A57970:1071
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 my Lady BOYD. [202.]
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: Few [I believe] kn•w the pain & torment of Christ's fristed love, fristing of Christ's presence is a matter of torment. I know a poor soul that would lay all oars in the water for a banquet or feast o•• Christ's love. I cannot think but it must be uptaking & sweet to see the white & red of Christ's fair face; for he is white & ruddy & the chiefest among ten thousands. Cant, 5, 10. I am sure that ⟨p. 389⟩must be a well made face of his, heaven must be in his visage; glory, glory for evermore must •it on his countenance. I dare not curse the mask & covering that is on his face, but O if there were a hole in it! O if God would tear the mask! Fie, fie upon us, we were never shamed till now• that we do not proclaim our pining & languishing for him. I am sure, never tongue spake of Christ as he is: I am still of that mind and still will be, that we wrong & undervalue that holy, holy One in having such short and shallow thoughts of his weight & worth. O if I could have but leave to stand beside & see the Father weigh Christ the Son, if it were possible! But how every one of them comprehendeth another, we who have eyes of clay cannot comprehend: But it is pity for evermore & more then shame, that such an one as Christ, should sit in heaven his alone for us: To go up thither one's errand and on purpose to see, were no small glory. O that he would strike out windows & fair and great lights in this old house, this fallen down soul, and then set the soul near hand Christ, that the rays & beams of light & the soul-delighting glances of the fair, fair God-head, might shine in at the windows & fill the house! A fairer & more near & direct sight of Christ would make room for his love, for we are but pinched & straitened in his love: Alas it were easy to measure & weigh all the love that we have for Christ by inches and ounces! Alas that we should love by measure & weight, and not rather have floods & feasts of Christ's love! Oh that Christ would break down the old narrow vessels of these narrow & ebb souls; & make fair, deep, wide & broad souls, to hold a sea & a full tide flowing over all it's banks, of Christ's love! Oh that the Almighty would give me my request!