and  the 
 dud  of  their  land  pitch  ja  judgment  upon  their  walled  towns,  their 
 f)lcafant  fields,  their  ftrong  fhips,  &c.  if  they  do  not  repent.    Ye 
 have  not,  I  conceive,  feen  fuch  fearching  and  trying  times,  as  now 
 thefe  are  j  and  yet  the  queftion  will  be  drawn  to  a  more  narrow 
 ftate,  and  multitudes  will  yet  leave  the  caufe;  for  we  took  all  into 
 the  covenant  that  ofFered  to  build  with  us  :  but  Chrift  tnuH  have 
 but  a  fmall  remnant;  few  nobles,  if  any,  few  minlfters,  few  pro- 
 jfeflbrs,  though  our  way  ftandeth  unchanged,  2  Cor.  vi.  8.    *  By 
 ^honour  and  difhonour,  by  good  report  and  evil  report,  as  deceivers, 
 .and  yet  true,  as  unknown,  and  yet  well  known  j  as  dying,  and  be- 
 •,hold  we  live;  as  chaftened,  and  yet  not  killed.'    Neither  is  this 
 •jojur  condition  alone,  but  the  experienced  lot  of  all  the  faints  that 
 .have  gone  before  you:  it  is  one  and  the  fame  crofs  of  Chrift  I  but 
 .there   be   fundry  faces  and  diverfe  circumftances  in  the  fame 
 -remnant,  the  fufferings  of  Chrift  and  yours.    Sir,  to  be  deliver- 
 ed to  foldiers,    and   in  captivity,    looks  like  his   futFering,    of 
 whom  Ifaiah  faith,  chap  liii.  8.    *  He  was  taken  from  prifon,  and 
 .from  judgment  -,  yea,  and  taken  bound,'  John  xviii.  i.  When  the 
 .  caufe  is  the  truth  of  God,  the  luftre  and  face  of  fuftering  is  (o  much 
 :  the  more  lovely,  that  it  hath  the  hue  and  colour  of  Chrift's  fuffer- 
 i  ings,  who  endured  contradiction  of  finners,  and  defpifed  the  ftiame : 
 O  it  is  a  great  word,  Chrift  fliamed,  and  Chrift  abafed  !  but  thus 
 .  was  the  Head,  and  fo  are  the  members  dealt  with  iii  the  world  ; 
 and  truly  any  thing  of  Chrift,  even  the  worft  of  him,  (to  fpeak  fo) 
 his  reproach  and  (hame,  are  lovely.   Though  fuperftitious  love  to 
 the  material  crofs  he  fuffered  upon  be  foolery,  and  doting  upon  the 
 .  holy  grave  be  curfed  idolatry;  yet  is  there  a  communion  with  him 
 in  his  fufferings  moft  defireablc,  i  Pet.  iv.  15.  '  But  rejoice  in  as 
 much  as  ye  are  partakers  of  Chrift's  fufferings  :  in  which  fenfe.  the 
 
k 
 
 Epifl.  6i.]  LETTERS.  427 
 
 cup  that  his  lip  touched  hath  the  fw'eeter  tafle,  even  though  death 
 were  in  it;  the  grave  becaufe  he  did  \y  in  it,  is  fo  much  the  foft- 
 «r,  and  the  more  refrefhful  a  bed  of  reft  ;  and  that  part  of  the  (ky 
 and  clouds  that  the  Beloved  ihall  break  through,  and  come  to  judg- 
 ment, is  as  lovely  a  piece  of  the  created  heaven  as  any  is,  if  we  may 
 love  the  ground  he  goeth  on  the  better:  but  all  this  is  to  be  Undcr- 
 ftood  in  a  fpiritual  manner.  The  Lord  calieth  ycu,  Sir,  (upon 
 whom  the  fpirit  of  God  and  his  glory  refttth)  to  put  your  foul's 
 Amen  to  this  difpenfation ;  and  requireth  of  us,  that  our  defires 
 follow  the  now  declared  decree  of  God  concerning  the  defolation 
 X)f  our  finfulland,  fo  m.any  ways  guilty  of  a  defpifed  gofpel,  and  a 
 broken  covenant,  and  that  with  all  fubmiflion  :  certainly  no  man 
 hath  failed  more  in  this  thing,  than  he  who  writeth  to  you  :  for  f 
 have  brought  my  health  in  great  hazard,  and  tormented  my  fpirit 
 with  exceflive  grief,  for  our  prefent  provocations,  and  the  rentings 
 of  our  kirki  and  I  fee  it  is  a  challenging  of,  and  a  bold  .ple;iding 
 againft  him,  upon  vvhofefhoulder  the  government  is,  Ifa.  nxii.  22. 
 The  Father  hath  put  a  glorious  truft  upon  Chrift,  ver.  23.  •  And 
 I  will  faften  him  as  a  nail  in  afurc  place,  and  he  iha]]  be  for  a  glo- 
 rious throne  to  his  Father's  houfe,  ver.  24.  And  they  ihali  hang 
 upon  him  all  the  glory  of  his  father's  houfe,  the  offspring  and  the 
 ifiue,  all  veiTels  of  fmall  quantity,  from  the  veflcls  of  cups  even 
 to  all  the  veffels  of  fiagons,'  Our  unbelieving  apprehenfions  do  fo 
 quarrel  at  the  profperity  of  enemies  in  an  evil  caufe,  that  we  wreftle 
 with  defeats,  fpoiling,  captivity  of  the  godly,  killing  of  his  people, 
 the  wafting  of  our  land,  ftarving  and  famifhing  of  the  kingdom, 
 which  is  worfe  than  the  fword  ;  but  this  is  a  fiiiful  contradicling 
 of  the  Lord's  revealed  decree :  his  wifdom  faith.  Spoiling  and  de- 
 folation is  beft  for  Scotland;  and  we  fay,  Not;  and  fo  accufe 
 Chrift  of  mifgoveniment,  and  of  not  being  true  to  the  truft  put  up- 
 on him  5  but  fmce  he  doth  not  drag  the  government  at  his  heels, 
 but  hath  it  upon  his  fhoulder;  and  fmce  the  mil  faftened  in  a  fure 
 place  cannot  be  broken,  nor  can  the  fmalleft  veflel  fail  to  find  fweet 
 fecurity  in  dependence  upon  him;  fince  all  the  weight  of  heaven 
 and  earth,  of  redeemed  faints  and  confirmed  angels,  is  upon  his 
 ihoulder,  I  am  a  fool,  and  brutiOi  to  imagine,  that  I  can  add  any 
 thing  to  Chrift's  fpecial  care  of,  and  tendernefs  to  his  people:  he 
 who  keepeth  the  bafons  and  knives  of  his  houfe,  and  bringeth  the 
 velTels  again  to  the  fecond  temple,  Ezra  i.  8,  9,  10.  muft  have  a 
 more  tender  care  of  his  redeemed  ones,  than  of  a  fpoon  or  of  Pe- 
 ter's old  Ihoes,  which  yet  muft  not  be  loft  in  his  captivity,  Acts  xli. 
 S.  O  for  grace  to  fuftJer  Chrift  to  tutor  his  own  minors  and  young 
 heirs !  But  we  cannot  endure  to  be  under  the  actings  cf  hk  govern- 
 ment; we  love  too  much  to  be  our  own.  O  how  fweet  to  be 
 wholly  Chrift's,  and  wholly  in  Chrift!  To  be  out  of  the  creature's 
 owning,  and  made  complcat  in  Chrift,  to  live  by  faith  in  Chrift; 
 
 11  h  h  2 
 
428  Mr  RU THE nFOOUDh  Epift.  62.] 
 
 and  to  be  once  for  all  clothed  with  the  created  majefly  and  glory 
 of  the  Son  of  God,  wherein  he  makes  all  his  friends  and  follow- 
 ers fharers  !  To  dwell  in  Immanuel's  high  and  blefled  land,  and 
 live  in  that  fweeteft  air,  where  no  wind  bloweth,  but  the  breath- 
 ings of  the  holy  Ghofl: ;  no  feas  nor  floods  flow,  but  the  pure  wa- 
 ters of  life,  that  proceedeth  from  under  the  throne,  and  from  the 
 Lamb;  no  planting,  but  the  tree  of  life,  that  yieldeth  twelve 
 manner  of  fruits  every  mxonth  !  What  do  we  here  but  fin  and  fuf- 
 fer  ?  O  when  lliall  the  nights  be  gone,  the  fhadows  flee  away,  and 
 the  morning  of  that  long,  long  day,  without  cloud  or  night,  dawn  ! 
 The  Spirit  and  the  bride  fay,  Come;  O  when  (liall  the  Lamb's 
 wife  be  ready,  and  the  Bridegroom  fay,  Come  I  Worthy  Sir,  I 
 mind  you  to  the  Hearer  of  prayer:  O  help  me  in  that  kind  !  The 
 Spirit  of  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 St,  Andrews,  May  14.  Tours  in  his  only,  only  Lord 
 
 .      165 1.  Jejus,  S.  R,     1 
 
 62.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madimy 
 r^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  We  are  fallen  in  winnow* 
 ^^  ing  and  trying  times:  I  am  glad  that  your  breath  ferVeth  you 
 to  run  to  the  end,  in  the  fame  condition  and  way  wherein  ye  have 
 walked  thefe  twenty  years  pnft;  it  is  either  the  way  of  peace,  or 
 we  are  yet  in  our  fins,  and  have  mifi^ed  the  way.  The  Lord  (it  is 
 true)  hath  ftained  the  pride  of  all  our  glory;  and  now,  lafl  of  all,* 
 the  fun  hath  gone  down  upon  many  of  the  prophets;  but,  ftum- 
 ble  not,  men  are  men,  and  God  appeareth  more  and  more  to  be 
 God,  and  Chrift  is  flill  Chrift.  Madam,  ilronger  than  1  am,  had 
 almoll  (tumbled  me  and  caft  me  down  :  but  oh,  what  mercy  is  it, 
 to  difcern  betwixt  what  is  Chrift's  and  what  is  man's,  and  what 
 way  the  hue,  colour,  and  luflre  ot  gifts  and  grace  dazzle  and  de- 
 ceive our  weak  eyes  !  Oh  to  be  dead  to  all  things  that  are  below 
 Chrifl,  were  it  even  a  created  heaven  and  created  grace  !  Holinefs 
 3s  not  Chrifl:;  nor  are  the  blofibms  and  flowers  of  the  tree  Of  life 
 the  Tree  itfelf.  Men  and  creatures  may  wind  themfelves  between 
 us  and  Chrift;  and  therefore  the  Lord  hath  done  much  to  ta'-c 
 cut  of  the  way  all  betwixt  him  and  us;  there  are  not  in  our 
 way  now  kings,  or  arrpies,  or  nobles,  or  judicatories,  or  ftrong 
 holds,  or  watchmen,  or  godly  profeflbrs;  the  faireft  things,  and 
 mod  eminent  in  Britain,  arc  ftained,  and  have  loft  their  luftre ; 
 only,  only  Chrifl  keeps  his  greatnefs  and  beauty,  and  remaineth 
 what  he  was:  Oh  !  if  he  were  more  and  more  excellent  to  our  ap^ 
 prehenfions  than  ever  he  was  (uhofe  excellency  is  above  all  appre- 
 henfions)  and  ftill  more  and  more  fwect  to  our  tafte.  I  care  for 
 fipthing,  if  fo  be  I  were  nearer  to  him,  ?.nd  yet  he  ^icth  not  frow 
 
Epift.  63.]  LETTERS.  429 
 
 me ;  I  (lee  from  him,  but  he  purfueth.  I  hear  your  LadyQiip  hath 
 the  fame  eftcem  of  the  defpifed  caufe  and  covenant  of  our  Lord, 
 ve  had  before  :  Madam,  hold  you  there  ;  I  dare  and  would  gladly 
 breathe  out  my  fpirit  in  that  way,  with  a  nearer  communion  and 
 fellowihip  with  the  Father  and  the  Son,  and  would  feek  no  more, 
 but  that  1  might  die  believing:  and  alib  I  would  hope,  that  the 
 caith  Ihould  not  cover  the  blood  of  the  godly  flain  in  Scotland  ; 
 but  that  the  Lord  will  make  inquifition  for  their  blood,  when  the 
 lufferings  of  the  faints  in  thefe  lands  (liall  be  fulfilled.  The  good- 
 will ot  him  that  dwelt  in  the  bufh  be  with  you. 
 
 0'/d/gciUi  Sept,  28,  Tour  Ladyfiip^s  at  all  ohfervance 
 
 1 65 1.  in  the  Lord  Jefus,    S.  R. 
 
 6^.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madam, 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you :  I  know  ye  think  of  an  out- 
 ^^  going,  and  that  your  quartering  in  time,  and  your  abode  in 
 this  life,  is  (hort;  for  we  flee  away  as  a  fhadow :  the  declining  of 
 the  fun,  and  the  lengthening  of  the  fliadow,  faith  our  journey  is 
 ihort  aud  near  the  end  j  I  fpeak  it,  becaufe  I  have  warnings  of  my 
 removal.  Madam,  I  know  not  any  againfl:  whom  the  Lord  is 
 not ;  for  he  is  againfl:  the  proud  and  lofty  ;  the  day  of  the  Lord  is 
 upon  all  the  cedars,  upon  all  the  high  mountains,  upon  every 
 high  tower,  and  upon  every  fenced  wall,  upon  all  the  (hips  of 
 Tarlhilli,  and  upon  all  pleafant  pictures.  1  know  not  any  thing 
 comparable  to  a  nearnefs  and  fpiritual  communion  with  the  Fa- 
 ther and  the  Son  Clirift  ;  there  is  much  deadnefs  and  withered- 
 nefs  upon  many  fpirits,  fometimes  near  to  God  5  and  I  wifh  the 
 Lord  have  not  more  to  fay  and  to  do  againfl  the  land.  Ye  have. 
 Madam,  in  your  accounts,  mercies,  deliverances,  rods,  warnings, 
 plenty  of  means,  confolations  when  refuge  failed,  when  ye  look- 
 ed on  the  right  hand,  and  behold  no  man  would  know  you,  nor 
 care  for  your  foul,  when  young  and  weak,  manifeftations  of  God, 
 the  out-goings  of  the  Lord  for  you,  experiences,  anfwers  from  the 
 Lord  ;  by  all  which,  ye  may  be  comforted  now,  and  confirmed 
 in  the  certain  hope,  that  grace,  free  grace,  in  a  fixed  and  elta- 
 bliflied  furety,  fhaii  perfedl  that  good  work  in  you  :  happy  they, 
 who  fee  not,  and  yet  believe !  Grace,  grace  eternajly  in  our  Lord 
 Jefus  be  with  you. 
 
 Edin.  May  27.  Tours  in  thi  Lord  Jefus ^ 
 
 1645.  S.  H. 
 
43©  ^Ir  RUTHERFOOR D*s  Epift.  6^,6^,^ 
 
 64'     To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 
 Madam^ 
 T  HAVE  been  fo  long  filent,  tliat  I  am  almoft  aftiamed  now  to 
 •■'  fpcak.  I  hear  of  your  weakly  condition  of  body,  which  fpeak^ 
 €th  feme  warning  to  you,  to  look  for  a  longer  life,  where  ye  (ball 
 have  more  leifure  to  praife  than  time  can  give  you  here  :  it  thall 
 be  lofs  to  many  j  but  fure,  yourfelf.  Madam,  fliall  be  only  free  of 
 any  lofs.  And  truly,  confidering  what  days  we  are  now  fallen 
 into,  if  failing  were  not  ferving  of  the  Lord,  (which  I  can  hardly 
 attain)  a  calm  harbour  were  very  good,  when  ftorms  are  fo  high  : 
 the  Fore-runner,  who  hath  landed  lirft,  muft  help  to  bring  the 
 fea-beaten  veflcl  fafe  to  the  port,  and  the  fick  paffengers,  who  are 
 following  the  Fore-runner,  fafe  aihore.  Much  deadnefs  prevaii- 
 eth  over  fome;  but  there  is  much  life  in  him,  who  is  the  refur- 
 re£tion  and  the  life,  to  quicken.  O  what  of  our  hid  life  is  with- 
 out us,  and  how  little  and  poor  a  ftock  is  in  the  hand  of  fome  I 
 The  only  wife  God  fupply  what  is  wanting;  the  more  ye  want, 
 and  the  more  your  joy  hath  run  on,  the  more  is  owing  to  you  by 
 the  promife  of  grace:  bygones  of  waterings  from  heaven,  which 
 your  Ladyfhip  wanted  in  Kenmure,  Rufco,  the  Weft,  Glafgow, 
 Edinburgh,  England,  &c.  ihall  all  come  in  a  great  fum  together; 
 the  marriage-fupper  of  the  Lamb  muft  not  be  maried  with  too 
 large  a  four-hours  refreflimcnt.  Know,  Madam,  he  who  hath  tu- 
 tored you  from  the  brtafts,  knoweth  how  to  time  his  own  day- 
 ihinings  and  love-vifits.     Grace  that  runs  on,  be  with  you. 
 
 *S'^.  Andrew Sy  lours  in  the  Lord,  at  all  obfer- 
 
 vance.     S.  R. 
 
 65.  To  7uy  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madarriy 
 T  Confefs  I  have  caufe  to  be  grieved  at  my  long  filence,  or  lazi-? 
 ■■■  nefs  in  writing:  I  am  alfo  afflicted  to  hear,  that  fuch,  who 
 were  debtors  to  your  Ladyftiip  for  better  dealing,  have  ferved  you 
 with  fuch  prevarication  :  yc  know  crookednefs  is  neither  ftrong 
 nor  long  enduring;  and  ye  know  likewife,  that  thefe  things 
 fpring  not  out  of  the  duft :  it  is  fweet  to  look  upon  the  lawlefs  and 
 finful  ftirrings  of  the  creatures,  as  ordered  by  a  moft  holy  Hand 
 in  heaven.  O  if  fome  could  make  peace  with  God  !  It  would  be 
 our  wifdom,  and  afford  us  much  fweet  peace,  if  oppreflbrs  were 
 looked  upon  as  paflive  inftruments,  like  the  faw  or  ax  in  the  car- 
 penter's hand ;  they  are  bidden  (if  fuch  a  diftinction  may  be  ad- 
 mitted) but  not  commanded  of  God  (as  Shimei  v/as,  2  Sam.  xvi. 
 JO.)  to  do  what  they  do.     Madam,  thefe  many  years  the  Lord 
 
Eplft.  66y  67.]  LETTERS.  431 
 
 hath  been  teaching  you  to  read  and  ftudy  well  the  book  of  holy', 
 holy  and  fpotlefs  Sovereignty,  in  fuffering  from  fome  nigh  han'd 
 and  fome  far  off.  Whoever  be  the  inllruments,  the  replying  o£ 
 clay  to  the  Potter,  the  Former  of  all,  is  unbefeeming  the  nothing 
 creature:  I  hope  he  ihall  clear  you:  but  when  Zion's  public  evils 
 ly  not  nigh  fome  of  us,  and  leave  no  impreflion  upon  our  hearts, 
 it  is  no  wonder  that  we  be  exercifed  with  domeftlc  troubles  ;  but 
 I  know  ye  are  taught  of  God  to  prefer  Jerufalem  to  your  chiefeft 
 joy.  r  Madam,  there  is  no  caufe  of  fainting  ;  wait  upon  the  not- 
 tarrying  vifion,  for  it  will  fpeak.  The  only  wife  God  be  with  you* 
 and  God  even  your  own  God  blefs  you. 
 
 St.  Andrews y  June  Tours  at  all  ohfervance  in  God, 
 
 1657.  S.  R, 
 
 66.  To  my  Lady  KENMUKE. 
 Madam, 
 
 T  Should  not  forget  you;  but  my  deadnefs  nnder  a  threatening 
 ■■■  ftroke,  both  of  a  falling  church,  a  broken  covenant,  a  defpifed 
 remnant,  and  crazinefs  of  body  (that  I  cannot  get  a  piece  fickly  clay 
 trarried  about  from  one  houfe  or  town  to  another)  lies  moil  heavy 
 on  me :  the  Lord  hath  removed  Scotland's  crown,  for  we  owned 
 not  his  crown  ;  we  fretted  at  his  catholic  government  of  the  world, 
 and  fretted  that  he  would  not  be  ruled  and  led  by  us,  in  breaking 
 our  adverfaries  ;  and  he  makes  us  fuffer  and  pine  away  in  our  ini- 
 quities, under  the  broken  government  of  his  houfe.  It  is  like  it 
 would  be  our  fnare,  to  be  tried  with  the  honour  of  a  peaceable  re- 
 formation ;  we  might  mar  the  carved  work  of  his  houfe,  worfe 
 than  thofe  againft  whom  we  cry  out.  It  is  like  he  hath  bidden  us 
 ly  on  our  left-fide  three  hundred  and  ninety  days;  and  yet  fo  afto- 
 nifhing  is  our  ftupidity,  that  we  moan  not  our  fore-fide :  our 
 gold  is  become  dim,  the  vifage  of  our  Nazarites  is  become  black, 
 the  fun  is  gone  down  on  our  feers,  the  crown  is  fallen  from  our 
 head,  we  roar  like  bears.  Lord  fave  us  from  that,  He  that  made 
 them  will  not  have  mercy  on  them.  The  heart  of  the  fcribe  me- 
 ditates terror.  Oh.  Madam,  if  the  Lord  would  help  to  more  felf- 
 judging,  and  to  make  fure  an  intereft  in  Chrift  !  Ah,  we  forget 
 eternity,  ?.nd  it  approacheth  quickly.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 St.  Andrews,  Nov.  20.  Tour  Ladyjiytp' s  at  all  obedience 
 
 1657  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 
 
 67.  To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 Madam, 
 
 T  AM  adiamed  of  my  long  filence  to  your  Ladyftiip.  Your  tof- 
 ■*•  fmgs  and  wanderings  are  known  to  him,  upon  whom  ye  have 
 been  cafl  from  the  breads,  and  who  hath  been  your  God  of  old. 
 
^^t  Mr4^UTIfERF00RD's  Epift.  dy.l 
 
 The  temporal  lofs  of  creatures,  dear  to  you  there,  may  be  the  more 
 cafily  endured,  that  the  gain  of  One,  who  only  hath  immortality, 
 groweth.    There  is  an  univerfal  complaint  of  deadnefs  of  fpirit  on 
 all  that  know  God :  he  that  v/rites  to  you,  Madam,  is  as  deep  in 
 this  as  any,  and  is  afraid  of  a  ftrong  and  hot  battle,  before  time 
 be  at  a  clofe  ;  but  no  matter  if  the  Lord  crown  all  with  the  victo- 
 rious triumphing  of  faith.     God  teacheth  us  by  terrible  things  in 
 righteoufnefs.     We  fee  many  things,    but  we  obferve  nothing. 
 Our  drink  is  four,  grey  hairs  are  here  and   there  on  us,  and  wc 
 change  many  Lords  and  E.ulers  ;  but  the  fame  bondage  of  foul 
 and  body  remains.     We  live  little  by  faith,   but  much  by  fenfe, 
 according  to  the  times,  and  by  human  policy.     The  watchmen 
 fleep,  and  the  people  perifh  for  lack  of  knowledge.     Kow  can 
 we  be  enlightened,  when  we  turn  our  back  on  the  Sun  ?  And  mull 
 we  not  be  withered  when  we  leave  the  Fountain  ?  It  (hculd  be  my 
 only  defire  to  be  a  minilter,  gifted  with  the  white  ftone,  and  the 
 new  name  written  on  it. v. I  judge  it  were  fit  (now  when  tall  pro- 
 feffors,  and  when  many  ftSrs  fall  from  heaven,  and  God  poureth 
 the  ifle  of  Great  Britain  from  veflel  to  veiTel,   and  yet  we  fit  and 
 are  fettled  on  our  lees)    to  confider   (as  fometimes  I  do  ;  but,  ah, 
 rarely)  how  irrecoverable  a  wo  it  is,  to  be  under  a  beguile  in  the 
 matter  of  eternity:  and  what  if  I,  who  can  have  a  fubfcribed  tefli- 
 mony  of  many,  who  fhall   Hand  at  the  right-hand  of  the  Judge, 
 lliall  mifs  Chriii's  approving  teftimony,  and  be  fet  upon  the  left- 
 hand  among  the  goats.'*  There  is  fuch  a  beguile,  Matth.  vil.  22. 
 Matth.  XXV.  8,  9,  10,  11,  12.    Luke  xiii.   25,  26.    and  it  befals 
 many,  and  what  if  it  befal  me,  who  have  but  to6  much  art  to  co- 
 zen my  own  foul  and  others,  with  the  llourifti  of  minifterial  or 
 country  hollnefs.    Dear  Lady,  I  am  afraid  of  prevailing  fecurity ; 
 we  watch  little,   (1 -have   mainly  relation  to  myfelf)   we  wreltle 
 little :  I  am  like  one  travelling  in  the  night,  who  fees  a  fpirit,  and 
 fweats  for  fear,  and  dare  not  tell  it  to  his  fellow,   for  fear  of  en- 
 creafing  his  own  fear;  however,  1  am  fure,  when  the  Mafter  is 
 nigh  his  coming,   it  were  fafe  to  write  over  a  double  and  a  new 
 copy  of  our  accounts  of  the  fins  of  nature,   childhood,    youth,  ri- 
 per years,  and  old  age.    What  if  Chrifl:  have  another  written  re- 
 prefentation  of  me,  than  I  have  of  myfelf.^  fure  he  is  right  ;  and 
 if  it  contradict  my  miftaking  and  finfully  erroneous  account  of 
 myfelf,  ah  !  where  am  I  then  ?  But,  Madam,  I  difcouragc  none  ; 
 I  know  Chrill  hath  made  a  new  marriage- contract  of  love,  and 
 .foaled  it  with  his  blood,  and  the  trembling  believer  ihail  not  dm 
 confounded,     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 St  JnJreivs,  May  26,  Tours  at  all  obedience  in  Chrljl, 
 
 1659.  S.  R. 
 
Epift.  68.]  LETTERS.  433 
 
 68.     To  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 
 T  SHOULD  be  glad  that  the  Lord  would  be  pleafed  to  lengthen 
 -■■  out  more  time  to  you,  that  yc  might,  before  your  eyes  be  iliut, 
 fee  more  oi  the  work  of  the  right-hand  of  the  Lord,  in  reviving 
 a  now  fwooning  and  cruthed  land  and  church,  Though  I  was 
 lately  knocking  at  death's  gate,  yet  could  I  not  get  in,  but  was 
 fent  back  for  a  time.  It  is  well,  if  I  could  yet  do  any  fervice  to 
 him  ;  but  ah,  what  deadnefs  lieth  upon  the  fpirit !  and  deadnefs 
 breedeth  diftaace  from  God.  Madam,  thefe  many  years  the  Lord 
 hath  let  you  fee  a  clear  difference  betwixt  thofe  who  ferve  God,  and 
 love  his  name,  and  thofe  who  ferve  him  not  j  and  I  judge  ye  look 
 upon  the  way  of  Chrift  as  the  only  befl  way,  and  that  ye  would 
 not  exchange  Chrift  for  the  world's  god,  or  their  Mammon,  and 
 that  ye  can  give  Chrift  a  teftimoiiy  of  Chief  among  ten  thoufajid  ; 
 true  it  is,  that  many  of  us  have  fallen  from  our  firft  love ;  but 
 Chrill  hath  renewed  his  firft  love  of  our  efpoulals  to  himfelf,  and 
 multiplied  the  feekers  of  God^  all  the  country  over,  even  where 
 Chrift  was  fcarce  named,  eaft  and  welV,  fouth  and  north,  above  the 
 number  that  our  fathers  ever  knew.  But  ah  !  Madam,  what  fhall 
 be  done  or  faid  of  many  fallen  ftars,  and  many  near  to  God  com- 
 plying wofully,  and  failing  to  the  neareit  flioie  ?  Yea,  and  we  ard 
 co/ifumed  in  the  firnace,  but  not  melted ;  burnt,  but  not  purged; 
 our  drofs  is  not  removed,  but  our  fcum  remains  in  us  ;  and  in  the 
 furnace  we  fret,  we  faint,  and  (which  is  more  ftrange)  we  fluna- 
 bcr :  the  fire  burncth  round  about  us,  and  we  lay  it  not  to  heart : 
 grey-hairs  are  upon  us,  and  we  know  it  not.  It  were  now  a  de- 
 firable  life  to  fend  away  our  love  to  heaven;  and  well  becometl'i 
 it  us  to  wait  for  our  appointed  change,  yet  fo  as  we  fnould  be 
 meditating  thus :  Is  there  a  new  world  above  the  fun  and  moon  ? 
 and  is  there  fuch  a  blefl'ed  company  harping  and  finging  Hallelu- 
 jahs to  the  Lamb  up  above  ?  Why  then  arc  we  taken  with  a  vain 
 life  of  fighing  and  finning  }  Oh,  where  is  our  wifdom,  that  wc 
 fit  ftill  laughing,  eating,  lleeping  prifoners,  and  do  not  pack  up 
 all  our  belt  things  for  the  journey,  deuring  always  to  be  clothed 
 with  our  houfe  from  above,  not  made  with  hands  !  Ah,  we  favour 
 not  the  things  that  are  above,  nor  do  we  fmcll  of  glory  ere  we  come 
 ihither;  but  we  tranfn(^\  and  agree  with  time,  for  a  new  leafe  of 
 clay-manlions  :  behold  he  cometh,  we  fleep,  and  turn  all  the  work 
 of  duties  into  difpute  of  events  for  deliverance;  but  the  greatcit 
 hade  to  be  humbled  for  a  broken  and  a  buried  covesant,  is  firft  and 
 Jaft  forgotten  ;  and  all  our  grief  is,  the  Lord  lingers  enemies  tri- 
 umph, godly  ones  fulTer,  atheifts  blafpheme.  Ah!  we  pray  not, 
 but  wonder  that  Chrift  cometh  not  the  higher  way,  by  might,  by 
 power,  by  garmenUi  rolled  in  blood  ;   v^hat  if  he  come  the  lower 
 
 Xii 
 
434  m  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  69. j 
 
 •way  ?  fure  we  fin  in  putting  the  book  in  his  hand,  as  if  we  could 
 teach  the  Almighty  knowledge;  we  make  hafte,  we  believe  not  ; 
 let  the  only  wife  God  alone,  he  ftirs  well,  he  draws  ftraight  lines, 
 though  we  think  and  fay  they  are  crooked ;  it  16  right  that  fome 
 Ihould  die  and  their  breaits  full  of  milk  ;  and  yet  we  are  angry 
 that  God  dealeth  fo  with  them.  Oh  if  1  could  adore  him  in  his 
 hidden  ways,  when  there  is  darknefs  under  his  feet,  and  dark- 
 nefs  in  his  pavilion,  and  clouds  are  about  his  throne  !  Madam, 
 hoping,  believing,  patient  praying  is  our  life ;  he  lofes  no  time.- 
 The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 St,  j^ndrews^  Sept.  1 2.         Tours  at  all  obliged  ohjervance  in 
 
 1659.  Chriji,  S,  R. 
 
 69.  To  his  reverend  and  dear  brethren^  Mr,  GUTHRIE,  Mr. 
 TRAIL,  and  the  reji  of  their  brethren  imprifined  in  the  cajlh 
 of  Edinburgh^ 
 
 Reverend,  very  dear,  and  now  much  honoured  prifoners  for  Chrijff 
 T  AM,  as  to  the  point  of  light,  at  the  utmoft  of  perfuafion  m 
 "*•  that  kind,  that  this  is  thecaufe  of  Chrift  ye  nowfuffer  for,  and- 
 Bot  mens  interefl :  if  it  be  for  men,  let  us  leave  it ;  but  if  we  plead 
 for  God,  our  own  perfonal  fafety  and  man's  deliverance  will  not 
 be  peace.  There  is  a  falvation  called  the  falvation  of  God,  which 
 is  cleanly,  pure,  fpiritual,  unmixed,  near  to  the  holy  word  of  God  v. 
 it  is  that  which  we  would  feek,  even  the  favt)ur  of  God  that  he 
 bears  to  his  people  not  fnnple  gladnefs,  but  the  gladnefs  and  good- 
 nefs  of  the  Lord's  chofen.  And  fure  (though  I  be  the  weakefi:  of 
 his  witnefles,  and  unworthy  to  be  among  the  meaneft  of  them,  and 
 am  afraid  the  caufebe  hurt  (but  it  cannot  be  loll)  by  my  unbeliev- 
 ing faintnefs)  I  fhould  not  delirc  a  deliverance,  feparated  from  the 
 deliverance  of  the  Lord's  caufe  and  people:  it  is  enough  to  me  to 
 fing,  when  Zion  fings  ;  and  to  triumph,  when  Chrift  triumpheth: 
 I  fhould  judge  it  an  unhappy  joy,  to  rejoice  when  Zion  figheth» 
 Not  one  hoof  will  be  your  peace.  If  Chrift  doth  own  me,  let  me 
 be  in  the  grave  in  a  bloody  winding-ftieet,  and  go  from  the  fcafFold 
 in  four  quarters,  to  grave  or  no  grave,  I  am  his  debitor,  to  feal 
 with  fufFerings  this  precious  truth  :  but  oh  !  when  it  comes  to  the 
 pufh,  I  dare  fay  nothing,  confidering  my  weaknefs,  wickednefs  and 
 fiuntnefs.  But  fear  not  ye,  ye  are  not,  ye  (hall  not  be  alone,  the 
 Father  is  with  you  ;  it  was  not  an  unfeafonable,  but  a  feafonable 
 and  neceffary  duty  we  were  about.  Fear  him  who  is  fovereign, 
 Chrift  is  Captain  of  the  caftle  and  Lord  of  the  keys*  The  cooling 
 v^ell-fpring  and  refreftiment  from  the  promifes,  is  more  than  the 
 frownings  of  the  furnace.  1  fee  fnares  and  temptations  in  capitw- 
 <':ting,  compollng,  ceding,  mincing  with  diftindlicns  of  circum- 
 ll.uices,  formalities,  compliments  and  extenuations  in  the  caule: 
 
EpHt.  70.]  LETTERS.  435 
 
 of  Chrift  :  a  long  fpoon,  the  broth  is  hell's  hot.  Hold  a  diftance 
 from  carnal  compolltions,  and  much  nearnefs  to  the  Fountain,  to 
 the  favour  and  refrelhing  light  from  the  Father  of  hghts,  fpeaking 
 in  his  oracles ;  this  is  found  health  and  falvation.  Angels,  men, 
 Zion's  elders  eye  us-,  but  what  of  all  thefe  ?  Chnft  is  by  us» 
 and  looks  on  us,  and  writes  up  all.  Let  us  pray  more,  ^n^d 'ook 
 lefs  to  men.  Remember  me  to  Mr.  Scot,  and  all  the  reitl  lilel- 
 fmgs  be  upon  the  head  of  fuch  as  are  feparated  from  their  brethren  : 
 Jofeph  is  a  fruitful  bough  by  a  well.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 St.  Andrews,  Tour  loving  brother  and  compamon^  in  the 
 
 1660.  kingdom  and  patience  of  Jtjii;  Chrijiy  S.  R. 
 
 70.     To  Mr.  ROBERT  CAMPBELL. 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brother j 
 
 YE  know  this  is  a  time  in  which  all  men  almoft  feek  their  own 
 things,  and  not  the  things  of  Jelus  Chrift:^  ye  are  your  a- 
 lone,  as  a  beacon  on  the  top  of  a  mountain  ;  but  faint  not,  Chnft 
 is  a  numerous  multitude  himfelf,  yea,  millions:  though  all  the 
 nations  were  convened  againft  him  round  ^bout,   yet  doubt  not. 
 but  he  will,  at  laft  arife  for  the  cry  of  the  poor  and  needy.     For 
 me,  1  am  now  near  to  eternity,  and  for  ten  thoufand  worlds  I 
 dare  not  adventure  to  pafs  from  the  protcftation  againll  the  cor- 
 ruptions of  the  time,  nor  go  alongft  with  the  fhamelefs  apoflafy 
 of  the  many  filent  and  dumb  watchmen  of  Scotland  ;  but  1  think 
 it  my  laft  duty,  to  enter  a  proteftation  in  heaven  before  the  righte- 
 ous Judge,  againft  the  praciical  and  legal  breach  of  covenant,  and 
 all  oaths  impofed  oijthe  confciences  of  the  Lord's  people,  and  all 
 Popifti  fupcrftltious  and  idolatrous  mandates  of  pien.    Know  that 
 the  overthrow  of  the  fworn  reformation,  the  introducing  of  Po- 
 pery and  the  myftery  of  iniquity,  is  now  fet  on  foot  in  the  three 
 kingdoms;  and  whofoever  would  keep  their  garments  clean  are 
 under  that  command.  Touch  not,  taite  not,  handle  not.  The  Lord 
 calls  you,  dear  brother,  to  beiftill  ftedfaft,  unmoveable  and  abound- 
 ing in  the  work  of  the  Lord.    Our  royal  kingly  Mafter  is  upon  his 
 journey,  and  will  come  and  will  not  tarry  -,  and  blefled  is  the  fer- 
 vant,  who  fiiall  be  found  watching  when  hs  cometh  :  fear  not  men, 
 for  the  Lord  is  your  light  and  falvation.   It  is  true,  it  is  fomewhat 
 fad  and  comfcrtlefs  that  ye  are  your  alone;  but  fo  it  was  with 
 our  precious  Mafter  :  nor  are  ye  your  alone,  for  the  Father  is  with 
 you.  It  is  poiTible,  I  fliall  not  be  an  eye-witnefs  to  it  in  the  fleftj ; 
 but  I  believe   he  comes  quickly,   who  will  remove  our  darknels, 
 and  will  Ihine  glorioully  in  the'iile  of  Britain,  as  a  crowned  king, 
 cither  in  a  formally  fworn  covenant,  or  in  his  own  glorious  way, 
 which  I  leave  to  the  determination  of  his  infinite  wifdom  and 
 goodnefs;  and  this  is  the  hope  and  confidence  of  a  dying  nun^ 
 
 I  i  i  * 
 
436  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epifl.  70.3 
 
 "who  IS  longing  and  fainting  for  the  falvation  of  God.  Beware  of 
 the  enfnaring  bonds  and  obligations,  by  any  hand-writ  or  other- 
 trays,  to  give  unlimited  obedience  to  any  authority,  but  only  in 
 the  Lord  j  for  all  innocent  felf-defcncc  (which  is  r:ccor.iing  to  the 
 covenant,  the  word  of  God  and  the  laudable  exauiple  of  the  re- 
 formed churches)  is  now  intended  to  be  utterly  fubvertcJ  and  con- 
 demned: and  what  is  taken  from  Chrift,  as  the  flower  of  his  pre- 
 rogative royal,  is  now  put  upon  the  head  of  a  mortal  power,  which 
 muftbe  that  great  idol  of  indignation  that  provoketh  the  eyes  of 
 bis  glory.  Dear  brother,  let  us  mind  the  rich  promifes  that  are 
 made  to  thofe  that  overcome,  knowing  that  thofe  that  endure  to 
 the  end  ihall  be  faved.  Thus  recommending  you  to  the  rich 
 grace  of  God,  I  remain 
 
 St,  Andrews ^  Tcur  affeSlionate  brother  in  Chrift y 
 
 i66r.  ^  S.  R, 
 
Epifl.  I.]  LETTERS.  437 
 
 THE 
 
 THIRD    PART. 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 Some  more  letters  of  the  fame  Author,  from  Anwoth 
 and  Edinburgh,  before  his  confinement  at  Aberdeen  j 
 from  Aberdeen  during  his  Confinement ;  and  from 
 St.  Andrews,  &c.  after  his  Enlargement. 
 
 .    '  1.    For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 Well-beloved  and  dear  Jyhr, 
 
 MY  love,  in  Chrift,  remembered.  I  have  Tent  to  you  your 
 daughter  Griflel,  with  Robert  Gordon,  who  came  to  fetch 
 her:  I  am  in  i^ood  hopes  that  the  feed  of  God  is  in  her,  as  in  one 
 born  of  God,  and  God's  feed  will  come  to  God's  harveft.  I  have 
 her  promife,  flie  fhall  be  Chrifl's,  for  I  have  told  her  llie  may  pro- 
 inife  much  in  his  worthy  name;  for  he  becomes  caution  to  his 
 Father  for  all  fuch  as  refolve  and  promife  to  ferve  him.  I  will  re- 
 member her  to  God.  I  trult  you  will  acquaint  her  with  good 
 company,  and  be  diligent  to  know  wirh  whom  fhe  loveth  lo 
 haunt.  Remember  Zion,  and  our  neceflities.  I  blefs  your  daugh- 
 ter from  our  Lord,  and  prays  the  Lord  ro  ^ive  you  joy  and  com- 
 fort of  her.  Remember  my  love  to  your  huiband,  to  William  and 
 bamuel  your  fons.    The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 Jnu'oth,  June  6,         Tours  at  all  power  in  the  Lord  J  ejus  y 
 1624.  5.  R. 
 
4^3  Mr  RUTHERFOORW^  Eplft:.  2,  3.J 
 
 1,    For  MARION  MAGNA  UGHT. 
 
 Loving  and  dear  Jlftcry 
 TF  ever  you  would  pleafure  me,  intreat  the  Lord  for  me,  now 
 •^  when  I  am  fo  comfortlefs,  and  fo  full  of  heavinefs,  that  I  am 
 not  able  to  ft^nd  under  the  burden  any  longer.  The  Almighty 
 hath  doubled  his  ftripes  upon  me;  for  my  wife  is  fo  fore  torment- 
 ed night  and  day,  that  I  have  wondered  why  the  Lord  tarrieth  fo 
 long :  my  life  is  bitter  unto  me,  and  I  fear  the  Lord  be  my  con- 
 trair  party.  It  is  (I  now  know  by  experience)  hard  to  keep  fight 
 of  God  in  a  ftorm,  efpeciallyiwhen  he  hides  himfelf  for  the  trial  of 
 his  children.  If  he  would  be  pleafed  to  remove  his  hand,  I  have  a 
 purpofe  to  feek  him  more  than  I  have  done:  happy  are  they  that 
 can  win  away  with  their  foul ;  I  am  afraid  of  his  judgments.  I 
 blefs  my  God,  that  there  is  a  death  and  a  heaven;  I  would  weary 
 to  begin  again  to  be  a  Chrillian,  fo  bitter  is  it  to  drink  of  the  cup 
 that  Chrift  drank  of,  if  I  knew  not  that  there  is  no  poifon  in  it- 
 God  give  us  not  of  it  while  we  vomit  again,  for  we  have  fick  fouls 
 when  God's  phyfic  works  not.  Pray  that  God  would  not  lead 
 my  wife  into  temptation.  Wo  is  my  heart  that  I  have  done  fo 
 little  againft  the  kingdom  of  Satan  in  my  calling ;  for  he  would 
 fain  attempt  to  make  me  blafpheme  God  in  his  face :  I  believe, 
 in  the  ilrength  of  him  who  hath  put  me  in  his  work,  he  (hall 
 fail  in  that  which  he  feeks :  I  have  comfort  in  this,  that  my  Cap- 
 tain Chrid  hath  faid  I  muft  fight  and  overcome  the  world,  John 
 xvi,  33.  and  with  a  weak  fpoiled  weaponlefs  devil,  John  xiv.  30. 
 *  The  prince  of  this  world  cometh,  and  hath  nothing  in  me.'  De- 
 lire  Mr  Robert  to  remember  me,  if  he  love  me.  Grace,  grace  be 
 with  you,  and  all  yours;  remember  Zion.  There  is  a  letter  pro- 
 cured from  the  king  by  Mr.  John  Maxwell,  to  urge  coni'ormity, 
 to  give  the  communion  at  Chrillmafs  in  Edinburgh.  Hold  fail 
 that  which  ye  have,  that  no  man  take  the  crown  from  you  :  The 
 Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 Awwcthy  N'^'V,  1 7.  Tours  in  the  Lord^ 
 
 1629.  ^  S.  R. 
 
 3.    For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 Well-heloved  and  dear  fijler, 
 TV/rY  love,  in  the  Lord  Jefus,  remembered  :  I  underftand  that 
 ^^  you  are  ftill  under  the  Lord's  vifitation,  in  your  former  bu- 
 fmeis  with  your  enemies,  which  is  God's  dealing  :  for,  till  he  take 
 his  children  out  of  the  furnace,  that  knowelh  how  long  they 
 ihould  be  tried,  there  is  no  deliverance ;  but  after  God's  higheil 
 and  fulleft  tide,  that  the  fea  of  trouble  is  gone  over  the  fouls  of 
 
£pift.  S-l  LETTERS.  43S> 
 
 his  children,  then  comes  the  gracious  long-hoped  for  ebbing,  and 
 drying  up  of  the  waters.  Dear  lifter,  do  not  faint;  the  wicked 
 may  hold  the  bitter  cup  to  your  head,  but  God  mixeth  it,  and 
 there  is  no  poifon  in  it ;  they  ftrike,  but  God  moves  the  rod  j  Shi- 
 mei  cuifeth,  but  it  is  becaufe  the  Lord  bids  him,  I  tell  you,  and 
 I  have  it  from  him  before  whom  1  ftand  for  God's  people,  there  i& 
 a  decree  given  out,  in  the  great  court  of  the  higheft  heavens,  that 
 your  prefent  troubles  (hall  be  difperfed  as  the  morning  cloud,  and 
 God  Ihall  bring  forth  your  righteoufnefs  as  the  light  at  noon-tide  of 
 the  day  :  let  me  intreat  you  in  Chrift's  name,  to  keep  a  good  con- 
 science in  your  proceedings  in  that  matter,  and  beware  of  yourfelf  ; 
 yourfelf  is  a  more  dangerous  enemy  than  I,  or  any  without  you  :. 
 innocence,  and  an  upright  caufe,  is  a  good  advocate  before  God> 
 and  (liall  plead  for  you,  and  win  your  caufe  •,  and  count  much  of 
 your  Mafter's  approbatioo,  and  his  fmiling  :  he  is  now  as  the  king 
 that  is  gone  to  a  far  country  ;  God  feems  to  be  from  home,  (if  i 
 may  fay  to)  yet  he  fees  the  ill  fervants,  who  fay,  Oai  Mafher  defer-* 
 reth  his  coming,  and  fo  ftrike  their  fellow  fervants :  but  patience, 
 my  beloved,  Chrlft  the  King  is  coming  home,  the  evening  is  at 
 hand,  and  he  will  allc  an  account  of  his  lervants  •,  make  a  fair  clear 
 count  to  him  :  fo  carry  yourfelf,  as  at  night  you  may  fay,  M><fter, 
 I  have  wronged  none:  behold,  you  have  your  own  with  advan- 
 tage. O  I  your  foul  then  will  efteera  much  of  one  of  God's  kifles- 
 and  embracements,  in  the  teftimony  of  a  good  confcience.  The 
 wicked,  howbeit  they  be  cafting  many  evil  thcughts,^  bitter  words^ 
 and  finful  deeds  behind  their  back,  yet  they  are,  in  h  doing, 
 clerks  to  their  own  procefs,  and  doing  nothing  all  their  life,  but 
 gathering  dittays  againft  themfelves  -,  for  God  is  angry  at  the 
 wicked  every  day :  and  1  hope  your  prefent  procefs  ftiall  be  fight* 
 ed  one  day  by  him  who  knoweth  your  juft  caufe  ;  and  the  bloody 
 tongues,  crafty  foxes,  double  ingrained  hypocrites,  fhall  appear  as 
 they  are  before  his  Majefty,  v/hen  he  fliall  take  the  nialk  ott"  their 
 faces  :  and  O  thrice  happy  Ihall  your  foul  be  then,  when  God  finds 
 you  covered  with  nothing  but  tli€  white  robe  of  the  faints  inno- 
 cence, and  the  righteoufnefs  of  Jefus  Chrift.  You  have  been  of 
 late  in  the  King's  wine-cellar,  where  you  were  welcomed  by  the 
 Lord  of  the  inns,  upon  a  condition  that  you  would  walk  in  love ; 
 put  on  love,  and  brotherly  kindnefs,  and  long  fuft'eringj  Walt  as 
 long  upon  the  favour  and  turned  hearts  of  your  enemies,  as  your 
 Chrift  waited  upon  you,  and  as  dear  Jefus  ftood  at  your  fouPs 
 door  with  dewy  and  rainy  locks,  the  long  cold  night:  be  angry 
 but  Gn  not ;  1  perfuade  mylelf,  that  holy  un£lion  within  you, 
 which  teacheth  you  all  things,  is  alfo  faying,  Overcome  evil  wiili 
 good.  It  that  had  not  fpoken  in  your  foul,  at  the  tears  of  your 
 aged  paftor,  you  would  not  have  ^^agrced,  and  forgiven  his  foul- 
 Hh  fon  who   wronged  you  :    but  my  Mafter  bade  me  telJ  yoa^ 
 
440  Mr  RUTHERFOORD^s  EpJfl.  3.] 
 
 God's  bleffing  fhall  be  upon  you  for  it ;  and  from  him  I  fay, 
 Grace,  grace,  grace,  and  everlafting  peace  be  upon  you  :  it  is  my 
 prayer  for  you,  that  your  carriage  may  grace  and  adorn  the  gof- 
 pel  of  that  Lord  who  hath  graced  you.  i  hear  your  hulband  alfo 
 was  fick,  but  I  befeech  you  in  the  bowels  of  Jefus,  welcome  every 
 rod  of  God  ;  for  I  find  not,  in  the  whole  book  of  God,  a  greater 
 note  of  the  child  of  God,  than  to  fall  down  and  kifs  the  feet  of  an 
 angry  God;  and  when  he  feems  to  put  you  away  from  him,  and 
 loofe  you  hands  that  grip  him,  to  look  up  in  faith,  and  fay,  I  fhall 
 not,  I  will  not  be  put  away  from  thee  :  howbeit  thy  Majefty  draw 
 to  free  thyfelf  of  me,  yet  Lord  give  me  leave  to  hold  and  cleave 
 unto  thyfelf.  I  will  pray  that  your  hulband  may  return  in  peace; 
 your  decreet  comes  from  heaven,  look  up  thither:  for  many 
 (fays  Solomon)  feek  the  face  of  the  ruler,  but  every  man's  judg- 
 ment cometh  of  the  Lord :  and  be  glad  that  it  is  fo,  for  Chrift  is 
 the  clerk  o(  your  procefs,  and  will  fee  that  all  go  right ;  and  I  per- 
 fuade  myfelf,  he  is  faying,  Yonder  fervants  of  mine  are  wronged  ; 
 for  my  blood.  Father,  give  them  juRice.  Think  you  not,  dear 
 fifter,  but  our  High  Prieft,  our  Jefus,  the  Mafter  of  requefts,  pre- 
 fents  our  bills  of  complaint  to  the  great  Lord  Jufticc  ?  Yea,  I  be- 
 lieve it,  fince  he  is  our  Advocate,  and  Daniel  calls  him  the  Spokef- 
 man,  whofe  hand  prefents  all  to  the  Father.  For  other  bufinefles, 
 I  fay  nothing,. while  the  Lord  give  me  to  fee  your  face.  I  am  cre- 
 dibly informed,  that  multitudes  of  England,  and  efpecially  wor- 
 thy preachers,  and  filenced  preachers  of  London,  are  gone  to  New- 
 England  ;  and  I  know  one  learned  holy  preacher,  who  hath  writ- 
 ten againft  the  Arminiahs,  who  is  gone  thither.  Our  blefied 
 Lord  Jefus,  who  cannot  get  leave  to  ileep  with  his  fpoufe  in  this 
 land,  is  going  to  feek  an  inns  where  he  will  be  better  entertained  ; 
 and  what  marvel  ?  Wearied  Jefus,  after  he  had  travelled  from  Ge- 
 neva, by  the  miniflry  of  worthy  Mr.  Knox,  and  was  laid  down  in 
 bis  bed,  and  reformation  begun,  and  the  curtains  drawn,  he  had 
 not  gotten  his  dear  eyes  well  together,  when  irreverent  Biihops 
 came  in,  and  with  the  din  and  noife  of  ceremonies,  holy-days, 
 and  other  Romilh  corruptions,  they  awake  our  Beloved  ;  others 
 came  to  his  bed-fidc,  and  drew  the  curtains,  end  put  hands  in  his 
 fervants,  banilhed,  deprived  and  confined  them ;  and  for  the  pul- 
 pit, they  got  a  llool  and  a  cold  fise  in  Blackneis;  and  the  nobility 
 clr«\v  the  covering  off  him,  and  have  made  him  a  poor  naked 
 Chrill,  in  fpoiling  his  fervants  of  the  tithes  and  kirk-rents;  and 
 now  there  is  fuch  a  noife  of  crying  fins  in  the  land,  as  the  want  of 
 the  knov/ledge  of  God,  of  mercy  and  truth;  fuch  fwearing,  whor- 
 ing, lying  and  blood  touching  blood,  that  Chriffc  is  putting  on  his 
 clothes,  and  making  him,  like  an  ill-handled  ftranger,  to  go  to  other 
 knds.  Pray  him,  dear  fifter,  to  ly  <^wn  again  with  his  beloved. 
 F».em«ttib«r  my  deareft  love  to  John  Gordon,  to  whom  I  will  write 
 
Enlft.  4.]  LETTERS.  44 1 
 
 when  I  am  ftrong;  and  to  John  Brown,  GrlfTcI,  Samuel  antl 
 William;  grace  upon  them.  A>  you  love  Chrill,  keep  Chrilt's 
 favour,  and  put  not  up^n  htm  vvhen  he  lleeps,  to  awake  him  be- 
 fore he  pleafe.  The  Lor.i  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 /in-woth,  July  i\ .  1630.  Tour  brother  in  Chriji^    S.  R. 
 
 I 
 
 4.    For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 Well  beloved  filler. 
 
 Have  been  thinkir.^,  Tir-cc  my  departure  from  you,  of  the  pride 
 and  malice  of  your  a;ivrrl"aries,  and  ye  may  not  (iince  ye  have 
 heard  the  book  of  the  Ptalmsfo  often)  take  hardly  with  this;  lor 
 David's  enemies  fnuiYed  at  him,  and  through  the  pride  of  their 
 hearts  faid,  *  The  Lord  will  not  require  it,'  Pfal.  x.  13.  i  beftecii 
 you  therefore,  in  the  bowels  of  Chrilt,  fet  before  your  eyes  the  pa- 
 tience of  your  Fore-runner  Jefus,  who,  when  he  was  reviled,  re- 
 viled not  again  ;  when  he  fuffered  he  threatened  not,  but  commit- 
 ted himfclf  to  him  v/ho  judgeth  righteouily,  i  Pet.  il.  23.  And 
 fmce  our  Lord  and  Redeemer  with  pntieiicc  received  many  a  black 
 ftroke  on  his  glorious  body,  and  many  a  bullet  of  the  unbelieving 
 world,  and  fays  cf  himielf,  Ifa.  1.  6.  *  1  gave  my  back  to  the  fmii- 
 crs,  and  my  cheeks  to  them  that  plucked  off  the  hrdr ;  I  hid, not 
 my  face  from  lliame  and  fpitting,  follow  him,  and  think  not  hard 
 that  you  receive  a  blow  v/iih  your  Lord;  take  part  with  Jefus  of 
 his  fufferinps,  and  glory  in  the  marks  of  Chrilt.  If  this  itorm  were 
 over,  you  muft  prep?,re  yoiirfelf  for  a  new  wound  ;  for,  five  thou- 
 fand  years  ago,  our  Lord  proclaimed  deadly  war  betwixi  the  Seed 
 of  the  woman,  and  the  feed  of  the  ferpenr ;  and  marvel  not  that 
 one  town  cannot  keep  the  children  of  God.  and  the  children  of  the 
 devil ;  for  one  belly  could  not  keep  Jacob  and  Efau  •,  one  houfe 
 could  not  keep  peaceably  together  llaac  the  fon  of  the  promife, 
 and  lOimael  the  fon  of  the  hand-maid.  Be  you  upon  Chrill's  fide 
 of  it,  and  c.^re  not  \vhat  fiefli  can  do-,  hold  yourftlf  fall  by  your 
 Saviour,  howbeit  you  be  buffeted,  and  thofe  that  follow  him  \  yet 
 a  little  while  and  the  wicked  lliall  not  be:  fee  2  Cor.  iv.  8.  *  \Ve 
 are  troubled  on  every  fide,  yet  not  diftreffed  ;  we  are  perplexed, 
 but  not  in  defp;iir.'  ver.  9.  *  Petfecuted,  but  not  forfakea  :  calt 
 down,  but  not  deltroyed.*  If  you  can  pclfefs  your  foul  in  patience, 
 their  day  is  comin:^.  Worthy  and  dear  filter,  know  how  to  carry  \ciir 
 felf  in  trouble;  and  when  ye  are  hated  and  reproached,  the  Lord 
 fhews  it  to  you,  Pfal.  xliv.  17.  *  All  this  is  come  upon  us,  yet 
 have  we  not  forgotten  thee,  neither  have  we  dealt  talfcly  in  thy  co- 
 venant.' Pfal.  cxix.  92.  •  Unlefs  thy  law  had  been  my  dt^lioht,,  1" 
 bad  periflied  in  mine  affdclions.'  Keep  God's  covenant  in  youc 
 trials  -,  hold  you  by  his  blcffed  word,  and  fin  not ;  flee  ar^cr.  wrath, 
 grudging,  envying,  fretting;  forinve  an  hundred  r^n^o  to  yvVi 
 
 K  h  k 
 
442  Ur  RUTNERFOORD's  Eplft,  5.J 
 
 fellow  fen^ant,  becaufe  your  Lord  hath  forgiven  you  ten  thoufand 
 talents  :  for,  I  aflure  you  by  the  Lord,  your  adverfaries  (hall  get 
 no  advantage  againft  you,  except  you  (in,  and  offend  your  Lord  in 
 your  luirerings  j  but  the  way  to  overd'ome,  is  by  patience,  forgiv- 
 ing and  praying  for  your  enemies,  in  doing  whereof  you  heap  coals 
 upon  their  heads,  and  your  Lord  {hall  open  a  door  to  you  in  your 
 trouble:  wait  upon  him.  as  the  night  watch  waiteth  for  the  morn- 
 ini)^;  he  will  not  tarry,  go  up  to  your  watch  tower,  and  come  not 
 down,  but  by  prayer,  and  faith,  and  hope,  wait  on  :  when  the  fea 
 is  full,  it  will  ebb  again  ;  and  fo  foon  as  the  wicked  are  come  to 
 the  top  ot  their  pride,  and  are  waxed  high  and  mighty,  then  is  their 
 change  approaching ;  they  that  believe  make  not  hade.  Remem- 
 ber Zlon,  forget  her  not ;  for  her  enemies  are  many,  for' the  na- 
 tions are  gathered  together  againll  her  :  *  But  they  know  not  the 
 thoughts  of  the  Lord,  neither  underftand  they  his  counfel ;  for 
 he  fliall  gather  them  as  the  flieaves  into  the  floor;  arife  and  threlh, 
 O  daughter  of  Zion,'  Mieah  iv.  12,  13.  Behold,  God  hath  ga- 
 thered his  enemies  together  as  flieaves  to  the  threfhing  ;  let  us  flay 
 and  reft  upon  thefe  promifes.  Now  again  I  truft  in  our  Lord,  you 
 iiiall  by  faith  fuftain  yourfelf  and  comfort  yourfelf  in  your  Lord, 
 and  be  ftrong  in  his  power ;  for  you  are  in  the  beaten  and  com- 
 mon way  to  heaven,  when  you  are  under  our  Lord's  croiles ;  you 
 have  reafun  to  rejoice  in  it,  more  than  in  a  crown  of  gold,  and  re- 
 joice and  be  glad  to  bear  the  reproaches  of  Chrift.  I  reft,  recom- 
 mending you  and  yours,  for  ever,  to  the  grace  and  mercy  of 
 God.       - 
 
 y^Hwothy  Feb:   II.  Yours  in  Chrifl, 
 
 1 63 1.  ^  S.  R. 
 
 X 
 
 5.    For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 JVell-hcloved  in  the  Lord, 
 
 rOU  are  not  unacquainted  with  the  day  of  our  communion  j  I 
 irureat  therefore  the  aid  of  your  prayers  for  that  great  work, 
 which  is  one  of  our  feaft-days,  wherein  our  Well-beloved  Jefus- 
 rcjoiceth,  and  is  merry  with  his  friends  :  good  caufe  have  we  to 
 wonder  at  his  love,  fince  the  day  of  his  death  was  fuch  a  forrow- 
 fui  dav  to  him,  even  the  day  when  his, mother  the  kirk  crowned 
 him  with  thorns,  and  he  had  many  againft  him,  and  compeared 
 bis  alone  in  the  open  fields  againft  them  all;  yet  he  delights  with 
 us  to  remeiTfiber  that  day:  let  us  love  him,  and  be  glad  and  rejoice 
 in  his  falvation.  I  am  confident  that  you  fhail  fee  the  Son  of  God 
 that  day,  and  1  dare  in  his  name  invite  you  to  his  banquet:  many 
 a  tim'e  you  have  been  well  entertained  in  his  houfe,  and  he  char- 
 v^s  not  upon  his  friends,. nor  chides  them  for  too  great  kindnefs; 
 5i:  i  fpeak  not  this  to  make  you  leave  off  to  pray  for  me,  who  baif« 
 
Epift.  5.]  LETTERS.  44^ 
 
 nothing  of  myfelf,  but  in  fb  for  as  daily  I  receive  from  him,  who 
 is  made  of  his  Father  a  running-orer  fountain,  at  which  I  and  o- 
 thers  may  come  with  thirfly  fouls,  and  fill  our  vefllls  :  long  hath 
 this  well  becrn  (landing  open  to  us;  Lord  Jefus,  lock  it  not  up 
 again  upon  us.  I  am  forty  .for  our  defolate  kirk;  yet  I  dare  not 
 but  trnft,  fo  long  as  there  he  any  of  God*s  lo'.l  money  here, 
 be  (liall  not  blow  out  the  candle.  Lord  mal;e  fair  candlefticks  ia 
 his  houfe,  find  remove  the  blind  lights.  I  have  been  this  time  by- 
 pafl:  thinking  much  of  the  incoming  of  the  kirk  of  the  Jews  ;  pr?.y 
 for  them  :  when  thsy  we^e  in  their  Lord's  houfe,  at  their  Fa- 
 ther's elbow,  they  were  longing  for  the  incoming  of  their  little 
 fifter,  the  kirk  of  the  Gentiles.  They  faid  to  their  Lord,  Cant, 
 viii.  ver.  8.  *  We  have  a  litrlc  fifter,  and  fiie  hath  no  breads  ; 
 what  (hall  we  do  for  our  fifter.  in  the  day  when  Ihe  is  fpaken  for  ? 
 Let  us  give  them  a  meeting,  What  iball  we  do  for  our  ekler  iaiier 
 the  Jews?  Lord  Jefus  give  them  bre^fU*  That  were  a  glad  day, 
 to  fee  us  and  them  both  fet  down  at  one  table,  and  Chrift  at  the 
 head  of  the  table.  Then  would  our  Lord  come  fhortly  with  his 
 fair  guard,  to  hold  his  great  court*  Dcc^r  fiiler,  be  patient  for  th? 
 Lord's  fake,  under  the  wrongs  that  you  fuffer  of  the  wicked  :  youj 
 Lord  fiiall  make  you  fee  your  deHre  on  your  enemies;  fome  of 
 them  Aiall  be  cut  off,  Job  xv.  ver.  XJ^'  *  They  fhall  fliake  off  their 
 unripe  grapes  as  the  vine,  and  caft  off  their  flower  as  the  olive  :*. 
 God  fli  dl  make  them  like  unripe  four  grapes,  fhaken  off  the  tree 
 with  the  blaft  of  God's  wrath  ;  and  therefore  pity  them,  srd  pny 
 for  them  :  others  of  them  muft  remain  to  exerciic  you  ;  God  hat'.i 
 faid  of  them,  *  Let  the  tares  grow  up  while  harveft,'  Mat.  xlii.  It 
 proves  you  to  be  your  Lord's  wheat.  Be  patient,  Chrift  went  to 
 heaven  with  many  a  wrong  ;  his  vifage  and  countenance  was  all 
 marred  more  than  the  fons  of  men  ;  you  may  not  be  above  your 
 Mafter;  many  a  black  ftroke  received  innocent  Jefus,  and  he  re- 
 ceived no  mends,  but  referred  them  all  to  the  great  court-day, 
 when  all  things  (liali  be  righted.  I  defire  to  hear  from  you  within 
 a  day  or  two,  if  Mr  Robert  remain  in  his  purpofe,  to  come  and 
 help  us ;  God  fliall  give  you  joy  of  your  children.  I  pray  for  them 
 by  their  names;  I  blefs  you  from  the  Lord,  your  hufb^nd  and 
 children.  Grace,  grace  and  mercy  be  multiph'ed  upon  you. 
 Aivwoih,  May  7.  Tours  in  the  Lord j or  c'ver, 
 
 1631.  S.  R. 
 
 6.    For  MARION  MACN AUGHT. 
 
 We'l-hcloi'edjijicr, 
 Y  love  in  Chrift  remembered.    I  have  received  a  letter  from 
 Edinburgh,  certainly  informing  me,  that  the  Englilh  fervice, 
 and  the  organs,  and  King  James's  Pfalms  are  to  be  impofed  upon 
 our  kirk,  and  the  Biihops  are  dealing  for  a  general  affembly :  A. ' 
 
 Kkk  2 
 
 M 
 
444  ^Ix  nUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  6.] 
 
 R.  hath  confirmed. the  news  alfo,  and  fays,  be  fpoke  with  Sir 
 William  Alexander,, who  is  to  come  down  with, his  prince's  war- 
 rant for  that  effect,  i  am  defired  in  the  received  letter  to  acquaint 
 the  bell:  aUt-ded  about  me  with  that  llorm ;    therefore  I  entreat 
 you,  and  charge  you  in  the  Lord's  name,  pray;  but  not  commu- 
 nicate this  to  any  while  I  fee  you.    My  heart  is  broken  at  the  re- 
 membrance of  it,  and  it  was  my  fear,  and  anfwereth  to  my  lad  let- 
 ter, except  one,  that  I  wrote  unto  you.    Dearly  beloved,   be  not 
 caftcn  down,  but  let  hs,  as  the  Lord's  doves,  take  us  to  our  wing«, 
 for  ether  arrnour  we  have  none,  and  fiee  iiito  the  hale  of  the  Pvock. 
 It  is  true,  A.  R.  fiiys.  the  worthieit  n\tn  in  England  are  baniliied 
 and  filenced,  about  the  niamber  of  iixteen  or  fevenreen  choice  ^,of- 
 })el>preachers,  and  the  pcrfecution  is  already  begun  :  howbeit  I  do 
 not  write  this  unto  you  \<'ith  a  dry  f/?ce,  yet  I  am  confident  in  the 
 Lord's  ftrength,  Chrifl:  dvA  his  (\<}.^  (lVe!iI  overcome ;  and  you  fliall 
 Hc^aHured,  the  kirk  were  not  a  kiik,  if  it  were  not  fo:  as  our  dear 
 Hulban'd,  iii  wooing  his  kfrk  received  many  a  black  Ifroke,  fo  his 
 bricle  in  wooing  hhn  gets  many  blows,  and  in  this  wooing  there 
 are  flrrojces  upon  both  fides;  let  it  be  fo,  the  devil  will  not  make 
 the  marriage  go  ba6k,  neither  can  he  t^ar  th^  contract,  the  end 
 {piaU'be  mercy  :  yetnotwithRandingcifall  this   we  have  no  warrant 
 ovGod  to  leave  off  all  lawful  means.    I  have  been  writing  to  you 
 the  counfcls  and  draughts  of  men  agaiiift  tlie  kirk  ;  but  they  know 
 not,  as  Micah  fays,  the  counfel  of  Jehovah.  The  great  men  of  the 
 world  may  make  ready  the  fiery  furnace  for  Zion  :    but  trow  ye, 
 that  they'*can  caufe  the  fire  to  burn  ?    No,  he  that  made  the  fire, 
 J  truit  Hiall  not  fay  Amen  to  their  decreets.     I  truf^in  my  Lord, 
 God  hath  not  fubfcr,ibed  their  bill,  and   their  conclufions   have 
 v.ox  yet  pafi:  our  great  King's  feal :    therefore,   if  ye  think  good, 
 .addrcfs  yourfdf  firft  to  the  Lord,  and  then  to  A.  R.  anent  the 
 bufmefsthat  you  know.  I  am  moft  unkindly  handled  by  the  pref- 
 bVtferv;   and  as  if  I  had  bc:cn  a  ftranger,  arid  not  a  member  of 
 that  feat,  to  fit  in  judgment' with  them,  l  was  fummoned,  by  their 
 order,  as  a  witnefs  againft  B.  A.  but  they  have  gat  no  advantage 
 in  that  matter.    Other  particulars  you  Oiall  hear,   God  v/illing  at 
 jiiecting.   x\nent  the  matter  betwixt  you  and  J.  E.   I  remember  it 
 X6  God  :  I  entreat  you  in  the  Lord,  be  fubmifiive  to  his  will-,  for 
 the  higher  that  their  pride  mount  up,  they  are  the  nearer  a  fall : 
 ibe  Lord  will  more  and  more  difcover  that  man.  Let  your  hufband, 
 iuall  matters,  of  judgmerit,  take  Chriit's  part  for  the  defence  of  the 
 poor' and  needy  and  cpprcffed,  for  the  maintenance  of  equity  and- 
 juftice  in  the  town ;  and. take  you  no  fear,  he  (ball  take  yQur  part, 
 and  then, you  are  ftror^g  enqugh    What  .^^  howbeit  you  receive  in- 
 dignities for  your  Lord's  fake,  let  it  be  fq  :  when  hr  fliall  put  his 
 holy  hand  up  to  your  face  in  heaven,  and  dry  your  face,  and  wipe 
 %\\c  tears  from  your  eyes,  judg-e  ye,  if  ye  will  not  have  caufe  then 
 
Eplfl.  7,  S.]  LETTERS.  445 
 
 to  rejoice.^  Aneiit  other  particu'lars,  iT  you  would  Tpeak  with  me, 
 appoint  any  of  the  firit  three  days  of  the  next  week  in  Carletoun, 
 when  Carletoun  is  at  home,  and  acquaint  me  with  your  defires; 
 and  remember  me  to  God,  and  my  dearell  affection  to  your  hui- 
 band,  and  for  Zion's  fake  hold  not  your  peace.  The  grace  of  our 
 Lord  Jefus  be  with  you,  and  your  huiband,  and  children. 
 
 Jiiwothy  'Jan.  2.  1631.  Tours  in  the  Lordy  S.  R. 
 
 7.  To  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 Dear  mijlrefsy 
 
 T  HAVE  not  time  this  day  to  write  to  you;  but  God  knowing 
 ^  my  prefent  ftate,  and  necefiities  of  my  calling,  I  hope  will  fpare 
 my  mother's  life  for  a  time,  for  the  which  I  have  caufe  to  thank 
 '^^v  Lord.     I  intreat  you  be  not  cafl:  down,  for  that  which  I  wrote 
 
 fore  to  you,  anent  the  planting  of  a  minifter  in  your  town.  Bc- 
 iieve,.and  you  fnall  fee  the  falvation  of  God.  I  write  this,  becaufe 
 when  you  fufler,  my  heart  fufFereth  with  you.  I  do  believe,  your 
 foul  ilvall  have  joy,  in  your  labours  and  holy  defires  for  that  work. 
 Grace  upon  you,  and  your  hufband,  and  your  children. 
 
 Anivjth,  Yours  ever  in  Chrifly    S.  R. 
 
 8.  'To  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 Biloved  mijlrefsy 
 
 TVyrY  dearell;  love  in  Chrift  remembered  to  you:  know  that 
 ^^  Mr.  Abraham  Ihewcd  me,  there  is  to  be  a  meeting  of  the 
 Biihops  at  Edinburgh  ihortly,  the  caufesare  known  to  themfelves  : 
 it  is  our  part  to  hold  up  our  hands  for  Zion.  Howbeit  it  is  re- 
 ported they  came  fad  from  court.  It  is  our  Lord's  wifdom  that 
 liis  kirk  fhould  ever  hang  by  a  thread,  and  yet  the  thread  breaketh 
 not,  being  hinged  upon  him,  who  is  the  fureNail  in  David's  houfe, 
 Ifa.  xxii.  ver.  22.  upon  whom  all  the  velTels,  great  and  fmali,  do 
 hang;  and  the  Nail  (Cod  be  thanked)  neither  crooketh,  nor  can 
 be  broken  :  Jefus,  that  Flower  of  Jeffe,  fet  without  hands,  getteth 
 many  a  blaft,  and  yet  withers  not,  becaufe  he  is  his  Father's  noble 
 Role,  caiting  a  fweet  fmtll  through  heaven  and  earth,  and  muit 
 grow;  and  in  the  fame  gari!en  with  him  grow  the  faints,  God's 
 tair  and  beautiful  lilies,  under  wind  and  raift,  and  all  fun-burned, 
 and  ytt  life  remaineih  at  the  root:  keep  within  his  garden,  and 
 you  lliali  grow  with  them,  till  the  great  Hufbandman,  our  dear 
 Maftcr-gardener  comie,  and  tranfplant  you  from  the  lower  part  of 
 his  vineyard  up  to  the  higher,  to  the  very  heart  of  his  garden, 
 above  the  wrongs  of  the  rain,  fun,  or  wind  :  and  then  wait 
 upon  the  times  of  the  blowing  of  the  fwcct  South  and  North  wind 
 ol  his  gracious  Spirit,  that  may  make  you  calt  a  fweet  fmell  in 
 your  Uelovcd's  yollrilsj  and  bid  your  Beloved  come  down  to  hif 
 
4^6  Vix  nUTHERFOORD's  Eplfl.  8.] 
 
 garden,  and  eat  of  his  pleafant  fruits,  Cant.  iv.  ver.  \6.  and  he  will 
 come.  You  will  get  no  more  but  this,  until  you  come  up  to  the 
 Well-head,  where  you  (hall  put  up  your  hand,  and  take  down  the 
 apples  of  the  tree  of  life,  and  eat  under  the  fliadow  of  that  Tree  ; 
 tiicfe  apples  are  fweeter  up  befide  the  Tree,  than  they  are  doivn 
 here,  in  this  piece  of  a  clay  prifon-houfe.  I  have  no  joy  but  in  the 
 thoughts  of  thefe  times.  Doubt  not  of  your  Lord's  part,  and  the 
 fpoufe's  part,  flie  ftiail  be  in  good  cafe.  That  word  fliall  ftand, 
 Hof.  xiv.  5.  '  I  (hall  be  as  the  dew  to  Ifrael,  he  fhall  grow  up  as 
 the  lily;  and  cafl  out  his  roots  as  Lebanon.*  Ver.  6.  *  His  brajiches 
 fhall  fpread,  his  beauty  fliall  be  as  the  olive-tree,  and  Iffe  fmell  as 
 Lebanon,  Ifa,  xi.  ver.  i  2.  Chrift  (hall  fet  up  his  colours,  and  his 
 enlign  for  the  nations,  and  fhall  gather  together  the  outcalts  of  If- 
 rael, Ezek.  xxxvii,  1  i.  *  Then  the  Lord  faid  to  me,  Son  of  man, 
 thefe  dead  bones  are  the  whole  houfe  of  Urael ;  behold  they  fay. 
 Our  bones  are  dried,  our  hope  is  loft,  we  are  cut  off  for  our  parts/ 
 Ver.  12.  *  Therefore  prophefy  unto  them,  and  fay,  Thus  faith  the 
 Lord  God,  Behold,  O  my  people,  I  will  open  your  graves,  and  caufe 
 you  come  up  out  of  your  graves,  and  bring  you  unto  the  land  of 
 Ifrael.'  Tnefe  promifes  are  not  wind,  but  the  brcafl  of  our  Be- 
 loved Chrift,  which  we  muft  fuck,  and  draw  comfort  out  of.  We 
 have  caufe  to  pity  thofe  poor  creatures,  that  ftand  out  againft  Chrift, 
 and  the  building  of  his  houfe:  filly  men,  theyhavebut  a  fecklefs  and 
 fiily  heaven,  nothing  but  meat  and  cloth,  and  laugh  a  day  or  two 
 in  the  world,  and  then  in  a  moment  go  down  to  the  grave.  And 
 they  {hall  not  be  able  to  hinder  Chrift's  building  ;  he  that  is  Maf- 
 ter  of  the  work  will  lead  ftones  to  the  wall  over  their  belly.  And 
 for  that  prefent  tumult,  that  the  children  of  this  world  fraife,  a- 
 nent  the  planting  of  your  town  with  a  paftor,  believe  and  ftay  up- 
 on God  (as  you  ftill  ihame  us  all  in  believing)  go  forward  in  the 
 flrength  of  the  Lord,  and  from  my  Lord  I  fay,  before  who-m  I  ftand, 
 have  your  eyes  upon  none  but  the  Lord  of  armies  ;  and  the  Lord 
 (hall  either  let  you  fee  what  you  long  to  fee,  or  then  fulfil  your  joy 
 more  abundantly  another  way.  You  artd  yours,  and  the  children 
 of  God  whom  you  care  for  in  that  town,  fliall  have  as  much  of  the 
 Son  of  God's  fupper,  cut  and  laid  down  upon  your  trenchers,  be 
 he  who  he  will  that  carveth,  as  ft^all  feed  you  to  eternal  life  :  and 
 be  notcaft  down  for  all  that  is  done,  your  reward  is  laid  up  with 
 God.  I  hope  to  fee  you  laugh  and  le^^p  for  joy.  Will  the  temple 
 be  built  without  din  and  tumult  ?  Nc,  God's  ftones  of  his  houfe 
 in  Germany  are  laid  with  blood;  and  the  Son  of  God  no  fooner 
 begins  to  chop  and  hew  ftones  with  his  hammer,  but  as  foon  the 
 fword  is  drawn.  If  the  work  were  of  men,  the  world  would  fet  , 
 their  ftioulders  to  yours;  but  in  Chrift's  work,  two  or  three  muft 
 fight  againft  a  prelbytery  (though  his  own  court)  and  a  city :  this 
 proveth  that  it  is  Chrift's  errand,  and  theieiore  tha^^t  ftiall  thrive ; 
 
Epift.  9.]  LETTERS.  447 
 
 let  them  lay  iron  chains  crofs  over  the  door,  flay  and  believe,  and 
 wait,  while  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah  come  ;  and  he  that 
 comes  from  heaven  clothed  with  the  rainbow,  and  bath  the  little 
 book  in  his  hand,  when  he  takes  a  grip  of  their  chains,  he  will  lay 
 the  door  upon  the  broad  ffdc,  and  come  in,  and  go  up  to  the  pul- 
 pit, and  take  the  man  with  him  whom  he  hath  chofen  for  his 
 work:  therefore  let  me  hear  from  you,  whether  you  be  in  heavi- 
 nefs,  or  rejoicing  under  hope,  that  I  m?.y  take  part  of  your  giief, 
 and  bear  it  v/ith  you,  and  get  part  of  your  joy,  which  is  to  me  alfa 
 as  my  ov/n  joy.  And  as  to  what  are  your  fears,  anent  the  health 
 or  life  of  )#ur  dear  children,  lay  it  upon  Chrift's  ihoulders,  let  him 
 bear  all  j  loofe  your  grips  of  them  all,  and  when  your  dear  Lord 
 pulleth,  let  them  go  with  faith  and  joy :  it  is  a  tried  faith,  to  kifs 
 a  Lord  that  is  takuig  from  you.  Let  them  be  careful,  during  ths 
 fliort  time  that  they  are  here,  to  run,  and  get  a  grip  of  the  prize  5 
 Chrill  is  Ibnding  m  the  end  of  their  v/ay,  holding  up  the  garland 
 of  endlefs  glory  to  their  eyes,  and  is  crying,  run  faft,  and  come 
 and  receive :  happy  are  tbey,  if  their  breath  ferve  them  to  run,  and 
 not  to  weary,  while  their  Lord  with  his  own  dear  hand  put  the 
 crown  upon  their  head.  It  is  not  long  days,  but  good  days, 
 that  make  the  life  glorious  and  happy  j  and  our  dear  Lord  is  gra- 
 cious to  us,  who  fhorteneth,  and  hatb  made  the  way  to  glory  (hort- 
 er  than  it  was :  fo  that  the  crown  that  Noah  did  fight  for  five 
 hundred  years  children  may  now  obtain  it  in  fifteen  years.  And 
 heaven  is  in  fome  fort  better  for  us  now,  than  it  was  to  Noah  :  for 
 the  man  Chrilt  is  there  now,  who  was  not  come  in  the  ilefh  in 
 Noah's  days.  You  fliail  fhew  this  to  your  children,  whom  my  foul 
 in  Chrift  blcfleth  ;  and  intreat  them  by  the  mercies  of  God,  and 
 the  bov^rels  of  Jefus  Chrift,  to  covenant  with  Jelus  Chrift  to  be  his, 
 and  to  make  up  the  bond  of  friendlhip  betwixt  their  fouls  and  their 
 Chrift,  that  they  may  have  acquaintance  in  heaven,  and  a  friend  at 
 God's  right-hand  ;  fuch  a  friend  at  court  is  much  worth.  Now 
 1  take  my  leave  of  you,  praying  my  Chrift,  and  your  Chrift,  to 
 fulfil  our  joy,  and  more  graces  and  blcfHngs  from  our  fwect  Lord 
 Jefus  to  your  foul,  your  hufband's  and  children,  than  ever  I  wrote 
 of  letters  of  A,  B,  C,  to  you.  Grace,  grace  be  with  you. 
 yin-ufoth,  March  9.  Tours  in  my  fweet  Majler  Jejui  Chrift^ 
 1632.  S.  R. 
 
 9.     For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 Dearly  beloved  miftrefSt 
 TVyTY  love  in  Chrift  remembered.     You  are  not  ignorant  wh^t 
 ■*-^^   our  Lord  in  his  love-vifitation   hath   been  doing  with  your 
 foul,  even  letting  you  fee  a  little  fight  of  that  dark  trance  you  muft 
 go  through  ere  you  come  to  glory.    Your  life  hath  been  near  the 
 
448  Mr  RUT  HE  R  FOO  R  D's  EpiH:.  9.] 
 
 grave,  and  you  was  at  the  door,  and  you  found  the  door  fliut  fail ; 
 your  dear  Chrift  thinking  it  not  time  to  open  thefe  gates  to  you, 
 while  you  have  fought  fome  longer  in  his  camp :  and  therefore  he 
 willeth  you  to  put  on  your  armour  again,  and  to  take  no  truce  wiih 
 the  devil,  or  this  prefcnt  world;   you  are  little  obliged  to  any  ct 
 the  two:  but  I  rejoice  in  this,  that  when  any  of  the  two  comcb  to 
 fuit  your  foul  in  marriage,  you  have  an  anfwer  in  readinefs  to  tell 
 ihem,  You  are  too  long  a  coming  :  I  have  many  a  year  fmce  prr,- 
 mifed  my  foul  to  another,  even  to  my  deareit  Lord  Jctus,  to  whom 
 I  muft  be  true;  and  thcreroie  you  are  come  back  to  us  again  to 
 help  us  to  pray  for  ChniVs  fair  bride,  a  marrow  dear  toTiim.     Bu 
 not  call  down  in  heart,  to  hear  that  the  world  baiketh  at  Chriifs 
 Grangers,   both  in  Ireland  and   in  this  land  ;  they  do  it  becaufe 
 their  Lord  hath  chofen  him  cut  of  this  world  ;  aiid  this  is  one  of 
 our  Lord's  reproaches,  to  be  hated  and  ill  intreated  by  men  :   the 
 filly  ftrangcr  in  an  uncouth  country  muft:  take  with  fmoky  inns,  and 
 coarfe  cheer,  and  a  hard  bed,  and  a  barking  ill-tongued  holt.  It  is 
 not  long  to  day,  and  be  will  to  his  journey  upon  the  morrow,  and 
 leave  them  ail  :  indeed  our  fair  morning  is  at  hand,  the  day-ftaf  is 
 near  the  rifmg,  and  we  are  not  many  miles  from  home  ;  what  mat- 
 ter of  ill  entertainment  in  the  fmoky  inns  of  this  miferablc  r:fe? 
 we  are  not  to  ftay  here,  and  we  will  be  dearly  welcome  to  him 
 -whom  we  go  to  •,  and  1  hope,  when  I  fliall  fee  you  clothed  in  white 
 raiment,  walhen  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb,  and  fnall  fee  you  even 
 at  the  elbow  of  your  deareft  Lord  and  Redeemer,  and  a  crown  up- 
 on your  head,  and  following  our  Lamb  and  lovely  Lord,whither- 
 Ibever  he  goeth,  you  will  think  nothing  of  all  thefe  days,  and  you 
 Ihall  then  rejoice,  and  no  man  iliall  take  your  joy  from  you:  and  it 
 is  certain,  there  is  not  much  fand  to  run  m  your  Lord*s  fand-glafs, 
 and  that  day  is  at  hand,  and  till  then  your  Lord  in  this  life  is  giv- 
 ing you  fome  little  feafts.   It  is  true,  you  iee  him  not  now,  as  you 
 ihall  fee  him  then  ;  your  Well-beloved  ftandeth   now  behind  the 
 wail,  looking  out  at  the  window,  Cant.  ii.  ver.  9.  and  you  fee  but 
 a  little  of  his  face;  then  you  ihall  fee  all  his  face,  and  all  the  Sa- 
 viour, a  long  and  high  and  broad  Lord  Jefus.  the  moillovely  Pcr- 
 fon  among  the  children  of  men.     O  joy  of  joys!  that  cur  fouls 
 know  there  is  fuch  a  great  fupper  preparing  for  us ;  even  howbeit 
 we  be  but  half-hungered  of  Chrift  here,  and  many  a  time  dine  be- 
 hind noon,  yet  the  fupper  of  the  Lamb  will  come  in  time,  and  will 
 be  fet  before  us,  before  we  famifh,  and  lofe  our  ftomachs.    You- 
 have  caufe  to  hold  up  your  heart  in  remembrance  and  hope  of  that . 
 fair  long  fummer-day  ;  for  in  this  night  of  your  life  wherein  yott 
 arejn  the  bodv,  abfent  from  the  Lord,  ChrilVs  fair  moon-light  in 
 his  word,  and  facramcnts,  in  prayer,  feeling,  and  holy  conference, 
 hath  iliined  upon  you  to  let  you  fee  the  way  to  the  city.    I  confels 
 our  diet  here  is  but  fparing,  we  get  but  tailings  of  our  Lord's  com- 
 
Epift.  lo.]  LETTERS.  4<<9 
 
 forts ;  but  the  caufe  of  that  is  not,  becaufe  our  Steward  Jefus  is 
 a  niggard,  and  narrow-herirted,  but  becaufe  our  floraachs  are  weak, 
 and  we  arc  narrow-heai  ted :  but  the  great  feaft  is  coming,  when 
 our  hearts  fliall  be  enlarged,  and  the  chambers  of  them  made  fair 
 and  wide,  to  take  in  the  great  Lord  Jefus :  come  in  then.  Lord 
 Jefus,  to  hungry  fouls,  gaping  for  thee.  Jn  this  journey  take  the 
 Bridegroom,  as  you  may  have  him,  and  be  greedy  ci  his  I'malielt 
 crumbs;  but,  dear  mifirefs,  buy  none  of  Chriil's  delicates  fpiritual 
 with  fin,  or  falling  agaioil  your  weak  body;  remember  you  are 
 in  the  body,  and  it  is  the  lodging  houfe,  and  you  may  not,  with- 
 out offending  the  Lord,  fuffer  ihe  old  walls  of  that  houfe  to  fail 
 down,  through  want  of  neceflliry  food:  your  body  is  the  dwelling 
 houfe  of  the  Spirit,  and  therefore,  for  the  love  you  carry  to  ths 
 fweet  Gueft,  give  a  due  regard  to  his  houi.!  of  clay ;  when  he 
 loofeth  the  wail,  why  not?  welcome*  Lord  Jefus;  but  it  is  a  fear- 
 ful fin  in  us,  by  hurting  the  body  by  fafting,  to  loofe  one  flone, 
 or  the  lead  piece  of  timber  iu  it :  for  the  houie  is  notour  own,  the 
 Bridegroom  is  with  you  yet ;  fo  faft,  as  that  alio  you  may  feart  and 
 rejoice  in  him.  I  think  upon  your  magiftrates ;  but  he  that  is 
 clothed  in  linen,  and  hath  the  writer's  inkhorn  by  his  fide,  hatli 
 written  up  their  names  in  heaven  already  :  pray,  and  be  content 
 with  his  will ;  God  hath  a  council-houfe  in  heaven,  and  the  end 
 will  be  naercy  unto  you.  For  the  planting  of  your  town  with  a 
 godly  miniOer,  have  your  eye  upon  the  Lord  of  the  hai  veft  ;  I 
 dare  promife  you,  God  in  this  life  (hall  fill  your  foul  with  the  tat- 
 nefs  of  his  houfe,  for  your  care  to  fee  Chrill's  bairns  fed  ;  and 
 your  pofterity  fliall  know  it,  to  whom  I  pray  for  mercy,  and  that 
 they  may  get  a  name  amongft  the  living  in  jeruf  jlera  ;  and  if  God 
 portion  them  with  his  bairns,  their  rent  is  fair,  and  I  hope  it 
 ihall  be  fo.    The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpiric. 
 
 j^nwoth.  Sept,  19.  Tours  ever  in  Ckri/iy 
 
 1632.  S.  11. 
 
 10.    For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 Well-beloved Jijler  in  Chrijl, 
 "V^OU  ihall  underftand,  1  have  received  a  letter  from  Edinburgh, 
 ^  that  it  is  fufpefted  that  there  will  be  a  general  aifembly,  or 
 then  fome  meeting  of  the  Bifhops ;  and  thar  at  this  fynod  there 
 will  be  fome  commiHioners  chofen  by  the  Bi'.hop:  which  news 
 have  fo  taken  up  my  raind,  that  I  am  not  {o  fettled  for  iludies  as  I 
 have  been  before ;  and  therefore  was  never  in  fuch  fear  for  the 
 work.  But  becaufe  it  is  written  xo  me  as  a  fecret,  I  dare  not  re- 
 veal it  to  any,  but  to  yourfclf,  whom  I  know  :  and  therefore  1  in- 
 treat  you,  not  for  any  comfort  of  mine,  who  am  but  one  man,  but 
 for  the  glory  and  honour  of  Jefus  ChriA,  the  Midcr  of  ihe  bAU- 
 
 Lii 
 
45^  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  ii-I 
 
 quet,  be  more  earoeft  with  God,  and  in  general  (hew  others  of 
 your  Chriitian  acquaintance  my  fears  for  mylelf.  I  can  be  content 
 of  Iliame  in  that  work,  if  my  Lord  and  Malter  be  honoured  ;  and 
 therefore  petition  our  Lord,  efpecially  to  lee  to  his  own  glory,  and 
 to  give  bread  to  his  hungry  bairns,  howbeit  I. go  hungry  away  from 
 the  ftjali.  Reqned  Mr.  Robert  from  me,  if  he  come  not,  remem- 
 ber us  to  our  Lord.  I  have  neither  time,  nor  a  free  difpofed  mind 
 to  write  to  you  anent  your  own  cafe.  Send  me  word,  if  all  your 
 children  and  huiband  be  well:  feeing  they  are  not  yours,  but  your 
 dear  Lord's,  elteem  them  but  as  borrowed,  and  lay  them  down  at 
 God'a  feet ;  your  Chrift  to  you  is  better  than  they  all.  You  will 
 pardon  my  unaccullomed  (hort  letter,  and  remember  me,  and  that 
 honourable  fcalf,  to  our  Lord  Jefus.  He  was  with  us  before,  I. 
 hope  he  will  nor  change  upon  us,  but  1  fear  I  have  changed  upoQ 
 him  ;  but  Lord,  let  old  kindnels  (land !  J-efus  Chrift  be  with  your 
 fpirir. 
 
 Jiiw&th,  Tours  in  his  fwcet  Lord  JefiiSy 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 II.    ro  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 JVelUhehved  and  dear  Jijiery 
 TV^/TY  tender  affetftion  in  Chrifl  remembered.  I  left  yoii  Id  as 
 '*■■*'  great  heavinefs  as  I  was  in  fmce  1  came  to  this  country:  but 
 I  know  you  doubt  not,  bin  (as  the  truth  in  Chrifl  is)  my  foul  is 
 Itnir  to  your  foul,  and  to  the  fouls  of  all  yours,  and  would,  if  I 
 could,  fend  you  the  largeft  part  of  my  heart  inclofed  in  this  letter; 
 but  by  fervent  calling  upon  my  Lord,  1  have  attained  forre  vic- 
 tory over  ray  heart,  which  runneth  often  not  knowing  whither, 
 and  of  my  beguiling  hopes  which  I  know  now  better  than  I  did; 
 and  truHs  in  my  Lord,  to  hold  aloof  from  the  ioticings  of  a  fedu- 
 cifig  heart,  by  which  I  am  daily  cozened-,  and  minds  not,  by  his 
 grace,  who  hath  called  me  according  to  his  eternal  purpofe,  to 
 come  fo  far  within  the  grips  of  my  foolifh  mind,  gripping  abou: 
 any  fo!ly  coming  its  way,  as  the  woodbind  or  ivy  goeth  about  the 
 tree.  I  adore  and  kifs  the  providence  of  my  Lord,  who  knoweth 
 Nveil  what  is  moff  expedient  for  me,  and  foryou  and  your  children : 
 and  I  think  of  you,  as  of  myfelf,  th.it  the  Lord,  who  turneth  (ia 
 his  deep  wifdom)  about  all  the  wheels  and  turnings  of  fuch  chan- 
 ges, (hall  alio  diipofe  of  that  for  the  heft  to  yon  and  yours.  In  the 
 prefeoce  of  my  Lord,  I  am  not  able,  howbeit  I  would,  to  con- 
 ceive amifs  of  you,  in  that  matter:  grace,  grace  for  ever  upon  you 
 and  your  feed ;  and  it  (hall  be  your  portion,  in  defpite  of  all  the 
 powers  of  darknels :  do  not  make  more  queftion  of  this.  But  the 
 Lord  faw  a  nail  in  my  heart  loofe,  and  he  hath  now  faftened  it, 
 honour  be  to  hisMajefty.  1  hear  your  foa  is  eotered  to  the  fchool; 
 
Epift.  12.]  LETTERS.  45^ 
 
 if  I  had  known  of  the  day,  I  would  have  begged  from  our  Lord, 
 that  he  would  have  put  the  book  in  his  hand,  with  his  own  hand ; 
 I  truft  in  my  Lord  it  is  fo,  and  I  conceive  hope  to  fee  him  a  flar 
 to  give  light  in  fome  room  of  our  Lord's  houie  ;  and  purpofe,  by 
 the  Lord's  grace,  as  I  am  able,  (if  oar  Lord  call  you  to  reit  before 
 mc)  when  you  are  at  your  home,  to  do  the  uttermoA  oi  my  power 
 to  help  him  every  way,  in  grace  and  learning,  and  his  brother, 
 and  all  your  children  ;  and  I  hope  you  would  expecTt  that  of  me. 
 Further  you  fhall  know,  that  Mr  W.  p.  is  come  home,  who  faith 
 ii  is  a  miracle  that  your  huiband  in  this  proceis  before  the  council, 
 ckaped  both  difcredicand  damage:  let  it  not  be  forgotten,  he  w«s 
 in  our  apprehenfion,  to  our  grief,  caft  down  and  liumbled  in  the 
 Lord's  work,  in  that  matter  betwixt  him  and  the  bailey ;  now  the 
 Lord  hath  honoured  him,  and  made  him  famous  for  virtue,  honefly 
 and  integrity,  two  fevcral  times  before  the  nobles  of  this  king- 
 dom. Your  Lord  iiveth,  we  will  go  to  his  throne  of  grace  again.; 
 his  arm  is  not  (hortened.  The  king  is  certainly  cxpefled.  ill  is 
 feared  ;  we  have  caufe  for  our  fins,  to  fear  that  the  Bridegroom 
 (hall  be  taken  from  us  :  by  our  fins,  we  have  rent  his  fair  gir- 
 ments,  and  we  have  flirred  up  and  awakened  our  Beloved  ;  pray 
 him  to  tarry,  or  then  to  take  us  with  him.  Ii  were  good  that  we 
 fliould  knock  and  rap  at  our  Lord's  dosr:  we  may  not  tire  ta 
 kijock  ofteuer  than  twice  or  thrice,  he  knoweth  the  knock  ot  hii 
 friends.  I  am  ftill  what  1  was  ever  to  your  dear  children,  tender- 
 ing their  fouls  happinefs,  and  praying  that  grace,  grace,  grace, 
 mercy  and  peace  from  God,  even  God  CKir  Father,  and  our  Lord 
 Jefus,  may  be  their  portion  ;  and  that  now,  while  they  are  greea 
 and  young,  their  hearts  nay  take  band  with  Jefus  the  Corocr-lionij, 
 and  win  once  in,  in  our  Lord  and  Saviour's  houfe,  and  then  they 
 will  not  get  leave  to  flit.  Pray  for  mc,  and  efpecially  for  humility 
 and  thankfulnefs.  I  have  always  remembrance  of  you  and  your 
 hufband,  and  dear  children  :  the  Lord  Jcfus  be  with  your  fpirif. 
 yinwoth,  Yours  evermore  in  my  dear  Lord  Jt/us 
 
 andycursy  S.  R. 
 
 12.    To  MABLION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 M 
 
 Ji^ell'hekved  and  dear  fijier, 
 Y  love  in  Chrifl  remembered.  Cod  hath  brought  me  home 
 from  a  place  where  I  have  been  exercifed  with  gre.ti  heavi- 
 nefs,  and  I  have  found  at  home  new  matter  of  he?.vinef>,  yet  dare 
 not  but  in  all  things  give  thanks:  in  my  bufmefs  in  Edinburgh, 
 I  have  not  finned,  nor  wronged  my  party,  by  his  own  coufeiTioQ, 
 and  by  the  confeilion  of  his  friends:  I  have  given  my  goods 
 for  peace,  and  the  faviug  of  my  Lord's  truth  from  reproache?, 
 which  is  dearer  to  me  than  ail  I  have.   My  moikci:  i;>  weak,  aa4  i 
 
452  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  13.] 
 
 thick  fhall  leave  me  alone  ;  but  I  am  not  alone,  Becaufc  ChiiiVs 
 Father  is  with  me.  For  your  bufinefs  anent  your  town,  I  fee  great 
 evidences  ;  but  Satan  and  his  inltruments  are  agaioiV  it,  and  few 
 fet  their  flioulders  t«  Chrift'a  flioulder  to  help  him  :  biU  he  will 
 do  all  his  nlooe ;  and  1  dare  not  but  exhort  you  to  believe,  and 
 perluade  you,  that  the  hungry  io  your  city  dial  I  be  hd,  and  the 
 reft  that  want  a  ftomach,  the  parings  of  God's  loaf  will  fufficc 
 them ;  and  therefore  believe  it  iliaii  be  well.  I  may  not  kave  my 
 mother  to  come  and  confer  with  you  of  all  particulars ;  1  have 
 given  fuch  directioDS  to  our  dear  friend  ?s  I  can,  but  the  event  is 
 in  our  Lord's  hand.  God's  Zion  abroad  fiourifiierh,  and  his  arm  is 
 not  (hortened  with  ns,  if  we  could  believe.  There  is  fcarcity  and  fa* 
 mine  of  the  word  of  God  in  Edinburgh.  Your  lifter  jean  laboureth 
 mightily  in  our  bufjuef? :  bur  hath  not  as  yet  gotten  an  anfwer 
 from  J.  P.  Mr.  A.  C.  will  work  whit  he  can.  My  Lady  faith  fhe 
 can  do  little,  and  that  it  fuitcth  not  her  hufband  weil  to  fpeak  m 
 liich  an  affair:  1  told  her  my  mind  phiinly,  I  long  rokncw  of  your 
 eftate:  remember  me  heartily  to  your  dear  hufband;  grace  be  the 
 portion  ot  your  biirns.  I  know  you  are  mindful  c^  the  green  wound 
 of  our  filler  kirk  in  Ireland  :  bid  our  Lord  lay  a  plalfter  to  it ;  he 
 hath  good  (kill  to  do  fo,  and  fet  others  to  work.  Grace,  grace  «p- 
 on  your  foul  and  body,  and  all  yours. 
 '  j^inuotb.  Tourf  in  Chrijly  S.  R, 
 
 13.    For  MARION  MACNAUGHT, 
 
 JVell'hhved  nnd  dear  fifler, 
 T  Know  your  heart  is  caft  down,  for  the  defolr.tion  like  to  come 
 -^  upon  this  kirk,  and  the  appearance  that  an  hireling  fhall  be 
 thrnft  in  upon  Chrlft's  flock  in  that  town ;  but  fend  a  heavy  heart 
 up  to  Chrift,  it  "^ill  be  welcome.  Thefe  who  are  with  the  beaft 
 and  the  dragon  muft  miikc  war  with  the  Lamb:  but  the  Lamb 
 (hali  overcome  them  ;  for  he  is  the  Lord  of  Lords,  Jind  King  of 
 Kint^s;  and  they  who  are  with  him  are  called,  and  chofen,  and 
 faithful,  Rev.  xvii.  14.  Our  ten  days  will  have  an  end;  all  the 
 former  things  fhall  be  forgotten,  when  we  fhall  be  np  before  the 
 throne;  Chrift  harh  been  ever  thus  in  the  world,  he  hath  always 
 the  defender's  part,  and  hath  been  ftill  in  the  camp,  fighting  the 
 church's  battles.  The  enemies  of  the  Son  of  God  will  be  i^d  with 
 their  own  flefli,  and  fhall  drink  their  own  blood  ;  and  therefore 
 their  part  of  it  fh.ill  at  laft  b&  found  hard  enough  ;  fo  that  we  may 
 look  forw;^rd  and  piiy  them.  Until  the  number  of  the  ek^ft  be  ful- 
 filled, Chrift^s  garments  muft  be  rolled  in  blood  :  he  cometh  from 
 Jidom,  fsom  the  ftaugbter  of  his  enemies,  Ifa.  Ixiii.  i.  clothed 
 with  dyed  garments,  glorious  in  his  apparel,  travelling  in  the  ^reat- 
 ft^fs  of  his  ftiecgtl^.    Who  is  this  (faith  he)  that  appears  in  i\{x% 
 
Epill.  13-]  LETTERS.  453 
 
 glorious  pofture  ?  Our  great  He,  that  He  who  Is  mighty  to  favc ; 
 whole  glory  ihineth,  while  he  fprinkleth  the  blood  of  his  adverfa- 
 ries  upon  his  garments,  and  ftaiacth  all  his  raiment.  X^c  glory 
 of  his  righteous  revenges  fhineth  forth  in  thefe  ftaios :  but  feeing 
 our  world  is  not  here  away,  we  poor  children,  far  from  home,  muft 
 ileal  through  many  waters,  weeping  &s  we  go,  and  withal  believ- 
 ing, that  we  do  the  Lord's  faithfuloefs  no  wrong,  feeing  he  hath 
 faid,  Ifa.  li.  12.  *  I,  even  I,  am  he  that  comfortcth  you  :  who  art 
 thou  that  art  afraid  of  a  man  that  fhall  die,  and  of  the  fon  of  man 
 that  fhall  be  made  as  grals  ?  Ifa.  xliii.  2. When  thou  paiTeft  through 
 the  waters,  I  will  be  with  thee  ;  and  rhrough  the  rivers,  they  fhall 
 not  overflow  iheg  ;  when  thou  walkell  through  the  fire,  thou  (halt 
 not  be  burnt,  neither  (ball  the  flame  kindle  upon  thee.'  There  is 
 a  cloud  gathering,  and  a  llorm  coming;  this  land  fhall  be  turned 
 up- fide-down  :  and  if  ever  the  Lord  fpake  to  me  (think  on  it) 
 Chriit's  bride  w^ill  be  aiad  oi  an  hole  to  hide  her  head  in  ;  and  the 
 dragon  may  fo  far  prevail,  as  to  chafe  the  woman  and  her  Man- 
 child  over  fea:  but  there  fhall  be  a  gleaning,  two  or  three  berries 
 left  in  the  top  of  the  olive  tree,  of  whom  God  fhall  fay,  Deiboy 
 them  not)  for  there  is  a  ble/Ting  in  them.  Thereafter  there  fhall 
 be  a  fair  fun  blink  on  Chrift's  old  fpoufe,  and  clear  iky,  and  fhc  fhall 
 fing  as  in  the  days  of  ber  youth.  The  Antichrifl  and  the  great 
 red  dragon  will  lop  Chrifl's  branches,  and  bring  his  vine  to  a  low 
 Itump,  under  the  feet  of  thofe  who  carry  the  mark  of  the  beafl ;  but 
 the  Plant  of  Renown,  the  Man  whofc  name  is  the  Branch,  will 
 bud  forth  again  and  blofTom  as  the  rofe,  and  there  fhall  be  fair 
 white  flouriihcs  again,  with  moft  plcafant  fruits  upon  that  Tree  of 
 life  :  a  fair  fea  fon  may  he  have  !  Grace,  grace  be  upou  that  blcfTed 
 and  beautiful  Tree  !  under  whofe  ihadow  we  fhall  fit,  and  his 
 fruit  fhall  be  fv/eet  to  our  tafle.  But  Chrift  fhall  woo  his  hand- 
 ful in  the  fire,  and  chufe  his  own  in  the  furnace  of  affli6lioB  :  biir, 
 be  it  fo,  he  dow  not,  he  will  not  flay  his  children ;  love  will  not 
 let  him  make  a  full  end;  the  covenant  will  caufe  him  hold  his 
 hand.  Fear  nor  tken  (faith  the  Firft  and  the  Laft,  he  who  was 
 dead  and  is  alive)  we  fee  not  Chrift  fharpening  and  furblfhing  his 
 fword  for  his  enemies:  and  therefore  our  faithlefs  hearts  fay,  as 
 Zion  did,  7'he  Lord  hath  forfakea  me.  But  God  reproveih  her, 
 and  faith,  Weil,  well,  Zion,  is  that  well  faid  ?  think  again  on  it  ; 
 you  are  in  the  wrong  to  me,  Ifa.  xlix.  15.  Can  a  woman  forget 
 her  fucking  child,  that  flie  fhould  not  have  compifTiou  on  the  fruit 
 of  her  v/omb  ^  Yea,  Aie  may  ;  yet  will  1  not  forget  thee.  Ver.i6. 
 Behold,  1  have  graven  thee  upon  the  palms  of  my  hands.  You 
 break  your  heart,  and  grow  heavy,  and  forget  that  Chrift  harh 
 your  name  ingraven  on  the  palms  of  his  hands,  in  great  letters.  In 
 the  name  of  the  Son  of  God  believe,  buried  Scotland,  dead  and  bu- 
 i'wd  in  her  dear  Bridegroom,  Ibali  iiie  the  third  day  again,  aod  there 
 
454  Mr  RUrHERFOORD'%  Epift.  14.I 
 
 fhall  be  3  new  growth  after  the  old  timber  is  cut  down.  1  recom- 
 mend you  and  your  burdens,  and  heavy  heart  to  the  fnpportings 
 oF  his  grace  and  good-wili  who  dwelt  in  the  bufli,  to  him  who 
 was  feparate  frotB  his  brethren.  ^  Try  your  hufbdud  afar  ofF,  to 
 fee  if  he  can  be  induced  to  think  upon  going  to  America.  O  tq 
 fee  the  (ight  next  to  Chrill's  coming  in  the  clouds,  the  moft  joytui  I 
 our  elder  brethren,  the  Jews,  and  Chrifl  fall  upon  one  anochers. 
 i^ecks,  and  kils  each  other !  They  have  been  long  afunder,  they 
 will  be  kind  to  one  another  when  they  meet:  O  day  I  O  longed 
 for,  and  lovely  day,  dawn  i  O  fweet  Jefus,  let  me  fee  that  fight 
 that  will  be  as  life  from  the  dead.  Thee  and  tby  ancient  people  in 
 mutual  embraces  !  Defire  your  daughter  to  ciofe  with  Chriil,  up- 
 on terms  of  fuifering  for  him  ;  for  the  crofs  is  an  old  mailing,  and 
 plot  of  ground  that  lieth  to  Chrift's  houfe:  our  Chief  had  ay  that 
 rent  lying  to  his  inheritance;  but  tell  her.  The  day  is  near  the 
 dawning,  the  fky  is  reviving,  our  Beloved  will  be  on  us.  ere  ever 
 we  be  aware;  the  Antichriil:,  and  death,  and  hell,  and  Chrift's  e- 
 nemies  and  ours  will  be  bound,  and  cad  into  the  bottomlels  pit. 
 The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 AfVWGth^  April  22.  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  J  ejus  ^ 
 
 1635.  S.  R. 
 
 14.     For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 Loving  and  dear  Jijler, 
 
 FOR  Zion's  fake  hold  not  your  peace,  neither  be  difcouragcd  for 
 the  on-going  of  this  perfecution;  Jehovah  is  in  this  burning 
 bufh...  The  floods  may  fwdl  and  roar,  but  our  ark  (hall  fwim  a- 
 bove  the  waters;  it  cannot  link,  becaufe  a  Saviour  is  in  it.  Be- 
 caufe  our  Behoved  was  not  let  in  by  his  fpoufe,  when  he  flood  at 
 the  door  with  wet  and  frozen^  head ;  therefore  he  will  have  us 
 to  feck  him  a  while  :  aad  while  we  are  feeking,  the  watchmen,  that 
 go  about  the  walls,  have  fbicken  the  poor  woman,  and  have  taken 
 away  her  vail  from  her;  but  yet  a  little  while,  and  our  Lord  will 
 come  again  :  Scotland's  (ky  will  clear  again  ;  her  moment  mufi  gtf 
 over.  Idare  in  faith  fay,  and  write  (I  am  not  now  dreaming)  Chrift 
 is  but  feeking  (what  he  will  have  and  make)  a  clean  giiifering  bride 
 out  of  the  fire :  God  fetid  him  his  errand ;  but  he  cannot  want 
 what  he  feeks.  In  the  mean  time,  one  way  or  other,  he  fhall  find 
 or  make  a  nefl  for  his  mourning  dove.  What  is  this  wc  arc  a 
 doing,  breaking  the  neck  of  our  faith  ?  We  are  not  come  as  yet  to 
 the  month  of  the  Red-fea;  and  howbelt  we  were,  for  his  honour's 
 fake  he  muIV  dry  it  up.  It  is  our  part  to  die  gripping  and  holding 
 fall  bis  faithful  promife.  If  the  beaA  (liould  get  leave  to  ride 
 through  the  land,  and  to  feal  fuch  as  are  his,  he  will  not  get  one 
 lamb  with  him,  for  thefeare  fccured^  and  fealcd  as  theieivaats  of 
 
Epift.  15-]  LETTERS.  45  f 
 
 God.  In  ChriO's  name,  let  Chrift  take  his  barn-floor,  and  all  that 
 is  in  it,  to  a  hill  and  winnow  it;  let  him  lift  his  corn,  and  fweep 
 his  houfe,  and  fcek  his  gold.  The  Lord  (hall  cog  the  rumbling 
 wheels,  or  turn  them;  for  the  remainder  of  wrath  doth  he  reflrain: 
 he  can  loofe  the  belt  of  king-;-,  to  God  their  belt,  wherewith  they 
 arc  girt,  is  knit  with  a  fingle  draw-knot.  As  for  a  paltor  to  your 
 town,  your  confcience  can  bear  you  wirncfs,  you  have  done  your 
 part ;  let  the  Ma(fer  of  the  vineyard  now  fee  to  his  garden,  feeing 
 you  have  gone  on,  till  he  hath  (aid,  Stand  ftill:  the  will  of  the 
 Lord  be  dooe ;  but  a  trial  is  not  to  give  up  v/ith  God,  and  believe 
 no  more,  i  thaak  rnv  God  in  Chrift,  I  find  the  force  of  my  temp- 
 tation abated,  and  its  edge  blunrcd,  fmce  I  fpokc  to  you  lall :  I 
 know  not,  if  the  tempter  be  hovering,  until  he  find  the  dam  gather 
 again,  and  me  more  fccure;  but  it  hath  been  my  burden:  and  I  am 
 yet  more  confident,  the  Lord  will  fuccour  and  deliver.  I  intend, 
 God  willing,  that  our  communion  fhail  be  celebrated  the  firft  fab- 
 bath  after  Pafch  :  Our  Lord,  that  gre^t  Mailer  of  the  feaft,  fend  us 
 one  hearty  and  h ea r t fom.e  fupper ;  for  I  look  it  (halt  be  the  lafl: 
 but  we  expecb  when  the  (hadows  fliall  flee  away,  and  the  day 
 dawn,  and  our  Lord  ilaall  come  to  his  garden,  that  he  fhall  feed 
 us  in  green  paflures  without  fear;  the  dogs  (hall  not  then  be 
 hounded  out  among  the  Ihccp.  I  earneftlydelirc  your  prayers,  for 
 adiilance  at  onr  work  ;  rnd  put  others  with  you  to  do  the  fame. 
 Remember  me  to  your  huiband  ;  and  defire  your  daughter  to  be 
 kind  to  Chrift,  and  feck  to  win  near  him  :  he  will  give  her  a  wel- 
 come into  his  houfe  of  wioe,  and  bring  her  into  the  King's  cham- 
 bers :  O  how  will  the  fight  of  his  face,  and  the  faiell  of  his  gar- 
 ments allure  and  ravifh  the  heart!  Now  the  love  of  the  lovely 
 Son  of  God  be  with  you. 
 
 JnivGth,  1635.                  y^ovrs  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus^  S.  R, 
 '    '  ■  ...,-. ^ 
 
 15.     For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 MiJhefs, 
 
 , 'j  Y  love  in  Chrift  rememl>ered.  Having  appointed  a  meeting 
 '-**■  with  Mr.  D.  D.  and  knowing  th^t  B.  will  not  keep  the 
 prefbytery,  I  cannot  fee  yon  now  :  comvnend  my  journey  to  God  ; 
 my  ioul  hlelfeth  y»u  for  your  laH  letter.  Be  not  difcouraged, 
 Chrilt  will  not  want  the  ifi/'s-men  ;  the  ifl^s  (hall  wait  for  this  law : 
 we  are  his  iijherltance,  and  he  will  fell  no  pn-t  of  his  inheritance. 
 For  the  lins  of  this  bnd,  aod  nnr  breach  of  rhe  covenant,  con- 
 tempt of  the  gofpcl,  and  our  dt f(<n:ion  from  the  truth,  he  hath  fet 
 Dp  a  burning  furnace  in  mount  Zion  :  but  I  fay  it,  and  will  abide 
 by  it.  The  grafs  fliall  yet  grow  green  on  onr  mount  Zion  :  there 
 fhall  be  a  dew  all  the  night  npon  the  lilies,  amongft  which  Chrift 
 fccdctb,  until  the  day  break,  and  the  iuadows  flee  away  :  aihi  the 
 
456  Mr  RUTHERFOORD'$  Epift.  16.] 
 
 moth  (hall  eat  up  the  enemies  of  Chrift,  Ifa.  I.  9.  «  Let  them 
 make  a  fire  of  their  own,  and  walk  in  the  light  thereof,  it  fliall 
 not  let  them  fee  to  go  to  their  bed;  but  they  (hall  ly  down  in 
 forrow  :  *  therefore  rejoice  and  believe.  Thus  in  hafle.  Grace, 
 grace  be  with  you  and  yours. 
 
 Anwothy  Tours  in  Chrijiy  S.  R. 
 
 16.  For  MARION  MACN AUGHT. 
 
 Loving  and  dear  fifter^ 
 
 I  FEAR  that  you  be  moved  and  cad  down,  becaufe  of  the  late 
 wrong  that  your  hufbaod  received  in  your  town  council :  but 
 I  pray  you,  comfort  yourfclf  in  the  Lord  ;  for  a  juii  caufe  bides 
 under  the  water  only  as  long  as  wicked  men  hold  their  hand  above 
 it;  their  arm  will  weary,  and  then  the  jofl:  caufe  (hall  fv/im  a- 
 bove,  and  the  light  that  is  fowa  for  the  righteous  fhall  fpring  and 
 grow  up.  If  ye  were  not  ftrangers  here,  the  dogs  of  the  world 
 would  not  bark  at  you,  2  Cor.  vi.  8.  You  (hali  fee  all  the  wind- 
 ings aad  turnings  that  are  in  your  way  to  heaven,  out  of  God's 
 word  :  for  he  will  not  lead  you  to  the  kingdom  at  the  neareft:  but 
 youmuflgo  through  honour  and  difhonour,  by  evilreport  and  good 
 report;  as  deceivers,  ami  yet  true;  ver.  9.  As  unknown,  and  yet 
 well  known;  as  dying,  and  behold  we  live;  as  chalfened,  and 
 not  killed;  ver.  10.  As  forrowful,  and  yet  always  rtjoicing.  The 
 world  is  one  of  the  enemies  that  we  have  to  fight  with,  but  a  van- 
 qailhed  and  oyercomc  enemy,  and  like  a  bentan  and  forlorn  foldier ; 
 for  our  Jcfus  hath  taken  the  armour  from  it ;  let  me  then  fpcak  ti> 
 you  in  his  words ;  Be. of  good  courage,  faith  the  Captain  of  our 
 falvation,  for  I  have  overcome  the  world.  You  fliall  neither  be  free 
 of  the  fcourge  of  the  tongue,  nor  of  dilgraces,  even  if  it  were  buf- 
 fetings  and  fpittings  upon  the  face,  as  was  our  Saviour's  cafe,  if 
 you  foUow  Jefus  Chrift  :  I  hefeech  you  in  the  bowels  of  our  Lord 
 Jefus,  keep  a  good  confcieocc  (as  1  tru(i:  you  do)  you  live  not  up- 
 on men's  opinion  ;  gold  may  be  gold,  and  have  tb«  king's  ftamp 
 upon  it,  when  it  is  trampled  upon  by  men.  Happy  are  you,  if 
 when  the  world  trarapleth  upon  you  in  your  credit  and  good  name, 
 yet  you  are  the  Lord's  gold,  ftamped  with  the  King  of  heaven's 
 image,  and  fealed  bv  his  Spirit  unto  the  day  of  your  redemption. 
 Pray  for  the  fpirit  of  love,  i  Cor.  xiii.  7.  *  Love  beareth  all  things, 
 it  believeth  all  things,  hopeth  all  things,  andendureth  all  things.; 
 And  I  pray  you  and  your  huib«nd,  yea,  I  charge  you  before  God, 
 and  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  and  the  eleift  angels,  pray  for  thefe  your 
 adverfaries :  and  read  this  to  your  hofband  from  mc ;  and  let  both 
 of  you  put  CD,  as  the  cletl  of  God,  bowels  of  mercies.  And,  fn 
 fter,  remember  how  many  thouCmdj  of  talents  of  fins  your  Mafter 
 hath  forgiven  you:  forgive  ye  therefore  your  fellow  fervani*  one 
 
£pift.  17-]  LETTERS.  457 
 
 taleat ;  follow  God's  command  in  this,  and  feek  not  after  your 
 own  heart,  and  after  your  own  eyes,  in  this  matter,  as  the  Spirit 
 fpeaks.  Numb.  xv.  39.  Aik  never  the  council  of  your  own  heart 
 h^re;  the  world  will  blow  up  your  heart  now,  and  caufe  it  Iwel!, 
 except  the  grace  of  God  caufe  it  fall.  Jefus,  even  Jeius  the  eter- 
 nal VVifdom  of  the  Father,  give  you  wifdom :  1  trull  God  I'hill  be 
 glorified  in  you ;  and  a  door  (liall  be  opened  unto  you,  as  the 
 Lord's  pirfoners  of  hope,  as  Zechariah  fpcaks.  It  is  a  benefit  to 
 you,  that  the  wicked  are  God's  fan  to  purge  you;  and  I  hope  they 
 fhall  blovv  away  no  corn,  or  fpiritual  graces,  but  only  you,r  chaff; 
 1  pray  you,  in  your  purfuir,  have  fo  recourfe  to  the  law  of  men, 
 ihcu  you  wander  not  from  the  law  of  God.  Be  not  caft  down  :  it 
 you  faw  hiin,  who  is  itanding  on  the  (liore,  holding  out  his  arms 
 to  welcome  you  to  land,  you  Wxould  not  only  wade  through  a  fea 
 of  wrongs,  but  through  hell  itfelf,  to  be  at  him  ;  and  I  truft  in 
 God,  you  fee  him  fometimes.  The  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpi- 
 rk,  and  ail  yours. 
 
 Anwothy  Tcur  brother  in  the  Lordy  S.  R. 
 
 17.    For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 Worthy  and  dmrjijler, 
 Ti/TY  deared  love  in  Chriff  remembered.  As  to  that  bmfinefs, 
 ^^  which  I  know  you  would  fo  fain  have  taken  cfrt£t,  my  ear- 
 ned defire  is,  that  you  ftand  Oill ;  haOe  not^  and  you  fh^U  .ice  the 
 falvation  of  God.  The  great  Mafler  gardener,  tfeje^'jitbg:  of  our 
 Lord  Jefus  Chrill,  in  a  wonderful  providence,  with  his  own  hand, 
 (I  dyre,  if  it  were  to  cciificatioR,  fwear  it)  planted  me  here,  where 
 by  his  grace,  in  this  part  of  bis  vineyard,  I  grow  :  1  dare  not  fay, 
 but  Satan  and  the  world  (one  of  his  pages,  whom  he  fends  his 
 errands)  have  faid  otherwife;  and  here  i  will  abide  till  the  great 
 Mailer  of  rhc  vineyard  think  fit  to  tranrplant  me:  bur  when  he  fees 
 meet  to  loofe  me  at  the  root,  and  to  plant  me  where  I  may  b« 
 more  ufeful,  both  as  to  fruit  and  Ihadow  ;  and  when  he  who  plant- 
 ed, pulleth  up  that  he  may  tranfplanr,  who  dure  put  to  their  hand 
 and  hinder  ?  If  they  do  God  fliall  break  their  arm  at  the  fnouidcr- 
 blade,  and  do  his  turn.  When  our  Lord  is  going  wed,  the  devil 
 and  world  go  eall;  and  do  you  not  knuw,  that  it  hath  been  ever 
 this  w?.y  betwixt  God  and  the  world,  God  drawing  and  they  hold- 
 ing ;  God,  Y«a,  and  the  world,  Nay  ?  bur  they  iA\  on  their  back 
 and  are  fruliiate,  and  our  Lord  holderh  his  grip.  Wherefore  doth 
 the  word  fay,  that  our  Chrlll,  the  Goodman  of  this  houfc,  hds 
 dear  kirk,  hath  feet  like  fiiie  brafs,  as  if  they  burned  in  a  fur- 
 nace ?  Rev.  i.  15.  for  no  other  caufe,  but  bccaufe  where  our  Lord 
 ftttcth  dowQ  his  brazen  fccr,  he  will  forward;  and  whithcrfosver 
 he  loeketh,  he  will  follow  his  look;  aiid  his  fcer  bura  .ill  uudtr 
 
 M  i&  m 
 
45S  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  17.] 
 
 them,  ii^e  as  fire  doth  ftubble  and  thorns.  I  think  hb  hath  now 
 given  ihe  woild  a  proof  of  his  exceeding  great  power,  when  he  is 
 doing  fuch  great  things,  wherein  Zion  is  concerned,  by  the  fword 
 of  the  Swediili  king,  ns  of  a  Gideon.  As  you  love  the  glory  of 
 God,  pray  inffantly  (yea,  engage  all  your  praying  acquainrnnce, 
 and  take  their  faithful  promiie  to  do  the  like)  for  this  king,  and 
 every  one  that  Zioa*s  king  armeth,  to  execute  the  written  ven- 
 geance on  Babylon  :  our  Lord  hath  begun  to  loofe  fome  of  Ba- 
 bylon's corner  Ifones ;  pray  him  to  hoid  on :  for  that  city  murt  fall, 
 and  the  birds  of  the  air  and  the  beaOs  of  the  earth  mult  make  a 
 banquet  of  Babylon ;  for  he  hath  invited  them  to  eat  »-he  fl.t^fh  of 
 that  whore,  and  to  drink  her  blood  ;  and  the  cop  of  the  Lord's 
 right-hand  fliail  be  turned  unto  her,  and  fhameful  fpueing  fhali  be 
 upon  her  glory  ;  Ke,  whole Word  mufl  rtand,  hath  laid,  '  Take 
 this' cup  at  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  drink,  and  be  drunken,  and 
 fpue  agdfall,  ,nnd  rife  no  more,' Jer.  xxv.  2^.  Our  Jefus  is  fetting 
 up  himfclf  as  his  Father's  Enfign,  11a.  xi.  10.  as  God's  fair  white 
 Colours,  that  his  foldiers  may  flock  about  him  ;  long,  long  may 
 theie  Colours  ftand  !  It  is  long  lince  he  difplaycd^  banner  againfl 
 Babylon,  in  the  f'ght  of  men  and  angels ;  let  us  rejoice  and  tri- 
 umph in  our  God,  the  victory  is  certain  ;  for  when  Chrift.  arid 
 Babel  wreftle,  then  angels  and  faints  mny  prepare  themfelves 
 to  fing,  Babylon  the  great  is  fallen,  is  fallen.  Howbeit  that 
 Prince  of  renown,  precious  Jefus  be  now  weeping  and  bleed- 
 ing in  his  members,  yet  Chrilf  will  laugh  again;  and  it  is  time 
 enough  for  us  to  laugh  when  our  Lord  Chrift  laugheth,  and 
 that  will  be  fhortly  :  for  when  we  hc^r  of  wars  and  rumours  of 
 wars,  the  Judge's  feet  are  then  before  the  door,  and  he  mufl  be  in 
 lieaven,  giving  order  to  the  angels  to  make  ihemlelves  ready,  and 
 prepare  their  hooks  and  fjckles  for  that  great  harveft.  Chrifl:  will 
 be  upon  us  in  hafte  ;  watch  bur  a  little,  and  ere  long  the  fkies  will 
 rive,  and  that  fair  lovely  Per fon,  Jefus,  (hall  comt^  in  the  clouds, 
 freighted  and  loaded  with  glory  ;  and  then  all  thefe  knaves  and 
 foxes,  that  dedr^ycd  the  vines,- flicdl  Call  to  the  hills,  and  cry  to 
 the  mountains  to  cover  them,  and  hide  them  from  the  face  of  \\\m 
 who  fittcth  upon  the  throne,  and  from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb. 
 Rememl'-er  me  to  your  hulband  ;  and  defire  him  from  me  to  help 
 ChriQ,  and  to>ake  his  part,  and  in  judgment  fide  ever  with  him, 
 -and  receive  a  blow  patiently  for  his  fake;,  for  he  is  worthy  to  be 
 fuffered  for,  nor  only  to  blows  but  alio  to  blood:  he  (hdl  find, 
 thai  innocency  and  uprightnefs  in  judgment  (hall  hold  its  fctXy 
 and  make  him  happy,  when  jouking  will  not  do  it.  I  fpeak  this, 
 becaufe  a  perfon  faid  to  me,  I  pray  God,  the  country  be  nor  in 
 vv6rfe  cafe  now,  wbea  the  provofi:  and  baillies  arc  agreed,  thaa 
 'formerly  :  to  whom  I  replied,  I  trull  the  provofi:  is  agreed  with 
 the  man's  pcffon,  bat  not  with  his  faults.  1  pray  for  you,  with  my 
 
Epift.  iS.]  LETTERS.  459 
 
 whole  foul,  and  defirc  that  your  children  may  walk  in  the  truth; 
 and  that  the  Lord  may  Chine  upon  them,  and  make  their  faces  to 
 fiiine,  when  the  faces  of  others  .ihall  blufii.  I  dare  promife  them  ia 
 his  name,  v/hofe  truth  1  preach,  if  thev  will  but  try  God's  fervice, 
 that  thc-y  ih  al  find  him  the  fweeteft  MaAer  that  ever  they  ferved ; 
 and  defirc  them  from  me,  but  to  try  for  a  while  the  fei  vice  of  this 
 blefled  Mafter,  and  then  i^  his  fervice  be  nor  iweet,  if  it  afford  not 
 what  is  pieaiant  to  the  foul's  tafte,  change  hiai  upon  trial  and  feek 
 a  better.  Chrift  is  an  unknown  Chrilt  to  young  ones,  and  there- 
 fore they  leek  hifla  not,  becaufe  they  know  him  not.  Bid  them 
 come  and  fee,  and  ftek  a  kifs  of  his  mouth  :  and  then  they  will 
 find  his' mouth  is  fo  fweet,  that  they  will  be  everlaftlngly  chained 
 unfo  him,  by  thtir  own  confent.  If  I  have  any  credit  with  your 
 children,  I  enrreat  them  in  ChriiVs  name,  to  try  what  truth  and 
 reality  is  in  what  1  fay,  and  leave  not  his  fervice,  till  they  have 
 found  me  a  liar  :  I  g^ve  you,  your  hulband  and  them,  to  his  keep- , 
 ing,  to  wl>om  I  have,  and  d'-«re  venture  myfeif  and  foul,  even  to 
 our  dear  Frieud  Jefus  Chrill,  in  whom  I  am 
 
 Juivoth.  Tours,   S.   R. 
 
 1 8.    For  M.Ax^JON  MACNAUC^HT. 
 JVcll-behmdJiJler, 
 
 Y  deareft  love  in  ChriH:  remembered  to  you  :  know  that  I 
 am  in  great  heavinefs  for  the  pitiful  cafe  of  our  Lord's  kirl:. 
 I  hear  the  caufe,  why  Dr.  Burton  is  committed  to  prifon,  is,  his 
 writing  and  preaching  againlf  the  Aimiaians  :  I  therefore  ent-reat 
 the  aid  of  your  prayers  for  myfeif,  and  the  Lard's  captives  of  hope, 
 and  for  Zion.  The  Lord  hath  and  daily  lets  me  fee  clearly,  how 
 deep  furrows  Arminianifm,  and  the  followers  of  it,  (hall  draw  up- 
 on the  back  of  God's  Ifrael  (but  our  Lord  cuts  the  cords  of  th^ 
 wicked)  Ifi.  xlix.  ver.  14.  *  But  Zion  iaid,  The  Lord  hith  forfa- 
 ken  me,  and  my  Lord  hath  forgotten  me.'  Lam.  i.  ver  2.  *  Zion 
 weepeth  fore  in  the  night,  and  her  tears  are  upon  her  cheeks :  .1- 
 mongfl  her  lovers  (he  hath  none  to  comfort  her,  all  her  friends 
 have  dealt  treacheroufly  with  her,  and  are  become  her  enemicF.* 
 Ifa.  i.  ver.  22.  *  OuriTlver  is  become  drofs,  our  wine  is  mixed  w'lxh 
 water.*  Lam.  iv.  ver.  i.  *  How  is  the  gold  become  dim  ?  how  is 
 the  fine  gold  changed  ?  the  (tones  of  the  faniftuary  arc  poured  out 
 in  the  top  of  every  ftreet.'  Ver.  2.  *  The  precious  fons  of  Zion, 
 comparable  to  fine  gold,  bow  are  they  efteemed  as  earthen  pitchers, 
 the  work  of  the  hands  of  the  potter?'  It  is  time  now  for  the 
 Lord's  fecrct  ones,  who  favour  the  duft  of  Zion,  to  cry.  How  long. 
 Lord?  and  to  go  up  to  their  watch-tower,  and  to  f\ay  there,  and 
 not  to  come  down,  until  the  vifion  fpeak  ;  for  it  will  fpeak.  Hah. 
 ii.  In  the  mean  time,  the  jufl  (hill  live  by  faith.  Let  us  wait  on, 
 ^d  not  weary.    1  have  not  a  thrcid  to  hang  upon  and  refl,  bu; 
 
 M  m  m   2 
 
 M 
 
46#  Mr  RUTHEkFOORD'i  Eplft.  19.] 
 
 this  oac,  Tfa.  xlix.  \'er.  1 5.    '  Can  a  woman  forget  her  Aickiog 
 child,  that  (he  (hould  not  have  compafTion  on  the  ion  of  her  womb  ? 
 yea,  (he  may  forget,  yet  will  1  not  forgtt  thee.'    Ver.  16.    *  Be- 
 hold, 1  have  graven  thee  upon  the  palms  cf  my  hands,  thy  walls 
 are  continually  before  me/    For  all  outward  helps  do  fail ;  it  is 
 time  therefore  fo¥  us  to  hang  ourieivts,  as  our  Lord^s  vefTels,  upon 
 the  nail  that  is  faftened  in  a  fure  place.    We  would  make  flakes 
 of  oor  own  faf^ening,  but  they  will  break.    Our  Lord  will  hnvc 
 Zicn  on  his  own  nail.    Edom  is  bufy  within  us,  and  Babel  with- 
 out us,  againft  the  handful  of  Jacob's  feed.   It  were  beft  that  we 
 were  upon  Chrifl's  fide  of  it,  for  his  enemies  will  get  the  ftakes  tQ 
 keep  (as  the  proverb  is)  our  greateit  difficulty  will  be,   to  win  on 
 upofi  the  Rock  now,  when  the  wind  and  wave?  of  perfecution  arc 
 {o  lofty  and  proud.  Let  fweet  Jcfus  take  us  by  the  hand  ;  neither 
 mufl  we  think  that  it  will  be  otherwife,  for  it  is  told  to  the  fouls 
 under  the  altar,  Rev.  vi,  *  That  their  fellow  fervants  muft  be  killed, 
 as  they  were.'    Surely  it  cannot  be  bng  till  day.    Nay,  hear  him 
 fay,  Behold,  I  corne,  my  dear  bride ;  think  not  long,  I  ihall  be 
 at  you  at  once;  I  hear  you,  and  am  coming.  Amen,  Even  fo  come, 
 Lord  Jefus,  come  quickly ;  for  the  prifoners  of  hope  are  looking 
 out  at  the  prifon-w»ndows,  to  fee  if  they  can  behold  the  King's 
 ambafTador  coming  with  the  King's  warrant,  and  the  keys.  I  write 
 not  to  you  by  gucfs  now,  becaufe  I  have  a  warrant  to  fay  unto 
 you,  the  garments  of  Chrift's  fpoufe  muft  be  once  again  dyed  in 
 blood,  as  long  ago  her  huiband's  was;  but  our  Father  fees  his 
 bleeding  Son.    What  I  write  unto  you  fliew  it  to  I.  G.    Gracc^ 
 grace,  grace  and  mercy  be  with  you,  your  hufband  and  chUdrcu. 
 ^nuutth.  Tours  in  the  Lord^  S.  R. 
 
 f — ■ '■ 
 
 19.    To  MARION  MACN AUGHT. 
 
 Well-hf.loved  and  dear  fifter  in  Chrijl, 
 
 I  Could  not  get  an  ar.fwer  written  to  your  letter  till  now,  in  refpc^ 
 of  my  wife's  difeaffc,  and  fhe  is  yet  mightily  pained  ;  I  hope 
 all  ibnll  end  in  God's  mercy:  I  know  that  an  affticted  life  looks 
 very  like  the  way  thar  leads  to  the  kingdom  ;  for  the  apoilie,  h£t^ 
 xiv.  22.  hath  drawn  the  line,  and  King's  market-way,  through 
 much  tribulation  to  the  kingdom.  The  Lord  grant  us  the  whoU 
 armour  of  God.  Ye  write  to  me  concerning  your  peoples  difpo- 
 fitioRy  how  their  hearts  are  inclined  toward  thf;  man  you  know, 
 ^nd  whom  you  defirc  moft  carneftly  yourfelf.  Ke  would  moft 
 gladly  have- the  Lord's  call  for  tranfplanration ;  for  he  knows,  ail 
 God's  plants,  let  by  his  own  hand,  thrive  wf-U ;  and  if  the  work 
 be  of  God,  he  can  make  a  flepping-ftone  of  the  devii  himfeif,  for 
 fcrting  forward  the  work.  For  yourfelf,  1  wcuid  advife  you  to  aik 
 ei  God  a  iubmiiiwe  heart.    Your  reward  fftaii  be  with  the  Loi-«J. 
 
Epift.20.3  LETTERS.  A^t 
 
 Although  the  people  be  not  gathered  (as  the  prophet  fpeaks)  aod 
 fuppofe  the  word  do  not  profper,  God  (hall  accouat  you  a  repairer 
 of  the  breaches.  And  take  Chrift  caution,  ye  fliaii  not  lofe  your 
 reward.  Hold  your  grip  faft.  If  ye  knew  the  mind  of  the  glori- 
 fied in  heaven,  they  think  heaven  come  to  their  hand  at  an  cafy 
 market,  when  they  have  got  it  for  Jhreefcore  or  fourfcoie  years 
 wreftling  with  God.  When  ye  are  come  thither,  ye  ihAll  think, 
 ail  I  did  in  rcfpeft  of  my  rich  reward  now  enjoyed  of  frea  grace, 
 was  too  little.  Now  then,  for  the  love  of  the  Prince  of  your  fal- 
 vatioD,  who  is  {landing  at  the  end  of  your  way,  holding  up  in  his 
 hand  the  prize  and  the  garland  to  the  race- runners ;  forward,  for- 
 ward, faint  nor;  take  as  many  to  heaven  with  you,  as  ye  are  able 
 to  draw;  the  more  ye  draw  with  you,  ye  fhali  be  the  welcomer 
 yourfeif.  Be  no  niggard  or  fpariog  churl  of  the  grace  of  God  ; 
 and  employ  ail  your  endeavours  for  eflabiiihing  an  honeft  mioiftry 
 in  your  town,  now  when  ye  have  fo  few  to  fpeak  a  good  word  for 
 you.  I  have  many  a  grieved  heart  daily  in  my  calling:  I  would 
 be  undone,  if  I  had  not  accefs  to  the  King's  chamber  of  prefencc, 
 to  (liew  him  all  the  bufinels.  The  devil  rages  and  is  mad,  to  fee 
 the  water  drawn  from  his  own  mill;  but  would  to  God,  we  could 
 be  the  Lord's  inffruments  to  build  the  Son  of  God*s  houfe.  Pray 
 for  me.  If  the  Lord  fu;  nilh  not  new  timber  u  om  Lebanon,  to  build 
 the  houfc»  the.  work  will  ceale.  I  look  to  him,  who  hath  begun 
 well  with  me;  I  have  his  hand-writ,  he  will  not  change.  Your 
 daughter  is  well,  and  longs  for  a  Hible.  The  Lord  eftablith  you 
 in  peace.     The  Lord  Jeius  bs  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 ^nwGt/j.  Tours  at  ail  power  in  Chri/l, 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 20.  ro  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 Mifircfsy 
 TV  jf  Y  love  in  Chriffc  remembered.  Our  comci union  is  on  fab- 
 ^^  bath  come  eight  days,  I  will  in  treat  you  to  recommend  it  to 
 God,  and  ro  pray  for  me  in  that  work.  I  have  more  fins  upon  me 
 now  thun  theiafl  time;  therefore  I  will  btieech  yo'j  in  Chfift,  feck 
 this  petition  to  me  trom  God,  that  the  Lord  would  give  me  grace 
 fo  vow  and  perform  new  obedience.  1  have  caufc  to  fuit  this  of 
 you,  and  (hew  it  to  Thomas  Carien,  Fergus  and  J-me  Brown ;  for 
 
 1  have  been,  and  amej^ceediugiy  cau  down,  and  am  fighiiiig  agdinO 
 
 2  malicious  devil,  of  whom  \  can  win  lit  lie  ground  :  and  I  would 
 think  a  fpoil  plucked  from  him  and  his  tiuAy  fervant  fin,  a  law- 
 ful and  juft  conqued  ;  and  It  v^^ere  no  (in  to  take  from  him.  In  th« 
 name  of  the  Goodman  of  our  houfe.  King  Jcfus,  I  invite  you  ro 
 the  banquet :  he  faith  ye  (liall  be  dearly  welcome  to  him.  And  I 
 ^sfire  to  bvUevc  (howbeit  cot  without  great  fc^r).  he  fliall  bo  ai 
 
462:  Mr  RUTHERFOVJlD's  Eplft;2t.] 
 
 hearty  inhisowaJioufe,"  as  he  has  been  before.  For  me  it  is  but 
 fmail  reckoning ;  but  i  would  fain  have  our  Father  and  I>ord  to 
 breakthe  fair  Loafi'Chriltj  and  to  diftributehis  flain  Son  amongft 
 the  bail  OS  of  his  houfe;  and  that,  if  any  were  a  flepbairn,  in  re- 
 fpe<ftof  comfort  and  fenfe,  it  were  rather  luyfelf  than  his  poor 
 bairns.  Thcrefore.bid  our  Well-beloved  come  to  his  garden,  and 
 feedamong  the  lilies.  And  as  concerning  Zion,  I  hope  our  Lord, 
 who,  Zcch.  ii,  fcnt  his  angel  with  a  meaiuring-line  in  his  hand,  to 
 mcafure  the  length. and  breadth  of  Jerufalem,  in  token  he  would 
 noe  want  a  foot- length  or  inch  of  his  own  tree  heritage,  (hall  take 
 order  with  thofe  who  have  taken  away  many  acres  of  his  own  land 
 from  him  ;  and  God  will  build  Jerufalem  in  the  old  ftead  and  place, 
 where  it  was  before;  in  this  hope,  rejoice  and  be  glad.  Chrift's 
 garment  was  not  dipt  in  blood  for  nothing,  but  for  his  bridc^  whom 
 he  bought  with*  ftrokes.  I  will  deii.re  you  to  remember  my  old 
 fuits  to  God,  God's  glory  and  increafe  of  light,  that  I  dry  not 
 up.  For  your  town,  hope  and  believe,  that  the  Lord  will  gather 
 10; his  loofe  (heaves  among  you  to  his  barn,  and  fend  one  with  a. 
 well-togtbed  (harp  hook,  and  ftrong  gardies,  to  reap  his  harvell.: 
 And  the  Lord  Jefus  be  Huibmdman,  and  ovcrfee  the  growing. 
 Remember  my  love  to  your  hufbmd  and  to  Samuel  :  grace  upon 
 you.and  your  children;  Lord  make  them  corner-ffones  in  Jeru- 
 falem, and  give  them  grace  in  their  youth,  to  take  band  with 
 the  fair  chief  Corner-ftone,  who  •^^s  hewed  out  of  the  moun- 
 tain without  hands,  and  got  many  a  knock  with  his  Father's  fore- 
 hammer,  and  tndnred  them  all,  and  the  ffone  did  neither  cleave 
 nor  break;  upon  that  ftone  your  foul  doth  well  to  iy.  King  Je- 
 fus be  with  your  fpiiit. 
 
 Anivoth.  Your  friend  in  his  iuell-heloved 
 
 Lord  Jefus,    S.  R. 
 
 21  For  MARION  MACNAUGilT. 
 Much  honoured  and  dear  mifrcfsy 
 "\  TY  love  in  Chrid  remembered.  I  am  grieved  at  the  heart  to 
 •*-'-»-  write  any  thing  to  you,  to  breed  hcavinefs  to  you;  and 
 what  I  hnve  wrirten,  I  wrote  it  with  much  heavinef^.  But  I  in- 
 treat  you  in  Chrift's  name,-when  my  foul  is  under  wreftlinj^s,  and 
 feeking  direcf  ion  from  our  Lord  (to  whom  his  vineyard  beloogeth) 
 whither  I  fhall  go,  give  me  liberty  to  advife,  and  try  all  airtbs 
 and  paths,  to  fee  whether  he  goeth  before  me  and  leaderh  mc ; 
 for  if  I  were  afTured  of  God's  call  to  your  town,  let  my  arm  fall 
 from  my  (houlder-blade  and  lofe  power,  and  my  right  eye  he  dried 
 up,  which  is  the  judgment  of  the  idol  (hepherd,  Zech.  xi.  17.  if 
 1  would  not  fwim  through  the  water  without  a  boat,  ere  1  fat  his 
 bidding.  But  if  y£  knew  my  doublings  and  fears  ia  that,  ye  would 
 fuifer  with  me.     Whether  they  be  tempution?,  or  imptdimeuts 
 
Epift.  22.]  LETTERS."  463 
 
 caft  in  by  God,  I  know  not  ;  but  you  have  now  caufe^to  thank 
 God:  for,  feeing  the  BKhop  hath  given  yoa  fuch  a  promife,  he 
 will  give  you  an  houfcft  man,  more  wiilingl?  than  he  will  pernait 
 me  to  coriie  to  you.  And,  as  1  ever  intreatcd  you,  put  thre  bufi- 
 nefs  out  of  yuur  hand  in  the  Lord's  reverence;  and  try  of  him, 
 if  }e  have  warrant  of  him  to  feek  no  man  in  the  world,  but  one 
 only,  when  there  are  choice  of  good  men  to  be  had;  howbeit  they 
 be  todicarce,  yet  they  are.  And  what  God  faith  to  me  in  theba- 
 fiuefs,,  1  refolve  by  his  grace  to  do :  tor  I  know  not  what  he  will 
 do  with  me,  but  God  fliall  fill  you  with  joy  ere  the  bufincfs  be 
 ended  :  for  I  perfuade  myfelf,  our  Lord  Jefus  hath  ftined  you  up 
 alre.:dy  to  do  good  in  the  bufioefs,  and  ye  iliall  not  lofe  your  re- 
 ward. I  hive  heard  your  hulband  and  Samuel  have:  been  fick. 
 The  man  who  is  called  the  Branch  and  God's  Fellow,  who  Hand - 
 eth  before  his  Father,  will  be  your  ilay  and  help,  Zech.  xiii.  7.  I 
 •  would  I  were  able  to  comfort  your  ibul ;  but  have  p:irieflcc  and 
 l>and  ftill:  he  that  beiieverh  makirth  not  hafte.  This  matter  of 
 Cramond,  call  in  at  this  time,  is  either  a  temptation,  having  fal- 
 len out  at  this  time,  or  then  it  will  clear  all  my  doubts,  and  let 
 you  lee  the  Lord's  will.  But  I  never  knew  my  own  part  in  the 
 bufincfs  till  now  ;  I  thought  I  was  more  wiliiog  to  have'embiaced 
 the  charge  in  your  town  than  I  am,  or  am  able-  to  win  to.  I  know 
 ye  pray  that  God  would  refolve  me  what  to  do-;  and  will  interpret 
 me,  as  love  biddeth  you,  which  thiokcth  not  ill,  and  believelh  all 
 things,  and  hopeth  all  things.  Would,  ye. have  more  .tb^tji  the 
 Son  of  God  :  and  "yc  have  him  already,  and  ye  (hall  be  fed  by 
 the  Carver  of  the  meat,  be  who  he  will,  and  thefe  who  are  hung- 
 ry, look  more  to  the  meat  than  to  tne  carver.  I -cannot  fee  \oii 
 the  next  week.  If  my  Lady  come  home,  I  aauft  viftt  her.  The 
 week  .thereafter  will  be  a  prelbytery  at  Girtoun;  God  will  nifpofe 
 of  the  meeting.  Grajco  upon  you,  "and  your  feed  and  huibaud: 
 the  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 j^nivoth.  Tours  in  Chrijl,   S.  R. 
 
 2  2.  For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 JVorthy  and  -well -beloved  mijlrefs, 
 TV  TY  love  in  Chrirt  remembered.  I  have  fent  you  a  letter  from 
 ^*'  Mr.  David  Dickfon,  concerning  the  plicing  of  Mr.  Hu^^h 
 MacKail  with  themielves;  therefore  1  write  to  you  now,  only  to 
 intrcat  you  ic  Chrift  not  to  be  difcouraged  thereat :  be  fubmiiTive 
 to  the  will  of  your  dear  Lord,  who  knowerh  bcft  what  is  good  for 
 your  foul  and  your  town  borb  ;  for  God  can  come  over  greater 
 mountains  than  thefe,  we  believe;  for  he  worketh  his  grcateft 
 works  contrary  to  carnil  reafon  and  mean?.  My  ways  arc  not 
 (faith  our  Lord)  as  your  ways  ;  ueiihcr  are  my  thoughts  as  your 
 
4$4  ^Ix  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  23.] 
 
 thought,  Ifa.  hr.  I  am  no  whit  put  from  my  belief  for  all  that ; 
 believe,  pray,  and  ufc  means.  We  (hall  caufe  Mr.  John  Ker, 
 who  convoyed  myfelf  to  Lochiovdr,  to  u(e  means  10  feek  a  man,  if 
 Mr.  Hugh  fail  us.  Our  Lord  h.is  a  little  bride  among  you,  and  I 
 truft  he  will  fcod  one  to  woo  her  to  our  Iweet  Lord  Jefus.  He 
 will  not  want  his  wife  for  the  fuiting  ;  and  he  has  means  abun- 
 dance in  his  hand,  to  open  all  the  ilots  and  bars  that  Satan  draws 
 over  the  door :  he  cometh  to  his  bride  leaping  over  the  mountains, 
 and  fkipping  over  the  hills.  His  v/ay  to  his  fpoufe  is  full  of  (tones, 
 xaouatains  andv/dters;  yet  he  putteth  in  his  foot  and  wadeth 
 through;  he  will  not  want  her:  and  therefore  refrefti  me  with 
 two  words,  concerniag  your  coohdence  and  courage  in  our  Lord, 
 both  about  that  and  about  his  own  Zion  ;  for  he  wooeth  his  wife 
 in  the  burning  bu(h :  and  for  the  g^od  will  of  him  that  dwelleth 
 in  the  bufh,  the  bufh  is  not  confumed.  It  is  better  to  weep  with 
 Jerufalem  in  the  forenoon,  than  to  weep  with  Babel  afttrnoon, 
 in  the  end  of  the  day.  Our  dav  of  laughter  and  rejoicing  is  com- 
 ing ;  yet  a  little  while,  and  yc  fliall  Ice  the  (alvation  of  God.  I 
 long  to  fee  you,  and  to  hear  hov/  your  children  are,  cfpecialiy  Sa- 
 muel. Grace  be  their  heritage  and  portion  from  the  Lord,  and 
 the  Lord  be  their  lot,  and  then  their  inheritance  (hall  pleaCe 
 shem  well.  Remf;mber  my  kjve  to  yonr  husband  :  the  Lord  Js- 
 fns  be  Vvith  your  fpirit. 
 
 Aniuoth,  7'ours  in  his  five  ct  Lord  J  ejus  ^  S.  R. 
 
 23.  For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 WelUshvedfijler, 
 "^yi Y  love  in  Jefus  CnriA  remembered.  Yonr  daughter  is  wcl), 
 ^^  thanks  be  to  God  ;  I  trud  in  him  ye  Giall  ,have  joy  of  her  : 
 the  Lord  blefs  her.  I  am  now  prefently  going  about  catgchifing^ 
 The  bearer  is  in  haffe :  forget  not  poor  Zion,  and  the  Lord  te« 
 member  you,  for  we  (hall  be"  fliortly  winnowed  ;  Jefus,  pray  for 
 us,  that  our  faith  fail  not.  I  would  wifh  to  fee  you  a  fabbath  with 
 us,  and  we  fhall  ftir  up  one  another,  God  willing,  to  feek  the  Lord  ; 
 for  it  may  be,  he  hide  himfelf  fiom  us  ere  it  be  long:  keep 
 that  which  you  have,  ye  will  get  more  in  heaven.  The  Lord  fend 
 DS  to  the  (hore  out  of  all  the  frorms,  with  our  filly  fouls  wholo 
 and  found  witli  us:  for  if  liberty  of  confcience  come,  as  is  rumour- 
 ed, the  befl  of  us  all  will  be  put  to  our  wits,  to  feek  how  to  be 
 freed.  But  we  (hall  be  with  thofe,  who  have  their  chamber  to  go 
 iinto^  fpoken  of,  Ifa,  xxvi.  20.  Read  the  place  yourfclf,  and  keep 
 you  within  your  honfe  while  the  florm  be  pad.  If  you  can  learn 
 a  dittay  againfl  C.  try,  and  caufe  try,  that  we  may  fee  the  Lord's 
 righteous  judgment  upon  the  tfevil's  iofirumcnts.  We  are  not 
 much  obliged  to  his  kiadn^rfs :  I  wi(b  allfuch  wicked  dccrs  were 
 
£pift.  24,  25.]  L  E  T  T  E  R  S.  46; 
 
 cut  ofF.  Thefe  in  hafte:  I  blefs  you  in  God's  name  and  all  yours. 
 Your  daughter  defires  a  Bible  and  a  gown  ;  I  hope  (he  (hall  ufc 
 the  Bible  well,  which  if  Ihe  do,  the  gown  is  the  better  beftowed. 
 The  Lord  Jelus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 Jnivotd.  Tours  for  ever  in  Chrift^ 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 24.     for  MARION  MACN AUGHT. 
 
 Miftrefs, 
 T\/ry  love  in  Jefus  Chrift  fernembered.  I  am  in  good  healthy 
 '*■'-*'  honour  to  my  Lord;  but  my  wife's  difeafe  increafeth  daily, 
 to  her  great  torment  and  pain  night  and  day  ;  fhe  has  not  been  in 
 God's  houfe  fince  our  communion,  neither  out  of  her  b&d.  i  have 
 hired  a  man  to  Edinburgh,  to  Dr.  Jeally  and  to  John  Hamilton  :  I 
 can  hardly  believe  her  difeafe  is  ordinary,  for  her  life  is  bitter  to 
 her:  (he  lleeps  none,  but  cries,  as  a  woman  travailing  in  birth  : 
 what  will  be  the  event  he  that  hath  the  keys  of  the  grave  knows  : 
 I  have  been  rhany  times,  fince  I  faw  you,  that  I  have  befuught  the 
 Lord  to  loofe  her  out  of  the  body,  and  to  take  her  to  her  reft.  I 
 believe  the  Lord's  tide  of  affli£lions  will  ebb  again  ;  but  at  pre- 
 fent  I  am  exercifed  with  the  wreitlings  of  God,  being  afraid  of 
 nothing  more  than  this,  that  God  has  let  loofe  the  tempter  upon 
 my  houfe.  Good  rebuke  him  and  his  inilruments.  Becaufe  Satan 
 is  not  caft  out  but  by  failing  and  prayer,  I  entreat  you  remember 
 our  eftate  to  our  Lord,  and  intreat  ail  good  Chriftians,  whom  ye 
 know,  but  efpecially  your  paftor,  to  do  the  fame.  It  becomes  us 
 Itill  to  knock,  and  to  ly  at  the  Lord's  door,  while  we  die  knocking  : 
 if  he  will  not  open,  it  is  more  thun  he  has  faid  in  his  word  \  buz 
 he' is  faithful.  I  look  not  to  win  away  to  my  home  without  wounds 
 and  Wood.  Welcome,  welcome  crofs  of  Chrift,  if  ChriO:  bs 
 with  it.  1  have  not  a  calm  fpirit  in  the  work  of  my  calling  here, 
 being  daily  chaftifed  j  yet  God  hath  not  put  out  my  candle,  as 
 be  does  to  the  wicked.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you  and  all  yours. 
 
 /invj'jth.  Toun  in  his  Lord^ 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 25.     For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 Worthy  and  iu ell-beloved  mijirefsy 
 "[Vyf  Y  love  in  Chrift  remejnbered,  I  know  ye  have  heard  of  the 
 '*"'*•  purpofe  of  my  adverfaries,  to  try  what  they  can  do  againft 
 me  at  this  fynod,  for  the  work  of  God  in  your  town  when  I  was 
 Bt  your  communian.  They  intend  to  call  me  in  queflion  at  the 
 ifynod,  for  treafonablc  doctrine  :  therefore  help  me  with  your 
 prayers,  and  d«iire  your  acquaintance  to  help  me  alio-    Your  ear$ 
 
 N  n  n 
 
i66  m  RUTHERFOORD's  Epiil.  26.3 
 
 beard  how  Chrift  was  there  :  if  he  fuffer  bis  fervant  to  get  a  broken 
 head,  in  his  own  kingiy  fervice,  and  not  cither  help  or  revenge  the 
 wrong,  1  never  faw  the  like  of  it.  There  is  not  a  night-drunkard» 
 time-ferving,  idle,  idoi-lhepherd  to  be  i'poken  againft,  I  am  the 
 only  man  ;  and  bccaufe  it  is  fo,  and  I  know  God  will  not  help 
 them,  left  they  be  proud,  I  am  confident  their  procefs  (hall  fall 
 afunder.  Orjiy  be  ye  earnelt  with  Gcd  for  hearing,  for  an  open 
 ear,  and  reading  of  the  bill,  thiit  he  may  in  heaven  hear  both  par- 
 ties, and  judge  accordingly;  and  doubt  not,  fear  not,  they  (hall 
 not,  who  now  ride  higheft,  put  Chrill  out  of  his  kingly  pofTefTion 
 in  Scotland.  The  pride  of  man,  and  his  rage,  fhall  turn  to  the 
 praift*  of  our  Lord.  It  is  an  old  feud,  that  the  rulers  of  the  earth, 
 the  dragon  and  his  angels,  have  carried  to  the  Lamb  and  his  fol- 
 lovers  i  but  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  (liall  overcome  by  the  word 
 ci  God  :  and  believe  this,  and  wr*it  on  a  little,  till  they  have  got 
 their  womb  full  of  clay  and  gravel,  and  they  fhall  know,  howbeit 
 ftolen  water's  be  fweet,  Efau's  portion  is  not  worth  his  hunting. 
 Commend  me  to  your  hufband,  and  fend  me  word  how  Griflel 
 is.  Ihe  Son  of  God  lead  her  through  the  water.  The  Lord  Je- 
 fus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 Anwoth,  Tours  in  his  only^  only  Lord  Jefus^ 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 26.     For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 Mifircfs, 
 TVyjY  love  in  ChriH:  remembered.  At  the  define  of  this  bearer, 
 •*■'*'  whom  I  love,  I  thought  to  requelt  you,  if  ye  can  help  his 
 wife  with  your  advice,  for  The  is  in  a  molt  dangerous  and  deadly- 
 like  condition  ;  for  1  have  thought  flic  was  far  changed  in  her  car- 
 liage  and  life  this  time  bypafl,  and  had  hope  that  God  would  have 
 brought  her  home;  and  now  by  appearance  Ihe  will  depart  this 
 life,  and  leave  a  number  of  children  behind  her.  If  ye  can  be  in- 
 treated  to  help  her,  it  is  a  work  of  mercy.  My  own  wife  is  flill 
 in  exceeding  great  torment  night  and  day.  Pray  for  us,  for  my 
 Jife  was  never  fo  wearifome  to  me.  God  hath  filled  me  with  gait 
 and  worm-wood;  but  I  believe,  (which  holds  up  my  head  above 
 the  water)  it  is  good  for  a  man  (faith  the  Spirit  of  God,  Lam.  iii..) 
 that  he  bear  the  yoke  in  his  youth.  I  do  remember  you  :  I  pray 
 you  be  humble  and  believe ;  and  I  intreat  you  in  Jcfus  Chrift,  pray 
 ibr  John  Stewart  and  his  wife,  and  defire  your  hufband  to  do  the 
 fame.  Remember  me  heartily  to  Jane  Brown ;  defire  her  to  pray 
 for  me  and  my  wife  ;  I  do  remember  her.  Forget  not  Zion. 
 Grace,  grace  upon  thern  and  peace,  that  pray  for  Zion.  She  is 
 the  thip  we  fail  in  to  Canuan ;  if  Ihe  be  broktn  on  a  rock,  we  will 
 
Eplft.  27.]  LETTERS.  467 
 
 be  caft  over-board,  to  fwim  to  land  betwixt  doath  and  life.    The 
 grace  of  Jefus  be  with  your  hufband  and  children. 
 
 Anwoth.  Tours  in  our  Chrifi^    S.  R. 
 
 27.     For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 Dear  fijler^ 
 T  Longed  much  to  have  conferred  with  you  at  this  time  :  I  am 
 ■*■  grieved  at  any  thing  in  your  houfe  that  grieveth  you  \  and  fliaiJ, 
 by  my  Lord*s  grace,  fuit  my  Lord  to  help  you  to  bear  yotjr  bur- 
 den, and  to  come  in  behind  you,  and  give  you  and  your  burdens 
 a  putt  up  the  mountain.  Know  you  not  that  Chrift  wooeth  his 
 wife  in  the  furnace,  Ifa.  xlviii.  ver.  10.  *  liehold  I  have  refmed 
 thee,  but  not  with  filver  ;  1  have  chofen  thee  in  the  furnace  of 
 affliction :  he  cafteth  his  love  on  you,  when  ve  are  in  the  furnace  of 
 afIli£lion  :  you  might  indeed  be  caften  down,  if  he  brought  you 
 in  and  left  you  there;  but  when  he  leadeth  you  through  the  wa- 
 ters, think  ye  not  that  he  has  a  fwect  foft  hand  ?  you  know  hit* 
 love  grip  already  \  you  (liall  be  delivered:  wait  on  ;  Jefus  will  make 
 a  road,  and  come  and  fetch  home  the  captive:  ycu  Ihall  not  die 
 in  prifon,  but  your  ftrokes  are  fuch  as  were  your  hulband's,  who 
 was  wounded  in  the  houfe  of  his  friends ;  ftrokes  were  not  new- 
 ings  to  him,  and  neither  are  they  to  you :  but  your  winter-night 
 is  near  fpent ;  it  is  near  hand  the  dawning-,  1  will  fee  you  kap  for 
 joy :  the  kirk  fhalf  be  delivered :  this  wlldernefs  fhali  bud  and 
 grow  up  like  a  rofe;  Chrift  got  a  charter  of  Scotland  from  his  Fa- 
 ther, and  who  will  bereave  him  of  his  heritage,  or  put  our  R.e- 
 deemer  out  of  his  mailing,  until  his  tack  be  run  out  ?  i  muft  h^ve 
 you  praying  for  me :  I  am  black  Ihamed  for  evermore  with  Chrift's 
 goodnefs  5  and  in  private,  on  the  17th  and  i8th  of  Auguft,  I  got 
 a  full  anfwer  of  my  Lord  to  be  a  graced  minifter,  and  a  chofea 
 arrow  hidden  in  his  own  quiver.  But  know  this  aflTurance  is  not 
 kept  but  by  watching  and  prayer;  and  therefore  dear  miitreis, 
 help  me.  I  have  gotten  now,  honour  to  my  Lord,  the  gate  ro 
 open  the  ftore,  and  fliut  the  bar  of  his  door  :  and  I  think  it  eL^y 
 to  get  any  thing  from  the  King  byprayer,  and  to  ufe  holy  violence 
 with  him.  Chrift  was  in  Carsfarne  kirk,  and  opened  the  people's 
 hearts  wonderfully:  Jefus  is  looking  up  that  water,  and  minting 
 to  dwell  amongft  them.  I  would  we  could  give  him  his  wel- 
 come home  to  the  Muirs.  Now  peace  and  grace  be  upon  you 
 and  all  yours. 
 
 Jnwothy  /iug  2Q.  i6t,t^.  Tours  in  Chrijly     S.  P^-. 
 
 N  n  n  2 
 
468  Mr  RUrHERFOORD'%  Epift.  28."3 
 
 28.     For  MARION  MACMAUGHT. 
 
 Mijlrefs, 
 
 MY  Jove  in  Chrift  remembered.     I  am  in  care  and  fear  foF 
 this  work  of  our  Lord's  now  near  approaching,  becaufe  of 
 ^he  danger  of  the  time,  and  I  dare  not  for  my  foul  be  filent ;  to  fee 
 my  Lord's  houfe  burning,  and  not  cry,  Fire,  fire:  therefore  feek 
 from  our  Lord  wifdcm-fpiritual,  not  black  policy,  to  fpeak  with 
 liberty  our  Lord's  truth.     I  am  caft  down,  and  would  fain  have 
 accefs  and  prefence  to  the  King  that  day,  even  howbeit  I  fhould 
 break  up  iron  doors.     I  believe  you  will  not  forget  mc,  and  you 
 will  defire  Jane  Brown,  Thomas  Carfen,  and  Marion  Carfen  to 
 help  me.     Vray  for  well-cooked  meat,  and  an  hcartfome  Saviour 
 with  joy,  crying,  Welcom.e  in  my  Father's  name.  I  am  confident 
 Zion  Ihall  be  well  •,  the  bulTi  fhall  burn  and  not  confume,  for  the  good 
 will  of  him  that  dwelt  in  the  bufh.     But  the  Lord  is  making  on  a, 
 fire  in  Jerufalem,  and  purpofeth  to  blow  the  bellows,  and  to  melt 
 the  tin  and  brafs,  and  bring  out  a  fair  beautiful  bride  out  of  the 
 furnace,  that  will  be  married  over  again  upon  the  new  Hufband, 
 and  fing  as  in  the  days  of  her  youth,   when  the  contraft  of  mar- 
 riage is  written  over  again  :  but  I  fear  the  bride  be  hidden  for  a 
 time  from  the  dragon,  that  purfueth  the  woman  with  child  ;  but 
 what,  hov/beit  we  go  and  lurk  in  the  wildcrnefs  for  a  tim.e  ?  for  the 
 Lord  will  take  his  kirk  tc5  the  wildernefs,  and  fpeak  to  her  heart. 
 Nothing  caileth  me  dov/n,  but  only  I  fear  thCjLord  will  caft  down 
 the  fliepherd's  tents,  and  {etA  his  own  in  a  fecret  place :  but  let  us, 
 however  matters  frame,  cnO:  over  the  affairs  of  the  bride  upon  the 
 Bridegroom  ;  the  government  is  upon  his  flioulders,  and  he  dow 
 bear  usallw^ell  enough  :  that  fallen  ftar,  the  prince  of  the  bottom- 
 lefs  pit,  knoweth  it  is  near  the  time  when  he  fhail  be  tormented  \ 
 and  now  in  his  evening  he   has  gathered  his  armies  to  win  one 
 battle  or  two,  in  the  edge  of  the  evening,  at  the  fun  going  down. 
 And  when  our  Lord  has  been  watering  his  vineyards  in  France  and 
 Germany,  and  Bohemia,  how  can  we  think  ourfelves  ChriiVs  (ifter, 
 if  we  be  not  like  i)im,   and  our  other  great  fiflers  ?    I  cannot  but 
 think,  feeing  the  ends  of  the  earth  are  given  to  Chrift,  Pial.  ii,  ver. 
 8.  and  Scotland  is  the  end  of  the  earth  (and  (0  we  are  in  Chrift's 
 charter-taiizie)  but  our  Lord  will  kec^p  his  poffefTion  :  we  fall  by 
 promife  and  law  to  Chrifl ;  he  wan  us  vvith  the  fweat  of  his  brows 
 (if  I  may  fay  fo)  his  Father  promifed  him  his  life-rent  of  Scotland. 
 Glory,  g'ory  to  our  King  ;  long  may  he  wear  his  crown  !  O  Lord 
 let  lis  never  fee  another  king.  O  let  him  come  down  like  rain  upon 
 the  nev/-mown  grafs.    I  had  you  in  remembrance  pn  Saturday  in 
 |he  morning  iaft,  in  a  great  meafufc,  and  was  brought  thrice  Qi^ 
 
Epift.  29, 30]  LETTEPvS.  469 
 
 end,  in  remembrance  of  you  in  my  prayer  to  God.    Grace,  grace 
 be  your  portion. 
 
 yltiivoth,  March  2,  Tours  in  his  f-^ueet  Lord  J  ejus, 
 
 1634.  S.  R. 
 
 M' 
 
 29.    For  MARION  MACK  AUGHT. 
 
 Mifirefs, 
 Y  love  in  Cnrift  remembered.  Pleafe  you  underftand,  to  my 
 grief  our  communion  is  delayed  till  fabbath  come  eigbt 
 da^s  \  for  the  Laird  and  Lady  have  earnefi:]y  defired  me  to  delay 
 it,  becaufe  the  Laird  is  fick,  and  he  fears  he  be  not  able  to  travel, 
 becaufe  he  has  lately  taken  phyfic.  The  Lord  blefs  that  work ; 
 commend  it  to  God,  as  you  \o\^  me.  For  I  love  not  Satan's  thorns 
 call  in  the  Lord's  way  :  The  Lord  rebuke  him.  I  truft  in  God's 
 mercy,  Satan  has  gotten  but  a  delay,  but  no  free  difcharge  that 
 his  kingdom  fhall  not  be  hurt.  Commend  the  Laird  to  your  God. 
 I  pray  you  advertife  your  people,  that  they  be  not  difappointed  in 
 coming  here.  Shew  fuch  of  them  as  you  love  in  Chrilt  from  me, 
 that  Jefus  Chrift  will  be  welcomer  when  he  comes  in,  that  he  has 
 fharpened  their  defires  for  eight  days  fpace.  Your  daughter  is  well, 
 I  hope,  every  way.  Forget  not  God's  kirk ;  they  are  but  b^iftards, 
 and  not  fens  and  daughters,  that  mourn  not  for  Zion  :  Lord  hear 
 us.  No  further ;  Jefus  Chrill:  be  with  your  fpirit.  I  lliall  remem- 
 ber you  and  your  new  houfe.  Lord  Jefus,  go  from  the  one  hcufe 
 to  the  other. 
 
 An-woth,  YoiLfs  at  all  power  in  the  Lord,  S.  R. 
 
 M 
 
 30.  For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 JVell-beloved  IVliflrefs, 
 Y  love  in  Chrift  remembered.  T  hear  this  day,  your  town  is 
 •  to  choofe  a  comm.illioner  for  the  parliament,  and  I  was  writ-. 
 ten  to  from  Edinburgh,  to  fee  that  good  men  fiiould  bechofen  in 
 your  bounds:  and  I  have  heard  this  day,  that  Robert  Glendoning 
 or  John  Ewart  lock  to  be  chofen.  I  beVeech  you  fee  this  be  not ; 
 the  Lord's  caufe  craveth  other  witnejles  to  fpeak  for  him  than  fucU 
 men  ;  and  therefore  Jet  it  not  be  faid,  that  Kircudbright,  which 
 is  Ipokcn  of  in  this  kingdom  for  their  religion,  hath  fcnt  a  man  to 
 be  their  mouth  that  will  fpeak  againfl:  ChrilL  Such  a  time  as  thij 
 will  not  fall  out  once  in  half  an  age.  I  would  entreat  your  huf- 
 band,  to  takfi  it  upon  him  ;  it  is  an  honourable  and  ncccfiary  fer- 
 vice  for  Chrift  j  and  (hew  him  that  I  wrote  unto  you  for  that  eiretft. 
 i  fear  William  Glendoning  hath  not  {kill  and  authority.  I  am  in 
 peat  heavinefs:  pray  for  me;  for  we  muft  take  our  life  in  our 
 nand  in  this  ill  time.    Let  us  ftir  up  ourfelves  to  Jay  Qur  Lord^s 
 
470  ^Ir  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplfl.  :?i.] 
 
 bride,   and  her  wrongs,  before  our  Hulb^nd   and  Lord.    Lord 
 Jefus  be  with  your  fpirit. 
 
 Jnwijthy  May  20.  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus , 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 .31.    For  MARION  MACN AUGHT. 
 
 V/eil-hehvedfiJier^ 
 TUTY  old  and  deared  iove  irt  Chrid  remembered.  Know  that  I 
 ^^  have  been  vifiting  my  Lady  Kenmure;  her  child  is  with  the 
 Lord:  I  intreat  you  vifit  her;  and  defire  the  good-wife  of  Bar- 
 caple  to  vifit  her,  and  Knockbrex,  if  you  fee  him  in  the  town. 
 My  Lord  her  hufband  is  abfent,  and  I  think  ihe  will  be  heavy: 
 you  know  what  Mr  W.  Dalg'iefh  and  I  defired  you  to  deal  for, 
 at  my  Lord  Kircudbright's  hand.  Send  me  word  if  you  obtained 
 any  thing  at  my  Lord's  hands,  anent  the  giving  up  of  our  names 
 to  the  high  commiinon  ;  for  I  hear  it  is  not  for  nothing  that  the 
 Biihop  hath  taken  that  courfe:  our  Lord  knows  befl  what  is  good 
 for  an  old  kirk,  that  is  fallen  from  her  firft  love,  and  hath  forgot' 
 ten  her  Hufband,  days  without  number :  atrial  is  like  to  come 
 on;  but  1  am  fure,  our  Hufbandman  Chrift  (liall  lofc  chaff,  but 
 no  corn  at  all.  Yet  there  is  a  dry  wind  coming,  but  neither  to  h\\ 
 nor  to  purge.  Happy  are  they,  who  are  ftot  blown  away  with  the 
 chaiF;  for  we  will  but  fufFer  tentation  for  ten  days :  but  thofe, 
 who  are  faithful  to  the  death,  (liail  receive  the  crown  of  life.  I  hear 
 daily  what  hath  been  fpoken  of  myfelf  moft  unjuft  and  falfly ;  and 
 no  marvel,  the  dragon  with  the  fwing  of  his  tail,  hath  made  the 
 third  part  of  the  ftars  to  fall  from  heaven,  and  the  fallen  would 
 have  many  to  fall  with  'them.  If  ever  Satan  was  bufy,  now  when 
 he  knoweth  his  time  is  fhort,  he  is  bufy  \  yet  a  little  while,  and 
 he  that  fli.iil  come,  will  come,  and  will  not  tarry.  I  know,  ere  it 
 be  long,  the  Lord  (hall  come,  and  rid  all  pleas  betwixt  us  and  his 
 cn?-mifrs :  Now  welcome,  Lord  Jefus,  go  fafl.  8en:i  me  word  a- 
 bout  GriiTel  your  daughter,  who  I  remember  in  Chrilt ;  and  defire 
 her  to  caft  herfel^  in  his  arms  who  was  born  of  a  woman,  and,  be- 
 ing the  Ancient  of  days,  v/as  made  a  young  weeping  Child.  It 
 was  not  for  uothing  that  our  brother  Jefus  was  an  infant ;  it  was, 
 that  he  might  pity  infants  of  believers,  who  were  to  come  out  of 
 the  womb  into  the  world ;  I  believe  our  Lord  Jefus  fhall  be  wait- 
 ing on  witii  mercy,  mercy,  mercy  to  the  end  of  that  batrie,  and 
 b-  ing  her  through  with  life  and  peace,  and  a  fign  of  God's  ravour. 
 I  will  expert  advert! fement  from  you,  and  elpecially  if  you  fear 
 heir.  Miitrefs,  you  remember  that  I  faid  to  you,  anent  your  love 
 to  me  and  my  brother  begun  in  Chrilt;  you  know,  we  are  here 
 but  ftrangers,  and  you  have  not  yet  found  us  a  dry  well,  as  others? 
 have  been  :  b«  not  overcome,  of  any  fufpicion ;  1  iruft  in  God,  the 
 
Eplft.  :^C.l  LfiTTERS.  47i 
 
 Lord,  who  knit  us  together,  (hall  keep  us  together.  It  is  time 
 now,  that  the  lambs  of  Jefus  fliould  all  run  together,  when  the 
 wolf  is  barking  at  them  ;  yet  I  know,  ere  God's  bairns  want  a 
 crofs,  their  love  amongft  themfelves  (hall  be  a  crofs  ;  but  our  Lord 
 giveth  loite  for  another  end.  I  know  you  will  with  love  cover  in- 
 firmities ^l^d  our  Lord  give  you  wifdom  in  all  things  :  I  think 
 love  hath  w^ad  (lioulders,  and  will  bear  many  things,  and  yet 
 neither  faint,  nor  fweat,  nor  fall  under  the  burden.  Commend 
 nic  to  your  hufband,  and  dear  Griflel ;  I  think  on  her  :  Lord  Jefus 
 be  in  the  furnace  with  her,  and  then  fhe  will  but  fmoke,  and  not 
 burn.  Defire  Mr  Robert  to  excul'e  my  not  feeing  of  him  at  his 
 houfe  ;  I  have  my  own  reafons  therefore.  Grace,  mercy  and  peace 
 be  with  you. 
 
 An-wothy  April  Z^.  Tours  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1634.  S.  R. 
 
 32.    Tor  MARION  MACN AUGHT. 
 
 Mijirefs, 
 "iV/f  Y  deareft  love  In  Chrift  remembered:  I  intreat  you,  chargft 
 •*-'-*■  your  foul  to  return  to  reft,  and  to  glorify  your  deareft  Lord 
 in  believing:  and  know,  that,  for  the  good  will  of  him  thatdwel- 
 Jeth  in  the  bufh,  the  burning  kirk  fhali  not  be  confumed  toafhes: 
 but,  Deut.  xxxiii.  16.  *  Blefling  lliall  come  on  the  head  of  Jo- 
 feph,  and  upon  the  top  of  the  head  of  him  who  was  feparate  from 
 his  brethren  :  and  arc  not  the  faints  feparate  from  their  brethren, 
 and  fold,  and  hated  ?  for,  Gen.  xlix.  23.  *  The  archers  have  fore- 
 ly  grieved  Jofeph,  and  ftiot  at  him,  and  hated  him.'  Ver.  24.  *  But 
 his  bow  abode  in  ftrength,  and  the  arms  of  his  hands  were  made 
 ftrong  by  the  hands  of  the  mighty  God  of  Jacob :'  from  him  is  the 
 Shepherd  and  the  Stone  of  Ifrael ;  the  Stone  of  Ifrael  (hall  not  be 
 broken  in  pieces  :  it  is  hammered  upon  by  the  children  of  this 
 world,  and  we  fliall  live,  and  not  die.  Our  Lord  hath  done  all 
 this,  to  fee  if  we  will  believe,  and  not  give  over ;  and  I  am  pcr- 
 fuaded,  you  muft  of  neceflity  ftick  by  your  work:  the  eye  of  Chriffe 
 hath  been  upon  all  this  huOnefs ;  and  he  taketh  good  heed  too, 
 who  is  for  him  and  who  is  againlt  him  •,  let  us  do  our  parr,  as  we 
 would  be  approved  of  Chrift.  The  Son  of  Gad  is  near  to  his  ene- 
 mies ;  if  they  were  not  deaf,  they  may  hear  the  din  of  his  feet : 
 and  he  will  tome  with  a  ftart,  upon  his  weeping  bairns,  and  t^ke 
 them  on  his  knee,  and  lay  their  head  in  his  bofom,  and  dry  their 
 watery  eyes:  and  this  day  is  faft  coming ;  yet  a  little  time,  and 
 the  vifion  will  fpeak,  it  will  not  tarry,  Hab.  ii.  Thefe  queiUons 
 betwixt  us  and  our  adveifaries  will  ali  be  decided  in  yonder  day, 
 when  the  Son  of  God  Ihall  come,  and  rid  all  pleas;  and  it  will  he 
 fecn  whether  we  or  they  have  b^n  ii^i  Chrift^  and  who  have  been 
 
472  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epii^..  32.-3 
 
 pleading  for  Baal.  It  is  not  known  what  we  are  now ;  but  when 
 our  life  fhall  appear  in  glory,  then  we  fhall  fee  who  laughs  fafteft 
 that  day;  therefore  we  muit  polTefs  our  fouls  in  patience,  and  go 
 in  to  our  chamber,  and  reft  while  the  indignation  be  paft  :  weihall 
 not  weep  long,  when  our  Lord  Ihall  take  us  up  in  the  day  that  he 
 gathereth  his  jewels:  and,  Mai.  iii.  i6.  '  They  that  feared  the  Lord 
 fpoke  often  one  to  another ;  and  the  Lord  hearkened  and  heard 
 it,  and  a  book  of  remembrance  was  written  before  him,  for  them 
 that  feared  the  Lord,  and  thought  upon  his  name.*  And  I  (hall 
 never  be  of  another  faith,  but  our  Lord  is  heating  a  furnace  for 
 the  enemies  of  his  kirk  in  Scotland.  It  is  true  the  fpoufe  of  Chrift 
 hath  played  the  harlot,  and  hath  left  her  firft  Hufband ;  and  the 
 enemies  think  they  offend  not,  for  we  have  finned  againft  the 
 Lord  :  but  they  fnall  get  the  devil  to  their  thanks,  the  rod  fhall  be 
 cafl  into  the  fire,  that  we  may  fing  as  in  the  days  of  our  youth. 
 My  dear  friend,  therefore  lay  down  your  head  upon  ChriiVs  breaft: 
 weep  not,  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of  Judah  will  arife.  The  fun  is 
 gone  down  upon  the  prophets,  and  our  gold  is  become  dim ;  and 
 the  Lord  feedeth  his  people  with  waters  of  gall  and  wormwood; 
 yet  Chrift  ftandeth  but  behind  the  wall,  his  bowels  are  moved  for 
 Scotland  j  he  waiteth  (as  Ifaiah  faith)  that  he  may  ftievv  mercy. 
 If  we  would  go  home,  and  take  our  brethren  with  us,  weeping" 
 with  our  faces  toward  Zion,  afking  the  way  thitherward,  he  would 
 bring  back  our  captivity:  we  may  not  think  that  God  has  no  care 
 of  his  own  honour,  while  men  tread  It  under  their  feet;  he  will 
 clothe  himfelf  with  vengt^ance,  as  with  a  cloke,  and  appear  againft 
 our  enemies  for  our  deliverance.  Ye  were  never  yet  beguiled,  and 
 God  will  not  now  begin  with  you  j  wreftle  ftill  with  the  Angel 
 cf  the  covenant,  and  you  (hall  get  the  blefling:  fight,  he  deiight- 
 eth  to  be  overcome  by  wreftling.  Commend  me  to  GrilTel ;  defire 
 her  to  learn  to  know  the  adverfaries  of  the  Lord,  and  to  take  them 
 as  her  adverfaries ;  and  to  learn  to  know  the  right  g-^tc  in  to  the 
 Son  of  God  !  O  but  acquaintance  with  the  Son  of  God,  to  fay. 
 My  Well-beloved  is  mine,  and  I  am  his,  is  a  fwcet  and  glorious 
 courfe  of  life,  that  none  know,  but  thofe  who  are  fealed,  and 
 marked  in  the  forehead  with  Chrift's  mark,  and  the  new  name 
 (hat  Chrift  writeth  upon  his  own!  Grace,  grace  and  mercy  be 
 with  you. 
 
 Anwothy  Sept.  25.  Tsurs  in  ChriJI, 
 
 1634,  S.  Vy- 
 
Epift.  33,  34-]  LETTERS.  473 
 
 33.     For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 WelUbeloved  mijlrefsy 
 T  Charge  you,  in  the  name  of  the  Son  of  God,  to  reft  upon  your 
 ■*■  Rock,  that  is  higher  than  yourfcif;  be  not  afraid  of  a  man 
 who  is  a  worm,  nor  for  thefon  of  man  who  fliall  die  j  let  God  be 
 your  fear.  Encourage  ycur  hufband.  I  would  counfel  you  to 
 write  to  Edinburgh  to  fome  advifed  lawyers,  to  underftand  what 
 your  huiband,  as  the  head  magiftrate  may  do,  in  oppofing  any  in- 
 truded miiniifcr,  and  his  carriage  toward  the  new  preJate,  if  he 
 command  him  to  imprifon  or  lay  hands  upon  any  ;  and  in  a  word, 
 how  far  he  may  in  his  onice  difobey  a  prelate,  without  danger  o£ 
 law  :  for  if  theBiQicp  come  to  your  town,  and  find  not  ob£:dience 
 to  his  heart,  it  is  like  he  will  command  the  provoft  to  aiTift  him 
 againftGod  and  the  truth.  Ye  will  have  more  courage  under  the 
 perfecution  ;  fear  not,  take  Chrift  caution,  who  faid,  Luke  xxi. 
 18.  *  There  fiiall  not  one  hair  of  ycur  head  peridi.'  Chrift  will 
 not  be  in  your  common,  to  have  you  giving  out  any  thing  for  him, 
 and  not  give  you  all  incomes  with  advantage  :  it  is  his  honour, 
 his  fervants  fhould  not  be  berried  and  undone  in  his  fervice  ;  you 
 were  never  honoured  till  now  :  and  if  your  huft^and  be  the  firft: 
 magiftrate  who  ftiall  fuiter  for  Chrift's  name  in  this  perfecution, 
 he  may  rejoice  that  Chrift  hath  put  the  firft^arland  upon  his  head, 
 and  upon  yours.  Truth  will  yet  keep  the  crown  of  thecaufeway 
 in  Scotland  ;  Chrift  and  truth  are  ftrong  enough.  They  judge 
 us  now,  we  ftiall  one  day  judge  them,  and  fit  on  twelve  thrones, 
 and  judge  the  twelve  tribes:  believe,  believe;  for  they  dare  not 
 pra>,  they  dare  not  look  Chrift  in  the  face  ;  they  have  been  falfe 
 to  Chrift,  and  he  will  not  fit  with  the  wrong :  ye  know,  it  is  not 
 our  caufe  ;  for  if  we  would  quit  our  Lord,  we  might  -fleep  for  the 
 prefent  in  a  found  fkin,  and  keep  our  place,  means  and  honour, 
 and  be  dear  to  them  alfo.  But  let  us  once  put  all  we  have  over 
 in  Chrift's  hand  :  fear  not  for  my  papers,  I  ftiall  difpatch  them  ; 
 but  ye  will  be  examined  for  them  :  the  Spirit  of  Jefus  give  you 
 inward  peace.  Defire  your  hufband  from  me  to  prove  honeft  to 
 Chrift  ;  he  (hall  not  bc'a  lofer  at  Chrift's  hand. 
 
 Jnivoth,  July  8,  Totirs  ever  in  his  fweet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1635.  S.  R. 
 
 34.     To  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 Well-beloved  fijler, 
 
 TV  TY  love  in  Chrift   remembered.     I  hear  of  good  news  anent 
 
 our  kirk;  but!  fear  ih:jt  our  king  will  not  be  refilled,  and 
 
 therefore  let  -us  not  be  fecure  and  carchfs.     I  do  wonder  if  thii 
 
 Ooo 
 
474  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  34.5 
 
 .  kirk  come  not  through  our  Lord's  fan,  fince  there  Is  fo  much  chafF 
 in  it ;  howbcit  1  perfuaile  myfelf  the  Son  of  Goci*s  wheat  will  not 
 be  blown  away.     Let   us  be  putting  on  God's  armour,  and  be 
 Itrong  in  the  Lord ;   if  the  devil  and  Zion's  enemies  ftrike  a  hole 
 in  that  armour,  Itt  our  Lord  fee  to  that ;  let  us  put  it  on  and  (land  : 
 Ave  have  jefus  on  our  fide,  and  they  are  not  worthy  ot  fuch  a  Cap- 
 tain, who  would  not  take  a  blow  at  his  back.     We  are  in  fight  of 
 his  colours  •■,  his  banner  over  us  is  love  :  look  up  to  that  white  ban- 
 ner and  fland  ;    1  perfuade  you  in  the  Lord  ol  victory.     My  bro- 
 ther writeth  to  me  of  your  heavinefs,  and  of  temptations  that  preft 
 you  fore.     I  am  content  it  be  fo ;  you  bear  about  with  you  the 
 marks  of  the  Lord  Jefus  :  fo  was  it  with  our  Lord's  apoftle,  when 
 he  was  to  come  with  the  gofpel  to  Macedonia,  2  Cor.  vii.  5.    His 
 flefh  had  no  reft,  he  was  troubled  on  every  fide,  and  knew  not  what 
 fide  to  turn  him  unto;  without  were  fightings,   and  within  were 
 fears.    In  the  great  work  of  our  redemption,  your  lovely,  beauti- 
 ful and  glorious  Friend  and  Well-beloved,  Jefus.  was  brought  to 
 tears  and  ftrong  cries,    fo  as  his  face   was  wet  with  tears  and 
 blood,  arifing  from  a  holy  fear  and  the  weight  of  the  curfe.     Take 
 a  drink  of  the  Son  of  God's  cup,  and  love  it  the  better  that  he 
 drank  of  it  before  you  ;  there  is  no  poifon  in  it.    1  wonder  many 
 times  that  ever  a  child  of  God  Ihould  have  a  fad  heart,  confider- 
 ing  what  their  Lord  is  preparing  for  them.  Is  your  mind  troubled 
 Snent  that  bufinefs  that  we  have  in  hand  in  Edinburgh  ?  I  truft  ill 
 liiy  Lord,  the  Lord  fhall  in  the  end  give  to  your  heart's  defire, 
 even   howbeit  the  bufinefs  frame  not;  the  Lord  fhall  feed  your 
 foul,  and  all  the  hungry  fouls  in  that  town  :  therefore,  I  requeil 
 you  in  the  Lord,   prav  for  a  fubmiflive  will :   and  pray,  as  your 
 Lord  Jefus  bids  you.  Thy  will  be  done  in  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven. 
 And  let  it  be  that  your  faith  be  brangled  with  temptations  :   be- 
 lieve ye  that  there  is  a  tree  in  our  Lord's  garden  that  is  not  ofteri 
 fliaken  v/ith  the  wind  from  all  the  fourairths  ?  furely  there  is  none. 
 Rebuke  your  foul,  as  the  Lord's  prophet  doth,  Pfal.  xlii.     *  Why 
 art  thou  caft  down,  O  my  foul !   why  art  thou  difquieted  within 
 me  .^'  That  was  the  woid  of  man,   who  was  at  the  very  overgo- 
 !ng  of  the  brae  and   mountain ;  but  God  held  a  grip  of  him. 
 Swim  through  your  temptations  and  troubles,  to  be  at  that  love- 
 ly amiable  Perfon  Jefus,   to  whom   your  foul   is  dear:  in  your 
 temptations,   run  to  the  promifes;  they  be  our  Lord's  branches 
 hanging  over  the  water,  that  our  Lord's  filly  half-drowned  chil- 
 dren may  take  a  grip  of  them  ;  if  you  let  that  grip  go,  you  will  go 
 to  the  ground.    Are  y.e  troubled  with  the  cafe  of  God's  kirk,  our 
 Lord  will  evermore  have  her  betwixt  the  finking  and  the  fwim- 
 ing;  he  will  have  her  going  through  a  thoufand  deaths,  and  through 
 hell,  as  a  cripple  w^oman,  halting  and  wanting  the  power  of  her 
 own  fide,  Micsih  iv.  6,  7.  that  God  may  be  her  ftafF:  that  broken 
 
Epift.  340  LETTERS.  475 
 
 fhi,)  will  come  to  land,  becaufe  Jefus  is  the  pilot ;  faint  not.  you 
 {hall  Ice  the  hlvation  oF  God  ;  tli't  fay,  that  God  never  fpake  his 
 word  hy  myniouth;  and  I  had  rather  never  been  born,  ere  it 
 were  fo  with  nie  ;  but  iny  Lord  hath  fealed  me.  I  dare  not  deny, 
 I  have  alio  been  in  heavinels  fince  I  came  from  you,  fearing  for 
 my  unihankfulnels  that  1  am  deferted  ^  but  the  Lord  will  be  kind 
 to  me,  whether  I  will  or  not  j  I  repofe  that  much  in  his  rich  grace, 
 that  he  will  be  loth  to  ch.jni»e  upon  me.  As  you  love  me,  pray 
 for  me  in  this  particulir.  After  advilirig  with  Catletoun,  1  have 
 written  to  Mr.  David  Dickfon,  antnt  Mr.  Hugh  Mackail,  and  de- 
 fircd  him  t©  write  his  mind  to  Carlctoun,  and  Carletoun  to  E- 
 dinburgh,  that  they  may  particularly  remember  Mr.  Hugh  to  the 
 Lord  ;  and  I  happened  upon  a  convenient  trufty  bearer,  by  God'§ 
 wonderful  providence.  No  fuither  I  recommend  you  to  the 
 Lord's  grace,  and  your  hufband  and  children  i  the  Lord  Jelus  b^ 
 >vith  your  fpirit. 
 
 Edinburgh.  Tours  in  the  Lord,    S.  R. 
 
 A    POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 Mijirefs, 
 T  Had  not  time  to  give  my  advice  to  your  daughter  Grlflel,  you 
 ^  fhall  carry  my  words  therefore  to  her:  inevv  her  now,  that  in 
 refpe£l  of  her  tc:nder  age,  (he  is  in  a  manner  as  clean  paper,  ready 
 to  receive  either  good  or  ill  j  and  that  it  were  a  fweet  and  glorious 
 thing  for  her  to  give  hcrfelf  up  to  Chrift,  that  he  may  write  upoa 
 her  his  Fathei's  name,  and  his  own  new  name.  And  defire  her  to 
 acquaint  herfelf  with  the  book  of  God;  the  proniifes  that  our 
 Lord  writes  upon  his  own,  and  performeth  in  them  and  for  them, 
 are  contained  there-  I  perfuade  you,  when  I  think  that  Ihe  is  in 
 the  company  of  fuch  parents,  and  hath  occafion  to  learn  Chrift,  I 
 think  Chrill  is  wooing  her  foul  ;  and  1  pray  God  (he  may  not  re* 
 fule  fuch  a  Hufband  ;  and  therefore  I  charge  her,  and  befeech  her 
 by  the  mercies  of  God,  by  the  wounds  and  blood  of  him  who  died 
 for  her,  by  the  word  of  truth,  which  (he  heareth  and  can  read, 
 by  the  coming  of  the  Son  of  God  to  judge  the  world,  that  flic 
 would  fulfil  your  joy,  and  learn  Chrift,  and  walk  in  Chrift:  fhe 
 Ihall  think  this  the  truth  of  God  m^ny  years  after  this ;  and  I  will 
 promife  to  myfelf,  in  refpect  of  the  beginnings  that  I  have  fecn, 
 jhat  (lie  fliaii  give  herfelf  to  him  that  gave  himfelf  for  her.  Let 
 ber  begin  at  prayer ;  for  if  fhe  remember  her  Creator  in  the  das 
 pf  her  youth,  he  will  claim  kindnefs  to  her  in  her  old  age.  Ic 
 (liail  be  a  part  of  my  prayers,  that  this  may  Be  effecluate  in  her, 
 by  him  who  is  able  to  do  exceedingly  abundantly  *,  to  whofe  grace 
 again  I  recommend  you  and  her,  and  all  youis. 
 
 O  O  O    2 
 
416  lAx  RUTHERFO'oRD's  Epift.  35-] 
 
 35.     To  MARION  MACN AUGHT. 
 
 JVell'beloved  fijler, 
 T  Know  ye  have  heard  of  the  fuccefs  of  our  hufinefs  in  Edinburgh: 
 •^^  1  do  every  prefbytery-day  fee  the  faces  of  my  brethen  fmiling 
 upon  me,  but  their  tongues  convey  reproaches  and  lies  of  me  a 
 hundred  miles  off,  and  have  made  me  odious  to  the  Blfnop  of  St. 
 Andrews,  who  faid  to  Mr.  W.  D.  that  miniitcrs  in  Galloway  were 
 his  informers;  whereupon  no  letters  of  favour  could  be  procured 
 from  him,  for  effectuating  of  our  ban.nefs  :  only  1  am  brought  in 
 the  mouths  of  men,  who  otherwife  knew  me  not,  and  have  power 
 (if  God  fliall  permit)  to  barm  mej  yet  I  intreat  you  in  the  bowels 
 of  Chrilt  Jefus,  be  not  caft  down.  I  fear  your  forrow  exceed  be- 
 caufe  of  this  ;  and  I  am  not  fo  careful  of  myfelf  in  the  matter,  as 
 for  you:  take  courage,  your  deareil  Lord  Ihall  light  your  candle, 
 which  the  wicked  would  fain  blow  gut :  and  as  fure  as  our  Lord 
 liveth,  your  foul  fliall  find  joy  and  comfort  in  this  bufmefs  ;  how- 
 beit  you  fee  all  the  hounds  in  hell  let  loofe  to  mar  it:  their  iron 
 chains  to  our  dear  mighty  Lord  are  but  ftraws  which  he  can  eafily 
 break.  Let  not  this  temptation  ftick  in  your  throat,  fwallov/  it, 
 and  let  it  go  down  ;  our  Lord  give  you  a  drink  of  the  conlblations 
 of  bis  Spirit,  that  it  may  digeft  :  you  never  knew  one  in  God's 
 book,  who  put  to  their  hand  to  the  Lord's  work  for  his  kirk,  but 
 the  world  and  Satin  did  bark  againft  them,  and  bite  alio  where 
 they  had  pov/er.  You  will  not  lay  one  (lone  on  Zion's  wall,  but 
 they  will  labour  to  caft  it  down  again.  And  for  myfelf,  the  Lord 
 letteth  me  fee  now  greater  evidences  of  a  calling  to  K.  than  ever 
 lie  did  before  \  and  therefore  pray,  and  poffcfs  your  foul  in  pa- 
 tience. Thcfe  that  were  doers  in  the  bufmefs  have  good  hopes 
 that  it  will  yet  go  forv/ard  and  profper.  As  for  the  death  of  the 
 king  of  Sweden  (which  is  thought  to  be  too  true)  we  can  do  no- 
 thing elle  but  reverence  our  Lord,  who  doth  not  ordinarily  hold 
 Zion  on  her  rock  by  the  fword  and  arm  of  flefh  and  blood,  but 
 by  his  own  might  and  out-fbretched  arm  :  her  King,  that  reigneth 
 in  Zion,  yet  liveth  -,  and  they  are  plucking  him  round  about  to 
 pull  him  oif  his  throne;  but  his  Father  hath  crowned  him,  and 
 who  dare  fay,  It  is  ill  done?  the  Lord's  bride  will  be  up  and 
 down,  above  the  water  fwimming,  and  under  the  water  finking, 
 until  her  lovely  and  mighty  Redeemer  and  Huiband  fet  his  head 
 through  thcfe  fkies,  and  come  with  his  fair  court  to  rid  2II  their 
 pleas,  and  give  them  the  hoped-for  inheritance  ;  and  then  we  fhall 
 lay  down  our  fworns  and  trhimph,  ana  nght  no  more.  But  do 
 not  think  for  all  this,  that  our  Lord  and  Chief  Shepherd  will  want 
 pue  weak  iiitep,  or  the  fiiliei!:  dying  Iamb  that  he  hath  redeemed  ^ 
 
Epifl.  36.1  LETTERS.  477 
 
 he  will  tell  his  flock,  and  gather  them  all  together,  and  make  a 
 faithful  account  of  them  to  his  Father,  who  gave  them  him  :  let  us 
 now  learn  to  turn  our  eyes  off  men,  that  our  whorifh  hearts  doat 
 not  on  them,  and  woo  our  old  hufband,  and  make  him  our  dar- 
 ling; for,  Jer.  xxv.  27.  '  Thus  faith  the  Lord  to  the  enemies  of 
 Zion,  drink  ye  and  be  drunk,  and  fpue,  and  fall,  and  rife  no  more, 
 becaufe  of  the  fword  that  I  fend  amongft  you.'  Ver.  28.  *  And  it 
 fhall  be,  if  they  refufe  to  take  the  cup  in  thy  hand  to  drink,  then 
 flialt  thou  fay  to  them.  Thus  faith  the  Lord  of  hofts,  Ye  Iball 
 certainly  drink.'  You  fee  the  Lord  brewing  a  cup  of  poifon  for  his 
 enemies,  which  they  muft  drink,  and  becaufe  of  this  have  fore 
 bowels  and  fick  flomachs,  yea,  burft ;  but  Jer.  1.  4.  when  Zion's 
 captivity  is  at  an  end,  *  The  children  of  Ifrael  (hall  come,  they 
 and  the  children  of  Judah  together,  going  and  weeping;  they 
 ihall  go  and  feek  the  Lord  their  God.'  Ver.  5.  *  They  Ihall  alk 
 the  way  to  Zion,  with  their  faces  thitherward,  faying,  Gome  and 
 let  us  join  ourfelves  to  the  Lord,  in  an  everlafting  covenant  that 
 fhall  not  be  forgotten.'  This  is  fpoken  to  us  and  for  us,  who  with 
 wo  hearts  afk,  What  is  the  way  to  Zion  ?  It  is  our  part,  who 
 know  how  to  go  to  our  Lord's  door,  and  to  knock  by  prayer,  and 
 how  to  lift  Chrift's  flot,  and  fliut  the  b^.r  of  his  chamber  door,  to 
 complain,  and  tell  him  how  the  world  handleth  us,  and  how  our 
 King's  bufmefs  goeth,  that  he  may  get  up  and  lend  them  a  blow, 
 who  are  tigging  and  playing  with  ChriO;  and  his  fpoufe.  Ye  have 
 alfo,  dear  miflTefs,  houfe-troubles,  in  ucknefs  of  your  hufband  and 
 bairns,  and  in  fpoiling  of  your  houfe  by  thieves  ;  take  thefe  rods 
 in  patience  from  your  Lord  :  he  muft  ftill  move  you  from  veflel  to 
 velfel,  and  grind  you  as  our  Lord's  wheat,  to  be  bread  in  his  houfe ; 
 but  when  all  thefe  ftrokes  are  over  your  head,  what  will  you  fay 
 to  fee  your  Well-beloved  Chrift's  white  and  ruddy  face,  even  his 
 face,  who  is  worthy  to  bear  the  colours  amongft  ten  thoufand, 
 Cant.  V.  Hope  and  believe  to  the  end.  Grace  for  evermore  be 
 multiplied  upon  you,  your  huPoand  and  children. 
 
 Edinburgh.  Tour  o\;jn,  in  his  deareji  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 36.    To  MARION  MxlCNAUGHT. 
 
 My  dear  and  JVclUbehved  in  Chrifty 
 T  Am  yet  under  trial,  and  have  appeared  before  Chrift's  forbid- 
 •*■  den  lords,  for  a  teftimony  againft  them.  The  Chancellor  and 
 the  reft  tempted  me  with  queftions  nothing  belonging  to  my  fum- 
 mons,  which  I  wholly  declined,  notwithftanding  of  his  threats. 
 My  newly  printed  book  againft  the  Arminians  was  one  challenge, 
 not  lording  the  prelates  another :  the  moil  part  of  the  Cifliopsj 
 
478  Ut  RUTHERFOORD'^        Epift.  37,  38.3 
 
 when  I  came  in,  looked  more  aftonifhed  than  I.  and  heard  me 
 with  filence.  Some  fpoke  for  me;  but  my  Lord  ruled  /t  fo,  as  I  ani 
 filled  with  joy  in  my  lut^erings,  and  1  find  Chrill*s  crols  fweet. 
 What  they  intend  againft  the  nc  xt  day,  I  know  not.  Be  not  fecurs 
 but  pray.  Our  Blfliop  of  G-^llovv.iy  laid,  it  the  commiflion  fhould 
 not  give  him  his  will  of  me,  with  an  oath,  ^he  faid)  he  would  write 
 to  the  king.  The  Chancellor  fummon-.Hl  me  in  judgment,  to  ap- 
 pear that  day  eight  days.  My  Lord  has  brought  me  a  friend  fiom 
 the  Highlands  of  Argyle,  my  Lord  of  Lorn,  who  hath  done  as 
 much  as  was  within  x\}t  compafs  of  his  power.  God  give  me  fa- 
 Tourin  his  eyes.  jMr  Robert  Glendonrng^is  filenced,  till  he  accept 
 g  colleague.  We  hope  to  deal  yet  for  him.  Chiilt  is  worthy  to  be 
 cntruiled :  your  huiband  will  get  an  eafy  and  good  way  or  h.s  bu- 
 ^nefs.  You  and  1  both  (liall  fee  the  falvaiion  of  God  upon  Jofeph, 
 Separate  from  his  brethren.  Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Edinburgh.  Tours  in  Chri/i, 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 37.    For  MARION  MACNAUGHT, 
 
 Honoured  and  deareft  in  the  Lord, 
 I^^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you,  I  am  well,  and  my  foul 
 ^^  profpercth  ;  I  find  Chrift  with  me,  I  burden  no  man,  1  want 
 nothing,  no  face  looketh  on  me,  but  it  laugheth  on  me.  Sweet, 
 fweet  is  the  Lord's  crofs.  i  overcame  my  heavinefs.  My  Bride- 
 groom's love-blinks  fatten  my  weary  foul.  1  go  to  my  King'? 
 palace  at  Aberdeen ;  tongue,  and  pen,  aild  wit  cannot  exprefs  my 
 joy.  Remember  ray  love  to  Jean  Gordon,  to  my  filter  Jean 
 iirown,  to  GriiTcl,  to  your  hufband.  Thus  in  hafte,  Grace  be 
 ^ith  you. 
 
 Edin.  April  5,  Toun  in  his  cnlvy  only  Lord  Jcfus, 
 
 1636.  i>,  R. 
 
 A  POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 MY  charge  is  to  you  to  believe,  rejoice,  fing  and  triumph: 
 Chrilt  has  faid  to  me,  Mercy,  mercy,  grace  and  peace,  for  Ma- 
 pon  Macnaught. 
 
 38.    For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 IVorthy  and  di^areji  in  the  Lord, 
 T  Rejoice,  you  are  a  part..ker  of  the  fufFerlngs  of  Chrift-,  faint 
 '*'  not,  keep  breath,    believe,   howbeit  men,  and  hufband,  and 
 friends  prove  weak,  yet  your  flrength  faiieth  not.    It  is  nc:  pride 
 
Epifl.  39.]  LETTERS.  479 
 
 for  a  drowning  nnan  to  grip  to  the  lock.  It  is  your  glory  to  lay 
 hold  on  your  Rock.  O  woman  great!)  beloved!  1  teitify  and  a- 
 Touch  it  in  my  Lord,  the  prayers  you  fent  to  heaven  thefe  many 
 years  bygone  are  come  up  beiore  the  Lord,  and  (hall  not  be  for- 
 gotten. What  it  is  that  will  come,  1  cannot  tell;  but  I  know,  as 
 the  Lord  liveth,  thefe  cries  iliall  bringdown  mercy.  I  charge  you, 
 and  thefe  people  with  you,  to  go  on  without  fainting  or  fear,  and 
 ftill  believe,  and  take  no  naj.-fay.  If  ye  leave  off  the  field  is  loft; 
 if  ye  continue,  our  enemies  fhall  be  a  tottering  wall  and  a  bow- 
 ing fence.  1  write  it,  (and  keep  this  letter)  utter,  utter  defolation 
 fhall  be  to  your  adversaries,  and  to  the  haters  of  the  virgin  daugh- 
 ter of  Scotland.  The  bride  (hall  yet  fing,  as  in  the  days  of  her 
 youth  ;  falvation  fhall  be  her  walls  and  bulwarks.  The  dry  oiive- 
 tree  (hall  bud  agani,  and  dfy  dead  bones  (hall  live  ;  for  the  Lord 
 fluU  prophefy  to  the  dry  bones,  and  the  Spirit  {liall  come  upon 
 them,  and  we  lliall  live.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  John  Carfen  ;  I  (hall 
 not  forget  him.  Remember  me  to  GriiTcl,  and  Jane  Brown.  Your 
 hufband  hath  made  me  heavy;  but  be  courageous  in  the  Lord.  I 
 fend  blcfiings  to  Samuel  and  William  ;  fhev/  them,  that  1  will 
 them  to  feek  God  in  their  youth.  Grace  is  yours. 
 
 jdbgrdeen,  July  8.  Tours  in  his  Jweet  Lord  JefuSy 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 39.    To  MARIOM  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 Much  honoured  and  dear  eft  in  our  Jweet  Lord  J'/us^ 
 /^"^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  from  God  our  Father  and  from  out 
 ^-^  Lord  Jefus.  I  know  the  Lord  will  do  for  your  town.  I  hear 
 the  Bifliop  is  afraid  to  come  amongft  you  ;  for  fo  it  is  fpoken  in 
 this  town,  and  many  here  rejoice  now  to  pen  a  fupplication  to 
 the  council,  tor  bringin^r  me  home  to  my  place,  and  for  repairing 
 other  wrongs  done  in  the  country  ;  and  fee  if  you  can  procure  that 
 three  or  four  hundred  in  the  country,  noblemen,  gentlemen,  coun- 
 trymen,and  citizens  fubfcribe  it;  the  more  the  better.  It  may  be 
 it  aftright  the  Bifhop,  and  by  law  no  advantage  can  be  taken  a- 
 gainft  you  for  it.  I  have  not  tim.e  to  write  to  Carletoun  and  Knock- 
 brex;  but  I  would  you  did  fpeak  them  in  it,  and  let  them  advife 
 with  Carletoun.  Mr.  A.  thinketh  well  of  it,  and  I  think  others 
 fhall  approve  it.  I  am  ftill  in  good  cafe  with  Chrift,  my  court  ii 
 no  lefs  than  it  was,  the  door  of  the  Bridegroom's  houfe  of  wine 
 is  open,  when  fuch  a  poor  ftranger  as  I  come  athort.  I  change,  but 
 Chrift  abideth  ftill  the  fame.  They  have  put  out  my  one  poor 
 eye.  my  only  joy,  to  preach  Chrift,  and  to  go  erraiids  betwixt  him 
 and  his  bride.  What  my  Lord  will  do  with  me,  I  know  not;  ip 
 is  like  I  ftiall  not  winter  in  Aberdeen,  but  where  it  ftiall  be  elfe,  I 
 know  not.  There  are  fume  blofiumings  of  Chrift's  kin^jdom  in  thii 
 
480  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  40.3; 
 
 town,  and. the  fmokc  is  liflng,  and  the  minifters  are  raging  ;  but  I 
 love  a  rumbling  and  roaring  devil  beft.  I  befeech  you  in  the  Lord,, 
 my  dear  fifter,  wait  for  the  lalvation  of  God.  Slack  not  your 
 hands  in  meeting  to  pray,  fear  not  flefii  and  blood ;  we  have  been 
 all  over-feared,  and  that  gave  lowns  the  confidence  to  fhut  me  oiit 
 of  Galloway.  Remember  my  love  to  John  Carfen,  and  Mr.  John 
 Brown;  I  never  could  get  my  love  off  that  man,  I  think  Chrift 
 hath  fomething  to  do  with  him.  Defire  your  hufband  from  me, 
 not  to  think  ill  of  Chrift  for  his  crofs  ;  many  milken  Chrift,  be- 
 caufe  he  hath  the  crofs  on  his  back;  but  he  will  caufe  us  all  laugh 
 yet.  I  befeech  you,  as  ye  would  do  any,  thing  for  me,  remember 
 my  Lady  Marfhall  to  God,  and  her  fon  the  Earl  of  Mar(hall,  efpe- 
 cially  her  Chriftian  daughter,  my  Lady  Pitfligo.  I  fhallgo  to  death 
 with  it,  that  Chrift  will  return  again  to  Scotland,  with  faivation 
 in  his  wings,  and  to  Galloway.    Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  Sept  7.  -  Tours  in  his/weet  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 1637.  S.  R. 
 
 40.    For  MARION  I\IACNAUGHT. 
 
 Zech.  xii.  3.  Atid  in  that  day  I  will  make  Jeriifalem  a  burdenfome 
 Jioriefor  all  the  people  ;  all  that  burden  them/elves  with  it  jJjall  be 
 cut  in  pieces,  though  all  the  people  of  the  earth  be  gathered  together 
 againji  it, 
 
 Well-behvedjjfier, 
 T  Have  been  fparing  to  write  to  you  becaufe  I  was  heavy  at  the 
 ■■■  proceedings  of  our  late  j?*arliament,  where  law  fhould  have 
 been  :  they  would  not  give  our  Lord  Jefus  fair  law  and  juftice, 
 nor  the  benefit  of  the  houfe,  to  hear  either  the  juft  grievances,  or 
 the  humble  fuppHcations  of  the  fervants  of  God:  nothing  refts, 
 but  that  we  lay  oiir  grievances  before  our  crbv/ned  King  Jefus,  wHo 
 reigns  in  Zion.  And  howbeit  it  be  true,  that  the  acts  of  Perth  af- 
 fembly  for  conformity  are  cftablifhed,  and  the  king's  power  to  im- 
 pofe  the  lurptice,  and  other  mafs-apparel,  upon  minilters,  be  con- 
 firmed ;  yet  what  men  conclude  is  not  fcripture :  kings  have  fhort 
 arms  to  overtura  Chrift's  throne,  and  our  Lord  hath  been  walking 
 and  {landing  upon  his  feet  at  this  parliament,  when  fifteen  Earls 
 and  Lords,  and  forty-four  commiiTioners  and  burrows,  with  fome 
 Barons,  have  voted  for  our  kirk,  in  face  of  a  king,  who,  with  much 
 awe  and  terror,  with  his  own  hand  wrote  up  the  voters  for  or  a- 
 gainft  himfclf.  Long  before  this  kirk,  in  the  fecond  Piaim,  the 
 tuds  of  the  earth,  Scotland  and  England,  were  gifted  of  the  Father, 
 to  his  Son  Chrifi:;  and  this  is  an  old  a£l  of  parliament,  decreed  by 
 our  Lord,  and  printed  four  thoufand  years  ago:  their -acls  arc  but 
 yet  printing.  The  firfl  ad  ihali  ftand,  l§t  all  tlie  potentates  of  the 
 
EpiA/4i-l  LETTERS.  4^t 
 
 vrorldj  who  love  Chri(Vs  room  better  than  himfelf,  rage  as  they 
 pJeafe.  Though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the  midfl  of  the 
 i'tHy  yet  there  is  a  river  that  cometh  out  of  the  fan^tuary,  and  the 
 ftreams  of  it  refrelh  the  city  of  God :  that  Well  is  not  yet  cried 
 down  in  Scotland,  nor  can  it  dry  up ;  therefore  ftill  believe,  and 
 truft  in  God's  falvation.  If  you  knew  the  whole  proceedings,  it 
 is  the  Lord's  mercy  that  matters  have  gone  at  our  parliament  as 
 they  have  gone.  The  Lord  Jefus  in  our  king's  ears,  to  his  great 
 provocation  and  grief,  hath  gotten  many  witnefles ;  and  we  faw 
 in  all,  the  Son  of  God  overturning  their  policy,  and  making  the 
 world  know  how  well  he  loveth  his  poor  fun-burnt  bride  in  Scot- 
 Jand  :  the  Lord  liveth,  and  bleffed  be  the  God  of  our  falvation. 
 For  the  matter  betwixt  your  husband  and  C.  I  truft  in  God  it 
 fhall  be  removed;  it  hath  grieved  me  exceedingly.  I  have  dealt 
 with  Carletoun,  and  (hall  deal  ;  put  it  off  yourlelf  upon  the  Lord, 
 that  it  burden  you  not.  I  have  heard  of  your  daughter's  mar- 
 riage ;  I  pray  the  Lord  Jefus  to  fubfcribe  the  contradl,  and  be  at 
 che  banquet,  as  he  was  at  the  marriage  in  Cana  of  Galilee :  fhew 
 her  from  me,  that  though  it  be  true  that  God's  children  have 
 prayed  for  her,  yet  the  promife  of  God  is  made  to  her  prayers  and 
 faith  efpecially;  and  therefore  I  would  intreat  her  to  feck  th€ 
 Ix>rd  to  be  at  the  wedding :  let  her  give  Chrirt  the  love  of  her 
 virginity  and  efpouGils,  and  chooXe  him  firft  as  her  Husband,  and 
 that  match  fhall  bJefs  the  other.  It  is  a  new  world  (he  entereth 
 into,  and  therefore  hath  need  of  new  acquaintance  wTth  the  Son  of 
 God,  and  of  a  renewing  of  her  love  to  him,  whofe  love  is  brtter 
 than  wine,  i  Cor.  vii.  29.  The  tim€  is  (hort,  let  the  married  be 
 as  though  they  were  not  married ;'  Ver.  30.  *  They  that  weep,  as 
 though  they  weeped  not ;  they  that  rejoice  as  though  they  re- 
 joiced not;  they  that  buy  as  though  they  pofiefled  not;*  Ver.  3  r. 
 '  They  that  uf«  this  world,  as  though  they  ufcd  it  not  :  for  the 
 faftiion  of  the  world  pafl'eth  away.'  Grace,  grace  be  her  portion 
 from  the  Lord.  I  know  you  have  a  care  on  you  of  it,  that  all  be 
 right;  but  let  Chiift  bear  all,  you  need  not  pity  him,  (if  I  may 
 iay  fo)  put  him  to  it,  he  is  ftrong  enough.  The  Spirit  of  the 
 Lord  Jefus  be  with  you. 
 
 J  her  ck  en.  Your  friend  in  his  deareft  friend  Chrijf 
 
 ^  Jefus,    S.  R. 
 
 41.    For  MARION  MACN AUGHT. 
 
 My  dear  and  "oiell-beloved flier ^ 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.     I  am  well,  honour  to 
 ^*-^  God.     I  have  been  before  a  court  fet  up  within  me  of  ter- 
 rors and  challenges;  but  my  fweet  Lord  Jefus  hath  taken  the  mafk 
 off  his  fnce,  and  faid,  Kifs  thy  fill ;  and  I  will  not  fmodicr  tt«r 
 
 ppp 
 
482  Mr  RU^TH'ERFOORD's  Epift.  42.I 
 
 conceal  rny  Kinfi:  Jcfus  his  kindnets  \  he  hath  broken  in  upon  the 
 poor  priioner*s  foul,  like  the  fwnriiing  of  Jordan  :  I  am  bank  and 
 brimiul,  a  great  higih  ipriug-tide  of  the  confolaxions  of  Chriil  hath 
 overiiowed  me.  1  would  not  give  try  weeping  for  the  fourteen 
 prelate©  laughter:  they  haver fent  me  here  ta  teaft  with  myKing  ; 
 his  fpikenaicl  calleih  a  fwcet  iniell.  The  Bridegroom*s  love  hath 
 run  away  with  my  heart:  O  love,  love,  love!  O  fwcet  are  my 
 royal  King's  chains  I  1  care  not  for  fire  nor  failure:  how  fweet 
 were  it  to  me  to  fwim  the  fait  fea  tor  my  new  Lovcr,  my  fecond 
 Husband,  my  firft  Lord  !  I  charge  you  inithe  name  of  God-,  not 
 to  fear  the  wild  bealls  that  entered  into  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord 
 of  hofts  :  the  falfe  prophet  is  the  tail ;  God  fliall  cut  the  tail  from  " 
 Scotland.  Take  your  comfort,- and  droop- nor.  delpond  not: 
 piay  for  my  poor  liock;  1  would  take  a  penance  on  my  foul  for 
 their  falvaiion  I  fear  the  eiittrrng  of  a  hireling  upon  my  labours 
 there,  cut  off  my  life  with.forrow  :  there  I  wrellied  with  the^ngd, 
 and  prevailed  i  wood,  tices,  meadows,  and  hills  aire  my  witnefles, 
 I  drew  on  a  fair  meeting  betwixt  Chrilt  and  Anwoth.  My  love  to 
 ycur  httib  'ml,  to  dear  Carletoun,  to  my  beloved  brother  Knock- 
 brex  i  forget  not  Chrift's  priloner  :  I  long  for  a  letter  under  your 
 own  hand. 
 
 Aherd,  Nov.  22.  Your  friend  and  Chriji'  s  frifoner,  S.  R. 
 
 42. '  For  MARION  MACNAUGHT. 
 
 My  dearly 'beloved  fi/ler, 
 
 GRACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you,  1  complain  that  Galloway 
 is  not  kind  to  me  in  paper;  1  have  received  no  letters  thcfe 
 lixteen  weeks,  but  two.  i  am  well ;  my  prifon  is  a  palace  to  me, 
 and  Chri(>*s  k^nquetin^-houie,  My  Lord  Jefus  is  as  kind  as  they 
 call  him  :  oh  that  all  Scorl  ind  knew  my  cafe,  and  had  part  oi  n.y 
 feafi: !  I  charge  you  in  the  name  of  God,  1  charge  you  to  believe  \ 
 fear  not  tiie  fons  of  mtn,  the  worms  fball  eat  them.  To  pray  and 
 believe  now,  when  Chi  ill  feems  to  give  vou  a  nay-fay,  is  mtore  thaa 
 it  was  before:  rlie  believing,  die  and  Chrift's  promife  in  your  hand. 
 I  defire,  I  requeft,  I  char^^e  your  huiband,  and  that  town  to  ftand 
 for  the  truth  of  the  gofpel:  contend  with  Chrilt's  enemies  ;  and 
 I  pray  you  ihew  all  profcffbrs  you  know  my  cafe:  help  me  to 
 .pral^e.^.The  minifteis  here  envy  me;  they  will  have  my  prifon 
 changed.  My  mother  hath  born  me  a  man  of  contention,  and  one 
 that  ftriveth'with  the  whole  earth.  Kemembcf  my  love  to  your 
 hufband.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Jverdeeit^  .Jan»  3.  Tours  in  the  Lord, 
 
 l(yij,  S.    Rr 
 
Eplft.  43»44  3'  LETTERS.  4«'3 
 
 43.    For  MARION  MAGNA UGHT. 
 
 Loving  and  dear  Jtfter^ 
 /^  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  Your  letter  hath  refreih- 
 ^^  ed  my  foul :  you  Ihall  not  have  my  advice  to  make  haftc  to 
 go  out  of  ihat  town  i  for  if  you  remove  out  of  Kirl^cudbright, 
 they  will  eafily  undo  all  :  you  are  at  God's  work,  and  in  his  way 
 there  ;  be  ftiong  in  the  Lord:  the  devil  is  weaker  than  you  are; 
 becauie  Itrongcr  is  he  that  is  in  you,  than  he  th/t  is  in  the  world. 
 Your  care  of,  and  love  ibewed  towards  me.  now  a  prifoner  of 
 Chrilt,  is  laid  up  for  you  in  hearen,  and  you  (hali  know,  that  it 
 is  come  up  in  remembrance  before  God.  Pray,  pray  tor  my  de- 
 ioUte  tlock,  and  give  them  your  counfel,  when  yOu  meet  with 
 any  of  them.  It  ihall  be  my  giief  to  he-^r,  that  a  wolf  enter  in 
 upon  my  labours  j-but  if  the  L<jrd  permit  it,  1  mufb  be  lilent ;  my 
 iky  will<:lear;  for  Chrilt  luyeth  my  head  in  his  bofom*  and  ad- 
 mitteth  me  to  lean  theie.  I  never  knew  before  what  his  love  was  ih 
 fuch  a  mcafure ;  IF  he  leave  me  he  leaves  me  in  pr.in,  and  fick  of 
 love  i  and  yet  mv  Hcknefs  is  mv  life  and  he;iith  :  I  have  a  fire 
 within  me,  I  defy  all  tlie  devils  in  hell,  and  ail  the  prelates  in  Scot* 
 land  to  cad  water  on  it.  1  rejoiceat  yaur  courage  and  f?.ith  :  pray^ 
 llill,  as  if  I  were  on  my  journ».y  to  come,  and  be  your  pallor. 
 What  iron-gates  or  bars  aie  .ibleto  Hand  it  out  againil  Chrilt?  for- 
 "when  he  bioweth,  they  open  to  him.  i  remember  your  huiband, 
 Grace,  grace  be  with  you.  ,  , 
 
 Aiierdy.  March  11.  1637.  '  ^^^^^  ^*^  bis  fiveeS  Lord-JefuSy  S.  R. 
 
 .  44.  For  GRISSEL  FULLERTON. 
 mjlrefs, 
 1>  Emembering  well  wh.it  relat'on  I  had  to  your  (now  bleflfed 
 ■*-^  and  perfected  with  glory)  dear  mother,  and  being  contident 
 yourfelf  looks  that  way,  whirh  (except  1  be  eternally  loit)  is  th*e 
 vay  of  peace  and  of  life;  1  ihould  be  ungrate  to  forget  thole, 
 ■whom,  by  the  covenant  of  the  Lord,  1  cannot  but  remember  to 
 God.  1  will  fpeak  nothing  to  you  of  the  pre(ent  fad  differences ; 
 hut  if  I  have,  or  ever  had  any  nearnefs  to  God,  that  other  way. 
 Vr  hich  1  truft  I  flrall  never  follow,  is  the  way  of  man.  And  tor  the 
 prcfent  powers,  1  fufler  from  them,  and  look  for  more  :  God  hath 
 a  controverfy  with  them :  and,  my  foul  enter  not  into  their  fecrets. 
 Only  1  ihould  bcfeech,  requefl,  and  obtfit  you  in  the  Lord,  and 
 by  your  appearance  before  Cnrift,  foiiow  the  way  of  the  Lord, 
 and  the  fleps  trode  by  the  gracious  in  that  place,  whicli  the  Lord 
 followed  with  life  and  pov/er.  My  heart  is  fiileit  with  forrow,  c^m- 
 Cdtriiig  what  tuaiiiiuaion  with  G(-d  foinc  of  thut  country  had* 
 
4H  Ut  RUTHEnFOOUD^         Epift.  if 5,  46.}^ 
 
 and  how  much  they  were  in  edifying  and  helping  one  another  in 
 his  way,  and  how  little  of  that  there  i&  now  in  that  country.  Your 
 mother  kept  in  life  in  that  place,  and  quickened  many  about 
 laer  to  the  feeking  cf  God.  My  defire  to  yon  is,  that  ye  would 
 fuccecd  her  in  that  way,  and  be  letting  a  word  fall  to  your  bre- 
 thren and  others,  that  may  encourage  them  to  look  toward  the  way 
 of  God  ;  you  will  have  need  of  it  ere  it  be  long.  See  how  you  may 
 have  a  gracious  minifter,  and  no  neutral  there,  to  fucceed  and  fol- 
 low the  fervant  of  God,  now  afleep  in  the  Lord.  There  is  a  great 
 and  wide  difFekence  between  a  name  of  godlinefs,  and  the  power 
 of  grdlinefs  •,  that  is  hottelt,  when  there  are  feweft  witneffes.  The 
 deadnefs  upon  many,  and  the  defe£lion  of  the  land,  is  great :  blef- 
 fed  are  they  who  feek  the  Lord  and  his  face.  1  {hall  intreat  you 
 to  remember  me  to  your  hulband,  and  all  friends :  I  defire  to  for- 
 get none  who  are  in  Chrift. 
 
 Edin.  Ma/ch  14.  Tour  brother  in  the  Lord, 
 
 1653.  .  S.  R. 
 
 I 
 
 45.     To  a  G entkiuoman, 
 Miftrefs, 
 
 Befeech  you,  have  me  excufed,  if  the  daily  employments  of  my 
 calling  fhall  hinder  me  to  fee  you,  according  as  1  would  wifh  ; 
 for  I  dare  not  go  abroad,  fince  many  of  my  people  are  fick,  and  the 
 time  of  our  communion  draws  near  :  but  frequent  the  company 
 of  your  worthy  and  honeft-hearted  paftor  Mr.  Robert,  to  whom 
 the  Lord  hath  given  the  tongue  of  the  learned,  to  minift:er  a  word 
 in  due  feafon  to  the  weary.  Remember  me  to  him,  and  to  your 
 hufband.     The  Lord  Jefus  he  with, your  fpirit. 
 
 Ytiir  affetlioiiate  friend y  _  S.  R. 
 
 46,    F^r  WILLIAM  FULLERTON,  Provoft  of  Kirkcudbright. 
 
 Much  hovoured  and  very  dear  friend, 
 /^R  ACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  I  am  in  good  cafe,  bleflcd 
 ^^  be  the  Lord,  remaining  here  in  this  uncouth  town,  a  priloner, 
 for  Chrift^nd  his  truth  ;  and  I  am  not  aihamed  of  his  crofs,  my 
 foul  16  comforted  with  the  confolations  of  his  fweet  prefence^for 
 whom  I  fuffer.  I  earnciily  intreat  you,  to  give  honour  and  autho- 
 jjty  ro  Chritl,  and  for  Chrift  ;  and  be  not  difmayed  for  flefb  and 
 V>locd,  while  you  are  for  the  L^rd,  and  for  his  truth  and  taufe. 
 And  howbeit  we  fee  truth  put  to  the  worfe  for  the  time  ;  yet  Chrift 
 will  be  a  friend  to  truth,,  and  will  do  for  thoie  who  dare  hazard  all 
 that  they  have  for  him,  and  for  his  glory.  Sir,  our  fair  day  ift 
 coming,  and  the  court  will  change,  and  wicked  men  will  weep  *(t 
 
Epift.  47']  LETTERS.  485; 
 
 ternoon,  and  forcr  than  the  fons  of  God,  who  weep  in  the  mofn- 
 ing.  Let  us  believe  and  hope  for  God's  falvation.  Sir,  I  hope  I 
 need  not  write  to  you,  for  your  kindnefs  and  love  to  my  hrother, 
 who  is  now  to  be  diftrcffed  for  the  truth  of  God,  as  well  as  I  am. 
 I  think  myfelf  obliged  to  pray  for  you,  and  your  worthy  and  kind 
 bed-feilow  and  children,  for  your  love  to  him  and  me  alfo.  I  hope 
 your  pains  for  us,  in  Chrift,  (hall  not  be  loft.  Thus  recom- 
 mending you  to  the  tender  mercy  and  loving  kindnefs  of  God, 
 Irdi 
 
 yiberdeeny  Sept,  2 1 .  Tour  very  loving  and 
 
 1 636.  affedlionate  brother^  S.  R. 
 
 47.  For  the  right  honourable^  my  Lady  Vifcountefs  of 
 KENMURE. 
 Madam^ 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  your  Lady(bip.  Ilong  to  hear 
 ^^  from  you,  and  that  dear  child  ;  and  for  that  caufe  I  trouble 
 you  with  letters.  I  am  for  the  prefent  thinking  the  fparrows  and 
 the  fwallows,  that  build  their  nefts  in  Anwoth,  blefled  birds.  The 
 Lord  hath  made  all  my  congregation  defolate.  Alas,  I  am  oft  at 
 this.  Shew  me  wherefore  thou  contendeft  with  me.  O  earth, 
 earth,  cover  not  the  violence  done  to  me.  I  know  it  is  my  faith- 
 lefs  jealoufy  in  this  my  dark  night,  to  take  a  friend  for  a  foe ;  yet 
 hath  not  my  Lord  made  any  plea  with  me.  I  chide  with  him, 
 but  he  giveth  me  fair  words  :  feeing  my  fins  and  the  fins  of  my 
 youth  deferved  ftrokcs,  how  am  I  obliged  to  my  Lord,  who  amongft 
 many  crofles  hath  given  me  a  wailed  and  chofen  crofs,  to  fufFer 
 for  the  name  of  my  Lord  Jefus  ?  Since  I  muft  have  chains,  he 
 would  put  golden  chains  on  me,  watered  over  with  many  confola- 
 tions :  feeing  I  muft  have  forrow  (for  I  finned,  O  Prefcrver  of 
 mankind]  he  hath  wailed  out  for  me  joyful  forrow,  honeft,  fpiritual 
 and  glorious  forrow.  My  crofles  come  through  mercy  and  love'^ 
 fingers,  from  the  kind  heart  of  a  Brother,  Chrift  my  Lord ;  and 
 therefore  they  muft  be  fweet  and  fugared.  O  what  am  I!  fuch  a 
 lump,  fuch  a  rotten  mafs  of  fin,  to  be  counted  a  bairn  worthy  to 
 be  nurtured  and  ftricken  with  the  beft  and  moft  honourable  rod  in 
 my  Father's  houfe,  the  golden  rod,  wherewith  my  eldeft  Brother, 
 tl\e  Lord,  heir  of  the  inheritance,  and  his  faithful  witnefles  were 
 ftricken  withal.  It  would  be  thought,  I  (liould  be  thankful  and 
 pejoice  ;  but  my  beholders  and  lovers  in  Chrift  have  eyes  of  flefh, 
 and  have  made  my  one  to  be  ten  ;  and  I  am  fomebody  in  their 
 books  :  ^ny  witncfs  is  above,  there  are  armies  of  thoughts  within 
 me  faying  the  contrary,  and  laughing  a;  their  wide  miftake.  If  my 
 inner-iide  were  feen,  my  dung  would  ftink;  I  would  lofe  and  fqr- 
 £pjt  iave  and  fcfpa^  at  the  hands  of  any  that  love  God ;  pity  would 
 
4M  Ur  RUTHERFOOnD't  Epift.  47.]' 
 
 come  in  the  place  of  thefe.  O  if  they  would'  yet  fet  me  lower, 
 and  my  "Well-Beloved  Chrift  higher !  I  would  1  had  grace  and 
 ftrength  of  my  Lord,  to  be  joyful  and  contentedly  glad  and  che^r- 
 ful,  that  God's  glory  might  ride,  and  openly  triumph  before  the 
 view  of  men,  angels,  devils,  earth,  heaven,  hell,  fun.  moon,  and 
 all  God's  creatures,  upon  my  pain  and  f ulferings ;  providing  always 
 I  felt  not  the  Lord's  hatred  and  difpleafure.  But  I  fear  his  fair 
 glory  be  but  foiled  in  coming  through  fuch  a  foulcFcature  as  I  am.' 
 If  1  could  be  the  linlefs  matter  of  glorifying  Chrift,  howbeit  to  my. 
 lof^,  pain,  fufFerings,  and  extremity  ot  wietchcdnefs,  how  would 
 my  foul  rejoice  ?  but  I  am  far,  far  from  this  :  he  knowtth,  his, 
 love  hath  made  me^  a  prifoner,  and  bound  rr»e  hand  and  foot  5  but 
 it  is  my  pain,  that  t  cannot  win  loofe,  nor  get  Icofe  hands,  and 
 a  loofed  heart,  to  do  fervice  to  my  Lord  Jefys,  and  to  fpeak  his 
 love.  I  confefs,  1  have  neither  tongue  nor  pen  to  do  it,  Chrift's 
 love. is  more  than  my  praifes,  and  above  the  thoughts  of  the  angel 
 Gabriel,'  and  all  the  mighty  hofts  that  (land  before  the  throne  of 
 God.  I  think  fhamc,  I  am  fad  and  caft  down  to  think,  that  my 
 foul  tongue,  and  my  polluted  heart,  ftiouldcome  in  to  help  others 
 to  fing  <'\loud  the  praifes  of  the  love  of  Chrift  i  all  I  now  do,  is  to 
 wifh  the  quire  to  grow  throng,  and  to  grow  in  the  extolling  of 
 Chrift.  Wo,  wo  is  me,  for  my  guiltinefs  feen  to  few,  my  hidden 
 wounds,  ftill  bleeding  within  me,  are  before  the  eyes  of  no  man; 
 but  if  my  fweetJit  Lord  Jcfus  were  not  ftiil  bathing,  wailiing, 
 balming,  healing,  and  binding  them  up,  they  fliould  rot,  and  break 
 out  to  my  Oiame  I  know  not  what  <vill  be  the  end  of  my  fuiier- 
 ing  :  I  have  but  ften  the  one  fide  of  my  crofs ;  wha^^iWiil  be  the 
 other  fivlcj  he  knoweth,  who  hath  hisfiie  in  Zion.  Let  him  lead 
 me,  if  it  were  through  hell.  I  thank  my  Lord,  my  on-vraiting  and*^ 
 holding  my  peace  as  I  do.  to  fee  what  more  Chrift  will  do  lo  me, 
 is  my  joy.  Ob,  if  my  eaft,  joy,  pleafure  for  evermore,  were  laid; 
 in  wadfet,  and  in  pledge  to  buy  praifes  to  Chrift  !  but  1  am  far 
 from  this.  It  is  eafy  for  a  poor  foul,  in  the  deep  debt  of  Chriit  s 
 love,  to  fpit  farther  than  he  does  le:.p  or  jump,  and  to  feed  upon 
 broad  wiflies  that  Chrift  may  be  honoured ;  but  in  performance  I 
 am  ftark  nought.  1  have  nothing,  nothing  to  give  Chrift  butpo* 
 verty  j  except  he  would  comprife  and  arreft  mjwfoul,  and  my  love 
 (oh,  oh  if  he  would  do  that !)  1  have  nothing  for  him.  He  may 
 indeed  feize  upon  a  dyvour's  peifon,  foul  and  body;  but  he  Math*' 
 no  goods  for  Chrift  to  meddle  with  ;  but  how  glad  iliould  my  ioul 
 be,  if  he  would  forfeit  my  love,  and  never  give  me  it  again.  IVia- 
 dam,  I  would  be  glad  to  hear  that  Chiift's  claim  to  you  were  ftill 
 the  more,  aiyd  that  you  weie  ftill  going  forward,  and  that  you  were 
 nearer  him.  I  do  not  honour  Chriit  myfelf,  but  I  wifti  all  others 
 to  make  fale  to  Chrift's  houfe  :  1  would  I  could  ir.vile  you  to  go 
 imo  vour  Well-bcivved's  hojife  of  wine,  und  thai  upoii  my  word,. 
 
Epift.48.]  LETTERS.  4^7 
 
 you  would  then  fee  a  nc\^  myftery  of  love  in  Chrift  you  never 
 iaw  fcvefore.  I  am  fomewhat  encouraged  that  yeur  Ladyfhip  is  not 
 dry  and  cold  td  Chnfi's  prifoner,  as  Ibnae  are  :  t  hope  it  is  put  up 
 in  my  MaRer's  count-book.  I  am  not  much  grieved,  that  my  jeal- 
 ous Hufband  break  in  pieces  my  idols,  th;it  either  they  dare  not, 
 or  will  not  do  for  me.  My  Mafter  needeth  not  their  help,  but 
 they  need  to  be  that  ferviccablc  as  to  help  him.  Madam,  I  have 
 been  that  bold  as  to  put  you,  and  that  fweet  child,  in  the  prayers 
 of  Mr.  Andrew  Cant,  Mr.  James  Martin,  the  LadyLeyes,  and  fome 
 others  in  this  country  that  truly  love  Chrift  :  be  pleafed  to  let  mc 
 hear  how  the  child  is.  The  bleffings  that  came  upon  the  head  of 
 Jofeph,  and  the  top  of  the  head  of  him  who  was  feparated  from" 
 his  brethren,  and  the  good-will  of  him  who  dwelt  in  the  buih,  be 
 feen  upon  him  and  you.  Madam,  I  can  fay,  by  fome  little  expe^ 
 rience,  more  now  than  before  of  Chrift  to  you.  I  am  itill  upon 
 this,  that  if  you  feek,  there  is  a  pofe,  a  hidden  treafure  and  a  gold 
 mine  in  Chrift,  you  never  yet  faw;  then  come  and  fee.  Thus,  re- 
 commending you  to  God's  deareft  mercy,  I  reft 
 - '    •  Tour  own  in  his  jweet  Lord  Jcfus^ 
 
 at  all  obedience^  S.  R. 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 MY  Lady  Marfhall  is  very  kind  to  me,  and  her  fon  alfo. 
 Aberdeen,  June  17.  1637. 
 
 48.  For  the  right  honourable,  my  Lady  Vifcountefs  /KENMURE. 
 
 My  very  noble  and  dear  Lady^ 
 /"I  RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you.  The  Lord  hath  brought 
 ^-^  me  fafely  to  Aberdeen  :  I  have  gotten  lodging  in  the  hearts 
 of  all  I  meet  with  j  no  face  that  hath  not  fmiled  upon  me ;  only 
 the  indwellersof  this  town  are  dry»  cold,  and  general;  they  coii- 
 (ift  of  Papilbs,  and  men  of  Gallio's  metal,  firm  in  no  religion  ; 
 and  it  is  counted  no  wifdom  here  to  countenance  a  confined  and 
 filenced  minilter:  but  the  Ihame  of  Chrilt's  crofs  ftiall  not  be  my 
 ihame. '  Queenfbcrry's  attempt  feemeth  to  Deep,  becaufe  the  Bi- 
 fnop-of  Galloway  was  pleafed  to  fay  to  th^  Treafurcr,  I  had  com- 
 mitted treafon ;  which  word  blunted  the  Treafurer's  borrowed  zeal, 
 »So  I  thank  God,  who  will  not  have  me  to  anchor  my  foul  upor^ 
 falfe  ground,  or  upon  flelh  and  blood  •,  it  is  better  it  be  faftenetl 
 within  the  vail.  1  find  my  old  challenges  reviving  again,  and 
 my  love  often  jealous  of  Chrift's  love,  when  I  look  upon  my  owr^ 
 guiltinefs :  and  I  verily  think,  the  world  hath  too  foft  an  opinion 
 of  the  gate  to  heaven,  aijd  that  many  Ihall  get  a  blind  and  fad  be- 
 
4^8  Mr  RVTHKRFOORD's  Eplft.  48.3 
 
 guile  for  heaven  ;  for  there  is  more  ado  than  a  cold  and  frozen, 
 Lord^  Lord  :  it  mitfl:  be  a  way  narrower  and  ftraiter  than  we  co^n- 
 ceivc,  for  the  righteous  fliall  fcarcely  be  faved.  It  were  good  to 
 take  a  more  judicious  view  of  Chriftianity ;  for  I  have  been 
 doubting,  if  ever  I  knew  any  more  of  Chriftianity  than  the  letters 
 of  the  name.  I  will  not  lie  on  my  Lord  :  I  find  often  much  joy, 
 and  unfpeakable  comfort,  in  his  fweet  prefence,  who  fent  me  hi* 
 ther*,  and  I  truft,  this  houfe  of  my  pilgrimage  fiiali  be  my  palace, 
 my  garden  of  delights;  and  that  Chriil  will  be  kind  to  poor  fold 
 Jofeph,  who  is  feparated  from  his  brethren.  I  would  be  fome- 
 times  too  hot,  and  too  joyful,  if  the  heart-breaks  at  the  remem- 
 brance of  fin,  and  fair,  fair  feafl-days  with  King  Jefus,  did  not 
 cool  me,  and  four  my  fweet  joys.  Oh  !  how  fweei:  is  the  love  of 
 Chrift !  and  how  wife  is  that  love  !  But  let  faith  fiift  and  truft  a 
 while  j  it  is  no  reafon  fons  offend,  that  the  father  givcth  them 
 not  twice  a-year  hire,  as  he  doth  to  hired  fervants  :  better  God's 
 heirs  live  upon  hope  than  upon  hire.  Madam,  your  Ladylhip 
 knoweth  what  Chrift  hath  done,  to  have  all  your  love  ;  and  that 
 he  alloweth  not  his  love  upon  your  dear  child.  Keep  good  quar- 
 ter* with  Chrift  in  your  love.  I  verily  think,  that  Chrift  hath  faid, 
 I  muft  needs-force  have  Jane  Campbell  for  myfelf :  and  he  hath 
 laid  many  oars  in  the  water,  to  fifti  and  hunt  home  over  your 
 heart  to  heaven  :  let  him  have  his  prey;  he  will  think  you  well 
 won,  when  he  hath  gotten  you.  It  is  good  to  have  recourfe  often, 
 and  to  have  the  door  open  to  our  ftrong  hold  ;  for  the  fword  of 
 the  Lord,  the  fword  of  the  Lord  is  for  Scotland  j  and  yet  two  or 
 three  berries  (hall  be  left  in  the  top  of  the  olive-tree.  If  a  word 
 can  do  my  brother  good  in  his  diftrefs,  I  know  your  Ladyfhip 
 will  be  willing  and  ready  to  fpeak  It,  and  more  alfo.  Now  the  only 
 wife  God,  and  your  only,  only  One,  he  who  dwelt  in  the  bufh, 
 be  with  you.  I  write  many  kilTes  and  many  blcflings  in  Chrift  to 
 your  dear  child  ;  the  blcflings  of  his  father's  God,  the  bieflings 
 due  to  the  fatherlcfs  and  the  widow  be  yours  and  his. 
 
 ■  Jherdien  TQiir  Ladyjhip^s  in  his  only, 
 
 only  Lord  Jcfus,     S.  R, 
 
 ■  P.  S.  Madam,  Be  pleafed,  at  a  fit  time,  to  try  my  Lord  of 
 Lorn  his  mind,  if  his  Lordftiip  would  be  pleafed,  that  I  dedicate 
 another  work  againft  tBe  Arminians  to  his  honourable  name  :  for 
 bowbeit  X  would  compare  no  patron  to  his  Lordftiip,  and  though 
 i  have  fufficient  experience  of  his  love ;  yet  it  is  polTible  his  Lord- 
 (hip  think  it  not  expedient  at  this  time  :  but  I  expert  your  Lady- 
 fliip'^s  atifwer,  and  I  hope  your  Ladyihip  will  be  plain. 
 
Epift,  49']  LETTERS.       ^  48(> 
 
 4p.     For  the  right  honour  able  my  I^c^BOYD. 
 
 Madam  ^ 
 T  Doubt  not  but  the  debt  of  many,  more  thrin  ordinary,  favours 
 "*•  to  this  land  layeth  guiliinciS  upon  this  nation:  the  Lord  hath 
 put  us  in  his  books  as  a  hivourcd  people,  in  the  fight  of  the  nati- 
 ons i  but  we  piy  not  to  him  the  rent  of  the  vineyard  :  and  we 
 might  have  haa  a  gofpel  at  an  eafier  rate  than  this  golpel ;  but  it 
 (hould  have  had  but  as  much  lite  as  ink  and  paper  haih  :  we  (land 
 obliged  to  him,  who  hath  in  a  manner  iorced  his  love  on  us,  and 
 would  but  love  us  againll  our  will. 
 
 Anent  read  prayer^,  Madam,  1  could  never  fee  precept,  promife 
 or  practice  for  them  in  God's  word ;  our  church  never  allowed 
 them,  but  men  took  them  up  r.:  their  own  choice:  the  word  of 
 God  maketh  reading,  i  Tim.  iv.  13.  and  praying,  i  Theff.  v.  17. 
 two  difrtrrent  worlhips  In  reading,  God  fpeakcth  to  us,  2  KinjiS 
 xxii.  10,  II.  in  praying,  we  fpeak  to  God,  Plal.  xxii.  2.  PiaK 
 xxviii.  I.  I  had  nev;:r  f^ith  to  think  well  of  them  ;  in  my  weak 
 judgment,  it  were  good  they  were  out  of  the  fervice  of  God ;  I 
 cannot  think  them  a  fruit  or  eftect  of  the  fpirit  of  adoption,  feeing 
 the  ufer  cannot  fay  of  fuch  prayers,  *  Let  the  words  of  my  moutli 
 and  the  meditations  of  my  heart  be  acceptable  in  thy  fight,  O 
 Lord,  my  Strength  and  Redeemer  ;*  which  the  fervants  of  God 
 ought  to  fay  of  their  prayers,  Pfal.  xix.  14.  For  fuch  prayers  are 
 meditations  fet  down  in  paper  and  ink,  and  cannot  be  his  heart- 
 meditations  whaufeth  them  :  tha  faints  never  ufed  them,  and  God 
 never  commanded  them  ;  and  a  promife  to  hear  any  prayers,  ex- 
 cept the  pouring  cut  of  the  foul  to  God,  we  can  never  read.  As 
 for  feparatlon  from  a  worfliip  for  fome  errors  of  a  church,  the  in- 
 dependency of  fingle  congregations,  a  church  of  vifible  faints, 
 and  other  tenets  of  Brownifts,  they  are  contrary  to  God's  word. 
 I  have  atreatife  at  the  prefs  at  London  againft  ihefe  conceits,  as 
 things  which  want  God's  word  to  warrant  them;  the  Lprd  lay  it 
 not  to  their  charge,  who  depart  from  the  covenant  of  God  with 
 this  land,  to  follow  fuch  lyirtg  vanities. 
 
 I  did  fee  lately  your  daughter  the  Lady  Ardrofs  ;  the  Lcrd  hath 
 given  her  a  child  and  deliverance.  Now,  recommending  your  La- 
 dyfliip  to  the  rich  grace  of  Chrift^  I  reit 
 
 St,  Jndrcivs,  Tours,  at  all  rcf^e^ive  ohfcrvance 
 
 inChrrft,    S.  R, 
 
 Q.4  q 
 
49«  Ut  RUTHERFOORD's  ;Eplft.  50*! 
 
 50.     To  JOHN  IIENDEHSON  in  Ruf.o, 
 
 Loving  friend^ 
 T   Earneltly  defirc  yoilr  falvation.     Know  the  Lord,    and  feek 
 
 Chrifl :  you  have  a  foul  ihat  cannot  die  j  fee  for  a  lodging  for 
 your  poor  foul:  for  that  houte  of  cl  .y  will  fall  j  heaven  or  nothing, 
 either  Chrift  or  nothing.  Ufe  prayer  in  your  houfe,  and  fet  youf 
 thoughts  often  upon  death  7\n^  judgment;  it  is  dangerous  to  be 
 jjoofe  in  the  matter  of  your  falvation  •,  few  are  faved ;  men  go  to 
 heaven  in  one's  and  two's,  and  the  whole  world  Heth  in  fin.  Love 
 your  enemies,  and  (land  by  the  truth  I  have  taught  you  in  all  thing*. 
 Fear  not  men,  but  let  God  be  your  fear :  your  time  will  not  be 
 long;  make  the  feeking  of  Chrift  your  daily  talk;* ye  may,  when 
 ye  are  in  the  fields,  fpeak  to  God  :  feek  a  broken  heart  for  fm  \ 
 for  without  that  there  is  no  meeting  with  Chrift.  I  fpeak  this  to 
 your  wife,  as  well  as  to  yourfelf.  1  defire  your  fifter,  in  her  fearS 
 and  doubtings,  to  faften  her  grips  on  Chrift's  love ;  I  forbid  her  to 
 doubt,  for  Chrift  loves  her,  and  hath  her  name  written  in  his  book  \ 
 her  falvation  is  faft  coming:  Chrift  her  Lord  is  not  flow  incom- 
 ing, nor  flack  in  his  promife.     Grace  be  with  you. 
 
 Aberdeen,  Tour  loving  pnficry  S.  R. 
 
 51.     To  JAMES  MURRAY'^  «^y^. 
 
 My  dear  and  •ivorthy  fifter, 
 'VOU  are  tiuly  blefled  in  the  Lord,  however  a  four  \Vcr!d  gloom 
 ■*•  and  frown  on  you,  if  ye  continue  in  the  faith,  fettled  and 
 grounded,  and  he  not  moved  away  from  the  hope  of  the  gofpeL 
 It  is  good  there  is  a  heaven,  and  it  is  not  a  night-dream  and  a  fan- 
 cy :  it  is  a  wonder  that  men  deny  not  tliere  is  a  heaven,  as  they 
 deny  there  is  anyway  to  it,  but  of  mens  making.  You  have  learn- 
 ed of  Chrift  that  there  is  a  heaven  ;  contend  lor  it,  and  for  Chrift  : 
 bear  well  and  fubmiffively  the  hard  thruft  of  this  ftep-mothe^ 
 world,  which  God  will  not  have  to  be  yours,  i  confefs  it  is  hard, 
 and  would  God  1  were  able  to  lighten  yau  of  your  burden  ;  but  be- 
 lieve me,  this  world,  which  the  Lord  will  not  have  to  be  yours, 
 is  but  the  drofs,  refufe,  and  fcum  of  God'^  creation,  the  portion  of 
 the  Lord's  poor  hired  fervants,  the  moveables,  not  the  heritage;  a 
 hard  bone  caft  to  the  dogs,  holden  out  of  the  New  Jerufalem, 
 whereupon  they  rather  break  their  r<^th,  than  fatisfy  their  appe- 
 tite. It  is  your  Father's  bieftings,  and  Chrift's  birth- right,  that  our 
 Lord  is  keeping  for  you ;  and  perfu-^de  yourfelf  alfo  (if  it  be  good 
 for  them  and  you)  your  feed  alfo  ftiall  inherit  the  earth  ;  for  that 
 is  prontifc'u  to  them,  and  God's  bond  is  as  good  as  it  he  would  give 
 
Eplft.  52.]  LETTERS.  491 
 
 every  one  of  them  a  bond  for  thoufand  thoufands.  Ere  ye  were 
 born,  erodes  in  number,  nitafure,  and  weight,  were  written  for 
 you;  and  your  Lord  will  lead  you  thorough  them  :  make  Chrilt 
 fure,  and  the  world  and  the  blelfinp  of  the  earth  9a?A\  be  atChrill's 
 back  and  beck.  I  fee  m.tny  prou  flbrs  for  the  falhion,  profdror* 
 of  glaf»;  I  would  rriake  a  liltle  knock  of  perfecution  ding  them  in 
 twenty  pieces,  ai.d  the  world  ihculd  laugh  at  the  fheards  :  there- 
 fore make  fall  work ;  fee  that  Chrift  be  the  ground-ftone  of  your 
 profeflion  j  the  fore  wind  and  rain  will  not  waili  away  this  build- 
 ing; this  work  hcith  no  lefs  date  nor  to  ft^nd  for  evermore.  I 
 (hould  twentv  times  hiive  perilhcd  in  my  aiiiitlion,  if  I  had  not 
 laid  my  weak  hack  and  prefling  burden  both  upon  the  flone,  the 
 Corner-lto.'ie  laid  in  Zion  i  I  am  not  twice  fain  (as  the  provrb  is) 
 but  once  and  for  ever  of  this  Stone.  Now  the  God  of  peace  efta-r 
 blilh  you  to  the  day  ot  the  appearance  of  Jefus  Clirift, 
 
 Si   Anare-jjs.  Tours y  S.  R. 
 
 52.  For  the  right  honourable y  my  Lady  Vifcounte/s  of  l^Yl\yi\JK£., 
 
 Mndarriy 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  I  am  glad  to  hear  that 
 ^-^  your  Lad',  (hip  is  in  any  tolerable  health  ;  and  (hali  pray  that 
 -the  Lord  my  be  your  Strength  and  Rock.  Sure  I  am,  he  took 
 you  out  of  the  womb ;  and  you  have  been  caften  on  him  from  the 
 breads :  I  am  confident  he  ihall  not  leave  you,  till  he  crown  the 
 begun  work  in  you.  There  is  nothing  here  but  divifions  in  the 
 church  and  afTcmbly;  for  befide  Brownifts  and  Independents 
 (who,  of  all  that  differ  from  us,  come  nearcft  to  walkers  with  God) 
 there  are  many  other  fe<fts  here  of  Anabaptifts,  Libertines,  who  are 
 for  all  opinions  in  religion,  flefhly  and  abominable  Aiitinomians, 
 and  Seekers,  who  are  for  no  church-ordinances,  but  expetl  apo- 
 files  to  come  and  reform  churches;  and  a  world  of  others,  all  a- 
 gainft  the  government  cf  preibyteries.  Luther  obfervcJ,  when 
 he  fludied  to  reform,  that  two  and  thirty  fundry  fe£ls  arole;  of 
 ?.ll  which  (I  have  named  but  a  part)  except  thefe  called  Seekers, 
 who  were  not  then  arifen  he  faid,  God  (hould  crufh  them,  r.nd 
 that  they  (liould  rife  again  ;  both  which  we  fee  accompliihed.  In 
 the  affembly,  we  have  well  ne-'.r  ended  the  government,  and  are 
 upon  the  power  of  fynods,  and  1  hope  nCut  at  an  end  with  them, 
 and  fo  I  trufl:  to  be  delivered  irom  this  prifon  ihortly.  The  king 
 hath  diffulved  the  treaty  of  peace  at  Uxbridge,  and  adheres  to  hia 
 fwect  prelates;  and  would  abate  nothing  but  a  little  of  the  r!;iour 
 of  their  courts,  and  a  fufpending  of  laws  ngalnd  the  ceremonies, 
 not  a  taking  away  of  them.  The  not  profpering  of  your  yrmies 
 there  in  Scotland,  is  al\,riLcd  here  to  the  fins  of  the  land,  an4 
 particularly  to  the  divifions  and  backflidings  of  many  from  th^ 
 
492  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Eplft.  53.] 
 
 caufe,  and  the  not  executing  of  juftice  ag^inft  bloody  nriallgnants, 
 My  wife,  here,  under  the  phyficians,  remembers  her  fervice  to 
 your  Ladydiip.  So,  recommending  vou  to  the  rich  grace  of  Chrift, 
 I  reft, 
 
 London,  March  4.  Tour  Ladyjl?ip's  at  all  obedience 
 
 1644.  in  Chrift,    S.  R. 
 
 53.     For  the  right  honourable  my  Lady  BOYD. 
 
 Madam, 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  pence  to  you  :  I  received  your  letter  on 
 ^^  May  19th.  We  are  here  debating,  with  much  contention 
 of  difputeg,  for  the  juft  meafures  of  the  Lord^s  temple.  It  pleaf- 
 €th  God,  that  fom.etime?  enemies  hinder  the  building  of  the  Lord'a 
 houfe;  but  now  friends,  even  gracious  men  (fol  conceive  of  them) 
 do  not  a  little  hinder  the  work  :  Thomas  Goodwin,  Jt-remiah 
 Burroughs,  and  fome  others,  four  or  five,  who  are  for  the  Inde- 
 pendent way,  ftand  in  our  way,  and  are  mighty  oppofitcs  to  prelhy?- 
 terial  government.  We  have  carried  through  fome  proportions 
 for  th?  fcripture-right  of  prefbytery;  efpecialiy  in  the  church  of 
 Jerufalem,  Acl  ii.  iv.  v.  vi.  xv.  and  the  church  of  1  ^'lefus,  and  are 
 going  on  upon  other  grounds  of  truth ;  and  by  the  way  have  proven, 
 That  ordination  of  paftors  belongeth  not  to  a  finglc  congregation, 
 but  to  a  college  6f  prefoyters,  whofe  it  is  to  lay  hands  upon  Tx- 
 moihy,  and  others,  »  Tim.  iv.  14.  i  Tim.  v.  17.  A£fs  xiii.  1,  2, 
 3.  Atls  viii.  5,  6.  We  are  to  prove,  That  one  fingle  congregation 
 hath  not  power  to  excommunicate,  which  is  oppofed,  not  only  by 
 Independent  men,  but  by  many  others  :  the  truth  is,  we  have  many 
 and  grivved  fpirits  with  the  work ;  and  for  my  part,  I  often  djsfpair 
 of  the  reformation  of  this  land,  which  faw  never  any  thing,  but 
 the  high  places  of  their  fathers,  and  the  remnants  of  Babylon's 
 pollutions;  and  except  that,  not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by 
 the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  \  I  ihould  think,  God  hath  not  yet  thought 
 3t  time  for  England's  deliverance  :  for  the  truth  is,  the  beft  of  them 
 alnioft  have  fi;id,  An  half  reformation  is  very  fair  at  the  firft  ; 
 which  is  no  ether  thing  than.  It  is  not  yet  time  to  build  the  houfe 
 of  the  Lore; :  and  for  that  caufe,  many  houfes,  gteat  and  fair  in 
 the  land,  are  laid  defolate.  Multitudes  of  Anabaptifts,  Antinomi- 
 ans,  Familifls;  Separatiics  are  here;  the  beft  of  tiie  people  are  the 
 Independent  way:  as  for  myfelf,  I  know  no  more,  if  there  be  a 
 found  Chiiftian  (fetting  afide  fome,  yea,  not  a  few  learned,  fome 
 zealous  and  faithful  minifters,  whom  I  have  met  with)  at  London, 
 (though  I  doubt  not  but  there  are  many)  than  if  1  were  in  Spain  ; 
 "Vvhich  makethmeblefs  God, that  the  comiTiunion  of  faints,  hovi^de^ 
 fir^bie  foever,  yet  is  not  the  thing,  even  that  great  thing,  Chrift  and 
 
Epift.  54.]  LETTERS.  493 
 
 remilTion  of  Tins.  If  Jefus  were  uncouth,  as  his  members  are 
 here,  I  fViould  he  In  a  fad  and  heavy  condition.  The  houfe  of 
 Peers  are  rotten  men,  and  hate  our  commiflioners  and  our  caufe 
 both  :  the  life  that  is,  is  in  the  houfe  of  commons,  and  many  of 
 th' m  alfo  have  their  religion  to  choofe.  The  forrows  of  a  travail- 
 ing woman  ace  come  on  the  land  :  our  army  is  lyiny^  about  York, 
 ahd  have  blocked  up  th.^m  of  NcVvCaltle,  and  fix  thouland  papifls 
 and  maligi  ctnrs,  with  Mr.  Thunvas  Sydferf,  and  fomc  Scottilh  pre- 
 lates; and  if  God  deliver  them  into  their  hands  (confidering  how 
 Itrong  the  parliament's  armies  are.  how  many  vi£lories  God  hath 
 given  them  fmce  they  entered  into  covenant  with  him,  and  how- 
 weak  thf;  king  is)  it  may  be  thought  the  land  is  near  a  deliverance  ; 
 but  I  rather  defire  it.  than  believe  it.  We  otFered  this  day  to  the 
 affembly  a  part  of  a  Dircdory  for  worftiip,  to  flioulder  out  the 
 Service-Book;  it  is  taken  into  confideration  by  the  aflcmbly. 
 Your  fon  Lmdfay  is  well,  I  receive  letters  from  him  almofk  every 
 week. 
 
 LondoTii  May  2  5.  TQurs  at  all  obedience  in  God, 
 
 S.  R, 
 
 I 
 
 54.    For  the  right  honourable  Lady^  my  Lady  KENMURE. 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Am  a  lltrle  moved,  at  your  infirmity  of  body  and  health  ;  I 
 
 hope  jt  is  to  you  a  real  warning :  And  if  in  this  life  only  we 
 bad  hope,  we  fliould  be  of  all  n»cn  the  niofl  miferabl^.  Sure 
 the  huge  ge|ierations  of  the  feekers  of  the  face  of  Jacob's  God  mufl 
 be  in  a  life  above  the  things  that  are  now  much  faking  with  us ; 
 fuch  as  to  fee  the  fun,  to  enjoy  this  life  in  health,  and  fome  good 
 worldly  accommodations  too:  and  if  we  be  making  that  fure,  it  is 
 our  wifdom.  The  times  would  make  any  that  love  the  Lord  fick, 
 and  faint,  to  confider  how  iniquity  abounds,  and  how  dull  we  are 
 in  obferving  fins  in  ourfelvcs,  and  how  quick-fighted  to  find  them 
 out  in  otht:rs,  and  what  bondage  we  are  in  ;  and  yet  very  often, 
 when  we  complain  of  times,  we  are  fecretly  flandering  the  Lord's 
 work  and  wife  government  of  the  world,  and  rainng  a  iiard  report 
 of  him:  lie  is  good,  and  does  good,  an4  all  his  ways  are  equal. 
 Madam,  I  have  been  to  fome  others  (oh  if  1  could  to  myfelf)  hold- 
 i)ig  out  fome  rnore  of  this,  to  read  and  ftudy  God  well,  and  make 
 the  ferious  thoughts  of  3  God-head  and  a  God-h^ad  in  Chrift,  the 
 work,  and  the  only  work,  all  the  day.  Oh  we  are  little  with  God  ! 
 and  do  all  without  God  !  we  lleep  and  wake  without  him  ;  we  eat, 
 we  fpeak,  wc  journey,  wc  go  about  worldly  bullnefs,  and  our  cal- 
 ling without  God  !  and,  confidering  what  deadnefs  is  upon  the 
 hearts  of  many,  it  were  good  that  fome  did  not  pray  without  God, 
 and  preach  and  fraife,  and  read  and  confer  of  God,  without  God. 
 
494  ^r  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  55.;} 
 
 It  is  univcrfally  complained  of,  that  there  is  a  ftrange  deadnefs 
 upon  the  land,  and  on  the  hearts  of  his  people :  Oh  if  we  could 
 help  it !  but  he  that  waters  every  moment  his  garden  of  red  wine, 
 muft  help  it.  I  believe  he  will  bum  the  briers  and  the  thorns 
 that  come  againft  him.  I  defire  to  remember  your  Ladyfhip  to 
 God,  but  little  can  I  do  that  way :  his  everlalling  good-will  be 
 with  you. 
 
 St,  Andrews^  2^th  July,  Tours  in  the  Lord  Jefus, 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 55.    For  the  Right  honourable  and  Christian  Lady,  the  Lady 
 
 KENAiURE. 
 Madam, 
 /^RACE,  mercy  and  peace  be  to  you  :  the  Lord  is  gracious, 
 ^^  who  keeps  your  Ludylliip  in  the  furnace,  when  many  put  out 
 their  hand  to  iniquity  one  way  or  other.  VVe  are  now  ilioulder- 
 ing  and  catling  down  one  another  in  the  dark,  and  the  godly  kid- 
 den  from  the  gcdiy.  We  make  our  own  chains  heavier,  by  join- 
 ing with  the  Lord's  enemies;  hence  new  fufferings  to  all,  that 
 dare  m:  fay  a  contedej-acy  to  thofe  to  whom  this  people  fey  a  con- 
 federacy, nor  fear  their  fear.  As  that  is  my  exerciie  now,  who 
 am  not  very  far  from  being  my  alone  (though  I  know  in  whom  I 
 have  'believed,  at  leait  1  (hould  know)  in  this  place  ;  fo  I  am  afraid 
 thzt  the^odly  theie  comply  with  ihefe  declared  enemies  of  God  j 
 it  will  be  our  ftrength  to  walk  between  enemies  and  malignants 
 en  either  iide ;  this  is  the  day  of  Jacob's  trouble,  yet  thefe  dry 
 bones  can  and  mud  live.  I  know  not  if  I  lliall  fee  it,  but  I  hope 
 to  take  this  quietnefs  and  filence  of  faith,  in  the  moft  of  the  noifes 
 of  the  alarm  for  war,  to  the  grave  with  me,  that  the  Lord  (ball 
 build  upon  the  chuich  of  Britain,  and  Ireland,  a  palace  of  fllver, 
 inclofed  with  boards  of  cedar.  Dear  madam,  faint  not,  the  night 
 is  almofl  gone;  for  the  vifion  is  yet  for  an  appointed  time,  but  at 
 the  end  it  Ih  dl  fpeak,  and  not  lie;  though  it  tarry,  wait  for  it, 
 "bccaufe  it  will  furely  come,  and  not  tari-y.  Madam,  weary  notj 
 none  can  Out-bid  your  lodging  in  heaven:  there  is  more  given  for 
 it  by 'him,  who  hath  befpoken  it  for  Jane  Campbell,  and  taken  it 
 for  her,  than  any  can  offer-,  the  ranfom  of  blood  ifandeth.  My 
 wife  remembereih  her  refpevSis  to  your  L^dy:hip.  The  child  is 
 well  i  Mra  Giilefpy  is  weli  we  hear,  but  not  here.  Grace,  grace 
 bo  with  you. 
 
 St.  JndrewSy  Jj,n,  iZth  Tours  in  his  own  Lord 
 
 If.;:.  JcfuiChrift,    S.  R. 
 
Epia.  s^-l  LETTERS.  49j 
 
 56.  Tc  th/r  honour tible  and  truly  -jjcrthy  Colonel  GILBER  T  KER.. 
 
 Aluch  (yynoured  in  the  Lord, 
 TTOW  it  is  with  you,  may  appear  by  your  letters  to  feme  with 
 -*■-■■  us.    But  it  is  the  complaint  of  not  a  few  of  fuch,  who  were 
 in  Chrifb  before  me,  that  moft  of  us  inhabit  and  dwell  in  a  p,irch- 
 cd  land.  The  people  of  the  Lord  are  like  a  land  not  rained  upon  : 
 though  fome  dare  not  deny  but  this  is  the  garden  of  the  Beloved, 
 and  the  vineyard  that  the  Lord  cloth  keep,  and  water  every  mo- 
 ment ;  yet  O  where  are  the  fometimes  quickening  breathings  and 
 influences  from  heaven  that  have  refreflied  his  hidden  ones  ?  The 
 caufes  of  his  v.ithdrawings  are  unknown  to  us;  one  thing  cannoc 
 be  denied,  but  that  ways  of  high  fovereignty,  and  dominion  of 
 grace,  are  far  out  of  the  iight  of  angels  and  men  •,  yea,  and  fo  2- 
 bove  the  fixed  way  of  free  promifes,  (fuch  as,  This  do,  and  he  IhaJl 
 breathe  and  blow  upon  his  garden)  as  he  hath  put  forth  a  decla- 
 ration to  his  hidden  ones  in  Scotland,  that  fmarting,  wrefUings, 
 prayings,  complaining,  gracicus  miffing, cannot  earn  the  vilits  from 
 on  high,  nor  fetch  down  fhowers  upon  the  defort.  It  may  be,  when 
 we  are  faying  in  our  graves.  Our  bones  are  dry,  and  our  hope  gone, 
 that  temporal  and  fpiritual  deliverance  may  come  both  together^ 
 and  that  he  fliall  caufe  us  feel,  both  the  one  way  and  die  other, 
 the  good  of  his  reign  who  fhortly  comes  to  the  throne,  Pfal.  Ixxii. 
 6.  *  He  ihall  come  down  like  rain  upon  the  mown  grafs;  as  (bow- 
 ers that  water  the  earth.'  Ver.  7.   *  In  his  days  fliall  the  righteous 
 flourifli :  and  abundance  of  peace,  fo  long  as  the  moon  enduf  eth.' 
 Ver.  1  2.  *  He  ihall  deliver  the  needy  when  hecrieth,  and  the  poor 
 alfo,  and  him  that  hath  no  helper.'  Ver.  14.     *  He  (hall  redeeni 
 their  foul  from  deceit  and  violence:  and  precious  fhall  their  bloo4 
 be  in  his  fight.*  And  though  we  cannot  pray  home  a  fweet  feafon 
 that  way,    yet  Chrift  mud  bring  fummer  with   him,    when  he 
 Cometh.  Ver.  i  6.  *  There  fiiall  be  an  handful  of  com  in  the  earth 
 upon  the  top  of  the  mountains,  the  fruit  thereof  (hall  (hake  like 
 Lebanon  *    I  know  not  if  1  apply  prophefies  as  I  wouki,  rather 
 than  as  th?y  are  ;  when  the  one  Shepherd  is  fet  over  them,  evea 
 he  who  Ihali  fiand  (O  how  much  do  we  ly  !)  and  feed  in  the  ilrengtb 
 of  the  Lord,  the  ifles  (and  this  the  s^reatcft  of  them)  who  wait 
 for  his  law.  are  to  look  for  that,  Ezek.  xxxiv.   26.     *  And  I  wiii 
 make  them,  and  the  places  round  about  my  hill,  a  blcflinp,  and  I 
 Tvill  caufe  the  (bowers  to  come  down  in  his  feafon/    And  there 
 fliatl  be  fhowers  of  blelfiog:    how  defireable  muft  every  drop  of 
 fuch  a  ihow-r  be  .''  And  Hofea  xiv.   5.     *  I  will  be  as  the  dew  to 
 Ifrael,   he  lh.i]l  grow  as  the  liiv,   and  cail  forth  his  roots  a.i  Leba- 
 txon,  Ver.  6.  *  His  branches  flialJ  fpread,  aud  his  beauty  ibali  be  «« 
 
496  .m  RUTHERFOORD's'  £pift.  56.] 
 
 the  ollve-trcc,  and  his  fmell  as  Lebanon.'  And  Ifa.  Iv.  13.  «  In- 
 ftead  of  the  thorn  fhall  come  up  the  fir-tree,  and  inftead  of  the 
 brier  fliall  come  up  the  myrtle  tree:  and  it  fhall  be  to  the  Lord 
 for  a  name,  for  an  everlafting  fign  that  fhall  not  be  cut  off.'  Ifa. 
 xli.  19.  *  I  will  plant  in  the  wildernefs  the  cedar,  thefliittah-tree, 
 and  the  oil  tree.*  Ifa.  xiiv.  3.  *  I  will  pour  water  upon  him  that  is 
 thiifty,  anci  floods  upon  the  dry  ground  :  I  will  pour  my  Spirit 
 upon  thy  fced^  and  my  blefTmg  upon  their  offspring.'  And  it  ihail 
 be  no  loft  labour,  nor  fruitlefs  hufbandry.  Ver.  6.  *  They  iliall 
 fpring  as  among  the  grafs,  as  willows  by  the  water-courfes.  But 
 when  this  fliall  be  in  Scotland,  (and  it  mull  be)  is  better  to  be- 
 lieve than  prophefy,  and  quietly  to  hope  and  fit  ftill  (for  that  is 
 yet  our  ftrength)  than  quarrel  with  him,  that  the  wheels  of  his 
 chariot  move  leifurely. 
 
 Yet  this  can  hardly  fay  any  thing  to  us.  w^ho  do  fo  much  pleafc 
 ourfelves  in  our  deadncfs,  and  are  almoft  gone  from  godly  thiift 
 and  miffing  too,  being  half-faliiified  with  our  witherednefs ;  no 
 doubt  we.  have  marred  his  influences,  and  have  npt  feconded  nor 
 fmiled  upon  his  actings  upon  us,  nor  have  we  been  much  of  his 
 drain,  w^ho,  Pfal.  cxix.  doth  eight  times  breathe  out  that  fuit, 
 Quicken  me,  quicken  me.  So  much  are  we  defirous  to  be  acled 
 upon  by  the  Lord  as  blocks  and  (tones  ^  and  fo  prodigal  are  we 
 of  hismotions,  as  if  they  were  no  better  to  be  hufbc.nded  :  but  it  is 
 good,  that  it  is  not  in  our  power  to  blaft  and  undo  his  breathings; 
 but  his  wind  bioweth  where  he  liftcth.  Could  we  but  learn,  and 
 caft  a  quiet  fpirit  under  the  dewings  and  fhowerings  of  him,  that 
 every  rjioment  watereth  his  vineyard,  how  happy  and  bleflcd  were 
 we  ?  we  neither  open,  nor  do  we  difcern  his  knocking,  nor  feel 
 his  hand  put  in  through  the  key-hole,  nor  can  we  give  any  fpiri- 
 tual  account  of  the  walkings  and  motions  of  Chriil,  when  he  ftands 
 behind  the  wall,  when  he  comes  fl^ipping  over  the  mountains, 
 when  he  comes  to  his  garden  and  feafts,  when  he  feeds  among  the 
 lilies,  when  his  fpikenard  cafts  a  fmell,  when  he  knocks  and  with- 
 draws, and  is  no  where  to  be  found.  O  how  little  a  portion  of 
 God  do  we  fee  I  how  little  ftudy  we  God !  how  rarely  read  we 
 God,  or  are  verfed  in  the  lively  apprehenfions  of  that  great  un- 
 known All  in  All,  the  glorious  God-head,  and  the  God-head  re^ 
 vealed  in  Chrift !  VVe  dwell  far  from  the  well,  and  complain  but 
 dryly  of  our  drynefs  and  dulnefs  ;  we  are  rather  dry  than  thirfty. 
 
 Sir,  There  may  be  artificial  pride  in  this  humility;  but  for  me, 
 I  neither  know  what  he  is,  nor  his  Son's  name,  nor  where  he  dwells: 
 I  hear  a  report  of  Chtift  great  enough^  and  that  is  all.  O  what  is 
 nearnefs  to  him  !  what  is  that,  to  be  in  God,  to  dwell  in  Godl 
 what  a  houfe  muft  that  be,  i  John  iv.  13.  How  far  are  fome  froni 
 their  houfc  and  home  ?  how  ill  acquaint  with  the  rooms,  manfionsj 
 
EpIfV.  57.]  t.  E  t  T  E  k  S.  497 
 
 faf^ty  and  fweetnefs  of  heiy  fcciirity  to  be  found  in  God  !  O  what 
 eilrangement  I  what  wandering  !  what  frequent  converfing  wittl 
 iclf  and  the  creature  I  Is  not  here  the  bed  ftiorter  than  that  a  man 
 can  llretch  himrdf  on  it?  and  the  covering  narrower  than  that  he 
 can  wrap  himfelf  in  it?  Ifa.  xxviii,  20.  When  fhall  we  attain  to 
 a  living,  in  only,  only  God  !  and  be  ellranged  from  all  the  poor 
 created  nothings,  the  pointed  (liadow-beings  of  yellerday,  which 
 an  hour  and  lefs  before  Lreation  wrre  dark  wails  negatives,  and 
 ^mpty  nothing?,  and  liioiild  fo  have  been  for  eternity,  had  the 
 I^ord  fuiTered  them  to  ly  there  for  ever?  It  is  Ke,  the  great  He, 
 who  fitLeth  upon  the  circle  of  the  earth  (of  the  world)  and  the  in- 
 habitants thereof  are  as  grHilioppers ;  that  ftretcheth  cut  the  hea- 
 vens as  a  curtain,  an  1  fpicadtth  them  out  as  a  tent  to  dwell  in; 
 that  bringeth  the  princes  to  nothing,  and  maketh  the  judges  of  the 
 c:artl^,as  yani,ty,  Ifa.xl.  22,  23.  And  He,  the  only  He,  and  there 
 i&caHe  bcfide  him,  ifa.  xliii.  10,  11.  Ita.  xlv.  5.  ?vlen  or  angels, 
 tbey  are  not  any  of  them  an  he  to  him  ;  but  a  living,  breathing, 
 dying  nothing  is  man  at  his  hell,  a  Tick  clay-vanity  ;  and  the  an- 
 g^l  to  him  but  a  more  excellent,  living,  and  undeiihnuing  no- 
 tliiiig  ;  yet  wc  live  at  a  ditlance  from  him,  and  we  die  and  wi- 
 ther, when  we  are  out  of  God  :  oh  if  we  knew  how  nothing  we 
 are  without  him.  Sir,  We  defire  to  mind  your  bonds,  and  arc 
 cheered  and  refreflied,  that  v/e  hear  of  any  of  his  manifefbtions, 
 and  his  out-goings,  which  are  prepared  as  the  moaning  to  you.  We 
 hope,  nor  need  we  defire  you  not  to  faint,  and  are  confident  that 
 the  anointing  that  abideth  in  you,  teacheth  you  fo  much  :  wait 
 upon  the  fpeakirig-vifion ;  behold  he  cometh,  behold  his  reward 
 is  with  him,  and  his  work  before  him.  The  only  wife  God 
 ftrengthen  you  with  all  might,  according  to  his  glorious  power, 
 unto  all  patience  and  long-fuffering  with  joyfulnefs. 
 
 iS"*.  ylndrewS)  July  Tours  at  all  obfervance  in  the 
 
 1653.  Lord  J ef us,  S.  R. 
 
 57.      To  Mr,  JOHN  SCOT  at  Oxname. 
 
 Reverend  and  d^ar  brother, 
 T  Saw  fr6m  C.  K.  a  teOimony  of  your  prefbytery  agaiiifl:  tolera- 
 *  tion,  in  which  you  have  b^cn  inljrumental ;  the  Lord  give 
 ftrength  to  do  more.  ,1  think  it  both  rare  and  ncceflary,  and  would 
 account  it  a  great  mtr<;y^  if  tl^cre  were  an"  acMitiop  of  a  pofltcript 
 frofti  divers  minifbers  and  elders,. out  of  ail  the  (hires  of  Scotland  : 
 it. is  really  the  mind  of  all  the  godly  and  tender  in  this  land.  It  iu 
 believed  by  fome,  that  the  protefting  party  hath  quite  given  over 
 the  caufe  r  I  hope  it  is  not  io  i  but  the  Lord  fliali  be  yet  vi£loriou3 
 in  his  mbft  def 01  f^i  or.es.    Our'darknefs  is  great  and  thick,    and 
 
 Ki  r 
 
49S  Mr  RUTHERFfKlRD's        Epift..58,:59.3 
 
 there  is  much  deadnefs ;  yet  the  Lord  fliall  be  our  light     Thus 
 recommending  you  to  his  grace,  whole  you  are,  I  am 
 
 St,  ^ndreivsy  April  2^  Tour  own  brother  in  the  Lord, 
 
 1658.  S.  R. 
 
 5.'}.     To  Mr  JOHN  SCOT  at  Ox7iamc, 
 
 Dear  brother ^ 
 ■p  AINT  not,  but  be  flrong  in  the  Lord,  amd  in  the  power  of  his 
 -*-  might ;  I  look  on  it  as  a  rich  mercy,  that  the  Lord  is  with 
 vou.  ftrengthening  you,  to  quicken  fainters,  to  warm  and  warn  any 
 that  are  cold  or  dead,  or  who  deaden  others.  Believe  it,  it  will  be 
 your  peace  in  the  end :  the  times  are  fad ;  yet  I  perfuade  myfelf, 
 the  vifion  will  not  tarry,  but  wnll  fpeak.  The  Lord  will  loofe  our 
 captive-bonds:  O  bltjfled  he,  though  alone,  who  is  found  fail  and 
 conftant,  for  the  delirable  intereft:  of  Chrifl.  My  humble  advice 
 would  be,  that  you  fee  to  the  placing  of  the  deacon  and  ruling- 
 elder,  or  to  any  thing  that  may  weaken  the  difcipline  :  our  fecond 
 book  of  difcipline  would  be  heeded,  fefTions  purged.  Oh  !  cate- 
 chifing  and  perfonal  vifiting,  and  fpeaking  to  them /igiliatimf  con- 
 cerning their  intereft  in  Chrift,  and  a  ftateof  converlion,  is  little  in 
 practice.  The  pradice  of  family-fafls  is  fcarce  known  to  be  an 
 ordinance  of  God.  It  were  good  you  would  confer  with  godly 
 bretriren  in  private,  concerning  the  promoving  of  godlinefs,  con- 
 cerning Chriftian  conference,  and  praying  together,  worihipping 
 of  God  in  families,  and  folitary  fafts.  To  his  grace,  who  can  di- 
 rect, quicken,  and  iliengthen  )0U,  I  recommend  you,  and  am 
 
 St,  .Andrews.  Tour  ioving  brother,     S.  R. 
 
 59.     To  Mr  JOHN  SCOT  at  Oxname, 
 
 Ucverend  and  dear  brother y 
 "VT'OUPv  letter  that  came  unto  me  of  Augufl:  2d,  to  be  at  Edin* 
 .  burgh  upon  Auguil:  2d,  was  ur]known  to  me  by  the  fubfcrip- 
 tion  ;  but  fince  it  was  written  for  fo  honourable  and  warrantable  a 
 truth  of  Chrift,  rs  .a  teftimony  againft  toleration,  if  my  health 
 would  have  permitted,  and  my  daily  menacing  gravel,  I  fliould 
 Kavecome  to  Edinburgh  :  what  either  counfel,  countenance,  or 
 clearihg,  \ou  could  h.ive'had  from  the  like  of  me,  I  cannot  fay, 
 nor  dare  I  fpeak  much.  But  with  a  referve  of  the  help  of  his 
 grace,  I  defire  to  defire,  and  purpofe  by  ftrength  from  above,  to 
 own  that  caufe.  and  to  join  with  you  and  fome  in  this  church,  be- 
 fides  your  prefoytery,  who  will  own  that  caufe.  Be  ftrong  in  the 
 Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  might.  This  cloud  will  over  : 
 could  we  live  by  faith,  and  wait  on  a  fpeaking  and  a  feeming-delay- 
 
Epift.  60, 61]  LETTER  S.  499 
 
 ing  vifjon,  the  Lord  will  not  tarry.     Grace  be  with  you.     Many 
 are  with  you,  but  th^re  is  One  who  is  above  miiiions. 
 St.  Andrews y  June  1 5.  Your  own  brother  in 
 
 1658.  the  Lord,    S.  R. 
 
 60.     For  Mr.  JOHN  SCOT  at  Oxname. 
 
 Revere?id  and  dear  brother ^ 
 "M  O  man  oweth  more  to  the  church  of  God  with  vou,  thzn 
 "*"  poor  and  wretched  I  \  but  when  wenknefsof  body,  and  the 
 Lord  by  it,  did  forbid  me  to  undertake  a  Icli'er  journey  to  Edin- 
 burgh, 1  am  forbidden  far  more  to  journey  thither  ;  and,  believe 
 it,  nothing  befides  tliis  doth  hinder.  1  am  unable  to  overtake 
 what  the  Lord  hath  laid  upon  me  here ;  and  therefore  1  oelire  to 
 fubmit  to  Sovereignty,  and  muft  befilcnt ;  if  my  prayers  .-.nd  heft 
 ttcfires  to  the  Lord  could  contribute  any  thing  for  promoving  of 
 his  work,  my  foul's  defire  is,  That  the  wildernefs,  and  that  place 
 (to  which  i  owe  my  firil  breathing)  in  which  i  fear  Chrift  was 
 fcarce  named,  as  touching  any  reality  or  power  of  godlinefs,  may 
 bioilom  ai  a  rofe.  So  denring  and  praying  that  his  name  may  be- 
 great  among  you,  and  increating  that  you  may  believe  that  the 
 names  .of  the  Lord's  adverfaries  ihali  be  written  in  the  earth  and 
 that  whoiO  wiil  not  come  up  ot  r.ll  the  families  cf  the  earth  unifj 
 Jerufalem,  to  worlbip  the  King,  the  Lord  of  hofts,  even  upon  them 
 ihali  be  no  rain ;  and  that  the  Lord  will  create  glory  upon  every 
 ailembly  in  mount  Zion  ;  I  reil 
 
 St.  /IndreiijSi  June  15,  Tour  own  brother  in 
 
 1655.  the  Urd,    8.  Pi. 
 
 61.     For  Mr.  JAMES  DURHAM,  mimfier  cf  the  gofpel at 
 GlafgciUy  fome  few  days  before  his  death. 
 Sir,  1 
 
 T  Would  ere  now  have  written  to  you,  had  I  not  known  your 
 -•■  health,  weaker  and  weaker,  could  fcarce  permit  you  to  hear  or 
 read",  i  need  not  fpeak  much  ;  the  way  you  know,  and  have 
 lireacbed  toothers  the  fiiill  of  the  Guide,  and  the  glory  of  the  home 
 beyoufl  death.  And  when  he  fays,  Come  and  fee,  it  will  be  your 
 ^ain  to  obey,  and  go  cut  and  meet  the  Uridegrooiu  :  what  accef- 
 fion  is  made  10  ih?  higher  houfe  ot  his  kingdom  iiiould  not  be  our 
 iofs,  thou;^h  it  be  real  iofs  to  the  cb.urchof  God :  but  we  count  one 
 \^ay,  and  the  Lord  counts  another  way.  He  is  infallible,  am!  the 
 only  yrife  God,  and  nt^eds  none  of  U5..  ,Had  he  needed  Mofesand 
 the  prophets  their  ft^ying  in  the  body,  he  could  have  taken  ano- 
 other  way.  Vv'ho  dare  bid  you  crft:  your  thoughts  back  on  wife 
 Oi  chUdre^i,  w^zn  he  hath  fain,  Leave  i:i?m  to  me,  and  come  up 
 
 R  r  r  2 
 
500  Mr  Rb: THRRF OQ,R Dh  Epift.  62.] 
 
 hither  ?  Of  who  can  pcrfu^de  jou  to  die  or  live  as  \i  that  were  ar^ 
 bitraryto  us,  and  not  his  alone,  Ayho  hath  deterrained  the  numbcc 
 of  your  months  ?  Il  iq  it^fcern  good  to  him^  CoHQvy  youc  Fojerun- 
 ner  and  Guide:  '{%  is  an  unknown  land  to  you,  who  was  never 
 there  before;  but  the  land  is  good,  and  the  company  before  the 
 throne  delirable,  and  he  who  hts  on  the  throne  is  his  alone  a  fui- 
 ficient  heaven.     Grace,  grace  be  wuh  you. 
 
 «SV.  Andrews^  jU'n^  ^  y  To7drs  in  the  Lord y 
 
 i6s^.  S.  R. 
 
 62.  Mr.  PvUTHERFOORD'j  judgment,  fent  to  fome  brethren, 
 ahout  petitioning  his  mjjejiy  after  his  return,  and  for  owning 
 fuch  who  were  cenfured  while  about  that  fo  neceffary  a  duty.,        ' 
 
 Reverend  and  dear  brethren, 
 TT  is  a  matter  of  diflicul'vy  to  me  to  write  at  thi^  diftaiice,  not 
 •^  having  heard  your  debates.  It  feems  the  l;^ord  calls  us -to  give 
 information  to  the  king's  majcfty  of  affairs.  The  Lord's  admir- 
 able providence,  in  bringing  him  to  his  throne,  and  laying  afide 
 others,  who  were  enemies  to  the  caufe  and  fworn  covenant  of  God, 
 (fo  that  nov,'  the  government  i;s  in  a  right  line)  is  to  be  adored  :  ' 
 and  I  judge  (without  prefcribing)  that  fome  (houid  be  fent  to  his 
 majefty,  to  congratulate  that  providence,  and  the  reafon  of  our 
 being  fo  flow  in  fending  would  be  rendered,  i.  We  would 
 write,  not  in  the  name  of  the  kirk  of  Scotland,  but  in  the  name  of 
 the  mofl  confiderable  number  of  godly  minifters,  elders,  and  pro- 
 feflbrs,  who  both  pray  for  the  king,  are  obedient  to  his  laws,  and 
 are  under  the  oath  ot  God  for  the  fwcrn. reformation.  2.  It  is 
 better  now,  than  after  fentcnces  and  trouble,  to  have  recourfe  to 
 him,  who  is  by  place  Pater  Patria.  3.  We  would  fupplicate  in 
 all  humility  for  prote6tion,  countenance,  far. more  for  lawful  liber- 
 ty 1^  fear  the  bond  of  the  Oiilh  of  the  dreadfui'and  n)o(l:  high  Lord, 
 avouching  to  his  majelty,  that  the  Lord,  his  lioly  name  being  inter- 
 pi  •f^.d,  will  own  that  covenant,  and  blcfs  his  majefi-y  with  a  happy 
 and  fuccefsful  reign,  in  the  ov/ning  thereof,  and  killing  of  the 
 Son  of  God.  And  when  the  Lord  Ihall  be  pleafcd  to  grant  that 
 to  us,  which  concerns  religion,  the  beauty  of  his  houfe,  the  pro- 
 piigating  of  the  gofpel,  the  government  of  the  Lord's  kingdom, 
 without  popf^ry,  prcl.icy,  unwritten  traditions  and  ceremonies-,  let 
 his  majcity  try  our  loyalty  with  what  commrinds  he  Ihall  be  pleaf- 
 td  to  lay  on  us,  and  fee  if  we  be  found  rebellious.  4.  Wewould 
 dhViaim.mch  as  have  finfully  complied  >with  the  late  ufurpe-r^ ; 
 produce  our  written  tefiimonies  againfbtt^em  ;  our  not  accepting 
 of  ollices  and  places  of  trail:  from  them  ;  our  teflimonies  rgaihit 
 tfjcir  ufurpatiou,  covenant-breakifig,  toieiation-oi  aM  Fciigions,  cor^ 
 
fplft.  63.3  LETTERS  '^  53£ 
 
 rupt  ScOarian  ways,  for  which  the  Lord  hath  broken  them.  5. 
 Wc  are  roprefented  to  his  majeily  as  fuch  who  would  net  confent 
 that  the  remenftrance  of  the  weftern  forces  iLould  be  condemned 
 by  the  commlllion  of  the  General  Aflembly  :  whereas,  (i.)  We 
 did  hunibly  defire,  that  the  judicature  would  not  condemn  nor 
 cenfure  rh-At  remonftrance,  till  the  gentlemen  ^ere  heard,  and  their 
 reafons  difcufled.  (2  )  Whatever  demur  was  as  to  the  banding 
 or  combining  part  of  it,  we  were,  and  are  obliged  to  believe,  they 
 h.jd-  no  Secl-irian  defign  therein,  nor  levelling  intention.  (3.) 
 They  are  gentlemen  mofl:  loyal,  and  never  were  enemies  to  bia 
 majefty's-  royal  power;  but  only  defired  that  fecurity  might  be 
 bad  for  religion  and  the  people  of  God  ;  perfons  difarfeded  to  re- 
 ligion and  the  fworn  covenant  abandoned  ;  otherwifc  they  were 
 and  dill  are  willing  to  hazard  lives  and  eftates,  for  the  juft  greatnefs 
 and  frtfety  of  his  majefty,  in  the  maintenance  of  the  true  religion, 
 covenant  and  caufc  cf  Gcd.  The  only  difficulty  will  be,  where  to 
 have  fit  men  to  fend.  But  as  it  will  be  both  iin  and  fhame  for  us» 
 to  defert  our  undeferved?y  now  cenfured  brethren  ;  fo  it  will  be  our 
 Ifn^and  reproach,  fm fully  to  comply  with  fuch  things  and  coutfcs, 
 as  we  teftilied  agalnui,  and  conlefled  to  God.  1  can  fay  no  more 
 at  prefentj  but  1  am 
 
 St.  AndrexiJSi  i66o.  Tcur  kving  brother^    S.  R. 
 
 6^.  Mr.  RUTHERFOORD's  judgment  of  a  draught  or  minute 
 of  a  petition,  to  have  been  piefrnted  ro  the  Committee  of  e- 
 ftates,  by  thofe  mini'.lers  v.ho  were  then  prifoners  in  the  caillc 
 of  Edinburgh,  for  that  other  well-known  petition  to  his  majefty, 
 
 ■  about  whicM  they  were,  when  feiztfd  upon  and  made  prifoners. 
 But  that  no  tyuin  may  mi/^dke  or  judge  cimifs  c^f  perfons,  Jo  fixed  vi- 
 
 the  cauft',  and  faithful  in  their  generations  i  know,  that  this 
 draught  luas  not  fent  to  Mr.  Rutherford^  as  a  ^aper  concluded 
 and  condtfcendcd  upon  among  thcfe  brethren,  ivhoje  love  to  truth 
 -mihie  them  in  ail  things,  fo  tender ^  that  they  ivere  ex^er  fond  t9 
 
 ■  ahjiain  from  all' appearance  of  evil  \   but  it  iv.is  more  like  the  fug- 
 gejtion  of  fome  other  me^vfinherein  ivas  laid  before  them  nv hat  kind 
 
 '  of  nddrefs  would  ?no/l  prctKihly  pleofe,  ivnving  the  jufl  mcd/ures  of 
 tvhit  \\.  as-  J  imply  duty  in  their  circumftance: )  than  any  thing 
 fhuiingfrom  thcmfelves^'  as  the  proditcl  cf  a  mafure  deliberation, 
 y:7/;;/ Secondly,   Know  {which  covfirmeth  ii;hat  was  fciid)   that 
 
 ■  ^whatever  it  ivas,  or-ivhoever  gave  the  rife  to  it^  vet  it  was  never 
 made  ufeof  nor  prefenttd  to  the  Committee  cf  Efiates,  hy  any  cf 
 tfrefefaiiifnlrrren,  whofe  fraifc,  for  their  fidelity,  fixednefs,  real 
 
 '  end  untoinied  integrity {  is  in  the  churches,  of  Cbtijil' 
 
S9\  Ur  RUTHERFOOBD's  Epift.  63.:) 
 
 ' "  D^ar  brother y 
 
 T  Am  (as. ye  know)  ftraitened  as  another  fufferlng  man  \  but  dare 
 ■*•  not  petition  this  Committee,  i.  Becaufe  it  dri^ws  us  to  capi- 
 tulate with  fuch  as  have  the  advantage  ot  the  mount,  the  Lord  fo 
 difpofing  for  the  prefent :  and  to  brine  the  matters  of  Chrift  to 
 yea  and  no  (you  being  prifoners,  and  they  the  powers)  is  a  hazard, 
 i.  A  fpeaking  to  them  in  writ,  and  paiTmg  in  Ulence  the  fworn 
 covenant,  and  the  caufe  of  God,  which  is  the  very  prefent  contro- 
 verfy,  is  contrary  to  the  practice  of  Chrift  and  the  apoftles,  who 
 being  accufed,  or  not  accufed,  avouched  Chrift  to  be  the  Son  of 
 God,  and  the  JVlefiia^,  and  that  the  dead  muft  nie  again,  even 
 >vhen  the  adverfary  rniftated  the  queftion.  Yea,  fiience  of  the 
 caufe  af  God,  which  adverfaries  perfecute,  feems  a  tacit  deferting 
 of  the  caiife,  when  the  ft^te  of  the  queftion  is  known  to  beholders  j 
 and  I  know  the  brethren  intend  not  to  leave  the  caufe.  3.  I  know 
 no  offence  you  have  given  (I  will  not  fay  what  offence  may  be  ta- 
 ken) either  as  to  the  matter  or  manner  of  your  petition:  for  if 
 what  you  have  done  be  a  neceffary  duty,  laid  afide  by  others,  a 
 duty  can  never  give  an  offence  to  Chrift,  and  To  none  to  men.  But 
 Chnftians'will  look  upon  a  pious,  harmlefs  and  .innocent  petition 
 to  the  prince,  in  the  matters  of  the  Lord's  honour  and  good  of 
 liTs  churchj  though  proffered  by  one  or  two  \*hen  they  are  filent 
 >\^ofe  it  is  to  rpeak  and  a£l,  as  a  feafonable  duty.  4.  The  draught' 
 of  that  petition,  which  you  fent  me,  fpeaks  not  one  word  of  the 
 covenant  of  God ;  for  the  adhering  to  which  you  now  fuffer,  and 
 which  is  the  object  of  mens  hatred  ;  and  the  deftruclion  whereof 
 is  the  great  work  of  the  times  :  and  your  fiience,  in  this  nick  of 
 time,  appears  to  be  a  non-confeffion  of  Chrift  before  men;  and 
 you  want  nothing  to  beget  an  uncleanly  deliverance,  but  the  pro- 
 teflioQ  of  ifilence.  5.  There  is  a  promife  and  real  purpofe  (as  the 
 petitioil  faith)  to  live  peaceable  under  the  king's  authority.  But, 
 (i.)  You  do  net  anfwer  fo  candidly  and  ingenuoufly  the  mind  of 
 the  rulers,  who  to  your  knowledge  m.ean  a  far  other  thing,  by  au- 
 thority,, than  you  do  ;  for  you  mean  his  juft  authority,  his  authori- 
 ty in  the  Lord,  and  his  juft  greatncfs,  in  the  maintenance  of  true 
 religion,  as  the  Covenant,  Confeffion  of  Faith,  aixi  Catechifms, 
 i^  exptefied,  from  the  word  of  God.  They  mean  his  fupreme  au- 
 thority and  abfolute  prerogative  above lavvs,  as  their  adls  clear,  and 
 M^  their  pradHce  is ;  for  they  refufed  to  fuch  i\s  were  unwilling  to 
 lubfcribc  their  bond,  to  add  authority  in  the  Lord,  or  juft  and  law-, 
 ful.  authority,  or  authority  as  is  expveffed  in.  thp  covenant.  But 
 thi3-tiraiight,  of  a  petition,. under  your  own  hand^. yields  the  fen fe 
 and-riieaning  to  them,  which  they  crave,  (2.), That  authority,,, 
 for  v/hich  they  contend,  is  exclufive  of  the  fworn  covenant ;  fo  that  .- 
 except  ye  hadiuid.  You  fball  be  fubjed;  to  the  king'i>  authoiity  in 
 
Epift.  fS^.l  LETTERS.  se^ 
 
 the  Lord,  or  according  to  the  fivorn  covenant,  you  fay  nothing  to 
 the  point  tn  hand  ;  and  that  fure  is  not  your  meaning.  (3.  Who- 
 ever promiled  (o  much  of  peaceable  living  under  his  majefty's  aii^ 
 thority,  leaving  out  the  expolition  of  the  fifth  commandment,  as 
 your  petition  doth,  may  upon  the  very  lame  ground  fubfcribe  the 
 bt  nd  rcfufed  by  the  godly;  and  fo  you  pafs  from  the  covenant,  and 
 make  all  ihefe  by-pait  actings  of  this  kirk  and  fb;ite,  thofe  years 
 by-palf,  to  be  horrid  rebellion ;  and  how  deep  that  guiltinel's 
 draws,  confider.  6.  A  condemning  of  the  remonftrance,  fimply 
 and  without  any  limitation  and  diftinclion,  is  a  condemning  of 
 many  precious  ones  in  the  land,  and  pjfTing  from  the  caufes  of 
 God's  wrath,  which  is  the  chief  matter  of  the  Remonftrance.  -7, 
 That  dothing  is  before  your  eyes,  but  the  exoneration  of  your 
 confcience,  is  indeed  believed  by  the  godly,  who  know  you :  but 
 a  pafling  in  filence  of  the  honeft  materials  in  your  former  petition 
 to  his  majeily,  feems  to  be  a  deferting  thereof,  fince,  in  all  your 
 petition,  you  do  not  once  fay,  you  cannot  but  adhere  to  that  pi- 
 ous petition,  as  your  neceflary  duty  j  and  that  you  intend  in  the  pe- 
 tition the  happinefs  of  his  majefty,  is  nlfo  believed.  Dear  brother, 
 Ihew  to  our  brethren,  the  Lord  Chrill  in  ycur  perfons,  hath  ftated 
 a  queftion  betwixt  him  and  the  powers  on  earth  :  the  only  wife 
 God  lead  you  now,  when  he  hath  brought  you  forth  in  public, 
 fo  to  act  as  if  ye  did  fee  Jefus  Chr'/ft  by  you,  and  beholding  you. 
 It  is  eafy  for  fuch  as  are  on  the  (bore,  to  tbrov/  a  counfel  to  thofe 
 that  are  tofied  in  thefea  :  but  only  living  by  faith,  and  by  fetching 
 ftrength  and  comfort  from  Chrift,  can  you  be  vi£iorJous,  and  have 
 right  to  the  precious  promifes  of  the  tree  of  life,  of  the  hidden 
 Manna,  of  the  gifted  Morning-Star,  and  the  like,  made  to  thofe 
 who  overcome;  to  whofe  ftrength  and  grace,  brethren,  who  de- 
 fire  with  me  to  remember  you,  do  recommend  you.  I  am, 
 St,  j^ndrews,  Dear  brother ^  Tours  in  the  Lord, 
 
 1660.  S.  R. 
 
 I 
 
 64.     For  the  right  honourable^  my  Lady  Vifcountefs  of 
 KENMURE. 
 Madam  ^ 
 
 T  is  not  my  part  to  be  unmindful  of  ycu  :  be  not  afflicted  for 
 your  brother,  the  Marquis  of  Argyle ;  as  to  the  main,  in  my 
 weak  r.pprehenficn,  the  feed  of  God  being  in  him,  and  love  to  the 
 people  of  God  end  his  caufe,  it  will  be  well '.  the  ma-king  particu- 
 lar reckoning  with  the  Lord,  and  peace  with  God,  and  owning  his 
 caufe  when  too  many  difown  it,  will  make  bis  peace  with  the  king 
 the  furer.  The  Lord  is  beginning  to  reckon  with  fuch  as  did  for- 
 fake  his  caufe  and  covenant;  and  until  we  return  to  him.  our 
 peace  ihall  not  be  like  a  river  and  as  the  waves  of  the  fea.    How- 
 
^04  Mr  R.UTffERTOORm  f^pVA.  6^.^^ 
 
 ever,  the  opening  -of  the  bofom,  to  take  in  all  the  msiignatJtg,  can 
 produce  no  belter  fruits.  The  Lord  calleth  us  to  fiee  into  our 
 chambers,  and  ihut  the  doors,  till  the  indignation  be  over,  Jfai 
 xxvi.  20.  The  lily  among  the  thorns  is  fo  ferved  j  he  hideth  him- 
 lelf,  and  our  mountain  is  removed,  and  we  are  troubled:  but  the 
 JUofd  reigns,  let  the  earth  tremble,  and  Jet  the  earth  rejoice.  The 
 Lord  without  blood  broke  the  yoke  of  tifurping  oporeffors,  and  laid 
 them  afide;  the  fame  Lord  can  fettle  throne  and  kingdom  on  the 
 piUars  of  heaven :  but  O  the  controverfy  the  Lord  hath  with  Edomi 
 and  thofe  who  covenanted  with  us,  and  then  fold  us ;  and- with 
 thofe  of  whom  the  Holy  Ghoft  fpeaks,  Lam.  ii.  14.  .  *  Thy  pro- 
 phets have  feen  vain  and  fooliih  things  for  thee;  they  have  not 
 difcovered  thine  iniquity  to  turn  away  ihy  captivity,  but  have  feen 
 for  thee  faJfe  burdens,  and  caufes  of  baniiliment-  The  time  ot 
 Jacob's  fufFering  is  but  fliort,  and.the  vifion  will  fpeak  :  cOuld  we 
 be  from  under  deadncfs,  and  watch  unto  wreftling  and  prayer  with 
 the  Lord,  and  live  more  by  faith,  we  tliouid  be  more  than  conquer^ 
 ors.  Wait  upon  the  Lord,  fa>nt  not;  the  Lord  Jefus  be  with  your 
 fpirit. 
 
 .    St. /JnJrewSi  July  24i  Yow  s  at  all  refpefht^^  td- 
 
 1660.  firvancv  in  the  L6rd, 
 
 S.  R. 
 
 ^5.    For  Mrs.  CRAIG,  vpon  the  Death  of  her  hopeful  Son,  ivh 
 ivas  dro-wrud  wajbing  himfelf  in  a  river  in  Frana^. 
 
 '.    Miftrefs, 
 
 VOU  have  {o  learned  Chrifl,  as  now  in  the  furnace,  what  drofs, 
 •*■  what  (hining  of  faith  may  appear,  mud  come  forth.  I  heard 
 of  the  removal  of  your  fon  Mr  Thomas  :  though  I  be  dull  enough 
 in  difcerning,  yet  I  was  wiinrjfs  to  forne  fpiritual  favourinefsof  the 
 new  birth  and  hope  of  the  refurre£tion,  which  I  faw  in  the  hopc- 
 fu"t  ydutli,  wheti  he  was,  as  was  feared,'  a-dying  in  this  city*  And 
 fince  it  was  written  and  advifedly  appointed,  in  the  fpodefs  and 
 holy  decree  of  the  Lord,  where,  and  before  what  witneifes,  and  in 
 "vi'hat  manner,  whether  by  a  fever,  the  mother  being  at  the  bed- fide 
 <)r  fome  other  way  in  a  far  country,  (dear  patriarchs  died  in  Egypt, 
 precious  to  the  Lord  have  v.^anr^d  burials,  Pfal.  Ixix  5.)  your 
 fafeft  will  be,  to  be  filcnt,  and  command  the  heart  tt)  utter  no  re- 
 pining and  fretting  thoughts  of  the  holy  difpenfation  of  God.  1* 
 The  man  is  beyond  the  hazard  of  difpute,  the  precious  youth  id 
 perfefted  and  glorified.  2.  Had  the  youth  lyen  year  and  ^-^-^ 
 pained  befide  a  witnefling  mother,  ic  had  been  pain  and  grief 
 iengthened  out  to  you  in  many  portions,  and  every  parcel  would 
 
Eplft.  65.3  LETTERS.  50^ 
 
 have  been  a  little  death  ;  now  his  holy  Majefly  h;uh,  in  one  lamp 
 aQ<l  mafj,  brought  to  your-ears  the  news,  and  hath  not  divided  the 
 griefiu  many  portioGS.  3.  It  was  not  yefterday's  thought,  or 
 the  other  yeai*s  ftitute;  but  a  counfel  of  the  Lord  of  old  ;  and, 
 who  can  teach  the  Almighty  kcov/iedge  ?  4.  There  is  no  wayot 
 quieting  the  mind,  and  of  fileacing  the  heart  of  a  mother,  but 
 godly  fubmifTion :  the  readied  v/ay  for  peace  and  con'olation  to 
 clayveiTcls  is,  that  it  is  a  uroke  of  the  Potter  and  Former  oP  ail 
 things ;  and  lince  the  holy  Lord  hath  loofcd  the  grip,  when  it  wa? 
 fallcned  fure  00  your  parr,  i  know  your  IJghr,  and  I  hope  your 
 heart  aifo  will  yield  :  it  i.^  not  f^fc.  to  be  at  pulling  and  drawioa 
 v/ith  the  omnipotent  Lord  ;  let  the  pull  go  with  him,  for  he  ifi 
 ftrong;  and  fay,  *  Thy  will  be  done  on  earth  as  It, is  in  heaven.' 
 5.  his  holy  method  ..ad  Order  is  to  be  adored  :  fometime  the  huf- 
 band  before  the  uid  fometime  the  Ion  before  the  mother ; 
 
 fo  hath  the  cw^ly  v-Wv*^  ordered  :  and  when  he  is  feot  before 
 and  not  iofl,  ilSfejrmm'gs  give  thanks.  6.  Meditate  not  too  much 
 oa  the  (ad  circun)|tacces  ;  the  mother  was  not  witnefs  to  the  laffc 
 fight,  pofiibly  cannot  get  leave  to  wind  the  fon,  nor  to  weep  over 
 his  grave,  und  he  was  in  a  ftrange  land ;  there  is  a  like  nearnefs  to 
 heaven  out  of  all  the  countries  of  the  earth.  7.  This  did  not 
 iptiixg  out  of  the  duU  ;  feed  and  grow  fat  by  this  medicine  and 
 fare  of  the  only  wife  Lord :  it  is  art  and  the  (kill  of  faith  to  read 
 what  the  Lppd  writes  upon  the  crofs,  and  to  fpell  and  conftru^l 
 right  his  fenfe;  often  we  mifcal  words  and  fentences  of  the  crofs, 
 and  either  put  nonfenfe  on  his  rods,  or  burden  kis  Majefly  with 
 {landers  and  miflakes,  when  he  minds  for  us  thoughts  of  peace  and 
 love,  even  to  do  us  good  in  the  latter  end.  8.  It  is  but  a  private 
 ftroke  on  a  family,  and  little  to  the.4)ublic  arrows  (hot  agaioil 
 grieved  Jofeph,  and  the  afflicted  ;  but  ah  !  dead,  fcnfelcfs  and  guil- 
 ty people  ot  God ;  this  is  the  day  of  Jacob's  trouble.  9.  There 
 is  a  bad  way  of  wilful  fwallowing  of  a  temptation,  and  not  digeft- 
 iog  it,  or  laying  it  out  of  memory  without  any  vi^lorioufneis  of 
 faith;  the  Lord,  who  forbids  fainting,  forbids  alio  defpifing  : 
 but  it  is  eafier  to  counfel  than  to  fuffer  ;  the  only  wife  Lord  f  ur- 
 ^niih  patience.  It  were  not  amifs  to  call  home  the  other  youth, 
 I  am  not  a  little  afflicftcd  for  my  Lady  Kenmure's  condition  ;  I  dt- 
 iire,  when  you  fee  her,  remember  my  humble  refpc(5ts  to  her  :  my 
 wife  heartily  remembers  her  to  you,  and  is  wounded  much  in 
 miad  with  your  pr^fent  condition,  and  fulfers  with  you.  Grace 
 be  with  you. 
 
 S^.  j^rJrews,  May  4.  Tours  in  the  Lord, 
 
 1660.  S.  K. 
 
 Sf  s 
 
5o6  Mr  RUrilERFOORD's  Epift.  66,"} 
 
 66.  A  letter  from  Mr.  SAMUFX  RUTHERFOORD  to  Mr, 
 WILLIAM  GUTHRY,  %vhen  the  army  was  at  Stirling^  after 
 the  defeat  at  Dunbar,  and  the  godly  in  the  IVcft  -juere  falfely 
 branded  ^Mith  intended  compliance  with  the  ufurpers,  about  the 
 time  when  thefe  debates,  and  that  difference  concerning  the  public 
 rcfohitions  arofe. 
 
 Reverend  brother, 
 T  Did  not  dream  of  fueh  (hortnefs  of  breath,  and  faintmg  in  the 
 •*  way  toward  our  country:  I  thought  I  had  no  more  to  do  but 
 die  in  my  nefl,  and  bow  down  my  finful  head,  and  let  him  put  on 
 the  cnnvn,  and  To  end.  I  have  fuffered  much  ;  but  this  is  the  thick- 
 ell  darknefs,  and  the  ItraiteA  ftep  of  the  way  I  have  yet  trode.  I 
 fee  more  ruffering  yet  behind,  and  I  fear  from  the  keepers  of  the  vine. 
 Let  me  obtain  of  you,  that  you  would  prefs  upon  the  Lord's  peo- 
 ple, that  they  would  ftand  far  off  from  thefe  merchants  of  fouls, 
 come  in  amongft  you.  If  the  way  revealed  in  the  word  be  that 
 way,  we  then  know,  thefe  foul-coupers  and  traffickers  (hew  not 
 the  way  of  falvation.  Alas !  alas  !  poor  I  am  utterly  loft,  my  (liare 
 of  heaven  is  gone,  and  my  hope  is  perifhed,  and  I  am  cut  off  from 
 the  Lord,  if  hitherto  out  of  the  way  :  but  I  dare  not  judge  kind 
 Chrift ;  for  if  it  m-iy  be  but  permitted  (with  reverence  to  his  great- 
 nefs  and  highnefs  be  it  fpoken)  I  will  before  wirnc/Tcs  produce  his 
 own  hand,  that  he  faid,  This  is  the  w^y,  walk  tl.ou  in  it:  and  he 
 ca/inot  except  againft  his  own  feal.  I  profefs  I  am  almoO  brokea 
 and  a  little  fleepy,  and  would  fain  put  off  this  body;  but  this  is 
 my  infirmity,  who  would  be  under  the  fbadow  and  covert  of  th  it 
 good  hind,  once  to  be  without  the  reach  and  blaft  of  the  terribl'e 
 ont?.  But  I  am  a  fool ;  there  is  none  that  can  overbid,  or  take  my 
 lodging  over  ray  head,  fince  Chriil  hath  taken  it  for  me.  Dear 
 brother,  help  me,  and  get  me  the  help  of  their  prayers  who  are 
 with  you,  in  whom  is  my  delight.  You  are  much  fulpecfed  of  in- 
 tended compliance  ;  I  mean  not  of  you  only,  hot  of  all  the  people 
 of  God  with  you.  It  is  but  a  poor  thing  the  fulfilling  of  my  joy; 
 but  let  me  obteft  all  the  ferious  feekers  of  his  face  his  |^ecret  fealcd 
 ones,  by  the  ftrongeft  confolations  of  the  Spirit,  by  the  genrlenefs 
 of  Jefus  Chrift,  that  Plant  of  renown,  by  your  Iaf>  accounts,  and 
 appearing  before  Go'd,  wh.en  the  white  throne  (hall  be  fet  up,  be 
 not  deceived  with  their  fair  words:  though  my  fpirlt  be  aftoni(hed 
 at  the  cunning  diflindlions,  which  are  found  out  in  the  matrers  of 
 the  covenant,  that  help  may  be  had  againft  thpfe  men  ;  yet  my 
 he  Tt  trembleth  to  entertain  the  leafl  thought  of  joining  with  thefe^ 
 deceivers.     Grace,  grace  be  with  you.    Amen. 
 
 St.  Andrews*  Tour  own  brother  in  our  common  Lord 
 
 and  Saviour^    S.  R^ 
 
Epifl.  6;.]  LETTERS.  507 
 
 67.  For  my  reverend  brother  ^  Chrift's  foJdier  in  hnds^  Mr.  JAMES 
 GUTHRV,  minifter  of  the  grjfpcl  at  Stirling, 
 
 Dear  brother y 
 *\T7E  are  very  oft  comforted  with  the  word  of  promife;  though 
 •  '  we  Humble  not  a  little  at  the  work  of  holy  providence  ; 
 fome  earthly  men  flourifhing  as  a  green  herb,  and  the  people  of 
 God  counted  us  Hiecp  for  the  (laughter,  and  killed  all  the  day  long ; 
 and  yet  both  word  of  promife,  and  works  of  providence,  are  from 
 him,  whofe  ways  are  equal,  ftrr.ight,  holy  and  fpoilefs.  As  for 
 me,  vv'hen  I  think  of  God's  difpenfations,  he  might  juflly  have 
 brougin  to  the  market-crofs,  and  to  the  light,  my  unfeen  and  fc- 
 crct  abominations,  which  would  have  been  no  fmali  reproach  to 
 the  holy  name,  and  precious  truths  of  Chrift  j  but  in  racrcy  he 
 hath  covered  thefe,  and  lliapen  and  carved  out  more  honourable 
 caufes  q[  fuffering,  of  which  we  are  unwvorthy.  And  now,  dear 
 brother,  much  depends  upon  theway  and  minner  of  luitbring,  ef- 
 pccially,  that  his  precious  truth  be  owned  with  all  heavenly  bold- 
 nefs  ;  and  a  reafon  of  our  hope  given  in  meekncfs  and  fear  ;  and 
 the  royal  crown,  andabfolure  fupremacy  of  our  Lord  JtfusChrlO, 
 the  Prince  of  the  kicgs  of  the  earth,  avouched,  as  becometh  :  for 
 certain  it  is,  Chrift  will  reign  the  Father's  King  in  mount  Zion  ; 
 and  his  fworn  covenant  v/dl  not  be  buried.  It  is  not  denied,  but 
 our  prafficai  breach  of  covenant  firft,  and  then  our  legal  breach 
 thereof,  by  enaffing  the  fame  mifchief,  and  framing  it  into  a  law, 
 may  heavily  provoke  our  fwectcft  Lord  :  yet  there  are  a  few  n-imes 
 in  the  land,  that  have  not  defiled  their  garments,  and  a  holy  \ttd^ 
 on  whom  the  Lord  will  have  mercy,  like  the  four  or  five  olive- 
 berries  upon  the  top  of  the  fliidvcn  olive-tree,  and  their  eye  Oiall 
 be  toward  the  Lord  their  Maker.  Think  it  not  flrange  that 
 men  devife  againfl  you :  whether  it  bc^  to  exile,  the  eanh  is  the 
 Lord's;  or  perpetual  imprifonment,  the  Lord  is  your  light  and 
 liberty  ;  or  a  violent  and  public  death,  for  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
 ven confilh  in  a  fair  comp.ny  of  glorified  martyrs  and  witnclTes, 
 of  whom  J'-fus  Chrift  is  the  chief  witncfs,  who  for  that  caufe  wr.s 
 born,  and  came  into  the  world.  Happy  are  \e,  if  you  give  tefli- 
 mony  to  the  world  of  your  preferring  Jefus  Chriil  to  all  powers  j 
 and  the  world  make  the  innwcency  and  Chriftian  loyalty  of  his 
 defamed  and  defpifed  witntfTesin  this  l;md  to  (liinc  to  afftr-genrr- 
 rations,  and  uiil  take  the  Man  child  up  to  God  and  to  hi^.  throne, 
 and  prepue  a  hidi.^g  place  in  the  wildernefs  for  the  mothf r,  and 
 caufe  the  earth  to  help  the  womin.  Be  not  terrified j  {\ti  not: 
 forgive  your  enemies ;  biefs  and  curfe  not  j  for  though  both  you 
 and  r  fliould  be  filent,  (lA  and  heavy  is  the  judgment  and  iodig- 
 nation  from  the  Lord;  that  is  abiding  the  UQiaiihful  waichmcQ  of 
 
 Sfs  2 
 
5o8  Mr  RUTHERFOORD's  Epift.  68.] 
 
 the  church  of  Scotland.  The  fouls  under  the  altar  are  crying  for 
 juftice,  and  there  is  an  anfwcr  returned  already:  the  Lord^s  falva- 
 tion  will  not  tarry.  Call  the  burden  of  vvife  and  children  on  the 
 Lord  Chrift,  he  cares  for  you  and  them  :  your  blood  is  precious 
 5a  his  fjght.  The  everiafiing  confolations  of  the  Lord  bear  you 
 up,  and  give  you  hope :  for  your  falvation  (if  not  deliverance)  is 
 concluded. 
 
 St.  Andrews y  Feb,  15.  1661.  Tour  own  brother ^  S.  R. 
 
 6^.     To  ABERDEEN. 
 
 Reverend  and  dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord, 
 Y^RACE  be  to  you,  and  peace  fromi  God  our  Father,  and  from 
 >-^  the  Lord  Jel'us  Chriil.  There  Were  fome  who  rendered 
 thanks,  with  kuecs  bowed  to  him,  *  of  whom  is  named  the  whole 
 family  in  heaven  and  earth,  when  they  heard  of  your  work  of  faith, 
 and  labour  of  love,  and  patience  of  hope  in  our  Lord  Jcfus  ;'  and 
 rejoiced  not  a  little,  that  where  ChriA  was  fcarce  named  in  favouri- 
 nefs  and  power  of  the  gofpel,  even  iu  Aberdeen,  that  there  Chrifl 
 hath  a  few  precious  names  to  him  who  fhall  walk,  with  him  id 
 white.  We  looked  on  it  (he  knoweth,  whom  we  defire  to  ferve 
 in  our  fpirit,  iii  the  gofpel  of  his  Son)  as  afpart  of  the  fulfilling  of 
 that,  *  The  wildernefs  and  folitary  place  fhall  be  glad  for  them  ; 
 and  the  defart  fhall  rejoice  and  blofTom  as  a  rofc;'  but  now  it  is 
 more  grievous  to  us  than  a  thouland  deaths,  when  we  hear  that 
 you  are  fhaken,  and  fo  foon  removed  from  that,  which  you  once 
 ncknowledged  to  be  the  way  of  God.  Dearly  beloved,  the  fhecp 
 follow  Cfariff,  who  calleth  them  by  name  :  a  flranger  they  will 
 not  follow  j  but  they  flee  from  him,  for  they  know  not  the  voice 
 of  a  flranger.  You  know  the  way,  by  which  you  were  fealed  to 
 the  day  of  redemption  ;  and  ye  received  the  Spirit  by  the  hearing 
 of  fiiith  :  part  not  with  th.tt  way,  except  ye  fee  there  be  no  reft 
 for  your  fouls  therein  ;  neither  liften  to  them  that  fay,  Many  were 
 converted  under  epifcopal  as  well  as  under  presbyterial  govern- 
 ment :  and  yet  the  godly  gave  teffimony  againft  the  Bifhops ;  for 
 ihe  inflrument?  of  converfion  lothed  cpilcopacy,  with  the  ceremo- 
 nies thereof,  and  never  fealed  it  with  their  fufferings.  But  we 
 fliail  deiire  infranccs  of  any  engaged  by  oaths,  and  by  the  fufferings 
 ^)r  the  faithful  meffengers  of  God,  and  the  manifeffation  of  the 
 Lord's  prcfence.  in  the  way  you  now  forfake,  who  yet  turned 
 from  it,  and  went  one  fiep  toward  finful  fcparation,  and  did 
 it  in  that  way  you  ilow  aim  at,  and  did  yet  flourifh  and  grow 
 in  gracn  :  but  we  can  bring  proofs  of  many  who  left  it,  and 
 went  fu fiber  on  to  abominable  ways  of  error.  And  you  have 
 U  noi  in  your  powsr,  wh?rc  you  fhall  lodge  at  night,  having  once 
 left  the  way  oi  God ;  and  m^ny  we  know  lofl  peace  and  comniuni- 
 
Epift.  68.]  LETTERS  509 
 
 on  with  God,  and  fell  in  a  condition  of  withering,  and,  ti6X  bciftg 
 able  to  find  their  lovers,  were  forced  to  return  to  rheir  firft  Huf- 
 band.  We  fhall  entreat  you,  confider  what  a  tumbling  it  is  to 
 maJignant  oppofers  of  the  way  and  caiife  of  God,  who  with  their 
 ears  heard  you,  and  with  their  eyes  faw  you,  (o  ftrenuoally  take 
 part  with  the  godly  in  their  fufFcrings,  and  profefs  yourfe!'/es  for 
 religion,  truth,  doctrine,  government  of  the  houfe  of  God,  his  co- 
 venant and  caufe ;  if  now  you  build  again  what  you  once  deftroyed, 
 and  deftroy  what  you  builded  ;  and  fnall  you  not  make  yourielves, 
 by  fo  doing,  tranlgrelTors  ?  how  fliali  it  wound  the  hearts  of  the 
 godly,  (lain  the  proftfTion,  darken  the  glory  of  the  gofpe!,  fhake 
 the  faith  of  many,  weaken  the  hands  ot  all,  if  you,  and  you  firft 
 of  all  in  this  kingdom,  fhaii  (Irerch  out  the  hand  to  raifc  the  walls 
 of  our  Jerufalem,  by  reafon  of  which  the  Lord  made  her  terrible 
 as  an  army  with  banners ;  for,  when  kings  came,  and  faw  the  pa- 
 laces and  bulwarks  thereof,  they  mai  veiled  and  were  troubled,  and 
 haded  away  ;  fear  took  hold  of  them  there,  and  pain  as  of  a  \^- 
 man  in  travail.  And  we  (hall  be  grieved,  if  you  fhall  be  heirs  to 
 the  giiiltinefs  of  breaking  down  the  fame  hedge  of  the  vineyard, 
 for  the  which  the  fad  indignation  of  God  purfueth  this  day  the 
 royal  family,  many  nobles,  houfes  great  and  fair,  and  all  the  pre- 
 latical  party  in  thefe  three  kingdoms.  And  when  your  dear  bre- 
 thren are  weak  and  fainting,  (hall  we  believe  that  you  will  leave 
 us,  and  be  divided  from  this  Co  bieflfed  a  conjun^flon  ?  The  Lord 
 Jelus  Chrift,'  we  truft,  {lia'l  walk  in  the  midil  of  the  golden  can- 
 dieftick?,  and  be  with  us,  if  you  will  be  gone  from  us.  Beloved 
 in  the  Lord,  we  cannot  but  be  perfuaded  of  better  things  of  you ; 
 and  we  fliall  cot  conceal  from  you,  that  we  are  ignorant  what  to 
 anfwer,  when  we  at*e  reproved  on  your  behalf,  in  regard  that  your 
 change  to  another  gofpel-way  (which  the  Lord  avert)  is  fo  much 
 the  more  fcandalous,  that  the  fudden  alteration,  unknown  to  us 
 before,  nov;  overtaketh  you,  when  men  come  amongfl  you,  againft 
 whom  the  furrow?  of  liic  fields  of  Scotland  do  complain.  Forget 
 hot,  dear  brethren,  that  Chrifl:  hath  now  the  fan  in  his  hand,  and 
 this  is  alfo  tht:;  day  of  the  Lord,  that  (hall  burn  as  an  oren  ;  and 
 that  ChriL^  now  fitterh  as  a  refiner  of  filver,  purifying  the  fons  of 
 Levi,  and  purging  them  as  gold  and  filver,  that  they  may  offer 
 unto  the  Lord  an  offering  of  righteoufncfs :  and  thefe  that  keep 
 the  word  of  his  (not  their  own)  patience,  Ihall  be  delivered  from 
 the  hour  of  temptation,  that  fiiall  come  on  all  the  earth  to  try 
 them.  If  you  excludes]]  non-conveits  from  the  vifiblc  ci:y  of  God, 
 in  which  daily  multitudes  in  Sccilaiid,  in  all  the  four  qu.irters  of 
 the  land,  above  whatever  our  fathers  faw,  throng  inNi  Chriff ,  fhall 
 they  not  be  left  to  the  lions  and  wild  bcafts  of  the  forcff,  even  to 
 j?fuit?,  Seminary-prieils,  and  other  fed uccrs  ?  for  the  magiffrute 
 hath  no  power  to  coifcpfl  theOi  to  hear  the  'gofjfel,  Dor  have  you 
 
510  Mv  RUTHERFOORD\lcc.        Epift.  68.] 
 
 any  church-power  over  them,  as  you  teach  ;  and  they  bring  not 
 love  to  the  gofpel  and  to  Chrill  out  of  the  womb  with  them,  and 
 io  they  muft  be  left  to  embrace  what  religion  is  moft  fuitable  to 
 corrupt  uaturc  :  nor  can  it  be  a  way  approveo  by  the  Lord  in 
 icriptuie,  to  excommunicate  from  the  vifible  church  (which  is  the 
 office- houfe  of  the  free  grace  of  Chrift,  and  his  draw-net)  all  the 
 multitudes  of  non-converts,  baptized,  and  vifibly  within  the  co- 
 venant of  grace,  which  are  in  Great  Britain,  and  all  the  reformed 
 churches  ;  and  fo  to  iliut  the  gates  of  the  Lord's  gracious  calling 
 upon  all  thefe,  becaufe  they  are  not,  in  your  judgment,  chofen  to 
 falvation,  when  once  you  are  within  yourfelves  :  for  how  can  the 
 Lord  call  Egypt  his  people,  and  Affyria  the  work  of  his  hands,  and 
 all  the  Gentiles  (who  for  numbers  are  as  the  flocks  of  Kcdar,  and 
 the  abundance  of  the  fea)  the  kingdoms  of  our  Lord,  and  of  his 
 Chrifl,  if  you  number  infants,  as  many  do,  and  ail  fuch  as  your 
 charity  cannot  judge  converts,  as  others  do,  among  Heathens  and 
 r^ans,  who  have  not  a  vifible  claim  and  intereft  in  Chrifl  ?  The 
 candlcftick  is  not  yours,  nor  the  houfe;  but  Chriif  fixeth  and  re- 
 moveth  the  one,  and  buiideth  or  cafleth  down  the  other,  accord- 
 ing to  his  fovereignty.  We  in  humility  judge  ourfelves,  though 
 the  chief  of  finners,  the  fons  of  Zion,  and  of  the  feed  of  Chrilt : 
 if  you  remove  from  us,  and  carry  from  hence  the  candlelVick,  let 
 our  Father  be  judge,  and  {hew  us,  why  the  Lord  hath  bidden  you 
 come  our  from  among  us.  V/e  look  upon  this  vifible  church,  iho' 
 black  and  fpotted,  as  the  hofpital  and  guef\  houfc  of  fick,  hair, 
 maimed,  and  withered,  over  which  Chrifl  is  Lord  phyficjan  and 
 Maffer ;  and  we  would  wait  upon  thefe  that  are  not  yet  in  Chrifl:, 
 as  our  Lord  waited  upon  us  and  you  both.  We  therefore,  your 
 brethren,  children  of  one  Father,  cannot  but,  with  tears  and  ex- 
 ceeding forrow  of  hcirt,  earneftly  intreat,  befeech  and  obteft  yoi; 
 by  the  love  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chriif,  by  his  fufferings  and  preci- 
 ous ranfom  h*-  paid  for  us  both,  by  the  confolations  of  his  Spirit, 
 by  yvHir  appearance  before  the  dreadful  Jribunai  of  our  Lord  Je- 
 fus;  yea,  and  charge  you  before  God  and  the  fame  Lord  Jefus, 
 who  (hall  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead,  at  his  apppearing,  and 
 in  his  kingdom:  break  not  the  fpirits  and  hearts  of  thofe  to  v/honi 
 voy  aie  dear  as  their  •wn  foul,  forfakc  not  the  alTcmblies  of  the 
 people  of  God,  let  us  not  divide.  Not  a  few  of  the  people  of  God, 
 in  this  (hire  of  Fife,  in  v/hofe  name  1  now  write,  dare  fay,  if  you 
 depart,  you  (liall  leave  Chrlff  behind  you  with  us,  and  the  golden 
 candlefticks,  "and  fhall  cafl  yourfelves  (we  much  fear)  out  of  the 
 hearts  and  prayers  of  thouiands,  dear  to  Jefus  Chrifl  in  Scotland; 
 therefore  before  you  fix  judgment  and  practice  on  any  untrodden 
 path,  let  a  day  of  humiliation  be  agreed  upon  by  us  all,  and  our 
 Father's  mind  and  will  inquired,  through  our  one  common  Savi- 
 our ;  and  let  ue  fee  one  another'^  faces  at  bed  conveniency ;  and 
 
POSTSCRIPT.  511 
 
 plead  the  interefl:  of  Chrift,  and  be  comforted,  and  not  flumble  at 
 your  ways.  So,  expecting  your  anfwer,  we  (hall  pray  that  the 
 God  of  peace  that  brought  again  from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jefus, 
 that  great  Sliepherd  of  the  (lieep,  through  the  blood  of  the  ever- 
 lafting  covenant,  may  make  you  perfect  in  every  good  work  to  do 
 his  will,  working  in  you  that  which  is  well-pleafing  in  his  fight, 
 through  Jefus  Chrilt,  and  (hall  remain 
 
 St.  Andrews.  Tour  affeEiiorate  hrother 
 
 in  the  Lord,     S.  R. 
 
 The  POSTSCRIPT  by  another  AUTHOR. 
 
 Chrijiian  Reader, 
 
 WHofoever  thou  art,  into  whofe  hands  thefe  letters  may  come, 
 in  order  to  thinq  own  eftablilhmentin  the  truth,  and  con- 
 tinuing in  the  faith  of  God's  elect,  grounded  and  fettled,  and  that 
 thou  mayeft  not  be  moved  away  from  tlie  hope  of  the  gofpel,  where- 
 of thou  haft  heard,  by  the  fleight  of  men,  and  cunning  craftinefs, 
 wherewith  they  ly  in  wait  to  deceive;  thou  art  defired  to  take 
 notice,  to  what  dreadful  and  ftrong  delufions,  fuch  who  were 
 ring-leaders  in  this  feparation,  together  with  not  a  few  of  their  fol- 
 lowers (fome  1  except,  becaufe  God  hath  excepted  them  ;  and  I 
 pray,  that  he  may  ftiil  both  except  them,  and  let  them  fee  alfo  the 
 fm  of  what  accefiion  they  had  to  this,  which  is  fo  puniflied  in  o- 
 thers,  while  they  are  palt  by  and  preferved)  have  been  left,  and 
 given  up  of  God.  Remember  with  fear  and  trembling,  how  the 
 great  God,  who  confirmeth  the  word  of  his  fervants,  and  perform- 
 eth  thecounfel  of  his  meflengers,  hath  fulfilled  upon  many  of  thofe, 
 who  fell  off  from,  and  forfook  the  communion  of  his  church  of 
 Scotland,  that  which  this  ^reat  Seer  (much  upon  his  Mafter's 
 fecrets.  becaufe  he  had  frequent  accefs  to  lean  his  head  upon  his 
 brcaft  who  came  out  of  the  Father's  boiom)  forefaw  would  follow 
 upon  this  turning  afide,  and  fall  upon  the  head  of  fuch  forfalcers 
 of  a  church,  fo  often  honoured  by  receiving  fignal  teftimonies  of 
 the  great  Bridegroom's  love  towards  her,  as  his  fpoufe,  in  rejoicing 
 over  her  with  linging,  and  fo  frequently  helped  to  give  him  tefti- 
 monies of  her  endeared  affection  to  him,  as  her  Head,  Hufband, 
 fupreme  Lord  and  Governor.  In  this  we  may  through  grace 
 humbly  boift  (nay,  defpife  or  envy  who  will,  we  cannot  do  lefs, 
 without  bviing  guilty  of  the  bafeft  ingratitude)  that  we  have  not 
 been  inferior  (O  blt'ffcd  be  his  grace  to  whom  we  owe  it  !  and  it 
 is  for  the  commendation  of  his  glorious  goodnefs  we  mention  it) 
 whatever  we  were  beyond  them  to  any  church  we  know  upon  the 
 earjh.  h  is  true,  thisfucceffion  fcemed  atthefirftbutafmaH  remove 
 (O  that  there  they  had  flopped  their  career,  and  ftcod  without  going 
 
51.2  POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 forward,  when  It  was  downward)  and  in  a  matter  wherein  the,  great 
 foundations  of  the  gofpel  were  not  fo  immediately  concerned,  nor 
 ftruck  at ;  yet,  after  they  had  gone  forth  from  us  (as  a  witnefs  of 
 bis  difpleafure  againft  that  rent  and  fchifm,  made  in  his  body  ; 
 and  that  the  truth  of  what  his  faithful  fervant  had  foretdd  them, 
 would  be  the  ifiue  of  that  courfe,  might  be  verified,  viz.  Tha;,  if 
 they  departed,  theyfhould  leave  Chrift  behind  them,  keeping  houfe 
 with  their  mother,  as  his  wife,  in  whofe  face  they  had  fpit,  and, 
 in  running  thus  away,  had  made  fool's  hafte  from  home)  there  was 
 no  {landing  nor  fixing,  till  the  moft  fervid  and  furious  drivers  in 
 that  rent,  rolled  themfeives  headlong  into  this  abyfs  of  all  abomina- 
 tions, defperate  Quakerifm  ;  and  fo  that  the  place  thereafter  became 
 the  feat,  feminary,  and  feed-plot,  wherein  this  root  of  bitternefs, 
 whereby  the  church  of  Chrill  is  troubled,  and  many  defiled,  bath 
 fprung  up.  And  1  would  alfo  flir  up  thy  pure  mind,  by  way  of  remem- 
 brance, that  thou  mayeftbeeilabiiilied  in  the  prefent  truth,  befeech- 
 ing  thee  toconfider  with  awful  regard,  how  one  parifn  particularly  in 
 the  Wefl  of  Scotland,  with  fom*:^  perfons  in  the  adjacent  places  for- 
 faking  us,  and  falling  off  (lom  us,  upon  the  fame  pretence,  v/ere 
 iikewifc  in  the  lame  manner  (after  other  fignifications  of  his  dif- 
 pleafure againfl  their  way,  evident  beyond  denial,  and  contributive 
 to  the  eftablifhment  of  fuch  who  take  notice  thereof)  left  of  the 
 Lord,  after  their  many  other  wanderings,  to  plunge  and  precipitate 
 themfeives  into  this  ditch,  and  deep  pit;  in  which  poflure  they  Hill 
 ly,  without  pitying  themfeives,  or  imploring  the  help  of  others. 
 And  though  thefe,  and  the  like,  might  have  been  warning  fuificicnt, 
 to  all  the  profeflbrs  of  the  truth  to  have  continued  in  his  good- 
 nefs,  while  they  beheld  the  jult  feverity  of  God  upon  them  whiqh 
 fell;  yet  I  cannot  conceal  it,  that,  as  it  is  a  grief,  beyond  all  that 
 the  fcrious  fervants  oi  the  Lord  have  groaned  under,  or  do  find, 
 becaufc  of  their  other  uitf'erings,  to  fee  how  many  have  followed 
 thefe  pernicious  ways,  by  reafon  of  whom  the  way  of  truth  is  evil 
 fpoken  of;  fo  it  fills  them  with  amazement,  anxiety,  yea,  finking 
 and  infupportable  forrow,  to  fee  not  a  fev,'  profeilors  of  the  truth 
 fo  little  touched  at  the  heart  for,  and  troubled  at,  the  power  apd 
 prevalcncy  of  thefe  foul-murdering  delufions  ;  but  walking  with 
 as  little  care,  circumfpection  and  tear  of  coming  near  this  fpread- 
 ing  contagion,  as  if  they  did  not  thereby  provoke  the  Lord  to  leave 
 them  to  that,  which  ought  to  be  equally  lothfome  and  hateful  to 
 their  fouls,  with  hell.  Is  it  not  ftrange,  that  fome  will  ffand  aloof 
 from  Prelates,  and  profefs  an  hatred  at,  and  abhorrence  of  Pope- 
 ry, Arminianifm,  Era  llianifm,Socinianiini,Arianifm,Pelagianifm, 
 FamiJifm,  Antinomianifm,  Atheifm,  andKeathenifnij&c,  and  yet 
 there  will  be  a  fearlefs,  yea,  familiar  converfmg  with  abominable 
 Quakers,  without  all  <luc  dread  of  being  dcfertcd  of  God,  and  left 
 tg  a  ddWing  of  themfeives  with  Satan's  llime  wherewith  they  are, 
 
POSTSCRIPT.  513 
 
 'fcefmeareil,  and  that  botch  of  hell  which  is  running  upon  them, 
 wherewith  many,  becaufe  of  their  too  near  approach,  have  been, 
 and  are  infected  ;  yea,  and  a  i'peaking  ©f  them  as  a  kind  of  inno- 
 tents  (which  if  they  be,  Satan  himfclf,  in  his  warring  againft:  Mi- 
 chael and  his  angels,  is  not  innocent)  and  with  lefs  lothing  and 
 abhorience  than  of  any  of  the  former  ?  whereas  Qiiakerifm  may  be 
 truly  called  (if  the  term  be  fufficiently  expreiTive  oTtbe  thing)  pure 
 Devilifm.  I  mean,  not  only  bscaufe  of  what  fpecial  power  and  in- 
 fluence Satan  hath  been  obferved,  by  gracious  and  grave  men,  to 
 have  had  over  and  upon  the  bodies  and  fpirita  of  not  a  few  of  that 
 monftrous  brood  ;  but  alfo  becaufe  they  have  licked  up  and  fwal- 
 lowed  down,  the  dung  of  all  theie  defperate,  foul-deftroying  here- 
 iits,  hatched  in  hell  by  the  father  of  falftioods  and  lies  ;  and  what- 
 foever  is  in  any  of  thefe  moft  deadly  and  damnable,  that  is,  to  them, 
 their  darling ;  and  whatfoever  is  the  moft  mortal  poifon  in  the  cup 
 of  their  abominations,  and  hath  the  moft  clofe  and  clear  connection 
 with  the  deftru6lion  of  the  immortal  foul,  this  they  fwallow  down, 
 and  vcmit  it  up,  and  fpue  it  out  again  in  every  place,  and  with  a 
 piece  of  the  black  art,  peculiar  to  that  tribe,  difh  up  this  dung  of 
 hell,  and  fet  it  as  Manna  before  fuch  as  thjiy  would  make  dif- 
 cipies,  to  be  fupped  up,  and  fwallowed  down,  that  they  may  there- 
 by poifon,  beyond  the  power  of  an  antidote,  thofe  fouls  whom 
 they  feduce  ;  and,  while  they  draw  them  after  them,  drown  them 
 in  the  fame  perdition  wirh  themfelves.  Thefe  are  the  poor  inno- 
 cents you  talk  ot  :  what  a  wonder  and  aftonifhment  is  it,  that  the 
 very  fmk  of  hell,  v/hich  cometh  forth  at  their  impure  and  polluted 
 mouths,  in  blafphemies  againft  God,  his  Chrift,  his  Spirit,  his 
 word,  his  precious  and  pure  ordinances,  the  purchafc  of  the  blood 
 of  Chrift,  and  the  means  of  fellowfliip  with  the  Father,  and  with 
 his  Son  Jefus  Chrift,  ihould  not  make  all  who  are,  or  would  be  re- 
 pute, lovers  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  in  fmcerity,  abhor  them,  as 
 the  moft  odious  vermin,  and  black  locufts,  that  ever  crawled  out  of 
 the  infernal  lake,  or  croaked  upon  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  flee  the 
 found  of  their  blafphemous  belchings,  as  the  very  fibilation  ol  the 
 old  ferpent  ?  If  the  Spirit  of  God  call  a  forbidding  to  marry,  antl 
 commanding  to  abft.iin  from  meats,  the  doctrines  of  devils;  what 
 name  or  notion  can  be  fallen  upon,  or  found  fit,  to  unfold  the  na- 
 ture of  that  doClrine,  compcehenfive  of  all  thefe  doctrines  of  de- 
 vils, whereby  the  gofpel  hath  been  from  the  brginning,  oppofed, 
 through  Satan  s  black  art,  and  utmoft  malice  :'  as  if  in  this  one 
 (hape,  and  fize  of  the  enemies  to  the  gofpel,  were  gathered  toge- 
 ther and  cemented  all  the  feveral  parties  that  ever  Abaddon  and 
 ApoUyon  commanded  in  his  feveral  expeditions  againft  the  princi^ 
 Michael.  For  this  at  once  and  for  ever,  not  in  parcels  and  by  con- 
 fecjuence,  makes  void  the  whole  gofpel  of  the  grace  of  God,  and  the 
 all  of  that  blefled  contrivance  of  falvation,  bv  the  5v)n  of  Gdi^  ai  a. 
 
 Trt 
 
5^4  POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 llain  Saviour.  This  is  fuch  an  explicit,  unmafked,  andgrofs  per* 
 .verfion  of  the  gofpel,  that  if  the  apoftle,  who  had  the  fpirit  of  God, 
 who  had  the  mind  of  Chrift,  who  had  received  the  fpirit  of  love  and 
 of  2  found  mind,  who,  being  filled  with  the  Holy  Ghoft,  fpoke  to  a 
 reducing  Elymas,  feeking  to  turn  away  the  deputy,  defiring  to  hear 
 the  word  of  God,  from  the  fairh  (the  perfons  are  of  the  fame  prac- 
 tice, and  this  is  the  poft,  here  the  captain  feis  them  to  (land  centry) 
 inthcfe  terms,  O  full  of  all  fubtilty,  and  all  mifchief,  thou  child  of 
 the  devil,  thou  enemy  of  all  righteoufnefs,  wilt  not  thou  ceafe  to 
 pervert  the  right  ways  of  the  Lord?  Would  ye  have  fpoke  to  them 
 in  another  ftile  or  Itrain,  being  perfons  of  the  fame  practice  ?  A  nd 
 .this  is  the  prey  they  hunt  for,  by  perverting  the  right  ways  of 
 the  Lord,  to  turn  men  from  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  faints, 
 and  to  turn  away  the  ear  of  any,  whom  they  obferve  defirous  ta 
 hear  the  word  of  God,  from  the  truth,  that  they  may  turn  them 
 unto  their  blnfphemous  fables,  and  bewitch  even  thefe  into  a  dilo* 
 bedience  to  the  gofpel,  before  whofe  eyes  Jefus  Chrift  hath  been 
 evidently  fet  forth  crucified  amongft  them.  Yea,  if  he  would,  and 
 actually  did  curfe,  even  an  angel  trom  heaven,  upon  a  fuppo&tion 
 of  a  lefs  and  lower  degree  of  perverlion  of  the  gofpel  of  Chrift  ; 
 .how  would  he  have  fent  this  race  of  men  a-packing,  without  more 
 ado,  the  way  he  feVit  Hymencus  and  Alexander,  whom  he  deliver- 
 ed unto  Satan,  that  they  might  learn  not  to  blafpheme  ?  as,  after 
 his  example,  many  of  them  were  dealt  with  by  our  faithful  men, 
 when  in  cafe,  who,  by  drawing  out  church-cenfures,  delivered  the 
 body  from  being  gangrened  by  fuch  members  ;  but,  while  we  are 
 now  kept  from  making  ufe  of  this  moft  proper  remedy,  the  Holy 
 Ghoft  hath  fupplied  it  in  a  moft  trcmenduous  manner,  and  with 
 fuch  a  witnefs,  as  he  muft  be  blind  who  feeth  them  not  carry  a- 
 boutwith  them  the  blackeft-like  badge,  and  moft  unqueftionable- 
 like  character  and  cognifance  of  being  cut  off  from  that  church 
 that  he  wafheth  with  his  own  blood,  which  they  are  left  to  blaf- 
 pheme and  trample  under  foot,  that  ever  any  race  of  apoftates 
 were  ftigmatized  with.  And  that  other  difciple  likcwife,  who 
 breathes  forth  fo  mucli  of  love,  is  moft  peremptory  in  prefling 
 thofe,  whom  he  perfuades  to  the  love  of  Chrift,  and  of  the  brethren 
 to  a  profeffed  deteftation  of  fuch  enemies  to  Chrift  :  infomuch  that 
 he  will  not  have  anv,  who  would  witnefs  their  love  to  him,  who 
 witneiFed  his  love  to  his  people,  in  fending  his  only-begotten  Son  in- 
 to the  worM,  to  be  a  propitiation  for  their  iins,  and  that  they  who 
 were  dead  in  fins  and  trefpaffes  might  live  through  him,  to  receive 
 them  into  their  houfes,  or  give  fuch  factors  for  Satan  the  leaft  of 
 countenance  or  encouragement.  And  here,  by  the  way,  let  me  fet 
 before  thee  the  practice  of  that  great  man  of  God,  Mr.  John 
 Livingfton  (of  whom,  without  vanity,  or  being  judged  to  hold 
 mens  perlbns  in  admiradou  for  advantage,  I  fear  not  to  fay,  That, 
 
POSTSCRIPT.  51^ 
 
 in  the  day  he  was  taken  up  from  us,  I  knew  not  fo  great  an  ambaffa- 
 dor  for  Chrift  left  behind  upon  the  earth  ;  O  to  fee  fome,  on  whom 
 this  Elijah's  mantle  is  fallen  I)  as  a  fit  pattern  in  the  cafe  for  thy 
 imitation  ;  who,  when  one  of  thefe  maftcr-feducers,  and  grand  traf- . 
 fickers  to  defile  the  world,  and  bewitch  it  into  the  fame  damnable 
 delufion,  whereto  he,  as  a  juft  punifhmentfor  his  levity  in  religion, 
 and  what  he  himfelf  may  know  befides,  was  left,  pretending  old 
 acquaintance,  came  to  make  him  a  vifit,  would  not  receive  him  in- 
 to his  houfe,  a?  judging  he  could  not  otherwife  have  witnelTed  his 
 having  received  Jefus  Chrift  to  dwell  in  his  heart  and  houfe,  than 
 by  fuch  a  pra61:ice ;  and  herein  he  made  himf:h  an  example  for  us, 
 to  follow  fuch  a  follower  of  God,  as  a  dear  child.  O  let  all  who 
 hope  to  be  faved  by  Jefus  Chrift,  and  to  whom  God  hath  made 
 him  wifdom,  righteoufnefs,  fanclification  and  redemption:  all  who 
 know  no  other  way  of  being  juftified  before  the  tribunal  of  God, 
 but  by  the  imputed  rigtiteournefs  of  him,  whofe  name  is,  The 
 Lord  our  righteoufnefs ;  or  faved  and  fanclified,  but  by  his  work- 
 ing in  them  to  will  and  to  do,  who  hath  redeemed  them  from  their 
 vain  converfation  by  his  own  blood  :  ail  who  being  juftified 
 by  faith,  have  ever  had,  or  hope  to  have,  peace  with  God  through 
 our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift:  all  who  now  fit  together  in  heavenly  pla- 
 ces in  Chrift,  and  who  are  preferved  by  the  power  of  God,  through 
 faith  unto  falvation:  all  who  know  no  other  Fountain  to  bathe 
 their  leprous  foul  in,  nor  Stream  to  bleach  their  fpcrted  and  black 
 foul  by,  that  they  m,ay  appear  before  God  without  fpot,  but  the 
 blood  of  Jefus  Chrift,  which  cleanfeth  from  all  iniquity,  even  his 
 blood,  whd  for  this  purpofe  did,  through  the  eternal  Spirit,  ofter  up 
 himfelf  without  fpot  unto  God.  All  who  have  found  the  fweer- 
 nefs  of  the  fcriptures,  and  have  felt  how  their  heart  burnt  within 
 them,  while  he  talked  with  them,  and  opened  thefe  unto  them,  and 
 their  ear  and  heart  to  receive  what  was  faid.  All  who  have  been 
 by  thefe  m.ade  wife  untofalvatjon  :  all  that  ever  have  had  accefs  to 
 Gk>d  through  Chrift,  and  know  no  other  way  of  being  accepted  but 
 in  the  Beloved  ;  all  who  fee  themfelves  (and  rhe  devil  hath  put  out 
 his  eyes  who  fees  it  not)  under  a  necefiTity,  though  in  a  clean  ftate, 
 of  making  daily  ufe  of  the  blood  of  Chrift,  in  order  to  a  keepinjy  up 
 of  fellowfh.p  betwixt  them,  and  the  Father,  and  his  Son  Jefus 
 Chrift,  while  here,  and  of  being  admitted  to  have  a  part  with  him 
 hereafter  (for  that  man's  feet  Ihall  never  (land  within  that  giori-r 
 Dus  city,  whereinto  nothing  that  defileth  or  worketh  abomination, 
 ■can  enter,  which  Chrift  doth  not  wafh ;  If  I  waih  thee  not,  thou 
 ^althave  no  part  with  me,  is  his  own  word  to  a  perfon  in  a  clean 
 ftate.)  Ail  to  whofe  fouls,  after  they  had  received  the  fcntencc  of 
 death  in  themfelves,  God  hath  fpoken  peace  upon  the  a<.count  of 
 his  Chrift,  who  is  our  peace:  all  who,  knowing  they  can  do  no- 
 thing without  him,  live  under  a  fcen  necellity  of  daily  drawing 
 
 Ttt   2 
 
Si6  POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 ftrength  from  Chrift,  who  works  in  them  both  to  will  and  to  do, 
 and  mud  perfect  that  which  conctrneth  them,  and  look  only  for 
 the  acceptation  of  their  fervice  in  and  through  Chrift:   all,  whofe 
 great  All  it  is  to  be  found  in  hiin  in  the  day  of  their  appearance, 
 not  having  their  own  righteoufnefs,  but  that  which  is  through  the 
 faith  of  Chrift,  even  the  righteoufnefs  wh-ch  is  of  God  by  faith  :  all 
 who,   becr.uie  they  have  finned,   and  come  ftiort  of  the  glory  of 
 God,  know  no  other  way  but  to  throng  in  amongft  thefe  ungodly, 
 who  are  juffjlicd  freely  by  his  grace,  through  the  redemption  that 
 is  In  Chrijl  Jeius,  whom  God   hath  fct  forth  to  be  a  propitiation 
 through  faith  in  his  blood :  all  whofe  eyes  God  hath  opened,  and 
 turned  from  darknefs  to  light,   and  fiom  the  power  of  Satan  unto 
 God,  that  they  may  recitive  forgivenefs  of  fins,  and  an  inheritance 
 amongft  them  that  are  fnnctiiied,  through  faith  that  is  in  him  :  all 
 who  have,  or  hope  to  have,   redemption  through  his  blood,  even 
 the  forgivencfs  of  fin;ir  ail  to  whom  he  hath  given  an  underftand- 
 ing  to  know  him  that  is  true,  and  in  whofe  heart  he  hath  written 
 bis  law,  and  pat  his  fear,  that  they  ihall  not  depart  from  him  :  all 
 into  whofe  foul  he  hath  fbined,  to  give  them  the  light  of  the  know- 
 ledge of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of  Jefus  Chriil,  while  this 
 gofpel  is  hid  from  others :  all  who  have  received  that  Spirit  which 
 is  of  God,  and  not  that  fpirit  which  is  of  the  world,  whereby  the 
 child  of  God  is  diltinguithed  from  a  natural  man,  who  receiveth 
 not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  Gcd  (for  the  higheit  pitch  and  per- 
 fection of  natural  mens  light  judgeth  thefe  things  fooiilbnefs.  The 
 world  through  wifdom  knew  not  God)  neither  can  he  know  them, 
 becaufe  they  are  fpiritually  difcerned  :  all  who  ever  have  been  made 
 glad  in  his  houfe  of  prayer,  and  have  bc^en  admitted  to  walk  with 
 the  King  in  the  galleries,  where  he  is  held :  all  to  whofe  foul  he 
 hath  endeared  and  commanded  ordinances,  and  who  have  found 
 the  gofpel  to  be  the  power  of  God,  unto  faivation  :   all  who  are  be- 
 gun partakers  of  the  glory  to  be  revealed,  and  who  hope  to  ly  down 
 in  the  grave,  under  the  comfortable  hope  of  a  glorious  refurre£f ion, 
 and  fliut  their  e^es  fmging,  in  the  expectation  that  their  vile  body 
 fhall  be  changed,  that  it  may  be  falhioned  like  his  glorious  body, 
 according  to  the  working  whereby  he  is  able  even  to  fubdue  all 
 things  to  himfeif ;  and  that  they  fliall  be  caught  up  in  the  clouds, 
 to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air,  and  fo  fhall  be  ever  with  the  Lord : 
 all  who  would  obtain  the  faivation  which  is  in  Chrilt  Jefus,   with 
 eternal  glory,    in  a  word,  all  who  are  Chrilfians,  on  whom  that 
 worthy  name  is  called,  as  tne  bacige  of  their  proicffion  :  who  pro- 
 fefs  faith  in  him,  whom  God  hath  fent  and  fealed  to  be  the  Savi- 
 pur  of  the  world  v  that  one  Mediator,  wtiich  is  betxveen  God  and 
 maUj  the  Man  Chrift  Jefus,  who  gave  himfeif  a  ranfom  for  all,  to 
 be  teiflfied  in  due  time  -,  he  who  is  the  fecond  Ferfon  of  the  blcifed 
 '!f  rijnity,  the  «ternal  Sou  of  God,  equal  to,  and  coiuubftantiai  with 
 
POSTSCPtlPT.  517 
 
 the  Father,  but  perfonally  diftinft  from  him;  incarnate,  by  affum- 
 ing  the  nature  of  man,  in  the  womb  of  the  virgin  Mary,  by  which 
 he  oecaire  ImmTinue],  God  and  Man  in  two  diftincSt  natures,  unite 
 in  one  fmgular  perfon,  who  is  the  Subftance  of  the  golpe],  and 
 the  Mylltry  of  GovHinefs:  this  which  comprehends  the  All  of  ouc 
 falvaiion,  and  comolaiion,  yta,  the  ^^11  of  Chriilian  religion,  is  fo. 
 wrapt  up  herein,  that  whatfoever  ftrikes  at  this,  ftrikes  at  name 
 and  thing  of  Chriftian  rtligion,  robs  us  of  the  whole  gofpcl,  and 
 turns  us  over  into  pure  heathenifm,  fhuts  us  out  eternally  from  all 
 accefs  to  God,  and  makes  our  falvation  for  ever  hmply  impoflible; 
 for,  if  we  believe  not,  that  He  is  that  He,  we  tliall  die  in  cur  fins ; 
 and  yet  every  article  of  this,  that  they  may  for  ever  deftroy  the 
 foundations  of  falvation.  is  by  them  oppugned  and  fubveried.  They» 
 putting  a  falfe  Chrift:  inftead  of  the  true  Tefus,  the  Son  of  D.ivid, 
 our  only  Saviour;  den.ing  Chrift  to  be  the  fecond  perfon  of  the 
 Trinity;  denying  Chrill  to  be  a  lingular  Perfon  ;  denying  Jefus 
 the  Son  of  Mary,  to  be  the  alone  true  Chrift  ;  but  affirming  Chrift 
 to  be  a  common  fort  of  thing,  to  be  found  in  every  man,  as  it  was 
 in  the  Son  of  Mary,  even  tlie  common  light  to  be  found  in  the 
 mind  of  every  man  in  the  world  ;  aiFirming  Jefus,  the  true  Chrift, 
 the  Son  of  Mary,  to  be  only  an  ordinary  Vcilel,  v/iiich  containeth 
 this  light,  as  the  fwirit  of  every  other  hcly  man  doth;  and  fo,  not 
 only  pulling  down  our  exalted  Prince  from  his  throne  of  glory, 
 but  putting  their  falfe  prophets  in  his  place,  clothing  them  with 
 the  glory  of  his  proper  titles,  as  being  Chrift  as  well  as  he,  be- 
 caufe  containing  the  fame  light  v/iih  iiis.  Thus  do  they  blafpheme 
 that  worthy  Name  by  iht  which  we  ?re  called  ;  thus  do  they  rob 
 our  Saviour,  the  only  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  w^ho  is  the  Ijrighrnefs  of 
 the  Father's  glory,  and  the  exprels  Im.^ge  of  his  Perfon,  of  his 
 glorious  prerogative  and  majelty :  and,  in  contempt  of  this  exalted 
 Prince  and  Saviour,  clothe  them felves  with  thefpoils  of  his  honour. 
 And  thus  do  they  rob  the  church  of  him,  whom  God  hath  giverj 
 lobe  her  Head  and  Saviour;  that  fo,  having  turned  the  world 
 with  thc^mfelves  into  a  fvnagogue  of  Satan,  they  may  enrich  hell. 
 This  is  the  great  myftery  of  their  iniquity,  and  a  monfter  it  is,  iq 
 Tnew  and  fubltance,  and  in  all  dimenfions  of  devilry,  prodigious, 
 beyond  any  Ihape  Satan  ever  yet  afaimed,  or  wherein  he  fhewed 
 himlelf  In  the  world.  The  Lord  rebuke  thee,  O  Satan  I  even  the 
 Lord  (who  hath  fent  his  only-begotten  Son  into  the  world,  to  be 
 tiie  alone  propitiation  for  fins,  and  prepared  him  a  Bo<iy  for  tha^ 
 purpofe)  rebuke  thee,  ought  to  be  the  tonftant  languvrgc  of  the 
 •;cart  of  every  one  to  whom  Chrift  is  become  a  Saviour,  till  he  call 
 -  Tfh  this  blalphemous  fpirit  out  of  thofe  demoniacks.  For  what 
 •  lie  is  this,  which  prccecdeth  out  of  il.e  mouths  of  fuch  pcrfons, 
 "Lit  pure  hellifm  !  No  man,  fure,  who  hath  ever  heard  the  gofpel 
 oi  tiie  grace  of  God,  or  is  ac(j"uaiiued  with  the  very  ftrft  principles 
 
5i8  POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 of  the  oracles  of  God,  but  he  muft  conclude,  men  of  that  fpite, 
 malice  and  diale6l,  men  who  talk  at  this  rate  of  railing  againft  our 
 Immanuel,  againft  his  holy  Child  Jefus,  that  Child  born  unto  us, 
 and  that  Son  given  unto  us,  who  is  yet  the  mighty  God,  the  ever- 
 lafting  Father,  the  Prince  of  peace,  muft  be  the  very  candidates 
 of  hell,  and  have  commenced  in  the  infernal  regions,  where  more 
 black,  more  abominable,  more  horrid  and  bold  blafphemies,  can- 
 not be  belched  forth.  I  fay  therefore,  O  let  all  who  have  the  name 
 of  Chrift  called  upon  them  j  all  to  whom  that  bleiled  name  is  as 
 ointment  poured  forth,  and  to  whom  he  is  precious,  even  he  whom 
 the  Father  hath  laid  in  Zion  for  a  Foundation  and  Corner-ftone, 
 difallowed  indeed  of  thefe  builders,  but  chofen  of  God  and  preci- 
 ous :  all  who  feek  a  fure  refting  place  for  their  fouls ;  for  whofo- 
 cvcr  belleveth  on  him  (hall  not  be  afliamed  :  and  all  who  know  no 
 other  folid  foundation  -,  for  other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than 
 that  is  laid,  which  is  Jefus  Chrift,  he  is  the  fure  and  folid  Founda- 
 tion :  let  them  carry  towards  this  race  of  Renegadoes  from  the  ve- 
 ry real  profeftion  of  Chriftiauity,  as  Satan's  fpecial  agents  and  emif- 
 faries,  who  with  a  malice  infufed  by  their  mafter,  and  refembling 
 him,  and  a  peculiar  keennefs,  fury  and  rage,  as  fet  on  fire  by  hell, 
 blafphemc  the  true  Saviour,  our  bleffed  Lord  Jefus,  who,  being 
 come  of  the  fathers  according  to  the  flefh,  is  God  over  all  blefted 
 for  ever ;  and  fight  againft  that  one,  that  alone  way  of  falvation, 
 which  is  now  made  manifeft  by  the  appearing  of  our  Saviour  Je- 
 fus Chrift,  who  hath  abolifhed  death,  and  hath  brought  life  and  im- 
 mortality to  light  through  the  gofpel.  And  in  profecution  of  this 
 war,  and  in  purfuance  of  this  open  hoftility  againft  heaven,  and  that 
 it  may  appear  whofe  angels  they  are,  under  whofe  banner  they 
 fight,  who  fends  them,  ferves  himfelf  by  them,  fets  them  on  work, 
 and  drives  them  in  their  reftlefs  compailing  of  fea  and  land,  to  pro- 
 felyte  poor  fouls,  and  draw  them  into  the  fame  confpiracy  with 
 themfelves  againft  oUr  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  and  the  alone  way  of  fal- 
 vation  by  him;  they  cppofe,  as  incenfed  with  malice  and  rage,  the 
 Mediator's  minifters  and  mefl'engers,  fent  forth  to  preach  this  ever- 
 Jafting  gofpel,  and  to  point  forth  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  a- 
 way  the  fins  of  the  world  :  and  while  they  are  preaching  the  king- 
 dom of  God,  and  teaching  thcfe  things  which  concern  the  Lord 
 Jefus  Chrift,  fetting  forth  Chrift  evidently  crucified  before  their 
 eves,  that  they  may  look  unto  him  and  be  faved ;  and  pf.?aching 
 falvction  in  the  name  of  this  Jefus  of  Nazareth,  and  teftifying,  that 
 as  God  hath  exalted  him  to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour,  to  give 
 repentance  and  forgivenefs  of  fins :  fo  there  is  no  other  name  given 
 under  heaven,  by  which  men  muft  be  faved  :  thefe  are  the  glad  tid- 
 inj:s  of  great  joy  for' all  the  people,  which  make  the  feet  of  him 
 who  publiftieth  them  beautiful  j  and  this  is  the  main  of  the  gof- 
 pel. of  the  gracq  of  God  (yea,  that  without  which  there  is  no  gof- 
 
POSTSCP.IPT.  519 
 
 pel  and  no  faivatlon)  that  all  may  know  affuredly,  that  through 
 this  Man,  who  is  both  Lord  and  Chrifl,  is  preached  unto  them  the 
 forgivenefs  of  fins,  and  that  by  him,  all  that  believe  are  juftified 
 from  all  things,  from  which  they  could  not  be  juftified  by  the  law 
 of  Mofes :  while,  1  fay,  his  minifters  are  about  this  ftriving  according 
 to  his  working,  which  worketh  in  them  mightily,  thefe  falfe  pro- 
 phets and  feducers,  after  the  fame  method  and  malice  of  i3ar-jefus, 
 withftand  them,  and  feek  to  turn  away  their  hearers  from  the  faith; 
 yea,  they  feek  to  dilTuadc  the  people  from  hearing  the  Lord's  mef- 
 lengers  fpeaking  the  Lord's  meflage,  in  the  very  ftile  and  ftrain  and 
 fpirit  of  Rablhakeh  ;  let  not  thefe  men  (fay  they  of  the  minifters 
 of  Chrift)  deceive  you,  neither  let  them  make  you  truft  in  the 
 Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  faying,  This  Lord  Jefus  will  fave  you  to  the 
 utmoil :  hearken  not  unto  them,  turn  you  to  the  light  within  you. 
 This  common  thing,  that  is  to  be  found  in  every  man,  that  is  the 
 Chrift  which  muft  fave  you,  and  not  this  Chrift  the  only  Son  of 
 God,  (as  they  talk,  and  would  perfuade  you)  incarnate  by  afTum- 
 ing  the  nature  of  man  in  the  womb  of  the  virgin  Mary.    And  if, 
 amongft  all  thefe  ambaiTadors  to  whom  the  miniftry  of  reconcilia- 
 tion is  committed,  there  be  one  more  eminently  qualified  thaa 
 another,  to  whom  his  Mafter  hath  given  a  fpecial  fpiritual  dexteri- 
 ty in  befeeching,  praying  and  perfuading  men  to  be  reconciled  unto 
 God,  who  hath  made  his  only  begotten  Son,  theLord  Jefus  Chrift,' 
 fin  for  them,  that  they  may  be  made  the  righteoufnefs  of  God  in 
 him;  One,  whofe  fhining  light,  and  burning  zeal  proves  him  to  be 
 a  Star  held  in  his  Mafter's  right  hand  ;  One  whom  Jefus  Chrift 
 doth  moft  remarkably  countenance  in  his  adminiftrations,  in  mak- 
 ing manifeft  the  favour  of  his  knowledge  by  him  amongft  the  peo- 
 ple -,  One  highly  efteemed  for  his  work's  fake,  and  endeared  to  the 
 lovers  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  for  his  caring  naturally  for  the 
 flock,  and  travailing  in  birth  till  Chrift  be  formed  in  his  hearers ; 
 One  by  whofe  miniftry  Satan's  dominion  over  fouls  is  deftroyed, 
 and  they  vindicate  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  fons  of  God : 
 then,  as  if  they  were  the  fole  truftees  that  Satan  had  upon  the 
 earth,  and  his  only  Janifaries  fitted  for  that  work,  or  as  if  they  were 
 fent  exprefs  from  hell,  they  let  themfelves  in  oppofition  to  this 
 man,  and  all  who  walk  with  him  in  the  fame  fpirit   and  in  the 
 fame  fteps,  and  do  all  they  can,  by  their  bawling,  to  blaft  the  mi- 
 niftry of  fuch  a  worker  together  wuh  God.    As  the  minifters  of 
 Jefus  Chrift  are  the  men  in  the  w^orld  ag?.inft  whom  they  have  the 
 moft  pure  and  perfect  hatred,  fo  it  Is  againft  thofe  minil^ers  more 
 particularly  who  are  moft  tender  and  edifying,  and  by  whofe  la- 
 bour amongft  the  people,  their  Lord  and  Mafter,  who  fent  them, 
 fees  of  the  travail  of  his  foul,  and  is  fati?fied,  that  they  as  the  mi- 
 nifters of  Satsji.  fet  themfelves.    Very  fit  meflengers  of  Satan  are 
 they,  if  any  were  cauglu  up  to  the  third  heaven,  to  buffet  him.  I 
 
526  POSfSCHlPT. 
 
 appeal  in  this  matter  to  the  experience  and  obfervation  of  all  who 
 take  notice  of  their  way  j  and  how  little  they  trouble  others,  their 
 mafter  fearing  little,  or  finding  little  damage  to  his  dominion  and 
 kingdom,  by  thefe  lazy  ly-bies  and  idle  loiterers. 
 
 Let  this  fliort  hint  of  that  unhallowed  generation  put  us,  not 
 only^  to  weep  to  fee  what  a  dominion  Satan  haih  obtained  over 
 fuch  poor  unicttled  fouls,  who  every  da)  wax  worfeand  worfe,  de- 
 ceiving and  being  deceived;  but  alfo,  to  ftudy  more  caution  and 
 circumfpe£tion  in  cur  way  for  the  future,  and  that  in  order  both 
 to  our  own  prefervation,  that  that  wicked  one  touch  us  not,  nor 
 have  accefs  to  tumble  us  headlong  in  this  gulf,  and  alio  in  order  to 
 the  recovery  (if  it  be  pofTible)  of  fome  at  lealt  of  thofe  out  of  this 
 fnare  of  the  devil,  v/ho  are  taken  captive  by  him  at  his  ^^eafure. 
 Let  all  who  would  be  faved  themfelves,  or  would  not  become  a 
 fnare  to  others,  by  emboldening  them  by  their  example  to  converfc 
 to  their  perdition  with  fuch  deceivers,  fave  themfelves,  and  ftand  a- 
 loof  from  this  generation,  that  they  may  be  faved. 
 
 It  may  and  ought  to  be  remembered,  and  regretted  by  all  of 
 lis,  that  when  Satan  fir  It  fst  up  by  thefe  proxies,  and  appeared  in 
 this  difguife  to  acl  upon  the  ftage,  he  gained  not  a  little  at  his  firft 
 affault,  by  our  contempt  and  fccurity.  For  every  one  thought  the 
 devil  was  turned  dunce,  and  had  played  the  wrong'caid,  and  failed 
 in  his  politicks,  in  falling  upon  the  leaft  probably  taking  way  that 
 ever  he  had  yet  artempt<fd,  hov.'  either  to  promove  his  own  king- 
 dom of  darknefs,  or  oppofe  the  coming  of  the  kingdom  of  the  Son 
 of  God,  in  fo  clear  a  day  of  the  gofpefs  (hining  brightnefs.  And 
 therefore,  however  men  were  amazed  at  the  appearance  of  fuch 
 a  monfter  (and  the  more  they  were  amazed  at  its  fize  and  fhape,  the 
 more  they  thought  themfelves  exempted  from  all  c-re,  to  trouble 
 themfelves  in  telling  the  world  that  it  was  fucfh,  and  whence  it 
 came,  and  whethc:r  it  went;  it  was  taken  by  the  rnoTl  difcerning  for 
 granted,  that  the  devil  intended  this  piece  of  ridiculous  pageantry, 
 only  for  an  interlude,  that  fo,  v;hile  we  were  g:^zing  and  mocking, 
 he  might  fill  the  ii<ig^  with  Rome's  abominations  :  and  the  m.ore 
 judicious  cannot  but  difcern,  how  the  devil,  in  this  drefs,  hath 
 had  the  a'lliltance  of  his  old  cabal  the  conclave;  and  by  the  brim- 
 ftcne  which  i flues  out  of  their  mouths,  wherewith  fo  many  are 
 killed,  thev  may  well  be  judged  to  make  up  one  of  Abaddon's  le-» 
 gions)  yet  it  wi^s  put  out  of  dovbt  with  moft,  that  the  Chridian 
 W'orld,,  efpecially  thefe  churches,  which  had  enjoyed  fo  fair  a  day, 
 find  had  been  in  a  manner  the  valley  of  vifion,  could  not  be  cheat- 
 ed into  a  liking  of  this  hell-black  compound  of  all  the  mod  dam- 
 rable  hcrefies;  r.nd  judged  that  there  was  but  little  reafon  to  fear 
 that  Satan  ihould  prevail  much,  or  make  any  notable  inroads  upon 
 the  church,  while  he  appeared  fo  likehimfclf;  yes,  it  was  thought 
 knpofiible  that  anv  who  had  but  the  ufe  of  his  reafon,  much  kfs 
 
POSTSCRIPT.  52L 
 
 any  who  profefied  rcllgon,  could  be  bewitched  and  profelyted  in- 
 to a  way  which  fjeemed  to  carry  its  own  antidote' with  it,  becaufe 
 its  poiton  was  (o  palpable,  and  Satan  had  been  at  fo  little  pains  to 
 buflc  this  hook,  or  hide  his  malice,  in  defigning  to  murder  as  ma- 
 ny as  fliould  fwdllow  this  fop. 
 
 Nay,  fome  were  puffed  up,  and  tuflied  at  the  fear  of  others, 
 inftead  of  being  deeply  affected,  to  fee  what  fpirituai  judgments 
 and  plagues  v/e  were  thereby  threatened  with,  and  like  to  be  pour- 
 ed forth  upon  a  people,  who  had  walked  fo  unfuitably  to  that 
 degree  of  glorious  Gofpel- light  which  had  (liined  amongfl:  us: 
 But,  alas!  it  is  our  folly  to  think  that  Satan  plays  the  fool  always 
 when  he  puts  on  hood  and  bells ;  for  he  perceiving  the  temper 
 and  untendernefs  of  many  high  pretenders,  who  had  not  received 
 the  truth  in  love,  and  perceiving  how,  in  place  of  pure  religion 
 and  undefiled  before  God,  a  giddy  gaudintfs  was  entertained,  as 
 the  badge  of  a  progreflive  knowledge,  and  looked  upon  as  an  high 
 attainment :  Satan,  1  fay,  obfcrving  the  propenfion  of  many  to 
 turn  away  their  ears  from  the  folid  fubfiantial  and  faviiig  truths 
 of  the  Gofpel,  and  how  ready  they  were  to  be  turned  into  fables, 
 appears  in  this  drefs  ;  and  when  men  in  their  gaudy  giddincfs  came 
 to  gaze,  when  they  ought  to  have  looked  on  with  the  tear  in  their 
 eye  -,  all  on  a  fudden,  he  opens  this  fluice  of  hell  upon  them,  and 
 fpues  this  flood  out  of  his  mouth  after  the  woman,  who  had 
 brought  forth  the  man-child  of  reformation  (by  which  he  was  en- 
 raged, becaufe  thereby  caft  unto  the  earth)  that  he  might  caufc 
 her  to  be. carried  ^way  of  the  flood.  Oh,  if  this  day  we  could  re- 
 member our  faali^s>«nd  weep  over  our  folly,  who  carried  in  that 
 day,  as  ignorant  of  Satan's  devices !  For  though  we  ourfelves  had 
 been  fome  way  fecur^d  againfl  his  fuccefs  in  this  garb  and  (liape, 
 after  the  light  ha^l-iiiined  in  fuch  a  meridian  brightnefs  amonglt  us; 
 yet  it  became  usl^jfeiiave  been  deeply  affected  at  this  difmal  appear 
 ance,  left  the  rumour  of  the  rife  of  fuch  a  generation,  after  fo  much 
 endeavour  to  reform  the  church,  fhouid  have  given  Satan  the  ad- 
 vantage of  creating  fuch  a  prejudice  againft  all  for  reformation  in 
 other  churches,  as  that  they,  upon  hearing  what  giddinefs  and 
 prodigious  delufions  fome  were  delivered  ever  unto,  in  a  church 
 of  ihefc  endeavours,  might  abandon  all  effays  that  way,  and  blefs 
 themfelves  in  a  fupine  neglect  cf  what  is  yet  unqucftionably  their 
 duty. 
 
 But  that  which  gave  Satan  the  greatefl  advantage  of  all,  was 
 this,  that  moft  men  at  firft  did  (and  not  a  few  continue  to  do  fo 
 to  this  day)  out  of  a  kind  of  foolifh  pity,  look  upon  them  as  a 
 well-meaning  kind  of  harmlefs,  though  half-hallocked  perfons; 
 and  therefore  convcrfcd  with  them,  without  all  fear  or  apprehend- 
 ed neccflity  of  fearing  a  being  infccled  with  that  leprofy  which 
 
 Uu  u 
 
522  POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 was  got  up  into  their  head,  and  for  which  they  fhould  have  bcca- 
 put  out  of  the  camp  of  the  Ifrael  of  God,  as  utterly  unclean. 
 
 And  hence  it  came  to  pafs,  that  he  who  in  difdain  and  contempt 
 of  that  fnare,  faid  to-day,  Am  1  a  dog,  to  do  this  great  evil  ?  be- 
 gan to  bark  with  them  to-morrow,  at  the  Sun  of  righteoufnefs, 
 and  all  the  healing  thit  is  under  his  wings,  and  to  belch  forth 
 lilafphcmics  againft  the  way  and  word  of  God.  Let  no  man  there- 
 fore woncier  at  Satan's  fuccefs  under  this  (hape,  or  at  the  fpread- 
 ing  oF  this  conciglous  leprofy,  nay,  let  him  conclude  without  a 
 j:)erad venture,  that  it  will  certainly  fpread  further,  if  the  courfe 
 fo  proper  to  preferve  ourfelves  and  cure  them,  prefcribed  by  our 
 blcfTed  Lord,  the  great  Phyfician  of  his  church,  be  not  followed. 
 Let  them  therefore  be  (hunned  that  they  may  be  aOiamed,  when 
 they  find  themfehes  flink  in  the  noftrilsof  all  who  favour  the  things 
 ©f  God,  and  ihut  out  from  all  who  are  called  by  his  precious  name, 
 .  as  perfons  bearing  and  branded  with  another  name  and  mark. 
 
 Let  no  man  who  would  not  expofe  himfelf  to  the  fnare  of  the 
 devil,  and  harden  them  to  deftruciion,  liften  unto  them,  receive 
 them  into  his  houfe,  or  carry  any  otherwife  towards  them  than 
 towards  Satan's  agents  and  angels,  who  are  fo  known  by  their  talk 
 and  tokens,  that  fcarce  can  it  be  faid  they  transform  themfelves 
 into  angels  of  light,  that  they  may  with  the  greater  facility  prc- 
 inove  the  kingdom  of  d?rknefs. 
 
 Let  me  therefore  befeech,  and  obteft  all  the  fearers  of  God,  to 
 whofe  hands  thefe  liries  fhall  come,  by  their  love  to  him,  by  their 
 longing  after  the  coming  of  Chrift's  kingdom,  and  their  defires 
 of  the  earth's  being  filled  with  the  knowledge  of  his  glory,  as  the 
 waters  cover  the  fea,  by  the  love  they  have  to  their  own  immor- 
 tal fouls,  and  the  fulvation  of  the  prefent  generation  and  pofierity. 
 Yea,  let  me  make  bold  to  charge  them,  in  the  name  and  authority 
 of  the  great  God,  and  our  Lord  Jefus  Chriil,  and  by  their  dread- 
 ful appearance  before  him,  and  as  ever  they  expcdl  to  be  admit- 
 ted to  Chrift's  company,  and  find  a  place  amongft  them  Vv'ho  are 
 faved  and  wafhed  in  his  blood,  and  made  kings  and  priefts  unto 
 God,  and  his  Father,  m.ike  more  confcience  henceforth  of  abftain- 
 jng  from  ail  converfc,  beyond  the  unpleafant  conflraint  of  pure 
 neceflity,  with  this  race  of  the  moft  degenerate  brood,  and  dt(' 
 perate  enemies  to  the  true  foundation-principles  of  falvation,  that 
 ever  hell  yet  hatched,  or  Satan  fet  on  work,  to  counter-work  and 
 obrti-u£t  the  progrefs  of  the  gofpel.  The  adequate  remedy,  it  is 
 true,  is  not  m  the  hand  of  every,  ncr  any  private  chriftian ;  but 
 God  hath  put  this  plaifter  into  every  man's  hand,  and  hath  made 
 it  eafy  for  him  to  apply  it,  while  other  remedies  are  not  within 
 his  reach,  whereby  he  may,  through  grace,  preferve  himfelf  un- 
 polluted, and  pure  from  the  plague  of  the  fpreading  contagion, 
 yea,  and  pofiibly  recover  fume  of  tuem :  let  hira  but,  in  ccmpli- 
 
POSTSCRIPT.  523 
 
 ance  with  the  will  of  God,  difcount^nance  thefe  traders  and  traf- 
 fickers for  Satan,  and  let  him  lliun  ail  convcrfe  with  them.  En- 
 ter not  into  the  path  of  thefe  wicked  perfons,  anci.  go  not  in  the 
 way  of  thefe  evil  men ;  avoid  it,  pafs  not  by  it,  turn  trom  it,  and 
 pafsawayj  for  their  houfe  incJlneth  unto  death,  and  their  paths 
 unto  the  dead.  None  (at  leaft  :trw)  that  go  unto  them,  return  a- 
 gain,  neither  take  they  holii  of  the  paths  of  life. 
 
 If  any  defpife  our  Lord's  prefcription,  and  do  otherwife,  let  nei- 
 ther himfelf  nor  others  wonder,  if,  as  a  jufi:  punilhment  of  this 
 frefumptuous  contempt,  he  be  left  and  ca'^ght  into  the  fcarc.  O 
 fear  this  infatuation,  which  hath  overtaken  fo  many  to  that  height, 
 that  they  wrangle  and  wreft,  without  a  b'ufli,  the  word  of  life, 
 and  the  fcriptures  holding  forth  the  plain  path-way  of  falvation,  to 
 their  own  perdition  ;  yea,  and  as  perfous  Tick  of  an  hydrophoby, 
 fear  only  and  flee  from  the  proper  remedy.  O  beware,  left,  while 
 you  fee  fuch  a  doleful  and  fo  amazing  a  fpetlacle  and  dQcumenr  of 
 divine  difplcafure  before  your  eyes,  you  alfo,  being  led  aw.iy  with 
 the  error  of  the  wicked)  fall  from  your  own  ftedfaftnefs  :  but  la- 
 bour to  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  know-edge  of  our  Lord  and 
 Saviour  Jefus  Chrift  i  and  then  it  is  impoiru^ie  not  to  grow  in  an 
 abhorrence  at  name  and  thing  of  this  aboiuination,  which  his  foul 
 Irateth,  as  the  moft  pure  and  perftcl  oppollrion  to  that  faivation 
 which  is  in  Chrift  Jefus,  and  the  molt  explicit  apd  phin  aitempt  a*, 
 gainft  the  pleafure  of  the  Lord's  profpering  in  the  Mediator's  hsnd, 
 and  his  feeing  of  the  travail  of  his  foul  and  being  fatisfied,  that 
 ever  Satan  made  or  managed  by  any  mortal.  Lut  I  have  poiTibiy 
 exceeded  the  juft  limits  of  a  potlfcript ,  and  therefore  committing 
 thee  to  the  guardings  and  guidings  of  his  grace,  who  is  of  power  to 
 eftablifh  thee,  and  keep  thee  from  falling,  and  preient  thee  lauhiefs 
 before  the  prcfence  of  his  glory  wiih  exceeding  joy,  1  here  fubfilL 
 
 Mr  RUTHERFCORD's  TESTIMONY  to  th^  Covenanted  Work 
 ot  Reformation,  (from  1638  to  1649)  in  Brit:iin  and  ireianil. 
 
 THO'  the  Lord  needeth  not  a  Tcftimony  from  fuch  a  wretch- 
 ed man  as  I,  if  I,  and  all  the  woild  (houid  be  filenr,  rhev','iy 
 f^ones  would  cry :  it  is  niore  than  debt,  that  I  fliould  conteis. 
 Chrift  before  men  and  angels.  It  would  fwiisfy  nie  not  a  iirtie, 
 that  the  throne  of  my  Lord  jtfus  were  ex-iiLcd  above  the  clouds, 
 the  heaven  of  heavens,  and  on  both  iides  oi  the  fun ;  4nd  that  all 
 poffible  praife  nnd  glory  were  afcribed  to  bin;  tliat,  by  his  g^^ce^ 
 I  might  put  my  feal,  fuch  as  it  is,  pnto  th^t  ff>n^,  even  the-ncMT. 
 fong  of  thefe,  v/ ho  with  aloud  voice,  fmg,  faying,"  ♦  'i'hoq  art 
 worthy  to  take  the  book,  and  to  open  the  feals  thereof;  for  tl)on 
 waft  flain,  and  haft  redccn^ed  us  to  God  l^y  thy  blpod^  out  of  eve*' 
 
 'U  u  u  *2 
 
5^4  Mr  RUT  HE  RFOOR  D's 
 
 ry  kindred,  and  tongue,  and  people,  and  nation  :  and  hall:  made 
 us  unto  our  God  kings  and  prietls-,  and  we  (hall  reign  on  earth, 
 Rev.  V.  9,  I  o."  And  bleiTed  were  I,  could  I  lay  too  my  ear  of  faith, 
 and  fay  Amen  to  th  u  Pfalm  •*  of  the  many  angels  round  about  the 
 throne,  and  the  beads,  and  elders :  whofc  number  is  ten  thoufand 
 times  ten  thoufand,  and  thoufand ,  of  thoufands  :  faying,  with  a 
 loud  voice,  Worthy  is  the  Lamb  that  was  flain,  to  receive  power 
 and  riches,  and  wifdom,  ami  ftrtngth,  and  honour,  and  glory, 
 and  blelTmg."  And  if  1  heard  *'  every  creature,  which  is  in  hea- 
 ven, and  on  the  earth,  and  under  the  earth  ;  and  fuch  as  are  in 
 the  fea  j  and  all  that  arc  in  them  ;  (as  John  heard  them)  faying, 
 I'leflmg,  and  honour,  and  glory,  and  power  be  unto  him  that 
 fifteth  upon  the  throne,  and  to  the  Lamb  for  ever  and  ever."  I 
 mean  not  any  fuch  vihble  reign  ct  Chrill  on  earth,  as  the  Mille- 
 naries fancy;  I  believe  (Lord  help  my  unbelief)  the  dotlrine  of 
 the  holy  prophets,  and  the  apoftles  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  con- 
 tained in  the  books  of  the  Old  aud  Nev?^  Tcflament,  to  be  the 
 undoubted  truth  of  God,  and  a  perfe'dl:  rule  of  f.nth,  and  the  on- 
 ly way  of  falvation.  And  I  do  acknowledge  the  fum  of  the  Chrif- 
 tian  religion,  exhibited  in  the  Confeffions  and  Catechifms  of  the 
 reformed  proteftant  churches :  and  in  the  national  covenant,  di- 
 vers times  fworn  by  the  king's  majefty,  the  ftate  and  church  of 
 Scotland  ;  and  fealed  by  the  teflimony  and  fubfcription  of  the  no- 
 bles, barons,  gentlemen,  citizens,  minifters,  and  profelTors  of  all 
 ranks.  As  alfo,  in  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant  in  the  three 
 kingdoms  of  Scotland,  England,  and  Ireland.  And  I  do  judge, 
 and  in  coniciencebelievt',  that  no  power  on  earth  can  abfolvc,  and 
 liberate  the  people  of  God  from  the  bonds  and  facred  ties  of  the 
 oath  of  God.  I  am  perfuaded  that  Afa  atled  warrantably,  in  mak- 
 ing a  law,  that  the  people  fhould  (land  to  the  covenant*,  and  in 
 receivivg  into  the  coveiiant  fuch  as  were  not  of  his  kingdom,  2 
 Chron.  XV.  9,  10.  As  did  alfo  Hczekiah,  in  fending  a  proclama- 
 tion through  all  the  tribes  from  Dan  to  Beerflieba,  *'  That  they 
 fhould  come  and  keep  the  Pnifover  unto  the  Lord  at  Jerufalem, 
 2  Chron.  xxx.  6,  7."  Though  their  own  princes  did  not  go  along 
 .  with  them  :  yea,  and  it  is  nature's  law  warranted  by  the  word, 
 th^t  nations  (liould  encourage  and  ftir  up  one  another  to  feek  the 
 true  God.  It  is  alfo  prcphefitd,  That  divers  nations  iTiould  ex- 
 cite one  another  this  way,  "  Ifa.  ii.  3.  Many  people  fhali  go  and 
 fay,  Come  ye  and  let  us  go  up  unto  the  mountain  of  the  Lord,  to 
 the  houfe  of  the  God  of  Jacob,  and  he  will  teach  us  of  his  ways, 
 Zech.  viii.  21,  22.  And  the  inhabitants  of  one  city  Iball  go  to  an- 
 other, faying,  Let  us  go  fpeedily  to  pray  before  the  Lord  of  hofls: 
 I  will  go  alfo.  Yea.  many  people  and  flrong  nations  fliall  come 
 to  feek  the  Lord  of  holts  in  Jerufalem,  and  to  pray  before  the 
 L-ord."  There  is  alio  a  clear  prophecy  to  be  atcompliihed,  und^r 
 
TESTIMONY.  525 
 
 tbc  New  Teftament,  '^  Jer.  1.  4,  5.  That  Ifrae!  and  Judah  ftiall 
 go  together,  and  feek  the  Lord.  They  fhall  alk  the  way  to  Zion 
 with  their  faces  thitherward,  faying,  Come,  and  let  us  join  our- 
 fclyeS  to  the  Lord  in  a  perpetual  covenant,  that  (hall  not  be  for- 
 gotten.*' It  is  alfo  foretold,  That  different  nations  fhall  confede- 
 rate with  the  Lord,  and  with  one  another,  "  lla.  xix.  23,  24,  25. 
 In  that  day  there  fhall  be  an  high  way  out  of  Egypt  to  Affyria  i 
 and  the  Aflyrian  fhall  come  to  Egypt,  and  the  Egyptian  into  Af- 
 fyria, and  the  Egyptians  fhall  ferve  with  the  AfTyrians.  In  that 
 day  fhall  IlVael  be  the  third  v/ith  Egypt,  and  with  AfTyiia,  even  a 
 blcfTing  in  the  midfl  cf  the  land  ;  whom  the  Lord  of  hofts  fhall 
 blefs,  faying,  BlefTed  he  Egypt  my  people,  and  AfTyria  the  worl; 
 of  my  hands,  and  ifrael  mine  inheritance." 
 
 The  church  of  Scotland  had  once  as  much  of  the  prefence  of 
 Chrift,  as  to  the  power  and  purity  of  doctrine,  worlliip,  difcipiine, 
 and  governmert,  as  many  we  read  or,  hnce  the  Lord  took  his  an- 
 cient people  to  be  his  covenanted  church.  The  Lord  ftirred  up 
 our  nobies  to  attempt  a  reformation  in  the  laft  age,  through  many 
 diihculti..*s,  .and  againfl  much  oppofition,  from  thofe  in  fupreme 
 authoiity  :  he  m.ade  bare  his  holy  arm,  and  carried  on  the  worl^ 
 glorioufly,  like  himfe'f ;  his  right  hand  giving  him  the  viclory, 
 until  the  idolatry  of  Rom,e,  and  her  curftd  mafs  were  daflied  :  a 
 hopeiul  reformation  was  in  feme  meafure  fettled,  and  a  found 
 ConfciBon  of  faith  was  agreed  upon,  by  the  lords  of  the  congier 
 gation.  The  people  of  God,  according  to  the  hiudable  cuttom  of 
 Other  ancient  churches,  the  proteftants  in  France  and  Holland, 
 and  the  reriowned  princes  of  Germany,  did  carry  on  the  work  in 
 r,n  innocent,  felf-defeiifive  war,  which  the  Lord  did  abundantly 
 blefs.  When  our  land  and  church  were  thus  contending  for  that 
 begun  reformation,  thefe  in  authority  did  fl.ilt  oppofe  the  work; 
 jmd  there  was  not  then  wanting  men  from  among  ourfelves,  men 
 of  prelatical  ipirits,  who,  with  fome  other  time-ferving  courtiers, 
 iWd  not  a  little  undermine  the  building;  and  we  doating  too  much 
 upon  found  parliaments,  and  lawful  general  afTembiies,  fell  from 
 our  firfl:  love  to  fclf-feeking,  fecret  banding,  and  little  fearing  the 
 0:3th  of  Goii. 
 
 Afterwards,  our  work  in  public  was  too  much  in  fequeflration 
 of  eftatcs.  fining  and  Imprifoning,  more  than  in  a  comp.dlionate 
 niournfuinefs  of  fpirit  toward  thofe  whom  we  faw  to  oppofe  the 
 work.  In  our  afiemblies,  we  were  more  to  fet  up  a  ftate  oppofite 
 to  a  (late;  more  upon  form?,  citations,  leading  of  witncflcs,  fuf- 
 penfions  from  benefices,  than  fpiritually  to  perfuade,  and  worl? 
 upon  the  confr.ience,  with  the  mceknefs  ami  gcntknefs  of  Chj  ifl. 
 'Ihe  glory  and  royalty  of  our  princely  Redeemer  and  king  wv>s 
 trampled  on,  as  any  might  have  fcen  in  our  aflemblies.  VrM-»at 
 -»vay  the  army  and  the  fword,  and  the  .countenance  of  nobles  and 
 
526  Vit  RUrHERFOORD'% 
 
 officers  feemed  to  fway,  that  way  were  the  cenfures  carried.  It 
 bad  been  better,  bad  there  been  more  days  of  humiliation  and 
 fafting  in  aflemblies,  fynods,  prefbyteries,  congregations, families  ; 
 and  far  lefs,  adjourning  commiflions,  new  peremptory  fummons, 
 and  new  drawnrup  procefles.  And  if  the  mceknefs  and  gentlenefs 
 of  our  Mafter  had  got  fo  much  phce  in  our  hearts,  that  we  might 
 have  waited  on  gainfayers,  and  parties  contrary  minded;  and  we 
 might  have  driven  gently,  as  our  Mafter  Chrift,  who  loves  not  to 
 over-drive,  but  **  carries  the  lambs  in  his  bofom." 
 
 If  the  word  of  truth,  in  the  Old  and  New  Teftamcnts,  be  a  fuf- 
 ficient  rule,  holding  forth  what  is  a  Chriftian  army,  whether  ofFen- 
 five  or  defenfive,  whether  clean  or  (infully  mixed,  then  muft  we 
 leave  the  queftion  betwixt  our  public  brethren  and  us,  to  be  de^ 
 termined  b}  that  rule  ;  but  if  there  be  no  fuch  rule  in  the  word, 
 then  the  confederacies  and  aftbciations  of  the  people  of  God,  with 
 the  idolatrous  apollate  Ifraelites,  with  the  Egyptians  and  AfTyrians, 
 as  that  of  Jeholhaphat  with  Ahab,  and  thefe  of  Ifrael  and  Judah, 
 with  Egypt  and  Aflyria,  are  not  to  be  condemned.  But  they  are 
 often  reproved  and  condemned  in  fcripture.  To  deny  the  fcrip- 
 ture  to  be  a  fufficient'rule  in  this  cafe,  were  to  accufe  it  of  being 
 imperfecl  and  defective.  An  high  and  unjuft  reflection  on  the 
 holy  word  of  God.  J3eyond  all  queftion,  the  written  word  doth 
 teach  what  is  a  right  conftituted  court,  and  what  not,  Pfal.  x. 
 "What  is  a  right  conftitute  houfe,  and  what  not,  Jofti.  xxiv.  1 5. 
 What  is  a  true  church,  and  what  is  a  falfe  one  :  what  is  a  true 
 church,  and  what  is  a  fynagogue  of  Satan,  Rev.  ii.  What  is  a 
 clean  camp,  and  what  is  an  unclean.  We  are  not  for  any  army  of 
 faints,  and  free  of  all  mixture  of  ill  affecTted  men :  but  it  ftems 
 an  high  prevarication  for  churchmen  tocounfel  and  teach,  that  the 
 weight  and  trufl:  of  the  affairs  of  Chrift,  and  his  kingdom,  fliould 
 be  laid  upon  the  whole  party  of  fuch  as  have  been  enemies  to  our 
 caufe,  contrary  to  the  word  of  God,  and  the  declarations,  re- 
 monftrances,  f  jlemn  warnings,  and  ferious  exhortations  of  his 
 chiirch,  whofe  public  proteftations  the  Lord  did  admirably  blefs, 
 to  the  encouragement  of  the  godly,  and  the  terror  of  all  the  op- 
 pofers  of  the  work. 
 
 Since  we  are  very  fhortlv  to  appear  before  our  dreadful  Mafter 
 and  Sovereign,  we  cannot  pafs  from  our  proteftation,  trufting  we 
 ate  therein  accepted  of  him  ;  tho'  we  fhould  lie  under  the  imputa- 
 tion of  dividing  fpirits  and  unpv^aceable  men  We  acknowledge 
 ajl  due  obedience  in  the  Lord,  to  the  king's  mr>je((:y  ;  but  we  dif- 
 own  th-.'t  ecclefiaftical  fuprcmacy  in,  and  over,  the  church,  which 
 fome  afcribc  to  him  :  that  power  of  commanding  external  worfhip, 
 not  aiv,>,ijnted  in  the  word  j  and^laying  bonds  upon  the  confci- 
 e.nces  of  men,  where  Chrift  has  made  them  free.  We  difown  An- 
 tichriftian  prelacy^  bowing  at  the  name  of  Jefus,  faints  days,  ca^ 
 
TESTIMONY.  527 
 
 nonizing  of  the  dead,  and  other  fuch  corrupt  inventions  of  men, 
 and  look  on  them  as  the  high  way  to  popery.  Alas  !  now  there 
 is  no  need  of  a  fpirit  of  prophecy,  to  declare  what  (hall  be  the 
 woi'ul  condition  of  a  land  that  hath  a  broken  covenant,  firft  prac- 
 tically, and  then  legally,  with  the  Lord  our  God  ;  and  what  fhall 
 be  the  day  of  the  lilent  and  dumb  watchmen  of  Scotland  }  Where 
 will  we  leave  our  giory.  and  what  if  Chrift  depart  out  of  our 
 land  ?  We  verily  judge  they  are^  moft  loyal  to  the  king's  raajefly, 
 who  defire  the  drofs  may  be  feparated  from  the  filver,  and  the 
 throne  eftablirtied  in  righteoufnefs  and  judgment.  We  are  not 
 (our  witnefs  is  in  heaven)  againft  his  majefty's  title  by  birth  to 
 the  kingdom,  and  the  right  of  the  royal  family  :  but  that  the  con- 
 troverfy  of  wrath  againit  the  royal  family  may  be  removed;  that 
 the  huge  guilt  of  the  throne  may  be  mourned  for  before  the  Lord  : 
 and  that  his  majefty  may  ftand  conftantly,  all  the  days  of  his  life, 
 to  the  covenant  of  God -,  by  oath,  feal,  and  fubfcription,  known 
 to  the  world;  that  fo  peace,  and  the  blellings  of  heaven,  may 
 follow  his  government:  that  the  Lord  may  be  his  rock  and  (hicld, 
 that  the  juit  may  flourilh  in  his  time,  that  men  fearing  God,  hat- 
 ing covetoufnefs,  and  of  known  integrity  and  godlinefs,  may  be 
 judges  and  rulers  under  his  majefty.  And  they  are  not  really  loy- 
 al and  faithful  to  the  luprcme  magiftrate,  who  wifli  not  fuch  qua- 
 lifications in  him :  v/e  are  not,  in  this  particular,  contending, 
 that  a  prince  who  is  not  a  convert,  or  a  found  believer,  falls  from 
 his  royal  dominion :  the  fcriptures  of  God  warrant  us  to  pray  for, 
 and  obey  in  the  Lord,  princes  and  fupreme  magiftrates,  that  are 
 otherwife  wicked  :  and  to  tender  ail  due  obedience  to  them,  Rom. 
 xiii.  2,  5.  2  Tim.  ii.  12,  13.  i  Pet.  ii.  iS.  Our  fouls  (hall  be  afflic- 
 ted before  the  Lord,  for  the  burning  of  the  caufes  of  God's  wrath  ; 
 a  fad  practice,  too  like  the  burning  of  the  roll  by  Jehoiakim,  Jer; 
 xxxvi.  23.  In  thefe  controverfics,  we  ihould  take  fpecial  heed  to 
 this,  that  Chrift  is  a  free,  independent  Sovereign,  King,  and  Law- 
 giver. The  Father  hath  appointed  him  his  own  king  in  mount 
 Zion  ;  and  he  cannot  endure  that  the  powers  of  the  world  fhould 
 encroach  upon  his  royal  prerogative,  and  prefcribe  laws  to  him  ; 
 this  prefumption  is  not  far  from  that  of  the  citizens,  that  hated 
 him,  Luke  xix.  14.  "  He  ftiall  not  rule  over  us."  And  from  the 
 intolerable  pride  of  thofe  who  are  for  breaking  afunder  the  bands 
 of  the  Lord,  and  his  anointed  ;  and  for  the  caftmg  away  their  cords 
 from  them,  Pfal.  ii.  3.  Efpecially  feeing  the  nun  Chrift  would 
 not  take  the  oflke  of  a  judge  upon  him,  Luke  xii.  14.  And  dis- 
 charged his  difciples  to  exercife  a  civil  lordfliip  over  their  bre- 
 thren. 'I'rue  it  is,  the  godly  magiftrate  may  command  the  mini- 
 fters  of  the  gofpel  to  do  their  duty,  but  not  under  the  penalty  of 
 ecclefiaftic  cenfures,  as  if  it  were  proper  to  him  to  call  and  uncall, 
 dcpol^-  jiiid  fiifpcnd  from  the  holy  miniftry.     The  lordly  fpiritual 
 
S28  Mr  RUrHtRFOORD\  &c. 
 
 government,  in  and  over  the  church,  is  given  unto  Chrift,  and 
 none  elfej  he  is  the  fole  ecclefiafiic  Law-giver.  It  is  proper  to 
 him  to  fmite  with  the  rod  of  his  mot  th;  nor  is  there  any  other 
 fhoulder,  in  heaven  or  on  earth,  that  is  sble  to  bear  the  govern- 
 ment. As  this  hath  been  the  great  controverfy  betwixt  our  Lord 
 Jefus,  and  the  powers  of  the  Tvorld,  from  the  beginning ;  fo  it 
 has  ruined  all  that  coped  with  him.  Chriil  has  proven  a  rock  of 
 offence  to  them  ;  they  have  been  daCied  in  pieces,  by  the  ftone 
 that  was  cut  out  of  the  mountain  without  hands,  Dan.  ii.  34,  35. 
 »nd  the  other  powers  that  enter  the  lifts  with  him,  fhail  have  the 
 fame  difmal  exit.  Whofoever  fiiall  fall  upon  this  fione  iTjall  be 
 broken;  and  on  whomfoever  it  lliall  fall,  it  fhall  grind  him  to 
 powder,  Matth.  xxi.  44.  As  the  blefled  prophets  and  apoitles  of 
 our  Lord,  contended  not  a  little  with  the  rulers  of  the  earth,  that 
 Chrifl  Oiould  be  the  Head  Corner  Stone,  that  Chrift  is  the  only 
 Head  of  the  church,  is  as  fure  as  that  he  died,  was  buried,  and 
 rofe  agaiui  It  is  a  moft  victorious  and  prevailing  truth  -,  not  on- 
 ly preached  and  atteiled  by  the  ambafladcrs  of  the  Lord  of  hofts, 
 but  confirmed  by  blood,  martyrdom,  and  fuffering.  P»lany  pre- 
 cious faints,  have  thought  it  their  honour  and  dignity  to  fufFer 
 ihame  and  reproach  for  the  name  of  Jefus.  And  it  is  beyond 
 doubt,  that  pafiive  fuffering  forthe  nime  of  Chrift,  comes  neareft  to 
 that  noble  fampler,  wherein  Chrift,  though  a  fon,  learned  obedi- 
 ence by  the  things  which  he  fufTeied,  Heb.  v.  8.  Now  bltlTcd  is 
 the  foul  who  loves  not  this  life  to  death,  Rev.  xii.  11.  for  on  fucb 
 refts  the  fpirit  of  glory  and  of  Gk)d,  i  Pet.  iv.  14.  We  cannot 
 but  fay  it  is  a  fad  time  to  thi"  land  at  prefent,  it  is  a  day  of  dark- 
 neft,  and  rebuke  and  blafphe  ly.  The  Lord  hath  covered  himfeif 
 with  a  cloud  in  his  anger,  ^e  looked  for  peace,  but  behold  evil : 
 out  fo^Is  rejoiced  when  his  tt^ajefty  did  fwear  the  covenant  of  God, 
 and  put  thereto  his  fe«l  and  fubfcription,  ami  after  confirmed  it 
 ty  his  royal  promife ;  fo  that  the  fubjects  hearts  bleffed  the  Lord 
 'and  refted  upon  the  healing  word  of  a  prince.  13ut  now,  alas  ! 
 the  contrary  is  enacted  by  law,  the  carved  work  broken  down,  or- 
 dinances are  defaced,  and  we  are  brought  into  the  former  bondage 
 snd  chaos  of  prelatical  confufions.  The  royal  prerogative  of 
 Chrift  is  pulled  from  his  head,  and  after  all  the  days  of  furrow 
 yf/t  have  feen,  we  have  juft  caufe  to  fear  we  flvall  be  made  to 
 read  and  eat  that  book,  wherein  is  written  Mourning,  and  La- 
 mentation, and  Woe.  Yec  we  are  to  believe,  Chrift  will  no/  fo 
 depart  from  the  land,  but  a  remnant  ihall  be  faved ;  and  hd  ftiall 
 reign  a  victorious  conquering  King  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  O 
 that  there  were  nations,  kindreds,  tongues,  and  all  the  people  of 
 ChrilVs  habitable  world,  encompafling  his  throne  with  cries  and 
 tears  from  the  fpirit  of  fupplication,  to  be  poured  down  upon  the 
 inhabitants  of  Judah  for  that  etfect. 
 
(     529    ) 
 
 Sortie  of  the  LAST  WORDS  of  Mr.  Rutherfoord  ; 
 containing  fomc  Advices  and  Exhortations  to  his  Friends 
 and  Relations,  during  bis  ficknefs,  before  his  Death. 
 February    1661. 
 
 He  uttered  many  favoury  fpeeches  in  the  time  of  h*s  ficknefs,  and 
 often  broke  out  in  a  ("acred  kind  of  rapture,  extolling  and  com- 
 mending the  Lord  Jefus,  efpeciaily  when  his  end  drew  near; 
 v^hom  he  often  called  his  bleffed  Mafter,  his  kingly  King. 
 
 SOME  days  before  his  death  he  faid,  I  fhall  Ihine,  I  ftiall  fee  him 
 as  he  is,  I  Ihall  fee  him  reign,  and  all  his  fair  company  with 
 him  i  and  I  (hall  have  my  large  fhare,  my  eyes  fhall  ice  my  Re- 
 deemer, thefe  very  eyes  of  mine,  and  no  other  for  me;  this  may 
 feera  a  wide  word,  but  it  is  no  fancy  or  delufion  ;  its  true,  its  true, 
 let  my  Lord's  name  be  exalted,  and  if  he  will,  let  my  name  be 
 grinded  to  pieces,  that  he  may  be  ail  in  all.  If  he  fliould  llay  me 
 ten  thoufatid  times  ten  thoufand  times,  I  will  truft:.  He  often  re- 
 peated, Jer.  XV.  16.  ♦*  Tby  words  were  found  and  I  did  eat  them, 
 and  thy  word  was  unto  me  the  joy  and  rejoicing  of  my  heart."  Ex- 
 horting one  to  be  diligent  in  feeking  of  God.  he  faid,  'Tis  r.o  eafy 
 thing  to  be  a  Chriftian,  but  for  mc,  I  have  gotten  the  vidiory,  and 
 Chrift  is  holding  out  both  his  arms  to  embrace  me.  At  another 
 time,  to  fome  friends  about  him,  he  faid.  At  the  bf^ginning  of  my 
 fufferings  I  had  mine  own  fears  like  anorher  fintul  man,  left  I 
 Ihould  faint,  and  not  be  carried  creditably  thr.uigh  ;  and  I  laid 
 this  before  the  Lord  :  and  as  fui  e  as  ever  he  fpake  to  me  in  his 
 word,  as  fure  his  fpirit  witncfi'ed  to  my  heart,  "  he  had  accept- 
 ed my  fuffering,  he  faid  to  me,  fear  not  :  the  outgate  (hall  not  be 
 fimply  matter  of  praife."  I  faid  to  the  Lord,  if  he  Ihould  flay  me 
 five  thoufand  times  five  thoufand  times.  I  would  truft  in  him;  and 
 I  fpake  it  with  much  trembling,  fearing  I  fhould  not  make  my  puic 
 good.  But  as  really  as  ever  he  fpoke  to  me  by  his  Spirit,  he  wit- 
 nefTed  unto  my  heart,  '•  that  his  grace  (li'Mild  be  fufficient." 
 
 Thelaft  Tuefday's  night,  before  his  death,  being  much  weight- 
 ed uith  the  ftate  of  the  public,  he  had  that  exprelBin,  "  Terror 
 hath  taken  hold  on  me,  becaufe  of  his  dlfpenfation."  And  after 
 falling  on  his  own  condition,  he  faid,  I  difclaim  all  that  ever  he 
 made  me  will  and  do,  and  look  on  it  as  defiled  and  imperfsdl,  as 
 coming  from  me;  and  I  take  me  to  Chrift  for  fan<5titication,  as 
 well  as  juftification;  and  repeating  thefe  words,  '♦  He  is  made  of 
 God  to  me,  wifdom,  righteoufnefs,  fandtification  and  redemption  ; 
 he  added,  I  clofe  with  it,  let  him  be  fo,  he  is  my  All,  in  ail  this. 
 
 On  March  the  feventeenth,  three  gentlewomen  coming  to  fee 
 him;  after  exhorting  them  to  read  the  word,  and  be  frequent  in 
 prayer,  and  much  iii  communion  with  God,  he  iaid,  My  honour- 
 able Mafter  and  lovely  Lcrd,  my  great  and  royal  King,  hath  not 
 
 X  X  X 
 
53©  m  RUTHERFOORD's 
 
 a  match  in  heaven  or  in  earth ;  I  have  my  ovsrn  guiltinefs  like  ano= 
 ther  fmfui  man,  but  he  hath  pardoned,  loved,  and  wafhed,  and 
 given  me  »«  Joy  unfpeakable,  and  full  of  glory."  I  repent  not  that 
 ever  I  owned  his  caufe.  Thefe  whom  ye  call  Protefters,  are  the 
 witne/Tes  of  Jefus  Chrift ;  I  hope  never  to  depart  from  that  caufe, 
 nor  fide  with  thefe  that  have  burnt  the  caufes  of  God's  wrath. 
 
 They  have  broken  their  covenant  oftener  than  once  or  twice: 
 but  I  believe,  ♦•  The  Lord  will  build  Zion,  and  repair  the  wafte 
 places  of  Jacob.'  O  !  to  obtain  mercy,  to  wreftle  with  God  for 
 their  falvaticn.  As  for  this  Prefbytery,  it  hath  ftood  in  oppoficioa 
 to  me  thefe  years  paft ;  I  have  my  record  in  heaven,  I  had  no  par- 
 ticular end  in  view,  i)ut  was  feeking  the  honour  of  God,  the  thriv- 
 ing of  the  gofpel  in  this  place,  and  the  good  of  the  new  coliegej 
 that  fociety  which  I  have  left  upon  the  Lord  ;  what  perfonal 
 wrongs  they  have  done  me,  and  what  gritf  they  have  occafioned  to 
 me,  1  hearrily  forgive  them  ;  and  defire  mercy  to  wreftle  with  God, 
 for  mercy  to  them  and  all  their  falvation. 
 
 The  fame  day,  Mr.  James  M'Gill,  Mr.  John  Wardlaw,  Mr. 
 William  Violanr,  and  Mr.  Alexander  Wedderburn,  (all  members 
 of  the  fame  prefbytery  with  him)  coming  to  vifit  him,  he  made 
 them  heartily  welcome,  and  laid,  My  Lord  and  Mafter  is  the  chief 
 often  thoufand  of  thoufands,  none  is  comparable  to  him,  in  hea- 
 ven cr  in  earth.  Dear  brethren,  do  all  for  him  ;  pray  for  Chrift, 
 preach  for  Chrift,  feed  the  flock  committed  to  your  charge  for 
 Chrift,  do  all  for  Chrift;  beware  of  msn-pleafmg,  there  is  too  much 
 of  it  among  us.  Dear  brethren,  you  know  1  have  had  my  Owa 
 grievances  among  you  of  this  prefbytery.  He,  before  whom  I  ft^nd, 
 knows  it  was  not  my  particular,  but  the  intereft:  of  Jefus  Chrift, 
 ind  the  thriving  of  the  gofpel,  I  was  feeking.  What  griefs  or  wrongs 
 you  have  done  me,  I  heartily  forgive,  as  I  defire  to  be  forgiven  of 
 Chrift..  The  new  college  hath  broke  my  heart,  and  I  can  fay  no- 
 thing of  it,  but  I  liave  left  it  upon  the  Lord  of  the  houfe :  and  it 
 hath  been,  and  ftill,  is  my  defire,  that  he  may  dwell  in  this  fo- 
 ciety, and  that  the  youths  may  be  fed  with  found  knowledge.  This 
 is  a  divided  vif;t  of  the  prefbytery,  and  I  know  f©  much  the  Ief» 
 what  to  fay. 
 
 After  this,  he  faid.  Dear  brethren,  it  m»ay  feem  a  prefumption 
 in  me,  a  particular  man,  to  fend  a  commiiTion  to  a  prefbytery  ;  and 
 Mr.  M'Gili  replying,  It  was  no  prefumption  :  he  continued,  Dear 
 brethren,  take  a  commifTion  from  me,  a  dying  man,  to  them,  to 
 appear  for  God  and  his  caufe,  and  adhere  to  the  dodlrine  of  the 
 covenant,  and  have  a  care  of  the  fiock  committed  to  their  charge. 
 Let  them  feed  the  flock  out  of  love,  preach  for  God,  vifit  and  ca- 
 techife  for  God,  and  do  all  for  God.  Beware  of  man-pleafing  :  the 
 chief  Shepherd  will  appear  (hortly ;  and  tell  them  from  me,  dear 
 brethren,  that  all  the  perfonal  griefs  and  wrongs  they  have  done 
 to  me,  I  do  cordially  and  freely  forgive  them  :  but  for  the  bufinefs 
 of  the  new  college,  I  have  left  that  upon  the  Lord:  let  them  fee 
 to  it,  my  foul  defires  the  Lord  to  dwell  io  that  fociety,  and  that 
 
DTINC  7V0RDS.  531 
 
 himfelf  may  feed  the  youths.  I  have  been  a  fmful  mm,  and  have 
 had  my  failings,  but  my  Lord  hath  pardoned  and  accepted  my  la- 
 bours. I  adhere  to  the  caofe  and  covenant,  and  mind  never  to  de- 
 part from  that  proteftation  againll  the  controverted  affemblies.  I 
 am  the  man  I  was.  I  am  ftiH  for  keeping  the  government  of  the 
 kirk  of  Scotland  intirc,  and  would  not  for  a  thoufand  worlds,  have 
 had  the  Icaft  finger  of  an  hand  in  burning  ot  the  caufes  of  God's 
 wrath.  O  !  for  grace  to  wreftlc  with  God  for  their  falvaticn,  who 
 have  done  it ;  and  Mr.  Violant  having  prayed,  at  his  dcfire,  as 
 they  took  their  leave,  he  renewed  his  charge  to  them,  **  to  {ztd 
 the  flock  out  of  love." 
 
 The  next  morning,  as  he  recovered  out  of  fainting,  in  which 
 they,  who  looked  on  expected  his  diflblution,  he  faid,  I  feel,  I  feel. 
 I  believe  in  joy,  and  rejoice;  I  feed  on  Manna.  The  worthy  and 
 famous  Mr.  Robert  Blair,  whofe  praifc  is  in  the  gofpel,  through 
 all  this  church,  being  with  him,  [I  muft  tell  the  reader,  our  author 
 had  this  man  in  high  efteem,  and  lived  in  near  frieodfhip  and  love 
 with  him  to  the  day  of  his  death.  A  reverend  minilter,  lately  fal- 
 len afleep,  that  was  often  with  Mr.  Rutherfoord  told  me,  he  ufed 
 to  call  Mr.  Blair  a  worthy  man  of  Gcd].  As  Mr  Rutherfaord  took 
 a  little  wine  in  a  fnoon,  to  refrelh  bimlelf,  being  very  weak,  Mr. 
 Blair  faid  to  him.  Ye  ittd  on  dainties  in  heaven,  and  think  no- 
 thing of  our  cordials  on  earth  ;  he  anfwered,  They  are  all  but  dung, 
 yei  they  are  Chrift's  creatures,  and  out  of  obedience  to  command, 
 I  take  them;  adding,  my  eyes  fhrili  fee  my  Redeemer,  I  know  he 
 (hall  ftand  the  laft  day  upon  the  earth,  and  I  Ihali  be  caught  up  in 
 the  clouds  to  meet  him  in  the  air,  and  I  fhall  be  ever  with  him, 
 and  what  would  you  have  more,  there  is  an  end  ;  and  ftretching 
 out  his  hand  over,  again  reply'd,  there  m  an  end.  A  little  afier  he 
 faid,  I  have  been  a  wretched  fmful  man,  but  I  ftar.d  at  the  bell  pafs 
 that  ever  a  man  did,  Chrill  is  mine,  and  I  am  his  ;  and  fpake  much 
 of  the  white  (fone,  and  the  new  name.  Mr.  Blair,  who  loved  to 
 hear  Chrift  commended,  with  all  his  heart,  faid  to  him  again. 
 What  think  ye  now  of  Chrift?  to  which  he  replied,  I  fhall  live  and 
 adore  him  :  glory,  glory,  to  my  Creator,  and  to  my  Redeemer  for 
 ever  :  glorv  ihines  in  Immanuel  s  J^ind. 
 
 In  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  he  faid,  O  !  that  ail  my  brethreni 
 in  the  public,  may  knov/  what  a  Mafter  I  have  ferved,  and  what 
 peace  I  have  this  day  :  '  I  ihall  lltep  in  Chrift,  and  when  I  awake, 
 I  fhall  be  fatisfied  with  his  likenefs.*  And  he  faid,  This  night  fhall 
 clofc  ths  door,  and  put  my  anchor  within  the  vail,  and  I  Ihall  go 
 away  in  a  fleep,  by  five  of  the  clock  in  the  morning;  which  ex- 
 adly  fell  out  according  as  he  had  lold  that  night:  though  he  was 
 very  weak,  he  had  often  this  exprcfilon,  O  for  arn^s  to  embrace 
 him;  O  for  a  well  tuned  harp.  And  he  exhorted  Dr.  Colvil  (a 
 man  that  complied  with  Epifcopacy  afterwards)  to  adhere  to  the 
 government  of  the  kirk  of  Scotland,  and  to  the  doctrine  of  the  co- 
 venant;  and  to  have  a  care  that  youth  were  fed  with  found  know* 
 ledge;  and  exprcft  his  defire,  tlia:  Chriil  might  dwell  in  thdi  fo; 
 
532  Mr  nUTHERFOORD%  &c. 
 
 ciety,  and  that  vice  and  profanenefs  rnight  be  borne  down  :  and  the 
 doftor  being  a  profeflbr  in  the  new  college,  he  told  him,  That  he 
 heartily  forgave  him  all  offence  he  h*id  done  hino. 
 
 lie  Tpake  likewife  of  Mr.  Honeyman,  who  came  to  fee  him, 
 (the  man,  who  afterward  not  only  fubaiittedto  the  Epiicopal  go- 
 vernment,, but  wrote  in  defence  of  it,  and  was  made  Bifhop  of 
 Orkney)  and  defired  him  to  tell  the  prefbytery  to  appear  ior  God 
 and  his  caufe,  and  ciTvenant,  faying,  rthe  cafe  is  not  defperate,  let 
 them  be  in  their  duty.  And  direding  his  fpeech  to  Dr.  Colvil,  and 
 Mr.  Honeyman,  he  laid,  Stick  to  it.  Ye  may  think  it  an  eafy  thing 
 in  me,  a  dying  man,  that  is  now  going  out  oi  the  reach  of  wU  that 
 man  can  do,  but  he,  before  whom  I  Hand,  knows  I  dare  advife  no 
 Colleague  or  brother  to  do  what  I  would  not  cordially  do  myfelf, 
 npon  all  haxard  :  and  as  for  the  caufcs  of  God's  wrath,  that  ment 
 have  now  condemned  ;  tell  Mr.  James  Wood  from  me,  that  I  had 
 father  lay  my  head  down  on  a  fcaffold,  and  fuffer  it  to  be  chopped 
 off  many  times,  were  it  poffible,  before  I  had  piffed  from  them. 
 And  to  Mr.  Honeyman  he  faid.  Tell  Mr.  James  Wood  from  rae^ 
 I  heartily  forgive  him  all  the  wrongs  he  has  done  me  ;  and  defire 
 him  from  me,  to  declare  himfelf  the  man  that  he  is,  fttll  for  the 
 government  of  the  church  of  Scotland. 
 
 And  truly  Mr  Ruthcrfoord  was  not  deceived  in  htm,  for  tHei 
 learned,  pious,  and  worthy  Mr.  Wood  was  true  and  faithful  to  the 
 prefbyterian  government ;  nothing  could  bow  him  to  comply,  in 
 the  leaft  degree,  with  the  abjured  prelacy  ;  fo  far  from  that<  that 
 apoftafy  and  treachery  of  others,  whom  he  had  too  much  trufted, 
 broke  his  upright  fpirit,  efpecially  the  aggravated  defe<5tion  and 
 perfidy  of  one  whom  he  termed  Judas,  Demas,  and  Gehazi,  con- 
 centred in  one,  after  he  found  what  part  he  aded  to  the  church  of 
 Scotland,  under  truft.  Yor  this  Mr.  Wood  went  to  the  grave  a 
 man  of  forrows,  and  left  his  tefilmony  behind  him,  to  the  work  of 
 God  in  this  land,  which  has  been  in  print  a  long  time  ago.  I  owe 
 this,  piece  of  juftice  to  the  memory  of  this  great  man  :  and  to  ihew 
 that  the  only  differences  betwixt  Mr.  Rutherfoord  and  him,  were 
 occafioned  by  Mr.  Wood's  joining  with  the  promoters  of  the  public 
 refolutions  of  that  time,  but  Mr.  Ruthcrfoord  ever  fpoke  of  hiov 
 with  regard,  and  as  a  good  man  whom  he  loved.  Afier,  when 
 fome  fpoke  to  Mr.  Rutherfoord  of  his  former  painfulnefs  and  faith- 
 fulnefs  in  the  work  of  God,  he  faid,  I  difclaim  all  that,  the  port  I 
 \vouIdbeat  is  redemption  and  lorgivenefs,  through  his  blood.  Thou 
 (halt  Ihew  me  the  path  of  life,  in  thy  fight  is  fulnefs  of  joy.  There 
 R  nothing  now  betwixt  me  and  the  refurre»5tion  ;  *  Hut  to-day  thou 
 fhalt  be  with  me  in  paradife :'  Mr.  Blair  iaying.  Shall  I  praife  the 
 Lord  for  all  the  mercies  he  has  done  for  you,  and  is  to  do?  He  an- 
 fw^ed,  O  for  a  weH  tuned  harp.  To  his  child  he  faid,  I  have  a- 
 gain  left  yoa  upon  the  Lord;  it  may  be  you  will  tell  this  to  others. 
 That  the  lines  are  fallen  to  me  in  pleafant  places,  I  have  a  goodly 
 kcritage  :  I  blefs  the  Lord  that  gave  me  counfel. 
 FINIS. 
 
^J 
 
^'^;>     'W 
 
 mxTHiiM 
 
 wMm 
 
 PHlA  'J   ^ 
 
 i\.f-ijii\. 
 
 m^M 
 
 ^^