A57970:107
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.
Grace, Mercy & peace be to you: I received your La: letter, it refreshed me in my heaviness: the blessing & prayers of a prisoner of Christs come upon you. Since my coming hither, Galloway sent me not a line, except what my Brother, Earlstoun, & his son did write: I cannot get my papers transported: but Madam I want not kindness of one, who hath the gate of it, Christ (if he had never done more for me since I was borne) hath engaged my heart, & gained my blessing, in this house of my pilgrimage. It pleaseth my well beloved to dine with a poor prisoner, and the Kings spikenard casteth a fragrant smell: nothing grieveth me, but that I eat my feasts my alone, and that I cannot edify his saints: O that this Nation knew what is betwixt him and me, none would scar at the cross of Christ! my silence eats me up, but he ⟨p. 24⟩hath told me, he thanketh me no less, then if I were preaching daily, he sees how gladly I would be at it, & therefore my wages are going to the fore up in heaven, as if I were still preaching Christ. Captains pay duly bedfast soldiers, howbeit they dow not march, nor carry armour; Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall […] be glorious in the eyes of my Lord, & my lord shall be my strength, If•• 49: 5. my garland, The Banished Minister, (the te•ne of Aberdeen) ashameth me not: I have seen the white side of Christs cross, lovely, hath he been to his oppressed servant: Psal. 146: 7. The Lord executeth judgement for the oppressed, he giveth food to the hungry, the Lord looseth the prisoner, the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down, the Lord preserveth the stranger. If it were come to exchanging of crosses, I would not exchange my cross with any, I am well-pleased with Christ, & he with me; I hope none shall hear us. It's true for all this, I get my meat with many strokes, and am seven times a day up & down, & am often anxious, & cast down for the case of my oppressed brother, yet I hope the Lord will be surety for his servant. But now upon some weak, very weak experience, I am come to love a rumbling and raging devil be it, seeing we must have a devil to hold the saints waking, I wish a cumbersome devil, rather then a secure & sleeping one. At my first coming hither, I took the dorts at Christ; and took up a stomach against him, I said he had cast me over the dike of the vineyard, like a dry tree;