[255] Rutherford appears sometimes to have entertained the idea of
removing abroad, should he succeed in obtaining his liberty. In a
preceding letter to Stuart, he names New England; and some of his
friends thought that he might be honourably and usefully employed
abroad. Robert Baillie, in a letter to Mr. William Spang, minister at
Campvere, dated January 29, 1637, says: "Alwayes I take the man
[Rutherford] to be among the most learned and best ingynes of our
nation. I think he were verie able for some profession in your
colledges of Utrecht, Groningen, or Rotterdam; for our King's
dominions, there is no appearance he will ever gett living into them.
If you could quietly procure him a calling, I think it were a good
service to God to relieve one of his troubled ministers; a good to the
place he came to, for he is both godlie and learned; yea, I think by
time he might be ane ornament to our natione" (Bailie's "Letters and
Journals," vol. i. p. 9).
CLXIV.--_To_ NINIAN MURE [see Letter CXCI.], _one of the family of
Cassincarrie_.
[We do not know more of _Ninian Mure_ than that he was a
parishioner of Anwoth. The name "_Mure_" is found on several
tombs in the old churchyard, of which the oldest and most
interesting is the following, on the east side of the enclosed
pile:--
"Walking with God in purity of life,
In Christ I died, and endit all my strife.
For in my saul Christ here did dwell by grace;
Now dwells my saul in glory of His face.
Therefore my body shall not here remain,
But to full glory surely rise again."
"_Marion Mure_, goodwife of Cullindock,
Departed this life, anno 1612."]
(_A YOUTH ADMONISHED_.)
LOVING FRIEND,--I received your letter. I entreat you now, in the
morning of your life, to seek the Lord and His face. Beware of the
follies of dangerous youth, a perilous time for your soul. Love not
the world. Keep faith and truth with all men in your covenants and
bargains. Walk with God, for He seeth you. Do nothing but that which
ye may and would do if your eye-strings were breaking, and your breath
growing cold. Ye heard the truth of God from me, my dear heart, follow
it, and forsake it not. Prize Christ and salvation above all the
world. To live after the guise and course of the rest of the world
will not bring you to heaven; without faith in Christ, and repentance,
ye cannot see God. Take pains for salvation; press forward toward the
mark for the prize of the high calling. If ye watch not against evils
night and day, which beset you, ye will come behind. Beware of lying,
swearing, uncleanness, and the rest of the works of the flesh; because
"for these things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of
disobedience." How sweet soever they may seem for the present, yet the
end of these courses is the eternal wrath of God, and utter darkness,
where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Grace be with you.
Your loving pastor,