A57970:328
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.
But the new Covenant seeketh not heap mete nor stented obedience as the condition of it, because forgiveness hath always place. Hence I draw this conclusion: To think matters betwixt Christ & us go back for want of heaped measure, is a piece of old Adam's pride, who would either be at legal payment or nothing: We would still have God in our common & buy his kindness with our merits; for beggarly pride is Devil's honest, & blusheth to be in Christ's common, & scarce giveth God a grammercy & a lifted cap [except it be the Pharisee's unlucky God I […] thee] or a bowed knee to Christ: it will only give a good-day for a good-day again; & if he dissemble his kindness as it were in jest & seem to misken it, it in earnest spurneth with the heels & snuffeth in the wind, & careth not much for Christ's kindness: If he will not be friends let him go, saith pride: beware of this thief, when Christ offereth himself. 3. No marvel then of whisperings, whether you be in the Covenant or not? For Pride it maketh loose work of the Covenant of grace, & will not let Christ be full bargain maker. To speak to you particularly & shortly. 1. All the truly regenerated cannot determinately tell you the measure of their dejections, because Christ beginneth young with many & stealeth into their heart ere they wit of themselves & becometh homely with them with little din, or noise. I grant, many are blinded in rejoicing in a good-cheap conversion, that never cost them a sick night; Christ's physic wrought in a dream upon them: But for that, I would say; if other marks be found that Christ is indeed come in, never make a plea with him because he will not answer, Lord Jesus how camest thou in? whether in at door or window? Make him welcome since he is come. The wind bloweth where it listeth; all the world's wit cannot perfectly render a reason, why the wind should be a ⟨image 81⟩⟨image 82⟩⟨p. 113⟩month in the east, six weeks possibly in the west: & the space only of an afternoon in the south or north: Ye will not find ••t all the nicks & steps of Christ's way with a foul do what ye can; for sometimes he will come in stepping softly, like one walking beside a sleeping person & slip to the door, & let none know he was there. 2. Ye object, the truly regenerate should love God for himself: & ye fear that ye love him more for his benefits (as incitements & motives to love him) then for himself.