A57970:957
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 my Lady BOYD. [179]
MADAM.
I Would have written to your La: ere now, but peoples believing there is in me that which I know there is not, hath put me out of love with writing to any; for it is easy to put religion to a market & public fair, but alas it is not so soon made eye-sweet for Christ: My Lord seeth me a tired man far behind: I have gotten much love from Christ, but I give him little or none again: My white side cometh out in paper to men, but at home & within, I find much black work, & great cause of a low sail & of little boasting; & yet Howbeit I see challenges to be true, the manner of the Tempter's pressing of them is unhonest, & in my own thoughts knavish-like: My peace is, that Christ may find sale & •uting of his wares in the like of me, I mean for saving grace: I wish all professors to fall in love with Grace; All ou• songs should be of his free-Grace: We are but too lazy and careless in seeking of it: It is all ⟨p. 346⟩our riches we have here, & glory in the bud: I wish I could set out •ree Grace: I was the Law's man & under the Law, & under a curse; but Grace brought me from under that hard Lord, & I rejoice that I am Grace's Free-holder: I pay tribute to none for heaven, seeing my land & heritage holdeth of Christ my new King: Infinite wisdom hath devised this excellent way of Free-holding for sinners: It is a better way to heaven then the old way that was in Adam's days: It hath this fair advantage that no man's emptiness & want layeth an inhibition upon Christ or hindereth his salvation: [& that is far best for me] but our new Land-Lord putteth the names of Dyvours & Adam's forlorn Heirs, & beggars & crooked & blind in the free charters: Heaven & Angels may wonder that we have gotten such a gate of sin & hell: Such a back-entry out of hell as Christ made & brought out the captives by, is, more then my poor shallow thoughts can comprehend: I would think sufferings, glory [& I am sometimes not far from it] if my Lord would give me a new alms of free grace. I hear that the Prelates are intending banishment for me; but for more grace, & no other hire, I would make it welcome: The bits of this clay-house, the earth, & the other side of the sea, are my father's: If my sweet Lord Jesus would bud my sufferings with a new measure of grace, I were a rich man: But I have not now of a long time found such high spring-tides as formerly: