A57970:1468
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 the much honoured & truly worthy, Colonel G. KER. Habakkuk 2: 3, 4. (61.)
[To the much honoured & truely worthy, Collonel G. KER. Habakuk 2: 3, 4. (61.)
Much honoured & worthy Sir.
Your chains now shine as much for Christ, the cause being his, as your sword was made famous in acting for that ⟨p. 558⟩cause: And blessed are such as can willingly tender to Christ both action & blood, doing & suffering: Resisting unto blood is little for that precious & never-enough exalted Redeemer, who when ye were a buying, gave blood somewhat dearer then ye gave for him, even the blood of God, Act. 20: 28. I know a man who upon the receipt of a letter that ye were killed, & the people of God destroyed, wished that he might be quickly under the wall of the higher palace, from under the dint of the storm, & who longed to have the weather-beaten & crazy bark safely landed in that harbour of eternal quietness. What further service Christ hath for you I know not, it is enough, in that your captivity ye offer your service to Christ; but if I see any thing it looks like a merciful defeat. I see the Nobles & the State falling off from Christ, & the night coming upon the Prophets, which we would pray to prevent, because it is a rare thing to see a fallen star win ever up again to the firmament to shine: And what if this be the thick darkness going before the break of day. Sure, Sir, the Sun shall rise upon Scotland; but if I shall see it, or how near it is to day, I leave that to him, even unto Jehovah, who creates upon every dwelling in mount Zion, & upon her assemblies a cloud, & a smoke by day, & the shining of a flaming fire by night. But, Sir, the wilderness shall rejoice & blossom as a rose, & happy he, who hath a bone or an arm, to put the Crown upon the head of our highest King, whose chariot is paved with love: were there ten thousand millions of heavens created above these highest heavens, & again & as many above them, & as many above them, till Angels were wearied with counting, it were but too low a seat to fix the princely throne of that Lord Jesus [whose ye are] above them all: Created heavens are too low a seat of majesty for him. Since then there is none equal to your master & Prince, who hath chosen out for you amongst many sufferings for sin, that only cross, which cometh nearest in likeness to his own cross, watered with consolations, take courage, & comfort your self in him who hath chosen you to glory hereafter & to a conformity with him here: