Chapter XL: Letter CCCXII: ) (4)

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 Sam. xvi. 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_.

CCCXLVIII.--_To my_ LADY KENMURE.

(_GOD'S DEALINGS WITH THE LAND._)

MADAM,--I should not forget you; but my deadness under a threatening stroke, both of a falling church (a broken covenant, a despised remnant) and a craziness of body, that I cannot get a piece sickly clay carried about from one house or town to another, lieth most heavy on me. The Lord hath removed Scotland's crown, for we owned not His crown. We fretted at His catholic government of the world, and fretted that He would not be ruled and led by us, in breaking our adversaries: and He maketh us to suffer and pine away in our iniquities, under the broken government of His house. It is like, that it would be our snare to be tried with the honour of a peaceable Reformation: we might mar the carved work of His house, worse than those against whom we cry out. It is like, that He hath bidden us lie on our left side three hundred and ninety days; and yet so astonishing is our stupidity, that we moan not our sore side. Our gold is become dim, the visage of our Nazarites is become black, the sun is gone down on our seers; the crown is fallen from our heads; we roar like bears. Lord save us from that, "He that made them will not have mercy on them" (Isa. xxvii. 11). The heart of the scribe meditateth terror. Oh, Madam, if the Lord would help us to more self-judging, and to make sure an interest in Christ! Ah, we forget eternity, and it approaches quickly. Grace be with you.

Your Ladyship's, at all obedience, in the Lord,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, _Nov. 20, 1657_.

CCCXLIX.--_For MR. JOHN SCOT, at Oxnam._

[John Livingstone, in his letter to his parishioners at Ancrum,
says: "Oxnam is not far off from you, and I hope Mr. Scot doth
and will declare for the sworn Reformation, and testify against
present defection."]

(_PROTESTERS' TOLERATION._)

REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I saw from C. K. a testimony of your Presbytery against toleration, in which ye have been instrumental. The Lord give strength to do more. I think it both rare and necessary, and would account it a great mercy, if there were an addition of a postscript from divers ministers and elders, out of all the shires of Scotland. It is really the mind of all the godly and tender in this land. It is believed by some, that the Protesting party hath quite given over the cause. I hope it is not so; but the Lord shall be yet victorious in His most despised ones. Our darkness is great and thick, and there is much deadness; yet the Lord will be our light.

Thus recommending you to His grace whose ye are, I am, your own brother, in the Lord,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, _April 2, 1658_.

CCCL.--_For MR. JOHN SCOT, at Oxnam._

(_GLOOMY TIMES--MEANS OF PROMOTING GODLINESS._)

DEAR BROTHER,--Faint not; but be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. I look on it as a rich mercy that the Lord is with you, strengthening you to quicken fainters, to warm and warn any that are cold or dead, or who deaden others. Believe that it will be your peace in the end. The times are sad; yet I persuade myself that the vision will not tarry, but will speak. The Lord will loose our captive bonds. Oh, blessed he, though alone, who is found fast and constant for the desirable interest of Christ.

My humble advice would be, that you see to the placing[506] of the deacon and the ruling elder, or to anything that may weaken the Discipline. Our Second Book of Discipline should be heeded: Sessions purged. Oh! catechising and personal visiting, and speaking to them _sigillatim_ (one by one) concerning their interest in Christ and a state of conversion, is little in practice. The practice of family fasts is scarce known to be an ordinance of God. It were good that ye should confer with godly brethren in private, concerning the promoting of godliness, concerning Christian conference, and praying together, worshipping of God in families, and solitary fasts.

[506] This seems to mean, the place assigned to the respective offices
of elder and deacon.

To His grace who can direct, quicken, and strengthen you, I commend you, and am your loving brother,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS.

CCCLI.--_To MR. JAMES DURHAM, Minister of the Gospel at Glasgow, some few days before his Death._

[MR. JAMES DURHAM was ordained minister of Blackfriars Church,
Glasgow, in November 1647. In September 1651 he was translated to
the Inner High Church, Glasgow. He was a man at once
distinguished for ardent piety and great talents. Robert Baillie
counted him "one of the most gracious, wise, and able preachers
in this isle." "He is the minister of my family," the same writer
says, "and almost the only minister in this place [Glasgow] of
whom my soul gets good, and whom I respect in some things above
all men I know." Durham was cut off in the prime of life. He died
at Glasgow on the 25th of June 1658,--ten days after this letter
was written to him,--in the thirty-sixth year of his age, much
regretted by all. (See Letter XCI.) He wrote on the "Book of
Revelation," "Christ Crucified," and some other excellent
pieces.]

(_MAN'S WAYS NOT GOD'S WAYS._)

SIR,--I would ere now have written to you, had I not known that your health, weaker and weaker, could scarce permit you to hear or read. I need not speak much. The Way ye know, and have preached to others the skill of the Guide, and the glory of the home beyond death. And when He saith, "Come and see," it will be your gain to obey, and go out and meet the Bridegroom. What accession is made to the higher house of His kingdom should not be our loss, though it be real loss to the church of God. But we count one way, and the Lord counteth another way. He is infallible, and the only wise God, and needeth none of us. Had He needed the staying in the body of Moses and the prophets, He could have taken another way. Who dare bid you cast your thoughts back on wife or children, when He hath said, "Leave them to Me, and come up hither"? Or who can persuade you to die or live, as if that were arbitrary to us, and not His alone who hath determined the number of your months? If so it seem good to Him, follow your Forerunner and Guide. It is an unknown land to you, who were never there before; but the land is good, and the company before the throne desirable, and He who sitteth on the throne is His lone a sufficient heaven.

Grace, grace be with you.

Yours in the Lord,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, _June 15, 1658_.

CCCLII.--_For MR. JOHN SCOT, at Oxnam._

(_ADHERENCE TO THE TESTIMONY AGAINST TOLERATION._)

REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Your letter that came unto me, of August 2nd, to be at Edinburgh upon August 2nd, was unknown to me by the subscription. But since it was written for so honourable and warrantable a truth of Christ, as a testimony against Toleration, if my health would have permitted, and my daily menacing gravel, I should have come to Edinburgh. What either counsel, countenance, or clearing, ye could have had from the like of me, I cannot say; nor dare I speak much, but with a reserve of the help of His grace. I desire to desire,[507] and purpose by strength from above, to own that cause, and to join with you and some in this church, besides your Presbytery, who will own that cause. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. This cloud will over,[508] could we live by faith, and wait on a speaking, and a seemingly delaying vision. (Heb. ii. 3.) The Lord will not tarry.

[507] Perhaps, "I desire to pray for."

[508] Pass over.

Grace be with you. Many are with you, but there is One who is above millions.

Your own brother,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, _August 8, 1658_.

CCCLIII.--_To my_ LADY KENMURE.

(_TRIALS--DEADNESS OF SPIRIT--DANGER OF FALSE SECURITY._)

MADAM,--I am ashamed of my long silence to your Ladyship. Your tossings and wanderings are known to Him upon whom ye have been cast from the breasts, and who hath been your God of old. The temporal loss of creatures, dear to you there, may be the more easily endured, that the gain of One "who only hath immortality" groweth.

There is an universal complaint of deadness of spirit on all that know God. He that writeth to you, Madam, is as deep in this as any, and is afraid of a strong and hot battle, before time be at a close. But no matter, if the Lord crown all with the victorious triumphing of faith. God teacheth us by terrible things in righteousness. We see many things, but we observe nothing. Our drink is sour. Grey hairs are here and there on us. We change many lords and rulers; but the same bondage of soul and body remaineth. We live little by faith, but much by sense, according to the times, and by human policy. The watchmen sleep, and the people perish for lack of knowledge. How can we be enlightened when we turn our back on the sun? and must we not be withered when we leave the fountain? It should be my only desire to be a minister, gifted with the white stone, and the new name written on it. I judge it were fit (now when tall professors and when many stars fall from heaven, and God poureth the isle of Great Britain from vessel to vessel, and yet we sit, and are settled on our lees) to consider (as sometimes I do, but ah! rarely), how irrecoverable a wo it is to be under a beguile in the matter of eternity. And what if I, who can have a subscribed testimonial of many who shall stand at the right hand of the Judge, shall miss Christ's approving testimony, and be set upon the left hand among the goats? (Matt. vii. 22, xxv. 8-12 and 33; Luke xiii. 25-27). There is such a beguile; and it befalleth many; and what if it befall me, who have but too much art to cozen my own soul and others, with the flourish of ministerial, or country, holiness!

Dear lady, I am afraid of prevailing security. We watch little (I have relation mainly to myself), we wrestle little. I am like one travelling in the night, who seeth a spirit, and sweateth for fear, and careth not to tell it to his fellow, for fear of increasing his own fear. However, I am sure, when the Master is nigh His coming, it were safe to write over a double, and a new copy, of our accounts of the sins of nature, childhood, youth, riper years, and old age. What if Christ have another written representation of me than I have of myself? Sure He is right; and if it contradict my mistaken and sinfully erroneous account of I myself, ah! where am I then? But, Madam, I discourage none. I know that Christ hath made a new marriage-contract of love, and sealed it with His blood, and the trembling believer shall not be confounded.

Grace be with you.

Yours, at all obedience, in Christ,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, _May 26, 1658_.

CCCLIV.--_To my_ LADY KENMURE.

(_PREVAILING DECLENSION, DECAY, AND INDIFFERENCE TO GOD'S DEALINGS--THINGS FUTURE._)

MADAM,--I should be glad that the Lord would be pleased to lengthen out more time to you, that ye might, before your eyes be shut, see more of the work of the right hand of the Lord, in reviving a now swooning and crushed land and church. Though I was lately knocking at death's gate, yet could I not get in, but was sent back for a time.[509] It is well if I could yet do any service to Him; but, ah! what deadness lieth upon the spirit! And deadness breedeth distance from God. Madam, these many years the Lord hath let you see a clear difference betwixt those who serve God and love His name, and those who serve Him not. And I judge that ye look upon the way of Christ as the only best way, and that ye would not exchange Christ for the world's god, or their mammon, and that ye can give Christ a testimony of "Chief among ten thousand." True it is that many of us have fallen from our first love; but Christ hath renewed His first love of our espousals to Himself, and multiplied the seekers of God all the country over, even where Christ was scarce named, east and west, south and north, above the number that our fathers ever knew.[510] But, ah! Madam, what shall be done or said of many fallen stars, and many near to God complying wofully, and sailing to the nearest shore? Yea, and we are consumed in the furnace, but not melted; burned, but not purged. Our dross is not removed, but our scum remaineth in us; and in the furnace we fret, we faint, and (which is more strange) we slumber. The fire burneth round about us, and we lay it not to heart. Grey hairs are upon us, and we know it not.

[509] Reading the Letters _chronologically_, we are now within two
years of his death, but Lady Kenmure survived many years.

[510] How interesting is this notice of Revival, prefacing and
preparing the church for the days of sore trial that soon burst over
Scotland!

It were now a desirable life to send away our love to heaven. And well it becometh us to wait for our appointed change, yet so as we should be meditating thus: "Is there a new world above the sun and moon? And is there such a blessed company harping and singing hallelujahs to the Lamb up above? Why, then, are we taken with a vain life of sighing and sinning? Oh, where is our wisdom, that we sit still, laughing, eating, sleeping prisoners, and do not pack up all our best things for the journey, desiring always to be clothed with our house from above, not made with hands!" Ah! we savour not the things that are above, nor do we smell of glory ere we come thither; but we transact and agree with time, for a new lease of clay mansions. Behold, He cometh! We sleep, and turn all the work of duties into dispute of events for deliverance. But the greatest haste, to be humbled for a broken and buried covenant, is first and last forgotten; and all our grief is, the Lord lingereth, enemies triumph, godly ones suffer, atheists blaspheme. Ah! we pray not; but wonder that Christ cometh not the higher way, by might, by power, by garments rolled in blood. What if He come the lower way? Sure we sin, in putting the book in His hand, as if we could teach the Almighty knowledge. We make haste; we believe not. Let the only wise God alone; He steereth well. He draweth straight lines, though we think and say they are crooked. It is right that some should die and their breasts full of milk; and yet we are angry that God dealeth so with them. Oh, if I could adore Him in His hidden ways, when there is darkness under His feet and darkness in His pavilion, and clouds are about His throne! Madam, hoping, believing, patient praying, is our life. He loseth no time.

The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.

Yours, at all obliged observance in Christ,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, _Sept. 12, 1659_.

CCCLV.--_To the PRESBYTERY OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT, anent Union, with a desire to have Mr. William Rait Professor at St. Andrews._[511]

[511] From the original among the Wodrow MSS. vol. xxix. 4to, No. 88.
The letter is addressed on the back, "For the very Reverend and
honoured of the Lord, the Moderator and Remanent Brethren of the
Presbytery of Kirkcudbright." That Presbytery particularly
distinguished itself by its earnest endeavours to restore harmony
between the Resolutioners and Protesters; to which they were stirred
up chiefly by Mr. Thomas Wylie. But their laudable efforts, though
partially successful in allaying animosity, failed to heal the breach.
On this subject, Mr. George Hutchison, in a letter to Mr. Thomas
Wylie, dated March 12, 1660, says: "That little essay towards union
hath been followed with the blessing of much less animosity than was
wont to be before, in actings and walkings one with another; though,
as yet, it is to be regretted that little can be got done for healing
particular ruptures of parishes and presbyteries, even upon seeming
equal overtures; and, it fears me, some elsewhere are more stiff than
needful in such an exigent. But I apprehend that either our trials or
God's appearing, among others, may press the necessity of union more
upon us" (Wodrow's MSS. vol. xxix.).

(_UNION--HUMILIATION--CHOICE OF A PROFESSOR._)

REVEREND,--The desire of your W[isdoms] for union to me, who am below such a public mercy, and of so high concernment to the Church of Scotland, ought to be most acceptable. The name of peace is savoury, both good and pleasant. I so close with your godly and religious aim therein, as judging the Lord hath from heaven suggested to you, and inspired your spirits with, a fervent thirst and intention to promote the Gospel, that though I should judge myself (as in truth I am) lower than to suit[512] from either Presbytery or Synod any favour, yet I shall, in all humility, beseech your W[isdoms] to prosecute with the power which Christ hath given you the work of union; and so much the more that I must shortly put off this my tabernacle. I offer to your W[isdoms'] serious consideration, the evident necessity of union with God, and of a serious and sound humiliation, and lying in the dust before the Lord for a broken covenant, declining from our former love, owning of such as we sometime judged to be malignant enemies and opposers of the work of reformation and of the sworn covenant of God, despising of the offered salvation of the Gospel, and coldness and indifferency in purging the house of God, and other causes of the sad judgments which we now are under. And my last and humble suit to your W[isdoms] is, that ye would be pleased to take in with this union the planting of the New College[513] with a third master. It is a matter that concerns the whole Church of Scotland and seminary of the ministry thereof, and cannot be done but by a General Assembly. If, therefore, you have, dear brethren, judged me faithful of the Lord, and regard the work of the Lord, and the promoting of the kingdom of Christ (as I nothing doubt but it is the desire of your souls), give commission to the brethren sent to treat for union, at the meeting in Edinburgh or elsewhere, to join their authority and power, such as now may be had, to call, invite, and obtest some godly and able man, to embrace the charge of Professor in the College of Divinity in St. Andrews. And because Mr. William Rait, minister at Brechin, is a man for learning, godliness, prudence, and eminent authority in the Church of Scotland, sought for to the ministry by the town of Edinburgh, and also by Aberdeen, to preach the Gospel and to profess in the College, and hath the approbation of the present masters of the New College, the godly ministers of the Synod of Fife, of the Presbytery of St. Andrews, ministers of the city of St. Andrews, it is my soul's desire, and the heart-cry of students in the College, and of the godly in the city, that Mr. William Rait may be the man; and that your commissioners may be moved to deal with the commissioners of the Synod of Fife and Angus for that effect; so shall you be instrumental to repair our breaches, and build His house. So praying that your labours may not be in vain in the Lord, I rest (the Lord Jesus be with your spirit!) your unworthy brother and fellow-labourer in the Lord,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, _the 23rd October 1659_.

[512] Solicit.

[513] At St. Andrews.

CCCLVI.--_To MR. JOHN MURRAY, Minister at Methven._[514]

[514] From the original among the Wodrow MSS. vol. xxvii. fol. No. 42.

[MR. JOHN MURRAY was one of the Protesters (see Baillie's
"Letters"); and was committed prisoner to the Castle of Edinburgh
for meeting with a few of his brethren to draw up a
congratulatory address to Charles II. upon his restoration,
expressing their loyalty, and reminding him of the obligation of
the Covenant. He was summoned to appear before the Parliament on
the charge of high treason, but at length was liberated. About
1672 he was apprehended and imprisoned in the Tolbooth of
Edinburgh for alleged house-conventicles. When set at liberty, he
was confined to the parish of Queensferry, and ordained to wait
upon ordinances and abstain from keeping conventicles, and to
attend the parish church. (Wodrow's "History," vol. ii.)]

(_A SYNOD PROPOSAL FOR UNION--BRETHREN UNDER CENSURE._)

REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I would gladly know the issue of your Synod. We did profess we could not be concluded[515] by the Synod of Fife's [overtures] of union, but upon condition of the taking off the censures of our brethren, which we think injuriously are inflicted. Much is promised to us for the remedying of these censures. I shall believe when I see their performances. I hope you will see that the brethren get no wrong, or the house of God in their persons; and send me a line of the conclusion of the Synod in that business. The paper of union is very general, and comes to no particulars: it only tells the good of union, and contains some obtestations to us that insinuate the unsavouriness of irregular courses; yet we thought it not safe to yield to any union of that kind, so long as our brethren are under the censures.[516] I much doubt of their honest meaning, and that barriers in the way of entrant ministers and elders be revived. And I see no engagement, so much as verbal, for purging; but the contrary practice is here. Mr. Robert Anderson[517] is as much opposed as if he were the most corrupt sectary or Jesuit.

[515] Determined finally.

[516] Murray, and the other Protesters in the Synod of Perth, acted
upon a similar principle. As an instance of this, we may adduce the
following extracts from a paper entitled, "The desires of the brethren
of the Protesting judgment in the Synod of Perth under-subscribing,
unto the Moderator and remanent members of the Synod." They desire,
"1st, That the Synod will declare and enact, that none of the Acts
made by the two controverted Assemblies at St. Andrews, Dundee, and at
Edinburgh, in the years 1651 and 1652, appointing censure upon such as
will not acknowledge the constitution of these Assemblies, and will
not submit unto the Acts thereof, shall hereafter be of force within
the bounds of this Synod.... 3. That the Synod will declare and enact,
that notwithstanding of the supposed censures inflicted upon Mr. James
Guthrie, minister at Stirling, and Mr. James Simpson, minister at
Airth, by the pretended Assembly at St. Andrews and Dundee, and of the
approbation or intimation thereof by the Synod, that the said Mr.
James Guthrie and Mr. James Simpson are lawful standing ministers of
the Gospel in the respective charges of Stirling and Airth, and
capable to sit and vote in the Synod and in their own Presbytery, and
of every other ministerial privilege and employment" (Wodrow's MSS.
vol. xxvii.).

[517] A minister who is mentioned again in Letter CCCLXV.

My wife remembers her to you. Remember me to your own bed-fellow. Grace be with you.

Your own brother,

S. R.

_St. Andrews_, _Jan. 25, 1660_.

CCCLVII.--_To his Reverend and dear Brethren, MR. GUTHRIE, MR. TRAILL, and the rest of their brethren imprisoned in the Castle of Edinburgh._

[The circumstances of the case to which this letter refers are
these:--On the 23rd of August 1660, the following ministers, Mr.
James Guthrie of Stirling, Mr. John Stirling and Mr. Robert
Traill of Edinburgh, Mr. Alexander Moncrieff of Scoonie, Mr. John
Semple of Carsfairn, Mr. Thomas Ramsay of Mordington, Mr. John
Scot of Oxnam, Mr. Gilbert Hall of Kirkliston, Mr. John Murray of
Methven, Mr. George Nairn of Burntisland, with two gentlemen,
ruling elders, met in a private house in Edinburgh, to draw up an
humble address to Charles II., congratulating his return, and
expressing their entire and unfeigned loyalty, but at the same
time reminding him of the obligation of the Covenant which he and
the nation had sworn. Whilst thus employed, their papers were
secured, by the order of the Committee of Estates; and they
themselves were arrested, and committed close prisoners to the
Castle of Edinburgh.]

