To the Right Honourable and Christian Lady, My Lady Kenmure — Letter 13

Madam.

Grace, mercy, and peace be to your ladyship. God be thanked, you are yet in possession of Christ and that sweet child. I pray God the former may be sure heritage, and the latter a loan for your comfort, while he does good to his poor afflicted withered mount Zion. And who knows but our Lord has comforts laid up in store for her and you. I am persuaded Christ has bought you by, so that the devil and hell and sin have no claim to you; and that is a rich and invaluable mercy. Long since, you were half challenging death's cold kindness, in being so slow and unwilling to come and loosen a tired prisoner. But you stand in need of all the crosses, losses, changes, and sad hearts that befell you since that time. Christ knows the body of sin unsubdued will take them all and more. We know that Paul had need of the devil's service to buffet him, and far more we. But my dear and honorable lady, spend your hourglass well. I am sure you have law to raise a suspension against all that devils, men, friends, world, losses, hell, or sin can decree against you. It is good — your crosses will but convey you to heaven's gates; inside they shall not go; the gate shall be closed on them when you shall be admitted to the throne. Time stands not still; eternity is hard at our door. O what is laid up for you! Therefore harden your face against the wind, and the Lamb your husband is making ready for you. The bridegroom would fain have that day as gladly as your honor would wish to have it; he has not forgotten you. I have heard a rumor of the prelate's purpose to banish me, but let it come if God so will. The other side of the sea is my father's ground as well as this side. I owe bowing to God but no servile bowing to crosses; I have been but too soft in that. I am comforted that I am persuaded fully that Christ is half-owner with me in this well-born and honest cross. And if he claims right to the best half of my troubles (as I know he does to the whole), I shall remit it over to Christ what I shall do in this case. I know certainly my Lord Jesus will not mar nor spoil my sufferings; he has use for them in his house. O what it works on me, to remember that a stranger who comes not in by the door shall build hay and stubble upon the golden foundation I laid among that people in Anwoth. But I know providence looks not askance but looks straight out and through all men's darkness. O that I could wait upon the Lord. I had but one eye, one joy, one delight — even to preach Christ — and my mother's sons were angry at me and have put out the poor man's one eye. And what have I besides? I am sure this sour world has lost my heart deservedly, but oh that there were an arbitrator to lay his hand upon us both and determine upon my part of it. Alas that innocent and lovely truth should be sold! My tears are but little worth, but yet for this thing I weep, I weep. Alas that my fair and lovely Lord Jesus should be unrecognized in his own house — it counts little of five hundred the like of me. Yet the water goes not over faith's breath; yet our king lives. I write the prisoner's blessing — the goodwill and long-lasting kindness with the comforts of the very God of peace be to your ladyship and to your sweet child. Grace, grace be with you.

Aberdeen, September 7, 1637. Your honor's at all obedience in his sweet Lord Jesus, S. R.