SAMUEL RUTHERFORD
LETTERS
SAMUEL RUTHERFORD
_With a Sketch of his Life_
AND
_Biographical Notices of His Correspondents_
BY THE
REV. ANDREW A. BONAR, D.D. AUTHOR OF "MEMOIR AND REMAINS OF ROBERT MURRAY M'CHEYNE"
THIRD EDITION
LONDON THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY 56 PATERNOSTER ROW AND 65 ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD
PREFACE.
Most justly does the old Preface to the earlier Editions begin by telling the Reader that "These Letters have no need of any man's epistle commendatory, the great Master having given them one, written by His own hand on the hearts of all who favour the things of God." Every one who knows these "Letters" at all, is aware of their most peculiar characteristic, namely, the discovery they present of the marvellous intercourse carried on between the writer's soul and his God.
This Edition will be found to be the most complete that has hitherto appeared. It is the same as that of 1863, in two vols., with two slight alterations, viz. the footnotes are for the most part removed to the Glossary, and a few of the notices are condensed, but nothing omitted of any importance. On the other hand, one or two slight additions have been made. Attending carefully to the chronological arrangement, the Editor has sought, by biographical, topographical, and historical notices, to put the Reader in possession of all that was needed to enable him to enter into the circumstances in which each Letter was written, so far as that could be done. The appended Glossary of Scottish words and expressions (many of them in reality old English), the Index of Places and Persons, the Index of Special Subjects, and the prefixed Contents of Each Letter, will, it is confidently believed, be found both interesting and useful. The Sketch of Rutherford's Life may be thought too brief; but the limits within which such a Sketch must necessarily be confined, when occupying the place of a mere Introduction, rendered brevity inevitable.
Every Letter hitherto published is to be found in this Edition. The ten additional Letters of the Edition 1848, along with two more, added since that time, are all inserted in their chronological place. The publishers have taken great pains with the typography.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Sketch of _Samuel Rutherford_, 1
1. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Children to be Dedicated to God, 33
2. To _a Christian Gentlewoman, on the death of a Daughter._--Christ's Sympathy with, and Property in us--Reasons for Resignation, 34
3. To _Lady Kenmure, on occasion of illness and spiritual depression_.--Acquiescence in God's Purpose--Faith in exercise--Encouragement in view of Sickness and Death--Public Affairs, 36
4. To _Lady Kenmure, on death of her infant Daughter_.-- Tribulation the Portion of God's People, and intended to wean them from the World, 40
5. To _Lady Kenmure, when removing from Anwoth_.--Changes-- Loss of Friends--This World no abiding Place, 42
6. To _Marion M'Naught, telling of his Wife's illness_.--Inward Conflict, arising from Outward Trial, 44
7. To _Lady Kenmure_.--The Earnest of the Spirit--Communion with Christ--Faith in the Promises, 46
8. To _Marion M'Naught_.--His Wife's Illness--Wrestlings with God, 49
9. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Recommending a Friend to her Care--Prayers asked, 50
10. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Submission, Perseverance, and Zeal recommended, 50
11. To _Lady Kenmure_.--God's Inexplicable Dealings with His People well ordered--Want of Ordinances--Conformity to Christ--Troubles of the Church--Mr. Rutherford's Wife's Death, 52
12. To _Marion M'Naught_.--God Mixeth the Cup--The Reward of the Wicked--Faithfulness--Forbearance--Trials, 54
13. To _Marion M'Naught, when exposed to reproach for her principles_.--Jesus a Pattern of Patience under Suffering, 57
14. To _Marion M'Naught, in prospect of the Lord's Supper_.-- Abundance in Jesus--The Restoration of the Jews-- Enemies of God, 58
15. To _Marion M'Naught_.--The threatened Introduction of the Service-Book--Troubles of the Church--Private Wrongs, 60
16. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Proposal to Remove him from Anwoth-- Babylon's Destruction, and Christ's Coming--The Young invited, 62
17. To _Marion M'Naught_.--The Prospects of the Church-- Arminianism--Call to Prayer--No Help but in Christ, 64
18. To _Marion M'Naught, in prospect of the Lord's Supper_.-- Prayer Solicited--The Church's Prospects, 66
19. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Encouragement to Abound in Faith from the Prospect of Glory--Christ's Unchangeableness, 67
20. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Assurance of Christ's Love under Trials--Fulness of Christ--Hope of Glory, 69
21. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Self-denial--Hope of Christ's Coming-- Loving God for Himself, 72
22. To _John Kennedy_.--Deliverance from Shipwreck--Recovery from threatened Death--Use of Trials--Remembrance of Friends, 74
23. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Exhorting to remember her Espousal to Christ--Tribulation a Preparation for the Kingdom-- Glory in the End, 77
24. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Christ and His Garden--Provision of Ordinances in the Church--Our Children, 80
25. To _a Gentleman at Kirkcudbright, excusing himself from visiting_, 83
26. To _Marion M'Naught, after her dangerous illness_.--Use of Sickness--Reproaches--Christ our Eternal Feast-- Fasting, 83
27. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Love to Christ and Submission to His Cross--Believers kept--The Heavenly Paradise, 85
28. To _Lady Kenmure, after the death of a child_.--The State of the Church, Cause for God's Displeasure--His Care of His Church--The Jews--Afflicted Saints, 87
29. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Christ with His People in the Furnace of Affliction--Prayer, 89
30. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Rank and Prosperity hinder Progress-- Watchfulness--Case of Relatives, 90
31. To _Lady Kenmure_.--A Union for Prayer Recommended, 92
32. To _Marion M'Naught_.--State and Prospects of the Church--Satan, 94
33. To _Marion M'Naught_.--In Prospect of Going to the Lord's Table, 95
34. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Prospects of the Church--Christ's Care for the Children of Believers, 96
35. To _Lady Kenmure, on the death of a child_.--God Measures our Days--Bereavements Ripen us for the Harvest, 97
36. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Choice of a Commissioner for Parliament, 99
37. To _Lady Kenmure_.--On the Death of Lord Kenmure--Design of, and duties under, Affliction, 100
38. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Christ's Care of His Church, and His Judgments on her Enemies, 102
39. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Preparation for Death and Eternity, 103
40. To _Lady Kenmure_.--When Mr. Rutherford had the Prospect of being Removed from Anwoth, 105
41. To _Marion M'Naught_.--The Church's Trials--Comfort under Temptations--Deliverance--A Message to the Young, 106
42. To _Lady Kenmure_.--The World passeth away--Special Portions of the Word for the Afflicted--Call to Kirkcudbright, 108
43. To _Marion M'Naught_.--When Mr. Rutherford was in difficulty as to accepting a Call to Kirkcudbright, and Cramond, 111
44. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Troubles threatening the Church, 113
45. To _Marion M'Naught_.--In the Prospect of the Lord's Supper, and of Trials to the Church, 113
46. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Tossings of Spirit--Her Children and Husband, 114
47. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Submission to God's Arrangements, 116
48. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Troubles from False Brethren-- Occurrences--Christ's Coming--Intercession, 117
49. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Spoiling of Goods--Call to Kirkcudbright--The Lord Reigneth, 119
50. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Christ coming as Captain of Salvation--His Church's Conflict and Covenant--The Jews--Last Days' Apostasy, 121
51. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Public Temptations--The Security of every Saint--Occurrences in the Country-side, 123
52. To _Marion M'Naught_.--In the Prospect of her Husband being compelled to receive the Commands of the Prelates--Saints are yet to Judge, 125
53. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Encouragement under Trial by prospect of Brighter Days, 126
54. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Public Wrongs--Words of Comfort, 126
55. To _Marion M'Naught_.--When he had been threatened with Persecution for Preaching the Gospel, 128
56. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Reasons for Resignation--Security of Saints--The End of Time, 129
57. To _Marion M'Naught_.--In the Prospect of Removal to Aberdeen, 131
58. To _Lady Kenmure_.--On occasion of Efforts to introduce Episcopacy, 131
59. To _Earlston, Elder_.--No Suffering for Christ unrewarded-- Loss of Children--Christ in Providence, 132
60. To _Marion M'Naught_.--When he was under Trial by the High Commission, 135
61. To _Lady Kenmure, on the evening of his banishment to Aberdeen_.--His only Regrets--The Cross unspeakably Sweet--Retrospect of his Ministry, 136
62. To _Lady Culross, on the occasion of his banishment to Aberdeen_.--Challenges of Conscience--The Cross no Burden, 138
63. To _Mr. Robert Cunningham, at Holywood, in Ireland_.-- Consolation to a Brother in Tribulation--His own Deprivation of Ministry--Christ worth Suffering for, 140
64. To _Alexander Gordon of Earlston_.--His Feelings upon Leaving Anwoth, 143
65. To _Robert Gordon of Knockbreck, on his way to Aberdeen_.--How Upheld on the Way, 144
66. To _Robert Gordon of Knockbreck, after arriving at Aberdeen_.--Challenges of Conscience--Ease in Zion, 144
67. To _William Fullerton, Provost of Kirkcudbright_.-- Encouragement to Suffer for Christ, 145
68. To _John Fleming, Bailie of Leith_.--The Sweetness and Faithfulness of Christ's Love, 147
69. To _Lady Kenmure_.--His Enjoyment of Christ in Aberdeen-- A Sight of Christ exceeds all Reports--Some ashamed of Him and His, 148
70. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Exercise under Restraint from Preaching--The Devil--Christ's Loving-kindness-- Progress, 150
71. To _Mr. Hugh M'Kail, Minister of Irvine_.--Christ to be Trusted amid Trial, 152
72. To _William Gordon of Roberton_.--How Trials are Misimproved--The Infinite Value of Christ--Despised Warnings, 153
73. To _Earlston, the Elder_.--Satisfaction with Christ's Ways--Private and Public Causes of Sorrow, 156
74. To _Lady Culross_.--Suspicions of God's Ways--God's Ways always Right--Grace Grows under Trial, 157
75. To _John Kennedy, Bailie of Ayr_.--Longing after Discoveries of Christ--His Long-suffering--Trying Circumstances, 158
76. To _Robert Gordon of Knockbreck_.--Benefit of Affliction, 161
77. To _Lady Boyd_.--Aberdeen--Experience of himself Sad-- Taking Pains to win Grace, 163
78. To _Lord Boyd_.--Encouragement to Exertion for Christ's Cause, 164
79. To _Margaret Ballantine_.--Value of the Soul, and Urgency of Salvation, 166
80. To _Marion M'Naught_.--His Comfort under Tribulations, and the Prison a Palace, 168
81. To _Mr. John Meine (jun.)_.--Experience--Patient Waiting--Sanctification, 169
82. To _John Gordon of Cardoness, Elder_.--Win Christ at all Hazards--Christ's Beauty--A Word to Children, 170
83. To _the Earl of Lothian_.--Advice as to Public Conduct--Everything to be endured for Christ, 174
84. To _Jean Brown_.--The Joys of this Life embittered by Sin--Heaven an Object of Desire--Trial a Blessed Thing, 177
85. To _John Kennedy, Bailie of Ayr_.--The Reasonableness of Believing under all Affliction--Obligations to Free Grace, 179
86. To _Lord Craighall_.--Episcopalian Ceremonies--How to Abide in the Truth--Desire for Liberty to preach Christ, 181
87. To _Elizabeth Kennedy_.--Danger of Formality--Christ wholly to be Loved--Other Objects of Love, 183
88. To _Janet Kennedy_.--Christ to be kept at every sacrifice--His incomparable Loveliness, 185
89. To _the Rev. Robert Blair_.--God's Arrangements sometimes Mysterious, 187
90. To _the Rev. John Livingstone_.--Resignation--Enjoyment-- State of the Church, 190
91. To _Mr. Ephraim Melvin_.--Kneeling at the Lord's Supper a species of Idolatry, 192
92. To _Mr. Robert Gordon of Knockbreck_.--Visits of Christ--The Things which Affliction Teaches, 195
93. To _Lady Kenmure_.--God's Dealings with Scotland--The Eye to be directed Heavenward, 197
94. To _Lady Kenmure_.--The Times--Christ's Sweetness in Trouble--Longing after Him, 198
95. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Christ's Cross Sweet--His Coming to be Desired--Jealous of any Rival, 200
96. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Christ all Worthy--Anwoth, 201
97. To _Alexander Gordon of Earlston_.--Christ Endeared by Bitter Experiences--Searchings of Heart--Fears for the Church, 202
98. To _Mr. Alexander Colville of Blair_.--Increasing Experience of Christ's Love--God with His Saints, 204
99. To _Earlston, Younger_.--Christ's Ways Misunderstood--His increasing Kindness--Spiritual Delicacy--Hard to be Dead to the World, 205
100. To _Lady Cardoness_.--The One Thing Needful--Conscientious Acting in the World--Advice under Dejecting Trials, 208
101. To _Jonet Macculloch_.--Christ's Sufficiency--Stedfastness in the Truth, 210
102. To _Alexander Gordon of Knockgray_.--Grounds of Praise-- Affliction tends to misrepresent Christ--Idols, 211
103. To _Lady Cardoness, Elder_.--Christ and His Cause Recommended--Heavenly-mindedness--Caution against Compliances--Anxiety about his Parish, 213
104. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Painstaking in the Knowledge of Christ--Unusual enjoyment of His Love--Not Easy to be a Christian--Friends must not mislead, 215
105. To _a Gentlewoman, upon the death of her Husband_.-- Resignation under Bereavement--His own Enjoyment of Christ's Love, 217
106. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Weak Assurance--Grace different from Learning--Self-accusations, 218
107. To _Lady Boyd_.--Consciousness of Defects no argument of Christ being unknown--His Experience in Exile, 220
108. To _Lady Kaskiberry_.--Gratitude for Kindness--Christ's Presence felt, 222
109. To _Lady Earlston_.--Following Christ not Easy--Children not to be over-loved--Joy in the Lord, 223
110. To _Mr. David Dickson_.--God's Dealings--The Bitter Sweetened--Notes on Scripture, 224
111. To _Jean Brown_.--Christ's Untold Preciousness--A Word to her Boy, 226
112. To _Mr. John Fergushill_.--The Rod upon God's Children-- Pain from a sense of Christ's Love--His Presence a Support under Trials--Contentedness with Him alone, 227
113. To _Mr. Robert Douglas_.--Greatness of Christ's Love revealed to those who suffer for Him, 229
114. To _William Rigg of Athernie_.--Sustaining Power of Christ's Love--Satan's Opposition--Yearnings for Christ Himself--Fears for the Church, 230
