Dear Friend,
The sense and constant remembrance which I entertain in my Spirit of that good opportunity
which it pleased the Lord to minister unto us when together, would long e'er now have engaged
me to write unto thee, but that I was not willing to do any thing in the forwardness of my own
Spirit...The Lord seems to have laid a particular care and concern upon me which I am very
willing to answer, for He hath kindled that love in my heart for thee which I shall not adventure to
express lest I might seem to exceed....I shall be glad to hear from thee as thou finds true freeness
to let me know how things are with thee, let these transmit the remembrance of my true and
unfeigned love to the Countess of Homes, I hope she hath held her resolutions of learning to read
and understand English, which it may please the Lord to bless unto her. I delivered thy letter to
thy brother, who was civil to me, I also took occasion from thence to employ him to be assisting
to me in an address I intend to make to the King in behalf of my father, and about forty more of
our Friends that are about some months ago imprisoned in Scotland for conscience sake, in which
he promised his concurrence; if it prove successful it is well, if not, it is well also we must be
contented to suffer, and I shall go home cheerfully, willing to partake with them of their bonds, I
intend to send thee some books which I hope may be useful unto thee, but above all I recommend
thee to that inward word of grace in which thou can read thyself and learn to know the Lord, in
which pure and fruitful knowledge that thou may more and more advance is the earnest desire of
Thy Assured Friend in the love of Jesus,
R. Barclay
1. 1.. Cadbury, M. Christabel. Robert Barclay: His Life and Work. London: Headly Brothers, 1912, pages 44-46.