Chapter I: 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

224. To _Fulwood, the Younger_.--Vanity of the World in the
light of Death and Christ--The Present Truth--
Christ's Coming, 436

225. To _his Parishioners_.--Protestation of Care for their
Souls, and for the Glory of God--Delight in his
ministry, and in his Lord--Efforts for their
Souls--Warnings against Errors of the Day--Awful
words to the Backslider--Intense Admiration of
Christ--A Loud Call to All, 438

226. To _Lady Kilconquhar_.--The Interests of the Soul and
Urgent--Folly of the World--Christ altogether
Lovely--His Pen fails to set forth Christ's
Unspeakable Beauty, 445

227. To _Lord Craighall_.--Standing for Christ--Danger
from Fear, or Promises of Men--Christ's Requitals--
Sin against the Holy Ghost, 449

228. To _Mr. James Fleming, Minister of the Gospel_.--
Glory Gained to Christ--Spiritual Deadness--Help
to Praise Him--The Ministry, 451

229. To _Mr. Hugh M'Kail, Minister of Irvine_.--The
Law--This World under Christ's Control for the Believer, 454

230. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Believer Safe though Tried--Delight
in Christ's Truth, 455

231. To _Lord Lindsay of Byres_.--The Church's Desolations--The
End of the World, and Christ's Coming--His
Attractiveness, 457

232. To _Lord Boyd_.--Seeking Christ in Youth--Its
Temptations--Christ's Excellence--The Church's
Cause concerns the Nobles, 457

233. To _Fulk Ellis_.--Friends in Ireland--Difficulties in
Providence--Unfaithfulness to Light--Constant Need
of Christ, 463

234. To _James Lindsay_.--Desertions, their Use--Prayers of
Reprobates, and how the Gospel affects their
Responsibility, 466

235. To _Lord Craighall_.--Fear God, not Man--Sign of
Backsliding, 470

236. To _Mr. James Hamilton, Minister of the Gospel_.--
Christ's Glory not affected by His People's
Weakness, 471

237. To _the Laird of Gaitgirth_.--Truth worth Suffering
for--Light Sown, but the Evil of this World till
Christ comes, 471

238. To _Lady Gaitgirth_.--Christ and Example in Bearing
Crosses--The extent to which Children should be
Loved--Why Saints Die, 473

239. To _Mr. Matthew Mowat, Minister of Kilmarnock_.--What
am I?--Longing to Act for Christ--Unbelief--Love in the
Hiding of Christ's Face--Christ's Reproach, 474

240. To _Mr. John Meine, Jun._--Christ the Same--Youthful
Sins--No Dispensing with Crosses, 476

241. To _John Fleming, Baillie of Leith_.--Riches of Christ
Fail Not--Salvation--Vanity of Created Comforts--
Longing for more of Christ, 477

242. To _Lady Rowallan_.--Jesus the Best Choice, and to be
made sure of--The Cross and Jesus inseparable--
Sorrows only Temporary, 478

243. To _Marion M'Naught_.--His own Prospects--Hopes--
Salutations, 480

244. To _Marion M'Naught_.--Proceedings of Parliament--Private
Matters--Her Daughter's Marriage, 481

245. To _Lady Boyd_.--Imperfections--Yearnings after Christ--
Christ's Supremacy not inconsistent with Civil
Authority, 483

246. To _Mr. Thomas Garven_.--Heaven's Happiness--Joy in the
Cross, 485

247. To _Janet Kennedy_.--The Heavenly Mansions--Earth a
Shadow, 486

248. To _Margaret Reid_.--Benefits of the Cross, if we are
Christ's, 487

249. To _James Bautie_.--Spiritual Difficulties Solved, 489

250. To _Lady Largirie_.--Part with all for Christ--No
Unmixed Joy here, 494

251. To _Lady Dungueich_.--Jesus or the World--Scotland's
Trials and Hopes, 495

252. To _Janet Macculloch_.--Cares to be cast on Christ--
Christ a Steady Friend, 496

253. To _Mr. George Gillespie_.--Christ the True Gain, 497

254. To _Mr. Robert Blair_.--Personal Unworthiness--God's
Grace--Prayer for Others, 498

255. To _Lady Carleton_.--Submission to God's Will--Wonders
in the Love of Christ--No debt to the World, 500

256. To _William Rigge of Athernie_.--The Law--Grace--Chalking
out Providences for ourselves--Prescribing to His
Love, 501

257. To _Lady Graighall_.--The Comforts of Christ's Cross--
Desires for Christ, 503

258. To _Lord Loudon_.--The Wisdom of adhering to Christ's
Cause, 504

259. To _David Dickson_.--Danger of Worldly Ease--Personal
Occurrences, 507

260. To _Alexander Gordon of Earlston_.--All Crosses Well
Ordered--Providences, 508

261. To _Lady Kilconquhair_.--The Kingdom to be taken by
Violence, 510

262. To _Robert Lennox of Disdove_.--Increasing Experience
of Christ's Love--Salvation to be made sure, 512

263. To_ Marion M'Naught_.--Hope in Trial--Prayer and
Watchfulness, 513

264. To _Thomas Corbet_.--Godly Counsels--Following Christ, 514

265. To _Mr. George Dunbar, Minister of the Gospel_.--Christ's
Love in Affliction--The Saint's Support and Final
Victory, 515

266. To _John Fleming, Bailie of Leith_.--Comfort Abounding
under Trials, 517

267. To _William Glendinning, Bailie of Kirkcudbright_.--The
Past and the Future--Present Happiness, 517

268. To _the Earl of Cassillus_.--Anxiety for the Prosperity
of Zion--Encouragement for the Nobles to Support
it--The Vanity of this World, and the Folly and
Misery of forsaking Christ--The One Way to Heaven, 519

269. To _his Parishioners at Anwoth_.--Exhortationn to abide
in the Truth, in prospect of Christ's Coming--
Scriptural Mode of Observing Ordinanaces such as
the Sabbath, Family Prayer, and the Lord's Supper--
Judgments Anticipated, 521

270. To _Lady Busbie_.--His Experience of Christ's Love--State
of the Land and Church--Christ not duly Esteemed--
Desire after Him, and for a Revival, 524

271. To _Earlston, Younger_.--Prosperity under the Cross--Need
of Security, and being founded on Christ, 526

272. To _John Gordon_.--Christ all Worthy--This World a Clay
Prison--Desire for a Revival of Christ's Cause, 527

273. To _William Rigge of Athernie_.--Comfort in Trials from
the Knowledge of Christ's Power and Work--
Corruption--Free Grace, 529

274. To _James Murray_.--The Christian Life a Mystery to the
World--Chrsit's Kindness, 530

275. To _Mr. John Fergushill_.--Spiritual Longings under
Christ's Cross--How to bear it--Christ Precious,
and to be had without Money--The Church, 531

276. To _William Glendinning_.--Sweetness of Trial--Swiftness
of Time--Prevalence of Sin, 534

277. To _Lady Boyd_.--Sense of Unworthiness--Obligation to
Grace--Christ's Absence--State of the Land, 536

278. To _The Earl of Cassillis_.--Ambition--Christ's Royal
Prerogative--Prelacy, 538

279. To _Marion M'Naught_.--A Spring-tide of Christ's Love, 540

280. To _John Gordon of Rusco_.--Heaven hard to be won--
Many come short in Attaining--Idol Sins to be
renounced--Likeness to Christ, 541

281. To _Lord Loudoun_.--True Honour in maintaining
Christ's Cause--Prelacy--Light of Eternity, 543

282. To _Lady Robertland_.--Afflictions purify--The World's
Vanity--Christ's wise love, 545

283. To _Thomas Macculloch of Nether Ardwell_.--Earnest Call
to Diligence--Circumspect Walking, 548

284. To _the Professors of Christ and His Truth in Ireland_.--
The Way to Heaven ofttimes through Persecution--
Christ's Worth--Making sure our Profession--
Self-denial--No Compromise--Tests of Sincerity--His
own Desire for Christ's Glory, 549

285. To _Robert Gordon of Knockbreck_.--Not the Cross, but
Christ the Object of Attraction--Too little expected
from Him--Spiritual Deadness, 555

286. To _the Parishioners of Kilmalcolm_.--Spiritual Sloth--
Advice to Beginniers--A Dead Ministry--Languor--
Obedience--Want of Christ's Felt Presence--Assurance
Important--Prayer Meetings, 559

287. To _Lady Kenmure_.--On the Death of her Child--Christ
Shares His People's Sorrows, 565

288. To _the Persecuted Church in Ireland_.--Christ's Legacy
of Trouble--God's Dealings with Scotland in giving
Prosperity--Christ takes Half of all Sufferings--
Steadfastness for His Crown--His Love should lead
to Holiness, 568

289. To _Dr. Alexander Leighton_.--Public Blessings alleviate
Private Sufferings--Trials Light when viewed in the Light
of Heaven--Christ worthy of Suffering for, 575

290. To _a Person unknown_.--Anent Private Worship, 578

291. To _Henry Stuart, and Family, Prisoners of Christ at
Dublin_.--Faith's preparation for Trial--The World's
Rage against Christ--The Immensity of His Glorious
Beauty--Folly of Persecution--Victory Sure, 579

292. To _Mrs. Pont, Prisoner at Dublin_.--Support under
Trials--The Master's Reward, 585

293. To _Mr. James Wilson_.--Advices to a Doubting Soul--
Mistakes about his Interest in God's Love--
Temptation--Perplexity about Prayer--Want of
Feeling, 588

294. To _Lady Boyd_.--Sins of the Land--Dwelling in Christ--
Faith awake sees all well, 591

295. To _John Fenwick_.--Christ the Fountain--Freeness of
God's Love--Faith to be exercised under Frowns--
Grace for Trials--Hope of Christ yet to be exalted
on the Earth, 593

296. To _Peter Stirling_.--Believers' Graces all from Christ--
Aspiration after more Love to Him--His Reign Desired, 599

297. To _Lady Fingast_.--Faith's Misgivings--Spiritual Darkness
not Grace--Chrit's Love Inimitable, 600

298. To _Mr. David Dickson, on the Death of his Son_.--God's
Sovereignty, and Discipline by Affliction, 602

299. To _Lady Boyd, on the Loss of several Friends_.--Trust
even though slain--Second Causes not to be
regarded--God's thoughts of Peace therein--All in
Mercy, 603

300. To _Agnes Macmath, on the Death of a Child_.--Reason for
Resignation, 607

301. To _Mr. Matthew Mowat, Minister of Kilmarnock_.--
Worthiness of God's Love as manifested in Christ--
Heaven with Christ, 608

302. To _Lady Kenmure, on her Husband's Death_.--God's Method
in Affliction--Future Glory, 609

303. To _Lady Boyd_.--Sin of the Land--Read Prayers--Brownism, 611

304. To _James Murray's Wife_.--Heaven a Reality--
Steadfastness to be grounded on Christ, 612

305. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Sins of the Times--Practical Atheism, 613

306. To _Mr. Thomas Wylie, Minister of Borgue_.--Sufficiency
of Divine Grace--Call to England to assist at
Westminster Assembly--Felt Unworthiness, 614

307. To _a Young Man in Anwoth_.--Necessity of Godliness in
its Power, 615

308. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Westminster Assembly--Religious
Sects, 616

309. To _Lady Boyd_.--Proceedings of Westminster Assembly, 618

310. To _Mistress Taylor, on her Son's Death_.--Suggestions
for Comfort under Sorrow, 620

311. To _Barbara Hamilton_.--On Death of her Son-in-Law--
God's Purposes, 623

312. To _Mistress Hume, on her Husband's Death_.--God's
Voice in the Rod, 625

313. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Christ's Designs in Sickness and
Sorrow, 626

314. To _Barbara Hamilton, on her Son-in-Law slain in
Battle_.--God does all
Things Well, and with Design, 627

315. To _a Christian Friend, on the Death of his Wife_.--God
the First Cause--The End of Affliction, 629

316. To _a Christian Brother, on the Death of his
Daughter_.--Consolation in her having gone before--
Christ the Best Husband, 630

317. To _a Christian Gentlewoman_.--Views of Death and
Heaven--Aspirations, 632

318. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Christ never in our Debt--Riches of
Christ--Excellence of the Heavenly State, 635

319. To _Mr. James Guthrie_.--Prospects for Scotland--His own
Darkness--Christ's Ability, 636

320. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Trials cannot Injure Saints--
Blessedness in Seeing Christ, 638

321. To _Lady Ardross, in Fife, on her Mother's Death_.--
Happiness of Heaven, and Blessedness of Dying
in the Lord, 639

322. To _M. O._--Gloomy Prospects for the Backsliding
Church--The Misunderstandings of Believers cause
of great grief--The Day of Christ, 640

323. To _Earlston the Elder_.--Christ's Way of Afflicting
the Best--Obligation to Free Grace--Enduring
the Cross, 642

324. To _Mr. George Gillespie_.--Prospect of Death--Christ
the true support in Death, 644

325. To _Sir James Stewart, Lord Provost of Edinburgh_.--
Declining Chair in Edinburgh, 645

326. To _Mistress Gillespie, Widow of George Gillespie_.--On
the Death of a Child--God Afflicts in order to save
us from the World, 646

327. To _the Earl of Balcarras_.--Regarding some
Misunderstanding, 648

328. To _Colonel Gilbert Ker_.--Singleness of Aim--Judgment
in regard to Adversaries, 649

329. To _Colonel Gilbert Ker_.--Courage in Days of Rebuke--
God's Arrangements all Wise, 651

330. To _William Guthrie_.--Depression under Dark Trials--
Dangers of Compliance, 652

331. To _Colonel Gilbert Ker_.--Courage in the Lord's
Cause--Duty in regard to Providence to be
observed--Safety in this, 654

332. To _Colonel Gilbert Ker_.--Christ's Cause deserves
Service and Suffering from us, 656

333. To _Colonel Gilbert Ker, when taken Prisoner_.--
Comforting Thoughts to the Afflicted--Darkness
of the Times--Fellowship in Christ's Sufferings--
Satisfaction with His Providences, 658

334. To _Colonel Gilbert Ker_.--Comfort under the Cloud
hanging over Scotland--Dissuasion from Leaving
Scotland, 662

335. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Difference between what is Man's
and Christ's, and between Christ Himself and His
Blessings, 663

336. To _Lady Ralston, Ursula Mure_.--Duty of Preferring
to Live rather than Die--Want of Union in the
judgments of the Godly, 665

337. To _a Minister of Glasgow_.--Encouraging Words to a
Suffering Brother--Why men shrink from Christ's
Testimony, 668

338. To _Lady Kenmure_.--A Word to Cheer in Times of Darkness, 671

339. To _Grizzel Fullerton_.--Exhortation to Follow Christ
fully when others are cold, 672

340. To _Mr. Thomas Wylie_.--Regarding a Letter of Explanation, 673

341. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Present Need helped by past Experience, 674

342. To _Colonel Gilbert Ker_.--Deadness--Hopes of
Refreshment--Distance from God--Nearness Delighted
in, 675

343. To _Colonel Gilbert Ker_.--The State of the Land, 678

344. To _Mr. John Scot, at Oxnam_.--Excuse for Absence from
Duty, 679

345. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Thoughts for a Time of Sickness
about the Life to Come, 680

346. To _Simeon Ashe_.--Views of the Presbyterians as to
Allegiance to the Protector, 681

347. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Unkindness of the Creature--God's
Sovereignty in permitting His Children to be
Injured by Men, 682

348. To _Lady Kenmure_.--God's Dealings with the Land, 683

349. To _Mr. John Scot, at Oxnam_.--Protesters' Toleration, 683

350. To _Mr. John Scot, at Oxnam_.--Gloomy Times--Means of
promoting Godliness, 684

351. To _Mr. James Durham, Minister of Glasgow, some few
days before his Death_.--Man's Ways not God's
Ways, 685

352. To _Mr. John Scot, at Oxnam_.--Adherence to the
Testimony against Toleration, 686

353. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Trials--Deadness of the Spirit--
Danger of False Security, 686

354. To _Lady Kenmure_.--Prevailing Declension, Decay, and
Indifference to God's Dealings--Things Future, 688

355. To _the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright_.--Union--
Humiliation--Choice of a Professor, 689

356. To _Mr. John Murray, Minister at Methven._--A Synod
Proposal for Union--Brethren under Censure, 691

357. To _Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Trail, and the rest of their
Brethren imprisoned in the Castle of Edinburgh_.--
On Suffering for Christ--God's Presence ever with
His People--Firmness and Constancy, 692

358. To _Several Brethren_.--Reasons for Petitioning his
Majesty after his return, and for owning such as were
censured while about so necessary a Duty, 694

359. To _a Brother Minister_.--Judgment of a Draught of a
Petition, to have been presented to the Committee of
Estates, 696

360. To _Lady Kenmure, on the Imprisonment of her Brother,
the Marquis of Argyle_.--God's Judgments--Calls
to Flee to Him--The Results of timid Compliance, 698

361. To _Mistress Craig, upon the Death of her hopeful
Son_.--Nine Reasons for Resignation, 699

362. To _Mr. James Guthrie, Minister of the Gospel at
Stirling_.--Stedfast though Persecuted--Blessedness
of Martyrdom, 701

363. To _Mr. Robert Campbell_.--Stedfastness to Protest
against Prelacy and Popery, 703

364. To _Believers at Aberdeen_.--Sinful Conformity and
Schismatic Designs reproved, 701

365. To _Mr. John Murray, Minister at Methven_.--Proposal of
a Season of Prayer, 708

* * * * *

Index of the Chief Places and Individuals referred to in
the Letters, 711

Index of Special Subjects, 715

Glossary, 718

* * * * *