Vol 16 - TO THE VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.

TO THE VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.
MADAM,
GRACE, mercy, and peace, be to your Ladyship! GOD be thanked, ye are yet in possession of CHRIST, and that sweet child. I pray GOD that the former may be a sure heritage, and the latter a Lord for your comfort, while ye do good to his poor afflicted and withered Mount Sion. And who knows but our LORD has comforts laid up in store for her and you Long since, ye were half challenging death's cold kindness, in being so slow to come and loose a tired prisoner: but ye stand in need of all the crosses, losses, changes, and sad hearts, that befell you since that time. CHRIST knows that the body of sin unsubdued will take them all, and more. We know that PAUL had need of the Devil's service to buffet him; and far more we. But, my dear and honorable Lady, spend your sandglass well. Your crosses willbut convoy you to heaven's gates; in they cannot, go;' the gates shall be closed on them, when you shall be admitted to the throne. Time standeth not still; eternity is hard at our door. O what is laid up for you! Therefore harden your face against the wind; and know that the Lour', your husband, is making ready for you. The heavenly Bridegroom would fain have that day,—as gladly as you would wish to have it; he swath not forgotten you. I have heard a rumour of the purpose to banish me; but let it come, if GOD so will; the other: side of the sea is my Father's ground, as well as this side. I shall remit it over to CHRIST, what I shall do in this case. I know certainly that my LORD JESUS will not mar' nor spill my sufferings he has use for them in his house. Owhat it worketh on me, to remember that ar stranger shall. build hay and stubble upon the golden foundation, which I laid amongst that people,at Anwoth! But' I know' that Providence looketh straight out, and through. all men's darkness. O that I could wait upon the Lord,! I’ had= but. otie eye, one joy, one delight. even, to preach CHRIST t• and. ": my mother's sons were angry at me," and' have: put out the poor man's one eye, and what have I behind am sure this sour world has lost my heart deservedly; but O' that there were a daysman to lay hiss hand: upon us both, and determine upon my part of it! Alas, that innocent and lovely truth should, be sold! My tears' are little worth;. but yet for this thing I weep, that my dear and lovely LORD JESUS should be unknown in his own. house! It reckoneth little of five hundred the like of me.’ The prisoner's blessings, with the goodwill and longlasting kindness and comforts of the very God of peace, be on your Ladyship, and your sweet child! Grace, grace be with you.
'Aberdeen,
Your amour's, at all obedience in JESUS,
Sept. 7,1637: S. R. VOL. 16:
S. R.