PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Third Edition)
Rutherford, Samuel, 1600?-1661 · 345,819 words · 915 reading sections
Part 481
Oh, if our faith could ride it out against the high and proud waves and winds, when our sea seemeth to be all on fire! Oh, how oft do I let my grips go! I am put to swimming and half sinking. I find that the devil hath the advantage of the ground in this battle; for he fighteth on known ground, in our corrupt nature. A…
391 wordsSECTION 482ABERDEEN, 1637.
CXCVII.--_To_ MR. WILLIAM DALGLEISH. [Letter CXVII.]…
7 wordsSECTION 483(_THOUGHTS AS TO GOD'S ARRANGEMENTS--WINNING SOULS TO BE SUPREMELY DESIRED--LONGINGS FOR CHRIST._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I received your letter. I bless our high and only wise Lord, who hath broken the snare that men had laid for you; and I hope that now He will keep you in His house, in despite of the powers of hell. Who knoweth, but the streets of our Jerusalem shall yet b…
611 wordsSECTION 484ABERDEEN, 1637.
CXCVIII.--_To the_ LAIRD OF CALLY. [Of JOHN LENNOX, Laird of Cally, near Girthon, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, to whom this letter is addressed, little is now known. He must have died previous to the 26th of January 1647, as at that date John Lennox of Cally is retoured heir of John Lennox of Cally, his father, …
319 wordsSECTION 485(_SPIRITUAL SLOTH--DANGER OF COMPROMISE--SELF, THE ROOT OF ALL SIN--SELF-RENUNCIATION._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I long to hear how your soul prospereth. I have that confidence that your soul mindeth Christ and salvation. I beseech you, in the Lord, to give more pains and diligence to fetch heaven than the country-sort of lazy professors, who think their own faith and their …
915 wordsSECTION 486Part 486
Sir, I remember you in my prayers to the Lord, according to my promise. Help me with your prayers, that our Lord would be pleased to bring me amongst you again, with the Gospel of Christ. Grace, grace be with you. Yours, in his sweetest Lord and Master,…
48 wordsSECTION 487ABERDEEN, 1637.
CXCIX.--_To JOHN GORDON of Cardoness, the Younger._…
9 wordsSECTION 488(_DANGERS OF YOUTH--EARLY DECISION._)
DEARLY BELOVED IN OUR LORD,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I long exceedingly to hear of the case of your soul, which hath a large share both of my prayers and careful thoughts. Sir, remember that a precious treasure and prize is upon this short play that ye are now upon. Even the eternity of well or wo to your s…
658 wordsSECTION 489Part 489
I recommend to you the mending of a hole, and reforming of a failing, one or other, every week; and put off a sin, or a piece of it, as anger, wrath, lust, intemperance, every day, that ye may more easily master the remnant of your corruption. God hath given you a wife; love her, and let her breasts satisfy you; and, f…
418 wordsSECTION 490ABERDEEN, 1637.
CC.--_To ROBERT GORDON, Bailie of Ayr._ [Letter CXXIX.]…
10 wordsSECTION 491(_THE MISERY OF MERE WORLDLY HOPE--EARNESTNESS ABOUT SALVATION._)
WORTHY SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I long to hear from you. Our Lord is with His afflicted kirk, so that this Burning Bush is not consumed to ashes. I know that submissive on-waiting for the Lord will at length ripen the joy and deliverance of His own, who are truly blessed on-waiters. What is the dry and…
765 wordsSECTION 492ABERDEEN, 1637.
CCI.--_To ALEXANDER GORDON of Earlston._…
7 wordsSECTION 493(_CHRIST'S KINGDOM TO BE EXALTED OVER ALL; AND MORE PAINS TO BE TAKEN TO WIN FARTHER UNTO HIM._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--It is like, if ye, the gentry and nobility of this nation, be "men in the streets" (as the word speaketh Jer. v. 1) for the Lord, that He will now deliver His flock, and gather and rescue His scattered sheep, from the hands of cruel and rigorous lords that have ru…
98 wordsSECTION 494Part 494
However it be, I avouch it before the world, that the tabernacle of the Lord shall again be in the midst of Scotland, and the glory of the Lord shall dwell in beauty, as the light of many days in one, in this land. Oh, what could my soul desire more (next to my Lord Jesus), while I am in this flesh, but that Christ and…
924 wordsSECTION 495Part 495
And, for myself, I have no greater joy, in my well-favoured bonds for Christ, than that I know time will put Him and me together; and that my love and longing hath room and liberty, amidst my bonds and foes (whereof there are not a few here of all ranks), to go to visit the borders and outer coasts of the country of my…
194 wordsSECTION 496ABERDEEN, 1637.
CCII.--_To the_ LAIRD OF CALLY.…
6 wordsSECTION 497(_YOUTH A PRECIOUS SEASON--CHRIST'S BEAUTY._)
WORTHY SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I have been too long, I confess, in writing to you. My suit now to you, in paper, since I have no access to speak to you as formerly, is, that ye would lay the foundation sure in your youth. When ye begin to seek Christ, try, I pray you, upon what terms ye covenant to fo…
858 wordsSECTION 498ABERDEEN, 1637.
CCIII.--_To WILLIAM GORDON at Kenmure._ [This maybe the same correspondent as he to whom Letter LXXII. is addressed. He may have been on a visit to Kenmure.]…
29 wordsSECTION 499(_TESTIMONY TO CHRIST'S WORTH--MARKS OF GRACE IN CONVICTION OF SIN AND SPIRITUAL CONFLICT._)
DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I have been long in answering your letter, which came in good time to me. It is my aim and hearty desire, that my furnace, which is of the Lord's kindling, may sparkle fire upon standers-by, to the warming of their hearts with God's love. The very dust that falleth fro…
948 wordsSECTION 500Part 500
Pray for me, that the Lord would give me house-room again, to hold a candle to this dark world.--Grace, grace be with you. Yours, in his sweet Lord and Master,…
31 wordsSECTION 501ABERDEEN, 1637.
CCIV.--_To_ MARGARET FULLERTON.…
4 wordsSECTION 502(_CHRIST, AND NOT CREATURES, WORTHY OF ALL LOVE--LOVE NOT TO BE MEASURED BY FEELING._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I am glad that ever ye did cast your love on Christ; fasten more and more love every day on Him. Oh, if I had a river of love, a sea of love that would never go dry, to bestow upon Him! But, alas, the pity! Christ hath beauty for me, but I have not love for Him. Oh, what p…
469 wordsSECTION 503ABERDEEN, 1637.
CCV.--_For the Right Honourable my_ LADY VISCOUNTESS OF KENMURE.…
10 wordsSECTION 504(_DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY TO THE KINGDOM--CHRIST'S LOVE._)
MY VERY NOBLE AND DEAR LADY,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--The Lord hath brought me safely to Aberdeen: I have gotten lodging in the hearts of all I meet with. No face that hath not smiled upon me; only the indwellers of this town are dry, cold, and general. They consist of Papists, and men of Gallio's metal, fi…
629 wordsSECTION 505POSTSCRIPT.
Madam, be pleased at a fit time to try my Lord of Lorn's mind, if his Lordship would be pleased that I dedicate another work against the Arminians, to his honourable name.[320] For howbeit I would compare no patron to his Lordship, and though I have sufficient experience of his love, yet it is possible that his Lordshi…
137 wordsSECTION 506(_THE USE OF SUFFERINGS--FEARS UNDER THEM--DESIRE THAT CHRIST BE GLORIFIED._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to your Ladyship.--I long to hear from you, and that dear child; and for that cause I trouble you with letters. I am for the present thinking the sparrows and the swallows, that build their nests in Anwoth, blessed birds. The Lord hath made all my congregation desolate. Alas! I am of…
913 wordsSECTION 507Part 507
Madam, I would be glad to hear that Christ's claim to you were still the more, and that you were still going forward, and that you were nearer Him. I do not honour Christ myself; but I wish all others to make sail to Christ's house. I would I could invite you to go into your Well-beloved's house-of-wine, and that upon …
303 wordsSECTION 508S. R.
My Lady Marischall[323] is very kind to me, and her son also. ABERDEEN, _June 17, 1637_. [323] Lady Marischall, whose maiden name was Margaret Erskine, being the eldest daughter of John Erskine, seventh Earl of Mar, by Lady Margaret Stewart, daughter to Esme, Duke of Lennox, was the wife of William, sixth Earl of Mar…
242 wordsSECTION 509(_PRACTICAL HINTS_.)
LOVING FRIEND,--I earnestly desire your salvation. Know the Lord and seek Christ. You have a soul that cannot die: see for a lodging to your poor soul; for that house of clay will fall. Heaven or nothing! either Christ or nothing! Use prayer in your house, and set your thoughts often upon death and judgment. It is dang…
220 wordsSECTION 510ABERDEEN.
CCVIII.--_To MR. ALEXANDER COLVILLE of Blair._ [Letter XCIX.]…
10 wordsSECTION 511(_REGRETS FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO PREACH--LONGINGS FOR CHRIST._)
MUCH HONOURED SIR,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I would desire to know how my Lord took my letter, which I sent him, and how he is. I desire nothing, but that he may be fast and honest to my royal Master and King. I am well every way, all praise to Him in whose books I must stand for ever as His debtor! Only m…
540 wordsSECTION 512S. R.
