A57970:1341
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 the Lady FINGASK. (35.)
MADAM.
Grace mercy & peace be to you: Though not acquainted, yet at the desire of a Christian, I make bold to write a line or two unto you by way of counsel [howbeit I be most unfit for that] I hear, and I bless the father of lights for it, that ye have a spirit set to seek God, and that the posture of your heart is to look heaven-ward; which is a work and cast of the Mediator Christ's right hand, who putteth on the heart a new frame, for the which I would have your La: to see a tie & bond of obedience laid upon you, that all may be done not so much from obligation of Law, as from the tie of free love; that the law of ransom-paying by Christ may be the chief ground of all your obedience, seeing that ye are not under the Law but under Grace: withal know that unbelief is a spiritual sin & so not seen by nature's light, & that all that Conscience saith is not Scripture: Suppose your heart bear witness against you for sins done long ago; yet because many have pardon with God, that have not peace with themselves, ye are to stand & fall by Christ's esteem & verdict of you & not by that which your heart saith: Suppose it may by accident be a good sign to be ⟨p. 512⟩jealous of your heavenly husband's love, yet it is a sinful sign: as there be some happy sins [If may speak so] not of themselves but because they are neighboured with faith and love: and so, worthy Lady, I would have you hold by this that the ancient love of an old husband standeth firm and sure, and let faith hang by this small thread, that he loved you before he laid the corner-stone of the world, & therefore, he cannot change his mind because he is God, and rests in his love; neither is sin in you, a good reason wherefore ye should doubt of him, or think because sin hath put you in the courtesy and reverence of justice, that therefore he is wroth with you: Neither is it presumption in you to lay the burden of your salvation upon one mighty to save; so being ye lay aside all confidence in your self-worth & righteousness. True faith is humble & seeth no way to escape but only in Christ: And I believe ye have put an esteem & high price upon Christ: & they cannot but believe, & so be saved, who love Christ and to whom he is precious: