A57970:1115
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. (211)
MADAM.
Your letter came in due time to me, now a prisoner of Christ & in bonds for the Gospel: I am sentenced with deprivation, & confinement within the town of Aberdeen: but Oh my guiltiness, the follies of my youth, the neglects in my calling, & especially in not speaking more for the Kingdom, crown & sceptre of my royal & princely King Jesus, do so stare me in the face, that I apprehend anger in that which is a crown of rejoicing to the dear saints of God! This before my compearance [which was three several days] did trouble me, & burdeneth me more now; howbeit Christ, & in him, God reconciled, met me with open arms, & trysted me precisely at the entry of the door of the Chancellor's hall, & assisted me to answer so, as the advantage that is, is not their's but Christ's. Alas! There is no cause of wondering that I am thus born down with challenges, for the world hath mistaken me, & no man knoweth what guiltiness is in me, so well as these two [who keep my eyes now waking & my heart heavy] I mean, my Heart & Conscience, & my Lord who is greater then my Heart. Show your brother that I desire him while he is on the watch-tower to plead with his mother, & to plead with thi•land, & spare not to cry for my sweet Lord Jesus his fair crown, that the interdicted & forbidden Lords are plucking off his royal head. If I were free of challenges & a High Commission within my soul. I would not give a straw to go to my father's house through ten deaths for the truth & cause of my lovely, lovely one▪ Jesus: But I walk in heaviness now. If ye love me & Christ in me, my dear Lady, pray, pray for this only, that by-goings betwixt my Lord & me may be by-goings, & that he would pass from the summons of his High Commission, & seek nothing from me, but what he will do for me & work in me. If your La: knew me as I do my self, ye would say, Poor soul, no marvel. It is not my apprehension that createth this cross to me, it is too real & hath sad &