with you. Yours in his dearest Lord Jesus, Aberdeen. LETTER L. To JAMES BAUTIE, S. R. laid in Zion: and I desire never to tion, I think Christ had ever good rise off this stone. Now, the very cause to laugh at our silliness, and to God of peace confirm and establish put on us his merits, that we might you unto the day of the blessed ap-bear weight. 2. It is a sweet law pearance of Christ Jesus. God be of the new covenant, and a privilege of the new burgh, that citizens pay according to their means; for the new covenant saith not, so much obedience by ounce weights, and no less, under the pain of damnation: Christ taketh as poor men may give; where there is a mean portion he is content with the less, if there be Loving Brother, sincerity: broken sums and little GRACE, mercy and peace be unto feckless obedience will be pardoned, you. I received your letter, and and hold the foot with him; know render you thanks for the same: but ye not that our kindly Lord retainI have not time to answer all the eth his good old heart yet? He heads of it, as the bearer can inform breaketh not a bruised reed, nor you. 1. Ye do well to take your-quencheth the smoking flax; but if self at the right stot, when ye wrong the wind blow he holdeth his hand Christ by doubting and misbelief; about it till it rise to a flame. The for this is to nick-name Christ, and law cometh on with three O yeses, term him a liar, which being spoken with all the heart, with all the soul, to our prince, would be hanging or and with all the whole strength; and heading; but Christ hangeth not al- when would poor folks, like you and ways for treason: it is good that he me, furnish all these sums? It fearmay registrate a believer's bond a eth me, (nay it is most certain) that hundred times, and more than seven if the payment were to come out of times a-day have law against us, and our purse, when we should put our yet he spareth us as a man doth his hand in our bag we would bring out son that serveth him: no tender- the wind or worse: but the covenant hearted mother, who may have law seeketh not heap-mete, nor stented to kill her sucking child, would put obedience, as the condition of it, in execution that law. 2dly, For because forgiveness hath always your failings, even when ye have a place. Hence I draw this concluset tryst with Christ, and when ye sion; to think matters betwixt Christ have a fair seen advantage, by keep and us go back for want of heaped ing your appointment with him, and measure, is a piece of old Adam's salvation cometh to the very passing pride, who would either be at legal of the seals, I would say two things; payment or nothing; we would still 1st, Concluded and sealed salvation have God in our common, and buy may go through and be ended, sup- his kindness with our merits; for pose ye write your name to the tail beggarly pride is devils' honesty, and of the covenant with ink that can blusheth to be in Christ's common, hardly be read: neither think I ever and scarce giveth God a grammercy, any man's salvation passed the seals, and a lifted cap, (except it be the but there was an odd trick or slip, in Pharisee's unlucky God I thank less or more, upon the fool's part, who thee) or a bowed knee to Christ; it is infefted in heaven. In the most will only give a good day for a good grave and serious work of our salva- day again, and if he dissemble his may stand well together; as a son loveth his mother, because she is his mother, howbeit she be poor; and he loveth her for an apple also. I hope ye will not say, that benefits are the only reason and bottom of your love; it seemeth there is a bet kindness, as it were, in jest, and last end, and also for his benefits, as seem to misken it, it in earnest incitements and motives to love him, spurneth with the heels, and snuffeth in the wind, and careth not much for Christ's kindness; if he will not be friends, let him go, saith pride; beware of this thief, when Christ offereth himself. 3. No marvel then of whisperings, whether you be in the covenant or not; for pride mak-ter foundation for it; always, if a eth loose work of the covenant of hole be in it, sew it up shortly. 3. grace, and will not let Christ be full Ye feel not such mourning in Christ's bargain-maker. To speak to you absence as ye would. I answer, That particularly and shortly; 1. All the the regenerate mourn at all times, truly regenerated cannot determin- and all in a like measure for his abately tell you the measure of their sence, I deny: there are different dejections, because Christ beginneth degrees of mourning, less or more, young with many, and stealeth into as they have less or more love to him, their heart, ere they wit of them- and less or more sense of his absence. selves, and becometh homely with But, 1. Some they must have. 2. them, with little din or noise. I Sometimes they miss not the Lord, grant many are blinded, in rejoicing and then they cannot mourn; howin a good cheap conversion, that beit, it is not long so; at least, it is never cost thema sick night; Christ's not always so. 3. Ye challenge physic wrought in a dream upon yourself, that some truths find more them; but for that I would say, if credit with you than others. Ye do other marks be found, that Christ is well, for God is true in the least, as indeed come in, never make plea well as in the greatest, and he must with him, because he will not answer, be so to you: ye must not call him Lord Jesus how camest thou in? true in the one page of the leaf, whether in at door or window? Make and false in the other; for our Lord him welcome since he is come. The in all his writings never contradicted wind bloweth where it listeth; all himself yet; although the best of the the world's wit cannot perfectly ren-regenerate have slipped here, always der a reason, why the wind should labour ye to hold your feet. 4. Combe a month in the east, six weeks, paring the estate of one truly regenpossibly, in the west, and the space erate, whose heart is a temple of the only of an afternoon in the south or Holy Ghost, and yours, which is north. Ye will not find out all the full of uncleanness and corruption, nicks and steps of Christ's way with ye stand dumb and discouraged, and a soul do what ye can; for some- dare not sometimes call Christ hearttimes he will come in stepping soft-somely your own. I answer, The ly, like one walking beside a sleepy best regenerate have their defile. person, and slip to the door, and let ments, and, if I may speak so, their none know he was there. 