A57970:689
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.
Reverend & well-beloved Brother.
Reverend & welbeloved Brother.
Grace, mercy & peace be unto you: I have heard somewhat of your trials in Galloway: I bless the Lord who hath begun first in that corner to make you a new Kirk to himself: Christ hath the less ado behind, when he hath refined you. Let me entreat you, my dearly beloved, to be fast to Christ: My witness is above, My dearest Brother, that ye have added much joy to me in my bonds, when I hear that ye grow in the grace and zeal of God for your Master. Our ministry whether by preaching or suffering, will cast a smell through the world both of heaven & hell, 2 Cor. 2: 15, 16. I persuade you, my dear Brother, there is nothing out of heaven, next to Christ, dearer to me then my ministry, & the worth of it in my estimation is swelled & paineth me exceedingly; yet I am content for the honour of my Lord, to surrender it back again to the Lord of the vineyard: ⟨p. 242⟩let him do with me & it both what he thinketh good: I think my self too little for him: & let me speak to you, how kind a fellow prisoner is Christ to me! Believe me, this kind of cross [that would not go by my door, but would needs visit me,] is still the longer the more welcome to me: It's true my silent sabbaths have been & are still as glassy ye, whereon my faith can scarce hold it's feet, & I am often blown on my back, and off my feet, with a storm of doubting; yet truly my bonds all this time cast a mighty and rank smell of high and deep love in Christ: I cannot indeed see through my cross to the far end; Yet I believe I am in Christ's books, & in his decree [not yet unfolded to me] a man triumphing, dancing & singing over on the other side of the red sea, & laughing & praising the lamb over beyond time, sorrow, deprivation, prelate's indignation, losses, want of friends & death: Heaven is not a foul flying in the air (as men use to speak of things that are uncertain) nay it is well paid for, Christ's comprizement lieth on Glory, for all the mourners in Zion, & shall never be loosed: Let us be glad & rejoice that we have blood, losses, & wounds to show our Master & Captain at his appearance, and what we suffered for his cause. Woe is me, my dear Brother, that I say often I am but dry bones, which my Lord will not bring out of the grave again, & that my faithless fears say, Oh I am a dry tree that can bear no fruit, I am an useless body who an beget no children to the Lord in his house.