A57970:1007
Joshua Redivivus, or Mr. Rutherford's Letters
Joshua redivivus, or, Mr. Rutherford's letters divided into two parts, the first, containing these which were written from Aberdeen, where he was confined by a sentence of the high commission ... partly on account of his non-conformance : the second, containing some which were written from Anwoth ... / now published for the use of all the people of God ... by a well-wisher to the work & people of God.Joshua redivivus, or, Mr. Rutherfoord's letters divided into two parts, the first, containing these which were written from Aberdeen, where he was confined by a sentence of the high commission ... partly on account of his non-conformance : the second, containing some which were written from Anwoth ... / now published for the use of all the people of God ... by a wellwisher to the work & people of God.
Rotterdam? : s.n., 1664
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
To Mr THOMAS GARVEN. (188.)
Dear Brother.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I rejoice that ye cannot be quite of Christ [if I may speak so] but he must, he will have you: Betake your self to Christ, my dear Brother: It is a great business to make quite of superfluities & of these things which Christ cannot dwell with. I am content with my own cross, that Christ hath made mine by an eternal lot, because it is Christ's & mine together. I marvel not that winter is without heaven, for there is no winter within it: All the saints therefore have their own measure of winter before their eternal summer. Oh for the long day & the high sun & the fair garden & the King's great city up above these visible heavens! What God layeth on, let us suffer: For some have one cross, some seven, some ten, some half a cross, yet all the saints have whole & full joy, & seven crosses have seven joys. Christ is cumbered with me [to speak so] & my cross, but he falleth not off me, we are not at variance. I find the very glooms of Christ's wooing a soul, sweet & lovely: I had rather have Christ's buffet and love-stroke then another King's kiss: Speak evil of Christ who will, I hope to die with love-thoughts of him. Oh that there are so few tongues in heaven and earth to extol him! I wish his praises go not down amongst us: Let not Christ be low & lightly esteemed in the midst of us, but let all hearts & all tongues cast in their portion & contribute something to make him great in mount Zion. Thus recommending you to his grace, & remembering my love to your wife & mother & your kind brother R. & entreating you to remember my bonds, I rest.
GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I rejoyce that ye cannot be quite of Christ [if I may speak so] but he must, he will have you: Betake your self to Christ, my dear Brother: It is a great business to make quite of superfluities & of these things which Christ cannot dwell with. I am content with my own cross, that Christ hath made mine by an eternal lot, because it is Christ's & mine together. I marvel not that winter is without heaven, for there is no winter within it: All the saints therefore have their own measure of winter before their eternal summer. Oh for the long day & the high sun & the fair garden & the King's great citie up above these visible heavens! What God layeth on, let us suffer: For some have one cross, some seven, some ten, some half a cross, yet all the saints have whole & full ioy, & seven crosses have seven ioyes. Christ is cumbred with me [to speak so] & my cross, but he falleth not off me, we are not at variance. I finde the very glooms of Christ's wooing a soul, sweet & lovely: I had rather have Christ's buffet and love-stroke then another King's kiss: Speak evil of Christ who will, I hope to die with love-thoughts of him. Oh that there are so few tongues in heaven and earth to extoll him! I wish his praises goe not down amongst us: Let not Christ be low & lightly esteemed in the midst of us, but let all hearts & all tongues cast in their portion & contribute something to make him great in mount Zion. Thus recommending you to his grace, & remembring my love to your wife & mother & your kinde brother R. & entreating you to remember my bonds, I rest.