2. Ye ob- draff-pock, that will clog behind ject, The truly regenerate should them all their days; and, wash as love God for himself; and ye fear they will, there will be filth in their that ye love him more for his bene-bosom; but let not this put you from fits (as incitements and motives to the well. 2. I answer, Albeit there love him) than for himself. I an- be some ounce weights of carnality, swer, To love God for himself as the and some squint look, or eye in our neck to an idol, yet love in its own flume; yet sound comfort, and conmeasure may be found; for glory viction of an eye to an idol, may as must purify and perfect our love, it well dwell together as tears and joy; will never till then be absolutely but let this do you no ill, I speak it pure; yet if the idol reign, and have for your encouragement, that ye may the whole of the heart, and the keys make the best out of your joys ye of the house, and Christ only be can, albeit you find them mixed with made an underling to run errands, mutes. 2dly, Sole conviction, if all is not right, therefore examine alone, without remorse and grief, is well. 3. There is a two-fold dis- not enough; therefore lend it a tear couragement; one of unbelief, to if ye would win at it. 7. Ye quesconclude, and make doubt of the tion, when ye win to more fervency conclusion, for a mote in your eye, sometimes with your neighbour in and a by-look to an idol; this is ill. prayer, than when you are alone, There is another discouragement of whether hypocrisy be in it or not? I sorrow for sin, when ye find a by- answer, If this be always, no ques. look to an idol; this is good, and tion a spice of hypocrisy is in it, matter of thanksgiving: therefore which would be taken heed to; but examine here also. 5. The assur- possibly desertion may be in private, ance of Jesus's love, ye say, would and presence in public, and then be the most comfortable news that the case is clear. 2. A fit of applause ever ye heard. Answer, That may may occasion, by accident, a rubstop twenty holes, and loose many bing of a cold heart, and so heat objections; that love hath telling in and life may come, but it is not the it, I trow. Oh that ye knew and proper cause of that heat; hence felt it, as I have done! I wish you a God of his free grace will ride his share of my feast; sweet, sweet hath errands upon our stinking corruption; it been to me. If r f my Lord had not but corruption is but a mere occagiven me this love, I would have sion and accident, as the playing on fallen through the causeway of Aber- a pipe removed anger from the pro deen ere now! but for you, hing on, phet, and made him fitter to proyour feast is not far off; ye shall be phesy, 2 Kings iii. 15. 8. Ye comfilled ere ye go; there is as much in plain of Christ's short visits, that he our Lord's pantry, as will satisfy all will not bear you company one night; his children, and as much wine in but when ye lye down warm at one his cellar as will quench all their night, ye rise cold at morning. thirst; hunger on, for there is meat Answer, I cannot blame you nor in hunger for Christ; never go from any other, that knoweth that sweet him, but fash him (who yet is guest, to bemoan his withdrawings, pleased with the importunity of hun- and to be most desirous of his abode gry souls) with a dish full of hungry and company; for he would captivate desires, till he fill you; and if he and engage the affection of any creadelay yet come not ye away, albeit ture that saw his face; since he look ye should fall aswoon at his feet. 6. ed on me, and gave me a sight of Ye crave my mind, whether sound his fair love, he gained my heart comfort may be found in prayer, wholly, and got away with it: well, when conviction of a known idol is well may he brook it; he shall keep present. I answer, An idol, as an it long, ere I fetch it from him. But idol, cannot stand with sound com- I shall tell you what ye shall do; forts; for that comfort that is gotten treat him well, give him the chair at Dagon's feet is a cheat or ble- and the board head, and make him L LETTER LI. To JOHN STEWART, Provost of Ayr, now in Much honoured Sir, I welcome to the mean portion ye have; a good supper and kind entertainment maketh the guests love the inns the better; yet sometimes Christ has an errand elsewhere, for mere GRACE, mercy, and peace be unto trial; and then, though ye give him you. I long to hear from you, king's cheer, he will away; as is clear being now removed from ray flock, in desertions for mere trial, and not and the prisoner of Christ at Aberfor sin. 9. Ye seek the difference deen. I would not have you to betwixt the motions of the Spirit, in think it strange, that your journey to their least measure, and the natural New-England hath gotten such a joys of your own heart. Answer, As dash: it indeed hath made my heart a man can tell, if he joy and delight heavy; yet I know it is no dumb in his wife, as his wife; or if he de- providence, but a speaking one, light and joy in her for satisfaction whereby our Lord speaketh his mind of his lust, but hating her person, to you, though for the present ye do and so loving her for her flesh, and not well understand what he saith: not grieving when ill befalleth her; however it be, he who sitteth upon so will a man's joy in God, and his the floods, hath shewn you his