PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Third Edition)
Rutherford, Samuel, 1600?-1661 · 345,819 words · 915 reading sections
S. R.
EDINBURGH, _Sept. 5, 1636_. LXV.--_To ROBERT GORDON of Knockbreck, on his way to Aberdeen._ [ROBERT GORDON of Knockbrex, in the parish of Borgue, which adjoins Anwoth, is, by Livingstone in his "Characteristics," described as "a single-hearted and painful Christian, much employed at parliaments and public meetings af…
192 wordsSECTION 182(_HOW UPHELD ON THE WAY._)
MY DEAREST BROTHER,--I see Christ thinketh shame (if I may speak so) to be in such a poor man's common as mine. I burden no man; I want nothing; no face hath gloomed upon me since I left you. God's sun and fair weather conveyeth me to my time-paradise in Aberdeen. Christ hath so handsomely fitted for my shoulders this …
183 wordsSECTION 183S. R.
EDINBURGH, _Sept. 5, 1636_. LXVI.--_To ROBERT GORDON of Knockbreck, after arriving at Aberdeen._…
15 wordsSECTION 184(_CHALLENGES OF CONSCIENCE--EASE IN ZION._)
DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I am, by God's mercy, come now to Aberdeen, the place of my confinement, and settled in an honest man's house. I find the town's-men cold, general, and dry in their kindness; yet I find a lodging in the heart of many strangers. My challenges are revived again, and I fin…
399 wordsSECTION 185S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Sept. 20, 1636_. LXVII.-_For WILLIAM FULLARTON, Provost of Kirkcudbright._ [WILLIAM FULLARTON, as has been formerly noticed, was the husband of Marion M'Naught. His religious principles were the same with those of his excellent wife, and he was a man of virtue, integrity, and piety. He proved himself the p…
264 wordsSECTION 186(_ENCOURAGEMENT TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST._)
MUCH HONOURED AND VERY DEAR FRIEND,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I am in good case, blessed be the Lord, remaining here in this unco town a prisoner for Christ and His truth. And I am not ashamed of His cross. My soul is comforted with the consolations of His sweet presence, for whom I suffer. I earnestly entr…
258 wordsSECTION 187S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Sept. 21, 1636_. [162] His brother was a teacher in Kirkcudbright, and between him and Samuel there was a warm attachment, and strong sympathies. He, too, suffered persecution for his adherence to the cause of Presbytery. For this, and his zealous support of Mr. Glendinning, whom the Bishop of Galloway trea…
112 wordsSECTION 188(_THE SWEETNESS AND FAITHFULNESS OF CHRIST'S LOVE._)
MY VERY WORTHY FRIEND,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I received your letter. I bless the Lord through Jesus Christ, I find His word good, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction" (Isa. xlviii. 10). "I will be with him in trouble" (Ps. xci. 15). I never expected other at Christ's hand but much good and co…
335 wordsSECTION 189S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Nov. 13, 1636_. LXIX.--_To the Noble and Christian Lady the_ VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.…
15 wordsSECTION 190(_HIS ENJOYMENT OF CHRIST IN ABERDEEN--A SIGHT OF CHRIST EXCEEDS ALL REPORTS--SOME ASHAMED OF HIM AND HIS._)
MY VERY HONOURABLE AND DEAR LADY,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I cannot forget your Ladyship, and that sweet child. I desire to hear what the Lord is doing to you and him. To write to me were charity. I cannot but write to my friends, that Christ hath trysted me in Aberdeen; and my adversaries have sent me here …
954 wordsSECTION 191S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Nov. 22, 1636_. LXX.--_To the Right Honourable and Christian Lady, my_ LADY VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.…
17 wordsSECTION 192(_EXERCISE UNDER RESTRAINT FROM PREACHING--THE DEVIL--CHRIST'S LOVING KINDNESS--PROGRESS._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I received your Ladyship's letter. It refreshed me in my heaviness. The blessing and prayer of a prisoner of Christ come upon you. Since my coming hither, Galloway sent me not a line, except what my brother, Earlston, and his son, did write. I cannot get my papers transported;…
905 wordsSECTION 193Part 193
My heart cannot express what sad nights I have had for the virgin daughter of my people. Woe is me, for my time is coming. "Behold, the day, behold, the day is come; the morning hath gone forth, the rod hath blossomed, pride hath budded, violence is risen up in a rod of wickedness, the sun is gone down upon our prophet…
137 wordsSECTION 194ABERDEEN.
