A57970:236
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 Lady Earlstoun. (33)
MISTRESS.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear how your soul prospereth. I exhort you to go on in your journey: your day is short, & your afternoon-sun will soon go down: make an end of your accounts with your Lord: for Death and Judgement are tides, that bide no man: salvation is supposed to be at the door, and Christianity is thought an easy task; but I find it hard, and the way strait and narrow, were it not but my guide is content to wait on me, and to care for a tired traveller. Hurt not your conscience with any known sin: let your children be as so many flowers, borrowed from God; if the flowers die or wither, thank God for a summers-loan of them, & keep good neighbourhood, to borrow & lend with him. Set your heart upon heaven, and trouble not your spirit with this clay-Idol of the world, which is but vanity, and hath but the lustre of the Rain-bow in the air, which cometh and goeth with a flying March-shower: Clay is the Idol of bastards, not the inheritance of the children. My Lord hath been pleased to make many unknown faces laugh upon me, and hath made me well content of a borrowed fire-side, and a borrowed bed: I am feasted with the joys of the holy Ghost, & my royal King beareth my charges honourably. I love the smell of Christ's sweet breath, better then the worlds gold. I would I had help ⟨p. 76⟩to praise him. The great Messenger of the Covenant, the Son of God establish you on your rock, & keep you to the day of his coming.
GRace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to hear how your soul prospereth. I exhort you to go on in your journey: your day is short, & your afternoon-sun will soon goe down: make an end of your accounts with your Lord: for Death and Judgement are tides, that bide no man: salvation is supposed to be at the door, and Christianity is thought an easie task; but I finde it hard, and the way strait and narrow, were it not but my guide is content to wait on me, and to care for a tired traveller. Hurt not your conscience with any known sin: let your children be as so many flowers, borrowed from God; if the flowers die or wither, thank God for a summers-loan of them, & keep good neighbourhood, to borrow & lend with him. Set your heart upon heaven, and trouble not your spirit with this clay-Idol of the world, which is but vanity, and hath but the lustre of the Rain-bow in the air, which cometh and goeth with a flying March-shower: Clay is the Idol of bastards, not the inheritance of the children. My Lord hath been pleased to make many unknown faces laugh upon me, and hath made me well content of a borrowed fire-side, and a borrowed bed: I am feasted with the joyes of the holy Ghost, & my royal King beareth my charges honourably. I love the smell of Christ's sweet breath, better then the worlds gold. I would I had help