*This is the John Livingstone of Kirk of Shotts fame. In reading the above letter one feels as if reading one of Samuel Rutherford’s seraphic epistles.—Editor.
DEAR Friend,—This being a dismal time, wherein great wrath hath justly come forth from the Lord against us, He is provoked to cover the daughter of our Zion with a cloud, and turn the day of the gospel into a day of gloominess and darkness; wherein, alas! we have not only willingly left our guide, and left our way, but also are drowned in a deep swown of spiritual slumber, like one fallen from a high place, and so dammished [stupified] that he can neither clearly consider where he is, or what is his duty. And I find strong convictions within my bosom of my great failing (because of deadness and darkness and carnal mindedness) to proclaim and trumpet out the matchless love of Christ to sinners, and to woo the bosom of sinners into the bosom of His love. And, Oh, that my dozened and carnal heart were so inflamed, that it were kindling many friends with sparkles of His love! I do beseech you, in the bosom of His love, make it your study to be often trying and making sure the root of the matter is in you. If there be a failing in the root, the fruit will soon be rotten at the heart. Examine, “Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure.” Oh, what strengthening cheerfulness is there to be found in feeding upon the meditation of His first espousals, when you and I were wallowing in our souls’ blood! Oh, what inexpressible sweetness! to be often reading over the marriage contract, and all the articles of the poor-rich believer’s juncture, wherein, if there be a miss on our part (for there is none on His), there is time yet to fill it up. Can ye tell me what a ripe cluster of the vine that groweth in glory’s land it is, to read over with the spectacles of faith all the promises, all the mercies? Such a promise is mine, and the blessing with it; such a mercy is mine, and the blessing with it; such a cross is mine, and the sweet kernel of the blessing under the sour slough that is without. But, Oh, what is all this but the off-fallings and latter meat beside Himself? Himself the flower, the garland, the quintessence of glory. Oh, to find, without a beguile, Himself subscribing by His spirit upon my soul, I will betroth thee to myself, I will be thy God and Husband, and He subscribing for me! Thou shalt be one of my chosen people, and my soul, and all that is within me, saying, Amen, amen; even so, come, Lord Jesus, even so, I take Him to be my married Husband, my God and my Lord. What remaineth then, but I am my wellbeloved’s, and my wellbeloved is mine? Oh, to throng in and to eat greedily of this banquet of love! It is a wonder that the soul crieth not out as once precious old Mr. Welch did upon something the like, Had Lord enough, I doe [am able to] bear no more. Oh, for a sweet fill of this fanatic humour! Tell me, do ye desire (as I doubt not but ye do) to have eyes to see, hands to act, feet to walk, wings to flee in all commanded duties? Here it is—be often trying, and making sure, and reading over the beginning and progress of His love to you, and of yours to Him. But in self trial, it is good to have a special care that gifts come not in the balance with grace; for that is too gross a wither-weight.* Lay by the painted case, when you weigh the jewel. Oh, how hard is it to discern and judge as upon the one hand, how a precious spark of upright walk may be hid under the rubbish of a roughsome nature, so, on the other hand, how a sweet, soft, tender, natural temper, may prove but a glistering piece of the bastard rock! Yet it is long ago (I bless the Lord on your behalf) since I had hope, and now am very confident, that there is mutual and covenanted love between you and the Beloved. Weigh your receipt of all sorts, weigh it to a grain weight, deny nothing of it, (but Oh, to be denied to), and remember often, that ye must give account of your stewardship, and answer how ye have improved every penny of every talent ye enjoy. To whom much is forgiven, of them much shall be required. When ye and I shall get any clear sight of our desertings, we will have cause (though the Lord hath sometimes hid His face) to close our song of praise thus, The Lord hath dealt bountifully with us. Yet I do beseech you, rest not satisfied with any length ye have attained to; sit not down, stand not still, but labour to grow in all the dimensions of an upright love, till ye come to the full stature, which will be when ye are transplanted to the Paradise beside the tree of life, upon the banks of the river of glory, that are at His right hand for evermore. Press forward, ay till ye obtain the prize and crown. A Christian course is either ebbing or flowing. Oh, how do some strive to grow in riches, others to grow in court and honour? Yea, the very wicked makes it his glory to grow in wickedness; only the backbone Christian is easily put off if he can keep life in the play. And grow in the adorning grace of humility, which fitteth the back for every burden, and maketh the tree sickerest [firmest] at the root, when it standeth upon the top of the windy hill. This is the true palm-tree that groweth the stateliest and strongest, when many weights are hung on it to bear it down. Look often upon your lesson, your copy, and your teacher, all in one: Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly. Oh, how often have I resolved to be more humble, when the Lord hath preferred me to some favour! And yet, when the temptation came, my woful heart hath made that very favour a leaping-on stone for my pride to ride on horse back, that went a-foot before.
*Wither-weight is the weight allowed to counterbalance the paper, vessel, etc., in which goods are weighed.
(To be continued.)