A57970:306
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.
Worthy & Dear Brother.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I long to see you in this Northern world in paper; I know it is not forgetfulness that ye write not: I am every way in good case both in soul & body, all honour & glory be to my Lord: I want nothing but a further revelation of the beauty of the unknown Son of God. Either I know not what Christianity is, or we have stinted a measure of so many ounce weights, & no more upon holiness, & there we are at a stay, drawing our breath all our life: a moderation in God's way, now, is much in request. I profess I have never taken pains to find out him whom my soul loveth, there is a gate yet of finding out Christ, that I have never lighted upon. Oh if I could find it out! Alas how soon are we pleased with our own shadow in a glass! It were good to be beginning in sad earnest to find out God, & to seek the right tread of Christ: time, custom, & a good opinion of our selves, our good meaning, & our lazy desires, our fair shows, & the world's glistering lustres, & these broad passements & buskings ⟨p. 105⟩of religion, that bear bulk in the Kirk, is that wherewith most satisfy themselves: but a watered bed with tears a dry throat with praying, eyes a fountain of tears for the sins of the land is rare to be found among us. Oh if we could know the power of godliness! This is one part of my case, & an other is, that I like a fool once summoned Christ for unkindness, & complained of his sickelness & unconstaney, because he would have no more of my service nor preaching, & had cast me out of the inheritance of the Lord: And I confess now, this was but a bought plea, & I was a fool, yet he hath born with me: I gave him a fair advantage against me, but love & mercy would not let him take it: & the truth is, now he hath childed himself friends with me, & hath taken away the mask, & hath renewed his wonted favour in such a manner, that he hath paid me my hundred-fold in this life; & one to the hundred. This prison is my banqueting house, I am handled as softly & delicately as a dawted child: I am nothing behind (I see) with Christ, he can in a month make up a years losses: & I write this to you, that I may entreat, nay, adjure & charge you, by the love of our well beloved to help me to praise, & to tell all your Christian acquaintance to help me, for I am as deeply drowned in his debt, as any Dyvour can be: