pulpit men of his age, and a good old Puritan, who never concerned himself with the politics of the

court."

Dr. Reynolds died July 28, 1676, about the seventysixth year of his age.

His published writings are,

1. The Vanity of the Creature.

2. The Sinfulness of Sin, with the Use of the Law. 3. The Fellowship of the Saints with Him, in his Life, Sufferings, and Resurrection.

4. An Explication of the cx. Psalm.

5. Meditations on the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

6. Israel's Prayer in the time of Trouble, with God's Gracious Armour.

7. A Treatise of the Passions and Faculties of the Soul of Man.

8. Thirty Sermons, preached on different occasions. 9. English Annotations on Ecclesiastes.

RUTHERFORD, SAMUEL, was born in the parish of Tongueland, near Kirkcudbright, in the south of Scotland. Often, remarkable dispensations of Providence designate or direct certain persons to be ministers of the gospel, and that even from their earliest days. It is a tradition respecting this eminent man, that when a child, he was remarkably saved from drowning in a well, into which he had fallen; which was the occasion of his father's devoting him to the holy ministry, hoping that he might become an eminently useful man. His natural abilities were excellent, and he received a good classical education at Edinburgh; and his reputation soon rose so high, that he was chosen a professor in the University of that city. Afterwards he was settled in the ministry at Anworth, where he laboured successfully for several years.

In 1630, Mr. Rutherford was summoned before the high-commission court, on account of his preaching and writings; and though much interest was made for him, yet he was condemned and deprived of his living, and ordered to confine himself to Aberdeen

During his confinement, he wrote most of those admirable letters, which have been so long read with delight and edification by the pious. As he delighted exceedingly in preaching the gospel, this privation affected him more than any thing else. In one of his letters to Lady Kinmure, written at this time, he says, "My silence on the Lord's day keeps me from being exalted above measure. I have wrestled long with this sad silence. I said, what aileth Christ at my service? My soul has been pleading with Christ; and at yea, and nay-but I will yield to him, provided that my sufferings preach more than my tongue did; for I gave not Christ an inch, but for two as good again. In a word, I am a fool, and he is God-I will hold my peace hereafter."-"O how sweet are the sufferings of Christ, for Christ. It were a sweet and honourable death to die for the honour of that royal and princely King Jesus. His love is a mystery to the world. I would not have believed that there was so much in Christ as there is. Come, and see;'-this maketh Christ to be known in his excellent glory."

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This confinement continued nearly two years, during which time he experienced the abundant consolations of the grace of Christ. In 1638, he was released, and restored to his people, and again laboured among them with great fidelity and success. His ministry was attended by multitudes from all the adjacent country; for in those days the word of God, in its purity, was precious. Mr. Rutherford was a commissioner to the General Assembly which met in 1638, and took a very active part in the proceedings of that body; and was by them appointed to be Professor of Divinity in the new College of St. Andrews. He made an ineffectual opposition to his translation from his flock at Anworth; but as he could not live without preaching, he obtained a provision in his settlement, that he should be a colleague to the celebrated Robert Blair, who had recently been settled at St. Andrews. He believed, with Paul, that there was a woe upon him if he preached not the gospel.

In the year 1640, Mr. Rutherford distinguished

himself greatly in defence of private religious meetings for social worship, against Mr. Henry Guthrie and the Earl of Seaforth, in the General Assembly. He wrote also a work in defence of such meetings.

He was appointed by the Assembly in 1643, to meet the English commissioners, when the "Solemn League and Covenant," was formed; and, in the same year, was chosen one of the commissioners from the Church of Scotland, to attend the Assembly of Divines, at Westminster. And he was a useful and influential member of that body, for in their debates he spoke to good purpose, and with effect. The Scottish commissioners were especially useful in the Assembly in all matters that related to Church. government and discipline. Mr. Baillie, in his "Letters," says, "Had not God sent Messrs. Henderson, Rutherford, and Gillespie, I see not that they could ever agree on any settled government." None of them displayed more ability and learning, in this debate, than Rutherford. He encountered sometimes Lightfoot himself with success, on his own ground of Rabbinical learning.

