Letters of Samuel Rutherford

Category
Look Inside Price £18.50

Weight 0.99 kg
Dimensions 22.3 × 14.3 × 4.6 cm
ISBN 9780851513881
Binding

Cloth-bound

format

Book

Original Pub Date

1664

Banner Pub Date

Apr 7, 2006

page-count

744

topic

Encouragement, Life Issues

EndorsementsRead More ↓

‘When we are dead and gone let the world know that Spurgeon held Rutherford’s Letters to be the nearest thing to inspiration which can be found in all the writings of mere men.’– C.H. SPURGEON

‘Surprising though it may seem in a world of large books, of all those owned by our family this may be the one we have most often lent or quoted to friends.’– SINCLAIR B. FERGUSON

‘These letters will ever be precious to all who are sensible of their own, and the Church’s decay and corruptions-The wound and the cure are therein so fully opened out: self is exposed, specially spiritual self. He will tell you, ‘There is as much need to watch over grace, as to watch over sin.’ He will show you God in Christ, to fill up the place usurped by self. The subtleties of sin, idols, snares, temptations, self-deceptions, are dragged into view from time to time. And what is better still, the cords of Christ are twined round the roots of these bitter plants, that they may be plucked up. Not is it otherwise in regard to corruption in public, and in the Church. We do not mean merely the open corruption of error, but also the secret ‘grey hairs’ of decay. Hear him cry, ‘There is universal deadness on that fear of God. O where are the sometime quickening breathings and influences form heaven that have refreshed His hidden ones!’ and then he laments, in the name of the saints, ‘We are half satisfied with our witherdness; nor have we as much of his strain who doth eight times breathe out that suit [Ps 119], Quicken me!’ ‘We live far from the well, and complain but dryly of our dryness.’– ANDREW BONAR

Book Description

These letters will ever be precious to all who are sensible of their own, and the Church’s decay and corruptions– The wound and the cure are therein so fully opened out: self is exposed, specially spiritual self. He will tell you, ‘There is as much need to watch over grace, as to watch over sin.’ He will show you God in Christ, to fill up the place usurped by self. The subtleties of sin, idols, snares, temptations, self-deceptions, are dragged into view from time to time. And what is better still, the cords of Christ are twined round the roots of these bitter plants, that they may be plucked up. Nor is it otherwise in regard to corruption in public, and in the Church. We do not mean merely the open corruption of error, but also the secret ‘gray hairs’ of decay. Hear him cry, ‘There is universal deadness on that fear of God. O where are the sometime quickening breathings and influences from heaven that have refreshed His hidden ones!’ And then he laments, in the name of the saints, ‘We are half satisfied with out witherdness; nor have we as much of his strain who doth eight times breathe out that suit, Quicken me!’ ‘We live far from the well, and complain but dryly of our dryness.’- Andrew Bonar

