Vol 16 - TO MARION MACNAUGHT.

TO MARION MACNAUGHT
Well-beloved and dear Sister in CHRIST,
I COULD not get an answer written to your letter till now, in respect of my wife's disease; and she is yet mightily pained;—I hope all shall end in GOD’s mercy. I know that an afflicted life looks very like the way that leads to the kingdom; for the Apostle (Acts 14:22) has drawn the King's mark et-way " through much tribulation " to " the Kingdom." The Lon]) grant us the whole armor of God! If the work be of GOD, he can make a stepping-stone. of the Devil himself, for setting forward the work. For yourself; I would advise you to ask of GOD a submissive heart. Your reward shall be with the LORD. although the people be not gathered, as the Prophet speaks, and suppose the word do not prosper, GOD shall account you a repairer of the breaches; hold your gripe fast. If you knew the mind of the glorified in heaven, they think heaven comes to their hand at an easy market, when they have got it for threescore or fourscore years' wrestling with GOD. When you are come thither, you shall think, " All I did, in respect of my rich reward enjoyed of free grace, was too little." Now then, for the love of the Prince of your salvation, who is standing at the end of your way, holding in his hand the prize and garland to the race-runners, forward, forward; faint not! Take as many to heaven with you as you are able to draw; the more you draw with you, the more welcome you shall be yourself. Be no niggard of the grace of GOD; and employ all your endeavors for establishing an honest ministry in your town, now when you have so few to speak a good word for you. I have many a grieved heart daily in my calling. I should be undone, if I had not access to the King's chamber of presence, to show him all the business. The Devil rages and is mad, to see the water drawn from his own mill; but would to GOD that we could be the LORD's instruments, to build the Son of GOD's house. Pray for me. If the LORD furnish not new timber from Lebanon, to build the house, the work will cease. I look to him, who has begun well with me; I have it in his hand-writing that he will not change. The LORD establish you in peace! The LORD be with your spirit!
Anwoth, 1633. Yours in CHRIST,
S. R.