A57970:663
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 ROBERT GORDON of Knokbrex. (121)
My very dear Brother.
Grace, mercy & peace be unto you: I thought to have answered your two letters upon this occasion; though I cannot say all that I would. Your timeous word [not to delight in the cross, but in him who sweeteneth it] came to me in due time: I find the consolations & off-fallings that follow the cross of Christ so sweet, that I almost forget my self: my desire & purpose is, when Christ's honey combs drop, neither to refuse to receive & feed upon his comforts, nor yet to make joy, my bastard-god, or my new found heaven: But what shall I say? Christ very often in his sweet comforts cometh unsent for, & it were a sin to close the door upon him: It is not unlawful to love & delight in Christ's apples, when I am not dotingly wooing, nor eagerly begging kisses: but when they come clean from the timber [like kindness it self that cometh of it's own accord] then I cannot but laugh upon him, who laugheth upon me: If joy & comforts came single & alone, without Christ himself, I think I would send them back again the gate they came, and not make them welcome; But when the King's train cometh, and the King in the midst of the company, O how am I overjoyed with floods of love! I fear not that too great speats, ⟨p. 230⟩of love wash away the growing corn, & loose my plants at the roots: Christ doeth no skaith where he cometh; but certainly I would wish such spiritual wisdom as to love the bridegroom better then his gifts, his propines, or drink-money. I would be further in upon Christ then at his joys; they but stand in the utter side of Christ: I would wish to be in as a seal on his heart, in where his love & mercy lodgeth, beside his heart. My well-beloved hath ravished me; but it is done with consent of parties, & it is allowable enough: But my dear Brother, ere I part with this subject, I must tell you, [that ye may lift up my King in praises with me] Christ hath been keeping something these fourteen years for me, that I have now gotten in my heavy days, that I am in for his name sake; even an opened coffer of perfumed comforts & fresh joys coming new, & green, & powerful from the fairest, fairest face of Christ my Lord. Let the sour law, let crosses, let hell be cried down: Love, love hath shamed me from my old ways. Whether I have a race to run or some work ado, I see not;