A57970:563
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 JEAN BROWN. [100]
Well-beloved and dear Sister.
Welbeloved and dear Sister.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter, which I esteem an evidence of your Christian affection to me, & of your love to my honourable Lord & Master. My desire is that your communion with Christ may grow, & that your reckonings may be put by hand with your Lord, ere ye come to the water side. O who knoweth how sweet Christs' kisses are! who hath been more kindly embraced & kissed then ⟨p. 200⟩I his banished prisoner? If the comparison could stand, I would not exchange Christ with heaven it self: He hath left a dart & arrow of love in my soul, & it paineth me till he come & take it out: I find pain of these wounds because I would have possession. I know now this worm-eaten apple, the plastered rotten world, that the silly Children of this world are beating & buffeting & pulling others ears for; is a portion for bastards good enough: & that is all they have to look for. I offend not that my adversaries stay at home at their own fire-side with more yearly rent then I; should I be angry that the good-man of this house of the world casteth a dog a bone to hurt his teeth? he hath taught me to be content with a borrowed fire-side & an uncouth bed: & I think I have lost nothing, the in come is so great. O what telling is in Christ! O how weighty is my fair garland, my crown, my fair supping-hall in glory, where I shall be above the blows and buffetings of Prelates! Let this be your desire & let your thoughts dwell much upon that blessedness that abideth you in the other world: The fair side of the world will be turned to you quickly, when ye shall see the crown: I hope ye are near your lodging: O but I would think my self blessed for my part to win the house before the shower come on! For God hath a quiver full of arrows to shoot at & shower down upon Scotland. Ye have the prayers of a prisoner of Christ. I desire Patrick to give Christ his young love even the flower of it, and put it by all others it were good to start soon to the way: He should thereby have a great advantage in the evil day. Grace be with you.