A57970:1254
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 KENMURE. (21)
MADAM.
All dutiful obedience in our Lord remembered. I know ye are now near one of these straits in which ye have been before: But because your outward comforts are fewer, I pray him whose ye are, to supply what ye want, an other way: for howbeit we cannot win to the bottom of his wise Providence who ruleth all: yet it is certain, this is not only good which ⟨p. 469⟩the Almighty hath done, but it is best: & he hath reckoned all your steps to heaven, & if your La: were through this water, there are the fewer behind; & if this were the last, I hope your La: hath learned by on-waiting to make your acquaintance with Death, which being to the Lord, the woman's seed Jesus, only a bloody heel & not a broken head, Gen. 3: 15. cannot be ill to his friends, who get f•r less of Death then himself: Therefore, Madam, seeing ye know not but the journey is ended & ye are come to the water-side, in God's wisdom look all your papers & your counts, & whether ye be ready to receive the Kingdom of heaven as a little child, in whom there is little haughtiness & much humility. I would be far from discouraging your La: but there is an absolute necessity, that near eternity, we look ere we leap, seeing no man winneth back again to mend his leap. I am confident your La: thinketh often upon it, & that your old guide shall go before you & take your hands His love to you will not grow sour nor wear out of date, as the love of men, which groweth old & grey haired often before themselves. Ye have so much the more reason to love a better life then this, because this world hath been to you a cold fire, with little heat to the body & as little light, & much smoke to hurt the eyes: But, Madam, your Lord would have you thinking it but day breasts, full of wind & empty of food. In this late visitation that hath befallen your La e have seen God's love & care in such a measure, that I thought, our Lord brake the sharp point off the cross, & made us and your La: see Christ take possession, and infestment upon earth of him who is now reigning & triumphing with the hundred forty & four thousand, who stand with the Lamb on mount Zion. I know, the sweetest of it, is bitter to you; but your Lord will not give you painted crosses: