LETTERS, &c. SIR, No. I. (still entirely be so with you and your resigned Friend, R. L. Tis well our great journey is going on, and will quickly set us where we would be. The business you write of is to you one signal step of it, marked out by that Sovereign Hand which, I doubt not, will lead you in it, and all along through what remains, to whom I know you are constantly. SIR, No. II. I SEE there is no place, city nor country, valley nor mountain, free from that sentence so early passed upon the earth for man's cause, "thorns and briars shalt thou bring forth;" but he that is well shod walks on the safelier till he comes where there are none: but seeing that is not here, we are to use the greater coolness and deliberation in our removes. If your present company be some way irksome, a greater solitude may prove more so: only if God both sensibly fits you for it, and points clearly out the way to it, follow him; otherwise my advice should be not to hasten too much, and particularly at no hand so to hasten as to run in debt for it; for I speak it on experience, he that sets up any where in debt, it will keep him possibly wrestling at and under SOME days ago I received some lines from many years; but if you let your incomes do you, and they were very welcome; for I know their own business, pian piano, as they come no better news can come from any corner of to your hand, you will find it much easier the earth, than of a soul attempting to overto do, and sweeter when it is done: mean- come the world and its own self, and in any while I know you can digest all a little long-degree prevailing and resolving still onwards; er, as hitherto you have done. To your other point touching baptism, freely my thought is, it is a weak notion taken up on trust almost generally, to consider so much, or at all, the qualifications of the parents. Either it is a benefit to infants, or it is not. If none, why then administered at all? But if it be, then why should the poor innocents be prejudged of it for the parent's cause, if he profess but so much of a Christian as to offer his child to that ordinance? For that it is the parent's faith gives the child a right to it, is neither clear from Scripture, nor any sound reason; yet in that I heartily approve your thoughts that you would make it, as it most fitly may be, an active inducement to the parents to know Him and His doctrine, and live conformed to it, unto whose name they desire their children to be baptized. But in this, and the other business, and in all things, I am confident that good Hand, to which I know you have given up yourself, will graciously guide you. h. they miscarry that desire to all the projects and conquests of the world are not to be named to it. Oh! what a weariness is it to live amongst men, and find so few men; and amongst Christians, and so few Christians; so much talk and so little action; religion turned almost to a tune and air of words: and, amidst all our pretty discourses, pusillanimous and base, and so easily dragged into the mire, self and flesh, and pride and passion domineering, while we speak of being in Christ, and clothed with him, and believe it because we speak it so often and so confidently! Well, I know you are not willing to be thus gulled, and having some glances of the beauty of Holiness, aim no lower than perfection, which in end we hope to attain; and in the meanwhile, the smallest advances towards it are worth more than crowns and sceptres. I believe that you often think on those words of the blessed champion Paul, 1 Cor. ix. 24, &c. There is a noble guest within us. Oh! let all our business be to entertain him honourably, and to live in celestial love within, that will make all things without be very contemptible in our eyes. I should rove on did not I stop you two little pieces of history, wherein it myself, it falling out well too for that, to be hard upon the post hours, ere I thought of writing. Therefore Good-night, is all I add ; for whatsoever hour it comes to your hand, I believe you are as sensible as I that it is still night; but the comfort is, it draws nigh towards that bright morning that shall make amends. Your weary Fellow-pilgrim, R. L. may be you will find small relish, but the hazard is small; and, however, I pray you do not send them back to me at all, for I have enough of that kind. The one is of a good pen, and an acquaintance and friend of yours, Paulus Noloneas, and his Life of Martin of Tours, I think you will relish, and I believe is not in your Vile Patrum. The other, Valerius Maximus, I conceived, would cloy you the le s, because it is of so much variety of selected examples, and the stages are so short, you may begin and leave It may be Mr. Ogle did not think me in off where you will, without wearying. But earnest when I desired him to spy out a when all is done, there is one only blessed hermitage for me; but if one remote enough story wherein our souls must dwell and take were offered, I know not how it might up their rest; for amongst all the rest we tempt me. Meanwhile it is well; but if shall not read, Venite ad me, omnes lassi et you say any thing of this, then it will cost laborantes, et ego vobis requiem prestado; you withal the remembering my service and never any yet that tried him, but found to him and the rest. If you write again, him as good as his word to whose sweet I pray you load not the back of your let-embraces I recommend you, and desire to ters with any more than this, To Mr. meet you there. Robert Leighton, at Edinburgh; for by that it will not fail to find me out, and that answers the end, and you see I give you example. OCT. 24, 1659. Yours, R. L. SIR, THE answer I intended your letter was a THOUGH I desired you to forbear for a while visit, and that not en passant. Though I the pains of sending me the book you spoke spoke and once had thoughts of Newcastle of, I know it was your kindness pressed you for some days, my last purpose was no furto send it, and I thank you. I cannot say ther than Ingram, unless it had been with I have read it through, but divers passages you to Wittingham, to see your honest of it I have; and though I approve the de- neighbour Mr. Hume; which if you think sign of it and all such writings so far as I of it when you meet, it may be you will tell understand, and what I understand not, ad- him. Nor was this a mere thought, for I venture not to judge of, but rather implicitè was on my way towards you as far as Ginthink the best of it, yet I must confess, their glekirk, whence I returned back to my lodge, lowest rules that are laid as the foundation finding myself not well, by reason, I think, of their structure, I find of most use; and, of not scarce having been on horseback twice could I duly follow them, either I should these many months. I am yet in a little insensibly be raised to those greater sublimi- distemper; of which, though I apprehend ties they speak of, if the great Lover of souls no great height nor long continuance, yet I saw any such thing good for me, or I should am doubtful whether I shall again, this va humbly and contentedly live without them, cation, attempt any further than Pentland which possibly would do as well till the day Hills. But it is no matter; blessed be He come of fullest and purest intuitive life, in whom souls may meet and concentre in which I live in the hopes of as not far off constant rest, and in renewed thoughts and Meanwhile I think I have at a venture given desires intervisit, every day, in despite of up with the contemptible desires and designs large lumps of earth. And, in much greater of this present world, and must have either matters, how little imports the defeat of our something beyond them all, or nothing at purposes as to any thing without us, if it all; and though this Bogogos van, this please him to shine on and advance our great base clod of earth I carry still depresses me, business within! O! what is all the world I am glad that even because it does so, I to it, to that bright purity we aspire to, and loathe and despise it; and would say, major the blessed eternity we hope for! And how sum, et ad majora genitus, quam ut man- great reason have we to say, non magna recipium sim istis corpusculis. I have sent linquo, magna sequor! I thank you for the notice of your capuchin; but I almost loves truth and devotion wheresoever he finds knew that he was not here before I looked. it, even in the greatest crowd of error or It is true the variety of his book refreshes us, superstition about it. He hath a cell and and by the happy wording, the same things a provision amongst the hills in the border not only please, but sometimes profit us; of England, but is threatened with a removal, but they tell us no new thing, except it may upon the title of an old incumbent, who is be some such thing as, I confess, I under-at London or near it. If you be acquainted stand not, of essential unions and sleeps of with Dr. Cozens, bishop of Durham, or can the soul; which because I understand them recommend him to him by any that is, not, would rather disorder and hinder than if he himself desire it; or in any other way advance me; and therefore I begin to be can assist him, I entreat it of you. Mrs. unwilling to look over these and such like, Abernethy tells me her son is in the King's unless I would pick out here and there such Life-Guards: if you meet with him, and by things as I am capable of, and not meet recommending him to my Lord Gerrard's with those steep ascents which I dare not favour, who commands it, or in any thing venture on. But dear à Kempis is a way else you can do him good, you will oblige to it, and oh! that I could daily study more, both me and the honest widow. She makes and attain more sublime, humble devotion often mention of you. Cher Frère, Adieu. there drawn to the life...... ...most soaring treatises I have ever yet met with, find any th.... ........certain and solid use that is there not plainly and Di..... proque est paucis opus et................paucis libris ad bona me...............could we once thoroughly despise our own base flesh, and the vain opinion of the world, and live in the Divine will, as dead to all things beside, and gladly take the lowest room, he can, if he please, call for us to go up higher. Oh, but the misery to have sin, lust, and pride, and self-will, and self-love, and desire of esteem amongst men, not only living, but, alas, lively and strong; and yet, however it be, let us not faint in our minds, for in the name of the Lord we shall destroy them. And in the meantime, blessed-ever blessed be his name, who hath called us to fight under his royal standard, and given us to resolve to live and die there. Amen. Your Fellow-soldier, No. V. R. L. MARCH 5. For Sir Ellis Leighton, No. VI. DEAR