marwhorish natural joy, be discovered; vellous kindness in the great depths. if he sorrow for any thing that may I know your loss is great, and your offend the Lord, it will speak the hope gone against you; but I entreat singleness of that love to him. 10. you, Sir, expound aright our Lord's Ye ask the reason why sense over-laying all hindrances in the way. cometh faith. Answer, Because persuade myself, your heart aimeth sense is more natural, and near of at the footsteps of the flock, to feed kin to our selfish and soft nature. beside the shepherds' tents, and to Ye ask, if faith in that case be sound? dwell beside Him whom your soul Answer, If it be chased away, it is loveth; and that it is your desire to neither sound nor unsound, because remain in the wilderness, where the it is faith; but it might be, and was woman is kept from the dragon: faith, before sense did blow out the and this being your desire, remember act of believing. Lastly, ye ask that a poor prisoner of Christ said what to do, when promises are born it to you, that, that miscarried jourin upon you, and sense of impeni-ney is full of mercy and consolation tency, for sins of youth, hindereth to you; which the Lord shall let you application. I answer, if it be liv. ing sense, it may stand with appli. cation; and in this case, put to your hand and eat your meat in God's name; if false, so that the sins of youth are not repented of, then, as faith and impenitency cannot stand together, so neither that sense and application can consist. Brother, excuse my brevity, for time straiten. eth me, that I get not my mind said in these things, but must refer that to a new occasion, if God offer it. Brother, pray for me. Grace be with you. see in his own way: wait on then, for he that believeth maketh not haste, Isaiah xxviii. 16. I hope, ye have been asking what the Lord meaneth, and what further may be his will, in reference to your return. My dear brother, let God make of you what he will, he will end all with consolation, and shall make glory out of your sufferings; and would you wish better work? This water was in your way to heaven, and written in your Lord's book, ye behoved to cross it; and therefore kiss his wise and unerring providence. Let not the censures of men, who see but the outside of things, and scarce well that, abate your courage and re- ordained, by open proclamation and joicing in the Lord; howbeit, your sound of trumpet to be read in all faith seeth but the black side of provi- the kirks of this kingdom; our predence, yet it hath a better side, and lates are to meet this month for it God shall let you see it. Learn to and our canons, and for a reconciliabelieve Christ better than his strokes, tion betwixt us and the Lutherans. himself and his promises better than The professors of Aberdeen univerhis glooms: dashes and disappoint-sity are charged to draw up the arments are not canonic scripture; ticles of an uniform confession; but fighting for the promised land, reconciliation with Popery is in seemed to cry to God's promise, tended; this is the day of Jacob's Thou liest. If our Lord ride upon visitation; the ways of Zion mourn, straw, his horse shall neither stumble our gold is become dim, the sun is nor fall, Rom. viii. 28. For we know gone down upon our prophets. A that all things work together for dry wind, but neither to fan nor to good to them that love God; ergo, cleanse, is coming upon this land: shipwreck, losses, &c. work together and all our ill is coming from the for the good of them that love God: multiplied transgressions of this land, hence I infer, that losses, disappoint- and from the friends and lovers of ments, ill tongues, loss of friends, Bable among us, Jer. xxxi. 53. houses, or country, are God's work- The violence done to me and my men, set on work to work out good flesh be upon thee, Babylon, shall to you, out of every thing that be- the inhabitants of Zion say, and my falleth you. Let not the Lord's blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldealing seem harsh, rough, or un- dea, shall Jerusalem say. Now for fatherly, because it is unpleasant: myself; I was three days before the when the Lord's blessed will bloweth high commission, and accused of cross your desires, it is best, in hu- treason preached against our king; mility, to strike sail to him, and a minister being witness, went well to be willing to be led any way our nigh to swear it; God hath saved me Lord pleaseth. It is a point of de- from their malice. 1st, They have nial of yourself, to be as if ye had deprived me of my ministry; 2dly, not a will, but had made a free dis- Silenced me, that I exercise no part position of it to God, and had sold of the ministerial function within it over to him; and to make use of this kingdom, under the pain of rehis will for your own, is both true bellion; 3dly, Confined my person holiness, and your ease and peace: within the town of Aberdeen, where ye know not what the Lord is work-I find the ministers working for my ing out of this, but ye shall know it confinement in Caithness or Orkney, hereafter. And what I write to you, far from them; because some people I write to your wife; I compassionate here, willing to be edified, resort her case, but intreat her not to fear to me. At my first entry, or faint: this journey is a part of her heavy challenges within me, and a wilderness to heaven and the prom-court fenced, but I hope not in ised land, and there are fewer miles Christ's name, wherein it was assertbehind; it is nearer the dawning of ed, that my Lord would have no the day to her, than when she went more of my service, and was tired out of Scotland. I would be glad to of me: and, like a fool, I summoned hear that ye and she have comfort and courage in the Lord. Now as concerning our kirk; our service-book is had Christ also for unkindness; my soul fainted, and I refused comfort, and said, What ailed Christ at me? for I |