A57970:796
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 FER GUSHILL. (145.)
Reverend & Dear Brother.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: My longings & desires for a sight of the new builded tabernacle of Christ again in Scotland, that tabernacle that came down from heaven, hath now taken some l•fe again, when I see Christ making a mint to sow vengeance among his enemies. I care not, if this land be ripe for such a great wonderful mercy; but I know he must do, when ever it is done, without hire. I find the grief of my silence & my f•ar to be holden at the door of Christ's house swelling upon me: & the truth is, were it not that I am dawted now & then with pieces of Christ's sweet love & comforts, I fear I should have made an ill browst of this honourable cross, that I know such a soft & silly-minded body as I am, is not worthy of: For I have little in me but softness & superlative & excessive apprehensions of fear & sadness & sorrow, & often God's terrors do surround me, because Christ looketh not so favourably upon me, as a poor witness would have him: And I wonder how I have past a year & a quarter's imprisonment without shaming my sweet Lord, to whom I desire to be faithful; & I think I shall die but even minting & aiming to serve & honour my Lord Jesus: Few know how tom & empty I am at home; but it is a part of Marriage-love & husband love, that my Lord Jesus goeth not to the streets with his chiding against me: It is but stolen & concealed anger that I find & feel, & his glooms to me are kept under roof, that he will not have mine enemies hearing what is betwixt me & Christ: And believe me, I say the truth in Christ, the only gall and wormwood in my cup, & that which hath filled me with fear; hath been, lest my sins, that sun & moon & the Lord's children were never witness to, should have moved my Lord to strike me with dumb sabbaths: Lord pardon my soft & weak jealousies, if I be here in an error. My very dear Brother, I would have looked for more large & more particular letters from you, for my comfort in this; for your words before have strengthened me: I pray you, mend this: & be thankful