PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Third Edition)
Rutherford, Samuel, 1600?-1661 · 345,819 words · 915 reading sections
ST. ANDREWS.
CCCLI.--_To MR. JAMES DURHAM, Minister of the Gospel at Glasgow, some few days before his Death._ [MR. JAMES DURHAM was ordained minister of Blackfriars Church, Glasgow, in November 1647. In September 1651 he was translated to the Inner High Church, Glasgow. He was a man at once distinguished for ardent piety and grea…
166 wordsSECTION 842(_MAN'S WAYS NOT GOD'S WAYS._)
SIR,--I would ere now have written to you, had I not known that your health, weaker and weaker, could scarce permit you to hear or read. I need not speak much. The Way ye know, and have preached to others the skill of the Guide, and the glory of the home beyond death. And when He saith, "Come and see," it will be your …
254 wordsSECTION 843S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _June 15, 1658_. CCCLII.--_For MR. JOHN SCOT, at Oxnam._…
13 wordsSECTION 844(_ADHERENCE TO THE TESTIMONY AGAINST TOLERATION._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Your letter that came unto me, of August 2nd, to be at Edinburgh upon August 2nd, was unknown to me by the subscription. But since it was written for so honourable and warrantable a truth of Christ, as a testimony against Toleration, if my health would have permitted, and my daily menacing g…
198 wordsSECTION 845S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _August 8, 1658_. CCCLIII.--_To my_ LADY KENMURE.…
10 wordsSECTION 846(_TRIALS--DEADNESS OF SPIRIT--DANGER OF FALSE SECURITY._)
MADAM,--I am ashamed of my long silence to your Ladyship. Your tossings and wanderings are known to Him upon whom ye have been cast from the breasts, and who hath been your God of old. The temporal loss of creatures, dear to you there, may be the more easily endured, that the gain of One "who only hath immortality" gro…
546 wordsSECTION 847S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _May 26, 1658_. CCCLIV.--_To my_ LADY KENMURE.…
10 wordsSECTION 848(_PREVAILING DECLENSION, DECAY, AND INDIFFERENCE TO GOD'S DEALINGS--THINGS FUTURE._)
MADAM,--I should be glad that the Lord would be pleased to lengthen out more time to you, that ye might, before your eyes be shut, see more of the work of the right hand of the Lord, in reviving a now swooning and crushed land and church. Though I was lately knocking at death's gate, yet could I not get in, but was sen…
703 wordsSECTION 849S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _Sept. 12, 1659_. CCCLV.--_To the PRESBYTERY OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT, anent Union, with a desire to have Mr. William Rait Professor at St. Andrews._[511] [511] From the original among the Wodrow MSS. vol. xxix. 4to, No. 88. The letter is addressed on the back, "For the very Reverend and honoured of the Lord, th…
222 wordsSECTION 850(_UNION--HUMILIATION--CHOICE OF A PROFESSOR._)
REVEREND,--The desire of your W[isdoms] for union to me, who am below such a public mercy, and of so high concernment to the Church of Scotland, ought to be most acceptable. The name of peace is savoury, both good and pleasant. I so close with your godly and religious aim therein, as judging the Lord hath from heaven s…
556 wordsSECTION 851S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _the 23rd October 1659_. [512] Solicit. [513] At St. Andrews. CCCLVI.--_To MR. JOHN MURRAY, Minister at Methven._[514] [514] From the original among the Wodrow MSS. vol. xxvii. fol. No. 42. [MR. JOHN MURRAY was one of the Protesters (see Baillie's "Letters"); and was committed prisoner to the Castle o…
154 wordsSECTION 852(_A SYNOD PROPOSAL FOR UNION--BRETHREN UNDER CENSURE._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I would gladly know the issue of your Synod. We did profess we could not be concluded[515] by the Synod of Fife's [overtures] of union, but upon condition of the taking off the censures of our brethren, which we think injuriously are inflicted. Much is promised to us for the remedying of the…
463 wordsSECTION 853S. R.
_St. Andrews_, _Jan. 25, 1660_. [Illustration: EDINBURGH CASTLE.] CCCLVII.--_To his Reverend and dear Brethren, MR. GUTHRIE, MR. TRAILL, and the rest of their brethren imprisoned in the Castle of Edinburgh._ [The circumstances of the case to which this letter refers are these:--On the 23rd of August 1660, the follow…
182 wordsSECTION 854(_ON SUFFERING FOR CHRIST--GOD'S PRESENCE EVER WITH HIS PEOPLE--FIRMNESS AND CONSTANCY._)
REVEREND, NOW VERY DEAR, AND MUCH HONOURED PRISONERS FOR CHRIST,--I am, as to the point of light, at the utmost of persuasion in that kind that it is the cause of Christ which ye now suffer for, and not men's interest. If it be for men, let us leave it; but if we plead for God, our own personal safety and man's deliver…
488 wordsSECTION 855ST. ANDREWS, 1660.
CCCLVIII.--_To_ SEVERAL BRETHREN. _Reasons for petitioning his Majesty after his return, and for owning such as were censured[519] while about so necessary a duty._ [519] That is, the ministers mentioned in the note prefixed to the preceding letter, who were arrested and imprisoned by the Committee of Estates. REVERE…
644 wordsSECTION 856ST. ANDREWS, 1660.
CCCLIX.--_To a_ BROTHER MINISTER. Judgment of a draught or minute of a Petition, to have been presented to the Committee of Estates, by those Ministers who were then prisoners in the Castle of Edinburgh for that other well-known Petition to his Majesty, about which they were when seized upon and made prisoners.[521] …
863 wordsSECTION 857Part 857
6. A condemning of the Remonstrance, simply and without any limitation and distinction, is a condemning of many precious ones in the land, and a passing from the causes of God's wrath, which is the chief matter of the Remonstrance. 7. That nothing is before your eyes but the exoneration of your conscience, is indeed b…
268 wordsSECTION 858ST. ANDREWS, 1660.
CCCLX.--_For the Right Honourable my_ LADY VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE. [_On the imprisonment of the Marquis of Argyle._]…
19 wordsSECTION 859(_GOD'S JUDGMENTS CALLING TO FLEE TO HIM--THE RESULT OF TIMID COMPLIANCE._)
MADAM,--It is not my part to be unmindful of you. Be not afflicted for your brother, the Marquis of Argyle.[522] As to the main, in my weak apprehension, the seed of God being in him, and love to the people of God and His cause, it will be well. The making of particular reckoning with the Lord, and of peace with God, a…
434 wordsSECTION 860S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _July 24, 1660_. CCCLXI.--_For MISTRESS CRAIG, upon the Death of her hopeful Son, who was drowned while washing himself in a river in France._…
28 wordsSECTION 861(_NINE REASONS FOR RESIGNATION._)
MISTRESS,--You have so learned Christ as now (in the furnace) what dross, what shining of faith may appear, must come forth. I heard of the removal of your son, Mr. Thomas. Though I be dull enough in discerning, yet I was witness to some spiritual savouriness of the new birth and hope of the resurrection, which I saw i…
721 wordsSECTION 862S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _Aug. 4, 1660_. CCCLXII.--_For my Reverend and dear Brother, Christ's Soldier in bonds, MR. JAMES GUTHRIE, Minister of the Gospel at Stirling_.…
25 wordsSECTION 863(_STEDFAST THOUGH PERSECUTED--BLESSEDNESS OF MARTYRDOM._)
DEAR BROTHER,--We are very often comforted with the word of promise; though we stumble not a little at the work of holy providence, some earthly men flourishing as a green herb, and the people of God counted as sheep for the slaughter, and killed all the day long. And yet both word of promise, and work of providence, a…
600 wordsSECTION 864S. R.
ST. ANDREWS, _Feb. 15, 1661_. CCCLXIII.--_To_ MR. ROBERT CAMPBELL. [MR. ROBERT CAMPBELL was minister of a parish in the Presbytery of Dunkeld. He was a Protester, and after the restoration of Charles II. was ejected for nonconformity to Prelacy.]…
40 wordsSECTION 865(_STEDFASTNESS TO PROTEST AGAINST PRELACY AND POPERY._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Ye know that this is a time in which all men almost seek their own things, and not the things of Jesus Christ. Ye are your lone, as a beacon on the top of a mountain; but faint not: Christ is a numerous multitude Himself, yea, millions. Though all the nations were convened against Him round …
534 wordsSECTION 866S. R.
CCCLXIV.--_To_ [Brethren in] ABERDEEN.…
5 wordsSECTION 867(_SINFUL CONFORMITY AND SCHISMATIC DESIGNS REPROVED._)
REVEREND AND DEARLY BELOVED IN THE LORD,--Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. There were some who rendered thanks, with knees bowed to Him "of whom is named the whole family in heaven and earth," when they heard of "your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hop…
888 wordsSECTION 868Part 868
If ye exclude all non-converts from the visible city of God (in which, daily, multitudes in Scotland, in all the four quarters of the land, above whatever our fathers saw, throng into Christ), shall they not be left to the lions and wild beasts of the forest, even to Jesuits, seminary-priests, and other seducers? For t…
706 wordsSECTION 869ST. ANDREWS.
CCCLXV.--_To MR. JOHN MURRAY, Minister at Methven._[528] [See Letter CCCLVI.] [528] From the original among the Wodrow MSS. vol. xxvii. fol. No. 18.…
26 wordsSECTION 870(_PROPOSAL OF A SEASON OF PRAYER_.)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--If I rightly apprehend our condition, we are in a way of declining. We were, within these few years, more in the conscionable use of means, and the Lord did shine upon us in some measure; and now we are fallen from that which we were. It is judged fit by some (and many of our solidest profes…
418 wordsSECTION 871S. R.
Mr. Robert Anderson is most eagerly desired for by the parishioners of Leuchars, and as strenuously opposed by our brethren here.…
21 wordsSECTION 872THE CHIEF PLACES AND INDIVIDUALS REFERRED TO IN THE LETTERS.
(_The Figures refer to the Letters._) Aberdeen, Letter to People of, 364; referred to, 77, 243, 364. Abraham referred to, 324. Abraham, Mr., 24. Aird, Bethia, 153. Airds, 59, 217. Alexander, Sir William, 15. America, 75. Anabaptists, 308. Anderson, Mr. R., 356, 365. Anwoth, 92, 96, 157, 162, 163, 167, 177, 18…
100 wordsSECTION 873M. A., 212, 243.
Baillie, Robert, 163, 307. Balcarras, Earl of, 327. Ballantyne, Margaret, 79. Balmerinoch, Lord, 139. Barcapple, 34. Barholm, 117 (notice). Barron, Dr. Robert, 89, 117, 144. Bautie, James, 249. Bell, John, 218. Berwick, 333. Blackness Castle, 12. Blair, Isabel.--_See_ Lady Gaitgirth. ---- Mr. Robert, 89, 25…
124 wordsSECTION 874B., 53. R. B., 246.
Caithness, 89. Cally, Laird of (John Lennox), 198, 202. Cambridge, 174. Campbell, John.--_See_ Earl of Loudon. ---- Lady Jane.--_See_ Kenmure. ---- Mr. Robert, 363, 365. Canons, Book of, 161. Cant, Mr. Andrew, 179, 206. Cardoness, the elder (_see_ John Gordon), 82, 166, 180. ---- the Lady (Gordon), 100, 103, 1…
183 wordsSECTION 875C., 44.
