A57970:1416
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 Mr I. G. (50)
Reverend & dear Brother
I shall with my soul desire the peace of these Kingdoms, & I do believe, it shall at last come as a river & as the mighty waves of the sea; but O that we were ripe & in readiness to receive it! The preserving of two or three or four or five berries in the outmost boughs of the Olive-tree after the vintage, is like to be a great matter ere all be done: yet I know, a Cluster in both Kingdoms shall be saved, for a blessing is in it: but it is not [I fear] so near to the dawning of the day of Salvation, but that the clouds must send down moe showers of blood, to water the vineyard of the Lord, & to cause it to blossom. Scotland's scum is not yet removed, nor is England's dross & tin taken away, nor the filth of our blood purged by the spirit of judgement & the spirit of Burning. But I am too much on this sad subject. As for my self, I do esteem nothing out of heaven and next to a communion with Jesus Christ, more, then to be in the hearts & prayers of the saints: I know, he feedeth there amongst the lies till the day break: but I am at a low ebb, as to any sensible communion with Christ, yea, as low as any soul can be, & do scarce know where I am, & do now make it a Question, If any can go to him who dwelleth in light inaccessible through nothing but darkness? Sure, all that come to heaven have a stock in Christ, but I know not where mine is: It cannot be enough for me to believe the Salvation of others, & to know Christ to be the honey-comb, the Rose of Sharon, the Paradise & Eden of the Saints & first-born written in heaven, & not to see afar the borders of that good land: But what shall I say? Either this is the Lord making grace a new creation, where there is pure nothing & sinful nothing to work upon, or I am gone. I should count my soul engaged to your self & others there with you, if ye would but carry to Christ for me a letter of ciphers & non-sense [for I know not how to make language of my condition] only showing that I have need of his love; for I know, many fair & washen ones