A57970:333
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 51: To JOHN STUART. Provest of Ayr, now in Ireland. (51)
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 STUART. Provest of Ayr, now in Ireland. (51)
Much honoured Sir.
Grace, mercy & peace be unto you: I long to hear from you, being now removed from my flock & the prisoner of Christ at Aberd: I would not have you to think it strange that your journey to New-England hath gotten such a dash: It indeed hath made my heart heavy, yet I know it is no dumb providence but a speaking one, whereby our Lord speaketh his mind to you, though for the present ye do not well understand what he saith, however it be, he who sitteth upon the floods hath shown you his marvellous kindness in the great depths: I know your loss is great & your hope is gone far against you; But I entreat you, Sir, expound aright our Lord's laying an hinderance is the way: I persuade my self your heart aimeth at the footsteps of the flock, to feed beside the shepherds tents, ⟨p. 117⟩& to dwell beside him whom your soul loveth, & that it is your desire to remain in the wilderness where the woman is kept from the Dragon, & this being your desire, remember that a poor prisoner of Christ said it to you, that, That miscarried journey is with child to you of mercy & consolation: and shall bring forth a fair birth, and the Lord shall be midwife to the birth: wait on, he that believeth maketh not haste, Isa: 28. 16. I hope ye have been asking what the Lord meaneth & what further may be his will in reference to your return: my dear Brother, let God make of you what he will, he will end all with consolation, & shall make glory out of your sufferings, & would ye wish better work: this water was in your way to heaven & written in your Lord's book, ye behooved to cross it: & therefore kiss his wise & unerring providence: Let not the censures of men, who see but the out side of things [& scarce well that] abate your courage & rejoicing in the Lord, howbeit your faith seeth but the black side of providence, yet it hath a better side. & God shall let you see it. Learn to believe Christ better then his strokes, himself & his promises better then his glooms: dashes & disappointments, are not Canonic scripture; fighting for the promised land, seemed to cry to God's promise, thou lyest. If our Lord ride upon a straw, his horse shall neither stumble nor fall,