A57970:658
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 120: To JOHN FLEMING, Bailisse of Leith [120]
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 & dearly beloved in the Lord.
Grace, mercy & peace be unto you: I received your letter: I wish I could satisfy your desire in drawing up and ⟨p. 227⟩framing for you a Christian directory: But the learned have done it before me more judiciously then I can; especially Mr Rodgers, Greenhame & Perkins; not withstanding, I shall show you what I would have been at my self [howbeit I I came always short of my purpose.] 1. That hours of the day less or more time, for the word & prayer, be given to God, not sparing the twelfth hour or midday, howbeit it should then be the shorter time. 2. In the midst of worldly employments, there would be some thoughts of sin, judgement, death & eternity, with a word or two of ejaculatory prayer [at least] to God. 3. To beware of wandering of heart in private prayers. 4. Not to grudge howbeit ye come from prayer without sense or joy: Down-casting, sense of guiltiness & hunger is often best for us. 5. That the Lord's day from morning to night be spent always either in private or public worship. 6. That words be observed, wandering and idle thoughts be avoided, sudden anger & desire of revenge, even of such as persecute the truth, be guarded against; for we often mix our zeal with our own wild fire. 7. That known, discovered & revealed sins that are against the conscience be eschewed as most dangerous preparative, to hardness of heart. 8. That in dealing with men, faith & truth in covenants & trafficking be regarded, that we deal with all men in sincerity, that conscience be made of idle & lying words, & that our carriage be such as that they who see it, may speak honourably of our sweet Master and profession. 9. I have been much challenged. 1. For not referring all to God as the last end: That I do not eat, drink, sleep, journey, speak and think for God. 2. That I have not benefited by good company, & that I left not some word of conviction even upon natural and wicked men, as by reproving swearing in them, or because of being a silent witness to their loose carriage, & because I intended not in all companies to do good. 3. That the woes & calamities of the Kirk & particular professors have not moved me. 4. That the reading of the life of David, Paul & the like when it humbled me, I [coming so far short of their holiness] laboured not to imitate them afar off at least, according