A57970:839
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 WILLIAM GORDON. At Kenmure. (153
Dear Brother.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I have been long in answering your letter, which came in good time to me. It is my aim & hearty desire that my furnace, which is of the Lord's kindling, may sparkle fire upon standers by, to the warming of their hearts with God's love. The very dust that falleth from Christ's feet, his old ragged clothes, his knotty & black cross, is sweeter to me then Kings golden crowns & their time-eaten pleasures: I should be a liar & false witness, if I should not give my Lord Jesus a fair testimonial with my whole soul: my word I know will not heighten him, he needeth not such props under his feet to raise his glory high: But Oh that I could raise him the height of heaven & the breadth & length often heavens in the estimation of all his young lovers! for we have all shapen Christ but too narrow & too short, & formed conceptions of his love in our conceit very unworthy of it. Oh that men were taken & catched with his beauty & fairness! They would give over playing with idols, in which there is not half room for the love of one soul to expatiate itself, & man's love is but heart-hungered ⟨p. 306⟩in gnawing upon bare bones & sucking at dry breasts: It is well wared they want who will not come to him who hath a world of love & goodness & bounty for all. We seek to thaw our frozen hearts at the cold smoke of the short-timed creature, & our souls gather neither heat nor life nor light, for these cannot give to us what they have not in themselves. Oh that we could thrust in through these thorns & this throng of bastard lovers, & be ravished & sick of love for Christ! We should find some footing & some room & sweet ease for our tottering & wirless souls in our Lord. I wish it were in my power after this day, to cry down all love but the love of Christ, & to cry down all Gods but Christ, all Saviours but Christ, all well-beloveds but Christ, & all soul-suitors, all love-beggars but Christ. Ye complain that ye want a mark of the sound work of grace & love in your soul. For answer, consider for your satisfaction (till God send more)