A Puritan at Heart

Set no time to the Lord the creator of time, for His time is always best. [Samuel Rutherford]

I know my Lord is no niggard; He can, and it becometh Him well to give more than my narrow soul can recieve. If there were ten thousand millions of worlds and as many heavens full of angels and men Christ would , not be pinched to supply all our wants and to fill us all. [Samuel Rutherford]

Why should we strive? For we be Brethren, the sons of one Father, the born citizens of one mother Jerusalem…We strive as we are carnal, we dispute as we are men, we war from our lusts, we dispute from diversity of star-light and day-light. [Samuel Rutherford]

Christ hath a great design of free grace to these lands; but his wheels must move over mountains and rocks. He never yet wooed a bride on earth, but in blood, in fire and in the wilderness. [Samuel Rutherford]

Christ hath a great design of free grace to these lands; but his wheels must move over mountains and rocks. He never yet wooed a bride on earth, but in blood, in fire and in the wilderness. [Samuel Rutherford]

Rulers are tutors to Christ’s bairns that are minors.  Therefore let rulers get all their own, for pride against them stots ( rebounds) off them upon God; and when their laws are unjust we owe to them an upholding of the Majesty, dignity, credit, and honour which God has given them… seeing we are willed to honour the king.  So all comes to this, that troublers of the peace of the kirk or Commonwealth condemned, and discrediting authority in the very act of refusing obedience to the unjust decrees, is  unlawful.  Again, the patience of an ass in any man that has a conscience is unlawful. [Samuel Rutherford]

When this race is ended, and the play is either won or lost, and ye are in the utmost circle and border of time, and shall put your foot within the march of eternity, all the good things of your short nightdream shall seem to you like ashes of a blaze of thorns or straw. [Samuel Rutherford]

For at my first entry into this trial (being cast down and troubled
with challenges and jealousies of His love, whose name and testimony
I now bear in my bonds), I feared nothing more than that I was casten
over the dyke of the vineyard, as a dry tree. But, blessed be His
dear name, the dry tree was in the fire, and was not burnt; His dew
came down and quickened the root of a withered plant. And now He is
come again with joy, and has been pleased to feast His exiled and
afflicted prisoner with the joy of His consolations. Now I weep, but
am not sad; I am chastened, but I die not; I have loss, but I want
nothing; this water cannot drown me, this fire cannot burn me,
because of the good-will of Him that dwelt in the Bush. The worst
things of Christ, His reproaches, His cross, are better than Egypt’s
treasures. I would not give, nor exchange, my bonds for the prelates’
velvets; nor my prison for their coaches; nor my sighs for all the
world’s laughter. This clay-idol, the world, has no great court in my
soul. Christ has come and run away to heaven with my heart and my
love, so that neither love is mine:- Samuel Rutherford, Letter
XXVII. To LADY HALHILL,ABERDEEN, March 14, 1637

Let me speak to you, how kind a fellow-prisoner is Christ to me! Believe me, this kind of cross (that would not go by my door, but would needs visit me) is still the longer the more welcome to me. It is true, my silent, Sabbaths have been, and still are, as glassy ice whereon my faith can scarce hold its feet, and I am often blown on my back and off my feet with a storm of doubting. Yet truly, my bonds all this time cast a mighty and rank smell of high and deep love in Christ. I cannot, indeed, see through my cross to the far-end; yet I believe I am in Christ’s books, and in his decree (not yet unfolded to me), a man triumphing, dancing and singing on the other side of the Red Sea, and laughing and praising the Lamb, over beyond time, sorrow, deprivation, prelates indignation, losses, want of friends, and death. Heaven is not a fowl flying in the air (as men used to speak of things that are uncertain); nay, it is well paid for. Christ’s comprisement lieth on glory for all the mourners in Zion, and shall never be loosed. Let us be glad and rejoice that we have blood, losses and wounds to show our Master and Captain at his appearance, and what we suffered for his cause. [Samuel Rutherford]

I am glad that you have been acquainted, from your youth, with the wrestlings of God, being cast from furnace to furnace; knowing, if you were not dear to God, and if your health did not require so much of him, he would not spend as much physic upon you. All the brethren and sisters of Christ must be conformed to his image in suffering, Rom. viii.17, and some do more fully resemble the copy than others. [Samuel Rutherford]

