To Jean Brown — Letter 100
Well-beloved and dear sister.
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I received your letter, which I esteem an evidence of your Christian affection to me and of your love to my honorable Lord and Master. My desire is that your communion with Christ may grow, and that your accounts may be settled with your Lord before you come to the water's edge. Oh, who knows how sweet Christ's kisses are! Who has been more kindly embraced and kissed than I, his banished prisoner? If the comparison could stand, I would not exchange Christ for heaven itself. He has left a dart and arrow of love in my soul, and it pains me until he comes and takes it out. I feel the pain of these wounds because I long for possession. I know now that this worm-eaten apple — the plastered rotten world that the silly children of this world are beating and buffeting and pulling each other's ears for — is a portion fit for those who have no better inheritance. And that is all they have to look for. I am not troubled that my adversaries stay at home beside their own fireside with more yearly income than I. Should I be angry that the master of this house of the world throws a dog a bone to hurt his teeth? He has taught me to be content with a borrowed fireside and an unfamiliar bed, and I think I have lost nothing, the income is so great. Oh, what riches there are in Christ! Oh, how weighty is my fair garland, my crown, my fair banqueting hall in glory, where I shall be above the blows and buffetings of prelates! Let this be your desire, and let your thoughts dwell much upon that blessedness that awaits you in the other world. The fair side of the world will be turned to you quickly when you shall see the crown. I hope you are near your lodging. Oh, but I would count myself blessed for my part to reach the house before the storm comes on! For God has a quiver full of arrows to shoot down upon Scotland. You have the prayers of a prisoner of Christ. I desire Patrick to give Christ his young love — even the flower of it — and put it past all others. It would be a great advantage to start early on the way. Grace be with you.
Aberdeen, March 7, 1637. Yours in his only Lord Jesus, S. R.
