A57970:548
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
Part 1 › Letter 96: To the worthy & much honoured Mr ALEXANDER COLVILL, Of Blair. (96)
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 worthy & much honoured Mr ALEXANDER COLVILL, Of Blair. (96)
Much honoured Sir.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: The bearer hereof M. R. F. is most kind to me; I desire you to thank him: ⟨p. 194⟩But none is so kind as my only royal King & Master, whose cross is my garland: The King dineth with his prisoner & his spikenard casteth a smell: He hath led me up to such a pitch & nick of joyful communion with himself, as I never knew before: When I look back to by-goings, I judge my self to have been a child at A, B, C. with Christ. Worthy Sir, pardon me, I dare not conceal it from you, it is as a fire i• my bowels: In hi• presence who seeth me I sp•ak it, I am pained, pained with the love of Christ; he hath made me sick & wounded me: Hunger for Christ out-runneth faith: I miss faith more then love. O if the three Kingdoms would come & see! O if they knew his kindness to my soul! It hath pleased him to bring me to this, that I will not strike sails to this world nor flatter it, nor adore this clay idol that fools worship: As I am now disposed, I think I will neither borrow nor lend with it; & yet I get my meat from Christ with nurture; for seven times a day I am lifted up & cast down. My dumb Sabbaths burden my heart & make it bleed: I want not fearful challenges & jealousies sometimes of Christ's love, that he hath cast me over the dike of the vineyard as a dry tree: But this is my infirmity: By his grace I take my self in these ravings: It is kindly that faith & love both be sick, & fevers are kindly to most joyful communion with Christ. Ye are blessed who avouch Christ openly before the Princes of this Kingdom, whose eyes are upon you: It is your glory to lift him up on his throne, to carry his train & bear up the hem of his robe royal: He hath an hiding place for M. A. C. against the storm: go on & fear not what man can do: The saints seem to have he worst of it, [for apprehensions can make a lye of Christ & of his love] but it is not so: Providence is not rolled upon unequal & crooked wheels: All things work together for the good of these who love God & are called according to his purpose. Ere it be long we shall see the white side of God's Providence. My Brother's case hath moved me not a little: He wrote to me your care & kindness. Sir, the prisoner's blessings & prayers I trust shall not go by you. He that is able to keep you & to