In your letter, you mentioned friends who have left me. I would not think the world to be worldly if friends did not leave me. Using God’s wisdom, I hope to use the world as an intelligent employer uses an untrustworthy employee. He does not trust him with money or anything important that he might steal. I pray to God that I will not trust this world with my joys, comforts, or confidence. If I did, it would put Christ out of His proper place in my heart. Indeed, Madam, from my few experiences I counsel you to give Christ the authority over all the business of your life. Fasten all your burdens on the Peg fastened in David’s house (Isa. 22:23). Woe to me, if ever the world should teach me anything about consolation. Away, away, with any such false teachers. Christ then would laugh at me and say, “Now you’re warned. Be careful who you trust.”[Samuel Rutherford]

My Dear and Worthy Sister- You are truly blessed in the Lord, however a sour world gloom and frown on you, if you continue in the faith settled and grounded, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel. It is good that there is a heaven, and it is not a night-dream and a fancy. It is a wonder that men deny not there is a heaven, as they deny there is any to it but of men’s making. You have learned of Christ that there is a heaven; and contend for it and for Christ. Bear well and submissively the hard thrust of this stepmother world, which God will not have to be yours. I confess it is hard, and, would to God, I were able to lighten your burden; but believe me, this world which the Lord will not have to be yours, is but the dross, refuse, and scum of God’s creation, the portion of the Lord’s poor hired servants, the moveables not the heritage, a hard bone cast to the dogs holden out of the New Jerusalem, whereupon they rather break their teeth than satisfy their appetite. It is your father’s blessing and Christ’s birthright that our Lord is keeping for you; and persuade yourself also that (if it be good for them and you) your seed also shall inherit the earth, for that is promised to them, and God’s bond is as good as if He would give very one of them a bond for thousand thousands.

Ere ye were born crosses in number, measure and weight, were written for you; and your Lord will lead you through them. Make Christ sure, and the world and the blessings of the earth shall be at Christ’s back and beck. I see many professors for the fashion; professors of glass; I would make a little knock of persecution ding them in twenty pieces, and the world would laugh at the shreds. Therefore, make fast work; see that Christ be the ground-stone of your profession. The sore wind and rain will not wash away His building; His work hath no less date than to stand evermore. I should twenty times have perished in my affliction, if I had not laid my weak back and pressing burden, both, upon the Stone, the Corner-stone laid in Zion. I am not twice fain (as the proverb is), but once for ever, of this Stone. Now the God of peace establish you to the day of the appearance of Jesus Christ.

Yours,
S.R.[Samuel Rutherford]

Sure I am, it is better to be sick, providing Christ come to thy bed-side, and draw aside the curtains and say, “Courage, I am thy salvation.” That to enjoy health, being lusty and strong, and never to be visited by God. Worthy and dear lady, in the strength of Christ, fight and overcome. You are now alone, but you may have, for the seeking, three always in your company, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I trust they are near you. You are now deprived of the comfort of a lively ministry; so were Israel in their captivity; yet hear God’s promise to them: Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God, although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries where they shall come,”[Ezek 11.16]. Behold a sanctuary! For a sanctuary, God himself, in the place and room of the temple of Jerusalem: I trust in God, that carrying this temple about with you, you shall see Jehovah’s beauty in his house [Samuel Rutherford]

What have you to do here? This world never looked like a friend upon you; you owe it little love; it looked ever so sour-like upon you: howbeit you should woo it, it will not match with you; and therefore, never seek warm fire under cold ice. This is not a field where your happiness growth; it is up above, where there are a great multitude which no man can number, of all nations and kindreds, and people and tongues, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothes with white robes, and palms in their hands. (Rev 7:9) What you could never get here you shall find there. And withal, consider how, in all these trials (and truly they have been many), your Lord hath been loosing you at the root from perishing things, and hunting after you to grip your soul. Madam, for the Son of God’s sake, let him not miss his grip, but stay and abide in the love of God, as Jude saith. [ From the letters of Samuel Rutherford

I thank you for your letter. I cannot but show you that as I never expected anything from Christ but much good and kindness, so he hath made me to find it in the house of my pilgrimage. And believe me brother, I give it to you under mine own hand-writ, that whoso looketh to the white side of Christ’s cross, and can take it up handsomely with faith and courage, shall find it such a burden as sails are to ships or wings to a bird. I find that my Lord hath over-gilded that black tree, and hath perfumed it, and oiled it with joy and consolation. Like a fool, once I would chide and plead with Christ and slander him to others, of unkindness. But I trust in God not o call his glooms unkind again; for he hath taken from me sackcloth; and I verily cannot tell you what a poor Joseph and prisoner doth now think of kind Christ.I will chide no more, providing he will quit me all bygones; for I am poor, I am taught in this ill weather to go to the lee-side of Christ, and to put in between me and the storm; and (I thank God) I will on the sunny side of the brae. I write it that ye may speak on my behalf the praises of my Lord to others, that my bonds may preach. O, if all Scotland knew the feats and love-blinks and visits that the prelates have sent unto me, I will verily give my Lord Jesus a free discharge of all that I, like a fool, laid to his charge and beg him pardon, to the mends. God grant that in my temptations I will come not on his wrong side again and never again fall a raving against my physician in my fever.[Samuel Rutherford]

REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER–Ye know that this is a time in which all men almost seek their own things, and not the things of Jesus Christ. Ye are your lone, as a beacon on the top of the mountain; but faint not: Christ is a numerous multitude Himself, yea, millions. Though all the nations were convened against Him round about, yet doubt not but He will, at last, arise for the cry of the poor and needy.

For me, I am now near eternity; and for ten thousand worlds I dare not venture to pass from the protestation against the corruptions of the time, nor go alongst with the shameless apostasy of the many silent and dumb watchmen of Scotland. But I think it my last duty to enter a protestation in Heaven, before the righteous Judge, against the practical and legal breach of Covenant and all oaths imposed on the Reformation, the introducing of popery and the mystery of iniquity, is now set on foot in the three kingdoms; and whosoever would keep their garments clean are under that command, “Touch not, taste not, handle not.”

The Lord calleth you dear brother, to be still, “stedfast, unmovable and abounding in the work of the Lord.” Our Royal kingly Master is upon His journey, and will come, and will not tarry; and blessed is the servant who shall be found watching when He cometh. Fear not men, for the Lord is your light and salvation. It is true, it is somewhat sad and comfortless that ye are your lone; but so it was with our precious Master; nor are ye your lone, for the Father is with you. It is possible that I shall not be an eyewitness to it in the flesh, but I believe He cometh quickly who will remove our darkness, and shine gloriously in the Isle of Britain, as a crowned King, either in a formally sworn covenant, or in His own glorious way; which I leave to the determination of His infinite wisdom and goodness. And this is the hope and confidence of a dying man, who is longing and fainting for the salvation of God.

Beware of the ensnaring bonds and obligations by any hand writ or otherwise to give unlimited obedience to any authority, but only in the Lord. For all innocent self-defence (which is according to the covenant, the Word of God, and the laudable example of the reformed churches) is now intended to be utterly subverted and condemned; and what is taken from Christ, as the flower of His prerogative-royal, is now put upon the head of a mortal power; which must be that great idol of indignation that provoketh the eyes of His glory. Dear brother, let us mind the rich promises that are made to those that overcome, knowing that those that endure to the end shall be saved. [Samuel Rutherford]

A Poem by Faith cook based on letter 131 of Samuel Rutherfords Letters. (Letter posted below)

Soft nature seeks a path of ease
Secure from strange alarms;
Borne through the troubled scenes of life
In Christ’s protecting arms;
Yet nobler far our strength to draw
From grace to call His will our law.

For Christ who knows our feeble mould
Ordains that here below
Through brier and bush to heavenly ground
His bairns wet-shod must go;
Past hostile thorn His steps to trace
And follow still with steadfast
face.

Our heav’n is in the bud and soon
Must to a harvest grow;
For time’s brief span shall eat away
And root out every woe.
Then watch in hope till sorrows end,
And Christ appear - our living Friend.

Greetings - Disdain Temporary Glory
Mistress,

Grace, Mercy, and peace be to you. I am glad that you follow closely after Christ in this dark and cloudy time. It is a good thing to sell the things of this world in order to buy Him,** for when all these days are over we will find that it was a good investment to have a part in Christ. I confidently believe that His enemies will be His footstool,** ** and what are now growing flowers will be dead, withered grass.** The honour and the glory will fall off many things that for a time appear beautiful.

Leave Worldly Comforts Behind
It would be foolish to think that Christ and the Gospel would come and sit down at our fireside.** No, we must leave our comfortable warm houses and seek after Christ and His Gospel. It is not the sunny side of Christ** that we must expect, and we must not forsake him if we lack it. Let us set our faces against whatever we find in life, until He and we are though the briers and prickly bushes and on dry ground. Our soft nature would prefer to be carried through the troubles of this life in Christ’s arms.** But it is His wisdom, who knows what we’re made of, that His bairns** go with wet and cold feet to heaven. Oh, how sweet a thing it would be for us, if we would learn how to make our burdens light, by preparing our hearts for the burden, which requires us to make our Lord’s will the law of our hearts.

Christ’s Light Will Shine
I find Christ and His cross** not unpleasant or troublesome guests, as men would call them. No, I think patience makes the water Christ gives us good wine, and His dross silver and gold. We have a good reason for continuing to wait: before long our Master will be back for us and shine His light into the whole world, making visible the blacks and whites.** Happy are those who will be found ready. Our hour-glass doesn’t have long enough to run for us to become weary. In fact, time itself will dissolve our cares and sorrow. Our heaven is in the bud and growing up until the harvest.** Why shouldn’t we persevere, seeing that our whole life time is a few grains of sand? Therefore I commend Christ to you, as your last-living and longest-living Husband, the staff of your old age.** Let Him now have the rest of your days. Don’t worry about the storm when you’re sailing in Christ’s ship: no passenger will ever fall overboard. Even the most sea-sick passenger is sure to come to land safely.

His Great Love - Our Little Faith
I myself am in as sweet communion with Christ as a poor sinner can be. I am only pained that He has much beauty and loveliness, and I little love. He has great power and mercy, and I little faith. He has much light, and I poor eyesight. O that I would see Him in the sweetness of His love, and in His marriage-clothes,** and were over head and ears in love with that princely one, Christ Jesus my Lord! Alas, my broken dish, my leaky bottle, can hold so little of Christ Jesus!

Christ on the Auction Block
I have joy in this, that I would gladly die before I put Christ’s property at the disposal of men who choose to follow their own wills.** Alas, this land has put Christ up for bid in a public auction. Blessed are they who would hold the crown on His head and buy Christ’s honour with their own losses.

Family Advice - Farewell
I rejoice to hear that your son John is coming to visit Christ and taste of His love. I hope that he will not become careless** or regret his choice. I have always (as I often told you in person) a great love to Mr. John Brown because I thought I saw more of Christ in him than in his brothers. I wish I could write to him, to encourage him to stand by my sweet Master. Please have him read this letter, and tell him of the joy I will have if he will stand for my Lord Jesus.

Grace be with you, yours, in his sweet Jesus,

Samuel Rutherford

Aberdeen, Scotland March 13, 1637

Soft nature seeks a path of ease
Secure from strange alarms;
Borne through the troubled scenes of life
In Christ’s protecting arms;
Yet nobler far our strength to draw
From grace to call His will our law.

For Christ who knows our feeble mould
Ordains that here below
Through brier and bush to heavenly ground
His bairns wet-shod must go;
Past hostile thorn His steps to trace
And follow still with steadfast
face.

Our heav’n is in the bud and soon
Must to a harvest grow;
For time’s brief span shall eat away
And root out every woe.
Then watch in hope till sorrows end,
And Christ appear - our living Friend.

Greetings - Disdain Temporary Glory
Mistress,

Grace, Mercy, and peace be to you. I am glad that you follow closely after Christ in this dark and cloudy time. It is a good thing to sell the things of this world in order to buy Him,** for when all these days are over we will find that it was a good investment to have a part in Christ. I confidently believe that His enemies will be His footstool,** ** and what are now growing flowers will be dead, withered grass.** The honour and the glory will fall off many things that for a time appear beautiful.

Leave Worldly Comforts Behind
It would be foolish to think that Christ and the Gospel would come and sit down at our fireside.** No, we must leave our comfortable warm houses and seek after Christ and His Gospel. It is not the sunny side of Christ** that we must expect, and we must not forsake him if we lack it. Let us set our faces against whatever we find in life, until He and we are though the briers and prickly bushes and on dry ground. Our soft nature would prefer to be carried through the troubles of this life in Christ’s arms.** But it is His wisdom, who knows what we’re made of, that His bairns** go with wet and cold feet to heaven. Oh, how sweet a thing it would be for us, if we would learn how to make our burdens light, by preparing our hearts for the burden, which requires us to make our Lord’s will the law of our hearts.

