A57970:415
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 my Lord CRAIGHALL. (67)
My Lord.
I cannot expound your Lo: contrary tides and these tentations wherewith ye are assaulted to be any other thing but Christ trying you, & saying unto you & will ye also leave me. I am sure Christ hath a great advantage against you, if ye play foul play to him, in that the holy Spirit hath done his part, in evidencing to your conscience, that this is the way of Christ wherein ye shall have peace, & the other, as sure as God liveth, the Antichrist's way: Therefore as ye fear God, fear your light & stand in awe of a convincing conscience: it is far better for your Lo: to keep your conscience, & to hazard in such a honourable cause, your place; then wilfully & against your light to come under guiltiness: Kings cannot heal broken consciences; & when death & judgement shall comprise your soul, your counsellors & others cannot become caution to Justice for you. Ere it be long our Lord will put a final determination to Acts of Parliament & mens laws, & will clear you before men & Angels of mens unjust sentences. Ye received honour, & place, & Authority, & riches & reputation from your Lord, to set forward & advance the liberties & freedom of Christ's Kingdom: Men whose consciences are made of stoutness, think little of such matters, which notwithstanding encroach directly upon ⟨p. 149⟩Christ's prerogative royal. So would men think it a light matter for UZZah to put out his hand to hold the Lord's falling ark, but it cost him his life. And who doubteth but a carnal friend will advise you to shut your window & pray beneath your breath: Ye make too great a d•• with your prayers, so would a head-of-wit speak, if ye were in Daniel's place: But mens overgilded reasons will not help you when your conscience is like to rive with a double charge. Alas, alas, when will this world learn to submit their wisdom to the wisdom of God. I am sure your Lo: hath found the truth; go not then to search it over again; for it is ordinary for men to make doubts, when they have a mind to desert the truth. Kings are not their own men, their ways are in God's hand. I rejoice & am glad that ye resolve to walk with Christ, howbeit his court be thin. Grace be with your Lo: