Book Recommendation: The Loveliness of Christ, Excerpts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford

This year has been filled with struggles, pain, challenges, and grief for my family.  We recognize that we aren’t alone in this – many in our PBF family are dealing with very difficult times.  Looking to our Great and Merciful God and His Word has again proven to the source of strength and comfort, along with the blessings He has provided through our brothers and sisters in Christ.  I have also been taken back to the writings of Samuel Rutherford which have spoken to my spirit in years past.  The small book called The Loveliness of Christ, which is a collection of excerpts from Samuel Rutherford’s letters.  I can remember how these gems helped me love Jesus Christ, when faced with difficult times.  This little book has also encouraged me to speak of Him to people in my path who are suffering.  

Letter writing is becoming a lost art today.  Maybe you, like I, have been struck by the beauty and art of a well written letter.  I remember reading a selection of letters from soldiers serving in the U.S. Civil War to their wives, written so well that they still elicit an emotional response.

Well, Samuel Rutherford was a masterful letter writer.  He was born in 1600 in Scotland.  This little book is prefaced with a short biography of his education and ministry, which included exile and, ultimately, a summons while on his deathbed to appear to face charges of high treason after having delivered an oration before King Charles II where it was pointed out and later produced in writing that even kings are under the authority of God.  He died in 1661 before he could go to trial.

Rutherford often wrote letters to those facing heartache, trial, or failure.  The book concludes with three of those letters written to women under his care who were facing such challenges.  It is clear from his writings that he is well acquainted with suffering and the Grace God provides in the middle of that suffering

Here are a few of the quotes in which I pray you will find comfort in Christ Jesus for yourself and for others:

“The only thing that commendeth sinners to Christ is extreme necessity and want.  Christ’s love is ready to make and provide a ransom and money for a poor body who hath lost his purse.” 

“There are many heads lying in Christ’s bosom, but there is room for yours among the rest.” 

“When we shall come home and enter to the possession of our Brother’s fair kingdom, and when our heads shall find the weight of the eternal crown of glory, and when we shall look back to pains and sufferings; then shall we see life and sorrow to be less than one step or stride from a prison to glory; and that our little inch of time–suffering is not worth our first night’s welcome home to heaven.”

“How sweet a thing it were for us to learn to make our burdens light by framing our hearts to the burden and make our Lord’s will a law.” 

“Scar not at suffering for Christ for Christ hath a chair, and a cushion, and sweet peace for a sufferer.”

I like to imagine these excerpts being spoken in this Puritan’s Scottish accent with the rolling r’s and such.  One other bonus is that words like “scar” in the quote above are footnoted with translations “scar” mean “be scared”.  You can learn other word like “toom” meaning “empty” or “bairn” meaning “child”.

This book is for reflection and, for me, the excerpts drive me back to Scripture and encourage me to know 400 years ago The Word and our Lord Jesus were and are sufficient for every trial.

Blessings,

Pastor Dan