A57970:313
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 JONET KENNEDY. (48)
Loving & Dear Sister.
Grace, mercy and peace be unto you: I received your letter: I know the savour of Christ in you (that the virgins love to follow) cannot be blown away with winds either from hell, or the evil smelled air of this polluted world: Sir for aback from the walls of this pest-house, even the pollutions of this defiling world. Keep your taste, your love and hope in heaven, it's not good your love & your Lord should be in two sundry countries. Up, up after your lover, that ye & he may be together. A King from heaven hath sent for you, by faith he showeth you the new Jerusalem, & taketh you alongst in the Spirit through all the ease-rooms, & dwelling houses in heaven, & saith, All these are thine, this palace is for thee & Christ, & if ye only had been the chosen of God, Christ would have built that one house for you and himself: Now, it is for you & many also: take with you in your journey what ye may carry with you, your conscience, faith, hope, patience, meekness, goodness, brotherly kindness; for such wares as these are of great price in the high & new country whether ye go: As for other things, that are but the world's vanity & trash, since they are but the house-sweepings, ye shall do ⟨p. 109⟩best not to carry them with you, ye found them here, leave them here, and let them keep the house. Your Sun is well turned, & low: be nigh your lodging against night. We go, one & one, out of this great market, till the town be empty, & the two lodgings Heaven & Hell be filled: At length there will be nothing in the earth but room walls & burnt ashes, & therefore it is best to make away. Antichrist & his Master are busy to plenish Hell, & to seduce many; & Stars, great church-lights, are falling from heaven, & many are missed & seduced & make up with their faith, & sell their birth-right, by their hungry hunting for, I know not what: Fasten your grips fast upon Christ, I verily esteem him the best aught that I have: He is my second in prison, having him, though my cross were as heavy as ten mountains of iron, when he putteth his sweet shoulder under me & it, my cross is but a feather. I please my self in the choice of Christ, he is my wail in heaven & earth, I rejoice that he is in heaven before me, God send a joyful meeting;