A57970:757
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 JAMES FLEMING. (138)
Reverend & well-beloved in our Lord.
Reverend & welbeloved in our Lord.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I received your letter, which hath refreshed me in my bonds. I cannot but testify unto you, my dear Brother, what sweetness I find in our Master's cross; but alas, what can I either do or suffer for him? If I my alone had as many lives as there have been drops of rain since the creation, I would think them too little for that lovely one, our well-beloved; but my pain and my sorrow is above my sufferings, that I find not ways how to set out the praises of his love to others: I am not able by tongue, pen or sufferings to provoke many to fall in love with him, but he knoweth whom I love to serve in the spirit, what I would do & suffer by his own strength, so being I might make my Lord Jesus lovely & sweet to many thousands in this land. I think it amongst God's wonders that he will take any praise or glory or any testimony to his honourable cause, from such a forlorn sinner as I am: But when Christ worketh he needeth not ask the question by whom he will be glorious: I know, seeing his glory at the beginning did shine out of poor nothing to set up such a fair house for man & Angels, & so many glorious creatures to proclaim his goodness, power & wisdom, if I were burnt to ashes, out of the smoke and powder of my dissolved ⟨p. 271⟩