A57970:1432
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 M. O. (53)
Sir.
I can write nothing for the present concerning these times [what ever others may think] but that which speaketh wrath & judgement to these Kingdoms. If ever ye, or any of that Land received the Gospel in truth [as I am confident, ye and they did] there is here a great departure from that faith, and our sufferings are not yet at an end. However, I dare testify and die for it, that once Christ was revealed in the power of his excellency and glory to the saints there, and in Scotland, of which […] was a witness. I pray God, none deceive you or take the ⟨p. 545⟩crown from you: Hell or the gates of Hell cannot ravel, mar, or undo what Christ hath once done amongst you. It may be that I am uncapable of new light, & cannot receive that Spirit [whereof some vainly boast) but that which was from the beginning which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, & our hands have handled, even the word of life, 1 Joh. 1: 2, 3. hath been declared to you: Thousands of thousands walking in that light & that good old way, have gone to heaven & are now before the throne: Truth is but one, & hath no numbers. Christ & Antichrist are both now in the camp, & are come to open blows: Christ's poor ship saileth in a sea of blood, the passengers are so sea-sick of a high fever, that they miscall one another, Christ [I hope] shall bring the broken bark to land: I had rather swim for life & death on an old plank, or a broken board, to land with Christ, then enjoy the rotten peace we have hitherto had. It is like, the Lord will take a severe course with us, to cause the children of the family agree together. I conceive that Christ hath a great design of free grace to these Lands; but his wheels must move over mountains & rocks: He never yet wooed a Bride on earth, but in blood, in fire, & in the wilderness. A cross of our own choosing, honeyed & sugared with consolations, we cannot have: I think not much of a cross when all the children of the house weep with me & for me, & to suffer when we enjoy the communion of Saints, is not much; but it is hard when Saints rejoice in the suffering of Saints & redeemed ones hurt, yea, even go nigh to hate redeemed ones. I confess, I imagined there had no more been such an affliction on earth, or in the world, then that one elect Angel should fight against another: