A57970:753
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 JOHN LAWRIE. (137)
Dear Brother.
I Am sorry that ye or so many in this Kingdom should expect so much of me an empty reed: Verily I am a naughty & poor body: But if the tinkling of my Lord Jesus's iron chains on legs & arms could sound the high praises of my royal King, whose prisoner I am, O how would my joy run over! If my Lord would bring edification to one soul by my bonds, I am satisfied; but I know not what I can do to such a princely & beautiful well-beloved: He is far behind with me: Little thanks to me to say to others, his wind bloweth on me who am but withered & dry bones: But since ye desire me to write to you, either help me to set Christ on high for his running-over love, in that the heat of his sweet breath hath melted a frozen heart, else I think ye do nothing for a prisoner. I am fully confirmed that it is the honour of our Law-giver I suffer for now: I am not ashamed to give out letters of recommendation of Christ's love to as many as will extol the Lord Jesus & his cross. If I had ⟨p. 269⟩not sailed this sea-way to heaven, but had taken the land-way as many do, I should not have known Christ's sweetness in such a measure: But the truth is, let no man thank me; for I caused not Christ's wind to blow upon me: His love came upon a withered creature whether I would or not; [& yet by coming it procured from me a welcome] A heart of iron & iron doors will not hold Christ out: I give him leave to break iron locks & come in, & that is all: & now I know not whether pain of love for want of possession, or sorrow that I dow not thank him, paineth me most: but both work upon me. For the First, O that he would come & satisfy the longing soul & fill the hungry soul with these good things? I know indeed my guiltiness may be a bar in his way, but he is God, & ready to forgive: And for the other, woe, woe is me that I cannot find a heart to give back again my unworthy little love for his great sea-full of love to me: O that he would learn me this piece of gratitude! O that I could have leave to look in through the hole of the door to see his face & sing his praises! or could break up one of his chamber windows to look in upon his delighting beauty, till my Lord send more: any little communion with him, one of his love-looks should be my begun heaven: I know he is not Lordly, neither is the bridegroom's love proud, though I be black & unlovely & unworthy of him.