A57970:1015
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 JOHN CLARK. (190.)
Loving Brother.
Hold fast Christ without wavering, & contend for the faith, because Christ is not easily gotten nor kept: The lazy professor hath put heaven [as it were] at the very next door, & thinketh to fly up to heaven in his bed and in a night-dream; but truly that is not so easy a thing as most men believe: Christ himself did sweat ere he won this city, howbeit he was the freeborn Heir. It is Christianity, My heart, to be sincere, unfeigned, honest & upright-hearted before God, & to live & serve God, suppose there were not one man or woman in all the world dwelling beside you to eye you: Any little grace that ye have, see that it be sound & true: Ye may put a difference betwixt you and reprobates if ye have these marks. 1. If ye prize Christ & his truth so, as ye will sell all & buy him & suffer for it. 2. If the love of Christ keepeth you back from sinning more then the Law or fear of hell. 3. If ye be humble, & deny your own will, wit, credit, ease, honour, the world & the vanity & glory of it. 4. Your profession must not be barren & void of good works. 5. Ye must in all things aim at God's honour, ye must eat, drink, sleep, buy, sell, sit, stand, speak, pray, ⟨p. 368⟩read, and hear the word with a heart-purpose that God may be honoured. 6. Ye must show your self an enemy to sin, and reprove the works of darkness, such as drunkenness, swearing & lying, albeit the company should hate you for doing so. 7. Keep in mind the truth of God that ye heard me teach, and have nothing to do with the corruptions and new guises entered into the house of God. 8. Make conscience of your calling, in covenants, in buying & selling. 9. Acquaint your self with daily praying, commit all your ways & actions to God by prayer, supplication & thank giving, and count not much of being mocked; for Christ Jesus was mocked before you. Persuade your self that this is the way of peace and comfort I now suffer for, I dare go to death & in to eternity with it, though men may possibly seek another way. Remember me in your prayers, & the state of this oppressed Church. Grace be with you.