PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Third Edition)
Rutherford, Samuel, 1600?-1661 · 345,819 words · 915 reading sections
Part 301
You complain heavily of "your shortcoming in practice, and venturing on suffering for Christ." You have many marrows. For the first, I would put you off a sense of wretchedness. Hold on! Christ never yet slew a sighing, groaning child: more of that would make you won goods, and a meet prey for Christ. Alas! I have too …
341 wordsSECTION 302ABERDEEN, 1637.
CXXI.--_To_ WILLIAM HALLIDAY. [The name "Halliday" occurs on the tombstones of the old churchyard of Anwoth. No doubt this correspondent was one of his flock at Anwoth. One of the name lies buried in the old churchyard, with the following inscription on her tombstone:-- "_Margat_ (_i.e. Margaret_) _Halliday_, spouse …
121 wordsSECTION 303(_DILIGENCE IN SECURING SALVATION._)
LOVING FRIEND,--I received your letter.--I wish that ye take pains for salvation. Mistaken grace, and somewhat like conversion which is not conversion, is the saddest and most doleful thing in the world. Make sure of salvation, and lay the foundation sure, for many are beguiled. Put a low price upon the world's clay; b…
182 wordsSECTION 304ABERDEEN.
[223] Be conscientious as to sinning when out of sight of men. CXXII.--_To a Gentlewoman, after the death of her Husband._…
23 wordsSECTION 305(_VANITY OF EARTHLY POSSESSIONS--CHRIST A SUFFICIENT PORTION--DESIGN OF AFFLICTION._)
DEAR AND LOVING SISTER,--I know that ye are minding your sweet country, and not taking your inn, the place of your banishment, for your home. This life is not worthy to be the thatch, or outer wall, of the paradise of your Lord Jesus, that He did sweat for to you, and that He keepeth for you. Short, and silly, and sand…
748 wordsSECTION 306ABERDEEN.
CXXIII.--_To JOHN GORDON of Cardoness, Younger._ [JOHN GORDON of Cardoness, younger, like his father, previously noticed (Letter LXXXII.), was naturally a man of strong passions. Judging from this letter, he appears not only to have been neglectful of religion, but to have freely indulged in the follies and vices of y…
223 wordsSECTION 307(_REASONS FOR BEING EARNEST ABOUT THE SOUL, AND FOR RESIGNATION._)
HONOURED AND DEAR BROTHER,--I wrote of late to you: multitudes of letters burden me now. I am refreshed with your letter. I exhort you in the bowels of Christ, set to work for your soul. And let these bear weight with you, and ponder them seriously: _1st_, Weeping and gnashing of teeth in utter darkness, or heaven's j…
430 wordsSECTION 308ABERDEEN.
CXXIV.--_To JOHN GORDON of Cardoness, Elder._…
8 wordsSECTION 309(_CALL TO EARNESTNESS ABOUT SALVATION--INTRUSION OF MINISTERS._)
HONOURABLE, AND DEAREST IN THE LORD,--Your letter hath refreshed my soul. My joy is fulfilled if Christ and ye be fast together. Ye are my joy and my crown. Ye know that I have recommended His love to you. I defy the world, Satan, and sin. His love hath neither brim nor bottom in it. My dearest in Christ, I write my so…
303 wordsSECTION 310ABERDEEN.
CXXV.--_To the_ LADY FORRET. [LADY FORRET was, we suppose, a "saint in Cæsar's household;" for Lord Forret (originally Mr. David Balfour) was one of Lauderdale's friends, appointed to watch the outed ministers in Fife. See "Blair's Life," by Row.]…
40 wordsSECTION 311(_SICKNESS A KINDNESS--CHRIST'S GLOOMS BETTER THAN THE WORLD'S JOYS._)
WORTHY MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I long to hear from you. I hear Christ hath been that kind as to visit you with sickness, and to bring you to the door of the grave: but ye found the door shut (blessed be His glorious name!) whill ye be riper for eternity. He will have more service of you; and, the…
323 wordsSECTION 312S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 9, 1637_. CXXVI.--_For_ MARION M'NAUGHT.…
8 wordsSECTION 313(_ADHERENCE TO DUTY AMIDST OPPOSITION--POWER OF CHRIST'S LOVE._)
LOVING AND DEAR SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. Your letter hath refreshed my soul. You shall not have my advice to make haste to go out of that town; for if you remove out of Kirkcudbright, they will easily undo all. You are at God's work, and in His way there. Be strong in the Lord; the devil is weaker th…
290 wordsSECTION 314S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 11, 1637_. CXXVII.--_To_ JOHN CARSEN. [John Carsen was the son of Andrew Carsen, merchant and burgess of Kirkcudbright. He was retoured heir of his father 13th May 1635.--"Inquir. Gener." _No._ 2121. There are still several of the name in Kirkcudbright, and it is found often in the churchyard. There …
75 wordsSECTION 315(_NOTHING WORTH THE FINDING, BUT CHRIST._)
MY WELL-BELOVED AND DEAR FRIEND,--Every one seeketh not God, and far fewer find Him; because they seek amiss. He is to be sought for above all things, if men would find what they seek. Let feathers and shadows alone to children, and go seek your Well-beloved. Your only errand to the world, is to woo Christ; therefore, …
249 wordsSECTION 316S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 11, 1637_. CXXVIII.--_To the_ EARL OF CASSILLIS. [JOHN KENNEDY, sixth EARL OF CASSILLIS, was the son of Gilbert Kennedy, master of Cassillis, which is six miles from Ayr. He was served heir to his uncle, John, fifth Earl of Cassillis, in 1616. His Lordship was a person of considerable talents, of gre…
539 wordsSECTION 317(_HONOUR OF TESTIFYING FOR CHRIST_.)
MY VERY NOBLE AND HONOURABLE LORD,--I make bold (out of the honourable and Christian report I hear of your Lordship, having no other thing to say but that which concerneth the honourable cause which the Lord hath enabled your Lordship to profess) to write this, that it is your Lordship's crown, your glory, and your hon…
532 wordsSECTION 318S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXXIX.--_To MR. ROBERT GORDON, Bailie of Ayr._ [ROBERT GORDON was a merchant in Ayr. In Paterson's "History of the County of Ayr," he and his partner merchants are mentioned as having, in 1644, supplied the Scots army in Ireland, at a certain price, with a large quantity of meal and beans.…
260 wordsSECTION 319(_CHRIST ABOVE ALL._)
WORTHY SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I long to hear from you on paper. Remember your chief's speeches[226] on his death-bed. I pray you, sir, sell all, and buy the Pearl. Time will cut you from this world's glory; look what will do you good, when your glass shall be run out. And let Christ's love bear most …
219 wordsSECTION 320S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXXX.--_To JOHN KENNEDY, Bailie of Ayr._…
12 wordsSECTION 321(_CHRIST'S LOVE--THE THREE WONDERS--DESIRES FOR HIS SECOND COMING._)
GRACE, mercy, and peace be to you. Your not writing to me cannot bind me up from remembering you now and then, that at least ye may be a witness, and a third man, to behold on paper what is betwixt Christ and me. I was in his eyes like a young orphan, wanting known parents, casten out in the open fields; either Christ …
1,342 wordsSECTION 322Part 322
Grace be with you. Your affectionate brother, in our Lord Jesus,…
11 wordsSECTION 323ABERDEEN.
CXXXI.--_To_ JEAN BROWN.…
4 wordsSECTION 324(_HIS WISDOM IN OUR TRIALS--REJOICE IN TRIBULATION._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I am glad that ye go on at Christ's back, in this dark and cloudy time. It were good to sell other things for Him; for when all these days are over, we shall find it our advantage that we have taken part with Christ. I confidently believe that His enemies shall be His foots…
734 wordsSECTION 325S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. [228] The same who was afterwards so well known as minister of Wamphray. CXXXII.--_To_ JEAN MACMILLAN. [There were Macmillans at Dalshangan, near Carsphairn, noted as Covenanters. But the name is a common one, and this correspondent was probably an Anwoth parishioner.]…
46 wordsSECTION 326(_STRIVE TO ENTER IN._)
LOVING SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I cannot come to you to give you my counsel; and howbeit I would come, I cannot stay with you. But I beseech you to keep Christ, for I did what I could to put you within grips of Him. I told you Christ's testament and latter-will plainly, and I kept nothing back that m…
243 wordsSECTION 327ABERDEEN, 1637.
CXXXIII.--_To the_ LADY BUSBIE. [LADY BUSBIE is probably the mother-in-law of R. Blair, Rutherford's intimate friend. R. Blair married Catherine, daughter of Hugh Montgomery, Laird of Busbie, in Ayrshire, in 1635. In Welsh's "Life" mention is made of "Mouat of Bushby," eight miles from Ayr. He was father of Matthew Mo…
54 wordsSECTION 328(_COMPLETE SURRENDER TO CHRIST--NO IDOLS--TRIALS DISCOVER SINS--A FREE SALVATION--THE MARRIAGE SUPPER_.)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I am glad to hear that Christ and ye are one, and that ye have made Him your "one thing," whereas many are painfully toiled in seeking many things, and their many things are nothing. It is only best that ye set yourself apart, as a thing laid up and out of the gate, for Ch…
840 wordsSECTION 329ABERDEEN, 1637.
CXXXIV.--_To JOHN EWART, Bailie of Kirkcudbright_. [JOHN EWART's name often occurs in the "Minute Book of Comm. of Covenanters," as residing in Kirkcudbright. He is understood to be the father of the John Ewart who was sentenced to banishment, 1663, for refusing to take part in quelling a tumult raised at the intrusio…
86 wordsSECTION 330(_THE CROSS NO BURDEN--NEED OF SURE FOUNDATION._)
MY VERY WORTHY AND DEAR FRIEND,--I cannot but most kindly thank you for the expressions of your love. Your love and respect to me is a great comfort to me. I bless His high and glorious name, that the terrors of great men have not affrighted me from openly avouching the Son of God. Nay, His cross is the sweetest burde…
358 wordsSECTION 331S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXXXV.--_To WILLIAM FULLERTON, Provost of Kirkcudbright._…
12 wordsSECTION 332(_FEAR NOT THEM WHO KILL THE BODY--UNEXPECTED FAVOUR._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I am much obliged to your love in God. I beseech you, Sir, let nothing be so dear to you as Christ's truth, for salvation is worth all the world, and, therefore, be not afraid of men that shall die. The Lord will do for you in your suffering for Him, and will bles…
345 wordsSECTION 333S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXXXVI.--_To ROBERT GLENDINNING, Minister of Kirkcudbright._…
12 wordsSECTION 334(_PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD--CHRIST HIS JOY._)
MY DEAR FRIEND,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I thank you most kindly for your care of me, and your love and respective[229] kindness to my brother in his distress. I pray the Lord that ye may find mercy in the day of Christ; and I entreat you, Sir, to consider the times which ye live in, and that your soul is mo…
561 wordsSECTION 335S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXXXVII.--_To_ WILLIAM GLENDINNING. [WILLIAM GLENDINNING was the son of Mr. Robert Glendinning, minister of Kirkcudbright. A short time before this letter was written, he was ordered to be imprisoned in Kirkcudbright by Bishop Sydserff, for refusing to incarcerate his father, whom that int…
140 wordsSECTION 336(_PERSEVERANCE AGAINST OPPOSITION._)
WELL-BELOVED AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I thank you most kindly for your care and love to me, and in particular to my brother, in his distress in Edinburgh.[230] Go on through your waters without wearying; your Guide knoweth the way; follow Him, and cast your cares and temptations upon Him. A…
390 wordsSECTION 337S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXXXVIII.--_To_ MR. HUGH HENDERSON. [HUGH HENDERSON was first minister of Dalry, a parish in the district of Cunningham, Ayrshire; and afterwards of Dumfries. We meet with his name as minister of Dalry in 1643, when he was nominated as one of the eight ministers whom the General Assembly a…
273 wordsSECTION 338(_TRIALS SELECTED BY GOD--PATIENCE--LOOKING FOR THE JUDGE._)
MY REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I hear that you bear the marks of Christ's dying about with you, and that your brethren have cast you out for your Master's sake. Let us wait on till the evening, and till our reckoning in black and white come before our Master. Brother, since we must have a devil to trouble us, I love a …
429 wordsSECTION 339S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXXXIX.--_To my_ LORD BALMERINOCH. [JOHN ELPHINSTON, second LORD BALMERINOCH, was the only son by the first marriage of the Honourable Sir James Elphinston, first Lord Balmerinoch. He distinguished himself in 1633 for his opposition to the measures of the Court in favour of Prelacy, and pa…
310 wordsSECTION 340(_HIS HAPPY OBLIGATIONS TO CHRIST--EMPTINESS OF THE WORLD._)
MY VERY NOBLE AND TRULY HONOURABLE LORD,--I make bold to write news to your Lordship from my prison, though your Lordship have experience more than I can have. At my first entry here, I was not a little casten down with challenges, for old, unrepented-of sins; and Satan and my own apprehensions made a lie of Christ, th…
351 wordsSECTION 341S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXL.--_To my LADY MAR, Younger._ [LADY MAR, younger, whose maiden name was Christian Hay, was the wife of John Erskine, eighth Earl of Mar. She became a widow in 1654, his Lordship having died in that year. Her son, John, became ninth Earl of Mar, and her daughter, Elizabeth, was married t…
152 wordsSECTION 342(_NO EXCHANGE FOR CHRIST._)
MY VERY NOBLE AND DEAR LADY,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I received your Ladyship's letter, which hath comforted my soul. God give you to find mercy in the day of Christ. I am in as good terms and court with Christ as an exiled, oppressed prisoner of Christ can be. I am still welcome to His house; He knoweth m…
319 wordsSECTION 343S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXLI.--_To_ JAMES MACADAM. [John Livingstone ("Histor. Relation"), along with Marion M'Naught and other such, mentions John Macadam and Christian Macadam of Waterhead, near Carsphairn, as eminent Christians. The person to whom this letter is addressed may have been one of that family. The …
192 wordsSECTION 344(_THE KINGDOM TAKEN BY FORCE._)
MY VERY DEAR AND WORTHY FRIEND,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I long to hear of your growing in grace, and of your advancing in your journey to heaven. It will be the joy of my heart to hear that ye hold your face up the brae, and wade through temptations without fearing what man can do. Christ shall, when He ari…
386 wordsSECTION 345S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXLII.--_To my very dear brother_, WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE. [Probably one of his Anwoth parishioners. There are Livingstones in that neighbourhood to this day.]…
27 wordsSECTION 346(_COUNSEL TO A YOUTH._)
MY VERY DEAR BROTHER,--I rejoice to hear that Christ hath run away with your young love, and that ye are so early in the morning matched with such a Lord; for a young man is often a dressed lodging for the devil to dwell in. Be humble and thankful for grace; and weigh it not so much by weight, as if it be true. Christ …
287 wordsSECTION 347S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXLIII.--_To WILLIAM GORDON of Whitepark._ [This may be a son of George Gordon, who is recorded as heir to the estate of "Whytpark," March 20, 1628. It was not, in the parish of Anwoth, but close to Castle Douglas.]…
45 wordsSECTION 348(_NOTHING LOST BY TRIALS--LONGING FOR CHRIST HIMSELF BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE._)
WORTHY SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. I long to hear from you. I am here the Lord's prisoner and patient, handled as softly by my Physician as if I were a sick man under a cure. I was at hard terms with my Lord, and pleaded with Him, but I had the worst side. It is a wonder that He should have suffered the …
613 wordsSECTION 349S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXLIV.--_To_ MR. GEORGE GILLESPIE. [GEORGE GILLESPIE was the son of Mr. John Gillespie, some time minister of the Gospel at Kirkcaldy. He was licensed to preach the Gospel some time prior to 1638: and in April, that year, was ordained minister of Wemyss. In 1642, by the General Assembly he…
438 wordsSECTION 350(_SUSPICIONS OF CHRIST'S LOVE REMOVED THREE DESIRES._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I received your letter. As for my case, brother, I bless His glorious name, that my losses are my gain, my prison a palace, and my sadness joyfulness. At my first entry, my apprehensions so wrought upon my cross, that I became jealous of the love of Christ, as being by Him thrust out of the …
394 wordsSECTION 351S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. CXLV.--_To_ JEAN GORDON.…
8 wordsSECTION 352(_GOD THE SATISFYING PORTION--ADHERENCE TO CHRIST._)
MY VERY DEAR AND LOVING SISTER,--Grace mercy, and peace be to you.--I long to hear from you. I exhort you to set up the brae to the King's city, that must be taken by violence. Your afternoon's sun is wearing low. Time will eat up your frail life, like a worm gnawing at the root of a May-flower. Lend Christ your heart.…
324 wordsSECTION 353S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_. [234] This seems to mean mould, or fashion, yourself and them. CXLVI.--_To MR. JAMES BRUCE, Minister of the Gospel_. [MR. JAMES BRUCE was minister of Kingsbarns, in the Presbytery of St Andrews; admitted in 1630. Prelacy and the English ceremonies had then, for a considerable time, been i…
177 wordsSECTION 354(_MISJUDGING OF CHRIST'S WAYS._)
REVEREND AND WELL-BELOVED BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--Upon the nearest acquaintance (that we are Father's children), I thought good to write to you. My case, in my bonds for the honour of my royal Prince and King, Jesus, is as good as becometh the witness of such a sovereign King. At my first coming h…
320 wordsSECTION 355S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CXLVII.--_To JOHN GORDON, at Rusco, in the Parish of Anwoth, Galloway._ [It is said that "Rusco" means "a boggy place," referring to the original state of the place. The old tower or castle still stands on a gentle slope, three miles from Gatehouse and two from Anwoth, but uninhabited. The…
110 wordsSECTION 356(_PRESSING INTO HEAVEN--A CHRISTIAN NO EASY ATTAINMENT--SINS TO BE AVOIDED._)
MY WORTHY AND DEAR BROTHER,--Misspend not your short sand-glass, which runneth very fast; seek your Lord in time. Let me obtain of you a letter under your hand, for a promise to God, by His grace, to take a new course of walking with God. Heaven is not at the next door; I find it hard to be a Christian. There is no lit…
453 wordsSECTION 357S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CXLVIII.--_To the_ LADY HALLIHILL. [LADY HALLIHILL, whose maiden name was Learmonth, was the wife of Sir James Melville of Hallhill, in Fife, the son of Sir James Melville of Hallhill, a privy councillor to King James VI., and an accomplished statesman and courtier in his day, who died in …
94 wordsSECTION 358(_CHRIST'S CROSSES BETTER THAN EGYPT'S TREASURES_.)
DEAR AND CHRISTIAN LADY,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I longed much to write to your Ladyship; but now, the Lord offering a fit occasion, I would not omit to do it. I cannot but acquaint your Ladyship with the kind dealing of Christ to my soul, in this house of my pilgrimage, that your Ladyship may know that H…
568 wordsSECTION 359S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CXLIX.--_To the much honoured JOHN OSBURN, Provost of Ayr._ [OF JOHN OSBURN, merchant in Ayr, and at this time chief magistrate of that burgh, little is now known. He died about the close of the year 1653, or beginning of the following year, as appears from his son David being retoured his…
78 wordsSECTION 360(_ADHERENCE TO CHRIST--HIS APPROBATION WORTH ALL WORLDS._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--Upon our small acquaintance, and the good report I hear of you, I could not but write to you. I have nothing to say, but that Christ, in that honourable place He hath put you in, hath intrusted you with a dear pledge, which is His own glory; and hath armed you wit…
296 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.