A57970:129
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 to you: I am refreshed with your Letter: the right hand of him to whom belong the issues from death, hath been gracious to that sweet child, I dow not, I do not forget him, & your La: in my prayers. Madam for your own case, I love careful, and withal doing-complaints of want of practice, because I observe many who think it holiness enough, to complain and set themselves at nothing; as if to say I am sick, would cure them: they think complaints a good charm for guiltiness. I hope ye are wrestling & struggling on, in this dead age, wherein folks have lost tongue, and legs and arms for Christ. I urge upon you Madam, a nearer communion with Christ and a growing communion: There are curtains to be drawn by, in Christ, that we never saw; and new foldings of love in him: I despair that ever I shall win to the far end of that love, there are so many plies in it. Therefore dig deep, and sweat, and labour, and take pains for him; and set by so much time in the day for him; as you can: he will be win with labour. I, his exiled prisoner sought him, and he hath rued upon me, and hath made a moan for me, as he doth for his own, Jer. 31: 20. Isa 45: 11. and I know not what to do with Christ, his love surroundeth, and surchargeth me. ⟨p. 32⟩and burdened with it, but O how sweet & lovely is that burden, I dow not keep it within me: I am so in love with his love, that if his love were not in heaven, I would be unwilling to go there. O what weighing & what telling is in Christs love! I fear nothing now so much, as the laughing of Christs cross, & the love-showers that accompany it: I wonder what he meaneth to put such a slave at the board-head, at his own elbow. Oh that I should lay my black mouth to such a fair, fair, fair face as Chri•s: but I dare not refuse to be loved, the cause is not in me why he hath looked upon me, & loved me, for he got neither bud nor hire of me, it co•t me nothing, it is good cheap love. O the many pound-weights of his love under which I am sweetly pressed! Now Madam, I persuade you, the greatest part but play with Christianity, they put it by hand easily: