Vol 16 - TO THE LAIRD OF CARLETOUN.

TO THE LAIRD OF CARLETOUN.
MUCH-HONORED SIR,
I WILL not impute your not writing to me, to forgetfulness. However, I have one above who forgetteth me not; nay, he groweth in his kindness. It has pleased his holy MAJESTY to take me from the pulpit, and teach me many things in my exile, that were mysteries to me before:-1. I see his bottomless and boundless love, and my jealousies and ravings, which, at my first entry into this furnace, were so foolish and bold, as' to say to CHRIST, who is truth itself, in his face, " You liest! " I had well nigh lost my hold: I wondered if it was CHRIST or not; for the mist and smoke of my heart made me mistake my master JESUS. My faith was dim, and my hope frozen and cold; and my love, which caused jealousies, had some heat and smoke, but no flame at all. T thought I had forfeited all my rights; but the Tempter was too much upon my counsels. Alas! I knew not how good skill my intercessor and advocate, CHRIST, has in pleading for me, and pardoning me such follies. Now he is returned to my soul " with healing under his wings; and I am nothing behind with CHRIST now, for he has overpaid me, by his presence, the pain I was put to by waiting. And now, what want I on earth, that CHRIST can give to a poor prisoner O how sweet and lovely is he now! Alas that I can get none to help me to lift up my LORD JESUS upon his throne above all the earth!-2. I am now brought to' some measure of submission, and I resolve to wait till I see what my Lon") will do with me. I dare not now speak. one word against the all-seeing and aver-watching Providence of my LORD. I see that Providence runneth not on• broken wheels; but I, like a fool, carved a providence for mine own ease, to die in my nest, and to sleep still, till my grey hairs, and to he on the sunny side of the mountain in my ministry at Anwoth. But now I have nothing to say against Kedar's tents, where I live; far from my acquaintance, my lovers, and my friends. I see that GOD has the world on his wheels, and casteth it as a potter does a vessel on the wheel. I dare not say that there is any inordinate or irregular motion in Providence; the LORD has done it: I will not go to law with CHRIST, for I should gain no-thing by that. 3. I have learned some greater mortification, and not to mourn after, or seek, the world's dry breasts. Nay, my LORD has filled me with such dainties) that I am like a full banqueter, who is not for common cheer. What have I to do, to fall down and worship man-kind's great idol, the world I have a better GOD than any clay-GOD; nay, at present, I cave not if I give this world a discharge for bread and water. I know, it is not my home, nor my Father's house; it is but his footstool let bastods take it.—4. I find it most true, that the greatest temptation out of hell is, to live without temptations. If my waters should stand, they would rot: faith is the better for the five air, and the sharp winter storms, in its face; grace withereth without adversity: the Devil is but GOD'S master-fencer, to teach us to handle our weapons.—5. never knew how weak I was, till now, when he hideth himself, and when I have him to seek seven times a day. I am a dry and withered branch, and a piece of a dead carcass, dry bones, and not able to step over a straw: so feeble is my soul, that I think it is like a tender man's skin, that may touch nothing: you see how short I should shoot of the prize, if his grace were not sufficient for me. The prisoner's blessing be upon you!
Aberdeen,
Yours in his LORD JESUS,
March 14, 1637.
S.R