Table of Contents Expand ↓

No. of Letters PEOPLE WITH MORE THAN ONE LETTER
48 Lady Kenmure
45 Marion M’Naught
10 Lady Boyd
8 Colonel Gilbert Ker
6 Robert Gordon of Knockbreck
5 Alexander Gordon of Earlston
5 Lord Craighall
5 Mr David Dickson
4 Alexander Gordon of Knockgray
4 John Fleming, Bailie of Leith
4 John Gordon of Cardoness, Elder
4 John Stuart, Provost of Ayr
4 Lady Culross
4 Mr John Scot, at Oxnam
4 William Glendinning, Bailie of Kirkcudbright
3 Earlston, the Elder
3 Earlston, the Younger
3 John Gordon of Cardoness, Younger
3 John Kennedy, Bailie of Ayr
3 Lady Busbie
3 Mr Thomas Garven
3 The Laird of Carleton
3 William Dalgleish, Minister of the Gospel
3 William Rigge of Athernie
2 Alexander Colville of Blair
2 Barbara Hamilton
2 Grizzel Fullerton, daughter of Marion M’Naught
2 Janet Kennedy
2 Jean Brown
2 John Gordon, at Rusco
2 John Henderson, in Rusco
2 John Nevay
2 Lady Cardoness
2 Lady Gaitgirth
2 Lady Largirie
2 Lord Boyd
2 Lord Loudon
2 Mr George Gillespie
2 Mr Hugh Henderson, Minister of Dalry
2 Mr Hugh M’Kail, Minister of Irvine
2 Mr James Guthrie, Minister at Stirling
2 Mr John Fergushill
2 Mr John Meine, Junior
2 Mr John Murray, Minister at Methven
2 Mr Matthew Mowat, Minister of Kilmarnock
2 Mr Robert Blair
2 Mr Thomas Wylie, Minister of Borgue
2 Robert Gordon, Bailie of Ayr
2 Robert Lennox of Disdove
2 The Earl of Cassillis
2 The Laird of Cally
2 William Fullerton, Provost of Kirkcudbright
PEOPLE WITH ONE LETTER Page
Sketch of Samuel Rutherford 1
To a Christian Gentlewoman, on the death of a Daughter 34
To John Kennedy – Deliverance from Shipwreck 74
To a Gentleman at Kirkcudbright, excusing himself from visiting 83
To Mr Robert Cunningham, at Holywood, in Ireland – Consolation to a Brother in Tribulation 140
To William Gordon of Roberton – How Trials are Misimproved 153
To Margaret Ballantine – Value of the Soul, and Urgency of Salvation 166
To the Earl of Lothian – Advice as to Public Conduct 174
To Jean Blown – The Joys of this Life embittered by Sin 177
To Elizabeth Kennedy – Danger of Formality 183
To the Rev John Livingstone  –  Resignation 190
To Mr Ephraim Melvin  –  Kneeling at the Lord’s Supper a species of Idolatry 192
To Janet Macculloch  –  Christ’s Sufficiency 210
To Lady Cardoness, Elder  –  Christ and His Cause Recommended 213
To a Gentlewoman, upon the death of her Husband 217
To Lady Kaskiberry    –   Gratitude for Kindness 222
To Lady Earlston  –  Following Christ not Easy 223
To Mr Robert Douglas  –  Greatness of Christ’s Love revealed to those who suffer for Him 229
To Mr Alexander Henderson  –  Sadness because of Christ’s Headship not set forth 232
To Mr Matthew Moncat, Minister at Kilmarnock  –  Plenitude of Christ’s Love 242
To William Halliday  –  Diligence in securing Salvation 245
To a Gentlewoman after the death of her Husband 245
To Lady Forret – Sickness a Kindness 249
To John Carsen – Nothing worth the Finding but Christ 251
To Jean Macmillan  – Strive to enter In 259
To John Ewart, Bailie of Kirkcudbright – The Cross no Burden 262
To Robert Glendinning, Minister of Kirkcudbright  –  Prepare to meet thy God 264
To Lord Balmerinoch – His happy Obligations to Christ 267
To Lady Mar, Younger – No Exchange for Christ 269
To James Macadam – The Kingdom taken by Force 270
To William Livingstone – Counsel to a Youth 271
To William Gordon of Whitepark – Nothing lost by Trials 272
To Mr Georqe Gillespie, Minister of Kirkcaldy – Suspicions of Christ’s Love Removed 273
To Jean Gordon – God the Satisfying Portion 275
To Mr Tames Bruce, Minister of the Gospel – Misjudging of Christ’s Ways 276
To Lady Hallhill – Christ’s Crosses better than Egypt’s Treasures 278
To John Osburn, Provost of Ayr – Adherence to Christ 280
To John Meine, Senior – Enjoyment of God’s Love 281
To Bethaia Aird – Unbelief under Trials 284
To Patrick Carsen – Early Devotedness to Christ 287
To Ninian Mure, one of the family of Cassincarrie – A Youth Admonished 307
To the Laird of Moncrieff – Concert in Prayer 321
To John Clark  – Marks of Difference betwixt Christians and Reprobates 323
To John Laurie – Christ’s Love 330
To Earleton, the Younger – Dangers of Youth 348
To Mr J-R – Christ the Purifier of His Church 355
To Robert Stuart – Christ chooses His own in the Furnace 363
Mr John Fergushill of Ochiltree – Desponding Views of his own State 368
To the Laird of Carsluth – Necessity of making sure of Salvation 373
To the Laird of Cassincarrie – Earnestness about Salvation 376
To Sibylla Macadam – Christ’s Beauty and Excellence 380
To William Gordon, at Kenmure  – Testimony to Christ’s Worth 399
To Margaret Fulterton – Christ, not Creatures, worthy of all Love 401
To a Christian Gentlewoman – God’s Skill to bless by Affliction 412
To Mr James Harnilum, Minister of the Gospel – Suffering for Christ’s Headship 418
To Mistress Stuart – Personal Unworthiness 421
To Alexander Gordon of Garloch – Free Grace finding its Materials in us 425
To John Bell, Elder – Danger of Trusting to a Name to Live 427
To Mr John Row, Minister of the Gospel – Christ’s Crosses better than the World’s Joys 429
To Fulwood, the Younger – Vanity of the World in the light of Death and Christ 436
To his Parishoners – Protestation of Care for their Souls, and for the Glory of God 438
To Lady Kilconquhar – The Interests of the Soul and Urgent 445
To Mr James Fleming, Minister of the Gospel – Glory Gained to Christ 451
To Lord Lindsay of Byres – The Church’s Desolations 457
To Fulk Ellis – Friends in Ireland 463
To James Lindsay – Desertions, their Use 466
To Mr James Hamilton, Minister of the Gospel – Christ’s Glory not affected by His People’s Weakness 471
To the Laird of Gaitgirth – Truth worth Suffering for 471
To Lady Rowallan – Jesus the Best Choice, and to be made sure of 478
To Margaret Reid – Benefits of the Cross, if we are Christ’s 487
To James Bautie – Spiritual Difficulties Solved 489
To Lady Dumqueich  – Jesus or the World 495
To Janet Mcculloch – Cares to be cast on Christ 496
To Lady Carleton – Submission to God’s Will 500
To Lady Craighall – The Comforts of Christ’s Cross 503
To Lady Kilconquhair – The Kingdom to be taken by Violence 510
To Thomas Corbet – Godly Counsels 514
To Mr George Dunbar, Minister of the Gospel – Christ’s Love in Affliction 515
To his Parishioners at Anwoth – Exhortation to abide in the Truth, in prospect of Christ’s Coming 521
To John Gordon – Christ all Worthy 527
To James Murray – The Christian Life a Mystery to the World 530
To the Earl of Cassilis – Ambition 538
To Lord Loudoun – True Honour in maintaining Christ’s cause 543
To Lady Robertland – Afflictions purify 545
To Thomas Macculloch of Nether Ardwell – Earnest Call to Diligence 548
To the Professors of Christ and His Truth in Ireland – The Way to Heaven ofttimes through Persecution 549
To the Parishioners of Kilmalcolm – Spiritual Sloth 559
To the Persecuted Church in Ireland – Christ’s Legacy of Trouble 568
To Dr Alexander Leighton – Public Blessings alleviate Private Suffer­ings 575
To a Person unknown – Anent Private Worship 578
To Henry Stuart, and Family, Prisoners of Christ at Dublin – Faith’s preparation for Trial 579
To Mrs Pont, Prisoner at Dublin – Support under Trials 585
To Mr James Wilson – Advices to a Doubting Soul 588
To John Fenwick – Christ the Fountain 593
To Peter Stirling – Believers’ Graces all from Christ 599
To Lady Fingask – Faith’s Misgivings 600
To Agnes Macmath, on the Death of a Child – Reason for Resignation 607
To James Murray’s Wife – Heaven a Reality 612
To a Young Man in Anwoth – Necessity of Godliness in its Power 615
To Mistress Taylor, on her Son’s Death – Suggestions for Comfort under Sorrow 620
To Mistress Hume, on her Husband’s Death 625
To a Christian Friend, on the Death of his Wife 629
To a Christian Brother, on the Death of his Daughter 630
To a Christian Gentlewoman – Views of Death and Heaven 632
To Lady Ardross, in Fife, on her Mother’s Death 639
To M O – Gloomy Prospects for the Backsliding Church 640
To Sir James Stewart, Lord Provost of Edinburgh – Declining Chair in Edinburgh 645
To Mistress Gillespie, Widow of George Gillespie – On the Death of a Child 646
To the Earl of Balcarras – Regarding some Misunderstanding 648
To William Guthrie – Depression under Dark Trials 652
To Lady Ralston, Ursula Mure – Duty of Preferring to Live rather than Die 665
To a Minister of Glasgow – Encouraging Words to a Suffering Brother 668
To Simeon Ashe – Views of the Presbyterians as to Allegiance to the Protector 681
To Mr James Durham, Minister of Glasgow, some few days before his Death 685
To the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright – Union 689
To Mr Guthrie, Mr Trail, and the rest of their Brethren imprisoned in the Castle of Edinburgh – On Suffering for Christ 692
To Several Brethren – Reasons for Petitioning his Majesty after his return, and for owning such as were censured while about so necessary a Duty 694
To a Brother Minister – Judgment of a Draught of a Petition, to have been presented to the Committee of Estates 696
To Mistress Craig, upon the Death of her hopeful Son – Nine Reasons for Resignation 699
To Mr Robert Campbell – Stedfastness to Protest against Prelacy and Popery 703
To Believers at Aberdeen – Sinful Conformity and Schismatic Designs reproved 704
Index of the Chief Places and Individuals referred to in the Letters 711
Index of Special Subjects 715
Glossary 718
Editions of Rutherford’s Letters 736

