A57970:418
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 WILLIAM RIGGE. of Atherny. (68)
Worthy & much honoured Sir.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: How sad a prisoner would I be, if I knew not that my Lord Jesus had the keys of the prison himself, & that his death & blood hath bought a blessing to our crosses aswell as to our selves. I am sure, troubles have no prevailing right over us, if they be but our Lord's Sergeants to keep us in ward while we are in this side of heaven: I am persuaded also, that they shall not go over the bound-road, nor enter in to heaven with us; for they find no welcome there, where there is no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither any more pain: & therefore we shall leave them behind us. Oh if I could get as good a gate of sin, even this woeful & wretched body of sin, as I get of Christ's cross! Nay ⟨p. 150⟩indeed I think the cross beared b•th me & it self, rather then I it, in comparison of the tyranny of the lawless flesh & wicked neighbour that dwelleth beside Christ's new creature: But Oh, this is that which presseth me down, & pai•eth me: Jesus Christ in his saints sitteth neighbour with an ill second, corruption, deadness, coldness, pride, lust, worldliness, self-love, security, falsehood, & a world of •o• the like, which I find in me, that are daily doing violence to the new man. O but we have cause to carry low sails, & to cleave fast to free grace, free, free grace! Blessed be our Lord that ever that way was found out: If my one foot were in heaven & my soul half in, if free-will & corruption were absolute Lords of me, I should never win wholly in. O but the sweet, new & living way that Christ hath stroke up to our home, be a safe way! I find now presence & access a greater dainty then before, but yet the bridegroom looketh through the lattes & through the hole of the door. O if he & I were in fair dry land together in the other side of the water. Grace be with you.