Vol 16 - TO MY LADY KENMURE.

TO MY LADY KENMURE
MADAM,
ALL dutiful obedience to ourLORDJESUS remembered:—I trust I need not much entreat your Ladyship to look to him who has stricken you. Faith will teach you to kiss a striking Lon"), and so acknowledge the sovereignty of GOD (in the death of a child) to be above the power of mortal men, who may pluck up a flower in the bud, and not be blamed for it: and if our dear Lon]) pluck up one of his roses, who can challenge him He sends us to his world, as men to a market; wherein some stay many hours, and eat and drink, and buy and sell, and pass through the fair, till they be weary; and such are those who live long: and others come slipping into the morning-market, and neither sit nor stand, but look about them a little, and pass presently home again; and these are infants, who end their short market in the morning. Our LORD, who has numbered man's months, and set him bounds that he cannot pass, (Job 14:5,) has written the length of our market; and it is easier to complain of the decree, than to change it. I verily believe, when I write this, your LORD has taught your Ladyship to lay your hand on your mouth: But I shall be far from desiring your Lady-ship, or any others, to cast up a cross, like an old useless bill, that is only for the fire; but rather would wish that each cross were looked in the face seven times, and were read over and over again. It is the messenger of the LORD, and speaks something; and the man of understanding will hear the rod, and him that appointed it. Try what is the taste of the LORD's cup, and drink with God’s blessing, that you may grow thereby. I trust in GOD, whatever speech it utter to your soul, this is one word in it, (Job 5:17,) "Blessed is the man whom GOD correcteth;" and that it says to you, a You are from home while here; you are not of this world, as CHRIST was not of this world." There is something keeping for you, which is worth the having. All that is here is condemned to die, to pass away like a snow-ball before a summer's sun; and, since death took first possession of something of yours, it has been, and daily is, creeping nearer and nearer to yourself, although with no noise of feet. Your husbandman and LORD has lopped off some branches already; the tree itself is to be transplanted to the high garden; in a good time be it, and our LORD ripen your Ladyship! All these crosses (and indeed, when I remember them, they are heavy and many: peace, peace be the end of them!) are to make you white, and ripe for the LORD's harvest. I have seen the LORD weaning you from the breasts of this world. It was never his mind that it should be your patrimony, and GOD be thanked for that; you look the liker one of the heirs. Let the moveables go, why not They are not yours: fasten upon the heritage; and our LORD JESUS make the charter sure, and give your Ladyship to grow as a palm-tree on GOD’s Mount Zion. This is all I can do, to recommend your case to your LORD, who have you written upon the palms of his hands. Now may he who has called you confirm and establish your heart in grace, unto the day of the liberty of the sons of GOD.
Ardwell,
Your Ladyship's, at all submissive obedience,
April 29,1634. S. R.