262. CCLXIII.—To MARION M'NAUGHT

CCLXIII.—To MARION M’NAUGHT (HOPE IN TRIAL—PRAYER AND WATCHFULNESS.)

DEAREST IN OUR LORD JESUS,—Count it your honour, that Christ hath begun at you to refine you. first "Fear not," saith the Amen, the True and Faithful Witness. I write to you, as my Master liveth, upon the word of my royal King, continue in prayer and in watching, and your glorious deliverance is coming! Christ is not far off. A fig, a straw, for all the bits of clay that are risen against us! Ye shall thresh the mountains, and fan them like chaff (Isaiah 41:15-16). If ye slack your hands at your meetings, and your watching to prayer, then it would seem that our Rock hath sold us; but be diligent, and be not discouraged. I charge you in Christ, to rejoice, give thanks, believe, be strong in the Lord. That burning bush in Galloway and Kirkcudbright shall not be burnt to ashes, for the Lord is in the bush. Be not discouraged that banishment is to be procured, by the King’s warrant to the Council, against me: the earth is my Lord’s. I am filled with His sweet love, and running over. I rejoice to hear that ye are on your journey. Such news as I hear, of all your faith and love, rejoice my sad heart.

Pray for me, for they seek my hurt; but I give myself to prayer. The blessing of my Lord, and the blessing of a prisoner of Christ be with you. O chosen and greatly beloved woman, faint not. Fy, fy; if ye faint now, ye lose a good cause. Double your meetings; cease not for Zion’s sake, and hold not your peace till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Yours, in Christ Jesus his Lord,

S. R.

ABERDEEN, 1637.