FOOTNOTES:
[1] This village well is about three feet deep. It is now closed up and worked by a pump.
[2] Letter ccxxiv.
[3] 1 Cor. ii. 12.
[4] Letter clxxvii.
[5] Letter ccxli.
[6] See notice of the topography at Letter cxcviii. It is a mile and a half from the modern Gatehouse of Fleet, a clean, English-looking village.
[7] Acts xvi. 6, 7.
[8] Rev. i. 11.
[9] 1 Pet. i. 1.
[10] Letter xviii.
[11] Letter cclxxxvi.
[12] "Wodrow's Church Hist." i. 205.
[13] "M'Crie's Sketches."
[14] Letter clxxxv.
[15] Letter xiv.
[16] The oak pulpit out of which he preached was preserved till a few years ago. The old church (60 feet by 18) is in the shape of a barn, and could hold only 250 sitters. It is now entirely a ruin. The years 1631 and 1633 were carved on some of the seats—perhaps the seats of the Gordons, or other heritors. We may add, while speaking of this old edifice, where "the swallows building their nest," seemed to the exiled pastor "blessed birds," that the rusty key of that kirk-door is now deposited in the New College, Edinburgh, sent to the museum there as a precious relic several years ago by a friend, through Dr. Welsh. The church is now roofless, its walls overgrown with ivy, in which the sparrows build their nests at will. The tomb of Lady Cardoness, an antique pile at the side of the wall, was removed in 1878, though the slabs are preserved.
[17] Letter ccxvii.
[18] Letter ccxvii.
[19] Letter clxiii.
[20] Letter xiv.
[21] Letter cxxxii.
[22] Letter clxxx.
[23] Letter clxxxvi.
[24] Letter cclxxvii.
[25] Josh. xxiv. 27.
[26] It has not been preached in since the year 1827.
[27] A mistake for 1631.
[28] It was a walk among trees, close to the manse.
[29] Letter xlix.
[30] Hos. xiv. 7.
[31] In the parish church of Chiseldon, North Wilts, there are to be seen Eleven Commandments inscribed on a slab (which is affixed to the chancel arch); the additional one consisting of our Saviour's precept—"A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another" (John xiii. 34). The church is quite an ancient one, dating back to 1641.
[32] The place is still pointed out by tradition, as "Rutherford's Walk." It was close to the old manse, which was pulled down many years ago. It stood about a quarter of a mile from the church, and bore the name, Bushy Bield, or Bush o' Bield, i.e., the bush of shelter. Some make it Bush o' Biel, and say it is a corruption of Bosco-bello, fair-wood, Boscobel.
[33] "Analecta," vol. ii. p. 161.
[34] Letter xliii. His friend and neighbour Mr. Dalgleish, minister of Kirkdale and Kirkmabreck, was translated to Cramond in 1639.
[35] Letter cxv. See also Letter liv.
[36] Letter cclxix.
[37] Letter cix.
[38] Letter cccxxiii.
[39] Letter cccxxxiv.
[40] Letter lxvi. Dr. James Sibbald, said to have been a man of great learning, was minister in one of the churches of New Aberdeen. Rutherford attended his preaching, and finding that he taught Arminianism, testified against him.
[41] Letter cxvii.
[42] The impression of some readers might be that he was in prison. But he never was so. He was in exile; but the whole town was his prison. He was, in this respect, like Shimei confined to Jerusalem (Letters lxviii., lxix., etc.). His house was in the Upper Kirkgate.
[43] Letter clxi.
[44] Letter clxxxi.
[45] "In 1650, Mr. Samuel Rutherford, minister of St. Andrews, did preach the preparation sermon in Cant. v. 2. Mr. Samuel had a lecture on Monday following on the 20th chapter of Matthew's Gospel."
