Rutherford Revised (192)

192. To To the Lady Cardoness     From Aberdeen 1637

(See letters 100 and 103. Thought to be wife of John Gordon of Cardoness, Elder, see letter 82)

My dearly beloved and longed for in the Lord, - Grace mercy and peace be to you. I long to hear how your soul prospers and how the kingdom of Christ thrives in you. I encourage you and beg you in Christ, do not be faint nor weary.There is a great need for heaven; you must have it. All other things like houses, lands, children, husband, friends country, credit, health, wealth and honour may be lacked; but heaven is your one thing needed, the good part of that will not be taken from you. See then that you buy the field where the pearl is. Sell all and purchase salvation. Do not think it easy; for it is a steep climb to eternal glory; many are lying dead by the road who were killed by security.
   I have now been led by the Lord Jesus to such a place in Christianity, so I think little of past things. Oh, what I want! I want so many things, that I am almost asking if I have anything at all. Everyone thinks he is rich enough in grace, until he takes out his purse and counts his money and then he finds his resources poor and slim in the day of hard testing. I found I had not enough for my expenses and I would have fainted if want and poverty had not chased me to the storehouse of everything.
   I beg you be conscientious about your ways. Deal conscientiously and kindly with your tenants. To fill a gap or a hole, do not make a greater gap in the conscience. I wish plenty of love to your soul. Let the world be the share of bastards; do not make it yours. After the last trumpet blows, the world and all its glory will be like an old house burnt to ashes, and like an old fallen castle without a roof.Fy, fy upon us fools who think ourselves in debt to the world! My Lord has brought me to this, that I would not give a drink of cold water for this world's kindness. I am amazed that men long after,love or care for these feathers. It is almost a strange world to me. To think that me are so mad as to bargain with dead earth! To lose conscience and get clay again is a strange bargain!
   I have written my thoughts at length to you husband. Write to me again about his situation. I cannot forget him in my prayers; I am looking up (Ps 5:3). Christ has some claim on him. My advice is that you be patient with him when temper drives him, "A soft answer turns away wrath.' Answer what he says, and respond to him in the fear of God; and then that way you will lighten your heavy cross by a one weight and so it will become light.
   When Christ hides Himself, be patient, and make a noise until He returns; it is not then time to be carelessly patient. I love to be sad when He hides His smiles. Believe His love in a patient waiting and believing in the dark. You must learn to swim and hold up your head above the water even when the sense of His presence is not with you to hold up your chin. I trust in God that he will bring your ship safe to land. I advise you to study sanctification, and to be dead to this world. Encourage Knockbrex to be kind. Make the effort to benefit from his company; the man knows Christ.
   I ask for the help of your prayers, for I do not forget you. Advise your husband to fulfil my joy, and to seek the Lord's face. Show him from me that my joy and wish is to hear that he is in the Lord. God often brings him to my mind, I cannot forget him. I hope that Christ and he have something to do together. Bless John from me. I write blessings to him and to your husband and to the rest of your children. Let it not be said, 'I am not in your house.' through neglect of the Sabbath exercise. 
   Your lawful and loving pastor in his only, only Lord,  S.R.