Christ’s Light Will Shine
I find Christ and His cross** not unpleasant or troublesome guests, as men would call them. No, I think patience makes the water Christ gives us good wine, and His dross silver and gold. We have a good reason for continuing to wait: before long our Master will be back for us and shine His light into the whole world, making visible the blacks and whites.** Happy are those who will be found ready. Our hour-glass doesn’t have long enough to run for us to become weary. In fact, time itself will dissolve our cares and sorrow. Our heaven is in the bud and growing up until the harvest.** Why shouldn’t we persevere, seeing that our whole life time is a few grains of sand? Therefore I commend Christ to you, as your last-living and longest-living Husband, the staff of your old age.** Let Him now have the rest of your days. Don’t worry about the storm when you’re sailing in Christ’s ship: no passenger will ever fall overboard. Even the most sea-sick passenger is sure to come to land safely.

His Great Love - Our Little Faith
I myself am in as sweet communion with Christ as a poor sinner can be. I am only pained that He has much beauty and loveliness, and I little love. He has great power and mercy, and I little faith. He has much light, and I poor eyesight. O that I would see Him in the sweetness of His love, and in His marriage-clothes,** and were over head and ears in love with that princely one, Christ Jesus my Lord! Alas, my broken dish, my leaky bottle, can hold so little of Christ Jesus!

Christ on the Auction Block
I have joy in this, that I would gladly die before I put Christ’s property at the disposal of men who choose to follow their own wills.** Alas, this land has put Christ up for bid in a public auction. Blessed are they who would hold the crown on His head and buy Christ’s honour with their own losses.

Family Advice - Farewell
I rejoice to hear that your son John is coming to visit Christ and taste of His love. I hope that he will not become careless** or regret his choice. I have always (as I often told you in person) a great love to Mr. John Brown because I thought I saw more of Christ in him than in his brothers. I wish I could write to him, to encourage him to stand by my sweet Master. Please have him read this letter, and tell him of the joy I will have if he will stand for my Lord Jesus.

Grace be with you, yours, in his sweet Jesus,

Samuel Rutherford

Aberdeen, Scotland March 13, 1637

Loving and dear sister–I received your letter. I know that the favour of Christ in you (whom the virgins love to follow) cannot be blown away with the winds, either from hell, or the evil-smelled air of this defiled world. Sit afar back from the walls of this pesthouse, even the pollutions of this defiling world. Keep your taste, your love, and hope in heaven; it is not good that your love and your Lord should be in two sundry countries. Up, up after your lover, that ye and He maybe together. A King from heaven hath sent for you: by faith He showeth you the New Jerusalem, and taketh you alongst in the Spirit, through all the ease-rooms and dwelling-houses in heaven and saith, “All these are thine; this place is for thee and Christ.” And if ye only hd been the chosen of God, Christ would have built that one house for you and Himself; now it is for you and many others also. Take with you in your journey what you may carry with you, your conscience, faith, hope, patiences, meekness, goodness, brotherly kindness; for such wares as these are of great price in the High and new country wither ye go. As for other things, which are but the worlds vanity and trash, since they are but the house-sweepings, ye will do best not to carry them with you. Ye found them here; leave them here, and let them keep the house. Your sun is well turned and low; be nigh your lodging against night. We go one and one out of this great market, till the town be empty, and the two lodgings, heaven and hell, be filled. at length there will be nothing in the earth but toom walls and burnt ashes; and therefore it is best to make away. Antichrist and his master are busy to plenish hell, and to seduce many: and stars, great church-light are falling from heaven, and many are misled and seduced, and m ake up with their faith and sell their birthrights by their hungry hunting for I know not what. Fasten your grips fast upon Christ. I verily esteem Him the best aught that I have. He is my second in prison. Having Him though my cross were as heavy as ten thousand mountains of iron, when He putteth His sweet shoulder under me and it, my cross is but a feather. I please myself in the choice of Christ; He is my wale in heaven and earth. I rejoice that He is in heaven before me. God send a joyful meeting; and in the meaningtime, the travellers charges for the way, I mean a burden of Christ’s love, to sweeten the journey and to encourage the breathless runner; for when I lose breath, climbing up a mountain, He maketh new breath. [Samuel Rutherford]