ABERDEEN, _June 23, 1637_. CCIX.--_To his Reverend and Dear Brother_, MR. JOHN NEVAY. [Letter CLXXIX.]…
16 wordsSECTION 513(_CHRIST'S SURPASSING EXCELLENCY--HIS CAUSE IN SCOTLAND._)
MY REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I have exceedingly many whom I write to, else I would be kinder in paper. I rejoice that my sweet Master hath any to back Him. Thick, thick may my royal King's court be. Oh that His kingdom might grow! It were my joy to have His house full of guests. …
504 wordsSECTION 514S. R.
ABERDEEN, _July 5, 1637_. CCX.--_To my_ LADY BOYD.…
9 wordsSECTION 515(_HIS SOUL FAINTING FOR CHRIST'S MATCHLESS BEAUTY--PRAYER FOR A REVIVAL._)
MADAM,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--Few, I believe, know the pain and torment of Christ's fristed love: fristing with Christ's presence is a matter of torment. I know a poor soul that would lay all oars in the water for a banquet or feast of Christ's love. I cannot think but it must be uptaking and sweet, to se…
755 wordsSECTION 516ABERDEEN, 1637.
CCXI.--_To a Christian Gentlewoman._…
6 wordsSECTION 517(_GOD'S SKILL TO BLESS BY AFFLICTION--UNKINDNESS OF MEN--NEAR THE DAY OF MEETING THE LORD._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--Though not acquainted, yet at the desire of a Christian brother, I have thought good to write a line unto you, entreating you, in the Lord Jesus, under your trials to keep an ear open to Christ, who can speak for Himself, howbeit your visitations,[326] and your own sense, …
955 wordsSECTION 518Part 518
Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,…
6 wordsSECTION 519S. R.
ABERDEEN, _July 6, 1637_. CCXII.--_To William Glendinning._ [Letter CXXXVII.]…
11 wordsSECTION 520(_SEARCH INTO CHRIST'S LOVELINESS--WHAT HE WOULD SUFFER TO SEE IT--CHRIST'S COMING TO DELIVER._)
DEAR BROTHER,--Ye are heartily welcome to that honour that Christ hath made common to us both, which is to suffer for His name. Verily I think it my garland and crown; and if the Lord should ask of me my blood and life for this cause, I would gladly, in His strength, pay due debt to Christ's honour and glory, in that k…
818 wordsSECTION 521S. R.
ABERDEEN, _July 6, 1637_. CCXIII.--_To ROBERT LENNOX of Disdove._ [_Disdove_, or Disdow, is a farm about two miles from Gatehouse and a mile from Girthon Manse, a single mansion among trees. _Lennox's_ name often occurs in the "Minute-book of Comm. of Covenanters." Was he connected with _Lennox of Cally_?]…
51 wordsSECTION 522(_MEN'S FOLLY IN UNDERVALUING CHRIST--IT IS HE THAT SATISFIETH--ADMIRATION OF HIM._)
DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I beseech you in the Lord Jesus, make fast and sure work of life eternal. Sow not rotten seed: every man's work will speak for itself, what his seed hath been. Oh, how many see I, who sow to the flesh! Alas, what a crop will that be, when the Lord shall put in His hook…
752 wordsSECTION 523ABERDEEN, 1637.
CCXIV.--_To_ MR. JAMES HAMILTON. [James Hamilton was educated for the ministry in Scotland, but going over to Ireland, he continued for some time to act as steward or agent for his uncle, Lord Claneboy. He commenced his labours as a preacher of the Gospel in 1624, and in the following year was settled at Ballywater, i…
479 wordsSECTION 524(_SUFFERING FOR CHRIST'S HEADSHIP--HOW CHRIST VISITED HIM IN PREACHING_.)
REVEREND AND DEARLY BELOVED IN OUR LORD,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--Our acquaintance is neither in bodily presence, nor on paper; but as sons of the same Father, and sufferers for the same truth. Let no man doubt that the _state of our question_,[328] we are now forced to stand to by suffering exile and impr…
945 wordsSECTION 525S. R.
ABERDEEN, _July 7, 1637_. CCXV.--_To_ MISTRESS STUART. [MRS. STUART is the wife of Provost Stuart of Ayr, of whom see an account, Letter CLXI.]…
25 wordsSECTION 526(_PERSONAL UNWORTHINESS--LONGING AFTER HOLINESS--WINNOWING TIME._)
MISTRESS,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I am sorry that ye take it so hardly that I have not written to you. I am judged to be that which I am not. I fear that if I were put into the fire, I should melt away, and fall down in shreds of painted nature; for truly I have little stuff at home that is worth the eye …
970 wordsSECTION 527Part 527
I know that your heart and Christ are married together; it were not good to make a divorce. Rue not of that meeting and marriage with such a Husband. Pray for me, His prisoner. Grace, grace be with you. Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus,…
45 wordsSECTION 528ABERDEEN, 1637.
CCXVI.--MR. HUGH MACKAIL _of Irvine_.…
6 wordsSECTION 529(_ADVANTAGES OF OUR WANTS AND DISTEMPERS--CHRIST UNSPEAKABLE._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I received your letter. I bless you for it. My dry root would take more dew and summer's-rain than it getteth, were it not that Christ will have dryness and deadness in us to work upon. If there were no timber to work upon, art would die, and never be see…
863 wordsSECTION 530S. R.
ABERDEEN, _July_ 8, 1637. CCXVII.--_To ALEXANDER GORDON of Garloch._ [ALEXANDER GORDON was proprietor of Garloch, an estate lying in Kells, about five miles N. W. of New Galloway. It is often corrupted into "Garroch." He was brother to Robert Gordon of Knockbrex, formerly noticed. He was a warm promoter of the Presby…
352 wordsSECTION 531(_FREE GRACE FINDING ITS MATERIALS IN US._)
DEAR BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--If Christ were as I am, that time could work upon Him to alter Him, or that the morrow could bring a new day to Him, or bring a new mind to Him, as it is to me a new day, I could not keep a house or a covenant with Him. But I find Christ to be Christ, and that He is fa…
543 wordsSECTION 532ABERDEEN, 1637.
CCXVIII.--_To_ JOHN BELL, _Elder_. [There is in the churchyard of Anwoth a tombstone to one of this name, who died a martyr, and who lived at _Whiteside_. This person may have been related to him. His name appears at a petition of the elders and parishioners of Anwoth, presented to the Commission of the General Assemb…
477 wordsSECTION 533(_DANGER OF TRUSTING TO A NAME--CONVERSION NO SUPERFICIAL WORK--EXHORTATION TO MAKE SURE._)
MY VERY LOVING FRIEND,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to you.--I have very often and long expected your letter; but if ye be well in soul and body, I am the less solicitous. I beseech you, in the Lord Jesus, to mind your country above; and now, when old age (the twilight going before the darkness of the grave, and the fa…
539 wordsSECTION 534ABERDEEN, 1637.
CCXIX.--_To_ MR. JOHN ROW. [John Row, minister of Carnock, was probably the person to whom this letter is addressed. It could not be his son, of the same name, who afterwards became minister of St. Nicholas Church, Aberdeen, and Principal of King's College; for he was at this time master of the grammar school of Perth…
168 wordsSECTION 535(_CHRIST'S CROSSES BETTER THAN THE WORLD'S JOYS--CHRIST EXTOLLED._)
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER,--I received yours. I bless His high and great name, that I like my sweet Master still the longer the better; a sight of His cross is more awsome than the weight of it. I think the worst things of Christ, even His reproaches and His cross (when I look on these not with bleared eyes), far rathe…
254 wordsSECTION 536S. R.
ABERDEEN, _July 8, 1637_. CCXX.--_To my Lord_ CRAIGHALL.…
9 wordsSECTION 537(_DUTY OF BEING DISENTANGLED FROM CHRIST--DISHONOURING COMPLIANCES._)
MY LORD,--I persuade myself that, notwithstanding the greatness of this temptation, ye will not let Christ want a witness of you, to avow Him before this evil generation. And if ye advise with God's truth (the perfect testament of Christ, that forbiddeth all men's additions to His worship), and with the truly learned, …
271 wordsSECTION 538S. R.
ABERDEEN, _July 8, 1637_. CCXXI.--_For_ MARION M'NAUGHT.…
8 wordsSECTION 539(_HER PRAYERS FOR SCOTLAND NOT FORGOTTEN._)
WORTHY AND DEAREST IN THE LORD,--I rejoice that you are a partaker of the sufferings of Christ. Faint not, keep breath, believe; howbeit men, and husband, and friends prove weak, yet your strength faileth not. It is not pride for a drowning man to grip to the rock. It is your glory to lay hold on your Rock. O woman gre…
294 wordsSECTION 540S. R.
ABERDEEN, _July 8, 1637_. CCXXII.--_To my_ LADY CULROSS. [Letter LXII.]…
11 wordsSource & rights
Public domain in the USA; original historical text digitized by Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.