[30] Hos. xiv. 7.
[31] In the parish church of Chiseldon, North Wilts, there are to be seen Eleven Commandments inscribed on a slab (which is affixed to the chancel arch); the additional one consisting of our Saviour's precept--"A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another" (John xiii. 34). The church is quite an ancient one, dating back to 1641.
[32] The place is still pointed out by tradition, as "Rutherford's Walk." It was close to the old manse, which was pulled down many years ago. It stood about a quarter of a mile from the church, and bore the name, _Bushy Bield_, or _Bush o' Bield, i.e._, the bush of shelter. Some make it _Bush o' Biel_, and say it is a corruption of _Bosco-bello_, fair-wood, _Boscobel_.
[Illustration: BUSH O' BEILD--RUTHERFORD'S HOUSE.]
Scarcely less interesting is the record of another unlooked-for meeting. Rutherford had one day left home to go to the neighbouring town of Kirkcudbright, the next day being a day of humiliation in that place. Having no doubt spent some time with his like-minded brother, he turned his steps to the house of another friend, Provost Fullerton, whose wife was Marion M'Naught. While sitting with them in friendly converse a knock at the door was heard, and then a step on the threshold. It was worthy Mr. Blair, who, on his way from London to Portpatrick, had sought out some of his godly friends, that with them he might be refreshed ere he returned to Ireland. He told them, when seated, that "he had a desire to visit both Mr. Rutherford at Anwoth, and Marion M'Naught at Kircudbright; but not knowing how to accomplish both, had prayed for direction at the parting of the road, and laid the bridle on the horse's neck. The horse took the way to Kirkcudbright, and there he found both the friends he so longed to see." It was a joyful and refreshing meeting on all sides. Wodrow tells[33] another incident that, in part, bears some resemblance to this. Rutherford had been reasoning at Stirling with the Marquis of Argyle, and had set out homeward. But his horse was very troublesome, and he was feeling in his mind that he should have been more urgent and plain! He returned, and dealt freely this time. And now his horse went on pleasantly all the way.
[33] "Analecta," vol. ii. p. 161.
In 1634 he attended the remarkable deathbed of Lord Kenmure, a narrative of which he published fifteen years after, in "The Last and Heavenly Speeches and Glorious Departure of John Viscount Kenmure." The inroads of Episcopacy were at this time threatening to disquiet Anwoth. His own domestic afflictions were still affecting him; for he writes that same year, in referring to his wife's death many years before, "which wound is not yet fully healed and cured." About that time, too, there was a proposal (never carried into effect) to call him to Cramond near Edinburgh,[34] and another to get him settled at Kirkcudbright.
[34] Letter xliii. His friend and neighbour Mr. Dalgleish, minister of Kirkdale and Kirkmabreck, was translated to Cramond in 1639.