A57970:720
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 Mr WILLIAM DALGLEISH. [131]
Reverend & dear Brother.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter. I bless our high and only wise Lord who hath broken the s•are that men had laid for you, & I hope that now he shall keep you in his house in despite of the powers of hell. Who knoweth but the streets of our Jerusalem shall yet be filled with young men & with old men & boys & women with child & that they shall plant vines in the mountains of Samaria. I am sure, the wheels, paces & motions of this poor Church, are tempered & ruled not as men would, but according to the good pleasure & infinite wisdom of our only wise Lord. I am here waiting in hope, that my innocency in this honourable cause shall melt this cloud that men have cast over me. I know my Lord had his own quarrels against me & that my dross stood in need of this hot furnace; but I rejoice in this, that fair truth, beautiful truth, [whose glory my Lord cleareth to me more & more] beareth me company, & that my weak aims to honour my Master in bringing guests to his house, now swell upon me in comforts, & that I am not afraid to want a witness in heaven, that it was my joy to have a crown put upon Christ's head in that country. O what joy would I have to see the wind turn upon the enemies of the cross of Christ, & to see my Lord Jesus restored with the voice of praise to his own f•ee throne again, & to be brought amongst you to see the beauty of the Lord's house! I hope that country will not be so silly, as to suffer men to pluck you away from them, & that ye will use means to keep my place empty & to bring me back again to the people to whom I have Christs right and his Church's lawful ⟨p. 256⟩calling. Dear Brother, let Christ be dearer & dearer to you, let the conquest of souls be top and root, flower and bloom of your joys and desires in this side of sun and moon: and in the day when the Lord shall pull up the four stakes of this clay tent of the earth, & the last pickle of sand shall be at the nick of falling down in your watch-glass, & the master shall call the servants of the vineyard to give them their hire; ye will esteem the bloom of this world's glory like the colours of the rain-bow, that no man can put in his purse & treasure: Your labours & pains shall then smile upon you. My Lord now hath given me experience [howbeit weak & small] that our best fare here is hunger;