PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Third Edition)
Rutherford, Samuel, 1600?-1661 · 345,819 words · 915 reading sections
S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CL.--_To his loving Friend_, JOHN HENDERSON. [See Letter CCVII.]…
14 wordsSECTION 362(_CONTINUING IN CHRIST--PREPAREDNESS FOR DEATH._)
LOVING FRIEND,--Continue in the love of Christ, and the doctrine which I taught you faithfully and painfully, according to my measure. I am free of your blood. Fear the dreadful name of God. Keep in mind the examinations[235] which I taught you, and love the truth of God. Death, as fast as time fleeth, chaseth you out …
210 wordsSECTION 363S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CLI.--_To JOHN MEINE, Senior._ [JOHN MEINE, merchant in Edinburgh, was a man of enlightened piety, and a decided Presbyterian. His zeal and stedfastness in maintaining Presbyterian principles exposed him to the resentment of the court and prelates. Having, with other citizens of Edinburgh,…
334 wordsSECTION 364(_ENJOYMENT OF GOD'S LOVE--NEED OF HELP--BURDENS._)
DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I wonder that ye sent me not an answer to my last letter, for I stand in need of it. I am in some piece of court, with our great King, whose love would cause a dead man to speak, and live. Whether my court will continue or not, I cannot well say; but I have His ear fre…
326 wordsSECTION 365S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CLII.--_To_ MR. THOMAS GARVEN. [This correspondent was one of the ministers of Edinburgh. Letters CLXV. and CCXLVII. also are addressed to him. Brodie, in his "Diary," June 1662, speaks of hearing him preach.]…
38 wordsSECTION 366(_A PRISONER'S JOYS--LOVE OF CHRIST--THE GOOD PART--HEAVEN IN SIGHT._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I bless you for your letter; it was a shower to the new-mown grass. The Lord hath given you the tongue of the learned. Be fruitful and humble. It is possible that ye may come to my case, or the like; but the water is neither so deep, nor the stream so strong, as it is called. I think my fir…
656 wordsSECTION 367S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CLIII.--_To_ BETHAIA AIRD. [The name _Aird_ is not uncommon in the history of the Church. _Mr. Wm. Aird_ was a noted minister in Edinburgh in Livingstone's days. Wodrow's "History" mentions _Aird of Muirkirk_, and also _John Aird_ of Milton. In the memoir of Walter Pringle of Greenknow, we…
81 wordsSECTION 368(_UNBELIEF UNDER TRIAL--CHRIST'S SYMPATHY AND LOVE._)
WORTHY SISTER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. I know that ye desire news from my prison, and I shall show you news. At my first entry hither, Christ and I agreed not well upon it. The devil made a plea in the house, and I laid the blame upon Christ; for my heart was fraughted with challenges, and I feared that I…
513 wordsSECTION 369S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CLIV.--_To ALEXANDER GORDON of Knockgray, near Carsphairn._…
13 wordsSECTION 370(_PROSPECTIVE TRIALS._)
DEAR BROTHER,--I have not leisure to write to you. Christ's ways were known to you long before I, who am but a child, knew anything of Him. What wrong and violence the prelates may, by God's permission, do unto you, for your trial, I know not; but this I know, that your ten days' tribulation will end. Contend to the la…
257 wordsSECTION 371ABERDEEN, 1637.
CLV.--_To_ GRIZZEL FULLERTON. [GRIZZEL FULLERTON was the daughter of William Fullerton, Provost of Kirkcudbright, and Marion M'Naught. See Letter VI.]…
21 wordsSECTION 372(_THE ONE THING NEEDFUL--CHRIST'S LOVE._)
DEAR SISTER,--I exhort you in the Lord, to seek your one thing, Mary's good part, that shall not be taken from you. Set your heart and soul on the children's inheritance. This clay-idol, the world, is but for bastards, and ye are His lawfully-begotten child. Learn the way (as your dear mother hath done before you) to k…
301 wordsSECTION 373S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CLVI.--_To_ PATRICK CARSEN. [This was, perhaps, the son of John Carsen, formerly noticed. See Letter CXXVII.]…
21 wordsSECTION 374(_EARLY DEVOTEDNESS TO CHRIST._)
DEAR AND LOVING FRIEND,--I cannot but, upon the opportunity of a bearer, exhort you to resign the love of your youth to Christ; and in this day, while your sun is high and your youth serveth you, to seek the Lord and His face. For there is nothing out of heaven so necessary for you as Christ. And ye cannot be ignorant …
223 wordsSECTION 375S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CLVII.--_To_ CARLETON. [Livingstone, in his Characteristics, mentions two persons of this name: "Fullerton of Carleton, in Galloway, a grave and cheerful Christian;" and "Cathcart of Carleton, in Carrick, an old, experienced Christian," in much repute among the religious of his day, for hi…
208 wordsSECTION 376(_INCREASING SENSE OF CHRIST'S LOVE--RESIGNATION--DEADNESS TO EARTH--TEMPTATIONS--INFIRMITIES._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--I will not impute your not writing to me to forgetfulness. However, I have One above who forgetteth me not--nay, He groweth in His kindness. It hath pleased His holy Majesty to take me from the pulpit, and teach me many things, in my exile and prison, that were mysteries to me before. I see His bot…
961 wordsSECTION 377Part 377
The prisoner's blessing be upon you. Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,…
12 wordsSECTION 378S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 14, 1637_. CLVIII.--_To the_ LADY BUSBIE. [See Letter CXXXIII.]…
12 wordsSECTION 379(_CHRIST ALLWORTHY AND BEST AT OUR LOWEST--SINFULNESS OF THE LAND--PRAYERS._)
MISTRESS,--I know that ye are thinking sometimes what Christ is doing in Zion, and that the haters of Zion may get the bottom of our cup, and the burning coals of our furnace that we have been tried in, those many years bygone. Oh, that this nation would be awakened to cry mightily unto God, for the setting up of a new…
880 wordsSECTION 380ABERDEEN, 1637.
CLIX.--_To JOHN FLEMING, Bailie of Leith._ [Letter LXVIII.]…
10 wordsSECTION 381(_DIRECTIONS FOR CHRISTIAN CONDUCT._)
WORTHY AND DEARLY BELOVED IN THE LORD,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. I received your letter. I wish that I could satisfy your desire in drawing up, and framing for you, a Christian directory. But the learned have done it before me, more judiciously than I can; especially Mr. Rogers,[241] Greenham,[242] and Perk…
546 wordsSECTION 382Part 382
9. I have been much challenged--1. For not referring all to God as the last end; that I do not eat, drink, sleep, journey, speak, and think for God. 2. That I have not benefited by good company; and that I left not some word of conviction, even upon natural and wicked men, as by reproving swearing in them; or because o…
669 wordsSECTION 383S. R.
ABERDEEN, _March 15, 1637_. CLX.--_To ALEXANDER GORDON of Earlston._…
11 wordsSECTION 384(_HUNGERING AFTER CHRIST HIMSELF RATHER THAN HIS LOVE._)
MUCH HONOURED AND WORTHY SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you.--I long to hear from you. I have received few letters since I came hither; I am in need of a word. A dry plant should have some watering. My case betwixt Christ my Lord, and me, standeth between love and jealousy, faith and suspicion of His love; it i…
965 wordsSECTION 385Part 385
I have heard of late of your new trial by the Bishop of Galloway.[246] Fear not clay, worms' meat. Let truth and Christ get no wrong in your hand. It is your gain if Christ be glorified; and your glory to be Christ's witness. I persuade you, that your sufferings are Christ's advantage and victory; for He is pleased to …
140 wordsSECTION 386ABERDEEN, 1637.
[246] The Bishop of Galloway held this year a High Commission Court in Galloway, in which, besides fining some gentlemen, and confining the magistrates of Kirkcudbright to Wigtown, for matters of nonconformity, he fined Gordon of Earlston for his absence, five hundred merks, and banished him to Montrose. (Baillie's "Le…
534 wordsSECTION 387(_COMMERCIAL MISFORTUNES--SERVICE-BOOK--BLESSEDNESS OF TRIAL._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be unto you. I long to hear from you, being now removed from my flock, and the prisoner of Christ at Aberdeen. I would not have you to think it strange that your journey to New England hath gotten such a dash.[247] It indeed hath made my heart heavy; yet I know it is no dumb …
844 wordsSECTION 388Part 388
[248] The Service-Book, or Liturgy, at this time imposed upon Scotland, was that of England, but with numerous alterations. The Act of Privy Council, enjoining the use of the Service-Book, is dated 20th December 1636; and it was next day proclaimed at the cross of Edinburgh: but it was not published till towards the en…
860 wordsSECTION 389ABERDEEN, 1637.
CLXII.--_To_ JOHN STUART, _Provost of Ayr_.…
7 wordsSECTION 390(_THE BURDEN OF A SILENCED MINISTER--SPIRITUAL SHORTCOMINGS._)
MUCH HONOURED AND DEAREST IN CHRIST,--Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, be upon you. I expected the comfort of a letter to a prisoner from you, ere now. I am here, Sir, putting off a part of my inch of time; and when I awake first in the morning (which is always with great he…
841 wordsSECTION 391ABERDEEN, 1637.
