by Samuel Rutherford
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
Or, a Practical Treatise concerning the Way, Manner, and Means of having and improving of Spiritual Dispositions, and Quickening Influences from Christ the Resurrection and the Life.
Samuel Rutherford’s Influences of the Life of Grace is a penetrating and soul-stirring treatise on how divine grace operates in the believer’s life, sustaining, strengthening, and sanctifying the soul. Unlike many theological works that discuss grace in broad, abstract terms, Rutherford deeply considers the practical ways in which God exerts His sovereign, life-giving influence upon His people. With his characteristic fervor, he explores how grace flows from Christ, the Mediator, into the hearts of believers, shaping their affections, stirring them to obedience, and preserving them in the faith. Rutherford masterfully distinguishes between the legalistic striving of the flesh and the sweet, effectual workings of the Spirit, demonstrating that true Christian growth is not the product of human effort alone but of God’s sovereign and irresistible grace. His exposition is deeply biblical, profoundly experiential, and fiercely Christ-centered—offering not only doctrinal clarity but also heart-searching application.
One of the most compelling aspects of this work is Rutherford’s discussion of divine influences—how God actively sustains and enlivens the soul through His Spirit. He explores themes such as the difference between common grace and saving grace, the necessity of abiding in Christ, and the believer’s total dependence on the Spirit’s work. Rutherford does not shrink from the weighty matters of God’s sovereignty, human responsibility, and perseverance in the faith. He presses the reader to consider whether they truly live under the power of grace or merely profess faith without experiencing its transforming influence. Influences of the Life of Grace is a book for those who desire to move beyond a shallow Christianity and long to drink deeply from the wells of God’s sovereign, sanctifying work. This is a book that will challenge complacency, fortify assurance, and stir the affections toward Christ.
About the Author:
Samuel Rutherford (1600–1661) was one of the most beloved Scottish Puritans, known for his theological depth, pastoral warmth, and uncompromising defense of Reformed doctrine. A professor of divinity at St. Andrews and a key figure in the Westminster Assembly, Rutherford is best known for Lex, Rex and The Letters of Samuel Rutherford, which continue to inspire and convict believers today. His works reflect a heart aflame with love for Christ and a deep concern for the spiritual growth of God’s people. Influences of the Life of Grace is a shining example of his ability to blend rigorous theology with rich, experiential piety—making it a must-read for those who long to know Christ more deeply.
The book is divided into four parts, each addressing different aspects of this theme.
Part I, titled "Of Influences of Divine Grace," discusses the precarious nature of humanity under the first Adam compared to the safer estate under the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Rutherford explores the idea of God's active influence in the world and the necessity of divine grace, debating issues such as the sovereignty of God in dispensing grace and the role of human free will. This section also addresses questions like whether humans are only to engage in religious activities like prayer or praise when moved by the Spirit, and the idea of striving against God's sovereignty.
Part II explores the interaction between divine action and human agency. It starts with the premise that God acts upon the creature first. This section covers the capabilities of natural man in attracting divine influence, the role of supernatural actings through the word and spirit, and the idea that influences of grace are promised to the saints. It also examines the different spirits of the world and God, along with characteristics of a spiritual disposition.
Part III, "Influences of Grace," discusses various types of divine influences, the nature of the habit of grace, and the connection between habits of grace and actual spiritual experiences. This part addresses how spiritual dispositions can help in attracting divine grace and explores specific biblical passages related to this theme, like Luke 24:32 and Psalm 119:32. It also discusses the concept of 'enlargedness of heart' and its implications for spiritual life.
Finally, Part IV focuses on the impediments to divine influences and their remedies. It examines the order God maintains in sending influences, the paradox of having plenty of means and dispositions but a scarcity of influences, and specific impediments coming from the mind, will, and other affections, along with their cures. The final chapter outlines some properties of the influences of grace.
This comprehensive work provides deep theological insights and is a significant contribution to understanding the complex dynamics between divine grace and human response
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Table of Contents
TO THE GODLY READER
PART I. OF INFLUENCES OF DIVINE GRACE
CHAPTER I. Mans dubious and tottering estate under the first, his safer estate under the second Adam.
CHAPTER II. God's acting influences.
CHAPTER III. Hence to descend more particularly to inquire
CHAPTER IV. The necessity of influences of Grace. Of the Sovereignty of God in dispensing influences.
CHAPTER V. Whether or not the Lord's withdrawing of his influences and impressions of grace doth acquit and free us of guiltiness? objections removed.
CHAPTER VI. Q. Whether or no are we to believe, pray, praise, read, confer only then when the Spirit actually moves us to believe, pray, praise, &c. and not otherwise?
CHAPTER VII. Of the Sovereignty of God in his actings, and especially in influences.
CHAPTER VIII. Divers Particulars in which Sovereignty appears.
CHAPTER IX. Of the Sovereignty of God in the works of Creation and Providence, in other considerations.
CHAPTER X. Sovereignty in actings of grace
CHAPTER XI. Our impotency to duties being reproved, cannot excuse us in the omitting of them.
CHAPTER XII. The Sovereignty of God is wonderful in the various tempers of renewed ones.
CHAPTER XIII. Of striving against Sovereignty.
PART. II
CHAPTER I. God acts upon the creature first, and not the creature first upon God.
CHAPTER II. What the natural man can do to get influences; the natural man can do more then he does, and can exercise the natural powers to come within the bosom of the net, though he cannot hale himself to land.
CHAPTER III. The second particular of fetching influences is by supernatural actings by the word and spirit.
CHAPTER IV. It's required of the dead that they live, and that we must not cease from running when the Lord ceases from drawing.
CHAPTER V. Influences of grace are due to the Saints by promise.
CHAPTER VI. The two spirits of the world and of God
CHAPTER VII. Characters of a spiritual disposition are these.
PART III. Influences of Grace.
CHAPTER I. Of divers sorts of Influences.
CHAPTER II. The nature of the habit of grace
CHAPTER III. A supernatural habit is a seed of influences.
CHAPTER IV. Now the third particular we proposed to speak to, was the connection between the habits of grace, and actual breathings; and how we may by using habits fetch home the breathings of the Spirit.
CHAPTER V. The fourth particular by which we fetch influences of grace is by heavenly and spiritual dispositions: hence in this we speak
CHAPTER VI. The place Luke 24:32.
CHAPTER VII. Of enlargedness of heart, Psal. 119:32. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
CHAPTER VIII. Q. 4. Is there no running except God enlarge the heart?
CHAPTER IX. The fifth Question is what is the enlarging of heart.
CHAPTER X. Of fixedness of heart.
CHAPTER XI. Of the fourth disposition, which is Love-sickness.
CHAPTER XII. What may be done in the using of means, hearing the word by us, to fetch influences, if there be any truth in that, Deus facienti quod in se est non negat gratiam.
CHAPTER XIII. Q. 13. What the unrenewed and the renewed can do in the respective dead condition at the use of means?
CHAPTER XIV. The Law discovereth the disease, but heals it not.
PART IV
CHAPTER I. Of the impediments of heavenly influences upon the soul in general, and of their cure.
CHAPTER II. The Lord keeps an order in sending influences.
CHAPTER III. How the soul is under plenty of means and dispositions heavenly, and yet under scarcity of influences.
CHAPTER IV. Of other impediments of influences in particular coming from the mind, will, and some other considerable affections, and their cures.
CHAPTER V. Some properties of Influences of grace.