To John Ewart, Bailie of Kirkcudbright — Letter 94

My very worthy and dear friend.

I cannot but most kindly thank you for the expressions of your love; your love and respect to me is a great comfort. I bless his high and glorious name that the terrors of great men have not frightened me from openly confessing the Son of God. Indeed, his cross is the sweetest burden that ever I bore; it is such a burden as wings are to a bird, or sails to a ship, to carry me forward to my harbor. I have not much cause to fall in love with the world, but rather to wish that he who sits upon the floods would bring my broken ship to land and keep my conscience safe in these dangerous times; for wrath from the Lord is coming on this sinful land. It were good that we prisoners of hope knew of our stronghold to run to before the storm comes on. Therefore, sir, I beseech you by the mercies of God and comforts of his Spirit, by the blood of your Savior, and by your appearance before the sin-avenging Judge of the world — keep your garments clean and stand for the truth of Christ which you profess. When the time shall come that your eye-strings shall break, your face wax pale, your breath grow cold, and this house of clay shall totter, and your one foot shall be over the march into eternity — it shall be your comfort and joy that you gave your name to Christ. The greatest part of the world thinks heaven is at the next door and that Christianity is an easy task; but they will be deceived. Worthy sir, I beseech you make sure work of salvation. I have found by experience that all I could do had much ado in the day of my trial, and therefore lay up a sure foundation for the time to come. I cannot requite you for your undeserved favors to me and my now-afflicted brother; but I trust to remember you to God. Remember me heartily to your kind wife.

Aberdeen, March 13, 1637. Yours in his only Lord Jesus, S. R.