A57970:787
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.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: Ye are heartily welcome to my world of suffering & heartily well-come to my Master's house, God give you much joy of your new Master: If I have been in the house before you, I were not faithful to give the house an ill name, or to speak evil of the Lord of the family: I rather wish God's Holy Spirit [O Lord breath upon me with that Spirit] to tell you the fashions of the house. One thing I can say, by on-waiting ye will grow a great man with the Lord of the house: Hang on till ye get some good from Christ: Lay all your loads & your weights by faith upon Christ: Ease your self & let him bear all: he can, he dow, he will bear you, howbeit hell were upon your back. I rejoice that he is come & hath chosen you in the furnace, it was even there where ye & he set tryst, that is an old gate of Christ's, he keepeth the good old fashion with you, that was in Hosea's days, Hos. 2, 14. Therefore behold I will allure her & bring her to the wilderness and speak to her heart: There was no talking to her heart while he & she were in the fair & flourishing city & at ease; but out in the cold, hungry, waste wilderness, he allureth her, he whispered in news into her ear there, & said, Thou art mine. What would ye think of such a bed? Ye may soon do worse then ⟨p. 283⟩say, Lord holds all, Lord Jesus a bargain be it, it shall not go back on my side. Ye have gotten a great advantage in the way to heaven, that ye have started to the gate in the morning: Like a fool as I was, I suffered my sun to •e high in the heaven and near afternoon, before ever I took the gate by the end: I pray you now, keep the advantage ye have: My heart, be not lazy, set as quickly up the b•ae on hands & feet, as if the last pickle of sand were running out of your glass, & death were coming to turn the glass: & be very careful to take heed to your feet in that slippery & dangerous way of youth, that ye are walking in: The devil & temptations now have the advantage of the brae of you, & are upon your wand-hand & your working hand: Dry timber will soon take fire: Be covetous & greedy of the grace of God, & beware that it be not holiness that cometh only from the cross, for too many are that way disposed, Psal. 78. 34. When he slew them then they sought him & they returned & enquired early after God. v. 35.