A57970:762
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 JOHN MEINE. (139)
Worthy & dear Brother.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I have been too long in answering your letter, but other business took me up. I am here waiting if the fair wind will turn upon Christ's sails •o Scotland, & if deliverance be breaking out to this overclouded & benighted Kirk. Oh that we could contend by prayers & supplications with our Lord for that effect! I know he hath not given out his last doom against this land. I have little of Christ in this prison, but groanings & longings & desires: All my stock of Christ is some hunger for him [And yet I cannot say but I am rich in that] my faith & hope & holy practice of new obedience are scarce worth the speaking of: But blessed be my Lord who taketh me, light & clipped & naughty & feckless as I am. I see Christ will not prig with me nor stand upon stepping stones, but cometh in at the broad side without ceremonies or making it nice, to make a poor ransomed one his own. O that I could feed upon his breathing & kissing and ⟨p. 274⟩embracing, & upon the hopes of my meeting and his, when love-letters shall not go betwixt us, but he shall be messenger himself then: But there is required patience on our part till the summer-••uit in heaven be ripe for us; it is in the bud, but there be many things to do before our harvest come: And we take ill with it & can hardly endure to set our paper-face to one of Christ's storms, and to go to heaven with wet feet & pain & sorrow: We love to carry heaven to heaven with us, & would have two summers in one year, and no less then two heavens; but this will not be for us, one, & such an one, may suffice us well enough: The man Christ got but one only, and shall we have two? Remember my love in Christ to your Father & help me with your prayers. If ye would be a deep Divine, I recommend to you Sanctification: Fear him, & he shall reveal his Covenant to you. Grace be with you.