"1651, July 13.—The comm. was given at Scoonie. Mr. Alex. Moncrieff, m. there, did preach the Preparation Sermon, and on Monday morning Mr. Sa. Rutherford did preach; his text at both occasions was Luke vii. 36 till 39 ver. At this time was present, besides Mr. Sa. Rutherford, Mr. Ja. Guthrie, and Mr. David Bennet, Mr. Ephraim Melvin, and Mr. William Oliphant, m. in Dumfermlin. Thither did resort many strangers, so that the throng was great. Mr. Ephraim and Mr. D. Bennet both did sit within the pulpit while the minister had his sermon." So again, "In 1652, June 13.—Mr. S. R. of St. Andrews, did preach on the Sabbath afternoon; his lecture Luke xiv.; his sermon Luke vii. 36, 38, to end. Mr. S. did exhort on Monday following, on his foresaid text, Luke vii. 40, 44." Once more, "1653, Aug. 11.—A fast keepit at Scoonie kirk, Mr. S. R. in the morning, lecture, Jonah ii.; his text, Rev. iii. 1, at end. Afternoon preached on same; his lecture Psalms cxxx., cxxxi." "1654, Jan. 4.—Being Saturday, there was a Preparation Sermon for a Thanksgiving preached at Scoonie in Fyfe, for the continuance of the Gospel in the land and for the spreading of it in some places of the Highlands in Scotland, where in some families two and in some families one, began to call on God by prayer. Mr. Samuel Rutherford, m. in St. Andrews, preached on Saturday; his text, Isa. xlix. 9, 10, 11, 12. On the Sabbath, Mr. Alex Moncrieff, m., then preached; his lecture, 1 Thess. ch. i.; his text, Coloss. i. 27. In the afternoon of the Sabbath, Mr. Samuel preached again upon his forementioned text. On Monday morning, Mr. Samuel had a lecture on Psal. lxxxviii. He did read the whole Psalm. Observe, that on Saturday Mr. Samuel had this expression in his prayer after sermon, desiring that the Lord would rebuke Presbyteries and others that had taken the keys and the power in their hands, and keeped out, and would suffer none to enter (meaning in the ministry) but such as said as they said."—"Lamont's Diary."
[46] In the "Statistical Account of Scotland" it is stated that in 1642 he was presented to the church of Mid-Calder. But he must have declined it at once; for in 1643 Mr. Hugh Kennedy is found the ordained and settled pastor of that parish.
[47] A. S. stands for Adam Stewart, who wrote a pamphlet, "Zerubbabel to Sanballat."
[48] Preface to "Survey of the Spiritual Antichrist."
[49] When the Lord's Supper was to be dispensed, Blair in vain used every argument to induce Rutherford to take part with himself and Mr. Wood in serving tables; and, being forced to do it alone, began thus: "We must have water in our wine while here. O to be above, where there will be no mistakes!"—"Wodrow's Anal."
[50] "Brodie's Diary" (May 27, 1653) says that S. R. in a conference in "Warriston's Chambers" retorted, that he had heard much of peace with men, but would like better to hear of a peace with God, and with sin, that His wrath may be turned away, without which a patched peace would be little effectual (p. 43). In June a longer conference (pp. 48, 49, 50).
[51] In 1655, we find in "Diary of Brodie of Brodie," p. 141:—"Quhil Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Blair, Mr. Wood, and many others, are labouring in places, and as we hear come small speed; Oh, is it not a marvel that we should be discouraged!"
[52] 2 Chron. xxvi. 5.
[53] He planned a Commentary on Hosea in 1657, but the design was not executed. Reference is made to this in Letter cx.
[54] "Lamont's Diary," p. 133.
[55] See (ch. vi.) of "Memoir of Halyburton," who, on his deathbed, quoted Rutherford's words, "Glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel's land."
[56] In "Lamont's Diary," April 1650, we read of "Mr. Robert Makeward, sometime servant (i.e. secretary) to Mr. Samuel Rutherford, minister of St. Andrews."
[57] Why "Joshua"? Did he think of the faithful witnessing in Joshua xxiv.? Or is the reference to Joshua as one of the spies? See Letter cxviii.
