Rutherford, Samuel
Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Abridged) - Puritan Paperbacks (Rutherford)
Like John Bunyan in Bedford gaol, Samuel Rutherford did his best work while suffering imprisonment for the gospel.
His opponents had meant to silence him but instead they perpetuated his ministry through the centuries for it was out of this period that most of his famous Letters came. Addressed to high and low they were so prized by the recipients that the first collection by Robert McWard appeared in 1664 just three years after Rutherford’s death. the successive editions contained more letters until they grew to the 365 in Andrew Bonar’s classic edition.
From this, ‘the most remarkable series of devotional letters that the literature of the Reformed churches can show’, the great leaders in the Church as well as the humblest Christians have drawn strength. It is said of Robert Murray M’Cheyne that ‘the Letters of Samuel Rutherford were often in his hand.’ This abridged edition contains sixty-nine of these letters.
Table of Contents:
1 | TO A CHRISTIAN GENTLEWOMAN | 13 |
[On the death of a daughter] | ||
2 | TO MARION M’NAUGHT16 | |
Submission, perseverance and zeal recommended | ||
3 | TO LADY KENMURE | 18 |
God’s inexplicable dealings with his people well-ordered | ||
4 | TO MARION M’NAUGH | 20 |
[In prospect of the Lord’s Supper] | ||
5 | TO MARION M’NAUGHT | 22 |
The threatened introduction of the Service-Book | ||
6 | TO JOHN KENNEDY | 25 |
Deliverance from shipwreck | ||
7 | TO LADY KENMURE | 29 |
A union for prayer recommended | ||
8 | TO LADY KENMURE | 31 |
[On the death of Lord Kenmure) | ||
9 | TO MARION M’NAUGHT | 33 |
The prospect of exile in Aberdeen | ||
10 | TO LADY KENMURE | 34 |
[On the eve of banishment to Aberdeen) | ||
11 | TO LADY CULROSS | 37 |
[On the occasion of banishment to Aberdeen) | ||
12 | TO ROBERT CUNNINGHAM | 39 |
Consolation to a brother in tribulation | ||
13 | TO ALEXANDER GORDON | 42 |
Rutherford’s feeling upon leaving Anworth | ||
14 | TO LADY KENMURE | 43 |
Rutherford’s enjoyment of Christ in Aberdeen | ||
15 | TO HUGH M’KAIL | 49 |
Christ to be trusted amid trial | ||
16 | TO MARION M’NAUGHT | 47 |
Comfort under tribulations | ||
17 | TO JOHN GORDON, ELDER | 48 |
Will Christ at all hazards | ||
18 | TO ROBERT BLAIR | 52 |
God’s arrangements sometimes mysterious | ||
19 | TO ROBERT GORDON | 55 |
Visits of Christ | ||
20 | TO LADY KENMURE | 58 |
None worthy but Christ | ||
21 | TO DAVID DICKSON | 59 |
God’s dealings | ||
22 | TO ALEXANDER HENDERSON | 61 |
Sadness because Christ’s Headship not set forth | ||
23 | TO JOHN GORDON, YOUNGER | 63 |
Reasons for being earnest about the soul | ||
24 | TO MARION M’NAUGHT | 65 |
Adherence to duty amidst opposition | ||
25 | TO WILLIAM LIVINGSTONE | 66 |
Counsel to a youth | ||
26 | TO THB LAIRD OF CARLETON | 67 |
Increasing sense of Christ’s love | ||
27 | TO JOHN FLEMING | 70 |
Directions for Christian conduct | ||
28 | TO LADY BOYD | 73 |
Lessons learned in the school of adversity | ||
29 | TO JOHN STUART | 76 |
Commercial misfortunes | ||
30 | TO DAVID DICKSON | 81 |
Christ’s infinite fulness | ||
31 | TO JOHN CLARK | 83 |
Marks of difference between Christians and | ||
32 | TO EARLSTON, YOUNGER | 84 |
Dangers of youth | ||
33 | TO WILLIAM DALGLEISH | 90 |
Fragrance of the ministry | ||
34 | TO JOHN STUART | 94 |
Hope for Scotland | ||
35 | TO EARLSTOH, YOUNGER | 97 |
Sufferings | ||
36 | TO WILLIAM GORDON | 101 |
Testimony to Christ’s worth | ||
37 | TO JOHN HENDERSON | 104 |
Practical hints | ||
38 | TO ALEXANDER COLVILL | 105 |
Regrets for being silenced in ministry | ||
39 | TO JAMES HAMILTON | 106 |
Suffering for Christ’s Headship | ||
40 | TO PARISHIONERS OF ANWOTH | 109 |
Protestation of care for their souls and for the glory of God | ||
41 | TO LADY KILCONQUHAR | 118 |
The interests of the soul most urgent | ||
42 | TO LORD CRAIGHALL | 123 |
Standing for Christ | ||
43 | TO HUGH M’KAIL | 126 |
The Law | ||
44 | TO FULK ELLIS | 128 |
Friends in Ireland | ||
45 | TO JAMBS LINDSAY | 131 |
Desertions and their use | ||
46 | TO JAMBS HAMILTON | 135 |
Christ’s glory not affected by his people’s weakness | ||
47 | TO LADY GAIT GIRTH | 137 |
Christ all example in Cross-bearing | ||
48 | TO MARION M’NAUGHT | 139 |
Prospects of his ministry | ||
49 | TO JAMES BAUTIE | 140 |
Spiritual difficulties resolved | ||
50 | TO THOMAS CORBET | 147 |
Godly counsels | ||
51 | TO WILLIAM GLENDINNING | 148 |
Sweetness of trial | ||
52 | TO MARION M’NAUGHT | 150 |
A Spring-tide of Christ’s love | ||
53 | TO JOHN GORDON | 152 |
Heaven hard to be won | ||
54 | TO PARISHIONERS OF KILMALCOLM | 155 |
Spiritual sloth | ||
55 | TO ALEXANDER LEIGHTON | 163 |