A57970:1048
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
Part 1 › Letter 197: To his Reverend & Dear Brother Mr DAVID DICKSON. (197)
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 his Reverend & Dear Brother Mr DAVID DICKSON. (197)
My Reverend & Dear Brother.
I Fear ye have never known me well: If ye saw my inner side, it is possible ye would pity me, but ye would hardly give me either love or respect: Men mistake me the whole length of the heavens: My sins prevail over me & the terrors of their guiltiness: I am put often to ask, if Christ & I did ever shake hands together in earnest, I mean not that my feast-days are quite gone; but I am made of extremities: I pray God ye never have the woeful & dreary experience of a closed mouth; for then ye shall judge the sparrows that may sing in the Church of Irwin, blessed birds: But my soul hath been refreshed & watered, when I hear of your courage & zeal for your never-enough-praised, praised Master, in that ye put the men of God, chased out of Ireland, to work: O if I could confirm you! I dare say in God's presence, That this shall never hasten your suffering, but shall be David Dickson's feast and speaking joy, that while he had time and leisure, he put many to work, to lift up Jesus, his sweet Master, high in the skies. O man of God, go on, go on, be valiant for that plant of renown, for that chief among ten thousands, for that Prince of the Kings of the earth: It is but little that I know of God, yet this I dare write, Christ shall be glorified in David Dickson, howbeit Scotland be not gathered: I am pained, pained, that I have not more to give my sweet bridegroom: His comforts to me are not dealt with a niggard's hand, but I would fain learn not to idolize comfort, sense, joy, and sweet felt-presence: All these are but creatures, and nothing but the kingly robe, the Gold-ring and the Bracelets of the Bridegroom: The Bridegroom himself is better then all the ornaments that are about