Chapter 47

[287]Helper.[288]John Campbell, first Earl of Loudon, and his lady, Margaret Campbell, Baroness of Loudon, daughter of George Campbell, master of Loudon.[289]An act in which we address men, not God.[290]In some editions it is "sweet grace;" but not so in the earliest.[291]Insist on being admitted to.[292]Perhaps this should bewind, not "word;" alluding to Jer. iv. 12.[293]Those who got this meat for us.[294]In Luther's style, he playfully speaks of himself as if raised to nobility among prisoners.[295]"Feast" is in most editions.[296]In old editions, "totch;" and explained to be a sudden push, such a push, too, as sets the object in motion. The allusion is to 2 Sam. vi. 6.[297]"To lie on" is for a thing to be a matter of duty or obligation, or of legal security. Christ has laid His comprisement on glory; He hath taken care that the mourners in Zion be secured in possession of glory.[298]Far from receiving what I owe to it.[299]Should we not read "doth?"[300]Plausible speeches.[301]I am not obliged to run slowly.[302]Drowned over head and ears in His debt.[303]The river Ayr flows close to Gaitgirth; so that, in time of flood, Lady Gaitgirth would often see an exemplification of what is alluded to,—the water loosening the tree's roots.[304]Only just attempting.[305]Thomas Sydserff, now Bishop of Galloway, was the chief instrument in procuring Rutherford's banishment to Aberdeen. He was minister of the College Church, Edinburgh; and afterwards successively Bishop of Brechin, Galloway, and Orkney. He early imbibed Arminian principles, and promoted the measures of Archbishop Laud, and was supposed to lean to Popery, it being generally believed that he wore under his coat a crucifix of gold. All this rendered him so unpopular, that, on appearing in the streets of Edinburgh in 1637, when great excitement existed on account of the Service-Book, he was attacked by the matrons of the city. He had equal reason to "cry to the gentlemen for help" under similar attacks in other places. At the Restoration of Charles II. he was the only surviving bishop in Scotland. He was then nominated to the see of Orkney, but survived his promotion little more than a year.[306]Dr. Thomas Jackson, Dean of Peterborough, first held Calvinistic sentiments, but afterwards became an Arminian,—a change which recommended him to the favour and patronage of Archbishop Laud. He was a man of talent, and the author of various theological works, of which his "Commentary on the Apostles' Creed" is the most important. Rutherford's book against the Arminians, here referred to, in which he treated Jackson with little ceremony, and which was one cause of his banishment by the High Commission Court, is entitled, "Exercitationes Apologeticæ pro Divinâ Gratiâ." It was published at Amsterdam in the beginning of the year 1636, and gained the author no small reputation abroad. Baillie, in giving an account of Rutherford's trial before the High Commission Court, says: "They were animate also against him for taxing Cameron in his book; and most, for his indiscreet railing at Jackson" ("Letters and Journals").[307]For;i.e.instead of.[308]Come before.[309]The exact historical truth of these two martyrdoms is attested beyond denial by the full record, entered only a few years after the event, in the Minutes of the Kirk-Session of Penningham, with which the martyrs were connected.[310]To be attended to at a leisure moment.[311]Is left there unreaped; Ps. cxxix. 8.[312]Pack up for Christ the desires which I used to send out to the worthless things of earth.[313]Untamed, unruly.[314]In which there is nothing. Other editions read "naughty,"i.e.evil.[315]A proverb for being changeable, or for judging by imperfect evidence.[316]Their poverty is well-deserved who.[317]"May" God send me?[318]No doubt He hath—q.d.I trust none denies.[319]Does not permit you to give the child that love which belongs to Himself.[320]"What his Lordship's answer was, we are not informed; but Rutherford did not publish any book at that time, or for some years afterwards, though it is not improbable that, while under confinement, he devoted himself much to theological study" (Murray's "Life of Rutherford").[321]Grow into a multitude.[322]To show a wish to get at more than he can accomplish.[323]Lady Marischall, whose maiden name was Margaret Erskine, being the eldest daughter of John Erskine, seventh Earl of Mar, by Lady Margaret Stewart, daughter to Esme, Duke of Lennox, was the wife of William, sixth Earl of Marischall. In 1635 she became a widow, his Lordship having died on the 28th of October that year, aged about fifty. She had to him seven children, four sons and three daughters (Douglas' "Peerage").Lady Marischall's son, whose kindness also Rutherford gratefully records, was William, who succeeded his father. He was a devoted adherent of Charles II.; and entering with zeal into the engagement in 1648 for the King's liberation, commanded a regiment of horse at the battle of Preston, where the Scottish army was routed by the English. When he and others of the King's friends, who had assembled at Alyth in 1650 for the support of the royal cause, were surprised by a large body of English horse, the Earl and some of his friends were sent prisoners to the Tower of London by sea, where he was kept for a long time. He died in 1670, at his house of Inverringie.[324]The Aberdeen Doctors.[325]The Earl of Loudon and his lady.[326]The afflictions wherewith you have been visited, and your feelings.[327]Like a ship running before the wind.[328]"Status quæstionis"—a theological phrase for the way of stating a matter under discussion.[329]Ward-houseseems the true reading, though "warhouse" is in the old editions.[330]Christ's love in the soul would fain cause it to desire harvest.[331]Not be heard lifting up His voice in that court of the Law.[332]Suppose for once that I were guilty, I dare not pass Christ by.[333]Mislock, or turn the key so as to push the bolt past the socket into which it should have been put.[334]Fix the way in which He is to show His love. Perhaps we should read "set" for "get."[335]Rushes off again toward the road.[336]One of the rivers which you could not avoid crossing.[337]James Melville of Hallhill, who succeeded his father, Sir James Melville. By a charter of the barony of Burntisland, granted to him 16th January 1638, he became Sir James Melville of Burntisland (Douglas' "Peerage," vol. ii. p. 112).[338]"Ere I could be induced to forsake what concerns His honour, I must be made to suffer something far more and worse than death."[339]Thus.[340]See Letter CLXI. The Service-Book, which has no author's name.[341]High Churchmen.[342]That is, If you, in a moment of weakness, have made a rash promise that gives Christ the go-by.[343]In having this persuasion.[344]It is of little consequence what hundreds like me feel; yet, at the same time, I can say that faith is not drowned in me.[345]Dunces.[346]Wiseacres.[347]Constrained; perhaps Luke xii. 50 was in his thoughts.[348]Jerem. xv. 18.[349]This was Mr. John Brown who became minister of Wamphray.[350]Lady Jane, second daughter of Lady Marischal, who was married to Lord Pitsligo. See note to Letter CCVI.[351]Aberdeenis affixed to this letter; and if written fromAberdeenit must have been in 1637. Hence the letter is inserted here. At the same time, the reference to events points to some time about 1633. It is possible that "Aberdeen" is a mistake forAnwoth.[352]The Parliament held at Edinburgh in June 1633.[353]Mr. Thomas Hog, minister of the Gospel at Dysart, in his own name, and in the name of other ministers, before the sitting down of the Parliament, presented a paper, entitled, "Grievances and Petitions concerning the Disordered Estate of the Reformed Kirk within this realm of Scotland," to Sir John Hay, Clerk Register, to be laid before the Parliament.[354]The reference here is to two Acts passed by the Parliament in June 1633, the one ratifying all Acts made before in favour of the church, and consequently ratifying the Acts of Perth, and other Acts made for settling and advancing the estate of bishops; the other, asserting the King's prerogative of enjoining churchmen to wear whatever apparel he chose.[355]This was the number of members of Parliament who voted against the above Acts.[356]"The King's taking pen and paper in hand in the time of the voting, was a sufficient ground of apprehending fear" (Scot's "Apologetical Narration").[357]Against the grain.[358]No one is warranted, in God's market, to buy such a thing as a trial; we must not bring trials on ourselves.[359]Probably, Robert Blair.[360]Property.[361]The rebound of a ball. Ye do well to recall your thoughts ere they have gone too far.[362]A bond "registered" means kept on record, so that it cannot be taken out.[363]Notwithstanding.[364]Merely for the purpose of trying the soul, Christ goes away elsewhere.[365]The dregs.[366]This probably means France, as Mr. Blair at this time resolved to go to that country as chaplain in Colonel Hepburn's regiment. He embarked at Leith, but seeing the excessive wickedness of some of the men, abandoned the enterprise, and returned to Edinburgh (Row's "Continuation of Blair's Life," pp. 151-153).[367]In his "Christ Dying and Drawing," p. 534 (1727), he uses the same figurative language: "Compelled to arrive with a second wind, as a crossed seaman—who should have had the west wind, but finds the east wind is blowing, and so must just make the best of this second wind." You cannot get the favour of your mother, the church, which would have been a first wind to you, according to your desire; therefore, sail with this other wind, to wit, this call in Providence to visit foreign lands.[368]The use I make of your letter is, it humbles me that I am not so tender as you, and "thin-skinned,"i.e.easily made to feel.[369]Be forced along; "drive," as a neuter verb.[370]He was banished to the north of the Firth of Forth.[371]Arising from zeal.[372]Would reckon.[373]The Earl of Argyle.[374]This is probably an allusion to a threat of the Archbishop of Glasgow, to prosecute Dickson for employing Blair, Livingstone, and Cunningham, after they had been silenced and ejected by the Irish prelates.[375]Admitted bankrupt; and in the next sentence, "dyvour-book" is the bankrupt-roll.[376]Entrusted fully.[377]Set aside.[378]Our head is high enough above the waters to let us breathe.[379]As for that which.[380]It is "hands" in old editions.[381]Alluding to Matt. xxi. 44.[382]Perhaps referring to Job xv. 26, though some have referred to a game wherein "Hard-heads," a small Scotch coin, was used. In his "Christ Dying and Drawing," p. 178, he writes, "Is it wisdom to knock hard-heads with God?" So in Sermon on Zech. xiii. 7, 8.[383]Manner of dealing with sin.[384]Any wound.[385]See the first paragraph in this letter.[386]Perhaps we should read: "though it ill becometh me."[387]Some editions readnothingness.[388]Perhaps specially referring to the wood adjoining Bushy Bield, the spot still called "Rutherford's Walk."[389]Gordon of Knockbrex.[390]This seems to have been the letter referred to by Mrs. Veitch, wife of Mr. William Veitch, minister of Dumfries, when she says: "One day, having been at prayer, and coming into the room, where one was reading a letter of Mr. Rutherford's (then only in MS.), directed to one John Gordon of Rusco, giving an account how far one might go, and yet prove a hypocrite and miss heaven, it occasioned great exercise to me" ("Memoir of the Life of Mrs. William Veitch," p. 1).[391]As in Letter CXIX., "Your heart wholly there."[392]We have already seen (note to Letter CXVI.) that John, Earl of Loudon, was one of the Scottish nobles who most zealously espoused the cause of the Second Reformation. In all the measures of the Covenanters for promoting the cause of the Covenant, he took a leading part; and from his high character, as well as his distinguished talents, his party reposed in him with the utmost confidence. Wodrow describes him as "a nobleman of excellent endowments, great learning, singular wisdom and conduct, bewitching eloquence, joined with remarkable resolution and courage."[393]Not to get even enough of hunger for Christ.[394]The contributor who furnishes this letter to the "Christian Instructor" says: "Thepaperis small and dingy, and the mode offoldingis not exactly in modern style. But thewaxand theimpressionon it are entire."[395]It requires skill.[396]Alluding to 2 Thess. ii. 8. "Ἄνομος," that Lawless one.[397]Stand for.[398]The tree.[399]Always.[400]Will not have got from us all He claims.[401]Kilmalcolm is a rural parish in Renfrewshire, and one of the most sequestered. It was once a favoured vineyard. Shortly after the Reformation, Knox dispensed the communion there when on a visit to Lord Glencairn, who resided within its bounds. In the days of the Covenant, Porterfield of Duchal, another heritor, exposed himself to much loss in maintaining the cause of truth. And, as is evident from Rutherford's letter, the number of those who feared the Lord, and thought upon His name, must have been considerable. There is nothing in history about them. "Their life was hid," but their names are in "the Lamb's Book of Life."[402]Halting of any kind.[403]To anticipate Satan by jealously searching into it yourselves.[404]Some read "ridges,"q.d., their acres of land.[405]My being transferred to another part of the land.[406]About this time Rutherford (who, it will be observed from the place whence this letter is dated, was now relieved from confinement at Aberdeen) had received two separate calls, one from Edinburgh, to become one of the city ministers, and the other from St. Andrews, to the theological chair in that University. These competing calls were to come before the Assembly.[407]John, second Viscount Kenmure who died in 1639.[408]The brightness of glowing heat.[409]An opposing party to him.[410]When the National Covenant had been solemnly renewed throughout almost the whole of Scotland, every means was used to prevent the Presbyterians in Ireland from entering into it. To accomplish this, an oath was imposed in May 1639, known by the name of theBlack Oath, from the calamities which it occasioned. The oath is as follows:—"I, ——, do faithfully swear, profess, and promise, that I will honour and obey my sovereign Lord, King Charles, and will bear faith and true allegiance unto him, and defend and maintain his royal power and authority; and that I will not bear arms, or do any rebellious or hostile act against his Majesty, King Charles, or protest against any his royal commands, but submit myself in all due obedience thereunto; and that I will not enter into any covenant, oath, or band of mutual defence and assistance against any person whatsoever by force, without his Majesty's sovereign and legal authority. And I do renounce and abjure all covenants, oaths, and bands whatsoever, contrary to what I have herein sworn, professed, and promised. So help me God, in Jesus Christ." All Scottish residents in Ulster, above the age of sixteen, were required to take this oath; and it was imposed equally on women and on men. Great numbers refusing to take it, the highest penalties of the law, short of death, were inflicted on them, and that, too, under circumstances of great cruelty. Such was the condition of the Presbyterians in Ireland at the date of this letter, which was written to comfort them under persecution, and to encourage their stedfastness (Reid's "History of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland").[411]Wentworth, Earl of Stafford, was at this time Deputy or Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Previous to his appointment to that office, which was in 1632, the Scottish settlers in Ireland were not troubled on account of their nonconformity. After the Black Oath was imposed in this year, he declared that he would prosecute "to the blood" all who refused to take it, and drive them "root and branch" out of the kingdom. His violent and unconstitutional proceedings at length issued in his being arraigned for high treason before the English Parliament, and beheaded on Tower Hill, May 12, 1641, in the forty-ninth year of his age.[412]See note, Letter CCLXXXVI. The decision of the Commission was, to translate him from Anwoth to the professorship at St. Andrews.[413]From a copy among the Wodrow MSS., vol. xxix. 4to, No. 13.[414]Savours of the sect called "Brownists."[415]While at the same time I may add.[416]A security of clay or earth. Often, in his sermon on Dan. vi. 26, before the House of Commons, 1644, he uses such expressions as, "Clay triumpheth over angels and hell, through the strength of Jesus" (p. 8); "Men are but pieces of breathing, laughing, and then dying, clay" (p. 41).[417]Is it not "take?"[418]Deputy, or Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.[419]The Gospel, the preaching of which men are seeking to hinder.[420]A soul that has been put out of order. The edition of 1675, and some others, has "married soul."[421]Jesus, when He puts us to trial (Gen. xxii.).[422]The incidental accompaniments.[423]This is a term of logic, and refers to the fourth kind of categorical proposition, in which some particular point is proved in the negative.

[287]Helper.

[288]John Campbell, first Earl of Loudon, and his lady, Margaret Campbell, Baroness of Loudon, daughter of George Campbell, master of Loudon.

[289]An act in which we address men, not God.

[290]In some editions it is "sweet grace;" but not so in the earliest.

[291]Insist on being admitted to.

[292]Perhaps this should bewind, not "word;" alluding to Jer. iv. 12.

[293]Those who got this meat for us.

[294]In Luther's style, he playfully speaks of himself as if raised to nobility among prisoners.

[295]"Feast" is in most editions.

[296]In old editions, "totch;" and explained to be a sudden push, such a push, too, as sets the object in motion. The allusion is to 2 Sam. vi. 6.

[297]"To lie on" is for a thing to be a matter of duty or obligation, or of legal security. Christ has laid His comprisement on glory; He hath taken care that the mourners in Zion be secured in possession of glory.

[298]Far from receiving what I owe to it.

[299]Should we not read "doth?"

[300]Plausible speeches.

[301]I am not obliged to run slowly.

[302]Drowned over head and ears in His debt.

[303]The river Ayr flows close to Gaitgirth; so that, in time of flood, Lady Gaitgirth would often see an exemplification of what is alluded to,—the water loosening the tree's roots.

[304]Only just attempting.

[305]Thomas Sydserff, now Bishop of Galloway, was the chief instrument in procuring Rutherford's banishment to Aberdeen. He was minister of the College Church, Edinburgh; and afterwards successively Bishop of Brechin, Galloway, and Orkney. He early imbibed Arminian principles, and promoted the measures of Archbishop Laud, and was supposed to lean to Popery, it being generally believed that he wore under his coat a crucifix of gold. All this rendered him so unpopular, that, on appearing in the streets of Edinburgh in 1637, when great excitement existed on account of the Service-Book, he was attacked by the matrons of the city. He had equal reason to "cry to the gentlemen for help" under similar attacks in other places. At the Restoration of Charles II. he was the only surviving bishop in Scotland. He was then nominated to the see of Orkney, but survived his promotion little more than a year.

[306]Dr. Thomas Jackson, Dean of Peterborough, first held Calvinistic sentiments, but afterwards became an Arminian,—a change which recommended him to the favour and patronage of Archbishop Laud. He was a man of talent, and the author of various theological works, of which his "Commentary on the Apostles' Creed" is the most important. Rutherford's book against the Arminians, here referred to, in which he treated Jackson with little ceremony, and which was one cause of his banishment by the High Commission Court, is entitled, "Exercitationes Apologeticæ pro Divinâ Gratiâ." It was published at Amsterdam in the beginning of the year 1636, and gained the author no small reputation abroad. Baillie, in giving an account of Rutherford's trial before the High Commission Court, says: "They were animate also against him for taxing Cameron in his book; and most, for his indiscreet railing at Jackson" ("Letters and Journals").

[307]For;i.e.instead of.

[308]Come before.

[309]The exact historical truth of these two martyrdoms is attested beyond denial by the full record, entered only a few years after the event, in the Minutes of the Kirk-Session of Penningham, with which the martyrs were connected.

[310]To be attended to at a leisure moment.

[311]Is left there unreaped; Ps. cxxix. 8.

[312]Pack up for Christ the desires which I used to send out to the worthless things of earth.

[313]Untamed, unruly.

[314]In which there is nothing. Other editions read "naughty,"i.e.evil.

[315]A proverb for being changeable, or for judging by imperfect evidence.

[316]Their poverty is well-deserved who.

[317]"May" God send me?

[318]No doubt He hath—q.d.I trust none denies.

[319]Does not permit you to give the child that love which belongs to Himself.

[320]"What his Lordship's answer was, we are not informed; but Rutherford did not publish any book at that time, or for some years afterwards, though it is not improbable that, while under confinement, he devoted himself much to theological study" (Murray's "Life of Rutherford").

[321]Grow into a multitude.

[322]To show a wish to get at more than he can accomplish.

[323]Lady Marischall, whose maiden name was Margaret Erskine, being the eldest daughter of John Erskine, seventh Earl of Mar, by Lady Margaret Stewart, daughter to Esme, Duke of Lennox, was the wife of William, sixth Earl of Marischall. In 1635 she became a widow, his Lordship having died on the 28th of October that year, aged about fifty. She had to him seven children, four sons and three daughters (Douglas' "Peerage").Lady Marischall's son, whose kindness also Rutherford gratefully records, was William, who succeeded his father. He was a devoted adherent of Charles II.; and entering with zeal into the engagement in 1648 for the King's liberation, commanded a regiment of horse at the battle of Preston, where the Scottish army was routed by the English. When he and others of the King's friends, who had assembled at Alyth in 1650 for the support of the royal cause, were surprised by a large body of English horse, the Earl and some of his friends were sent prisoners to the Tower of London by sea, where he was kept for a long time. He died in 1670, at his house of Inverringie.

Lady Marischall's son, whose kindness also Rutherford gratefully records, was William, who succeeded his father. He was a devoted adherent of Charles II.; and entering with zeal into the engagement in 1648 for the King's liberation, commanded a regiment of horse at the battle of Preston, where the Scottish army was routed by the English. When he and others of the King's friends, who had assembled at Alyth in 1650 for the support of the royal cause, were surprised by a large body of English horse, the Earl and some of his friends were sent prisoners to the Tower of London by sea, where he was kept for a long time. He died in 1670, at his house of Inverringie.

[324]The Aberdeen Doctors.

[325]The Earl of Loudon and his lady.

[326]The afflictions wherewith you have been visited, and your feelings.

[327]Like a ship running before the wind.

[328]"Status quæstionis"—a theological phrase for the way of stating a matter under discussion.

[329]Ward-houseseems the true reading, though "warhouse" is in the old editions.

[330]Christ's love in the soul would fain cause it to desire harvest.

[331]Not be heard lifting up His voice in that court of the Law.

[332]Suppose for once that I were guilty, I dare not pass Christ by.

[333]Mislock, or turn the key so as to push the bolt past the socket into which it should have been put.

[334]Fix the way in which He is to show His love. Perhaps we should read "set" for "get."

[335]Rushes off again toward the road.

[336]One of the rivers which you could not avoid crossing.

[337]James Melville of Hallhill, who succeeded his father, Sir James Melville. By a charter of the barony of Burntisland, granted to him 16th January 1638, he became Sir James Melville of Burntisland (Douglas' "Peerage," vol. ii. p. 112).

[338]"Ere I could be induced to forsake what concerns His honour, I must be made to suffer something far more and worse than death."

[339]Thus.

[340]See Letter CLXI. The Service-Book, which has no author's name.

[341]High Churchmen.

[342]That is, If you, in a moment of weakness, have made a rash promise that gives Christ the go-by.

[343]In having this persuasion.

[344]It is of little consequence what hundreds like me feel; yet, at the same time, I can say that faith is not drowned in me.

[345]Dunces.

[346]Wiseacres.

[347]Constrained; perhaps Luke xii. 50 was in his thoughts.

[348]Jerem. xv. 18.

[349]This was Mr. John Brown who became minister of Wamphray.

[350]Lady Jane, second daughter of Lady Marischal, who was married to Lord Pitsligo. See note to Letter CCVI.

[351]Aberdeenis affixed to this letter; and if written fromAberdeenit must have been in 1637. Hence the letter is inserted here. At the same time, the reference to events points to some time about 1633. It is possible that "Aberdeen" is a mistake forAnwoth.

[352]The Parliament held at Edinburgh in June 1633.

[353]Mr. Thomas Hog, minister of the Gospel at Dysart, in his own name, and in the name of other ministers, before the sitting down of the Parliament, presented a paper, entitled, "Grievances and Petitions concerning the Disordered Estate of the Reformed Kirk within this realm of Scotland," to Sir John Hay, Clerk Register, to be laid before the Parliament.

[354]The reference here is to two Acts passed by the Parliament in June 1633, the one ratifying all Acts made before in favour of the church, and consequently ratifying the Acts of Perth, and other Acts made for settling and advancing the estate of bishops; the other, asserting the King's prerogative of enjoining churchmen to wear whatever apparel he chose.

[355]This was the number of members of Parliament who voted against the above Acts.

[356]"The King's taking pen and paper in hand in the time of the voting, was a sufficient ground of apprehending fear" (Scot's "Apologetical Narration").

[357]Against the grain.

[358]No one is warranted, in God's market, to buy such a thing as a trial; we must not bring trials on ourselves.

[359]Probably, Robert Blair.

[360]Property.

[361]The rebound of a ball. Ye do well to recall your thoughts ere they have gone too far.

[362]A bond "registered" means kept on record, so that it cannot be taken out.

[363]Notwithstanding.

[364]Merely for the purpose of trying the soul, Christ goes away elsewhere.

[365]The dregs.

[366]This probably means France, as Mr. Blair at this time resolved to go to that country as chaplain in Colonel Hepburn's regiment. He embarked at Leith, but seeing the excessive wickedness of some of the men, abandoned the enterprise, and returned to Edinburgh (Row's "Continuation of Blair's Life," pp. 151-153).

[367]In his "Christ Dying and Drawing," p. 534 (1727), he uses the same figurative language: "Compelled to arrive with a second wind, as a crossed seaman—who should have had the west wind, but finds the east wind is blowing, and so must just make the best of this second wind." You cannot get the favour of your mother, the church, which would have been a first wind to you, according to your desire; therefore, sail with this other wind, to wit, this call in Providence to visit foreign lands.

[368]The use I make of your letter is, it humbles me that I am not so tender as you, and "thin-skinned,"i.e.easily made to feel.

[369]Be forced along; "drive," as a neuter verb.

[370]He was banished to the north of the Firth of Forth.

[371]Arising from zeal.

[372]Would reckon.

[373]The Earl of Argyle.

[374]This is probably an allusion to a threat of the Archbishop of Glasgow, to prosecute Dickson for employing Blair, Livingstone, and Cunningham, after they had been silenced and ejected by the Irish prelates.

[375]Admitted bankrupt; and in the next sentence, "dyvour-book" is the bankrupt-roll.

[376]Entrusted fully.

[377]Set aside.

[378]Our head is high enough above the waters to let us breathe.

[379]As for that which.

[380]It is "hands" in old editions.

[381]Alluding to Matt. xxi. 44.

[382]Perhaps referring to Job xv. 26, though some have referred to a game wherein "Hard-heads," a small Scotch coin, was used. In his "Christ Dying and Drawing," p. 178, he writes, "Is it wisdom to knock hard-heads with God?" So in Sermon on Zech. xiii. 7, 8.

[383]Manner of dealing with sin.

[384]Any wound.

[385]See the first paragraph in this letter.

[386]Perhaps we should read: "though it ill becometh me."

[387]Some editions readnothingness.

[388]Perhaps specially referring to the wood adjoining Bushy Bield, the spot still called "Rutherford's Walk."

[389]Gordon of Knockbrex.

[390]This seems to have been the letter referred to by Mrs. Veitch, wife of Mr. William Veitch, minister of Dumfries, when she says: "One day, having been at prayer, and coming into the room, where one was reading a letter of Mr. Rutherford's (then only in MS.), directed to one John Gordon of Rusco, giving an account how far one might go, and yet prove a hypocrite and miss heaven, it occasioned great exercise to me" ("Memoir of the Life of Mrs. William Veitch," p. 1).

[391]As in Letter CXIX., "Your heart wholly there."

[392]We have already seen (note to Letter CXVI.) that John, Earl of Loudon, was one of the Scottish nobles who most zealously espoused the cause of the Second Reformation. In all the measures of the Covenanters for promoting the cause of the Covenant, he took a leading part; and from his high character, as well as his distinguished talents, his party reposed in him with the utmost confidence. Wodrow describes him as "a nobleman of excellent endowments, great learning, singular wisdom and conduct, bewitching eloquence, joined with remarkable resolution and courage."

[393]Not to get even enough of hunger for Christ.

[394]The contributor who furnishes this letter to the "Christian Instructor" says: "Thepaperis small and dingy, and the mode offoldingis not exactly in modern style. But thewaxand theimpressionon it are entire."

[395]It requires skill.

[396]Alluding to 2 Thess. ii. 8. "Ἄνομος," that Lawless one.

[397]Stand for.

[398]The tree.

