A57970:873
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 JOHN GORDON. (161)
Worthy & dear Brother.
Grace, mercy and peace be to you: I have been too long in writing to you, but multitude of letters taketh much time from me. I bless his great name whom I serve in the spirit, if it came to voting amongst Angels and men, how excellent and sweet Christ is, even in his reproaches and in his cross; I cannot but vote with the first, that all that is in him, both cross & crown, kisses & glooms, embracements and frownings and strokes are sweet and glorious: God send me no more happiness in heaven or out ⟨p. 318⟩of heaven, but Christ: For I find this world when I have looked upon it on both sides, within & without, & when I have seen even the laughing and lovely-like side of it, to be but a fool's idol, a clay prison: Lord, let it not be the nest that my hope buildeth in. I have now cause to judge my part of this earth not worth a blast of smoke or a mouth-full of brown bread. I wish my Hope may take a running-leap & skip over Time's pleasures, Sin's plastering & gold-•o•e, this vain earth, & rest upon my Lord. O how great is our night-darkness in this wilderness! To have any conceit at all of this world, is, as a man would close his handful of water and holding his hand in the river, say, all the water of the flood is his, as if it were indeed all within the compass of his hand: Who would not laugh at the thoughts of such a crack-brain? Verily they have but an handful of water & are but like a child clasping his two hands about a night-shadow, who idolize any created hope, but God. I now ligh lie & put the price of a dream or fable or black nothing upon all things, but upon God & that desirable & love-worthy one my Lord Jesus: Let all the world be nothing [for nothing was their seed & mother] & let God be all things. My very dear Brother, know ye are as near heaven as ye are far from your self & far from the love of a bewitching & whorish world: For this World in it's gain and glory, is but the great and notable common whore that all the sons of men have been in fancy & lust withal these 5000 years: the children that they have begotten with this uncouth & lustful lover are but vanity, dreams, golden imaginations & night-thoughts: For there is no good ground here under the covering of heaven for men & poor wearied souls to set down their foot upon.