A57970:831
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 SIBILLA Mc ADAM. (151)
MISTRESS.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I can bear witness in my bonds that Christ is still the longer the better, & no worse, yea, inconceivably better then he is, or can be called: I think it half an heaven to have my fill of the sm•ll of his sweet breath, & to sleep in the arms of Christ my Lord with his left hand under my head, & his right hand embracing me: There is no great reckoning to be made of the withering of my flower, in comparison of the foul & manifest wrongs done to Christ: Nay, let never the dew of God lie upon my branches again, let the bloom fall from my joy and let it wither, let the Almighty blow out my candle; so being the Lord might be great among Jews & Gentiles, and his oppressed church delivered: Let Christ fare well, suppose I should eat ashes: I know he must be sweet himself, when his cross is so sweet: And it is the part of us all, if we marry Himself, to marry the crosses, losses, & reproaches also that follow him; for mercy followeth Christ's cross: His prison for beauty is made of marble & ivory, his chains that are laid on his prisoners are golden chains, & the sighs of the prisoners of hope are perfumes with comforts, the like whereof cannot be bred of found in this side of sun & moon: Follow on after his love, •ire not of Christ; but come in and see his beauty & excellency, & feed your soul upon Christ's sweetness: This world is not yours, neither would I have your heaven made of such metal as mire & clay: Ye have the choice & wail of all lovers in heaven or out of heaven when ye have Christ, the only delight of God his father: Climb up the mountain with joy & faint not; for time will cut off, the men who pursue Christ's followers: Our best things here have a worm in them: Our joys besides God; in the inner half are but woes & sorrows: Christ, Christ is that which our love and desires, can sleep sweetly & rest safely upon. Now, the very God of peace