Loving and dear sister–I received your letter. I know that the favour of Christ in you (whom the virgins love to follow) cannot be blown away with the winds, either from hell, or the evil-smelled air of this defiled world. Sit afar back from the walls of this pesthouse, even the pollutions of this defiling world. Keep your taste, your love, and hope in heaven; it is not good that your love and your Lord should be in two sundry countries. Up, up after your lover, that ye and He maybe together. A King from heaven hath sent for you: by faith He showeth you the New Jerusalem, and taketh you alongst in the Spirit, through all the ease-rooms and dwelling-houses in heaven and saith, "All these are thine; this place is for thee and Christ." And if ye only hd been the chosen of God, Christ would have built that one house for you and Himself; now it is for you and many others also. Take with you in your journey what you may carry with you, your conscience, faith, hope, patiences, meekness, goodness, brotherly kindness; for such wares as these are of great price in the High and new country wither ye go. As for other things, which are but the worlds vanity and trash, since they are but the house-sweepings, ye will do best not to carry them with you. Ye found them here; leave them here, and let them keep the house. Your sun is well turned and low; be nigh your lodging against night. We go one and one out of this great market, till the town be empty, and the two lodgings, heaven and hell, be filled. at length there will be nothing in the earth but toom walls and burnt ashes; and therefore it is best to make away. Antichrist and his master are busy to plenish hell, and to seduce many: and stars, great church-light are falling from heaven, and many are misled and seduced, and m ake up with their faith and sell their birthrights by their hungry hunting for I know not what. Fasten your grips fast upon Christ. I verily esteem Him the best aught that I have. He is my second in prison. Having Him though my cross were as heavy as ten thousand mountains of iron, when He putteth His sweet shoulder under me and it, my cross is but a feather. I please myself in the choice of Christ; He is my wale in heaven and earth. I rejoice that He is in heaven before me. God send a joyful meeting; and in the meaningtime, the travellers charges for the way, I mean a burden of Christ’s love, to sweeten the journey and to encourage the breathless runner; for when I lose breath, climbing up a mountain, He maketh new breath. [Samuel Rutherford]

Mistress,–Grace, mercy and peace be to you.–I hope ye know what conditions passed betwixt Christ and you, at your first meeting. Ye remember that He said, your summer days would have clouds, and your rose a prickly thorn beside it. Christ is unmixed in heaven, all sweetness and honey. Here we have Him with His thorny and rough cross; yet I know no tree that beareth sweeter fruit than Christ’s cross, except I would raise a lying report of it. It is your part to take Christ’s cross, as He is to be had in this life. Sufferings are like a wood planted round about His house, over door and window. If we could hold fast our grips of Him, the field were won. Yet a little while, and Christ shall triumph. Give Christ His own short time to spin out these two long threads of heaven and hell to all mankind, for certainly the thread will not break; and when He hath accomplished His work in Mount Zion, and hath refined His silver, He will bring new vessels out of the furnace, and plenish His house, and take up His house again.

I counsel you to free yourself of clogging temptations, by overcoming some and contemning others, and watching over all. Abide true and loyal to Christ, for few now are fast to Him. They give Christ blank paper for a bond of service and attendance, now when Christ hath most ado. To waste a little blood with Christ, and to put our part of this drossy world in pawn over in His hand, as willing to quit it for Him, is the safest cabinet to keep the world in. But those who would take the world and all their flitting on their back, and run away from Christ, shall fall by the way, and leave their burden behind them, and be taken captive themselves. Well were my soul to have put all I have, life and soul over to Christ’s hands. Let Him be forthcoming for all.

If any do ask how I do? I answer none but can be but well that are in christ: and if I were not so, my sufferings had melted me away in ashes and smoke. I thank my Lord that He hath something in me that His fire cannot consume. [A letter by Samuel Rutherford]

Mistress,–Grace, mercy and peace be to you.–I hope ye know what conditions passed betwixt Christ and you, at your first meeting. Ye remember that He said, your summer days would have clouds, and your rose a prickly thorn beside it. Christ is unmixed in heaven, all sweetness and honey. Here we have Him with His thorny and rough cross; yet I know no tree that beareth sweeter fruit than Christ’s cross, except I would raise a lying report of it. It is your part to take Christ’s cross, as He is to be had in this life. Sufferings are like a wood planted round about His house, over door and window. If we could hold fast our grips of Him, the field were won. Yet a little while, and Christ shall triumph. Give Christ His own short time to spin out these two long threads of heaven and hell to all mankind, for certainly the thread will not break; and when He hath accomplished His work in Mount Zion, and hath refined His silver, He will bring new vessels out of the furnace, and plenish His house, and take up His house again.

