A57970:172
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 Boyd. (20)
MADAM.
Grace, mercy & peace be unto you: the Lord hath brought me to Aberd: where I see God in few. This town hath been advised upon of purpose for me: It consisteth either of Papists, or men of Gallio's naughty faith, it is counted wisdom in the most, not to countenance a confined Minister, but I find Christ neither strange nor unkind; for I have found many faces smile upon me since I came hither. I am heavy and sad, considering what is betwixt the Lord & my soul, which none seeth but he. I find men have mistaken me, it would be no art (as I now see) to spin small, and make hypocrisy, seem a goodly web, and to go through the market as a saint among men, & yet steal quietly to hell, without observation: So easy is it to deceive men. I have disputed whether or no I ever knew any thing of Christianity, save the letters of that name: Men see but as men, and they call ten twenty, and twenty, an hundred, but O to be approved of God in the heart, & in sincerity, is not an ordinary mercy: my neglects while I had a pulpit, & other things whereof I am ashamed to speak, meet me now, ⟨p. 51⟩so, as God maketh an honest cross, my daily sorrow, and for fear of scandal and stumbling, I must hide this day of the law's pleading: I know not, if this court kept within my soul, be fenced in Christ's name. If certainty of salvation were to be bought, God knoweth, if I had ten earths, I would not prig with God. like a fool, I believed, under suffering for Christ, that I my self should keep the key of Christ's treasures, and take out comforts, when I listed, and eat, and be fat: But I see now, a sufferer for Christ, will be made to know himself, and will be holden at the door, as well as another poor sinner; and will be fain to eat with the bairns, and to take the by-board, and glad so: my blessing on the cross of Christ, that hath made me see this. Oh if we could take pains for the Kingdom of heaven, but we sit down upon some ordinary marks of God's children; thinking we have as much as will separate us from a Reprobate, and thereupon we take the play, and cry Holy-day: & thus the devil casteth water on our fire, & blunteth our zeal and care: but I see heaven is not at the next door: & I see howbeit my challenges be many; I suffer for Christ, & dare hazard my salvation upon it, for some times my Lord cometh with a fair hour, & O but his love be sweet, delightful, & comfortable!