A57970:1483
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 my Lady KENMURE. (63)
MADAM.
GRace• mercy & peace be to you: We are fallen in win•owing & trying times: I am glad that your breath serveth you to run to the end, in the same condition & way wherein ye have walked these twenty years past: It is either the way of peace, or, we are yet in our sins, & have missed the way: the Lord [it's true] hath stained the pride of all our glory, & now last of all the sun hath gone down upon many of the Prophets; but stumble not, men are men, & God appeareth more & more to be God, ⟨p. 565⟩& Christ it still Christ. Madam, stronger then I am, had, almost stumbled me & cast me down; But O what mercy is it, to discern betwixt what is Christ's & what is man's, & what way the hew, colour & lustre of gifts & grace, dazzle & deceive our weak eyes! Oh to be dead to all things that are below Christ, were it even a created heaven & created grace! Holiness is not Christ, nor are the blossoms & flowers of the tree of life, the tree it self: Men & creatures may wind themselves in between us & Christ; & therefore the Lord hath done much to take out of the way all betwixt him and us: There are not in our way now, Kings, or Armies, or Nobles, or Judicatories, or strong holds, or watchmen, or godly professors: The fairest things & most eminent in Britain are stained and have lost their lustre: Only, only Christ keeps his greenness & beauty, & remaineth what he was: Oh! If he were more & more excellent to our apprehensions then ever he was [whose excellency is above all apprehensions] & still more & more sweet to our taste, I care for nothing, if so be I were nearer to him, & yet he flieth not from me, I flee from him, but he pursueth. I hear your La: hath the same esteem of the despised cause & Covenant of our Lord, ye had before: Madam, hold you there: I dare & would gladly breath out my spirit in that way, with a nearer communion & fellowship with the Father & the Son, & would seek no more, but, that I might die, believing: And also I would hope that the earth shall not cover the blood of the Godly slain in Scotland; but that the Lord will make inquisition for their blood, when the sufferings of the saints in these lands shall be fulfilled. The goodwill of him that dwelt in the bush be with you.