I counsel you to free yourself of clogging temptations, by overcoming some and contemning others, and watching over all. Abide true and loyal to Christ, for few now are fast to Him. They give Christ blank paper for a bond of service and attendance, now when Christ hath most ado. To waste a little blood with Christ, and to put our part of this drossy world in pawn over in His hand, as willing to quit it for Him, is the safest cabinet to keep the world in. But those who would take the world and all their flitting on their back, and run away from Christ, shall fall by the way, and leave their burden behind them, and be taken captive themselves. Well were my soul to have put all I have, life and soul over to Christ’s hands. Let Him be forthcoming for all.

If any do ask how I do? I answer none but can be but well that are in christ: and if I were not so, my sufferings had melted me away in ashes and smoke. I thank my Lord that He hath something in me that His fire cannot consume. [A letter by Samuel Rutherford]

Mistress,–Grace, mercy and peace be to you.–I hope ye know what conditions passed betwixt Christ and you, at your first meeting. Ye remember that He said, your summer days would have clouds, and your rose a prickly thorn beside it. Christ is unmixed in heaven, all sweetness and honey. Here we have Him with His thorny and rough cross; yet I know no tree that beareth sweeter fruit than Christ’s cross, except I would raise a lying report of it. It is your part to take Christ’s cross, as He is to be had in this life. Sufferings are like a wood planted round about His house, over door and window. If we could hold fast our grips of Him, the field were won. Yet a little while, and Christ shall triumph. Give Christ His own short time to spin out these two long threads of heaven and hell to all mankind, for certainly the thread will not break; and when He hath accomplished His work in Mount Zion, and hath refined His silver, He will bring new vessels out of the furnace, and plenish His house, and take up His house again.

I counsel you to free yourself of clogging temptations, by overcoming some and contemning others, and watching over all. Abide true and loyal to Christ, for few now are fast to Him. They give Christ blank paper for a bond of service and attendance, now when Christ hath most ado. To waste a little blood with Christ, and to put our part of this drossy world in pawn over in His hand, as willing to quit it for Him, is the safest cabinet to keep the world in. But those who would take the world and all their flitting on their back, and run away from Christ, shall fall by the way, and leave their burden behind them, and be taken captive themselves. Well were my soul to have put all I have, life and soul over to Christ’s hands. Let Him be forthcoming for all.

If any do ask how I do? I answer none but can be but well that are in christ: and if I were not so, my sufferings had melted me away in ashes and smoke. I thank my Lord that He hath something in me that His fire cannot consume. [A letter by Samuel Rutherford]

I trust I need no tmuch entreat your Ladyship to look to Him who hath stricken you at this time; but my duty, in the memory of that comfort I found in your Ladyship’s kindness when I was no less heavy (in a case not unlike that), speaketh to me to say something now. And I wish I could ease your Ladyship, at least with words. I am persusaded your physician will not slay you, but purge you, seeing He calleth Himself the Chirugeon, who maketh the wound and bindeth it up again; for to lance a wound is not to kill, but to cure the patient (Deut. xxxii. 39). I believe faith will teach you to kiss a striking Lord; and so acknowledge the sovereignty of God, (in the death of a child) to be above the power of us mortal men, who may pluck up a flower in the bud and not be blamed for it. If our dear Lord plucks up one of His roses and pull down sour and green fruit before before harvest, who can challenge him? For He sendeth us to His World, as men to a market, wherein some stay many hours and eat and drink, and buy and sell, and pass through the fair, till they be weary; and such are those who live long and get a heavy fill of this life. And others again come slipping into the morning market, and neither do sit nor stand, nor buy nor sell, but look about them a little, and pass presently home again; and these are infants and young ones who end their short market in the morning, and get but a short view of the fair. Our Lord who hath numbered man’s months, and set him bounds that he cannot pass (job xiv 5.) hath written the length of our market, and it is easier to complain of decrees than to change it.

I verily believe when I write this, that your Lord hath taught your Ladyship to lay your hand on your mouth. But I shall be far from desiring your Ladyship, or any others, to case by a cross, like an old useless bill that is only for the fire; but rather would wish each cross were looked in the face seven time and were read over and over again. It is the messenger of the Lord, and speaks something; and the man of understanding will hear the rod, and Him that hath appointed it. Try what is the taste of the Lord’s cup, and drink with God’s blessing, that ye may grow thereby. I trust in God whatever speech it utter to your soul, this is one word in it,_”Behold, blessed is the man whom God correcteth” (Job v. 17); and that it saith to you, “Ye are from home while here; ye are not of this world, as your Redeemer Christ was not of this world.” There is something keeping for you, which is worthy the having. All that is here is condemned to die, to pass away like a snowball before a summer sun; and since death took first possession of something of yours, it hath been and daily is creeping nearer and nearer to yourself., howbeit with no noise of the feet. Your husbandman and Lord hath lopped off some branches already; the tree itself is to be transplanted to the high garden. In a good time be it. Our Lord ripen your ladyship. All these crosses, and when I remember them, they are heavy and many–Peace, peace be the end of them!) are to make you white and ripe for the Lord’s harvest hook. I have seen the Lord weaning you from the breasts of this world. It was never His mind it should be your patrimony; and God be thanked for that. Ye look liker one of the heirs. Let the movables go; why not? They are not yours. Fasten your grips upon your heritage; and our Lord Jesus make the charters sure and give your Ladyship to grow as a palm tree on God’s mountain. [Samuel Rutherford]

I trust I need no tmuch entreat your Ladyship to look to Him who hath stricken you at this time; but my duty, in the memory of that comfort I found in your Ladyship’s kindness when I was no less heavy (in a case not unlike that), speaketh to me to say something now. And I wish I could ease your Ladyship, at least with words. I am persusaded your physician will not slay you, but purge you, seeing He calleth Himself the Chirugeon, who maketh the wound and bindeth it up again; for to lance a wound is not to kill, but to cure the patient (Deut. xxxii. 39). I believe faith will teach you to kiss a striking Lord; and so acknowledge the sovereignty of God, (in the death of a child) to be above the power of us mortal men, who may pluck up a flower in the bud and not be blamed for it. If our dear Lord plucks up one of His roses and pull down sour and green fruit before before harvest, who can challenge him? For He sendeth us to His World, as men to a market, wherein some stay many hours and eat and drink, and buy and sell, and pass through the fair, till they be weary; and such are those who live long and get a heavy fill of this life. And others again come slipping into the morning market, and neither do sit nor stand, nor buy nor sell, but look about them a little, and pass presently home again; and these are infants and young ones who end their short market in the morning, and get but a short view of the fair. Our Lord who hath numbered man’s months, and set him bounds that he cannot pass (job xiv 5.) hath written the length of our market, and it is easier to complain of decrees than to change it.

I verily believe when I write this, that your Lord hath taught your Ladyship to lay your hand on your mouth. But I shall be far from desiring your Ladyship, or any others, to case by a cross, like an old useless bill that is only for the fire; but rather would wish each cross were looked in the face seven time and were read over and over again. It is the messenger of the Lord, and speaks something; and the man of understanding will hear the rod, and Him that hath appointed it. Try what is the taste of the Lord’s cup, and drink with God’s blessing, that ye may grow thereby. I trust in God whatever speech it utter to your soul, this is one word in it,_"Behold, blessed is the man whom God correcteth" (Job v. 17); and that it saith to you, "Ye are from home while here; ye are not of this world, as your Redeemer Christ was not of this world." There is something keeping for you, which is worthy the having. All that is here is condemned to die, to pass away like a snowball before a summer sun; and since death took first possession of something of yours, it hath been and daily is creeping nearer and nearer to yourself., howbeit with no noise of the feet. Your husbandman and Lord hath lopped off some branches already; the tree itself is to be transplanted to the high garden. In a good time be it. Our Lord ripen your ladyship. All these crosses, and when I remember them, they are heavy and many–Peace, peace be the end of them!) are to make you white and ripe for the Lord’s harvest hook. I have seen the Lord weaning you from the breasts of this world. It was never His mind it should be your patrimony; and God be thanked for that. Ye look liker one of the heirs. Let the movables go; why not? They are not yours. Fasten your grips upon your heritage; and our Lord Jesus make the charters sure and give your Ladyship to grow as a palm tree on God’s mountain. [Samuel Rutherford]