TO MR HUGH HENDERSON
Our Trials Selected and Relieved by Divine Wisdom
BROTHER, since we must have a devil to trouble us, I think a raging devil best. Our Lord knoweth what sort of devil we have need of: it is best Satan be in his own skin, and look like himself: Christ weeping looketh like himself also, with whom scribes and Pharisees were at yea and nay, and sharp contradiction. You have heard of the patience of Job; when he lay in the ashes, God was with him, curing his boils, comforting his soul; and He took him up at last. That God is not dead; yet he will stop and take up fallen bairns. Many broken legs since Adam’s days hath he healed, and many weary hearts hath he refreshed; bless him for comfort. Why? None cometh dry from David’s well; let us go among the rest, and cast down our buckets into Christ’s ocean, and suck consolations out of him; we are not so sore stricken but we may fill Christ’s hall with weeping.
Aberdeen, March 17, 1637
TO THE MUCH HON. JOHN OSBURN, PROVOST OF AYR
The Joys Attendant on the Service of Christ
YOUR time will not be long; after your afternoon will come your evening, and after evening, night: serve Christ, back him, let his cause be your cause: give not a hair-breadth of truth away; for it is not your’s, but God’s. Then, since you are going, take Christ’s certificate with you out of this life, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” His well done is worth a shipful of good days and earthly honours. I have cause to say this, because I find him truth itself. In my sad days, Christ laugheth cheerfully, and saith, All will be well. Would to God, all this kingdom, and all that know God, knew what is betwixt me and Christ in this prison; what embracements, and love communings; I take his cross in my arms with joy, I bless it, I rejoice in it: suffering for Christ is my garland; I would not exchange Christ for ten thousand worlds; nay (if the comparison could stand) I would not exchange Christ with heaven.
Aberdeen, March 14, 1637