A57970:883
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 JAMES MURRAY. (163)
Dear Brother.
I Received your letter: I am in good health of body, but far better in my soul. I find my Lord no worse then his word, I will be with him in trouble is made good to me now: He heareth ⟨p. 321⟩the sighing of the prisoner. Brother, I am comforted in my royal Prince and King: This world knoweth not our life, it is a mystery to them: We have the sunny side of the world, and our Paradise is far above theirs, yea our weeping above their laughing, which is but like the crackling of thorns under a pot; And therefore we have good cause to fight it out, for the day of our Laureation is approaching. I find my prison the sweetest place that ev r I was in, my Lord Jesus is kind to me, and hath taken the mask off his face, and is content to quite me, all by-goings: I dare not complain of him. And for my silence, I lay it before Christ, I hope it shall be a speaking silence: He who knoweth what I would, knoweth that my soul desireth no more, but that King Jesus may be great in the North of Scotland, in the South and in the East & West, through my sufferings for the freedom of my Lord's house and Kingdom. If I could keep good quarters in time to come with Christ, I would fear nothing: But Oh! Oh! I complain of my woeful out-breakings; I tremble at the remembrance of a new out-cast betwixt him and me, and I have cause, when I consider what sick & sad days I have had for his absence who is now come. I find Christ dow not be long unkind, our Joseph's bowels yearn within him, he cannot smother love long, it must break out at length. Praise, praise with me Brother, & desire my acquaintance to help me: I dare not conceal his love to my soul, I wish you all a part of my feast, that my Lord Jesus may be honoured: I allow you not to hide Christ's bounty to me, when ye meet with such as know Christ. Ye write nothing to me what are the cruel mercies of the Prelates towards me: The ministers of this town, as I hear, intend that I shall be more strictly confined, or else transported, because they find some people affect me. Grace be with you.