FRIEND, R. L. I WISH, after your resolution taken, and I think σ s, you had barred the door on all suggestions from without and within, that might have changed or in the least disturbed it. Sure I am the reason that convinced you is still the same, that what you may do, you may also promise if it be required; and I believe the design was so like to make you serviceable to God, and to souls that he hath bought, that you would never have had just reason to repent it. The like I dare not say of you now recoiling; and if I might again prevail with you, I entreat you to re-advise the thing betwixt God and your own heart, and that cleared, as much as you can, from all mist, both of the fancy of others and your own melancholy. If you would meet me at Culross or Lithgow any time the next week, and send me word what day or hour you choose, I would endeavour I WROTE to you lately, and troubled you not to fail, or if coming to Edinburgh to with the story of my present and daily grow-speak with you (though at this time well I ing unhealthiness, which cannot add much, cannot) might be likely to do any help tobut something it does, to my wonted long-wards dispelling the cloud that hath overcast ings for the evening, not without hopes that your mind, I would not grudge the pains. it shall likewise prove a bright and sweet All I can do at this distance, is to look morning. Meanwhile it is no great matter up to heaven, who alone powerfully can do where I pass the few hours that remain, yet it, and in his blessed hand I leave it, and I told you I had some thoughts of spending you, and myself, and all that concerns us, them nearer you, but have not yet resolved; and all the world; and whatsoever you do, but that and all shall be disposed of as is never doubt the unalterable affection of best. Mr. Aird, who gives you this, I Your Friend, believe, you have heard me speak of, as one acquainted with my free thoughts, and that hath himself a free, unprejudiced soul, and DEAR BROTHER, R. L. No. VII. Your Friend and Servant. bearing to write; for you eaunot out know that letters sent by the post are broken open SIR, very frequently, if not constantly of late; and other way I know none. I often entreated that WHAT the opportunity is that may en-favour of my John to inquire at your sisters gage you where you are, seeing you express it how you were, if she did hear, and if she not, I cannot particularly know: but what- knew any safe convey of letters to you; but soever it is, I shall be glad if it suit your he did as he uses to do in divers of the few mind, and if I could do you any real furthe-letter services I have for him, and I am berance in any such thing, I think I need not holden to his neglects. Meanwhile my not tell you how ready the occasion would find forgetting you, you may be assured of, while me. Here I see nothing at present worth I shall continue to remember myself. When the thinking on for you, unless you have a I think how little or nothing it is my letters mind to try a course of tilting for a Regency speak other than some short word, dropped in Philosophy, as they call it, which is likely as it comes, reflecting to you some of your to be vacant here very shortly, Mr. Wise- own thoughts, I am pained with your recman being upon the point of leaving it and koning them any thing at all. Your impartgoing to sleep. If you find a stomach to ing the particulars relating to yourself, though it, all I can promise is, endeavour to see fair in extrinsic things, I do very heartily thank play; and if you make one you would be you for; for such communications are a re sure to win, if it depended on the wishes of, doubling the pleasure in them: and seeing SIR, our great Father's love descends to the ordering of the low concernments of our life, we were very unwise and ungrateful not to observe them, who hath made flies with so much art, and is truly magnus in minimis. Courage, it shall be well; we follow a conquering general; yea, who hath conquered already; et qui semel vicit pro nobis, semper vicet in nobis. For myself at present, I am, I SHOULD please myself very much in (as we use to say,) that is, this little condoing any thing towards your repose; but temptible lodge of mine is, not very well; there is nothing such as I wish within my but that will pass some way or other, as it reach, nor within my view. The humanity is best; and even while the indisposition place will either not be vacant, or if it be, lasts, Oh! how much doth it heighten the think we shall break it for some reason. Of sweet relish of peace within, of which I canthe other I wrote to you, you can only judge not speak highly; for to you I speak just as whether it suits your genius and inclination; it is.' But methinks I find a growing conneither (if it did) have I power to promise tempt of all this world, and consequently any thing but heavy endeavours if I see it some further degrees of that quiet which is feasible, having no assurance of prevailing. only subject to disturbance by our inordinate But one thing I am sure of, and so are you, fancies and desires, and receding from the and it is enough, that to them that fear the blessed centre of our rest: for hurries of Lord and trust in him, no good thing shall the world you know the way, Isa. xxvi. 20; be wanting. The choosing of some dubious and in these retiring rooms we meet and be steps of our way may now and then be a safe and quiet. That you may speak of the little troublesome, but the comfort is, the shock seeming to threaten your Order, I am journey will be quickly done, and then we hope to be where there are no desires nor deliberations of change of quarters. I am, Yours. SIR, No. VIII not afraid of at all, neither for you nor myself, nor the generality of the rest; but you may be assured, that, in that case, the lot of those in my posture will be the same with yours. Sed Jehovah regnat, circuitor Gentis et cum reliquis etiam insula. Farewell, dear I suppose you have heard of Mr. Andrew Yours. No. IX. No. X. DEAR FRIEND, SIR, WHETHER you know the particular pur I THINK Vou know the reason of my for-port of the enclosed you sent me, I know not; were together, I should not very eagerly dispute the matter with you, far less will I by scribbling. Let your heart keep near to him, and be daily purging out all that may interpose and obstruct our closest union, and we have nothing else to care for. This moment is posting away, and that blessed day is hastening forward that shall complete that union. Pray for your lame Fellow-traveller, R. L. but it is to quit Ten Pounds sterling sup-can mould either your heart or theirs you posed due to me from the party that pleads have to do withal, as he thinks fit, and it inability: and doubtless your recommenda-shall be as it is best to be; therefore if we tion, together with the charity of the thing, (if it shall appear to be so,) would easily give law to me for a greater sum than that. But the truth is, there is a main mistake in the business, for it is not payable to me, and therefore no way in my power, for my Lord Bargeny hath a lease of all my little dues in these parts for nineteen years, upon very easy terms as they inform me; yet whether he will consider that so as to make such an abatement of what is now his due and not mine, I cannot tell; neither have I any power to carve upon what is his without paying it back, or some way compensing it to him myself; and yet even that I shall not decline, if, after you and I both know the more particular state of the business and the person, you shall judge it reasonable. This is all I can say to that at present; and I will not enter upon any other discourse by this; for the truth is, there is little to be said and much to be done. You and I are, I trust, upon a design that will reflect a very low estimate upon all below it, and it shall certainly succeed if we be careful to stick to our Leader, and follow him. Pray for Your poor Friend and Servant, MARCH, 1670. To the Rev. Mr. AIRD, Minister at Tory. No. XI. DEAR FRIEND, R. L. I should chide you, if I could do it sharply enough, for entertaining the least thought of any such jealousy, as I think very incongruous with the strength and mutual confidence of solid friendship. Received at Carmarthen, 14th MAY, 1668. SIR, No. XII. WAVING all other discourse till meeting, though you are possibly enamoured with your vacancy, yet if you find any return of appetite to employment in the ministry, I am once again to offer you an invitation, for there is a place or two now vacant at my disposal. It is true it is by the removal of the former incumbents against their will, but you are not guilty of that by succeeding them, nor I by giving a call to any that will; for you may be sure they are not within the bounds I have charge of, but in other dioceses. There is one place indeed in my precincts now vacant, and yet undisposed of, by the voluntary remove of a young man that I AM very sorry for the indisposition you likewise in my hand; but it is so wretchedwas in it to a better benefice, and this is are under, but I assure you I do not value ly mean a provision, that I am ashamed to myself, nor any thing I say or do either upon name it, little I think above five hundred this or any other occasion, worth your pains marks a-year. If the many instances of that of writing, far less on a journey hither; yet kind you have read have made you in love I should gladly enjoy your mistake in think- with voluntary poverty, there you may have ing otherwise, if I was in a posture capable it; but wheresoever you are or shall be for of the pleasure others have of your abode the rest of your time, I hope you are advanunder my roof for some longer time. The cing in that blessed poverty of spirit that is persons you mention in order to that affair, the only true height and greatness of spirit &c. I have not seen nor heard any thing in all the world entitling to a crown, from any of them since my last, nor expect theirs is the kingdom of heaven." that I shall till the beginning of June, at what are the scraps that the great ones of Edinburgh, where I intend (God willing) this world are scrambling for compared with to be, and desire, if it may be, to see you that pretension! I pray you, as you find an there. I have thoughts of going thither opportunity, though possibly little or no insomewhat before that time, and therefore, if clination to it, yet bestow one line or two I did not signify such to you, I fear you might miss me if you came hither. As for the business, it is very safe, with all our other interests of Time and Eternity, in our Blessed Father's hand, of all Fathers upon Your poor Friend and Servant, "for Oh ! R. L. Edinburgh, JULY 5, 1662. the wisest and the best. He, I am sure, To Mr JAMES AIRD. |