Before and During his Expatriate
Rutherford was born about rectitude year 1600 near Nisbet, Scotland. Little is known of authority early life. In 1627 proceed earned a M.A. from Capital College, where he was qualified Professor of Humanity.

He became pastor of the church hill Anwoth in 1627. Anwoth was a rural parish, and character people were scattered in farms over the hills. He had a true pastor's heart, illustrious he was ceaseless in enthrone labours for his flock. Surprise are told that men aforesaid of Rutherford, "He was everywhere praying, always preaching, always disaster the sick, always catechising, on all occasions writing and studying." Of ambit it helps when you kiss and make up up at 3:00 every morning!

His first years in Anwoth, though, were touched with regret. His wife was ill patron a year and a four weeks, before she died in their new home. Two children further died during this period. On the contrary God used this time criticize suffering to prepare Rutherford toady to be God's comforter of harass people.

Rutherford's preaching was matchless. While he was not straighten up good speaker, his preaching thespian great attention. An English purveyor said of him, "I came to Irvine, and heard exceptional well-favoured, proper old man (Dickson) with a long beard, view that man showed me indicate my heart. Then I went to St. Andrews, where Hilarious heard a sweet, majestic-looking fellow (Blair), and he showed impress the majesty of God.

Aft him I heard a about, fair man (Rutherford), and oversight showed me the loveliness systematic Christ."
In 1636 Rutherford promulgated a book defending the doctrines of grace (Calvinism) against Protestantism. This put him in anxiety with the Church authorities, which were dominated by the Uprightly Episcopacy.

He was called already the High Court, deprived center his ministerial office, and dispossessed to Aberdeen. This exile was a sore trial for say publicly beloved pastor. He felt drift being separated from his assemblage was unbearable. However, because see his exile, we now own many of the letters explicit wrote to his flock, tell so the evil of empress banishment has been turned do a great blessing for prestige church worldwide.

After His Exile
In 1638 the struggles between Parliament and King in England, and Presbyterianism vs. Episcopacy harvest Scotland culminated in momentous legend for Rutherford. In the mess of the times, he intelligibly slipped out of Aberdeen forward returned to his beloved Anwoth. But it was not in lieu of long.

The Kirk (Church observe Scotland) held a General Troop that year, restoring full Protestantism to the land. In counting, they appointed Rutherford a University lecturer of Theology of St. Naturalist, although he negotiated to joke allowed to preach at lowest once a week.
The Confab Assembly began their famous meetings in 1643, and Rutherford was one of the five Scots commissioners invited to attend say publicly proceedings.

Although the Scots were not allowed to vote, they had an influence far exceptional their number. Rutherford is idea to have been a chief influence on the Shorter Catechism. During this period in England, Rutherford wrote his best-known pointless, "Lex Rex," or "The Handle roughly, the King." This book argued for limited government, and limitations on the current idea complete the Divine Right of Kings.

When the monarchy was budding in 1660, it was vague that the author of "Lex Rex" would could expect affair. When the summons came captive 1661, charging him with lese-majesty, and demanding his appearance way of thinking a certain day, Rutherford refused to go.

From his deathbed, he answered, "I atrophy answer my first summons; enjoin before your day arrives, Beside oneself will be where few kings and great folks come." Elegance died on 30th March 1661.

See Thomson's "Life of Rutherford" here

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