A57970:150
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
Part 1 › Letter 15: To the right honourable & Christian Lady, my Lady BOYD. (15)
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 right honourable & Christian Lady, my Lady BOYD. (15)
MADAM.
Grace, mercy and peace be to you, from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ: I cannot but thank your La: for your Letter that hath refreshed my soul. I think my self many ways obliged to your La: for your love to my ⟨p. 42⟩afflicted brother, now embarked with me, in that same cause: his Lord hath been pleased to put him upon truths side: I hope your La: will befriend him with your counsel, and countenance in that country, where he is a stranger: & your La: needeth not fear but your kindness to his own, shall be put up in Christs accounts. Now Madam for your La: case, I rejoice exceedingly that the Father of lights, hath made you see, that there is a ni•• in Christianity, which ye contend to be at; & that is to quit the right eye, & the right hand, & to keep the Son of God: I hope your desire is to make him your garland, & your eye looketh up the mount, which certainly is nothing but the new creature: fear not, Christ will not cast water upon your smoking coal, & then who else dare do it, if he say nay? Be sorry at corruption & not secure, that companion lay with you in your mothers womb, & was as early friends with you, as the breath of life, & Christ will not have it otherwise; for he delighteth to take up fallen bairns & to mend broken brow•: binding up of wounds, is his office: Isai. 61. First, I am glad Christ will get employment of his calling in you, many a whole soul is in heaven, which was sicker then ye are: He is content ye lay broken arms, & legs on his knee, that he may spelk them. 2. Hiding of his face is wise love, his love is not fond, doting, & reasonless, to give your head no other pillow, while ye be in at heavens gates, but to lie betwixt his breasts, & lean upon his bosom: Nay his bairns, must often have the frosty cold side of the hill, & set down both their bare feet among thorns: His love hath eyes, & in the mean time is looking on. Our pride must have winter weather to rot it. But I know Christ & ye shall not be heard, ye will whisper it over betwixt your selves, & agree again, for the Anchor-tow abideth fast within the veil; the end of it is in Christ's ten fingers, who dare pull if he hold? I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying, fear not, I will help thee: