345. CCCXLVII.—To my LADY KENMURE

CCCXLVII.—To my LADY KENMURE (UNKINDNESS OF THE CREATURE—GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IN PERMITTING HIS CHILDREN TO BE INJURED BY MEN.)

MADAM,—I confess that I have cause to be grieved at my long silence or laziness in writing. I am also afflicted to hear, that such who were debtors to your Ladyship for better dealing have served you with such prevarication. Ye know that crookedness is neither strong, nor long enduring; and ye know likewise, that these things spring not out of the dust. It is sweet to look upon the lawless and sinful stirrings of the creature as ordered by a most holy hand in heaven. Oh, if some could make peace with God! It would be our wisdom, and afford us much sweet peace, if oppressors were looked on as passive instruments, like the saw or axe in the carpenter’s hand. They are bidden (if such a distinction may be admitted), but not commanded, of God (as Shimei was, 2 Samuel 16:10), to do what they do.

Madam, these many years the Lord hath been teaching you to read and study well the book of holy, holy, and spotless sovereignty, in suffering from some nigh-hand, and some far off. Whoever be the instruments, the replying of clay to the Potter, the Former of all, is unbeseeming the nothing-creature. I hope that He will clear you: but, when Zion’s public evils lie not nigh some of us, and leave no impression upon our hearts, it is no wonder that we be exercised with domestic troubles. But I know that ye are taught of God to prefer Jerusalem to your chiefest joy. Madam, there is no cause of fainting: wait upon the not-tarrying vision, for it will speak. The only wise God be with you, and God, even your own God, bless you.

Yours, at all observance, in God,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, June 1657.