MADAM, -- I received your Ladyship's letter; but because I was still
going through the country for the affairs of the church, I had no time
an answer it.
I had never more cause to fear than I have now, when my Lord has
restored me to my second created heaven on earth, and has turned my
apprehended fears into joys, and great deliverance to His church,
whereof I have my share and part. Alas! that weeping prayers, answered
and sent back from heaven with joy, should not have laughing praises!
Oh that this land would repent, and lay burdens of praises upon the top
of the fair Mount Zion! Madam, except this land be humbled, a
Reformation is rather my wonder than belief, at this time. But surely
it must be a wonder, and what is done already is a wonder.
Your Ladyship is blessed with children who are honored to build up
Christ's waste places again. I believe that your Ladyship will think
them well bestowed on that work, and that Zion's beauty is your joy.
This is a mark and evidence from heaven, which helpeth weak ones to
hold their grip, when other marks fail them.
I hope that your Ladyship is at a good understanding with Christ, and
that, as becometh a Christian, ye take Him up aright: for many mistake
and misshape Christ in His comings and goings. Your wants and falls
proclaim that ye have nothing of your own but what ye borrow; nay,
yourself is not your own, but Christ has given Himself to you. Put
Christ to the bank, and heaven shall be your interest and income. Love
Him, for ye cannot over-love Him. Take up your house in Christ. Let Him
dwell in you, and abide in Him; and then ye may look out of Christ, and
laugh at the clay-heavens that the sons of men are seeking after on
this side of the water. Christ mindeth to make your losses grace's
great advantage. If I had known long since, as I do now (though still,
alas! I am ignorant) what was in Christ, I would not have been so late
in starting to the gate to seek Him. Oh what can I do or say to Him who
has made the North render me back again! But when my faith was asleep,
Christ was awake; and now, when I am awake, I say He did all things
well. O infinite wisdom! O incomparable loving-kindneses! Alas, that
the heart I have is so little and worthless for such a Lord as Christ
is!
I put all the favors which ye have bestowed on my brother upon
Christ's score; in whose books are many such counts, and who will
requite them. I wish you to be builder more and more upon the stone
laid in Zion, and then ye shall be the more fit to have a hand in
rebuilding our Lord's fallen tabernacle in this land; in which ye shall
find great peace when ye come to grips with death, the king of terrors.
The God of peace be with your Ladyship, and keep you blameless till
the day of our Lord Jesus.
ST ANDREWS
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Rutherford was also known for his spiritual and devotional works, such as Christ Dying and drawing Sinners to Himself and his Letters. Concerning his Letters, Charles Spurgeon wrote: "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". Published versions of the Letters contain 365 letters and fit well with reading one per day.
Rutherford was a strong supporter of the divine right of Presbytery, the principle that the Bible calls for Presbyterian church government. Among his polemical works are Due Right of Presbyteries (1644), Lex, Rex (1644), and Free Disputation against Pretended Liberty of Conscience.
Samuel Rutherford was a Scottish Presbyterian theologian and author. He was one of the Scottish Commissioners to the Westminster Assembly.
Born in the village of Nisbet, Roxburghshire, Rutherford was educated at Edinburgh University, where he became in 1623 Regent of Humanity (Professor of Latin). In 1627 he was settled as minister of Anwoth in Galloway, from where he was banished to Aberdeen for nonconformity. His patron in Galloway was John Gordon, 1st Viscount of Kenmure. On the re-establishment of Presbytery in 1638 he was made Professor of Divinity at St. Andrews, and in 1651 Rector of St. Mary's College there. At the Restoration he was deprived of all his offices.
Rutherford's political book Lex, Rex (meaning "the law [and] the king" or "the law [is] king") presented a theory of limited government and constitutionalism. It was an explicit refutation of the doctrine of "Rex Lex" or "the king is the law." Rutherford was also known for his spiritual and devotional works, such as Christ Dying and drawing Sinners to Himself and his Letters.