Dalgleish, William, 117, 184, 197, 287. Dalry.--_See_ Earlston. Dematius, note, 334. Dickson, Mr. David, 110, 119, 168, 259, 298; his son, John, 298. Disdow, 213, 262. Douglas, Robert, 113. Dunbar, Battle of, 329. Dunbar, Mr. George, 265. Dundrennan, 117 (note). Dungueich, the Lady, 251. Durham, Mr. James, 91…
98 wordsSECTION 876C. E., 92.
Familists, 310. Fenwick, John, 295. Fergushill, Mr. John, 112, 187, 188, 275. Fife, 364. Fingask, Lady (Moncrieff), 297. Fleming, Mr. James, 228. ---- John, 68, 159, 241, 266. Forret, Mr. David, 327. ---- Lady, 125. Forth, the, 257. France, 32, 254. Friend, a Christian, 291, 316. Fullarton, Margaret, 204. …
66 wordsSECTION 877R. F., 98.
G. J., 17, 92, 320. (John Gordon?) Gaitgirth, Lady (Isabel Blair), 187, 239. ---- Laird of, 237. Galloway, 37. Galloway, Bishop of (_see_ Sydserff), 161. Garloch, 65 (notice), 217. Garven, Mr. Thomas, 152, 165, 246. Gentlewoman, to a Christian, 2, 211, 318. ---- on husband's death, 105, 122. ---- Letter to one…
93 wordsSECTION 878---- W., 36.
Goodwin, Thomas, 309. Gordon, Alex., of Earlston, 59, 73. ---- of Garlock, 65 (notice). ---- Jean, 145. ---- John, at Rusco, 272, 280. ---- John, elder, of Cardoness.--_See_ C. ---- John, younger, of Cardoness.--_See_ Cardoness. ---- of Knockgray, 102.--_See_ K. ---- Mary, of Largmore, 72. ---- Robert, Bailie …
97 wordsSECTION 879W. G., 222.
Hall, Mr. Gilbert, 357. Hallhill, the Lady (Learmonth), 148. Halliday, William, 121. Hamilton, Barbara, 311, 315. ---- Euphan, 6. ---- Mr. James, 89, 137, 214. ---- John, 8.[532] Henderson, Mr. Alexander, 115. ---- Mr. Hugh, 138, 194. ---- Mr. John, in Rusco, 150, 207. Henton, 218. High Commission, 68, note.…
237 wordsSECTION 880C. K., 349.
Largirie, Lady, 195, 250. Largmore, 72. Laurie, John, 175. Law, James, 86, 110. Leighton, Dr. Alexander, 289. ---- Mr. Robert, 86. Lennox, John.--_See_ Cally. ---- Robert, 213, 262. Leys, Lady, 207. Lindsay, James, 234. ---- Lord, 231. Livingston, Mr. John, 90, 343. ---- Mr. William, 142. Lochinvar, 47, 10…
229 wordsSECTION 881M. O., 324.
Moncrieff, Mr. Alex., of Scoonie, 357. ---- Lady Ann, of Fingask, 295. ---- Laird of, 171. Montgomery, Sir Henry, 303. More, Dr., 311. Mowat, Mr. Matthew, 120, 167, 239, 301. Muirfad, 59, 109 (notice). Mure.--_See_ Lady Ralston. ----.--_See_ Rowallan, 242. ---- Ninian, 164. Murray, Christian, 262. ---- James…
60 wordsSECTION 882M. M., 167.
Nairn, Mr. George, 357. Nevay, Mr. John, 179, 209. Newcastle, 311. New England, 12, 75, 151, 153, 161. Newmills, 179. Nicholas, Henry, 310. Nisbet, 344; and, Life, p. 2. Ochiltree, 112 (notice). Ormiston, 337. Osburne, Provost of Ayr, 149. Oxford, 174. Oxnam.--_See_ Scott.…
44 wordsSECTION 883N. O., 322.
Parishioners of Anwoth, 225. Perkins, Dr. William, 159. Person unknown, anent public worship, 290. Persons unknown, 308. Perth Assembly, 244. Pitsligo, Lady (Marischall), 206, 243, 259. Pont, Mrs., 292. Porterfield of Duchal, 286. Prelacy, 363, 364, etc. Protesters, 334, 339, 344, 349, 356. Psalms, King James…
52 wordsSECTION 884Q., 64, 65, 116.
Queensberry, 205. Rait, Mr., 343, 355. Ralston, Lady (Mure), 336. Ramsay, Mr. Thomas, 357. Reid, Margaret, 248. Remonstrance, Western, 328, 351, 356, 359. Resolutioners, 330, 331, 336, 339. Ridge, Mr. John, 90. Rigg, William, of Athernie, 114, 256, 273; and notice, 226. Robertland, Lady, 282. Roberton, Gordon…
87 wordsSECTION 885H. R., 185, 15.
Rutherford's Brother George, 34, 73, 75,67, 98, 105, 107, 110, 112, 116, 136, 137, 151, 157, 158, 159, 205, 245, 267, 294, 340. ---- Brother James, 334 (note). ---- Children, 310. ---- Mother, 49. ---- Wife, 8, 11. Schoneir, James (_see_ Lady Kaskeberry), 108. Scott, Rev. John, of Oxnam, 349, 350, 352, 357. Sect…
148 wordsSECTION 886A. T., 102, 284.
Utrecht, 334 (note). Uxbridge Treaty, 308. Vivet, Christopher, 309. Watson, Mr., 214. Weir, Mr., 214. Welsh, John, 12. Westminster Assembly, 306, 308, 309. Whitepark, Gordon of, 143. Whiteside, Bell of, 218. Wigtown, 65, 67, 117, 191, 276. Wilson, Mr. James, 293. Wylie, Mr. Thomas, 306, 340, 355.…
47 wordsSECTION 887INDEX OF SPECIAL SUBJECTS.
(_The Reference is to the Number of the Letter._) Adversity, lessons of, 167. Affliction, 28, 29, 35, 37, 42, 76, 92, 94, 102, 112, 122, 167, 171, 186, 211, 223, 248, 265, 273, 282, 289, 298, 302, 312, 313, 315, 317, 323. Assurance, 106, 134, 190, 196, 286. ---- exhortation as to, 78, 91, 130. Atheism in the heart…
851 wordsSECTION 888Part 888
Visible Church, 364. Warnings, 72, 173, 225, 227. Watchfulness, 30, 263, 353. World, 5, 42, 99, 100, 122, 139, 190, 192, 200, 223, 224, 229, 251, 255, 268, 272, 282. Youth, 16, 24, 41, 111, 142, 156, 164, 166, 173, 181, 186, 199, 202, 203, 232, 240, 287, 307. Zeal, 10, 233.…
52 wordsSECTION 889[THE REFERENCES TO SPECIAL WORDS MAY SERVE THE PURPOSE OF A VERBAL INDEX.]
(_The Figures refer to the Letters._) _Abjects_; persons in the lowest grade of society. 291. _Accidents_; incidental accompaniments, not essential. 293. _Account-book_; journal of translations. 122, 124. _Acquaint_; personally known. _Ado_; Adjective, in the sense of _a-stir_. 97, 99, 181. Noun; occupation,[533] …
813 wordsSECTION 890Part 890
_Botch-house_; house spoilt and disfigured. 237. _Bouk_; from "_bulk_;" the corpse of man or beast. 141. _Bound-road_; boundary-line. 273, 286. _Brae_; declivity, slope of a hill. 69 141, etc. Above ordinary bounds.--"From bank to brae." 147, etc. _Braird_; the sprouting up blade of young wheat, or the like. 259. …
782 wordsSECTION 891Part 891
_Common_; alluding to persons sharing at a _common_ table in College. As this was a privilege enjoyed by special favour, "_To be in one's common_" is to be indebted to, under obligation to. 42, 52, 157, 252, etc. --"_To quit commons_" (214); to be freed from obligation by requiting the person. In 275 and 285, "_It is i…
790 wordsSECTION 892Part 892
_Edge by_; push aside. 225. _Empawn_; lay down as pledge. 229, 268. _Enact_; to decree. 291. "_End_;" thrice on end. 324. --Thrice in succession. _Engyne_, or _ingyne_; Latin, _Ingenium_, disposition, ability, policy. 84, 94. --Power of mind. 64. _Entire_; no division or half-heartedness. 119, 280. _Errand_; busi…
814 wordsSECTION 893Part 893
_Gloom_; frown, sullen look. Verb and Noun. 187, 266, etc. --"The sad and glooming cross" ("Christ Dying"). _Goodman_, or _gudeman_; one who holds his house or lands from a superior; unlike _laird_, who owns no superior but the king. 16, 18, etc. --_Goodwife_. 34.--See Luke xii. 39. _Good cheap_; very cheap, gratuito…
802 wordsSECTION 894Part 894
_Ill-washen_; dirty. 227, etc. _Improbation_; action to prove forgery, or that the person had no right to what he claimed. 178. _Incontinently_; immediately, as if unable to restrain himself. 241. _Indent_ Its common English sense occurs in Letter 288, to set in corresponding notches. But also to sign a paper contai…
820 wordsSECTION 895Part 895
_Mends_; reparation of a wrong. 14. --"_To the mends_;" to boot, besides, add to that. _Midses_; means, instrumentality. 190, 317. _Mid-way_; courses. 190.--Half and half, undecided. _Minch_; cut into small pieces. 127. _Mind_; remember, take care to speak of. 333, 334, 342. _Mint_; to attempt, intend at doing, es…
760 wordsSECTION 896Part 896
_Pinning_; a small stone to fill up a crevice. 211, 239. In a sermon on Zech. xi. 19 he says: "Would they give Christ no room? Might they not have made Him _a pinning_?" R. Blair's "Life" (p. 115). "Weak _pinnings_ are very useful in building a wall; and so are _graces_, though they are not the foundation." _Playmaker…
823 wordsSECTION 897Part 897
_Set_; it becomes, 260; disposed, 120. --"_Set to_;" engage, set about. 110, 145, 179, 235. _Set-rent_; full rent. _Shake_; to push aside, push out. _Shell_ of a balance; the scale. 268. _Short_; in temper hasty, rash. 153. --"_Shortly_;" forthwith. 249. --"_Short-dated_;" lasting only a short time. 196. _Shute_; …
826 wordsSECTION 898Part 898
_Take up house_; enter on housekeeping. 250. --_I take myself_. 98. --_I retract my word._ _Taken up with_; occupied with. 185. _Taking_; that is, attractive. 305. South's sermons has it. _Tarrow_; to be pettish at, reluctant. 23, 118. _Tell_; count up. 85, 167, 241, 249, 265. --"_Telling_;" something to mark down.…
813 wordsSECTION 899Part 899
_Well_; a Noun for _weal_, welfare. 72, 202. --"_Well is me_;" it is good for me. 120, 222, 250, 257, etc. --"_Wellcome_;" come in an honest way. 162, 182. _Well-wared_; well laid out. 104. --Well deserved. 203. _Wersh_; saltless, insipid. 182. _While_, or _whill_; till. 12, 24, 44, etc. _Whiles_; at times. 102, 18…
319 wordsSECTION 900NOTE.
There are some words, such as "_Ease-rooms_" and "_Heaven-name_," that seem to be Rutherford's own coining. But these are very few. On the other hand, there is in these Letters what was a characteristic of the style of the times, viz. the use of _synonymous words_, side by side. Thus we have "niffer and exchange;" "fea…
120 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.