A57970:701
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.
Dear Brother.
I Earnestly desire to know the case of your soul, & to understand that ye have made sure work of heaven & salvation. 1. Remember, Salvation is one of Christ's dainties he giveth but to a few. 2. That it is violent sweating & striving that taketh heaven. 3. That it cost Christ blood to purchase that house to sinners & to set mankind down, the King's free tenants & free-holders. 4. That many make a start toward heaven who fall on their back & win not up to the top of the mount, it plucketh heart & legs from them, & they sit down & give it over, because the devil setteth a sweet smelled flower to their nose [this fair busked World] wherewith they are bewitched & so forget or refuse to go forward. 5. Remember, many go far on & reform many things & can find tears as Esau did, & suffer hunger for the truth as Judas did, & wish & desire the end of the righteous as Balaam did, & profess fair & fight for the Lord as Saul did, & desire the saints of God to pray for them as Pharaoh & Simon Magus did, & prophesy & speak of Christ as Caiaphas did, walk softly & mourn for fear of judgement as Ahab did, & put away gross sins & idolatry as Jehu did, & hear the word of God gladly & reform their life in many things according to the word as Herod did, & say, Master, to Christ, I will follow thee whither soever thou goest, as the man who offered to be Christ's servant, Math. 8. & may taste of the ⟨p. 248⟩virtues of the life to come & be partaker of the wonderful gifts of the holy spirit & taste of the good word of God, as the Apostates who sin against the Holy Ghost, Heb 6. & yet all these are but like gold in clink & colour & watered brass & base metal. These are written that we should try our selves & not rest till we be a step nearer Christ then sun-burnt & withering professors can come, 6. Consider, it is impossible that your Idol-sins & ye, can go to heaven together, & that they who will not part with these, can indeed love Christ at the bottom; but only in word & show: which will not do the business. 7. Remember how swiftly God's post, time, flieth away, & that your forenoon is already spent, your afternoon will come & then your evening & at last night, When ye cannot see to work: let your heart be set upon finishing of your journey, & summing & laying your accounts with your Lord. O how blessed shall ye be, to have a joyful welcome of your Lord at night!