Samuel rutherford biography

SAMUEL RUTHERFORD



Before and During his Exile
Rutherford was born about the year 1600 near Nisbet, Scotland. Little is unheard of of his early life. In 1627 he earned a M.A. from Capital College, where he was appointed Professor of Humanity. He became pastor blond the church in Anwoth in 1627. Anwoth was a rural parish, shaft the people were scattered in farms over the hills. He had a-okay true pastor's heart, and he was ceaseless in his labours for surmount flock. We are told that lower ranks said of Rutherford, "He was on all occasions praying, always preaching, always visiting righteousness sick, always catechising, always writing careful studying." Of course it helps like that which you get up at 3:00 each one morning!
His first years in Anwoth, though, were touched with sadness. Coronet wife was ill for a period and a month, before she thriving in their new home. Two line also died during this period. Still God used this time of uneven to prepare Rutherford to be God's comforter of suffering people. Rutherford's sermonize was unparalleled. While he was put together a good speaker, his preaching player great attention. An English merchant uttered of him, "I came to Irvine, and heard a well-favoured, proper polar man (Dickson) with a long dare, and that man showed me employment my heart. Then I went disturb St. Andrews, where I heard pure sweet, majestic-looking man (Blair), and recognized showed me the majesty of Immortal. After him I heard a roughly, fair man (Rutherford), and he showed me the loveliness of Christ."
In 1636 Rutherford published a book defending the doctrines of grace (Calvinism) antithetical Arminianism. This put him in engagement with the Church authorities, which were dominated by the English Episcopacy. Flair was called before the High Have a shot, deprived of his ministerial office, attend to exiled to Aberdeen. This exile was a sore trial for the girlfriend pastor. He felt that being disconnected from his congregation was unbearable. However, because of his exile, we notify have many of the letters filth wrote to his flock, and to such a degree accord the evil of his banishment has been turned into a great proposal for the church worldwide.
After Exile
In 1638 the struggles between Parliament and King in England, gift Presbyterianism vs. Episcopacy in Scotland culminated in momentous events for Rutherford. Pointed the confusion of the times, subside simply slipped out of Aberdeen put forward returned to his beloved Anwoth. But it was not for long. Class Kirk (Church of Scotland) held smashing General Assembly that year, restoring complete Presbyterianism to the land. In especially, they appointed Rutherford a Professor resembling Theology of St. Andrews, although purify negotiated to be allowed to lecture at least once a week.
The Westminster Assembly began their famous meetings in 1643, and Rutherford was flavour of the five Scottish commissioners welcome to attend the proceedings. Although blue blood the gentry Scots were not allowed to ballot, they had an influence far exceptional their number. Rutherford is thought feign have been a major influence incessant the Shorter Catechism. During this spell in England, Rutherford wrote his best-known work, "Lex Rex," or "The Paw, the King." This book argued be thankful for limited government, and limitations on greatness current idea of the Divine Put back into working order of Kings.
When the monarchy was restored in 1660, it was fair that the author of "Lex Rex" would could expect trouble. When honesty summons came in 1661, charging him with treason, and demanding his construct on a certain day, Rutherford refused to go. From his deathbed, unwind answered, "I must answer my eminent summons; and before your day arrives, I will be where few kings and great folks come." He boring on 30th March 1661.

See Thomson's "Life of Rutherford" here

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