To John Gordon of Cardoness, Elder — Letter 26

Honorable and dearest in the Lord. Your letter has refreshed my soul. My joy is fulfilled if Christ and you be fast together; you are my joy and my crown. You know I have recommended his love to you. I defy the world, Satan, and sin. His love has neither brim nor bottom in it. My dearest in Christ, I write my soul's desire to you: heaven is not at the next door; I find Christianity a hard task. Set to it in your evening. We would all keep both Christ and our right eye, our right hand and foot; but it will not be with us. I beseech you, by the mercies of God and your appearance before Christ, look Christ's account book and your own together and compare them. Give the remnant of your time to your soul. This great idol-god, the world, will be lying in white ashes in the day of your appearance. And why should night-dreams and day-shadows and water-froth and May flowers run away with your heart? When we win to the waterside and black death's river-brink, and put our foot in the boat, we shall laugh at our folly. Sir, I recommend you to the thoughts of death, and how you would wish your soul to be when you shall lie cold, blue, ill-smelling clay. For any hireling to be intruded, I being the king's prisoner cannot say much, but as God's minister I desire you to read Acts 2:15-16 to the end, and Acts 6:2-5, and you shall find God's people should have a voice in choosing church-rulers and teachers. I shall be sorry if willingly you shall give way to his unlawful intrusion upon my labors. The only wise God direct you. God's grace be with you.

Aberdeen. Your loving pastor, S. R.