A57970:39
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.
As for the letters themselves, I shall not offer to commend them, they had letters of recommendation deeply engraven on the hearts of all who have seen them, & can savour the things that are of God; this they had I say, amongst them who have their senses exercised to discern good & evil, long before they were made thus public in the world; so they need not my commendation, nor will the detraction of any, who have a mind for that, blast their reput; as they are above the one, so they despise the other; but sure I am, this may be said, if thou hast any acquaintance with the sweet breathings of the spirit of God, if thou hast ever seen by tasting how good he is, or hast found what soul-anguish doth follow upon the hiding of his face from a person, who hath placed his satisfaction so entirely in the light of his countenance lifted up upon the soul, that the man cannot ⟨image 15⟩enjoy himself, when he doth not enjoy him, but carries as one deprived of all that, which made life more desirable then death; if thou be such I say, then thou wilt find somewhat hereto take thee: here thou wilt perceive both these conditions set before thine eye, & exemplified in an eminent saint: thou wilt both find what a heaven the saints have, or is to be had in this side of glory & how, as a sensible presence makes them forget all their sorrows, so, a felt absence doth embitter a•l their other enjoyments.
As for the letters themselves, I shall not offer to commend them, they had letters of recommendation deeply engraven on the hearts of all who have seen them, & can savour the things that are of God; this they had I say, amongst them who have their senses exercised to discern good & evil, long before they were made thus publike in the world; so they need not my commendation, nor will the detraction of any, who have a minde for that, blast their reput; as they are above the one, so they dispise the other; but sure I am, this may besaid, if thou hast any acquaintance with the sweet breathings of the spirit of God, if thou hast ever seen by tasting how good he is, or hast found what soul-anguish doth follow upon the hiding of his face from a person, who hath placed his satisfaction so entirly in the light of his countenance lifted up upon the soul, that the man cannot ⟨image 15⟩enjoy himself, when he doth not enjoy him, but carries as one deprived of all that, which made life more desirable then death; if thou be such I say, then thou wilt finde somwhat hereto take thee: here thou wilt perceive both these conditions set before thine eye, & examplified in an eminent saint: thou wilt both finde what a heaven the saints have, or is to be had in this side of glory & how, as a sensible presence maks them forget all their sorrowes, so, a felt absence doth imbitter al their other enjoyments.