LXXI.--_To_ MR. HUGH M'KAIL. [MR. HUGH M'KAIL was at this time minister of Irvine. Previous to his settlement in that parish, Rutherford was very desirous of seeing him settled assistant and successor to Mr. Robert Glendinning, the aged minister of Kirkcudbright; the people too had an eye to him, but were disappointed…
198 wordsSECTION 195(_CHRIST TO BE TRUSTED AMID TRIAL._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I thank you for your letter. I cannot but show you, that as I never expected anything from Christ, but much good and kindness, so He hath made me to find it in the house of my pilgrimage. And believe me, brother, I give it to you under mine own hand-writ, that whoso looketh to the white side…
419 wordsSECTION 196S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Nov. 22, 1636_. LXXII.--_To WILLIAM GORDON of Roberton_. [WILLIAM GORDON of Roberton, in the parish of Borgue in Galloway, close to Knockbrex, was the father of William Gordon of Roberton, who joined with the Covenanters in the rising at Pentland in 1666, and was killed, "to the great loss of the country w…
526 wordsSECTION 197Part 197
I know no wholesome fountain but one. I know not a thing worth the buying but heaven; and my own mind is, if comparison were made betwixt Christ and heaven, I would sell heaven with my blessing, and buy Christ. O if I could raise the market for Christ, and heighten the market a pound for a penny, and cry up Christ in m…
557 wordsSECTION 198ABERDEEN, 1636.
LXXIII.--_To_ EARLSTON, _Elder_. "And they overcame the dragon by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death."--REV. xii. 11.…
34 wordsSECTION 199(_CHRIST'S LIBERALITY--HIS OWN MISAPPREHENSIONS OF CHRIST._)
MUCH-HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I long to see you in paper, and to be refreshed by you. I cannot but desire you, and charge you to help me to praise Him who feedeth a poor prisoner with the fatness of His house. O how weighty is His love! O but there is much telling in Christ's kindness! The Amen…
488 wordsSECTION 200S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Dec. 30, 1636_. [169] I have no want of. LXXIV.--_To the_ LADY CULROSS. "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."--REV. vii. 14.…
42 wordsSECTION 201(_HIS OWN MISCONCEPTION OF CHRIST'S WAYS--CHRIST'S KINDNESS._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon you. I greatly long to be refreshed with your letter. I am now (all honour and glory to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible!) in better terms with Christ than I was. I, like a fool, summoned my Husband and Lord, and libelled unkindness against Him; but now I pass…
507 wordsSECTION 202S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Dec. 30, 1636_. [170] My being silenced as to preaching, and my grief, keep me from saying. [Illustration: AYR.] LXXV.--_To JOHN KENNEDY, Bailiffe (i.e. Bailie) of Ayr._ [JOHN KENNEDY was the son of Hugh Kennedy, Provost of Ayr. Hugh was an eminent Christian, and did much to promote the cause of religion…
535 wordsSECTION 203(_LONGING AFTER CLEARER VIEWS OF CHRIST--HIS LONG-SUFFERING--TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES._)
WORTHY AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I long to see you in this northern world on paper; I know it is not forgetfulness that ye write not. I am every way in good ease, both in soul and body; all honour and glory be to my Lord. I want nothing but a further revelation of the beauty of the unknown S…
656 wordsSECTION 204S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Jan. 1, 1637_. LXXVI.--_To ROBERT GORDON of Knockbrex._…
11 wordsSECTION 205(_BENEFIT OF AFFLICTION._)
MY DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied upon you.--I am almost wearying, yea, wondering, that ye write not to me: though I know it is not forgetfulness. As for myself, I am every way well, all glory to God. I was before at a plea with Christ (but it was bought by me, and unlawful), because His whole pr…
853 wordsSECTION 206S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Jan. 1, 1637_. LXXVII.--_To my_ LADY BOYD. [LADY BOYD, whose maiden name was Christian Hamilton, was the eldest daughter of Thomas, first Earl of Haddington. She was first married to Robert, ninth Lord Lindsay of Byres, who died in 1616. She married for her second husband, Robert, sixth Lord Boyd, who died…
193 wordsSECTION 207(_ABERDEEN--EXPERIENCE OF HIMSELF SAD--PRESSING FORWARDS._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. The Lord hath brought me to Aberdeen, where I see God in few. This town hath been advised upon of purpose for me; it consisteth either of Papists, or men of Gallio's naughty faith. It is counted wisdom, in the most, not to countenance a confined minister; but I find Christ n…
657 wordsSECTION 208ABERDEEN.
[171] Spin fine. LXXVIII.--_To my_ LORD BOYD. [ROBERT, seventh LORD BOYD, was the only son of Robert, sixth Lord Boyd, by Lady Christian Hamilton, mentioned in the preceding letter. His father (who was cousin of the famous Robert Boyd of Trochrig, two miles from Girvan, and under whom he studied at Saumur) died in Au…
147 wordsSECTION 209(_ENCOURAGEMENT TO EXERTION FOR CHRIST'S CAUSE._)
MY VERY HONOURABLE AND GOOD LORD,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to your Lordship. Out of the worthy report that I hear of your Lordship's zeal for this borne-down and oppressed Gospel, I am bold to write to your Lordship, beseeching you by the mercies of God, by the honour of our royal and princely King Jesus, by the sor…
675 wordsSECTION 210ABERDEEN, 1637.
LXXIX.--_To_ MARGARET BALLANTINE. [This name is not found among the people of the parish of Anwoth. Like John Laurie, Letter CLXXV., she may have been some one at a distance.]…
31 wordsSECTION 211(_VALUE OF THE SOUL AND URGENCY OF SALVATION._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you.--It is more than time that I should have written to you; but it is yet good time, if I could help your soul to mend your pace, and to go more swiftly to your heavenly country. For truly ye have need to make all haste, because the inch of your day that remaineth will quick…
922 wordsSECTION 212ABERDEEN, 1637.
[172] Ask. LXXX.--_For_ MARION M'NAUGHT.…
6 wordsSECTION 213(_HIS COMFORT UNDER TRIBULATION, AND THE PRISON A PALACE._)
MY DEARLY BELOVED SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I complain that Galloway is not kind to me in paper. I have received no letters these sixteen weeks but two. I am well. My prison is a palace to me, and Christ's banqueting-house. My Lord Jesus is as kind as they call Him. O that all Scotland knew my case, a…
202 wordsSECTION 214S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Jan. 3, 1637_. [173] Kirkcudbright. LXXXI.--_To_ MR. JOHN MEINE (_Jun_.). [MR. JOHN MEINE was the son of John Meine, merchant in Edinburgh, "a solid and stedfast professor of the truth of God." His mother was Barbara Hamilton, a notice of whom see Letter CCCXIII. He was now, it would appear from an allusi…
96 wordsSECTION 215(_EXPERIENCE--PATIENT WAITING--SANCTIFICATION._)
WORTHY AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I have been too long in answering your letter, but other business took me up. I am here waiting, if the fair wind will turn upon Christ's sails in Scotland, and if deliverance be breaking out to this over-clouded and benighted kirk. O that we could contend, b…
381 wordsSECTION 216S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Jan. 5, 1637_. [Illustration: CARDONESS CASTLE.] LXXXII.--_To JOHN GORDON of Cardoness, Elder._ [JOHN GORDON of Cardoness, in the parish of Anwoth, was descended from Gordon of Lochinvar; but little is known concerning him. His name appears the first of 188 signatures attached to an unsuccessful petition …
271 wordsSECTION 217(_WIN CHRIST AT ALL HAZARDS--CHRIST'S BEAUTY--A WORD TO CHILDREN._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I have longed to hear from you, and to know the estate of your soul, and the estate of that people with you. I beseech you, Sir, by the salvation of your precious soul, and the mercies of God, to make good and sure work of your salvation, and try upon what ground…
599 wordsSECTION 218Part 218
Dear Sir, I always saw nature mighty, lofty, heady, and strong in you; and that it was more for you to be mortified and dead to the world, than for another common man. Ye will take a low ebb, and a deep cut, and a long lance, to go to the bottom of your wounds in saving humiliation, to make you a won prey for Christ. B…
760 wordsSECTION 219ABERDEEN, 1637.