(_ON SUFFERING FOR CHRIST--GOD'S PRESENCE EVER WITH HIS PEOPLE--FIRMNESS AND CONSTANCY._)

REVEREND, NOW VERY DEAR, AND MUCH HONOURED PRISONERS FOR CHRIST,--I am, as to the point of light, at the utmost of persuasion in that kind that it is the cause of Christ which ye now suffer for, and not men's interest. If it be for men, let us leave it; but if we plead for God, our own personal safety and man's deliverance will not be peace.

There is a salvation called "the salvation of God," which is cleanly, pure, spiritual, unmixed, near to the holy word of God. It is that which we would seek, even the favour of God that He beareth to His people; not simple gladness, but the gladness and goodness of the Lord's chosen. And sure, though I be the weakest of His witnesses, and unworthy to be among the meanest of them, and am afraid that the Cause be hurt (but it cannot be lost) by my unbelieving faintness, I would not desire a deliverance separated from the deliverance of the Lord's cause and people. It is enough to me to sing when Zion singeth, and to triumph when Christ triumpheth. I should judge it an unhappy joy to rejoice when Zion sigheth. "Not one hoof" will be your peace. (Exod. x. 26.)

If Christ doth own me, let me be in the grave in a bloody winding-sheet, and go from the scaffold in four quarters, to grave or no grave. I am His debtor, to seal with sufferings this precious truth; but, oh! when it cometh to the push, I dare say nothing, considering my weakness, wickedness, and faintness. But fear not ye. Ye are not, ye shall not be, alone: the Father is with you. It was not an unseasonable, but a seasonable and a necessary duty ye were about. Fear Him who is Sovereign. Christ is captain of the castle and Lord of the keys. The cooling well-spring, and refreshment from the promises, are more than the frownings of the furnace. I see snares and temptations in capitulating, composing, ceding, minching with distinctions of circumstances, formalities, compliments, and extenuations, in the cause of Christ. "A long spoon: the broth is hell-hot."[518] Hold a distance from carnal compositions, and much nearness to the fountain, to the favour and refreshing light from the Father of lights speaking in His oracles. This is sound health and salvation. Angels, men, Zion's elders, eye us; but what of all these? Christ is by us, and looketh on us, and writeth up all. Let us pray more, and look less to men.

[518] A proverb: "They need a long spoon who sup with the devil."

Remember me to Mr. Scott, and to all the rest. Blessings be upon the head of such as are separated from their brethren. Joseph is a fruitful bough by a well.

Grace be with you.

Your loving brother and companion in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, 1660.

CCCLVIII.--_To_ SEVERAL BRETHREN. _Reasons for petitioning his Majesty after his return, and for owning such as were censured[519] while about so necessary a duty._

[519] That is, the ministers mentioned in the note prefixed to the
preceding letter, who were arrested and imprisoned by the Committee of
Estates.

REVEREND AND DEAR BRETHREN,--It is a matter of difficulty to me to write at this distance, not having heard your debates. It seemeth that the Lord calleth us to give information to the King's Majesty of affairs. The Lord's admirable providence, in bringing him to his throne, and laying aside others who were sworn enemies to the cause and covenant of God, so that now the Government is in a right line, is to be adored. And I judge (without prescribing) that some should be sent to his Majesty to congratulate that providence; and that reason of our being so slow in rendering should be rendered.

1. We should write, not in the name of the Kirk of Scotland, but in the name of a most considerable number of godly ministers, elders, and professors, who both pray for the King, are obedient to his laws, and are under the oath of God for the sworn Reformation.

2. It is better now, than after sentences and trouble, to have recourse to him who is by place _parens patriæ_.

3. We should supplicate in all humility for protection and countenance; far more for lawful liberty to fear the bond of the oath of the dreadful and most high Lord; avouching to his Majesty, that the Lord, His holy name being interposed, will own that Covenant, and bless his Majesty with a happy and successful reign, in the owning thereof, and kissing of the Son of God. And when the Lord shall be pleased to grant that to us which concerneth religion, the beauty of His house, the propagating of the Gospel, the government of the Lord's kingdom, without Popery, Prelacy, unwritten traditions and ceremonies, let his Majesty try our loyalty with what commands he will be pleased to lay on us, and see if we be found rebellious.

4. We should disclaim such as have sinfully complied with the late usurpers; produce our written testimonies against them; our not accepting of offices and places of trust from them; our testimonies against their usurpation, covenant-breaking, toleration of all religions, corrupt sectarian ways, for which the Lord hath broken them.

5. We are represented to his Majesty as such as would not consent that the Remonstrance of the western forces[520] should be condemned by the Commission of the General Assembly; whereas, 1. We did humbly desire that the judicature should not condemn nor censure that Remonstrance, till the gentlemen were heard, and their reasons discussed. 2. Whatever demur was as to the banding or combining part of it, we were and are obliged to believe that they had no sectarian design therein, nor levelling intention. 3. They are gentlemen most loyal, and never were enemies to his Majesty's royal power; but only desired that security might be had for religion and the people of God, and persons disaffected to religion and the sworn Covenant abandoned; otherwise they were, and still are, willing to hazard lives and estates for the just greatness and safety of his Majesty in the maintenance of the true religion, Covenant, and cause of God. The only difficulty will be, where to have fit men to send. But as it will be both sin and shame for us to desert our undeservedly now censured brethren, so it will be our sin and reproach sinfully to comply with such things and courses as we testified against, and confessed to God.

