Samuel Rutherford
Samuel Rutherford (1600–March 29, 1661) was a Scottish Presbyterian preacher, theologian, and author, celebrated for his profound spiritual writings and steadfast faith during a turbulent era. Born near Nisbet, Roxburghshire, Scotland, to a prosperous farmer, little is known of his early life, though he likely attended Jedburgh Grammar School. He enrolled at the University of Edinburgh in 1617, earning an M.A. in 1621, and briefly served as a regent of Humanity before resigning in 1626 amid a personal scandal (possibly an indiscretion before his marriage). Ordained in 1627, he became minister of Anwoth, Kirkcudbrightshire, where his eloquent preaching and pastoral care earned him a devoted following, despite his initial reluctance to enter the ministry. Rutherford’s career was marked by conflict with the Stuart monarchy’s episcopal policies. Exiled to Aberdeen in 1636 for his nonconformist writings, like Exercitationes Apologeticae Pro Divina Gratia, he wrote many of his famous Letters—over 300 spiritual correspondences showcasing his mystical devotion to Christ. Returning to Anwoth in 1638, he later joined the Westminster Assembly in 1643 as a Scottish commissioner, contributing to the Westminster Confession. Appointed professor of divinity at St. Andrews in 1649, he resisted Cromwell’s Commonwealth and faced charges of treason in 1661 for opposing the Restoration’s episcopal revival, dying before trial. Married twice—first to Eupham Hamilton (d. 1630), with one surviving daughter, and later to Jean M‘Math, with seven children (only two outliving him)—Rutherford’s works, including Lex, Rex (1644), shaped Presbyterian theology and resistance to tyranny, cementing his legacy as a “prince of preachers.”
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Samuel Rutherford preaches about finding safety and rest in the New Covenant and between the Mediator's breasts, away from the harsh judgment of the Law. He emphasizes the humility of believers who cling to Christ for righteousness, contrasting it with the prideful pursuit of self-righteousness. Rutherford encourages trust in God's sovereignty, assuring that no matter the winds of life, they will blow believers closer to the Lord, who secures their journey to their heavenly home.
The Law
My Very Dear Brother,— You know that men may happily withstand all the charges of the doleful Law if they stand upon Grace's ground, and betwixt the Mediator's breasts**. And this is the sinner's safest way; for there is a bed for wearied sinners to rest in**, in the New Covenant, though no bed of Christ's making to sleep in.** The Law shall never be my judge, by Christ's grace. If I get no more good out of it (I shall find a severe enough judgement in the Gospel to humble, and to cast me down), it is, I grant, a good harsh friend to follow a traitor to the bar**, and to chafe him till he come to Christ **. We may blame ourselves, who cause the Law to demand such an costly debt, to scare us away from Jesus, and to dispute about a righteousness of our own.**) Such is a world in the moon, a chimera, and a night-dream that has pride as its father and mother. There cannot be a more humble soul than a believer; it requires no pride for a drowning man to catch hold of a rock. I rejoice that the wheels of this confused world roll, , mesh and are driven according to our Lord's will. Out of whatever quarter the wind blows, it will blow us onto our Lord. No wind can blow our sails overboard; because Christ's skill, and honour of His wisdom, are given as our security and laid down at the stake for the sea-passengers, that He shall put them safe off His hand on the shore, in His Father's own land, our native home ground. My dear brother, do not be afraid at the cross of Christ. It is not seen yet what Christ will do for you, when it comes to the worst: He will withhold His grace till you be in a strait, and then bring forth the decreed birth for your salvation (Zeph. 9:9).** You are an arrow of His own making **; let Him shoot you against a wall of brass, your point shall keep whole. I cannot, for multitude of letters and distraction of friends, prepare what I would for the times: I have not one hour of spare time, even if the day were forty hours long. Remember me in prayer. Grace be with you. Yours, in his sweet Lord Jesus, S.R. Aberdeen, Sept. 5, 1637.
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Samuel Rutherford (1600–March 29, 1661) was a Scottish Presbyterian preacher, theologian, and author, celebrated for his profound spiritual writings and steadfast faith during a turbulent era. Born near Nisbet, Roxburghshire, Scotland, to a prosperous farmer, little is known of his early life, though he likely attended Jedburgh Grammar School. He enrolled at the University of Edinburgh in 1617, earning an M.A. in 1621, and briefly served as a regent of Humanity before resigning in 1626 amid a personal scandal (possibly an indiscretion before his marriage). Ordained in 1627, he became minister of Anwoth, Kirkcudbrightshire, where his eloquent preaching and pastoral care earned him a devoted following, despite his initial reluctance to enter the ministry. Rutherford’s career was marked by conflict with the Stuart monarchy’s episcopal policies. Exiled to Aberdeen in 1636 for his nonconformist writings, like Exercitationes Apologeticae Pro Divina Gratia, he wrote many of his famous Letters—over 300 spiritual correspondences showcasing his mystical devotion to Christ. Returning to Anwoth in 1638, he later joined the Westminster Assembly in 1643 as a Scottish commissioner, contributing to the Westminster Confession. Appointed professor of divinity at St. Andrews in 1649, he resisted Cromwell’s Commonwealth and faced charges of treason in 1661 for opposing the Restoration’s episcopal revival, dying before trial. Married twice—first to Eupham Hamilton (d. 1630), with one surviving daughter, and later to Jean M‘Math, with seven children (only two outliving him)—Rutherford’s works, including Lex, Rex (1644), shaped Presbyterian theology and resistance to tyranny, cementing his legacy as a “prince of preachers.”