PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Third Edition)
Rutherford, Samuel, 1600?-1661 · 345,819 words · 915 reading sections
ABERDEEN, 1637.
XCII.--_To_ ROBERT GORDON _of Knockbrex_.…
6 wordsSECTION 242(_VISITS OF CHRIST--THE THINGS WHICH AFFLICTION TEACHES._)
MY VERY WORTHY AND DEAR FRIEND,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. Though all Galloway should have forgotten me, I would have expected a letter from you ere now; but I will not expound it to be forgetfulness of me. Now, my dear brother, I cannot show you how matters go betwixt Christ and me. I find my Lord going and …
826 wordsSECTION 243Part 243
(3.) I thought courage, in the time of trouble for Christ's sake, a thing that I might take up at my foot. I thought that the very remembrance of the honesty of the cause would be enough. But I was a fool in so thinking. I have much ado now to win to one smile. But I see that joy groweth up in heaven, and it is above o…
350 wordsSECTION 244S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Feb. 9, 1637_. XCIII.--_To the Honourable and truly Noble Lady, the_ VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.…
16 wordsSECTION 245(_GOD'S DEALINGS WITH SCOTLAND--THE EYE TO BE DIRECTED HEAVENWARD._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to your Ladyship.--I long to hear from you. I am here waiting, if a good wind, long looked for, will at length blow into Christ's sails, in this land. But I wonder if Jesus be not content to suffer more yet in His members and cause, and in the beauty of His house, rather than He shou…
427 wordsSECTION 246S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Feb. 13, 1637_. XCIV.--_To the Noble and Christian Lady, the_ VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.…
15 wordsSECTION 247(_THE TIMES--CHRIST'S SWEETNESS IN TROUBLE--LONGING AFTER HIM._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I would not omit the occasion to write to your Ladyship with the bearer. I am glad that the child is well. God's favour, even in the eyes of men, be seen upon him! I hope that your Ladyship is thinking upon these sad and woful days wherein we now live, when our Lord, in His r…
762 wordsSECTION 248ABERDEEN, 1637.
XCV.--_To the Right Honourable and Christian Lady, the_ VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.…
12 wordsSECTION 249(_CHRIST'S CROSS SWEET--HIS COMING TO BE DESIRED--JEALOUS OF ANY RIVAL._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to your Ladyship. I would not omit to write a line with this Christian bearer; one in your Ladyship's own case, driven near to Christ, in and by her affliction. I wish that my friends in Galloway forget me not. However it be, Christ is so good, I will have no other tutor, suppose I co…
476 wordsSECTION 250ABERDEEN, 1637.
XCVI.--_To the Noble and Christian Lady, the_ VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.…
11 wordsSECTION 251(CHRIST ALL WORTHY--ANWOTH.)
MADAM,--Notwithstanding the great haste of the bearer, I would bless your Ladyship on paper, desiring, that since Christ hath ever envied that the world should have your love by Him,[194] that ye give yourself out for Christ, and that ye may be for no other. I know none worthy of you but Christ. [194] More than He; se…
279 wordsSECTION 252ABERDEEN, 1637.
XCVII.--_To_ ALEXANDER GORDON _of Earlston_.…
6 wordsSECTION 253(_CHRIST ENDEARED BY BITTER EXPERIENCES--SEARCHINGS OF HEART--FEAR FOR THE CHURCH._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I received your letter, which refreshed me. Except from your son, and my brother, I have seen few letters from my acquaintance in that country; which maketh me heavy. But I have the company of a Lord who can teach us all to be kind, and hath the right gate of it. T…
929 wordsSECTION 254S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Feb. 16, 1637_. XCVIII.--_To the Worthy and much Honoured MR. ALEXANDER COLVILLE of Blair._ [ALEXANDER COLVILLE of Blair (which is in the parish of Carnock, Fifeshire) early commended himself to the gratitude of Rutherford by befriending him under prelatic persecutions. When Rutherford in 1630 was summoned…
204 wordsSECTION 255(_INCREASING EXPERIENCE OF CHRIST'S LOVE--GOD WITH HIS SAINTS._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. The bearer hereof, Mr. R. F., is most kind to me; I desire you to thank him. But none is so kind as my only royal King and Master, whose cross is my garland. The King dineth with His prisoner, and His spikenard casteth a smell. He hath led me up to such a pitch and…
509 wordsSECTION 256S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Feb. 19, 1637_. XCIX.--_To EARLSTON, Younger._ [WILLIAM GORDON, to whom this letter is addressed, was the eldest son of Alexander Gordon of Earlston, formerly noticed (Letter LIX.). He exhibited in youth much of the piety and public spirit of his father. His well-known attachment to the cause of Presbytery…
368 wordsSECTION 257(_CHRIST'S WAYS MISUNDERSTOOD--HIS INCREASING KINDNESS--SPIRITUAL DELICACY--HARD TO BE DEAD TO THE WORLD._)
HONOURED AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I received your letter, which refreshed my soul. I thank God that the court is closed; I think shame of my part of it. I pass now from my unjust summons of unkindness libelled against Christ my Lord. He is not such a Lord and Master as I took Him to be; ve…
1,001 wordsSECTION 258Part 258
Yours, and Christ's prisoner,…
4 wordsSECTION 259S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Feb. 20, 1637_. C.--_To the_ LADY CARDONESS.…
9 wordsSECTION 260(_THE ONE THING NEEDFUL--CONSCIENTIOUS ACTING IN THE WORLD--ADVICE UNDER DEJECTING TRIALS._)
MY DEARLY BELOVED, AND LONGED-FOR IN THE LORD,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you--I long to hear how your soul prospereth, and how the kingdom of Christ thriveth in you. I exhort you and beseech you in the bowels of Christ, faint not, weary not. There is a great necessity of heaven; ye must needs have it. All other th…
720 wordsSECTION 261S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Feb. 20, 1637_. CI.--_To_ JONET MACCULLOCH. [No doubt this lady was one of the _Maccullochs_ of _Ardwell_, a residence near Anwoth, next to Cardoness. The Letter, CLXXXIV., to Mr. Thomas Macculloch of _Nether Ardwell_, relates apparently to another of the same house. The house is very pleasantly situated n…
282 wordsSECTION 262(_CHRIST'S SUFFICIENCY--STEDFASTNESS IN THE TRUTH._)
DEAR SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I long to hear how your soul prospereth. I am as well as a prisoner of Christ can be, feasted and made fat with the comforts of God. Christ's kisses are made sweeter to my soul than ever they were. I would not change my Master with all the kings of clay upon the earth.…
247 wordsSECTION 263S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Feb. 20, 1637_. CII.--_To ALEXANDER GORDON of Knockgray_. [Knockgray is a farm-like house, enclosed by trees, at the foot of the hills of Carsphairn. It is on your right hand, coming from Earlston to Carsphairn, after passing the little hill of Dundeuch. "Alexander Gordon of Knockgray," says Livingstone, w…
228 wordsSECTION 264(_GROUNDS OF PRAISE--AFFLICTION TEMPTS TO MISREPRESENT CHRIST--IDOLS._)
DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I long to hear how your soul prospereth. I expected letters from you ere now. As for myself, I am here in good case, well feasted with a great King. At my coming here, I was that bold as to take up a jealousy of Christ's love. I said I was cast over the dyke of the Lor…
657 wordsSECTION 265S. R.
ABERDEEN, _Feb. 23, 1637_. CIII.--_To the LADY CARDONESS, Elder_.…
10 wordsSECTION 266(_CHRIST AND HIS CAUSE RECOMMENDED--HEAVENLY-MINDEDNESS--CAUTION AGAINST COMPLIANCES--ANXIETY ABOUT HIS PARISH._)
WORTHY AND WELL-BELOVED IN THE LORD,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I long to hear from you on paper, that I may know how your soul prospereth. My desire and longing is to hear that ye walk in the truth, and that ye are content to follow the despised but most lovely Son of God. I cannot but recommend Him unto you…
645 wordsSECTION 267S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 6, 1637_. CIV.--_To the Right Honourable and Christian Lady, my LADY VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE._…
18 wordsSECTION 268(_PAINSTAKING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST--UNUSUAL ENJOYMENT OF HIS LOVE--NOT EASY TO BE A CHRISTIAN--FRIENDS MUST NOT MISLEAD._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I am refreshed with your letter. The right hand of Him to whom belong the issues from death hath been gracious to that sweet child. I dow not, I do not, forget him and your Ladyship in my prayers. Madam, for your own case. I love careful, and withal, _doing_ complaints of wa…
791 wordsSECTION 269S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 7, 1637_. CV.--_To a Gentlewoman, upon the death of her husband._…
15 wordsSECTION 270(_RESIGNATION UNDER BEREAVEMENT--HIS OWN ENJOYMENT OF CHRIST'S LOVE._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I cannot but rejoice, and withal be grieved, at your case. It hath pleased the Lord to remove your husband (my friend, and this kirk's faithful professor[201]) soon to his rest; but shall we be sorry that our loss is his gain, seeing his Lord would want his company no long…
616 wordsSECTION 271S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 7, 1637_. CVI.--_To the Right Honourable and Christian Lady, my LADY KENMURE._…
16 wordsSECTION 272(_WEAK ASSURANCE--GRACE DIFFERENT FROM LEARNING--SELF-ACCUSATIONS._)
MADAM,--Upon the offered opportunity of this worthy bearer, I could not omit to answer the heads of your letter. _1stly_, I think not much to set down on paper some good things anent Christ (that sealed and holy thing),[202] and to feed my soul with raw wishes to be one with Christ; for a wish is but broken and half l…
735 wordsSECTION 273ABERDEEN.
CVII.--_To the Right Honourable and Christian Lady, my LADY BOYD._…
12 wordsSECTION 274(_CONSCIOUSNESS OF DEFECTS NO ARGUMENT OF CHRIST BEING UNKNOWN--HIS EXPERIENCE IN EXILE._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you, from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ. I cannot but thank your Ladyship for your letter, that hath refreshed my soul. I think myself many ways obliged to your Ladyship for your love to my afflicted brother, now embarked with me in that same cause. His Lord hath …
908 wordsSECTION 275S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 7, 1637_. CVIII.--_To the_ LADY KASKEBERRY. [This lady was wife to _James Schoneir_ of _Kaskeberrie_, or Kaskeberrian, in Fife. His name occurs as elder to the General Assembly in 1647, and he was ruling elder in the Presbytery of Kirkcaldy. (Lamont's "Diary," 1650.) His lady died in 1655, and was bu…
57 wordsSECTION 276(_GRATITUDE FOR KINDNESS--CHRIST'S PRESENCE FELT._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I long to hear how your Ladyship is. I know not how to requite your Ladyship's kindness; but your love to the saints, Madam, is laid up in heaven. I know it is for your well-beloved Christ's sake that ye make His friends so dear to you, and concern yourself so much in them. …
165 wordsSECTION 277S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 7, 1637_. CIX.--_To the_ LADY EARLSTON. [This was probably Lady Earlston, senior, as may be inferred from Rutherford's reminding her that her "afternoon sun will soon go down." Her maiden name was Elizabeth Gordon, she being the daughter of John Gordon of Muirfad, near Creeton, in the north extremity…
114 wordsSECTION 278(FOLLOWING CHRIST NOT EASY--CHILDREN NOT TO BE OVER-LOVED--JOY IN THE LORD.)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I long to hear how your soul prospereth. I exhort you to go on in your journey; your day is short, and your afternoon sun will soon go down. Make an end of your accounts with your Lord; for death and judgment are tides that bide no man. Salvation is supposed to be at the d…
299 wordsSECTION 279S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 7, 1637_. [Illustration: IRVINE.] CX.--_To his Reverend and Dear Brother_, MR. DAVID DICKSON. [DAVID DICKSON (sometimes shortened into DICK), born in 1583, was the only son of Mr. John Dickson, a pious and wealthy merchant in Glasgow. After finishing his studies at the University of Glasgow, he was …
426 wordsSECTION 280(_GOD'S DEALINGS--THE BITTER SWEETENED--NOTES ON SCRIPTURE._)
REVEREND AND DEAREST BROTHER,--What joy have I out of heaven's gates, but that my Lord Jesus be glorified in my bonds? Blessed be ye of the Lord who contribute anything to my obliged and indebted praises. Dear brother, help me, a poor dyvour, to pay the interest; for I cannot come nigh to render the principal. It is no…
726 wordsSECTION 281S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 7, 1637_. CXI.--_To_ JEAN BROWN.…
8 wordsSECTION 282(_CHRIST'S UNTOLD PRECIOUSNESS--A WORD TO HER BOY._)
WELL-BELOVED AND DEAR SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I received your letter, which I esteem an evidence of your Christian affection to me, and of your love to my honourable Lord and Master. My desire is, that your communion with Christ may grow, and that your reckonings may be put by-hand with your Lord e…
419 wordsSECTION 283S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 7, 1637_. CXII.--_To_ MR. JOHN FERGUSHILL. [MR. JOHN FERGUSHILL'S mother was Janet Kennedy, sister or near relative to Hugh Kennedy of Ayr. He was at this time minister of Ochiltree, a parish in the centre of Ayrshire, in the district of Kyle. When Mr. Robert Blair was translated from Ayr to St. Andr…
111 wordsSECTION 284(_THE ROD UPON GOD'S CHILDREN--PAIN FROM A SENSE OF CHRIST'S LOVE--HIS PRESENCE A SUPPORT UNDER TRIALS--CONTENTEDNESS WITH HIM ALONE._)
REVEREND AND WELL-BELOVED IN THE LORD,--I was refreshed with your letter. I am sorry for that lingering and longsome visitation that is upon your wife; but I know that ye take it as the mark of a lawfully begotten child, and not of a bastard, to be under your Father's rod. Till ye be in heaven, it will be but foul weat…
676 wordsSECTION 285S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 7, 1637_. CXIII.--_To his Reverend and Dear Brother_, MR. ROBERT DOUGLAS. [ROBERT DOUGLAS, one of the ablest and most respected ministers of the Church of Scotland in his day, was the illegitimate son of Mr. Douglas, who was the son of Sir G. Douglas, Governor of Lochleven Castle. (Wodrow's "Analecta…
344 wordsSECTION 286(GREATNESS OF CHRIST'S LOVE REVEALED TO THOSE WHO SUFFER FOR HIM.)
MY VERY REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I long to see you on paper. I cannot but write you, that this which I now suffer for is Christ's truth; because He hath been pleased to seal my sufferings with joy unspeakable and glorious. I know that He will not put His seal upon blank paper; Chr…
271 wordsSECTION 287S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 7, 1637_. CXIV.--_To the much Honoured WILLIAM RIGG, of Athernie, in Fife, near Leven._ [WILLIAM RIGG of Athernie, in the capacity of one of the bailies of Edinburgh, "gave great evidence" (says Livingstone) "that he had the spirit of a magistrate beyond many, being a terror to all evil-doers." He to…
322 wordsSECTION 288(_SUSTAINING POWER OF CHRIST'S LOVE--SATAN'S OPPOSITION--YEARNINGS FOR CHRIST HIMSELF--FEARS FOR THE CHURCH._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I received your long-looked-for and short letter. I would that ye had spoken more to me, who stand in need. I find Christ, as ye write, aye the longer the better; and therefore cannot but rejoice in His salvation, who hath made my chains my wings, and hath made me …
686 wordsSECTION 289S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 9, 1637_. CXV.--_To_ MR. ALEXANDER HENDERSON. [ALEXANDER HENDERSON, the well-known hero of the Second Reformation, was born in the year 1583, and received his education at the University of St. Andrews. After having taught for several years a class of philosophy and rhetoric in that University, he ob…
289 wordsSECTION 290(_SADNESS BECAUSE CHRIST'S HEADSHIP NOT SET FORTH--HIS CAUSE ATTENDED WITH CROSSES--THE BELIEVER SEEN OF ALL._)
MY REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I received your letters. They are as apples of gold to me; for with my sweet feasts (and they are above the deserving of such a sinner, high and out of measure), I have sadness to ballast me, and weight me a little. It is but His boundless wisdom which hath taken the tutoring of His witle…
479 wordsSECTION 291S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 9, 1637_. [Illustration: LOUDON CASTLE.] CXVI.--_To the Right Honourable my_ LORD LOUDON. [JOHN CAMPBELL, first Earl of Loudon, and the son of Sir James Campbell of Lawers, was a man of distinguished talents, and of a very decided character. In the history of his country he makes no small figure as …
432 wordsSECTION 292(_BLESSEDNESS OF ACTING FOR CHRIST--HIS LOVE TO HIS PRISONER._)
MY VERY NOBLE AND HONOURABLE LORD,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I make bold to write to your Lordship, that you may know the honourable cause which ye are graced to profess is Christ's own truth. Ye are many ways blessed of God, who have taken upon you to come out to the streets with Christ on your forehead, wh…
790 wordsSECTION 293S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 9, 1637_. CXVII.--_To MR. WILLIAM DALGLEISH, Minister of the Gospel._ [MR. WILLIAM DALGLEISH was minister of the conjunct parishes of _Anwoth_, _Kirkdale_, and _Kirkmabreck_. He preached at Anwoth only every alternate week; but so abundantly blessed were his labours to the people, that when he surren…
708 wordsSECTION 294(_CHRIST'S KINDNESS--DEPENDENCE ON PROVIDENCE--CONTROVERSIES._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I am well. My Lord Jesus is kinder to me than ever He was. It pleaseth Him to dine and sup with His afflicted prisoner. A King feasteth me, and His spikenard casteth a sweet smell. Put Christ's love to the trial, and put upon it our burdens, and then it wi…
597 wordsSECTION 295ABERDEEN.
CXVIII.--_To MR. HUGH MACKAIL, Minister of the Gospel at Irvine._…
12 wordsSECTION 296(_CHRIST'S BOUNTIFUL DEALINGS--JOY IN CHRIST THROUGH THE CROSS._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I bless you for your letter. He is come down as rain upon the mown grass; He hath revived my withered root; and He is the dew of herbs. I am most secure in this prison: salvation is for walls in it; and what think ye of these walls? He maketh the dry plant to bud as the lily, and to blossom …
625 wordsSECTION 297ABERDEEN.
CXIX.--_To_ MR. DAVID DICKSON.…
5 wordsSECTION 298(_JOYFUL EXPERIENCE--CUP OVERFLOWING IN EXILE._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you.--I find that great men, especially old friends, scaur to speak for me. But my kingly and royal Master biddeth me to try His moyen to the uttermost, and I shall find a friend at hand. I still depend upon Him; His court is still as before; the prisoner is w…
600 wordsSECTION 299ABERDEEN.
CXX.--_To_ MR. MATTHEW MOWAT. [MATTHEW MOWAT, son to the Laird of Busbie (Letter CXXXIII.), was minister of Kilmarnock. He was one of the seven leading ministers in the west whom the Parliament, after the restoration of Charles II., brought before them with the view of extorting their acquiescence in the establishment…
192 wordsSECTION 300(_PLENITUDE OF CHRIST'S LOVE--NEED TO USE GRACE ARIGHT--CHRIST THE RANSOMER--DESIRE TO PROCLAIM HIS GOSPEL--SHORTCOMINGS AND SUFFERINGS_.)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I am a very far mistaken man. If others knew how poor my stock was, they would not think upon the like of me, but with compassion. For I am as one kept under a strict tutor; I would have more than my tutor alloweth me. But it is good that a bairn's wit is not the rule which regulateth my Lor…
859 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.