A57970:1085
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 the Lady CULROSS. (205)
MADAM.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I am much refreshed with your letter, now at length come to me. I find my ⟨p. 393⟩Lord Jesus cometh not in that precise way that I lay wait for him, he hath a gate of his own: O how high are his ways above my ways! I see but little of him: It is best not to offer to learn him a lesson, but to give him absolutely his own will in coming, going, ebbing, flowing & in the manner of his gracious working. I want nothing but a back burden of Christ's love: I would go through hell & the thick of the damned Devils to have a hearty feast of Christ's love, for he hath fettered me with his love, & run away & left me a chained man. Woe is me that I was so loose, rash, vain & graceless in my unbelieving thoughts of Christ's love: But what can a soul under a non-entry [when my rights were wood-set and lost] do else, but make a false libel against Christ's love? I know your self, Madam, and many moe will be witnesses against me, if I repent not of my unbelief; for I have been seeking the Pope's wares, some hire for grace within my self: I have not learned as I should do, to put my stock & all my treasure in Christ's hand, but I would have a stock of mine own, & ere I was aware, I was taking hire to be the Law's advocate, to seek Justification by works: I forgot that grace is the only garland that is worn in heaven upon the heads of the glorified. And now I half rejoice that I have sickness for Christ to work upon: since I must have wounds, well's my soul I have a day's work for my Physician Christ: I hope to give Christ his own calling, it setteth him full well to cure diseases. My ebbings are very low & the tide is far out when my Beloved goeth away; & then I cry, Oh cruelty! to put out the poor man's one eye & that, that was my joy next to Christ, to preach my well beloved, then I make a noise about Christ's house, looking uncouth-like in at his window & casting my love & my desires over the wall, till God send better. I am often content my bill lie in heaven, till the day of my departure, providing I had assurance that mercy shall be written on the back of it: I would not care for on-waiting, but when I draw in a tired arm & empty hand withal, it is much to me; to keep my thoughts in order; but I will not get a gate for Christ's love: When I have done all I can I would fain yield to