LXXXIII.--_To the_ EARL OF LOTHIAN. [WILLIAM, third EARL OF LOTHIAN, to whom this letter is addressed, was the eldest son of Robert, first Earl of Ancrum; and he acquired the title of Earl of Lothian by his marriage with Anne Ker, Countess of Lothian, by whom he succeeded to the estate and titles of Lothian in 1624. I…
377 wordsSECTION 220(_ADVICE AS TO PUBLIC CONDUCT--EVERYTHING TO BE ENDURED FOR CHRIST._)
RIGHT HONOURABLE, AND MY VERY WORTHY AND NOBLE LORD,--Out of the honourable and good report that I hear of your Lordship's good-will and kindness, in taking to heart the honourable cause of Christ, and His afflicted Church and wronged truth in this land, I make bold to speak a word on paper, to your Lordship, at this d…
851 wordsSECTION 221Part 221
I dare lay in pawn my hope of heaven, that this reproached way is the only way of peace. I find it is the way that the Lord hath sealed with His comforts now, in my bonds for Christ; and I verily esteem and find chains and fetters for that lovely One, Christ, to be watered over with sweet consolations, and the love-smi…
239 wordsSECTION 222ABERDEEN, 1637.
LXXXIV.--_To_ JEAN BROWN. [JEAN BROWN was the mother of the well-known Mr. John Brown, minister of Wamphray in Annandale, who, after the restoration of Charles II., was ejected from his charge and banished from the King's dominions for his opposition to Prelacy. She was a woman of intelligence and piety.]…
51 wordsSECTION 223(_THE JOYS OF THIS LIFE EMBITTERED BY SIN--HEAVEN AN OBJECT OF DESIRE--TRIAL A BLESSED THING._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. I long to hear how your soul prospereth. I earnestly desire your on-going toward your country. I know that ye see your day melteth away by little and little, and that in a short time ye shall be put beyond time's bounds; for life is a post that standeth not still, and our…
745 wordsSECTION 224ABERDEEN, 1637.
LXXXV.--_To JOHN KENNEDY, Bailie of Ayr_.…
7 wordsSECTION 225(_THE REASONABLENESS OF BELIEVING UNDER ALL AFFLICTION--OBLIGATIONS TO FREE GRACE._)
WORTHY AND WELL-BELOVED BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you.--I am yet waiting what our Lord will do for His afflicted Church, and for my re-entry to my Lord's house. O that I could hear the forfeiture of Christ (now casten out of His inheritance) recalled and taken off by open proclamation; and that Christ w…
661 wordsSECTION 226Part 226
This was always God's aim, since Christ came into the play betwixt Him and us, to make men dependent creatures; and, in the work of our salvation, to put created strength, and arms and legs of clay, quite out of place, and out of office and court. And now God hath substituted in our room, and accepted His Son, the Medi…
337 wordsSECTION 227S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Jan. 6, 1637_. LXXXVI.--_To my_ LORD CRAIGHALL. [SIR JOHN HOPE, LORD CRAIGHALL, was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Hope (Lord Advocate of Scotland in the time of James VI. and Charles I.) His property, Craighall, is in the parish of Inveresk, near Edinburgh. Sir Thomas was the most eminent lawyer of his day,…
225 wordsSECTION 228(_EPISCOPALIAN CEREMONIES--HOW TO ABIDE IN THE TRUTH--DESIRE FOR LIBERTY TO PREACH CHRIST._)
MY LORD,--I received Mr. L.'s[177] letter with your Lordship's and his learned thoughts in the matter of ceremonies. I owe respect to the man's learning, for that I hear him to be opposed to Arminian heresies. But, with reverence of that worthy man, I wonder to hear such popish-like expressions as he hath in his letter…
750 wordsSECTION 229S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Jan. 24, 1637_. [179] John Spottiswoode. [180] James Law, Bishop of Glasgow, was the deputy of Sydserff, the Bishop of Galloway. [181] Arguments drawn from the risk of provoking. LXXXVII.--_To_ ELIZABETH KENNEDY. [ELIZABETH KENNEDY was the sister of Hugh Kennedy, Provost of Ayr, and a woman as eminent f…
144 wordsSECTION 230(_DANGER OF FORMALITY--CHRIST WHOLLY TO BE LOVED--OTHER OBJECTS OF LOVE._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I have long had a purpose of writing unto you, but I have been hindered. I heartily desire that ye would mind your country, and consider to what airt your soul setteth its face; for all come not home at night who suppose that they have set their face heavenward. It is a wo…
904 wordsSECTION 231Part 231
I can write no better thing to you, than to desire you, if ever ye laid Christ in a count, to take Him up and count over again: and weigh Him again and again: and after this have no other to court your love, and to woo your soul's delight, but Christ. He will be found worthy of all your love, howbeit it should swell up…
95 wordsSECTION 232ABERDEEN, 1637.
LXXXVIII.--_To_ JANET KENNEDY. [This seems to be the wife of Mr. John Fergushill; see Letter CXII.]…
17 wordsSECTION 233(_CHRIST TO BE KEPT AT EVERY SACRIFICE--HIS INCOMPARABLE LOVELINESS._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. Ye are not a little obliged to His rich grace, who hath separated you for Himself, and for the promised inheritance with the saints in light, from this condemned and guilty world. Hold fast Christ, contend for Him; it is a lawful plea to go to holding and drawing for Chri…
843 wordsSECTION 234ABERDEEN, 1637.
[183] Drink the health of the buyer over the concluded bargain. LXXXIX.--_To my Well-beloved and Reverend Brother_, MR. ROBERT BLAIR. [MR. ROBERT BLAIR was born at Irvine in 1593. After completing his education at the College of Glasgow, he there held for several years the office of regent, during which time he was l…
432 wordsSECTION 235(_GOD'S ARRANGEMENTS SOMETIMES MYSTERIOUS._)
REVEREND AND DEARLY BELOVED BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, be unto you. It is no great wonder, my dear brother, that ye be in heaviness for a season, and that God's will (in crossing your design and desires to dwell amongst a people whose God is the Lord) should …
552 wordsSECTION 236Part 236
For myself, I am here a prisoner confined in Aberdeen, threatened to be removed to Caithness, because I desire to edify in this town; and am openly preached against in the pulpits in my hearing, and tempted with disputations by the doctors, especially by D. B.[186] Yet I am not ashamed of the Lord Jesus, His garland, a…
581 wordsSECTION 237S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Feb. 7, 1637_. [187] Mr. John Ridge was an English minister, whom opposition to ceremonial impositions on conscience led to leave his native country for Ireland. He was admitted to the vicarage of Antrim on the 7th of July 1619, in which he laboured with success for many years; but being deposed by Henry Le…
591 wordsSECTION 238(_RESIGNATION--ENJOYMENT--STATE OF THE CHURCH_.)
MY REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I long to hear from you, and to be refreshed with the comforts of The Bride of our Lord Jesus in Ireland. I suffer with you in grief, for the dash that your desires to be at New England have received of late; but if our Lord, who hath skill to bring up H…
611 wordsSECTION 239S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Feb. 7, 1637_. XCI.--_To_ MR. EPHRAIM MELVIN. [EPHRAIM MELVIN, or MELVILLE, was first ordained minister of Queensferry, and afterwards translated to Linlithgow, where he died. His ministry was signally blessed of God for bringing many to the saving knowledge of the truth, among whom were some who afterward…
425 wordsSECTION 240(_THE IDOLATRY OF KNEELING AT THE COMMUNION_.)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I received your letter, and am contented, with all my heart, that our acquaintance in our Lord continue. I am wrestling as I dow, up the mount with Christ's cross: my Second is kind and able to help. As for your questions, because of my manifold distractions, and letters to multitudes, I h…
638 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.