[58] Even in his controversial works, sparks of the same poetic fire fly out when opportunity occurs. In his Treatise "De Divina Providentiâ," the following paragraph occurs, extolling the glory of Godhead wisdom. "Comparentur cum illa increata sapientia Dei Patris umbratiles scintillulæ creatæ gloriolæ quotquot nominis celebritate inclaruerunt. Delirat Plato. Mentitur Aristoteles. Cicero balbutit, hæsitat, nescit Latine loqui. Demosthenes mutus et elinguis obstupescit; virtutis viam ignorat Seneca; nihil canit Homerus; male canit Virgilius! Accedant ad Christum qui virtutis gloria fulgent! Aristides virtutem mentitur. Fabius cespitat, a via justitiæ deviat. Socrates ne hoc quidem scit, se nihil scire. Cato levis et futilis est; Solon est mundi et voluptatum servus et mancipium, non legislator. Pythagoras nec sophos, nec philosophus est. Bias nec mundi nec inanis gloriæ contemptor. Alexander Macedo ignavus est," &c. Another work bears this title: "Exercitationes Apologeticæ pro Divinâ Gratiâ, studio et industria Samuelis Rhætorfortis, Anwetensis, in Gallovidiâ, Scotiæ provinciâ Pastoris." The preface, or dedication, to Gordon of Kenmure, is very characteristic, ending thus: "Non enim ignoras in hac valle miseriarum minime sistendum, neque tentorium figendum; ad æternitatem ipsam (quod vere magnum nomen est & ineffabile) te vocari; crescere iter, decrescere diem, omnia alia aliena, tempus tantum nostrum esse, si modo nostrum est." In this preface he calls himself "Pastor Anwetensis," the old spelling of Anwoth being Anweth.
[59] Letter clxxxii.
[60] Letter clxxxiii.
[61] Letter clxxxii.
[62] Letter cclxxix.
[63] Letter cclxxxviii.
[64] Letter ccxxx.
[65] Ephes. ii. 18.
[66] Letter xcix.
[67] Letter ccii.
[68] Letter cclxxxvi.
[69] Letter cvii.
[70] Letter cii.
[71] Letter ccvi.
[72] Phil. iii. 10.
[73] Letter civ.
[74] Letter civ.
[75] Letter lxi.
[76] Letter clx.
[77] Letter clxxix.
[78] Letter clxviii.
[79] Letter clxxxvii.
[80] Letter cclxxxvi.
[81] Letter ccclii.
[82] Letter cclxxix.
[83] Letter cccxxxvi.
[84] Letter lxiii.
[85] So in his "sermon before the House of Lords," 1645: "Faith thinketh no evil of Christ." Also Letters XX. and XCII.: "Love believeth no evil."
[86] So it is in the earlier editions; not "faileth."
[87] "In reference to her,"—alluding to the known design of Charles I. to enforce conformity to Episcopacy.
[88] The Marquis of Argyle.
[89] In the earlier editions it is given "fly" throughout; not "flee."
[90] Lord Kenmure and his lady resided at Rusco, in the parish of Anwoth, during the first two years of Rutherford's ministry there; but they were now about to leave it. See Letter CXLVII.
[91] Mr. Robert Glendinning, then minister of Kirkcudbright. His grave may be seen there.
[92] Mr. J. Maxwell here mentioned was at this time a minister in Edinburgh, and afterwards became Bishop of Ross,—a man of talent, but devoid of principle, whose aim was to secure the favour of the notorious Laud, by forwarding his designs for forcing Episcopacy upon the Scottish people. The letter above referred to was from the King, urging the adoption of the English service.
[93] Episcopal.
[94] Mixed up with each other.
[95] Probably a relative of his wife, whose name was Eupham Hamilton. He was an apothecary in Edinburgh, and is mentioned among the godly in Livingstone's "Characteristics."
[96] The Rev. Mr. Robert Glendinning, then minister of Kirkcudbright.
[97] Work?
[98] The prelates, when the Courts of High Commission were erected in 1610, were invested with the powers of imprisoning and depriving Nonconformists.
[99] One of the judges.
[100] Archbishop Spottiswoode.
[101] The emigration of preachers and people to New England was the consequence of the persecuting measures pursued by Archbishop Laud for enforcing conformity, in the prosecution of his favourite scheme of bringing the Church of England as near to that of Rome as could consort with his own supremacy and that of his sovereign. About seventy ministers and four thousand other persons emigrated to the American continent to escape the tyranny of Laud and his agents.
[102] Blackness Castle, on the Forth, was used as a prison.
[103] In the sense of making a show of or appearing as if He would go; Luke xxiv. 28.
[104] So in his "Trial of Faith" p. 133 (published 1655).
[105] Sir W. Alexander of Menstrie, afterwards Earl of Stirling.
[106] Carleton, in Galloway (see note at Letter CLVII.), not far from Anwoth, where Mr. Fullerton, a true friend, resided.
[107] At Anwoth.
[108] Gustavus Adolphus.
[109] To whom I have given, and dare venture to give.
[110] Henry Burton, an able divine of the Church of England, wrote several vigorous pieces against Popery, and against Montague's "Appello Cæsarem."
[111] Sabbath that comes eight days after this.
[112] Allusion to Horace, Sat. i. 1, 19. One of the few allusions to the classics that occur in Rutherford.
[113] His term-day.
[114] Livingstone in his "Memor. Characteristics" mentions this godly man, a merchant in Ayr.
[115] See Letter CLXI.
[116] Mr. William Dalgleish, minister at Kirkmabreck.
[117] A proverbial expression, as in Herbert's Poem, 84:
[118] Z. Boyd's Last Battle, p. 185.
[119] His place.
[120] Possibly, Mr. Abraham Henderson; a staunch defender of Presbytery, who, in 1605, persisted, along with eight of his brethren, in convening at Aberdeen, in face of prohibition, in order to maintain a protest in behalf of the Church's inherent right to meet in General Assembly. (See Forbes' "Apolog. Narration," p. 136.)
[121] Noon, or a little before it, was then the usual hour for dinner.
[122] In regard to whom I pray for the mercy Paul sought for the house of Onesiphorus (2 Tim. i. 6).
[123] μόνας.
[124] The village and church of Carsphairn stood not far from Kenmure Castle, and very near Earlston and Knockgray. The road from Dalmellington is bare, with steep, rocky hills on either side of the glen. The "Ken" may be meant by "that water" in the next sentence.
[125] A burden above a load, or a load above a burden, is a phrase for a very heavy weight.
[126] Mr. George Gillespie; see Letter cxliv.
[127] Barcaple is in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, in the parish of Tongueland.
[128] Mr. Robert Glendinning, the minister.
[129] "For this;" as in our metre version, Ps. cvi. 40, etc.
[130] Efforts to obtain redress from grievances inflicted by the prelatic party.
[131] See Letter LXXI.
[132] Edinburgh.
[133] Referring to a promise made to the people of Kirkcudbright by the Bishop of Galloway, to give them a man according to their own mind, provided they would not choose Mr. Rutherford.
[134] Mr. Robert Glendinning.
[135] William Dalgleish, minister of Kirkdale and Kirkmabreck. See Letter CXVII.
[136] David Dickson.
[137] About four miles east from Earlston. It has a small loch, where are ruins of an old castle.
[138] See note, Letter XII.
[139] Probably Mr. Alexander Colville, mentioned Letter XI.
[140] In the Preface to his "Peaceable Plea," he expresses the same yearnings towards the Jews. And also in "Trial of Faith," sermon xiii.
[141] Bishop Sydserff wished to force a minister upon the people of Kirkcudbright, in room of Mr. Glendinning, whom he ordered to be imprisoned, because he would not conform to Episcopacy. Provost Fullarton (husband of M. M'Naught), along with other magistrates, refused to imprison Mr. Glendinning. See note at Letter LXVII.
[142] Surety.
[143] J. Gordon.
[144] Sydserff.
[145] Conformity to episcopal forms.
[146] Alluding to Gen. xxxii. 14, and Isa. xl. 11.
[147] It is probably the little mound in the wood called "Low's Seat," from its being the favourite resort of a local poet of that name.