Vol 16 - TO MRS. CRAIG, Upon the Death of her Son, who was drowned in a river.

TO MRS. CRAIG, Upon the Death of her Son, who was drowned in a river.
MADAM
You have so learned CHRIST, that now in the furnace, what is dross, and what shining faith, must come forth. I heard of the removal of your son. Since it is according to the spotless and holy will of the Lord, where, and before what witnesses, and hi what manner, whether by a fever, the mother being at the bedside, or by some other way in a far country, your safest plan will be, to be silent, and cbhimand the heart to utter no repining or fretting thoughts of the holy dispensation of Gob. Consider,— 1. The man is’ beyond the hazard of dispute; the precious youth is perfected and glorified.2. Had the youth lain pained beside a witnessing another, it had been pain and grief lengthened out to you in many portions, and every parcel would have been a little death: now his holy Majesty hath, in one lump, brought: to your ears the news, and has not divided the grief into many.–'3.’It' was hot yesterday's thought, or the tither year's Statute; but' a counsel of the Lord of old; and, Who can teach the ALMIGHTY knowledge "–4. There is no way of quieting the mind, and of silencing the heart of a mother, but Godly submission. The readiest way for peace and consolation to clay vessels, is, that it is a stroke of the Potter, and the Former of all things. I know your light; and I hope your heart also will yields It is not Safe to be at pulling and drawing with the omnipotent Lord let the pull go with him, for he is strong; and say, " Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven,"5. His holy Method and order are to be adored: Sometimes the husband is taken before the wife, and sometimes the son before the other; so' path the dilly wise Go D ordered: and since he is only sent before; and not lost, " in all things. give thanks."~6.' Meditate not too much on the circumstances. The Mother was net witness to the last sight, and cannot get leave to wind the son, nor to weep over his grave; and he was in a strange land. There is a like nearness to heaved Out of all the countries of the earth.•7. It is art, and the skill of faith, to read what the Lord writes upon. the cross; often we miscall words and sentences of the cross, and either put nonsense on his rods, or burden his Majesty with slanders and mistakes; when he designs for us" thoughts of peace and love, even to do us gold hi the latter end:8. There is a bad way of sullenly swallowing’ a trial, without digesting it; Or of laying it out of memory, without any victoriousness of faith. The LORI', who forbids fainting tinder chastisement, forbids also our despising it: But it is easier to counsel’ than to suffer. The only wise’ Loin furnish patience! Grace be with you!
St. Andrew's
Yours in the Lord,
May 4, 1660.
Grace be with you!
Oct.1, 1649.