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.

To his Reverend & Dear Brother Mr DAVID DICKSON. (197)

My Reverend & Dear Brother.

I Fear ye have never known me well: If ye saw my inner∣side, it is possible ye would pitie me, but ye would hard∣ly give me either love or respect: Men mistake me the whole length of the heavens: My sins prevaile over me & the ter∣rors of their guiltiness: I am put often to ask, if Christ & I did ever shake hands together in earnest, I mean not that my feast-dayes are quite gone; but I am made of extremities: I pray God ye never have the woefull & driery experience of a closed mouth; for then ye shall judge the sparrows that may sing in the Church of Irwin, blessed birds: But my soul hath been refreshed & watered, when I hear of your courage & zeal for your never-enough-praised, praised Master, in that ye put the men of God, chased out of Ireland, to work: O if I could confirm you! I dare say in God's presence, That this shall never hasten your suffering, but shall be David Dick∣son's feast and speaking joy, that while he had time and leisure, he put many to work, to lift up Iesus, his sweet Master, high in the skies. O man of God, goe on, goe on, be valiant for that plant of renown, for that chief among ten thousands, for that Prince of the Kings of the earth: It is but little that I know of God, yet this I dare write, Christ shall be glorified in David Dickson, howbeit Scotland be not gathered: I am pained, pained, that I have not more to give my sweet bride∣groom: His comforts to me are not dealt with a niggard's hand, but I would fain learn not to idolize comfort, sense, joy, and sweet felt-presence: All these are but crea∣tures, and nothing but the kingly robe, the Gold-ring and the Bracelets of the Bridegroom: The Bridegroom himself is better then all the ornaments that are about

him. Now, I would not so much have these, as God him s••l••, & to be swallowed up of love to Christ: I see in delight∣ing in a communion with Christ, we may make moe Gods then one••, but however, all was but bai••ns-play between Christ & me till now: If one would have sworn unto me, I would not have beleeved, what may be found in Christ: I hope ye pitie my pain that much in my prison, as to help me your self, & to cause others help me a Dyvour, a sinfull wretched Dy your to pay some of my debts of praise to my great King: Let my God be judge & witness, if my soul would not have sweet ease & comfort, to have many hearts confirmed in Christ, & enlarg∣ed with his love, & many tongues set on work to set on high my Royal & princely welbeloved. O that my sufferings could pay tribute to such a King! I have given over wondering at his love: for Christ hath manifested a piece of art upon me, that I never revealed to any living: He hath gotten fair and rich employment, & sweet sale, & a goodly market for his honourable calling of showing mercy, on me the chief of sinners: Every one knoweth not so well as I doe, my woefully often∣broken covenants: My sins against light working in the very act of sinning, hath been met with admirable mercy: But Alas! He will get nothing back again but wretched unthank∣fulness! I am sure, if Christ pitie any thing in me, next to my sin, it is pain of love for an armfull & soul-full of himself, in faith, love & begun fruition: My sorrow is, that I cannot get Christ lifted off the dust in Scotland, & set on high above all the skies & heaven of heavens.

Aberd. May. 1. 1637.

Yours in his sweet Lord Iesus. S. R.