See that you buy the field where the Pearl is; sell all, and make a purchase of salvation. Think it not easy: for it is a steep ascent to eternal glory: many are lying dead by the way, slain with security.
Samuel RutherfordRead
When the supreme magistrate will not execute the judgment of the Lord, those who made him supreme magistrate, under God, who have under God, sovereighn liberty to dispose of crowns and kingdoms, are to execute the judgment of the Lord, when wicked men make the law of God of none effect.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the moral duty to uphold divine justice when secular authorities fail to do so.
Samuel Rutherford asserts that when leaders neglect to enforce divine judgment, their subjects, who are granted authority under God, must take action to uphold God's laws. This reflects a deep philosophical stance on the relationship between governance, morality, and the responsibilities of the populace to hold leaders accountable for their actions.
Themes
JusticeMoralityAuthorityLeadershipAccountability
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about civic responsibility, one might quote this to encourage citizens to advocate for justice.
More from Samuel Rutherford
All quotes →Let your children be as so many flowers, borrowed from God. If the flowers die or wither, thank God for a summer loan of them.
Samuel RutherfordRead
Oh thrice fools are we who like new-born princes weeping in the cradle know not that there is a kingdom before them then let our Lord's sweet hand square us and hammer us and strike off the knots of pride self-love and world-worship and infidelity that He may make us stones and pillars in His Father's house.
Samuel RutherfordRead
I know that, as night and shadows are good for flowers, and moonlight and dews are better than a continual sun, so is Christ's absence of special use, and that it hath some nourishing virtue in it, and giveth sap to humility, and putteth an edge on hunger, and funisheth a fairfield to faith to put forth itself, and to exercise its fingers in gripping it seeth not what.
Samuel RutherfordRead
Those who can take that crabbed tree handsomely upon their back, and fasten it on cannily, shall find it such a burden as wings unto a bird, or sails to a ship.
Samuel RutherfordRead
You will not be carried to Heaven lying at ease upon a feather bed.
Samuel RutherfordRead
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