Vol 16 - TO JOHN KENNEDY, BAILLIE OF AYR.

TO JOHN KENNEDY, BAILLIE OF AYR.
WORTHY SIR,
GRACE, mercy, and peace, be unto you! Your not writing to me cannot bind me up from remembering you, that at least ye may be a witness, to behold in paper what is between CHRIST and me. I was like a young orphan, cast out in the open fields; and either CHRIST behoved to take me up, and bring me home to his house, or I had died in the fields. And now I think the house mine own, and the Master of the house mine also. CHRIST inquired not, when he began to love me, whether I was fair, or black, or sunburnt Love taketh what it may have. He loved me before this time, I know: his love is come to a fair bloom, like a young rose opened out of the green leaves, and it casteth a strong and flagrant smell. I want nothing but ways of expressing CHRIST's love: a full vessel would have a vent. O that I could cast out coals, to make a fire in many breasts! Oh! it is, a pity that there were not many imprisoned for, CHRIST, for no other purpose but to write songs of the love of CHRIST. This love would keep all created tongues in exercise, and busy night and day, to speak of it. Alas! I can speak nothing of it; but I wonder at three things in his love.—First, Its freedom. O that lumps of sin should get such love for nothing!—Secondly, The sweetness of his love. Those that feel it may bear witness what it is: it is so sweet, that, next to CHRIST himself, nothing can match it. A soul could live eternally blessed only on CHRIST'S love, and feed, upon no other thing.—And, Thirdly, What power and strength are in his love! I am persuaded it can climb a steep hill, with hell upon its, back; and swim; through: water, and not drown; and sing in the fire, and feel no pain; and triumph in losses, prisons, sorrows, exile, or disgrace, and lapel and rejoice in death. O for a year's lease, of the sense of his love without a cloud! O for the coming; of the, Bridegroom. When shall I see the Bride groom and the Bride meet in the clouds! O when shall we get our hearts'fill of that love! O that it were lawful to complain of the famine and want of that immediate vision of GOD! O time, time, how dost you torment the souls of those that would be swallowed up of CHRIST'S love, because you move so slowly! O that he would pity a poor prisoner, and give me a taste, or draught, of that surpassing sweetness, (which is glory begun,) to be a confirmation, that CHRIST and I shall enjoy each other for ever! Come hither, O love of CHRIST, that I may once possess thee before I die! What would I not give, to have time, which lieth between CHRIST and me, taken out of the way, that we might once meet I cannot think but that, at the first sight I shall see of that most lovely face, love shall come out of his eyes, and fill me with astonishment. I would but desire to stand at the outer side of the gates of the New Jerusalem, and look through a hole of the door, and see CHRIST'S face. It is not for nothing that it is said, (Colossians 1:27,) " CHRIST in you the hope of glory." CHRIST, possessed by faith here, is young heaven, and glory in the bud. If I had that pledge, I would endure hell, rather than give it again. Should not we, young children, long and look for the expiring of our minority It were good to be daily begging the SAVIOR'S favors, and, if we can do no more, seek crumbs of CHRIST'S love, to keep up our taste of heaven, until suppertime. I know, it is far after noon, and nigh the marriage supper of the LAMB; the table is covered, already. O Well beloved, run,’ run fast! O fair day, when wilt you dawn! O shadows, flee away! It is a pain to wait; but hope that maketh not ashamed swalloweth up that pain. It is not unkindness that keepeth CHRIST and us so long asunder. What can I say to CHRIST's love I think more than I can say. To consider, that when my LORD JESUS might take the air (if I may so speak) and go abroad, yet he will keep the prison with me! But, in all this sweet communion with him, what am I to be thanked for Whether I will or not, he will be kind to me, as if he had defied my guiltiness to make him unkind. Here I die with wondering, that justice hinders not love; for there are none in hell, nor out of. hell, more unworthy of CHRIST'S love. It would seem to become me rather to run away from his love, as ashamed at my own unworthiness. Nay, I may think shame to:take heaven, who have so highly provoked my LORD JESUS: but seeing CHRIST'S love will shame me, I am content to be ashamed: My desire is, that my LORD would give me broader and deeper thoughts, to feed myself with wondering at his love. I wish I could weigh it, but I have no balance for it. When I have worn my tongue to the stump in praising CHRIST, I have done nothing to him; I must let him alone, for my withered arms will not go about his high, wide, long, and broad love. What remaineth then, but that my debt to the love of CHRIST he unpaid to all eternity O if this land and nation. would come and stand before his inconceivable and glorious perfections, and look, and love, and wonder, and adore! Would to Go]) that I could bring in many lovers to. CHRIST'S house! But this nation has " forcaken the fountain; of living waters." LORD, cast not water on Scotland's coal! Woe, woe, will be to this. land, because of the day of the LORD's fierce anger, that is so fast coming!’ Grace be with you!
'Your affectionate brother in our LORD JESUS,