This volume features approximately 70 letters written by Samuel Rutherford to members of his church after the English Episcopacy exiled him for his nonconformist beliefs. In many of Rutherford's letters, it is evident by his tone that he was struggling with the deep sorrow of being separated from his church family. Each letter is addressed to its recipient by name. Often, a heading will indicate the particular reason for Rutherford's letter, usually a death or illness in the recipient's family. Having experienced the death of his wife and two children years before his exile, Rutherford was inspired by God to become a comforter to those who suffered personal loss. Sometimes, Rutherford wrote letters to congratulate an individual on his or her conversion to the faith. Other times, Rutherford sent letters of blessing and encouragement. Each letter is unique in style and reflects Rutherford's sincere love for his congregation. The short letters in this volume are wonderful pieces for meditation and reflection.
Emmalon Davis
CCEL Staff Writer
This edition features an artistic cover, a new promotional introduction, an index of scripture references, links for scripture references to the appropriate passages, and a hierarchical table of contents which makes it possible to navigate to any part of the book with a minimum of page turns.
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.
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