To Mr. John Meine — Letter 80

Dear brother.

I received your letter. I cannot but testify under my own hand that Christ is still the longer the better, and that this time is the time of loves. When I have said all I can, others may begin and say I have said nothing of him. I never knew Christ to ebb or flow, wax or wane; his ways do not turn when he seems to change — it is but we who turn our wrong side to him. I never had a quarrel with him in my hardest conflicts but one of my own making. Oh that I could live in peace and good relationship with such a companion, and leave him alone! My unbelief made many black lies, but my recantation to Christ is not worth the hearing. Surely he has borne with strange fits in me; he knows my heart has not the natural wisdom to keep terms with such a Savior. You do well to fear your own backsliding. I would have stood sure if I had in my youth borrowed Christ to be my foundation. But he that bears his own weight to heaven shall not fail to slip and sink. You have no need to go bare-footed among the thorns of this apostate generation, lest a thorn strike up into your foot and cause you to limp all your days. And think not that Christ will deal with you in the matter of suffering as the Pope does in the matter of sin. You shall not find that Christ will sell a dispensation or give a debtor's protection against crosses. Crosses are proclaimed as common occurrences to all the saints, and in them stands a part of our communion with Christ. But there lies a sweet benefit to the cross — even Christ's presence and his comforts when they are sanctified. Remember my love to your father and mother. Grace be with you.

Aberdeen, September 7, 1637. Yours in his sweet Lord Jesus, S. R.