A57970:111
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 honourable & truly noble lady, the VISCOUNTESS of KENMURE. (7)
To the honourable & truly noble lady, the VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE. (7)
MADAM.
Grace, mercy & peace be to your La: I long to hear from you, I am here waiting if a good wind long-looked for, sha•• at length blow in Christs sails in this land: But I wonder if Jesus be not content, to suffer more yet in his members, & cause, & beauty of his house; rather then he should not be avenged upon this land: I hear many worthy men (who see more in the Lords dealing, then I can take up with my dim sight) are of a contrary mind, & do believe the Lord is coming home again to his house in Scotland: I hope he is on his journey that way, yet I look not, but that he shall feed this land, with their own blood, before he establish his throne amongst us: I know your Honour is not looking after things here-away, ye have no great cause to think, that your stock, & principal, is under the roof of these visible heavens: & I hope ye would think your self a beguiled and cozened Soul if it were so, I would be sorry to counsel your La: to make a covenant with time, & this life; but rather desire you to hold in fair generals, & far off, from this ill founded heaven that is on this side of the water. It speaketh some what, when our Lord bloweth the bloom off our daft hopes in this life, & loppeth the branches of our worldly joys well nigh the root, on purpose, that they should not thrive. Lord spill my fools heaven in this life, that I may be saved for ever. A forfeiture of the saints part of the yolk and marrow, of short-laughing happiness worldly; is not such a real evil, as our blinded eyes do conceive: I am thinking long now for some deliverance, more then before; but I know I am in an error: It is possible I am not come to that measure of trial, that the Lord is seeking in his work. If my friends in Galloway would effectually do for my deliverance, I would exceedingly rejoice: but I know not, but the Lord hath a way, whereof he will be the only reaper of praises. Let me know with the bearer, how the child is, the Lord be his