3 testimonials for Letters of Samuel Rutherford

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  1. Joshua J. Mills

    The Letters of Samuel Rutherford are outstanding. This book has done my soul the most good out of any Banner book (I do not say that lightly). Rutherford has taught me three lessons: (1) The importance of union and communion with Christ, (2) the supreme beauty of Christ, and (3) a proper perspective on suffering. To see more of my thoughts, I have attached a post that expresses the lessons I have learned from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford:

    https://fountoflife.home.blog/2019/02/08/grace-in-winter-lessons-from-samuel-rutherford/

  2. Matteob

    These letters show Samuel Rutherford was filled with the Holy Spirit and a loving, encouraging Pastor. Working my way through these letters slowly I have found nourishment and encouragement in dark times. They are beautifully written and warm. I would also recommend the little book by Banner called “Samuel Rutherford and his Friends” which gives some background on the receivers of these letters.

  3. AM

    We discovered Samuel Rutherford while reading Charles Spurgeon, his startlingly high recommendation being reminiscent of St. Chrysostom’s of St. Paul. We may never be great, but we should “eat” what the Greats eat, feed where they feed. We never read a Rutherford letter without copying out sentences and paragraphs on paper and to friends almost to the point of feeling that we are rewriting the entire book. One cannot help loving his tender, sincere heart. He is on our bedside shelf for reading one letter+ each morning, along with Charles Spurgeon (M & E) and Thomas A Kempis (Imitation), our daily reads. When we get to the end of these books, we start right back at the beginning. We are sending Letter CII out in our Christmas cards this year.

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