PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Third Edition)
Rutherford, Samuel, 1600?-1661 · 345,819 words · 915 reading sections
Part 721
It is true, in great part, what ye write of this kirk, that the letter of religion only is reformed, and scarce that. I do not believe our Lord will build His Zion in this land upon this skin of reformation. So long as our scum remaineth, and our heart-idols are kept, this work must be at a stand; and, therefore, our L…
357 wordsSECTION 722Part 722
I am sorry to hear you speak in your letter of a "God angry at you," and of "the sense of His indignation;" which only ariseth from suffering for Jesus all that is now come upon you. Indeed, "apprehended wrath" flameth out of such ashes as "apprehended sin," but not from "suffering for Christ." But, suppose ye were in …
974 wordsSECTION 723Part 723
Grace be with you. Remember my love to your wife. Yours, in Christ Jesus,…
14 wordsSECTION 724S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _Feb. 13, 1640_. CCXCVI.--_To the much honoured_ PETER STIRLING. [He may have been related to James Stirling, minister of Paisley, who, along with Sir J. Stuart of Goodtrees, wrote "Naphtali;" or to John Stirling, minister of Edinburgh, one who suffered much, and is referred to in the notice to Letter XC…
54 wordsSECTION 725(_BELIEVERS' GRACES ALL FROM CHRIST--ASPIRATION AFTER MORE LOVE TO HIM--HIS REIGN DESIRED._)
MUCH HONOURED AND WORTHY SIR,--I received yours, and cannot but be ashamed that mistaken love hath brought me into court[425] and account in the heart of God's children, especially of another nation. I should not make a lie of the grace of God, if I should think I have little share of it myself. Oh, how much better wer…
468 wordsSECTION 726S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _March 6. 1640_. CCXCVII.--_To the_ LADY FINGASK. [This lady has been supposed to be LADY ANNE MONCRIEFF, wife of Sir John Dundas of Fingask in Perthshire. She was daughter of William Moncrieff of that ilk, and her mother was one of the Murrays of Abercarnie. See notice prefixed to the letter to "The Lai…
107 wordsSECTION 727(_FAITH'S MISGIVINGS--SPIRITUAL DARKNESS NOT GRACE--CHRIST'S LOVE INIMITABLE._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--Though not acquainted, yet, at the desire of a Christian, I make bold to write a line or two unto you, by way of counsel, howbeit I be most unfit for that. I hear, and I bless the Father of lights for it, that ye have a spirit set to seek God, and that the posture of your he…
874 wordsSECTION 728S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _March 27, 1640_. CCXCVIII.--_To his Reverend and dear Brother, MR. DAVID DICKSON, on the Death of his Son._ ["When told that Mr. Dickson had some children removed by death, Mr. S. Rutherford presently called for a pen, and wrote a profitable letter to Mr. Dickson; 'for' (said he) 'when one arm is broken…
69 wordsSECTION 729(_GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY, AND DISCIPLINE BY AFFLICTION._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Ye look like the house whereof ye are a branch: the cross is a part of the liferent that lieth to all the sons of the house. I desire to suffer with you, if I could take a lift of your house-trial off you; but ye have preached it ere I knew anything of God. Your Lord may gather His roses, an…
588 wordsSECTION 730S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _May 28, 1640_. CCXCIX.--_To my LADY BOYD, on the loss of several Friends._…
17 wordsSECTION 731(_TRUST EVEN THOUGH SLAIN--SECOND CAUSES NOT TO BE REGARDED--GOD'S THOUGHTS OF PEACE THEREIN--ALL IN MERCY._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--Impute it not to a disrespective forgetfulness of your Ladyship, who ministered to me in my bonds, that I write not to you. I wish that I could speak or write what might do good to your Ladyship; especially now when I think we cannot but have deep thoughts of the deep and bo…
663 wordsSECTION 732Part 732
And who can tell what thoughts of love and peace our Lord hath to your children? I trust He will make them famous in executing the written judgments upon the enemies of the Lord ("this honour hath all the saints," Ps. cxlix. 9), and that they shall bear stones on their shoulders for building that fair city that is call…
773 wordsSECTION 733S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _Oct. 15, 1640_. CCC.--_To AGNES MACMATH, on the Death of a Child._ [AGNES MACMATH was the daughter of Mr. Macmath, a merchant in Edinburgh, and the sister of Rutherford's second wife.]…
35 wordsSECTION 734(_REASON FOR RESIGNATION._)
DEAR SISTER,--If our Lord hath taken away your child, your lease of him is expired; and seeing that Christ would want him no longer, it is your part to hold your peace, and worship and adore the sovereignty and liberty that the Potter hath over the clay, and pieces of clay-nothings, that He gave life unto. And what is …
690 wordsSECTION 735S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _Oct. 15, 1640_. CCCI.--_To_ MR. MATTHEW MOWAT.…
10 wordsSECTION 736(_WORTHINESS OF GOD'S LOVE AS MANIFESTED IN CHRIST--HEAVEN WITH CHRIST._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--What am I to answer you? Alas! my books are all bare, and show me little of God. I would fain go beyond books into His house-of-love to Himself. Dear brother, neither you nor I are parties worthy of His love or knowledge. Ah! how hath sin bemisted and blinded us, that we cannot see Him. But …
455 wordsSECTION 737ST. ANDREWS, 1640.
CCCII.--_To my LADY KENMURE, on her Husband's Death._…
10 wordsSECTION 738(_GOD'S METHOD IN AFFLICTION--FUTURE GLORY._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to your Ladyship.--I am heartily sorry that your Ladyship is deprived of such a husband, and the Lord's kirk of so active and faithful a friend.[430] I know your Ladyship long ago made acquaintance with that wherein Christ will have you to be joined in a fellowship with Himself (even …
551 wordsSECTION 739ST. ANDREWS.
CCCIII.--_For the Right Honourable, my_ LADY BOYD.…
8 wordsSECTION 740(_SIN OF THE LAND--READ PRAYERS--BROWNISM._)
MADAM,--I doubt not but the debt of many more than ordinary favours to this land layeth guiltiness upon this nation. The Lord hath put us in His books as a favoured people in the sight of the nations, but we pay not to Him the rent of the vineyard. And we might have had a gospel at an easier rate than this Gospel; but …
695 wordsSECTION 741ST. ANDREWS.
CCCIV.--_To_ JAMES MURRAY'S WIFE. [See Letter CCLXXIV.]…
8 wordsSECTION 742(_HEAVEN A REALITY--STEDFASTNESS TO BE GROUNDED ON CHRIST._)
MY VERY DEAR AND WORTHY SISTER,--You are truly blessed in the Lord, however a sour world gloom and frown on you, if ye continue in the faith settled and grounded, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel. It is good that there is a heaven, and it is not a night-dream and a fancy. It is a wonder that men deny n…
429 wordsSECTION 743ST. ANDREWS.
CCCV.--_For the Right Honourable Lady, my_ LADY KENMURE.…
9 wordsSECTION 744(_SINS OF THE TIMES--PRACTICAL ATHEISM._)
MADAM,--I am a little moved at your infirmity of body and health; I hope it is to you a real warning. "And if in this life only we had hope, we should be of all men the most miserable." Sure the huge[434] generations of the seekers of the face of Jacob's God must be in a life above the things that are now much taking w…
424 wordsSECTION 745S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _July 24_. CCCVI.--_To_ MR. THOMAS WYLIE, _Minister of Borgue_. [MR. THOMAS WYLIE was minister of Borgue, a parish in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, in which are to be seen, close to the sea-shore, the remains of what is supposed to have been one of the old Culdee churches, _Kirk Andrews_. He was afterw…
192 wordsSECTION 746(_SUFFICIENCY OF DIVINE GRACE--CALL TO ENGLAND TO ASSIST AT WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY--FELT UNWORTHINESS._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I neither can nor dow write to you anent the business, in respect it is my case more as yours, and ye write to me that which I should write to you. If grace pay not our debts and bond-surety for us, I see not how I shall make a reckoning for one soul, far less for multitudes; only it is God'…
410 wordsSECTION 747S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _20th Oct. 1643_. CCCVII.--_To a Young Man in Anwoth_. [This letter is from the "Christian Instructor" of January 1839, furnished by one who was in possession of the MS. It was written at _St. Andrews_, but both date and address are lost. It is supposed to have been addressed to one of his former parishi…
66 wordsSECTION 748(_NECESSITY OF GODLINESS IN ITS POWER._)
WORTHY SIR,--I am heartily glad that you have any mind of me, or my ministry while I was with you. I wish you the fruit of it. I trust that you strive for the power of godliness, that has been so preached in the land; for salvation cometh not to every man's door, and the way to heaven is a straiter and narrower passage…
281 wordsSECTION 749ST. ANDREWS.
CCCVIII.--_For the Right Honourable, my Lady_ VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.…
10 wordsSECTION 750(_WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY--RELIGIOUS SECTS._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I am glad to hear that your Ladyship is in any tolerable health; and shall pray that the Lord may be your Strength and Rock. Sure I am, that He took you out of the womb; and you have been casten on Him from the breasts. I am confident that He will not leave you till He crown …
733 wordsSECTION 751S. R.
LONDON, _March 4, 1644_. CCCIX.--_For the Right Honourable, my_ LADY BOYD.…
12 wordsSECTION 752(_PROCEEDINGS OF THE WESTMINSTER ASSEMBLY._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I received your letter on May 19th. We are here debating, with much contention of disputes, for the just measures of the Lord's temple. It pleaseth God, that sometimes enemies hinder the building of the Lord's house; but now friends, even gracious men (so I conceive of them)…
816 wordsSECTION 753Part 753
The House of Peers are rotten men, and hate our Commissioners and our cause both. The life that is is in the House of Commons, and many of them also have their religion to choose. The sorrows of a travailing woman are come on the land. Our army is lying about York, and have blocked up them of Newcastle,[450] and six th…
213 wordsSECTION 754S. R.
LONDON, _May 25, 1644_. [451] Afterwards Earl of Crawford. See notice of, Letter CCXXXI. CCCX.--_To_ MISTRESS TAYLOR, _on her son's death_. [_Her son was a parishioner of Mr. Blair._]…
31 wordsSECTION 755(_SUGGESTIONS FOR COMFORT UNDER SORROW._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--Though I have no relation worldly or acquaintance with you, yet (upon the testimony and importunity of your elder son now at London, where I am, but chiefly because I esteem Jesus Christ in you to be in place of all relations) I make bold, in Christ, to speak my poor thoug…
944 wordsSECTION 756Part 756
[452] He had lost two children before going to London, and the above is in reference to the death of other two after he came thither. And dying in another land, where his mother could not close his eyes, is not much. Who closed Moses' eyes? And who put on his winding-sheet? For aught I know, neither father, nor mother…
323 wordsSECTION 757LONDON, 1645.
CCCXI.--_To_ BARBARA HAMILTON. [BARBARA HAMILTON was the wife of Mr. John Mein, merchant, Edinburgh, noticed before (see Letter CLI.), and sister to the first wife of the famous Mr. Robert Blair. She was a woman of eminent piety, and also distinguished for her public spirit. When Mr. Blair, and other Presbyterian mini…
369 wordsSECTION 758(_ON DEATH OF HER SON-IN-LAW--GOD'S PURPOSES._)
WORTHY FRIEND,--Grace be to you. I do unwillingly write unto you of that which God hath done concerning your son-in-law; only, I believe ye look not below Christ, and the highest and most supreme act of Providence, which moveth all wheels. And certainly, what came down enacted and concluded in the great book before the…
675 wordsSECTION 759S. R.
LONDON, _Oct. 15, 1645_. CCCXII.--_To MISTRESS HUME, on her Husband's Death._ [This lady, it is highly probable, was Barbara Mein, the daughter of Barbara Hamilton, noticed above, and the wife of Mr. William Hume, minister, who had gone to England with the Covenanters' army, and who died at Newcastle, probably from w…
130 wordsSECTION 760(_GOD'S VOICE IN THE ROD._)
LOVING SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--If ye have anything better than the husband of your youth, ye are Jesus Christ's debtor for it. Pay not then your debts with grudging. Sorrow may diminish from the sweet fruit of righteousness; but quietness, silence, submission, and faith, put a crown upon your sad l…
559 wordsSECTION 761S. R.
LONDON, _Oct. 15, 1645_. CCCXIII.--_To the_ VISCOUNTESS KENMURE.…
9 wordsSECTION 762(_CHRIST'S DESIGNS IN SICKNESS AND SORROW._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to your Ladyship.--Though Christ lose no time, yet, when sinful men drive His chariot, the wheels of His chariot move slowly. The woman, Zion, as soon as she travailed, brought forth her children; yea, "before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered o…
514 wordsSECTION 763S. R.
LONDON, _Oct. 16, 1645_. CCCXIV.--_To BARBARA HAMILTON, on her Son-in-law slain in battle._ [Letter CCCXII.]…
17 wordsSECTION 764(_GOD DOES ALL THINGS WELL, AND WITH DESIGN._)
LOVING SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I have heard with grief that Newcastle hath taken one more in a bloody account than before, even your son-in-law and my friend. But I hope you have learned that much of Christ as not to look to wheels rolled round about on earth. Earthen vessels are not to dispute wit…
601 wordsSECTION 765S. R.
LONDON, _Nov. 15, 1645_. CCCXV.-_-To a Christian Friend, upon the death of his Wife._…
16 wordsSECTION 766(_GOD THE FIRST CAUSE--THE END OF AFFLICTION._)
WORTHY FRIEND,--I desire to suffer with you, in the loss of a loving and good wife, now gone before (according to the method and order of Him of whose understanding there is no searching out) whither ye are to follow. He that made yesterday to go before this day, and the former generation, in birth and life, to have be…
624 wordsSECTION 767LONDON, 1645.
CCCXVI.--_To a Christian Brother, on the death of his Daughter._…
12 wordsSECTION 768(_CONSOLATION IN HER HAVING GONE BEFORE--CHRIST THE BEST HUSBAND._)
REVEREND AND BELOVED IN THE LORD,--It may be that I have been too long silent, but I hope that ye will not impute it to forgetfulness of you. As I have heard of the death of your daughter with heaviness of mind on your behalf, so am I much comforted that she hath evidenced to yourself and other witnesses the hope of t…
613 wordsSECTION 769S. R.
LONDON, _Jan. 6, 1646_. CCCXVII.--_To a Christian Gentlewoman._…
10 wordsSECTION 770(_VIEWS OF DEATH AND HEAVEN--ASPIRATIONS._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--If death, which is before you and us all, were any other thing than a friendly dissolution, and a change, not a destruction of life, it would seem a hard voyage to go through such a sad and dark trance,[456] so thorny a valley, as is the wages of sin. But I am confident th…
967 wordsSECTION 771Part 771
The evening and the shadow of every poor hireling is coming. The sun of Christ's church in this life is declining low. Not a soul of the militant company will be here within a few generations; our Husband will send for them all. It is a rich mercy that we are not married to time longer than the course be finished. Ye …
366 wordsSECTION 772S. R.
LONDON, _Jan. 9, 1646_. CCCXVIII.--_To my_ LADY KENMURE.…
9 wordsSECTION 773(_CHRIST NEVER IN OUR DEBT--RICHES OF CHRIST--EXCELLENCE OF THE HEAVENLY STATE._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--It is the least of the princely and royal bounty of Jesus Christ to pay a king's debts, and not to have His servants at a loss. His gold is better than yours, and His hundred-fold is the income and rent of heaven, and far above your revenues. Ye are not the first who have cas…
589 wordsSECTION 774S. R.
LONDON, _Jan. 26, 1646_. CCCXIX.--_To_ Mr. J. G.[461] [461] Perhaps Mr. James Guthrie, minister of Stirling; afterwards beheaded in 1661, at the Cross of Edinburgh, and his head fixed on the Nether Bow.…
35 wordsSECTION 775(_PROSPECTS FOR SCOTLAND--HIS OWN DARKNESS--ABILITY OF CHRIST._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I shall with my soul desire the peace of these kingdoms, and I do believe it will at last come, as a river and as the mighty waves of the sea; but oh that we were ripe and in readiness to receive it! The preserving of two or three, or four or five berries, in the utmost boughs of the olive-t…
710 wordsSECTION 776S. R.
LONDON, _Jan. 30, 1646_. CCCXX.--_To my_ LADY KENMURE.…
9 wordsSECTION 777(_TRIALS CANNOT INJURE SAINTS--BLESSEDNESS IN SEEING CHRIST._)
MADAM,--It is too like that the Lord's controversy with these two nations is but yet beginning, and that we are ripened and white for the Lord's sickle. For the particular condition your Ladyship is in, another might speak (if they would say all) of more sad things. If there was not a fountain of free grace to water d…
435 wordsSECTION 778S. R.
LONDON, _Feb. 16, 1646_. CCCXXI.--_To the LADY ARDROSS, in Fife._ [_There is an Ardross near Ferintosh in Ross-shire._] [LADY ARDROSS, whose maiden name was Helen Lindsay, was the daughter of Lady Christian Hamilton, eldest daughter of Thomas, first Earl of Haddington, by her first husband Robert, ninth Lord Lindsay …
136 wordsSECTION 779(_ON HER MOTHER'S DEATH--HAPPINESS OF HEAVEN, AND BLESSEDNESS OF DYING IN THE LORD._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--It hath seemed good, as I hear, to Him that hath appointed the bounds for the number of our months, to gather in a sheaf of ripe corn, in the death of your Christian mother, into His garner. It is the more evident that winter is near, when apples, without the violence of wind…
609 wordsSECTION 780S. R.
LONDON, _Feb. 24, 1646_. CCCXXII.--_To_ M. O. [Perhaps, as Letter CXLIX., some one of Provost Osburn's family in Ireland.]…
20 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.