Vol 16 - TO THE VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.

TO THE VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.
MADAM,
GRACE, mercy, and peace, to you. I love careful, and withal doing complaints of want of practice; because I observe many, who think it holiness enough to complain, and set themselves to nothing,—as if to say " I am sick," would cure them; they think complaints a good charm for guiltiness. I hope ye are wrestling and struggling on, in this dead age, wherein folks have lost tongue, and legs, and arms, for CHRIST. I urge upon you, Madam, a nearer communion with CHRIST, and a growing communion. There are curtains to be drawn aside, in CHRIST, that we never saw, and new foldings of love in him. Therefore, dig deep, and sweat, and labor, and take pains for him; and set by as much time in the day for him as you can; he will be won with labor. I know not what to do with CHRIST; his love surroundeth and surchargeth me; I am burdened with it; but O how sweet and lovely is that burden! I cannot keep it within me. I am so in love with his love, that, if his love were not in heaven, I would be unwilling to go there. I wonder what he meaneth, to put such a slave at his own elbow. But I dare' not refuse to be loved; the cause is not in me why he has looked upon Inc, and loved me; for it cost me nothing; it is good, cheap. love. The greatest part but play with Christianity; they put it by easily. I thought it had been an easy thing to be a Christian, and that to seek GOD had been at the next door; but O the windings, the turnings, the ups and the downs,. through which he has led me; and I see yet much way to the ford! He speaketh with my reins in the night-season; and in the morning, when I awake, I find his love in my heart. Who will help me to praise Who will come to lift with me, and set on high his great love As for friends, I shall not think the world to be the world, if that well go not dry. I trust in GOD, to use the world as a cunning master does a knavish servant; he giveth him no handling or credit, only he intrusteth him with common errands, wherein he cannot play the knave. I pray GOD I may not give this world credit of my joys, and comforts, and confidence; that were to put CHitIST out of his office. Nay, I counsel you, Madam, let. CHRIST keep the great seal; and intrust him so, as to hang your vessels, great and small, upon the nail fastened in DAVID'S house. Now the presence of the great Angel of the Covenant be with you, and that sweet child!
Aberdeen, March 7, 1637.