A57970:1066
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 201: To His reverend & dear Brother Mr JOHN NEVAY. (201)
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 NEVAY. (201)
My reverend & dear Brother.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I have exceeding many •w•ite to, else I would be kinder in paper. I rejoice that my sweet Master hath any to oack him: Thick, thick may my royal Kings Court be: O that his Kingdom, might grow! It were my joy to have his house full of guests. Except that I have some cloudy days for the most part I have a King's life with Christ, he is all perfumed with the powders of th• merchant, he hath a King's face & a King'• smell, his chariot wherein be carrieth his poor prisoner of the wood of Lebanon, it is paved with love, is not that soft ground to walk or lie on? I think better of Christ then ever I did, my thoughts of his love grow & swell on me, I never write to any of him so much as I have felt. Oh if If could write a book of Christ & of his love! Suppose I were made white ashes & burnt for this same truth that men count but as knots of straws, it were my gain, if my ashes could proclaim the worth, excellency & love of my Lord Jesus: ⟨p. 388⟩There is much telling in Christ, I give over the weighing of him, Heaven would not be the beam of a balance to weigh him in. What eyes be on me, or what wind of tongues be on me, I care not: Let me stand in this stage in the fools coat & act a fools part to the rest of this nation: If I can set my well beloved on high & witness fair for him, a fig for their Hosanna: If I can roll my self in a lap of Christ's garment, I will e there & laugh at the thoughts of dying bits of clay. Brother, we have cause to weep for our harlot-mother, her husband is sending her to Rome's brothel-house, which is the gate she liketh well: Yet I persuade you, there shall be a fair after-growth for Christ in Scotland, & this Church shall sing the Bridegroom's welcome-home again to his own house: The worms shall eat them first ere they cause Christ take good-night at Scotland. I am here assaulted with the Doctors gun, but I bless the father of lights they draw not blood of truth. I find no lodging in the heart of natural men, who are cold friends to my Master: I pray you, Remember my love to that Gentleman A. C. My heart is knit to him, because he & I have one Master. Remember my bands, & present my service to my Lord & my Lady: I wish Christ may be dearer to them, then to many of their place. Grace be with you.