[520] See notice of Colonel Gilbert Ker, p. 649.

I can say no more at present but that I am your loving brother,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, 1660.

CCCLIX.--_To a_ BROTHER MINISTER.

Judgment of a draught or minute of a Petition, to have been
presented to the Committee of Estates, by those Ministers who
were then prisoners in the Castle of Edinburgh for that other
well-known Petition to his Majesty, about which they were when
seized upon and made prisoners.[521]

[521] See note prefixed to Letter CCCLVII., p. 692.

["But that no man may mistake or judge amiss of persons so fixed
in the cause and faithful in their generations, know that this
draught was not sent to Mr. Rutherford as a paper concluded and
condescended upon among these brethren, whose love to truth made
them in all things so tender that they were ever fond to abstain
from all appearance of evil. It was more like the suggestion of
some other men (wherein was laid before them what kind of address
would most probably please, waiving the just measures of what was
simply duty in their circumstances), than anything flowing from
themselves, as the product of a mature deliberation. And,
secondly, know (which confirmeth what was said), that whatever it
was, or whoever gave the rise to it, yet it was never made use
of, nor presented to the Committee of Estates, by any of these
faithful men, whose praise, for their fidelity, fixedness, real
and untainted integrity, is in the churches of Christ" (Note by
Mr. Robert M'Ward, the original editor of Rutherford's
"Letters").]

DEAR BROTHER,--I am, as ye know, straitened as another suffering man, but dare not petition this Committee:--

1. Because it draweth us to capitulate with such as have the advantage of the mount, the Lord so disposing for the present: and, to bring the matters of Christ to yea and no (ye being prisoners and they the powers) is a hazard.

2. A speaking to them in write, and passing in silence the sworn Covenant and the cause of God (which is the very present controversy), is contrary to the practice of Christ and the Apostles, who, being accused or not accused, avouched Christ to be the Son of God and the Messias, and that the dead must rise again, even when the adversary misstated the question. Yea, silence on the cause of God, which adversaries persecute, seemeth a tacit deserting of the cause, when the state of the question is known to beholders: and I know that the brethren intend not to leave the cause.

3. I know of no offence that you have given (I will not say what offence may be taken), either as to the matter or manner of your petition. For, if what you have done be a necessary duty laid aside by others, a duty can never give an offence to Christ, and so none to men; but Christians will look upon a pious, harmless, and innocent petition to the Prince, in the matters of the Lord's honour and the good of His church (though proffered by one or two, when they are silent whose it is to speak and act), as a seasonable duty.

4. The draught of that petition, which you sent me, speaketh not one word of the Covenant of God for the adhering to which you now suffer, and which is the object of men's hatred, and the destruction whereof is the great work of the times. Your silence in this nick of time appeareth to be a non-confession of Christ before men; and you want nothing to beget an uncleanly deliverance but the profession of silence.

5. There is a promise and real purpose, as the petition saith, to live peaceably under the King's authority. But, 1. Ye do not answer candidly and ingenuously the mind of the rulers, who, to your knowledge, mean a far other thing by authority than ye do. For _ye_ mean, _his just authority_, his authority in the Lord, and his just greatness, in the maintenance of true religion, as in the Covenant, Confession of Faith, and Catechisms, is expressed from the Word of God: _they_ mean his _supreme authority_, and absolute prerogative above laws, as their acts make clear, and as their practice is. For they refused, to such as were unwilling to subscribe their bond, to add "authority in the Lord," or, "just and lawful authority," or "authority as it is expressed in the Covenant." But this draught of a petition, under your own hand, yieldeth the sense and meaning to them which they crave. 2. That authority for which they contend is exclusive of the sworn Covenant; so that, except ye had said, "We shall be subject to the King's authority in the Lord, or according to the sworn Covenant," ye say nothing to the point in hand; and that, sure, is not your meaning. 3. Whoever promised so much peaceable living under his Majesty's authority, leaving out the exposition of the fifth commandment, as your petition doth, may upon the very same ground subscribe the bond refused by the godly; and so you pass from the Covenant, and make all those by-past actings of this Kirk and State, these years by-past, to be horrid rebellion! And how deep that guiltiness draweth, consider.

6. A condemning of the Remonstrance, simply and without any limitation and distinction, is a condemning of many precious ones in the land, and a passing from the causes of God's wrath, which is the chief matter of the Remonstrance.

7. That nothing is before your eyes but the exoneration of your conscience, is indeed believed by the godly who know you; but a passing in silence of the honest materials in your former petition to his Majesty seemeth to be a deserting thereof, since, in all your petition, ye do not once say ye cannot but adhere to that pious petition, as your necessary duty. And, that ye intend in the petition the happiness of his Majesty, is also believed.

Dear brother, show to our brethren, that the Lord Christ, in your persons, hath a stated question betwixt Him and the powers on earth. The only wise God lead you now, when He hath brought you forth in public, so to act as if ye did see Jesus Christ by you, and beholding you. It is easy for such as are on the shore to throw a counsel to those that are tossed in the sea; but, only by living by faith, and by fetching strength and comfort from Christ, can you be victorious, and have right to the precious promises "of the tree of life," "of the hidden manna," of the gifted "morning star," and the like, made to those who overcome: to whose strength and grace, brethren who desire with me to remember you do recommend you. I am, dear brother,

Yours, in the Lord,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, 1660.

CCCLX.--_For the Right Honourable my_ LADY VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.

[_On the imprisonment of the Marquis of Argyle._]

(_GOD'S JUDGMENTS CALLING TO FLEE TO HIM--THE RESULT OF TIMID COMPLIANCE._)

MADAM,--It is not my part to be unmindful of you. Be not afflicted for your brother, the Marquis of Argyle.[522] As to the main, in my weak apprehension, the seed of God being in him, and love to the people of God and His cause, it will be well. The making of particular reckoning with the Lord, and of peace with God, and owning of His cause when too many disown it, will make his peace with the King the surer.[523] The Lord is beginning to reckon with such as did forsake His cause and covenant; and until we return to Him, our peace shall not be like a river and as the waves of the sea. However, the opening of the bosom to take in all the Malignants can produce no better fruits. The Lord calleth us to flee into our chambers, and shut the doors, till the indignation be over. (Isa. xxvi. 20.) The lily among the thorns is so served. He hideth Himself, and our mountain is removed, and we are troubled. But the Lord reigneth; let the earth tremble, and let the earth rejoice. The Lord, without blood, broke the yoke of usurping oppressors, and laid them aside: the same Lord can settle throne and kingdom on the pillars of heaven. But, oh, the controversy the Lord hath with Edom, and those who covenanted with us, and then sold us; and with those of whom the Holy Ghost speaketh, "Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee; they have not discovered thine iniquity to turn away thy captivity, but have seen for thee false burdens, and causes of banishment" (Lam. ii. 14). The time of Jacob's suffering is but short, and the vision will speak. Could we be from under deadness, and watch unto wrestling and prayer with the Lord, and live more by faith, we should be more than conquerors. Wait upon the Lord; faint not.

[522] A fortnight before this was written, viz. on 8th July 1660, the
King had committed the Marquis to the Tower, on an unfounded charge of
treason. Rutherford did not live to see the issue.

[523] "His heavenly King, whom he has faithfully owned, as well as in
private conscientiously served, will on that account all the more
stand by him, in the question of his earthly King being reconciled to
him." The hopes of his friends, however, were not realized; for next
year (on 27th May 1661) he was beheaded at Edinburgh.

The Lord Jesus be with your spirit.

Yours, at all respective observance in the Lord,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, _July 24, 1660_.

CCCLXI.--_For MISTRESS CRAIG, upon the Death of her hopeful Son, who was drowned while washing himself in a river in France._

(_NINE REASONS FOR RESIGNATION._)

MISTRESS,--You have so learned Christ as now (in the furnace) what dross, what shining of faith may appear, must come forth. I heard of the removal of your son, Mr. Thomas. Though I be dull enough in discerning, yet I was witness to some spiritual savouriness of the new birth and hope of the resurrection, which I saw in the hopeful youth, when he was, as was feared, a-dying in this city. And, since it was written and advisedly appointed, in the spotless and holy decree of the Lord, where, and before what witnesses, and in what manner, whether by a fever, the mother being at the bed, or by some other way in a far country (dear patriarchs died in Egypt, precious to the Lord, and have wanted burials) (Ps. lxxix. 3), your safest way will be, to be silent, and command the heart to utter no repining and fretting thoughts of the holy dispensation of God.

1. The man is beyond the hazard of dispute; the precious youth is perfected and glorified.

2. Had the youth lain, year and day, pained beside a witnessing mother, it had been pain and grief lengthened out to you in many portions, and every parcel would have been a little death. Now His holy Majesty hath, in one lump and mass, brought to your ears the news, and hath not divided the grief into many portions.

3. It was not yesterday's thought, nor the other year's statute, but a counsel of the Lord of old; and "who can teach the Almighty knowledge?"

4. There is no way of quieting the mind, and of silencing the heart of a mother, but godly submission. The readiest way for peace and consolation to clay vessels is, that it is a stroke of the Potter and Former of all things. And since the holy Lord hath loosed the grip, when it was fastened sure on your part, I know that your light, and I hope that your heart, also, will yield. It is not safe to be at pulling and drawing with the omnipotent Lord. Let the pull go with Him, for He is strong; and say, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

5. His holy method and order is to be adored. Sometimes the husband before the wife, and sometimes the son before the mother. So hath the only wise God ordered; and when he is sent before, and not lost, in all things give thanks.

6. Meditate not too much on the sad circumstances, "the mother was not witness to the last sigh; possibly, cannot get leave to wind the son, nor to weep over his grave;" and, "he was in a strange land!" There is a like nearness to heaven out of all the countries of the earth.

7. This did not spring out of the dust. Feed and grow fat by this medicine and fare of the only wise Lord. It is the art and the skill of faith to read what the Lord writeth upon the cross, and to spell and construct right His sense. Often we miscall words and sentences of the cross, and either put nonsense on His rods, or burden His Majesty with slanders and mistakes, when He mindeth for us thoughts of peace and love, even to do us good in the latter end.

