A57970:198
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 26: To JOHN GORDON, Of Cardoness elder. (26)
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 JOHN GORDON, Of Cardoness elder. (26)
Honourable & dearest in the Lord. Your Letter hath refreshed my soul. My joy is fulfilled, if Christ and ye ⟨p. 60⟩be fast together: ye are my joy & my crown: ye know I have recommended his love to you. I defy the world, Satan, & sin, His love hath neither brim nor bottom in it. My dearest in Christ, I write my souls desire to you: heaven is not at the next door: I find Christianity an hard task: set to it in your evening: we would all keep both Christ & our right eye, our right hand & foot; but it will not be with us. I beseech you, by the mercies of God; and your compearance before Christ, look Christs count book and your own together, and collation them: give the remnant of your time to your soul: this great Idol-god, the world, will be lying in white ashes, in the day of your compearance; & why should night-dreams, and day-shadows & water-froth, & May-flowers run away with your heart: when we win to the water-side, and black deaths river brink, and put our foot in the boat, we shall laugh at our folly, Sir, I recommend you unto the thoughts of death, and how ye would wish your soul to be, when ye shall lie cold, blew, ill-smelling clay. For any hireling to be intruded, I being the Kings prisoner can not say much, but as Gods minister I desire you to read, Act. 2, 15, 16. to the end, & Act. 6. 2, 3, 4, 5. & ye shall find God's people, should have a voice in choosing Church-rulers & teachers. I shall be sorry if willingly ye shall give way to his unlawful intrusion upon my labours: The only wise God direct you. God's grace be with you.