A57970:1306
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.
a drink of Christ's love, which is better then wine, is the drink-silver which Suffering for his majesty leaves behind it: it is not your sins which they persecute in you, but God's grace, & loyalty to King Jesus: they see no treason in you to your Prince, the King of Britain, albeit they say so, but it is heaven in your that earth is fighting against, & Christ is owning his own cause: grace is a party that fire will not burn, not water drown: when they have eaten & drunken you, their stomach shall be sick, & they shall spue you out alive. O what glory is it to be suffering abjects, for the Lord's glory & royalty! Nay, though his servants had a body to burn for ever, for this Gospel, so being that triumphing & exalted Jesus his high glory did rise out, of these flames & out of that burning body, Oh, what a sweet fire! O what soul-refreshing torment should that be! What if the pickles of dust & ashes of the burnt & dissolved body, were musicians to sing his praises, & the highness of that never-enough-exalted Prince of ages? O what love is it in him, that he will have such musicians as we are to tune that Psalm of his everlasting praises in heaven! Oh what shining & burning flames of love are these, that Christ will divide his share of life, of heaven & glory with you. Luk. 22. 29. Joh. 17: 24. Rev. 3: 21. A part of his throne, one draught of his wine (his wine of glory & life, that comes from under the throne of God & of the Lamb) & one apple of the tree of life will do more then make up all the expenses & charges of clay, lent out for heaven. ⟨p. 493⟩Oh! Oh but we have short & narrow & creeping thoughts of Jesus, & do but shape Christ in our conceptions according to some created portraiture! O Angels, lend in your help to make love-books & songs of our fair & white & ruddy standard-bearer amongst ten thousand! O heavens! O heaven of heavens! O glorified tenants & triumphing house-holders with the Lamb, put in new Psalms & love-sonnets of the excellency of our bridegroom & help us to set him on high! O indwellers of earth & heaven, sea & air! & O all ye created beings within the bosom of the outmost circle of this great world! O come help to set on high the praises of our Lord! O fairness of creatures, blush before his uncreated beauty! O created strength, be amazed to stand before your strong Lord of hosts!