A57970:1280
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.
MADAM.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I know ye are near many comforters & that the promised comforter is near hand also: yet because I found your La: comfortable to my self in my sad days that are not yet over my head, it is my part ⟨p. 477⟩and more in many respects [howbeit I can do little, God knoweth, in that kind] to speak to you in your wilderness-lot. I know, Dear & Noble Lady, this loss of your dear child came upon you, one piece & part of it after another, & that ye was looking for it, & that now the Almighty hath brought on you that which ye feared, & that your Lord gave you lawful warning, & I hope for his sake who brewed & masked this cup in heaven, ye will gladly drink, and salute & welcome the cross. I am sure, it is not your Lord's mind to f•ed you with judgement & worm wood, & to give you waters of gall to drink, Ezek. 34. 16. Jer. 9. 15. I know your cup is sugared with mercy, & that the withering of the bloom, the flower, even the white & red of worldly joys, is for no other end, but to buy out at the ground the reversion of your heart and love. Madam, subscribe the Almighty's will, put your hand to the pen, & let the cross of your Lord Jesus have your submissive and resolute AMEN. If ye ask and try whose this cross is? I dare say, it is not all your own, the best half of it is Christ's; then your cross is no born bastard, but lawfully begotten, It sprang not out of the dust, Job. 5. 6. if Christ & ye be halvers of this suffering, & he say half mine, what should ail you? & I am sure, I am here right upon the stile of the word of God. Phil. 3. 10. The fellowship of Christ's sufferings,