A57970:1372
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 Mistress TAYLOR. (41)
MISTRESS.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: Though I have no relation worldly or acquaintance with you, yet (upon the testimony & importunity of your Elder son now at London, where I am, but chiefly because I esteem Jesus Christ in you to be in place of all relations] I make bold in Christ to speak my poor thoughts to you concerning your Son lately fallen asleep in the Lord [who was some time under the ministry of the worthy servant of Christ, my fellow-labourer Mr Blair, and by whose ministry I hope he reaped no small advantage] I know, grace rooteth not out the affections of a mother, but putteth them on his wheel who maketh all things new, that they may be refined, therefore sorrow for a dead child is allowed to you, though by measure & ounce-weights; the redeemed of the Lord have not a dominion or Lordship over their sorrow & other affections, to lavish out Christ's goods at their pleasure; for ye are not your own, but bought with a price, & your sorrow is not your own, nor hath he redeemed you by halves; & therefore ye are not to make Christ's cross no cross: He commandeth you to weep, & that Princely one who took up to heaven with him a man's heart, to be a compassionate high priest, became your fellow & companion on earth by weeping for the dead Joh. 11: 35. And therefore ye are to love that cross, because it was once on Christ's shoulders before you; so that by his own practice he hath overgilded and covered your cross with the Mediator's lustre: The cup ye drink was at the lip of sweet Jesus, & he drank of it, & so it hath a smell of his breath: And I conceive ye love it not the worse that it is thus sugared, therefore drink & believe the resurrection of your Son's body: If one coal of hell could fall off the exalted head Jesus, Jesus the Prince of the Kings of the earth, & burn me to ashes, knowing I were a partner with Christ, & a