A57970:94
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 the truly noble & elect lady my lady VISCOUNTESS of KENMURE. (4)
To the truly noble & elect lady my lady VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE. (4)
Noble & elect Lady.
That honour that I have prayed for these sixteen years, with submission to my Lords will, my kind Lord hath now bestowed upon me; even to suffer for my royal & princely King Jesus & for his Kingly crown, & the freedom of his Kingdom, that his father hath given him. The forbidden Lords have sentenced me with deprivation, & confinement within the town of Aberdeen. I am charged in the Kings name, to enter against the twenty day of August next, & there to remain during the Kings pleasure, as they have given it out. howbeit Christs green cross newly laid upon me, be somewhat heavy, while I call to mind the many fair days, sweet & comfortable to my soul, & to the souls of many others, & how young ones in Christ; are plucked from the breast, and the inheritance of God laid waste: yet that sweet smelled & perfumed cross of Christ, is accompanied with sweet refreshments, with the kisses of a King, with the joy of the holy Ghost, with faith that the Lord hears the sighing of a prisoner, with undoubted hope (as sure as my Lord liveth) after this night, to see day light, & Christs sky to clear up again upon me, & his poor Kirk, & that in a strange Land amongst strange faces he will give favour in the eyes of men, to his poor oppressed servant, who dow not but love that lovely one, that princely one, Jesus the comforter of his soul. All would be well if I were free of old challenges for guiltiness, & for neglect in my calling, and for speaking too little for my well beloved's crown, honour, & Kingdom. Oh for a day in the assembly of the saints to advocate for King Jesus! If my Lord go on now to quarrels also, I die, I cannot endure it: but I look for peace from him, because he knoweth I dow bear mens feud but I dow not bear his feud: this is my only exercise, that I fear I have done little good in my ministry: but I dare not but say, I loved the bais of the wedding chamber; and