While he resided in London he wrote his work, entitled, "Lex Rex," and some other works against Erastians, Independents, and Anabaptists. He also wrote against the Familists in England. It appears also, from Mr. Baillie's Letters, that in 1646, he published a work against the Antinomians.

When the business of the Assembly was nearly terminated, Mr. Rutherford moved that it should be entered on record, that the Scottish commissioners had attended during all the discussions on a " Directory for Public Worship;" "A uniform Confession of Faith;""A form of Church Government and Discipline;" and "A public Catechism." After .which Mr. Rutherford, and the other commissioners, took their leave; when Mr. Herle, the prolocutor, arose, and in the name of the Assembly, thanked them for their assistance.

Mr. Rutherford's reputation, as a theologian, was raised so high by his Latin treatises against the Ar

minians and Jesuits, that he received an invitation from Holland, to become a Professor in the newly erected University of Harderwych. And in the same year, 1649, a motion was made, but not carried, to have him translated to the University of Edinburgh. In the Assembly of this year there was a warm debate on the question, In whom is the right of electing ministers? Mr. Calderwood was peremptorily in favour of its being in Presbyteries; but Mr. Rutherford boldly stood up for the rights of the people.

Mr. Rutherford had also an invitation to fill the Divinity chair in the University of Utrecht, in Holland, which he declined entirely on patriotic grounds, believing that he ought not to forsake his country, when she so much needed his services.

When the unhappy dispute arose in Scotland, between the Resolutioners and the Protestors, Mr. Rutherford adhered to the latter; for an account of which Wodrow's History may be consulted.

In 1660, a proclamation was published against his famous work, "Lex Rex," which had been printed in London, in 1644; also against a book supposed to be written by Mr. James Guthrie, entitled, "The Causes of God's Wrath." These books were supposed to contain many things injurious to the king, and other treasonable matter. They were, therefore, called in; and it was declared, that every person who should be found, after the ensuing October, to have any of these books in possession, should be punished in their persons and estates; and the copies which were brought in were burned at Edinburgh, by the hand of the hangman, October 17, 1660. One says shrewdly, "It was much easier to burn the books. than to answer them." Still, however, many copies escaped the flames, and are still extant. An indictment would have been prepared against Mr. Rutherford by the parliament, had he not been called to appear before an higher tribunal. While he was evidently dying, they cited him to appear at Edinburgh, to answer to a charge of high treason.

He lamented on his death-bed, that he was hinder

ed from bearing testimony to the glorious work of reformation since 1638, and against the defections of the present times. But about twelve days before his death, he subscribed an ample testimony against the corruptions and sinful compliances of the Church and

nation.

During his last illness he was full of joy and peace, and uttered many savoury speeches, speaking much in commendation of the Lord Jesus, and his honourable service, such as the following: "I shall shine, I shall see him as he is, and all the fair company with him, and shall have my large share. It is not easy to be a Christian; but I have obtained the victory through him who loved me; and Christ is holding forth his arms to embrace me. I have had my fears and faintings, like other sinful men, but as sure as he spake to me in his word, his Spirit witnessed to my heart, saying, 'Fear not, he hath accepted thy suffering; and thy outgoing should not be matter of prayer, but praise."" And a short time before his departure, he said, "Now I feel-I enjoy-I rejoice;" and, turning to Mr. Blair, who was present, he said, "I feed upon manna-I have angels' food-my eyes shall see my Redeemer I know that he shall stand at the latter day on the earth-and I shall be caught up in the clouds, to meet him in the air." Afterwards he said, "I sleep in Christ, and when I awake I shall be satisfied with his likeness-O for arms to embrace him." When one mentioned his labours in the ministry, he cried out, "I disclaim all-the port I would lie in at, is redemption, and forgiveness of sins, through Christ's blood." He died in the month of March, 1661.

The published writings of Mr. Rutherford are,

1. Exercitationes Apologetica, Pro Divina Gratia, contra Jesuitas and Arminianos.

2. A Peaceable and Temperate Plea for Paul's Presbytery, in Scotland.

3. The True Right of Presbyteries; 4to. 1642. 4. Lex Rex.

5. A Sermon to the House of Lords.