6th of September, 1676
Dear Friend,
Last night thy acceptable letter came to my hands, in which my Spirit was refreshed, in a sense that the Lord continueth his love to thee....I doubt not but thy brother would have kept his word in speaking to the King in my behalf, but it so happened that at that time he had a sore leg (of which he is since recovered) so that I could not make use of him, with no small difficulty I obtained a kind of recommendation from the King to the council of state, but such is the opposition and enmity of the world's spirit against us, and the influence of the chief Bishops who sit in Council, that no release for the prisoners could be obtained, so that they must patiently suffer till the Lord in his own time work their deliverance, who will suffer them to continue no longer there than is good for their souls and his own glory and indeed they have great reason to be contented, for the glory and heavenly majesty of the Lord doth singularly every day appear among them, and the virtuous Life of Jesus doth often flow among them as a mighty stream....Thus are shut up together forty-two men in one great room who not of self will nor their own choice but by the providence of God are placed for a time together in a heavenly community.
...I this day take my journey towards them, not doubting but I shall be taken and shut up with
them and with all cheerfulness of spirit am prepared to partake with them of their bonds, not
doubting but I shall also share of their joys...It will be a very refreshful and comfortable to me in
my prison to hear of thee, for thy prosperity and increase in the truth is desired by me as that of
my own soul...
Thy faithful friend,
R. Barclay
1. 1.. Ibid., pages 48-50.