Samuel Rutherford
Samuel Rutherford was born around 1600 in the village of Nisbet, Scotland. It was here Samuel almost lost his life as a child. While playing with companions, he fell into the village well, his friends leaving him to secure help. Upon returning, they found him sitting close by dripping wet. When asked what happened, "A bonnie white man came and drew me out of the well."He was educated in an ancient Abbey, which is still standing in Jedburgh. He earned his Master of Arts from the University in Edinburgh in 1621. The date of his conversion is really unknown, we may gather from his own admission that it was later in mid-life. "Like a fool, I suffered my sun to be high in the heaven, and near afternoon, before ever I took the gate by the end."
In 1627, he was settled as pastor of a small southern parish called Anwoth. The small church can still be found today standing in a valley near the Boreland hill. His ministry here was marked with success, but was cut short because of non-conformity to the king of England. His greatest contribution to the body of Christ has been his "letters", which are still in print. In coming months we may share a few excerpts to help intro-duce his writings and the rich spiritual heritage they hold.
Samuel Rutherford was a lover of Christ. His rich, racy, Scottish-manner of speaking is an absolute feast to the devotional heart. We are allowed in each letter to take a front-row seat as a minister deals with the sins of his youth, the pride of a successful minister's heart, the pain of a minister rejected from his parish, and a minister banished from his pulpit. But greater still, we are permitted to observe a man transformed from bitterness and doubt to peace and enjoyment of Christ' love alone. While still banished from ministry in Aberdeen, he writes, "I have found that even preaching is not Christ" Rutherford writes for those suffering, regardless of manner or degree, he writes from experience that Christ may be found sweetest in the most trying of circumstance.
A few may be taken back by the intimacy of his speech. He speaks of Christ' "love kisses", he speaks of the "sweetness of his breath" and the many "banquets of love". Such language may also be found in Solomon's Song. But these are words between lovers. And to those who, through pain and suffering or setbacks have found Christ the "greater good" and have fallen in love with Him, these words will ring true.
I can't not speak enough of what the Letters of Rutherford have meant to me personally. All who would love a good indoctrination of Scottish wit and language, beautiful euphemisms; I can heartily recommend the Letters of Samuel Rutherford.
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