A57970:1009
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 the Laird of MONCRIEFE. (189)
Much honoured Sir.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: Although not acquaint, yet at the desire of your worthy sister, the Lady Ley's, & upon the report of your kindness to Christ & his oppressed truth, I am bold to write to you, earnestly desiring you to join with us [so many as in these bounds profess Christ] to wrestle with God one day of the week, especially the Wednesday, for mercy to this fallen & decayed Kirk, and to such as suffer for Christ's name, & for your own necessities & the necessities of others who are by covenant engaged in that business: For we have no other armour in these evil times but prayers, now when wrath from the Lord is gone out against this back-sliding land: for ye know we can have no true public fasts, neither are the true causes of our humiliation ever laid before the people. Now, very worthy Sir, I am glad in the Lord, that the Lord reserveth any of your place, or of note, in this time of common Apostasy, to come forth in public to bear Christ's name before men, when the great men think Christ a cumbersome neighbour and that religion carrieth hazards, trials & persecutions with it. I persuade my self, it is your glory & your garland & shall be your joy in the day of Christ, & the standing of your house & seed to inherit the earth, that ye truly & sincerely profess Christ: Neither is our King, whom the father hath crowned in mount Zion, so weak, that he cannot do for himself & his own cause. I verily believe, they are blessed who can hold the crown upon his head and carry up the train of his robe royal, and that he shall yet be victorious and triumph in this land. It is our part to back our royal King, howbeit there were not six in all the land to follow him. It is wisdom now to take up and discern the devil & the Antichrist coming out in their whites, & the Apostasy & Idolatry of this land washen with foul