115. To _Mr. Alexander Henderson_.--Sadness because of Christ's Headship not set forth--His Cause attended with Crosses--The Believer seen of all, 232
116. To _Lord Loudon_.--Blessedness of Acting for Christ--His Love to His Prisoner, 234
117. To _Mr. William Dalgleish, Minister of Kirkdale and Kirkmabreck_.--Christ's Kindness--Dependence on Providence--Controversies, 237
118. To _Mr. Hugh M'Kail, Minister at Irvine_.--Christ's Bountiful Dealings--Joy in Christ through the Cross, 239
119. To _Mr. David Dickson_.--Joyful Experience--Cup Overflowing in Exile, 240
120. To _Mr. Matthew Mowat, Minister at Kilmarnock_.-- Plenitude of Christ's Love--Need to use Grace aright--Christ the Ransomer--Desire to proclaim His Gospel--Shortcomings and Sufferings, 242
121. To _William Halliday_.--Diligence in securing Salvation, 245
122. To a _Gentlewoman after the death of her Husband_.--Vanity of Earthly Possessions--Christ a sufficient Portion--Design of Affliction, 245
123. To _John Gordon of Cardoness, Younger_.--Reasons for being earnest about the Soul, and for Resignation, 247
124. To _John Gordon of Cardoness, Elder_.--Call to Earnestness about Salvation--Intrusion of Ministers, 248
125. To _Lady Forret_.--Sickness a Kindness--Christ's Glooms better than the World's Joys, 249
126. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Adherence to Duty amidst Opposition--Power of Christ's Love, 250
127. To _John Carsen_.--Nothing worth the Finding but Christ, 251
128. To the _Earl of Cassillis_.--Honour of testifying for Christ, 252
129. To _Mr. Robert Gordon, Bailie of Ayr_.--Christ above All, 253
130. To _John Kennedy, Bailie of Ayr_.--Christ's Love--The Three Wonders--Desires for His Second Coming, 254
131. To _Jean Brown_.--His Wisdom in our Trials--Rejoicing in Tribulation, 257
132. To _Jean Macmillan_.--Strive to enter In, 259
133. To _Lady Busbie_.--Complete Surrender to Christ--No Idols--Trials discover Sins--A Free Salvation--The Marriage Supper, 260
134. To _John Ewart, Bailie of Kirkcudbright_.--The Cross no Burden--Need of Sure Foundation, 262
135. To _William Fullerton, Provost of Kirkcudbright_.--Fear not them who kill the Body--Unexpected Favour, 263
136. To _Robert Glendinning, Minister of Kirkcudbright_.-- Prepare to meet thy God--Christ his Joy, 264
137. To _William Glendinning_.--Perseverance against Opposition, 265
138. To _Mr. Hugh Henderson, Minister of the Gospel_.--Trials selected by God--Patience--Looking for the Judge, 266
139. To _Lord Balmerinoch_.--His happy Obligations to Christ--Emptiness of the World, 267
140. To _Lady Mar, Younger_.--No Exchange for Christ, 269
141. To _James Macadam_.--The Kingdom taken by Force, 270
142. To _William Livingstone_.--Counsel to a Youth, 271
143. To _William Gordon of Whitepark_.--Nothing lost by Trials--Longing for Christ Himself, because of His Love, 272
144. To _Mr. George Gillespie, Minister of Kirkcaldy_.-- Suspicions of Christ's Love Removed--Three Desires, 273
145. To _Jean Gordon_.--God the Satisfying Portion--Adherence to Christ, 275
146. To _Mr. James Bruce, Minister of the Gospel_.--Misjudging of Christ's Ways, 276
147. To _John Gordon, at Rusco_.--Pressing into Heaven--To be a Christian no Easy Attainment--Sins to be Avoided, 277
148. To _Lady Hallhill_.--Christ's Crosses better than Egypt's Treasures, 278
149. To _John Osburn, Provost of Ayr_.--Adherence to Christ--His Approbation worth all Worlds, 280
150. To _John Henderson, in Rusco_.--Continuing in Christ-- Preparedness for Death, 281
151. To _John Meine, Senior_.--Enjoyment of God's Love--Need of Help--Burdens, 281
152. To _Mr. Thomas Garven_.--A Prisoner's Joys--Love of Christ--The Good Part--Heaven in Sight, 283
153. To _Bethaia Aird_.--Unbelief under Trials--Christ's Sympathy, 284
154. To _Alexander Gordon of Knockgray_.--Prospective Trials, 286
155. To _Grizzel Fullerton, daughter of Marion M'Naught_.--The One Thing Needful--Christ's Love, 286
156. To _Patrick Carsen_.--Early Devotedness to Christ, 287
157. To _the Laird of Carleton_.--Increasing Sense of Christ's Love--Resignation--Deadness to Earth-- Temptations--Infirmities, 288
158. To _Lady Busbie_.--Christ all Worthy--Best at our Lowest--Sinfulness of the Land--Prayers, 290
159. To _John Fleming, Bailie of Leith_.--Directions for Christian Conduct, 292
160. To _Alexander Gordon of Earlston_.--Hungering after Christ Himself rather than His Love, 295
161. To _John Stuart, Provost of Ayr_.--Commercial Misfortunes--Service-Book--Blessedness of Trials, 298
162. To _John Stuart, Provost of Ayr_.--The Burden of a Silenced Minister--Spiritual Shortcomings, 302
163. To _John Stuart, Provost of Ayr_.--View of Trials past--Hard Thoughts of Christ--Crosses--Hope, 304
164. To _Ninian Mure, one of the family of Cassincarrie_.--A Youth Admonished, 307
165. To _Mr. Thomas Garven_.--Personal Insufficiency--Grace from Christ alone--Longings after Him, 308
166. To _Cardoness, the Elder_.--A Good Conscience--Christ kind to Sufferers--Responsibility--Youth, 310
167. To _Lady Boyd_.--Lessons learned in the School of Adversity, 312
168. To _Mr. David Dickson_.--Christ's Infinite Fulness, 315
169. To _the Laird of Carleton_.--God's Working Incomprehensible--Longing after any Drop of Christ's Fulness, 317
170. To _Robert Gordon of Knockbreck_.--Longing for Christ's Glory--Felt guiltiness--Longing for Christ's Love--Sanctification, 319
171. To _the Laird of Moncrieff_.--Concert in Prayer-- Stedfastness to Christ--Grief misrepresents Christ's Glory, 321
172. To _John Clark_.--Marks of Difference betwixt Christians and Reprobates, 323
173. To _Cardoness, the Younger_.--Warning and Advice as to Things of Salvation, 324
174. To _Lord Craighall_.--Idolatry Condemned, 326
175. To _John Laurie_.--Christ's Love--A Right Estimate of Him--His Grace, 330
176. To _the Laird of Carleton_.--A Christian's Confession of Unworthiness--Desire for Christ's Honour--Present Circumstances, 331
177. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Christ Suffering in His Church-- His Coming--Outpourings of Love from Him, 335
178. To _Lady Culross_.--Christ's Management of Trials--What Faith can do--Christ not Experience--Prayers, 337
179. To _Mr. John Nevay_.--Christ's Love Sharpened in Suffering--Kneeling at the Communion--Posture at Ordinances, 340
180. To _John Gordon of Cardoness, the Elder_.--Longings for those under his former Ministry--Delight in Christ and His Appearing--Pleading with his Flock, 344
181. To _Earlston, the Younger_.--Dangers of Youth--Christ the best Physician--Four Remedies against Doubting--Breathing after Christ's Honour, 348
182. To _Alexander Gordon of Knockgray_.--Joy in God--Trials work out Glory to Christ, 353
183. To _Mr. J---- R----_.--Christ the Purifier of His Church--Submission to His Ways, 355
184. To _Mr. William Dalgleish, Minister of the Gospel_.--The Fragrance of the Ministry--A Review of his Past and Present Situation, and of his Prospects, 358
185. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Longing to be Restored to his Charge, 361
186. To _Robert Stuart_.--Christ chooses His own in the Furnace--Need of a Deep Work--The God-Man, a World's Wonder, 363
187. To _Lady Gaitgirth_.--Christ Unchangeable, though not always Enjoyed--His Love never yet fully poured out--Himself His People's Cautioner, 366
188. To _Mr. John Fergushill of Ochiltree_.--Desponding Views of his own State--Ministerial Diligence-- Christ's Worth--Self-seeking, 368
189. To _John Stuart, Provost of Ayr_.--Hope for Scotland-- Self-submission--Christ Himself sought for by Faith--Stability of Salvation--His Ways, 371
190. To _the Laird of Carsluth_.--Necessity of making sure of Salvation--Vanity of the World--Nothing worth having but Christ--Flight of Time, 373
191. To _the Laird of Cassincarrie_.--Earnestness about Salvation--Christ Himself sought, 376
192. To _Lady Cardoness_.--Grace--The Name of Christ to be Exalted--Everything but God fails us, 378
193. To _Sibylla Macadam_.--Christ's Beauty and Excellence, 380
194. To _Mr. Hugh Henderson, Minister of Dalry_.--The Ways of Providence--Believing Patience, 381
195. To _Lady Largirie_.--Christ the Exclusive Object of Love--Preparation for Death, 383
196. To _Earlston, the Younger_.--Sufferings--Hope of Final Deliverance--The Believer in Safe Keeping--The Recompense Marred by Temptations, 384
197. To _Mr. William Dalgleish, Minister of the Gospel_.-- Thoughts as to God's Arrangements--Winning Souls to be Supremely Desired--Longings for Christ, 386
198. To _the Laird of Cally_.--Spiritual Sloth--Danger of Compromise--Self, the Root of all Sin-- Self-renunciation, 388
199. To _John Gordon of Cardoness, the Younger_.--Dangers of Youth--Early Decision, 390
200. To _Robert Gordon, Bailie of Ayr_.--The Misery of mere Worldly Hope--Earnestness about Salvation, 393
201. To _Alexander Gordon of Earlston_.--Christ's Kingdom to be Exalted over all; and more Pains to be taken to Win farther into Him, 395
202. To _the Laird of Cally_.--Youth a Precious Season-- Christ's Beauty, 397
203. To _William Gordon, at Kenmure_.--Testimony to Christ's Worth--Marks of Grace in Conviction of Sin and Spiritual Conflict, 399
204. To _Margaret Fullerton_.--Christ, not Creatures, worthy of all Love--Love not to be measured by Feeling, 401
205. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Difficulties in the way to the Kingdom--Christ's Love, 402
206. To _Lady Kenmure_.--The Use of Sufferings--Fears under them--Desire that Christ be Glorified, 404
207. To _John Henderson of Rusco_.--Practical Hints, 407
208. To _Alexander Colville of Blair_.--Regrets for not being able to Preach--Longings for Christ, 408
209. To _Mr. John Nevay_.--Christ's Surpassing Excellency--His Cause in Scotland, 409
210. To _Lady Boyd_.--His Soul Fainting for Christ's Matchless Beauty--Prayer for a Revival, 410
211. To _a Christian Gentlewoman_.--God's Skill to bless by Affliction--Unkindness of Men--Near the Day of Meeting the Lord, 412
212. To _William Glendinning_.--Search into Christ's Loveliness--What he would Suffer to see it--His Coming to Deliver, 414
213. To _Robert Lennox of Disdove_.--Men's Folly in Undervaluing Christ--It is He that satisfieth-- Admiration of Him, 416
214. To _Mr. James Hamilton, Minister of the Gospel_.-- Suffering for Christ's Headship--How Christ visited him in Preaching, 418
215. To _Mistress Stuart_.--Personal Unworthiness--Longing after Holiness--Winnowing Time, 421
216. To _Mr. Hugh M'Kail, Minister of Irvine_.--Advantages of our Wants and Distempers--Christ Unspeakable, 423
217. To _Alexander Gordon of Garloch_.--Free Grace finding its Materials in us, 425
218. To _John Bell, Elder_.--Danger of Trusting to a Name to Live--Conversion no Superficial Work-- Exhortation to Make Sure, 427
219. To _Mr. John Row, Minister of the Gospel_.--Christ's Crosses better than the World's Joys--Christ Extolled, 429
220. To _Lord Craighall_.--Duty of being disentangled from Christ-dishonouring Compliances, 430
221. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Her Prayers for Scotland not Forgotten, 430
222. To _Lady Culross_.--Christ's Way of Showing Himself the Best--What Fits for Him--Yearning after Him insatiably--Domestic Matters, 431
223. To _Alexander Gordon of Knockgray_.--State of the Church--Believers purified by Affliction--Folly of seeking Joy in a Doomed World, 434