[387] Some editions read nothingness.
[388] Perhaps specially referring to the wood adjoining Bushy Bield, the spot still called "Rutherford's Walk."
[389] Gordon of Knockbrex.
[390] This seems to have been the letter referred to by Mrs. Veitch, wife of Mr. William Veitch, minister of Dumfries, when she says: "One day, having been at prayer, and coming into the room, where one was reading a letter of Mr. Rutherford's (then only in MS.), directed to one John Gordon of Rusco, giving an account how far one might go, and yet prove a hypocrite and miss heaven, it occasioned great exercise to me" ("Memoir of the Life of Mrs. William Veitch," p. 1).
[391] As in Letter CXIX., "Your heart wholly there."
[392] We have already seen (note to Letter CXVI.) that John, Earl of Loudon, was one of the Scottish nobles who most zealously espoused the cause of the Second Reformation. In all the measures of the Covenanters for promoting the cause of the Covenant, he took a leading part; and from his high character, as well as his distinguished talents, his party reposed in him with the utmost confidence. Wodrow describes him as "a nobleman of excellent endowments, great learning, singular wisdom and conduct, bewitching eloquence, joined with remarkable resolution and courage."
[393] Not to get even enough of hunger for Christ.
[394] The contributor who furnishes this letter to the "Christian Instructor" says: "The paper is small and dingy, and the mode of folding is not exactly in modern style. But the wax and the impression on it are entire."
[395] It requires skill.
[396] Alluding to 2 Thess. ii. 8. "Ἄνομος," that Lawless one.