Vol 16 - TO MARION MACKNAUGHT.

TO MARION MACKNAUGHT.
WELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER,
I UNDERSTAND you are still under the LORD'S visitation, with your enemies; which is Gem's dealing. Till He take his children out of the furnace, who alone knows how long they should be tried, there is no deliverance; but after the sea of trouble is gone over the souls of his children, then comes the gracious ebbing, and drying up of the waters. Dear Sister, do not faint; the wicked may hold the bitter cup to your head, but GOD, mixeth it, and there is no poison in it: they strike, but GOD moves the rod: SHIMEI curseth, but it is because the LORD bids him. I tell you, and I have it from Him before whom I stand, there is a decree given out, in the great court of heaven, that your present troubles shall be dispersed as the morning-cloud, and GOD shall bring forth your righteousness as the light at noon of day. Let me entreat you, in CHRIST'S name, to keep a good conscience in your proceedings in that matter, and beware of yourself; yourself is a more dangerous enemy than I, or any without you. Innocence, and an upright cause, are a good advocate before GOD, and shall plead for you, and win your cause. Count much of your Master's approbation. He is now as the King that is gone to a far country. GOD seems to be from home; (if I may say so;) yet he sees the ill servants, who say, " Our Master deferreth his coming." Patience, my be-loved, CHRIST the King is coming home; the evening is at hand; and he will ask an account of his servants. Make a fair and clear account to him. So carry yourself, as that at night you may say, " Master, I have wronged none; behold, you have your own with advantage." Your soul then will esteem much the testimony of a good conscience. O thrice happy shall your soul be then, when Go') finds you covered with nothing but the white robe of the saints' innocence, and the righteousness of JESUS CHRIST.
Put on love, and brotherly-kindness, and long-suffering; and wait as long upon you as enemies, as CHRIST waited upon you,—as JESUS stood at your soul's door, with dewy and rainy locks, during the long cold night. I persuade myself, that holy unction, which teacheth you all things, is also saying, " Overcome evil with good." It is my prayer for you, that your carriage may grace and adorn the Gospel of that LORD who has graced you. I hear your husband was also sick but I beseech you, in the bowels of JESUS, welcome every rod of GOD.; for I find not, in the whole book of GOD, a greater note of the child of GOD, than to fall down and kiss the feet of an angry Got', and when he seems to put you away from him, to look up in faith, and say, " I shall not, I will not be put away from thee; LORD, give me leave to hold and cleave unto thyself."
Anwoth,
Your brother in CHRIST,
July 21, 1630. S. R.