The Loveliness of Christ

The puritan Richard Baxter once said of Samuel Rutherford's letters, "Hold off the Bible; such a book the world never saw." While I would never say that person should put down the Bible to read any other book, the letters of Rutherford are a rare jewel that give us a glimpse into a pure and undefiled love for Christ. The Loveliness of Christ is an edited version of Rutherford's letters that pick out the most poignant and memorable quotations from his larger works. Rutherford's letters are ideal for Christians who want to grow in their devotion and piety to Christ. While Rutherford's language is a relic of the past, the book contains a glossary of terms in the back to help readers who are unfamiliar with 17th-century English.The common theme which unites all of Rutherford's sayings is the "sweetness of Christ." Lasting satisfaction for our souls can only be found in him because he is the one for whom we are made. Those who will not love Christ will be miserable in the end. Christ gives to his children trials and great suffering to wean them from the world and enhance their devotion him. Rutherford teaches us that each of us must bear a cross if we want to enter heaven. That means our trials are foreordained by God for our good and sanctification. God's providence gives us the confidence we need to live without fear because all that can harm us will only make us more like Christ. Each suffering we experience only draws us closer to heaven. As Rutherford says, "suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome home to heaven." God gives us trials so that we will long for heaven: "If contentment were here, heaven were not heaven." I love how he uses the impassibility of God to comfort those who suffer: "His winds turn not when he seemeth to change, it is but we who turn our wrong side to him." Because God does not change, that gives us confidence even when we fall into sin because he will not leave us. Our lack of joy and love for Christ is caused by our lack of submission to him: "I see Christ's love is so kingly, that it will not abide a comparison: it must have a throne all alone in the soul." The Loveliness of Christ is essential reading for anyone who wants to be a student of the Puritans.

I did not know what to anticipate when I purchased this little book. To clarify, it is a quote book, where the quotes are taken from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford, a Presbyterian Pastor from the 17th century. These quotes are very sanctifying, occasionally they are even thought provoking; they are encouraging, and they were written from a very obviously pious heart. I recommend this book to everyone.

Amazing book. Bought a second one as a gift.

The book is quite attractive, has excellent content in small portions, and is a good price for gift-giving. I have given a few of these as gifts, and they are always well-received. The first page is blank and can be used as a presentation page. Highly recommended for any lover of old Christian works.

Very good service & a good work everyone would benefit from.

For gifts

For over 350 years, the thoughts expressed in Samuel Rutherford's correspondence have refreshed lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ. A little over a century ago, E.S. Lister combed through Rutherford's letters, extracted a collection of choice quotes, and compiled this little book. Reviewing it, H. G. C. Moule wrote that this little book was "a small casket stored with many jewels." I discovered an edition of this book in a bookstore in Montreal about 50 years ago and was thoroughly delighted with it. It speaks to the heart and exalts Christ; and such ministry is timeless.

The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is two reasons.The first reason is that the size of this product was VERY misleading. This looks like something that would be the size of a normal thin line NASB or ESV bible, but it's actually the size of a pocket gideon bible. You can put it in your pocket, it's travel sized. This was disappointing for me because I was expecting something like a novel, but it's just small experts from Samuel Rutherford's writings formatted like the book of proverbs.The second reason is the price. I actually bought "The Letters of Samuel Rutherford" at the same time that I bought this, and I got this for around $12 and the "puritan paperback" version of "The Letters..." for only $7. I assume that the extra $5 is for the leather cover and imprint on the front. But quite frankly, I would rather stick with "The Letters of Samuel Rutherford", seeing that there is more content there with better formatting, in a cheaper book that is also larger in size.Despite these disappointments, I do not regret buying it. It is very convenient to have all these little snippets, even though I wish it was more of a novel. I'm not going to go out and tell people not to buy it, because its a good book, but if you asked me if you should get it I would recommend getting puritan paperback version of The Letters of Samuel Rutherford instead.

I've had to buy this twice because I gave my first copy away. I keep this at my bedside. It's great to slip into a brief case or bag when travelling. I've read it over several times. I'm a huge fan of Samuel Rutherford. The cover is a lovely colour and has a nice soft feel to it.

Challenging to see a prisoner's trust in Christ

The essence of Christianity is a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. And through Him a real and joyous friendship with the awesome living God.Samuel Rutherford knew this in a very real way and shows how this works out in the experiences of the true believer.If you want to know what it is to know the reality of a living relationship with the true and living God then get hold of this little book and read, digest, and re-read and re-digest what this man of God has to say!

I was given one of these booklets as a gift 38 years ago and loved it sow when I found this one at such a great price, I bought a few as gifts, every one I have given one to loves it.

The experiences of a man much maligned at his time, but gloried in the Lord Jesus Christ and was such a wonderful support to many, thanks for the reprint.