A57970:485
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.
Worthy & dear Brother.
I Forget you not in my bonds: I know ye are looking to Christ, & I beseech you, follow your look. I can say more of Christ now by experience [though he be infinitely above & beyond ⟨p. 171⟩all that can be said of him] then when I saw you. I am drowned over head & ears in his love. Sell, sell, sell all things for Christ. If this whole world were the balk of a balance, it should not be able to bear the weight of Christ's love; man & angels have short arms to fathom it: Set your feet upon this piece blew & base clay of an over-gilded & fair plastered world; an hours kissing of Christ is worth a world of worlds. Sir, make sure work or your salvation, build not upon sand, lay the foundation upon the rock in Zion: strive to be dead to this world & to your will & lusts: Let Christ have a commanding power & a King throne in you: Walk with Christ, howbeit the wind should take the hide off your face: I promise you Christ will win the field: Your pastors cause you to err; except you see Christ's word, go not one foot with them: Countenance not the reading of that Romish Service-book: Keep your garments clean, as ye would walk with the Lamb clothed in white. The wrongs I suffer are upon record in heaven: our great Master & Judge will be upon us all, & bring us before the sun in our black's & white's: Blessed are they who watch & keep themselves in God's love. Learn to discern the Bridegroom's tongue, & to give your self to prayer & reading. Ye was often a hearer of me: I would put my heart blood upon the doctrine I taught, as the only way to salvation: go not from it, my dear Brother. What I write to your self, I write to your wife also. Mind heaven & Christ, & keep the spunk of the love of Christ you have gotten; Christ shall blow on it, if ye entertain it, & your end shall be peace. There is a fire in our Zion; but our Lord is but seeking a new Bride refined & purified out of the furnace. I assure you, howbeit we be nick-named Puritans, all the powers of the world shall not prevail against us: Remember, though a sinful man write it to you, these people shall yet be in Scotland as a green olive-tree & a field blessed of the Lord, & it shall be proclaimed, up, up with Christ, & down, down with all contrary powers. Sir, pray for me, [I name you to the Lord] for further evil is determined against me. Remember my love to Christian Murray & her daughter: