A57970:1380
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 43: To Mistress HUME. (43.)Part 2 › Letter 43: To Mis•ress HUME. (43.)
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 HUME. (43.)
To Mis•ress HUME. (43.)
Loving Sister.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you; If ye have any thing better then the husband of your youth, ye are Jesus Christ's de•ter for it: Pay not then your debts with grudging: Sorrow may diminish from the sweet fruit of righteousness; but quietness, silence, submission & faith, put a crown upon your sad losses: ye know whose voice the voice of a crying rod is. ⟨p. 528⟩Micah. 6. 9. The name & majesty of the Lord is written on the rod, read & be instructed: Let Christ have the room of the husband, he hath now no need of you or of your love; for he enjoyeth as much of the love of Christ as his heart can be capable of: I confess it is a dear-bought experience to teach you to undervalue the creature; yet it is not too dear if Christ think it so. I know that the disputing of your thoughts against his going thither, the way & manner of his death, the instruments, the place, the time, will not ease your spirit, except ye rise higher then second causes, & be silent because the Lord hath done it: If we measure the goings of the Almighty & his ways, the bottom whereof we see not, we quite mistake God: O how little a portion of God see we! He is far above our ebb & narrow thoughts: He ruled the world in wisdom, ere we creatures of yesterday were born, & shall rule it when we shall be lodging beside the worms & corruption: Only, learn heavenly wisdom, self-denial & mortification by this sad loss: I know that it is not for nothing (except ye deny God to be wise in all he doeth) that ye have lo one in earth: There hath been too little of your love & heart in heaven, & therefore the jealousy of Christ hath done this: It is a mercy that he contendeth with you & all your lovers: I should desire no greater savour for my self, then that Christ laid a necessity & took on such bonds upon himself; Such an one I must have, & such a soul I cannot live in heaven without.