A57970:923
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.
My Lord.
I Received Mr Ls letter with your Lo: & his learned thoughts in the matter of Ceremonies: I owe respect to the man's learning, for that I hear him opposite to Arminian Heresies: but [with reverence of that worthy man] I wonder to hear such popish-like expression as he hath in his letter, as, Your Lo: may spare doubtings when the King & Church have agreed in the settling of such orders, & the Church's direction in things indifferent & circumstantial [as if Indifferent & Circumstantial were all one] should be the rule of every private Christian. I only viewed the papers in two hour, space, the bearer hasting me to write. I find the worthy man not so seen in this controversy, as some turbulent men of our country, as he calleth refusers of conformity: And let me say it, I am more confirmed in non-conformity, when I see such a great […] it play the agent so slenderly; but I will lay the blame on the weakness of the cause, not on the meanness of Mr Ls. learning. I have ever been & still I am confident that Britain cannot answer one argument a scandalo, & I longed much to hear Mr L. speak to the cause, & I would say, if some ordinary Divine had answered as Mr L. doeth, that he understood not the nature of a Scandal: but I dare not vilify, that worthy man ⟨p. 334⟩so. I am now upon the heat of some other employment, I shall, but God willing, answer this to the satisfying of any not prejudged. I will not say that every one is acquaint with the reason in my letter from God's presence & bright shining face in suffering for this cause, Aristotle never knew the medium of the clusion, & Christ saith few know it. See Rev. 2. 17. I am sure a conscience standinginaw of the Almighty, & fearing to make a little hole in the bottom for fear of under-water, is a strong medium to hold off an erroneous conclusion in the least wing or lith of sweet, sweet Truth, that concerneth the royal Prerogative of our Kingly & highest Lord Jesus: And my witness is in heaven, I saw neither pleasure nor profit nor honour to hook me or catch me in entering in prison for Christ, but the wind on my face for the present: & if I had loved to sleep in a whole skin with the ease & present delight that I saw on this side of sun & moon, I should have lived at ease in good hopes to fare as well as others.