Vol 16 - TO MARION MACKNAUGHT.

TO MARION MACKNAUGHT
WELL-BELOVED SISTER,
I HAVE been thinking, since my departure from you, of the pride and malice of your adversaries; and ye may not (since ye have heard the book of the Psalms so often) take it hardly. I beseech you, in the bowels of CHRIST, set before your eyes the patience of your Fore-runner JESUS, who, " when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to Him who judges righteously." (1 Peter 2:23.) And since our LORD and REDEEMER with patience received many a black stroke on his glorious body, and many a buffet of the unbelieving world, and says of himself, (Isaiah 1:1-31.'6,) " I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spitting;" follow him, and think it not hard that you receive a blow with your LORD; take part with JESUS of his sufferings, and glory in the marks of CHRIST. If this storm were over, you must prepare yourself for a new wound; for, five thousand years ago, our LORD pro-claimed deadly war between' the seed of the woman, and the seed of the serpent; and marvel not that one town cannot keep the children of GOD and the children of the Devil; be you upon CHRIST'S side, and care not what flesh can do; hold yourself fast by your SAVIOR, howsoever you be buffeted, and by those that follow Him. Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be. See 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 : " We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." If you can possess your soul in patience, their day is coming. Worthy and dear Sister, know how to carry yourself in trouble; and when you are hated and reproached, the LORD shows it to you: (Psal. 44: 1'i: and 119: 92:) " All this is come upon us, yet we have not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant." " Unless thy law had been my delight, I had perished in mine afflictions." Keep Gov's covenant in your trials; hold you by his blessed word, and sin not; flee anger, wrath, grudging, envying, fretting and forgive a hundred pence to your fellow-servant, because the Lotto has forgiven you ten thousand talents. For I assure you by the LORD, your adversaries shall get no advantage against you, except you sin, and offend your LORD in your sufferings; but the way to over-come is by patience, forgiving, and praying for your enemies; in doing whereof you heap coals upon their heads, and your LORD shall open a door to you in your trouble. Wait upon him, as the night-watch waiteth for the morning; he will not tarry: gp up to your watch-tower, and come not down, but by prayer, and faith, and hope, wait on. When the sea is full, it will ebb again; and so soon as the wicked are come to the top, and are waxed high and mighty, then is their change approaching. They that believe make not haste. I trust in our LORD, you shall by faith sustain yourself; and comfort yourself in your LORD, and be strong in his power; for you are in the beaten and common way to heaven, when you are under Our LORD'S crosses. You have reason to rejoice, more than in a crown of gold, to bear the reproach of CHRIST. I rest, recommending you and yours, for ever, to the grace and mercy of GOD.
Antwoth,
Yours in CHRIST,
Feb. 11, 1631.
S.R.