[399]Always.

[400]Will not have got from us all He claims.

[401]Kilmalcolm is a rural parish in Renfrewshire, and one of the most sequestered. It was once a favoured vineyard. Shortly after the Reformation, Knox dispensed the communion there when on a visit to Lord Glencairn, who resided within its bounds. In the days of the Covenant, Porterfield of Duchal, another heritor, exposed himself to much loss in maintaining the cause of truth. And, as is evident from Rutherford's letter, the number of those who feared the Lord, and thought upon His name, must have been considerable. There is nothing in history about them. "Their life was hid," but their names are in "the Lamb's Book of Life."

[402]Halting of any kind.

[403]To anticipate Satan by jealously searching into it yourselves.

[404]Some read "ridges,"q.d., their acres of land.

[405]My being transferred to another part of the land.

[406]About this time Rutherford (who, it will be observed from the place whence this letter is dated, was now relieved from confinement at Aberdeen) had received two separate calls, one from Edinburgh, to become one of the city ministers, and the other from St. Andrews, to the theological chair in that University. These competing calls were to come before the Assembly.

[407]John, second Viscount Kenmure who died in 1639.

[408]The brightness of glowing heat.

[409]An opposing party to him.

[410]When the National Covenant had been solemnly renewed throughout almost the whole of Scotland, every means was used to prevent the Presbyterians in Ireland from entering into it. To accomplish this, an oath was imposed in May 1639, known by the name of theBlack Oath, from the calamities which it occasioned. The oath is as follows:—"I, ——, do faithfully swear, profess, and promise, that I will honour and obey my sovereign Lord, King Charles, and will bear faith and true allegiance unto him, and defend and maintain his royal power and authority; and that I will not bear arms, or do any rebellious or hostile act against his Majesty, King Charles, or protest against any his royal commands, but submit myself in all due obedience thereunto; and that I will not enter into any covenant, oath, or band of mutual defence and assistance against any person whatsoever by force, without his Majesty's sovereign and legal authority. And I do renounce and abjure all covenants, oaths, and bands whatsoever, contrary to what I have herein sworn, professed, and promised. So help me God, in Jesus Christ." All Scottish residents in Ulster, above the age of sixteen, were required to take this oath; and it was imposed equally on women and on men. Great numbers refusing to take it, the highest penalties of the law, short of death, were inflicted on them, and that, too, under circumstances of great cruelty. Such was the condition of the Presbyterians in Ireland at the date of this letter, which was written to comfort them under persecution, and to encourage their stedfastness (Reid's "History of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland").

[411]Wentworth, Earl of Stafford, was at this time Deputy or Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Previous to his appointment to that office, which was in 1632, the Scottish settlers in Ireland were not troubled on account of their nonconformity. After the Black Oath was imposed in this year, he declared that he would prosecute "to the blood" all who refused to take it, and drive them "root and branch" out of the kingdom. His violent and unconstitutional proceedings at length issued in his being arraigned for high treason before the English Parliament, and beheaded on Tower Hill, May 12, 1641, in the forty-ninth year of his age.

[412]See note, Letter CCLXXXVI. The decision of the Commission was, to translate him from Anwoth to the professorship at St. Andrews.

[413]From a copy among the Wodrow MSS., vol. xxix. 4to, No. 13.

[414]Savours of the sect called "Brownists."

[415]While at the same time I may add.

[416]A security of clay or earth. Often, in his sermon on Dan. vi. 26, before the House of Commons, 1644, he uses such expressions as, "Clay triumpheth over angels and hell, through the strength of Jesus" (p. 8); "Men are but pieces of breathing, laughing, and then dying, clay" (p. 41).

[417]Is it not "take?"

[418]Deputy, or Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

[419]The Gospel, the preaching of which men are seeking to hinder.

[420]A soul that has been put out of order. The edition of 1675, and some others, has "married soul."

[421]Jesus, when He puts us to trial (Gen. xxii.).

[422]The incidental accompaniments.

[423]This is a term of logic, and refers to the fourth kind of categorical proposition, in which some particular point is proved in the negative.

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