8. It is but a private stroke on a family, and little to the public arrows shot against grieved Joseph, and the afflicted, but ah! dead, senseless, and guilty people of God. This is the day of Jacob's trouble!

9. There is a bad way of wilful swallowing of a temptation, and not digesting it, or laying it out of memory without any victoriousness of faith. The Lord, who forbiddeth fainting, forbiddeth also despising.[524] But it is easier to counsel than to suffer: the only wise Lord furnish patience.

[524] Proverbs iii. 2.

It were not amiss to call home the other youth. I am not a little afflicted for my Lady Kenmure's condition. I desire you, when ye see her, to remember my humble respects to her. My wife heartily remembereth her to you; and is wounded much in mind with your present condition, and suffereth with you.

Grace be with you.

Yours in the Lord,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, _Aug. 4, 1660_.

CCCLXII.--_For my Reverend and dear Brother, Christ's Soldier in bonds, MR. JAMES GUTHRIE, Minister of the Gospel at Stirling_.

(_STEDFAST THOUGH PERSECUTED--BLESSEDNESS OF MARTYRDOM._)

DEAR BROTHER,--We are very often comforted with the word of promise; though we stumble not a little at the work of holy providence, some earthly men flourishing as a green herb, and the people of God counted as sheep for the slaughter, and killed all the day long. And yet both word of promise, and work of providence, are from Him whose ways are equal, straight, holy, and spotless.

As for me, when I think of God's dispensations, He might justly have brought to the market-cross, and to the light, my unseen and secret abominations; which would have been no small reproach to the holy name and precious truths of Christ. But in mercy He hath covered these, and shapen and carved out more honourable causes of suffering, of which we are unworthy.

And now, dear brother, much dependeth upon the way and manner of suffering, especially that His precious truths be owned with all heavenly boldness, and a reason of our hope given in meekness and fear; and the royal crown, and absolute supremacy of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of the kings of the earth, avouched as becometh. For certain it is that Christ will reign, the Father's King in Mount Zion, and His sworn covenant will not be buried. It is not denied that our practical breach of covenant first, and then, our legal breach thereof by enacting the same mischief and framing it into a law, may heavily provoke our sweetest Lord. Yet there are a few names in the land that have not defiled their garments, and a holy seed on whom the Lord will have mercy, like the four or five olive-berries on the top of the shaken olive-tree (Isa. xvii. 6): and their eye shall be toward the Lord their Maker. Think it not strange that men devise against you; whether it be to exile, the earth is the Lord's; or perpetual imprisonment, the Lord is your light and liberty; or a violent and public death,[525] for the kingdom of heaven consisteth in a fair company of glorified martyrs and witnesses; of whom Jesus Christ is the chief witness, who for that cause was born, and came into the world. Happy are ye if you give testimony to the world of your preferring Jesus Christ to all powers. And the Lord will make the innocency and Christian loyalty of His defamed and despised witnesses in this land to shine to after-generations, and will take The Man-Child up to God and to His throne, and prepare a hiding-place in the wilderness for the mother, and cause the earth to help the Woman. Be not terrified; fret not. Forgive your enemies; bless, and curse not; for, though both you and I should be silent, sad and heavy is the judgment and indignation of the Lord, that is abiding the unfaithful watchmen of the Church of Scotland. The souls under the altar are crying for justice, and there is an answer returned already. The Lord's salvation will not tarry.

[525] Such, as is well known, was the fate of Mr. James Guthrie, a few
months after this was written. He was hanged at the cross of Edinburgh
on the 1st of June 1661, and his head thereafter cut off and fixed on
the Nether Bow.

Cast the burden of wife and children on the Lord Christ; He careth for you and them. Your blood is precious in His sight. The everlasting consolations of the Lord bear you up and give you hope; for your salvation (if not deliverance) is concluded.

Your own brother,

S. R.

ST. ANDREWS, _Feb. 15, 1661_.

CCCLXIII.--_To_ MR. ROBERT CAMPBELL.

[MR. ROBERT CAMPBELL was minister of a parish in the Presbytery
of Dunkeld. He was a Protester, and after the restoration of
Charles II. was ejected for nonconformity to Prelacy.]

(_STEDFASTNESS TO PROTEST AGAINST PRELACY AND POPERY._)

REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Ye know that this is a time in which all men almost seek their own things, and not the things of Jesus Christ. Ye are your lone, as a beacon on the top of a mountain; but faint not: Christ is a numerous multitude Himself, yea, millions. Though all the nations were convened against Him round about, yet doubt not but He will, at last, arise for the cry of the poor and needy.

For me, I am now near to eternity;[526] and, for ten thousand worlds I dare not venture to pass from the protestation against the corruptions of the time, nor go alongst with the shameless apostasy of the many silent and dumb watchmen of Scotland. But I think it my last duty to enter a protestation in heaven, before the righteous Judge, against the practical and legal breach of Covenant, and all oaths imposed on the consciences of the Lord's people, and all popish, superstitious, and idolatrous mandates of men. Know that the overthrow of the sworn Reformation, the introducing of Popery and the mystery of iniquity, is now set on foot in the three kingdoms; and whosoever would keep their garments clean are under that command, "Touch not, taste not, handle not."

[526] Rutherford died on the 20th of March 1661, shortly after this
letter was written.