A57970:1053
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 198: To His Reverend & dear Brother Mr JOHN LIVINGSTONE. (198)
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 JOHN LIVINGSTONE. (198)
My Reverend & dear Brother
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear from you, & to be refreshed with the comforts of the bride of our Lord Jesus in Ireland: I suffer with you in grief, for the dash that your desires to be at N. E: have received of late: But if our Lord, who hath skill to bring up his children, had not seen it your best, it should not have befallen you: Hold your peace & stay your selves upon the holy one of Israel: hearken what he saith in crossing of your desires, he will speak peace to his people. I am here removed from my flock, & silenced & confined in Aberdeen, for the testimony of Jesus: And I have been confined in spirit also with desertions & challenges: I gave in a bill of quarrels & complaints of unkindness against Christ, who seemed to cast me over the dike of the vineyard as a dry tree, & separated me from the Lord's inheritance: But high, high & loud praises be to our royal crowned King in Zion, that he hath not burnt the dry branch: I shall yet live & see his glory. Your Mother-church for her whoredom is like to be cast off: The bairns may break their heart to see such chiding betwixt the husband & the wife. Our Clergy is upon a Reconciliation with the Lutherians, & the Doctors are writing books, & drawing up a Common Confession at the Council's command: Our Service-book is proclaimed with sound of trumpet: The night is fallen down upon the Prophets: Scotland's day of visitation is come: It is time for the bride to weep, while Christ is a saying, He will choose another wife: But our sky will clear again: The dry branch of cut-down Lebanon will bud again & be glorious, & they shall yet plant vines upon our mountains. Now, My dear Brother, I write to you for this end, that ye may help me to praise, and seek help of others with you that God may be glorified in my bonds. My Lord, Jesus hath