A57970:426
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 the Lady CRAIGHALL. (70)
Honourable and Christian Lady.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I cannot but write to your La: of the sweet & glorious terms I am in with the most joyful King that ever was, under this well thriving & prosperous cross: it is my Lord's salvation wrought by his own right hand, that the water doeth not suffocate the breath of ••pe & joyful courage in the Lo•d Jesus: For his own person is still in the camp with his poor soldier. I see, the cross is tied with Christ's hand to the end of an honest profession: We are but fools to endeavour to loose Christ's knot. When I consider the comforts of God, I durst not consent to sell or wood-set my short life-rent of the cross of the Lord Jesus. I know that Christ bought with his own blood a right to sanctified & blessed crosses, in as far, as they blow me over the water to my long desired home: & it were not good that Christ should be the buyer & I the seller. I know time & death shall take sufferings fairly off my hand: I hope we shall have an honest parting at night, when this piece cold & frosty afternoon-tide of my evil & rough day, shall be over: Well is my soul of either sweet or sour that Christ hath any part or portion in: if he be at the one end of it, it hall be well with me. I shall die ere I libel faults against Christ's cross; it hall have my testimonial under my hand, as an honest & saving mean of Christ for mortification & faith's growth. I have a stronger assurance since I came over Forth, of the excellency of Jesus then I had before. I am rather about him then in him, while I am absent from him in this house of clay: But I would be in heaven for no other cause, but to essay & try, what boundless joy it must be, to be over head & ears in my well-beloved Christ's love. O that fair one hath my heart for evermore! but alas, it is over little for him! O if it were better & more worthy for his sake! O if I might meet with him face to face in this side of eternity, & might have