CLXIII.--_To JOHN STUART, Provost of Ayr._…
8 wordsSECTION 392(_VIEW OF TRIALS PAST--HARD THOUGHTS OF CHRIST--CROSSES--HOPE._)
WORTHY AND DEARLY BELOVED IN OUR LORD,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I was refreshed and comforted with your letter. What I wrote to you, for your comfort, I do not remember; but I believe that love will prophesy homeward,[252] as it would have it. I wish that I could help you to praise His great and holy name w…
893 wordsSECTION 393Part 393
He handleth me some time so, that I am ashamed almost to seek more for a four-hours, but to live content (till the marriage-supper of the Lamb) with that which He giveth. But I know not how greedy and how ill to please love is. For either my Lord Jesus hath taught me ill manners, not to be content with a seat, except m…
675 wordsSECTION 394ABERDEEN, 1637.
[255] Rutherford appears sometimes to have entertained the idea of removing abroad, should he succeed in obtaining his liberty. In a preceding letter to Stuart, he names New England; and some of his friends thought that he might be honourably and usefully employed abroad. Robert Baillie, in a letter to Mr. William Span…
289 wordsSECTION 395(_A YOUTH ADMONISHED_.)
LOVING FRIEND,--I received your letter. I entreat you now, in the morning of your life, to seek the Lord and His face. Beware of the follies of dangerous youth, a perilous time for your soul. Love not the world. Keep faith and truth with all men in your covenants and bargains. Walk with God, for He seeth you. Do nothin…
232 wordsSECTION 396ABERDEEN, 1637.
CLXV.--_To_ MR. THOMAS GARVEN. [THOMAS GARVEN, one of the ministers of Edinburgh. "R. Blair's Life," by Row, tells of his being banished from the town by the King in 1662, for his adherence to Presbytery.]…
36 wordsSECTION 397(_PERSONAL INSUFFICIENCY--GRACE FROM CHRIST ALONE--LONGINGS AFTER HIM._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I am sorry that what joy and sorrow drew from my imprisoned pen in my love-fits hath made you and many of God's children believe that there is something in a broken reed the like of me. Except that Christ's grace hath bought such a sold body, I know not wha…
764 wordsSECTION 398ABERDEEN, 1637.
CLXVI.--_To CARDONESS, the Elder._…
6 wordsSECTION 399(_A GOOD CONSCIENCE--CHRIST KIND TO SUFFERERS--RESPONSIBILITY--YOUTH._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--I long to hear how your soul prospereth. I wonder that ye write not to me; for the Holy Ghost beareth me witness, that I cannot, I dare not, I dow not,[256] forget you, nor the souls of those with you, who are redeemed by the blood of the great Shepherd. Ye are in my heart in the night-watches; ye a…
820 wordsSECTION 400Part 400
Desire your children, in the morning of their life, to begin and seek the Lord, and to remember their Creator in the days of their youth (Eccles. xii. 1), to cleanse their way, by taking heed thereto, according to God's word (Ps. cxix. 9). Youth is a glassy age. Satan finds a swept chamber, for the most part, in youthh…
419 wordsSECTION 401ABERDEEN, 1637.
[257] Guide them past. CLXVII.--_To my_ LADY BOYD. [Letter CVII.]…
11 wordsSECTION 402(_LESSONS LEARNED IN THE SCHOOL OF ADVERSITY._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, be multiplied upon you. I have reasoned with your son[258] at large; I rejoice to see him set his face in the right airth, now when the nobles love the sunny side of the Gospel best, and are afraid that Christ want soldiers, and shall…
880 wordsSECTION 403Part 403
These things take me so up, that a borrowed bed, another man's fireside, the wind upon my face (I being driven from my lovers and dear acquaintance, and my poor flock), find no room in my sorrow. I have no spare or odd sorrow for these; only I think the sparrows and swallows that build their nests in the kirk of Anwoth…
314 wordsSECTION 404S. R.
ABERDEEN, _May 1, 1637_. CLXVIII.--_To his reverend and dear Brother_, MR. DAVID DICKSON.…
14 wordsSECTION 405(_CHRIST'S INFINITE FULNESS._)
MY REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I fear that ye have never known me well. If ye saw my inner side, it is possible that ye would pity me, but you would hardly give me either love or respect: men mistake me the whole length of the heavens. My sins prevail over me, and the terrors of their guiltiness. I am put often to ask,…
816 wordsSECTION 406S. R.
