A57970:1463
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.
Much honoured & worthy Sir.
IT is considerable; that the Lord may, & often doeth call to a work, & yet hide himself, & try the faith of his own: If I conceive aright, the Lord hath called you to act against that enemy, & the withdrawers of their sword, in my weak apprehension, add their seal unto, & take upon them the guilt of that unjust invasion of this Land, made by Cromwell's Army, & of the blood of the Lord's people in this Kingdom; since the sword put into the hand of his Children is to execute wrath & vengeance upon evil doers: the Lord's time of appearing for his broken Land, is reserved to the breathings of the Spirit of the Lord, such as came upon Gideon & Sampson, & that is an Act of princely & royal sovereignty in God: Ye are, Sir, to lay hold on ⟨p. 555⟩opportunities of providence & to wait for him. As for your particular treating by your selves with the invaders of our land, I have no mind to it, & do look upon their way as a carrying on of the mystery of iniquity [for Babylon is a seat of many names] Sir, let this controversy stand undecided till the second appearance of Jesus Christ, & our Appeal lye before the throne undiscussed till that day: I hope to lie down in the grave, in the faith of the justness of our cause: I speak nothing of the maintaining the greatness of men, not subordinate to the Prince of the Kings of the earth: I Judge that the blood of the witnesses of Jesus is found upon the skirts of this society; as well as in Babylons skirts: I believe the way of the Lord is Col: Gilbert Ker's strength, & glory, & should be content to want my part of him (which is, I confess, precious & dear in Christ) so, he be spent in the service of him, who will anon make inquisition for the blood of the truly godly, which these men have shed after fair warning that they were the godly of Scotland. Worthy Sir, believe, faint not, set your shoulder under the glory of Jesus, that is misprised in Scotland, & give a testimony for him, he hath many names in Scotland who shall walk with him in white: This despised Covenant shall ruin Malignants, Sectaries & Atheists: Yet a little while & behold he cometh, & walketh in the greatness of his strength, & his garments dyed with blood. Oh for the sad & terrible day of the Lord upon England, their ships of Tarshish, their fenced Cities, &c. because of a broken Covenant!