Reading order for Samuel Rutherford?

[clawrence9008]

I am interested in reading Samuel Rutherford's works (I believe, also, if I am not mistaken, that RHB intends on publishing his complete works in the next couple years?) but am not totally sure how to navigate his bibliography. I have a copy of his Letters, which I think I am right in saying would be a good starting point for Rutherford's writings. Where should I go from there -- and in what order? Joel Beeke's article on Reformation21 on how to read Thomas Goodwin is a good example of what I am looking for in terms of breaking down a good order for reading through a specific author's works.

 

[Alexander Suarez]

I am interested in reading Samuel Rutherford's works (I believe, also, if I am not mistaken, that RHB intends on publishing his complete works in the next couple years?) but am not totally sure how to navigate his bibliography. I have a copy of his Letters, which I think I am right in saying would be a good starting point for Rutherford's writings. Where should I go from there -- and in what order? Joel Beeke's article on Reformation21 on how to read Thomas Goodwin is a good example of what I am looking for in terms of breaking down a good order for reading through a specific author's works.

Good evening Connor,

It depends what your aim in reading Rutherford is.

That said, in terms related to ease of reading, you might check out one of the below works after his Letters:

1. The Power and Prevalency of Faith and Prayer
2. The Trial and Triumph of Faith
3. Rutherford's catechism, or, The sum of Christian religion
4. Fourteen Communion Sermons
5. Quaint Sermons of Samuel Rutherford

 

[Charles Johnson]

Start with letters and sermons.
Do not start with the Latin works unless you know Latin.

 

[alexanderjames]

I started with trial and triumph of faith which is a collection of sermons. The depth and richness is astounding, and it’s very experiential. For those reasons it is a very slow read, and you remind me to return to it!

His letters are said to be some of the most Christ centred and devotional among any.

 

[NaphtaliPress]

His polemical works are of a different strain than the devotional/sermonic works. Do all the latter first. The RHB series is moving like molasses. They are starting with the Latin works I think or at least one of them. I've been assigned 5 titles. It is a very difficult series (Rutherford is a terribly difficult edit). I finished my first one for the series year ago last January but they need to edit to their preferences (unlike a lot of their editors I edit for a living and apparently stuck in some of my ways). I need to find 2 months this year (where? I don't know) to finish my second title; then the other three are not due till 2027.

 

[clawrence9008]

His polemical works are of a different strain than the devotional/sermonic works. Do all the latter first. The RHB series is moving like molasses. They are starting with the Latin works I think or at least one of them. I've been assigned 5 titles. It is a very difficult series (Rutherford is a terribly difficult edit). I finished my first one for the series year ago last January but they need to edit to their preferences (unlike a lot of their editors I edit for a living and apparently stuck in some of my ways). I need to find 2 months this year (where? I don't know) to finish my second title; then the other three are not due till 2027.

What are some of his polemical works?

 

[Charles Johnson]

What are some of his polemical works?

Christ Dying and Drawing Sinners to Himself
A Plea for Paul's Presbytery
The Due Right of Presbyteries
Lex Rex
Examen Arminianismi
Disputable Scholastica de Divina Providentia

 

[NaphtaliPress]

I would add
Survey of Spiritual Antichrist (one I need to finish for RHB when I can find 2 months).
Against Pretended Liberty of Conscience (this I turned in a year ago January)
Survey of Thomas Hooker (who was a congregationalist).

What are some of his polemical works?

Christ Dying and Drawing Sinners to Himself
A Plea for Paul's Presbytery
The Due Right of Presbyteries
Lex Rex
Examen Arminianismi
Disputable Scholastica de Divina Providentia

 

[MW]

Is the idea to get to know the man? The Letters is the place to start. Do you want to know his theology? Then the Catechism might be first. When the Examen is finally translated that will likely become the prime resource on his theology.

 

[davejonescue]

Monergism also did "Influences of the Life of Grace" which I do not think was previously republished unabridged in any form. There is a title that comes up with a book about 100 pages long, while the Monergism text is a little over 500 pages.

Influences of the Life of Grace (eBook) | Monergism

by Samuel Rutherfordin ePub, .mobi & .pdf formatsOr, a Practical Treatise concerning the Way, Manner, and Means of having and improving of Spiritual

www.monergism.com

 

[ZackF]

I am sure Rutherford can handle his own reading plan.