ABERDEEN, _May 1, 1637_. [266] The sense may be, "My sins against light which was at work even when I was in the act of sinning." CLXIX.--_To the_ LAIRD OF CARLETON.…
32 wordsSECTION 407(_GOD'S WORKING INCOMPREHENSIBLE--LONGING AFTER ANY DROP OF CHRIST'S FULNESS._)
WORTHY SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I received your letter, and am heartily glad that our Lord hath begun to work for the apparent delivery of this poor oppressed kirk. Oh that salvation would come for Zion! I am for the present hanging by hope, waiting what my Lord will do with me, and if it will please m…
855 wordsSECTION 408S. R.
ABERDEEN, _May 10, 1637_. CLXX.--_To_ ROBERT GORDON _of Knockbrex_.…
10 wordsSECTION 409(_LONGING FOR CHRIST'S GLORY--FELT GUILTINESS--LONGING FOR CHRIST'S LOVE--SANCTIFICATION._)
DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I received your letter from Edinburgh. I would not wish to see another heaven, whill I get mine own heaven, but a new moon like the light of the sun, and a new sun like the light of seven days shining upon my poor self, and the Church of Jews and Gentiles, and upon my …
939 wordsSECTION 410ABERDEEN, 1637.
CLXXI.--_To the_ LAIRD OF MONCRIEFF. [SIR JOHN MONCRIEFF, of that ilk, was the eldest son of William Moncrieff of that ilk, by his wife Anne, daughter of Robert Murray of Abercarnie, who was his second wife. He was a zealous Covenanter, and a ruling elder in the parish of Carnbee, in which he resided. His name appears…
128 wordsSECTION 411(_CONCERT IN PRAYER--STEDFASTNESS TO CHRIST--GRIEF MISREPRESENTS CHRIST'S GLORY._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. Although not acquainted, yet at the desire of your worthy sister, the Lady Leys, and upon the report of your kindness to Christ and His oppressed truth, I am bold to write to you, earnestly desiring you to join with us (so many as in these bounds profess Christ), t…
966 wordsSECTION 412S. R.
ABERDEEN, _May_ 14, 1637. CLXXII.--_To_ JOHN CLARK (_supposed to be one of his Parishioners at Anwoth_).…
17 wordsSECTION 413(_MARKS OF DIFFERENCE BETWIXT CHRISTIANS AND REPROBATES._)
LOVING BROTHER,--Hold fast Christ without wavering, and contend for the faith, because Christ is not easily gotten nor kept. The lazy professor hath put heaven as it were at the very next door, and thinketh to fly up to heaven in his bed, and in a night-dream; but, truly, that is not so easy a thing as most men believe…
407 wordsSECTION 414ABERDEEN.
CLXXIII.--_To CARDONESS, the Younger._ [Letter CXXIII.]…
8 wordsSECTION 415(_WARNING AND ADVICE AS TO THINGS OF SALVATION._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--I long to hear whether or not your soul be hand-fasted with Christ. Lose your time no longer: flee the follies of youth: gird up the loins of your mind, and make you ready for meeting the Lord. I have often summoned you, and now I summon you again, to compear before your Judge, to make a reckoning o…
789 wordsSECTION 416ABERDEEN, 1637.
CLXXIV.--_To my_ LORD CRAIGHALL. [Letter LXXXVI.]…
7 wordsSECTION 417(_IDOLATRY CONDEMNED._)
MY LORD,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. I am not only content, but I exceedingly rejoice, that I find any of the rulers of this land, and especially your Lordship so to affect Christ and His truth, as that ye dare, for His name, come to yea and nay with monarchs in their face. I hope that He who hath enabled you f…
462 wordsSECTION 418Part 418
But let me, my very dear and worthy Lord, most humbly beseech you, by the mercies of God, by the consolations of His Spirit, by the dear blood and wounds of your lovely Redeemer, by the salvation of your soul, by your compearance before the awful face of a sin-revenging and dreadful Judge, not to set in comparison toge…
698 wordsSECTION 419Part 419
I have found by experience, since the time of my imprisonment (my witness is above), that Christ is sealing this honourable cause with another and a nearer fellowship than ever I knew before; and let God weigh me in an even balance in this, if I would exchange the cross of Christ or His truth, with the fourteen prelaci…
490 wordsSECTION 420S. R.
ABERDEEN, _June 8, 1637_. CLXXV.--_To_ JOHN LAURIE (_probably some one at a distance, like Lady Robertland in Stewarton_).…
19 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.