A57970:1337
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
Part 2 › Letter 34: To the much honoured PETER STIRLING. (34)
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 much honoured PETER STIRLING. (34)
Much honoured & worthy Sir.
I Received yours, & cannot but be ashamed that mistaking love hath brought me in court & account in the heart of God's children, especially of another nation: I should not make a lye of the grace of God, if I should think I have little share of it my self: O how much better were it for me to stand in the counting table of many for a half-penny & to be esteemed a liker rather than a lover of Christ! If I were weighed, vanity should bear down the scale, as having weight in the balance above me; except my lovely Saviour should cast in beside me some of his borrowed worth; & Oh if I were writing now sincerely in this extenuation, which may be & I fear is, subtle & cozening pride! I would I could love something of heaven's worth in you & all of your metal. O how happy were I, if I could regain & conquer back from the creature my sold & lost love, that I might lay it upon heaven's jewel, that ever, ever blooming flower of the highest garden, even my soul-redeeming & never-enough prized Lord Jesus! O that he would wash my love & put it on the Mediator's wheel & refine it from it's dross & tin, that I might propine & gift that Lord so love-worthy, with all my love! Oh if I could set a lease of thousands of years & a suspension of my part of heaven's glory, & first till a long day my desired salvation, so being I could in this lower kitchen & under-vault of his creation, be feasted with his love, & that I might be a footstool for his glory before men & Angels! Oh if he would let out heaven's fountain upon withered me, dry & sapless me! If I were but sick of love for his love [& O how would that sickness delight me!] How sweet would that easing & refreshing pain be to my soul! I shall be glad to be a witness to behold the Kingdom: of the world become Christ's: I could stay out of heaven many years to see that victorious triumphing Lord act ⟨p. 511⟩