Vol 16 - TO MARION MACKNAUGHT.

TO MARION MACKNAUGHT.
Worthy and dearest in the LORD,
I EVER loved (since I knew you) that little vineyard of the LORD's planting in Galloway; but now much more, since I have heard that He, who " has his fire in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem," has been pleased to set up a furnace amongst you, with the first in this kingdom. This fire shall be quenched, so soon as CHRIST has brought you pure through the fire. Therefore, my dearly beloved in the LORD, fear not. Charge an unbelieving heart, under the pain of treason against our great and royal King JESUS, to dependence by faith on our LORD. Get you into your chambers, and shut the doors about you; in, in with speed to your strong hold, ye prisoners of hope; ye doves, flee in to CHRIST'S; windows, till the indignation be over, and the storm be past. Glorify the LORD in your sufferings, and take his banner of love and spread over you. Others will follow you, if they see you strong in the LORD; their courage shall take life from your Christian carriage. Look up and see who is coming; lift up your head; he is coming to save, " in garments dyed in blood, and traveling in the greatness of his strength." I laugh, I smile, I leap for joy, to see CHRIST coming to save you so quickly. O what wide steps CHRIST taketh! Three or four hills are but a step to him; " he skippeth over the mountains." CHRIST has set a battle between his poor weak saints and his enemies. He says to the enemies, Take you a sword of steel, law, authority, parliaments, and kings upon your side; that is your armour. And he says to his. saints, I give you a sword in your hand, and that is suffering, receiving of strokes, spoiling of your goods; and with your sword ye shall get and gain the victory. Ye are CHRIST'S members, and he is drawing his members through the thorny hedge up to heaven after him. I am careless, and stand not much on this, although loins, back, shoulders, and head, split in pieces, in stepping up to my Father's house. 1 know that my LORD can make long, and broad, and high, and deep glory to his name, out of this poor body; for CHRIST looketh not what stuff he maketh glory out of. My dearly beloved, ye have often refreshed me, but that is put up in my Master's accounts; ye have him debtor for me. But if ye will do any thing for me (as I know ye will) now in my extremity, tell all my dear friends, that a prisoner is fettered and chained in CHRIST's love; (LORD, never loose the fetters;) and ye and they together, take my heartiest commendations to my LORD JESUS, and thank him for a poor friend. I desire your husband to read this letter; I send him a prisoner's blessing. I will be obliged to him, if he will be willing to suffer for my dear Master; suffering is the professor's golden garment; there shall be no losses on CHRIST'S side of it. Grace be with you; a prisoner's blessing be with you I write it, and abide by it, GOD shall be glorious in MARION MACKNAUGHT, when this stormy blast shall be over. O woman, beloved of GOD, believe, rejoice, be strong in the LORD; grace is thy portion!
Aberdeen,
Yours in his LORD JESUS,
June 15, 1637.
S. R.