Letters of Samuel Rutherford - Rutherford - X - Letters 38 to 40

Required reading
The Letters of Samuel Rutherford (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Letters 38 to 40.

My summary
Today we read letters addressed to:
(i) Alexander Colvill;
(ii) James Hamilton;
(iii) the Parishioners of Anworth.

The letters once spoke again of Rutherford's pain in banishment and his drawing closer to Christ's love.

The lengthy letter to his church had a different tone in comparison to his other letters.  It was lengthy and also gave instruction on:
(i) dangers of the state Kirk;
(ii) judgement on those who have embraced sin;
(iii) encouragement to love Christ.

What grabbed me
I liked the letter to Rutherford's church. 

Particularly the fact that Rutherford unashamedly advised his members to do the very thing that he had been locked up for teaching: 'I counsel you to beware of the new and strange leaven of men's inventions, beside and against the word of God, contrary to the oath of this kirk, now coming among you. I instructed you of the superstition and idolatry in kneeling in the instant of receiving the Lord's Supper, and of crossing in baptism, and of the observing of men's days, without any warrant of Christ our perfect Law-giver. Countenance not the surplice, the attire of the mass-priest, the garment of Baal's priests. The abominable bowing to altars of tree (wood) is coming upon you. Hate, and keep yourselves from idols. Forbear in any case to hear the reading of the new fatherless Service-Book, full of gross heresies, popish and superstitious errors, without any warrant of Christ, tending to the overthrow of preaching. You owe no obedience to the bastard canons; they are unlawful, blasphemous, and superstitious. All the ceremonies that lie in Antichrist's foul womb, the wares of that great mother of fornications, the kirk of Home, are to be refused. Ye see whither they lead you. Continue still in the doctrine which ye have received. Ye heard of me the whole counsel of God. Sew no clouts upon Christ's robe. Take Christ, in His rags and losses, and as persecuted by men, and be content to sigh and pant up the mountain, with Christ's cross on your back. Let me be reputed a false prophet (and your conscience once said the contrary), if your Lord Jesus will not stand by you and maintain you, and maintain your cause against your enemies. '

If Rutherford's expulsion was meant to teach him a lesson, he certainly wasn't learning it!

Next week's reading
Read Letters 41 to 43.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.