A57970:99
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 Noble & Christian Lady the VISCOUNTESS of KENMURE. (5)
To the Noble & Christian Lady the VICOUNTESSE of KENMURE. (5)
My very Honourable & dear Lady
Grace mercy & peace, be to you, I cannot forget your La: & that sweet child, I desire to hear what the Lord is doing to you, & him: to write to me were charity, I cannot but write to my friends, that Christ hath trysted me in Aberdeen, & my adversaries have sent me here, to be feasted with love-banquets with my royal, high, high, & princely King Jesus. Madam why should I smother Christs honesty, I dare not conceal his goodness to my soul, he looked fram'd and uncouth-like upon me, when I came first here; but I believe himself better then his looks: I shall not again quarrel Christ for a gloom, now he hath taken the mask off his face & saith kiss thy fill, & what can I have more, while I get great heaven in my little arms. O how sweet are the sufferings of Christ, for Christ! God forgive them that raise an ill report upon the sweet cross of Christ, it is but our weak & dim eyes, that look but to the black side that makes us mistake: these who can take that crabbed-tree hand-somely upon their back, & fasten it on cannily, shall find it such a burden, as wings unto a bird, or sails to ship. Madam rue not of your having chosen the better part: upon my salvation this is Christs truth I now suffer for, if I found but cold comfort in my sufferings, I would not beguile others, I would have told you plainly; but the truth is, Christs crown, his sceptre, and the freedom of his Kingdom, is that, which is now called in question: because we will not allow that Christ pay tribute and be a vassal to the shields of the earth, therefore the sons of our mother are angry at us: but it becometh not Christ to hold any mans stirrup: It were a sweet and honourable ⟨p. 22⟩