From the Sketch of Rutherford's life written by Andrew A. Bonar:

These letters will ever be precious to all who are sensible of their own, and the Church's decay and corruptions. The wound and the cure are therein so fully opened out: self is exposed, specially spiritual self. He [Rutherford] will tell you, "There is as much need to watch over grace, as to watch over sin."

That is so quotable and what a reminder: Watch over grace. Are you struggling? There is as much need to watch over grace in your life as there is need to watch over sin. This is more than just positive thinking. Anyone can do that for a time. We must be mindful of God's grace in our lives especially when we see our own and the Church's corruptions. For by His grace we are saved and by God's grace He will see us through.

He will show you God in Christ, to fill up the place usurped by self. The subtleties of sin, idols, snares, temptations, self-deceptions, are dragged into view from time to time. And what is better still, the cords of Christ are twined round the roots of these bitter plants, that they may be plucked up.

Great image there- I can't help but think of a huge tree stump being ripped with amazing force from the ground, uprooted from the soil. I guess that would be after sin has grown past the woody plant stage to be a full grown tree! All the more need to keep an eye on grace.


I also really like this Rutherford quip:

We live far from the well, and complain but dryly of our dryness

Samuel Rutherford's solution would be to stir up that thirst- beg God for spiritual refreshment- seek Christ who is the giver of living water.
I have a feeling this guy could really preach.

ok two more:

this said to turn a friend away from looking inward, to look upon the heart of Jesus

Your heart is not the compas that Christ saileth by

And this said to remind that Jesus has got to be our focus!

As holy walking is a duty coming from us, it is no ground of true peace. Believers often seek in themselves what they should seek in Christ