Vol 16 - TO THE VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.

TO THE VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.
MADAM,
THAT honor which I have prayed for these sixteen years, with submission to my LORD's will, my LORD has now bestowed upon me; even to suffer for my King JESUS, and for his kingly crown, and for the freedom of his kingdom, which his Father has given him. The LORDs have sentenced me to deprivation, and confinement within the town of Aberdeen. I am charged, in the King's name, to enter against the 20th day of August next, and there to, remain during the King's pleasure. although CHRIST's green cross, newly laid upon me, be somewhat heavy, while 1: call to mind many fair days, sweet and comfortable to my soul, and to the souls of many others, and how young ones in CHRIST are plucked from the breast,. and the inheritance of GOD laid waste; yet that perfumed cross of CHRIST is accompanied with sweet refreshments, with the favors of a King, with the joy of the HOLY GHOST, with faith that the LORD hears the sighing of a prisoner, and with undoubted hope (as sure as my LORD liveth) after this night to see day-light, and that CHRIST's sky will clear up again upon me and his poor Kirk, and that in a strange land, amongst strange faces, he will give favor in the eyes of men to his poor oppressed servant, who dares not but love that lovely one, that princely one, JESUS, the comforter of his soul. All would be well, if I were free of old challenges for neglect in my calling, and for speaking too little for my Well-beloved's crown, honor, and kingdom. O for a day in the assembly of the saints, to be an advocate for King JESUS! If my Lon]) go on now to quarrels also, I die, I cannot endure it: but I look for peace from him; because he knows that I dare bear men's feud, but dare not bear his feud. This is my only exercise, that I fear I have done little good in my ministry; but I dare not but say, I loved the children of the wedding-chamber, and prayed for, and desired the thriving of the marriage, and coming of his kingdom. I apprehend no less than a judgment upon Galloway; and the LORD shall visit this whole nation. But what can be laid upon me, or any the like of me, is too light for CHRIST: CHRIST would bear death and burning alive, in his weak servants, for his honor-able cause for which I now suffer. Yet, notwithstanding all my complaints, (and he knows that I dare not now dissemble,) he was never sweeter and kinder than he is now; one token of his love now is sweeter than ten long since: sweet, sweet is his cross; light, light and easy is his yoke. O what a sweet step were it up to my Father's house, through ten deaths, for the truth and cause of that unknown Plant of Renown, the man called the BRAXEN, the chief among ten thousand, the fairest among the sons of men.
O what unseen joys, how many hidden ardors of love, are in the remnants of the sufferings of CHRIST! My dear and worthy Lady, I give it to your Ladyship under my hand, (my heart writing as well as my hand,) Welcome, welcome, sweet and glorious cross of CHRIST; welcome, JESUS with thy light cross; you have now gained and gotten all my love from me; keep what you have gotten. Only, woe is for my bereft flock, for the lambs of JESUS, who, I fear, will be fed with dry breasts; but I spare now. Madam, I dare not promise to see your Lady-ship, because of the little time I have allotted me, and I purpose to obey the King, who has power of my body; and rebellion to Kings is unbeseeming CHRIST'S Ministers.
Pray write thanks to your brother, my LORD of Lorne, for what he has done for me, a poor unknown stranger to his Lordship. I shall pray for him and his house while I live; it is his honor to open his mouth in the streets for his wronged and oppressed master, CHRIST JESUS. Now, Madam, commending your Ladyship, and the sweet child, to the tender mercies of mine own Lour) JESUS, and to the good will of him who dwelt in the bush, I rest
Yours in JESUS,
Edinburgh, July 28, 1636.