A57970:871
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 EARLESTOWN Younger. 160.
Much Honoured Sir.
Grace, mercy & peace be to you: I am well, Christ triumpheth in me, blessed be his name: I have all things, I burden no man: I see this earth and the fullness thereof is my father's: sweet, sweet is the cross of my Lord: The blessing of God upon the cross of my Lord Jesus: My enemies have contributed [beside their design] to make me blessed: This is my palace, not my prison, especially, when my Lord shineth & smileth upon his poor afflicted & sold Joseph, who is separated from his brethren: But often he hideth himself, & there is a day of law, & court of challenges within me; I know not if fenced in God's name, but Oh my neglects! Oh my unseen guiltiness! I imagined that a sufferer for Christ kept The keys of Christ's treasure, & might take out his womb-full of comforts when he pleased; but I see a sufferer & ⟨p. 317⟩witness will be holden at the door aswell as another poor sinner, & be glad to eat with the bairns & to take the by-board. This cross hath let me see that heaven is not at the next door & that it is a castle not soon taken: I see also, it is neither pain nor art to play the hypocrite: We have all learned to sell our selves for double price & to make the people who call ten twenty, & twenty an hundred esteem us half-gods, or men fallen out of the clouds: But Oh sincerity, sincerity, if I knew what sincerity meaneth. Sir, lay the foundation thus & ye shall not soon shrink nor be shaken: Make tight work at the bottom, & your ship shall ride against all storms, if with all your anchor be fastened upon good ground, I mean with in the veil; & verily I think this is All, to gain Christ: All other things are shadows, dreams, fancies & nothing. Sir, remember my love to your mother: I pray for mercy & grace to her: I wish her ongoing toward heaven: As I promised to write, so show her, I want nothing in my Lord's service, Christ will not be in such a poor man's common as mine. Grace, grace be with you.