A57970:453
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.
Much honoured Sir.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I can do no more but thank you in paper, & remember you to him whom I serve, for your kindness & care of a prisoner. I bless the Lord, the cause I suffer for needeth not to blush before Kings: Christs white, honest & fair truth needeth neither wax pale for fear, nor blush for shame. I bless the Lord who hath graced you to own Christ now, when so many are afraid to profess him, & hide him for fear they suffer loss by avouching him. Alas that so many in these days are carried with the times: As if their conscience rolled upon oiled wheels so do they go any way the wind bloweth them, & because Christ is not market-sweet, men put him away from them. Worthy & much honoured Sir, go on to own Christ & his oppressed truth: The end of sufferings for the Gospel is rest and gladness: light & joy is sown for the mourners ⟨p. 161⟩in Zion and the harvest [which is of God's making for time & manner] is near: Crosses have right & claim to Christ in his members, till legs & arms & whole mystical-Christ be in heaven: There will be rain & hail & storm••n the saints clouds, ever till God cleanse with fire the works of creation, & till he burn the botch-house of heaven & earth that mens sin hath subjected unto vanity. They are blessed who suffer & sin not, for suffering is the badge that Christ hath put upon his followers. Take what way we can to heaven, the way is hedged up with crosses, there is no way, but to break through them; wit & wiles, shifts & laws will not find out a way about the cross of Christ but we must through, one thing by experience my Lord hath taught me, that the waters betwixt this & heaven may all be ridden if •e be well horsed, I mean if we be in Christ, & not one shall drown by the way but such as love their own destruction. Oh if we could wait on for a time & believe in the dark the salvation of God! At least we are to believe good of Christ till he give us the slip [which is impossible] & to take his word for caution that he shall fill up all the blanks in his promises & give us what we want: but to the unbeliever Christ's Testament is white, blank, unwritten paper, worthy and dear Sir, set your face to heaven & make you to stoop at all the low entries in the way: that ye may receive the Kingdom as a child: without this, he that knew the way said, there is no entry in. O but Christ be willing to lead a poor sinner!