Ireland (From The 1783 Edition).
MR. RUTHERFOORD'S TESTIMONY TO THE COVENANTED WORK OF REFORMATION, (FROM 1638, TO 1649.) IN BRITAIN AND
IRELAND (FROM THE 1783 EDITION).
Though the Lord needeth not a Testimony from such a wretched man as I, if I, and all the world should be silent, the very stones would cry: it is more than debt, that I should confess Christ before men and angels. It would satisfy me not a little, that the throne of my Lord Jesus were exalted above the clouds, the heaven of heavens, and on both sides of the sun; and that all possible praise and glory were ascribed to him; that, by his grace, I might put my seal, such as it is, unto that song, even the new song of these, who, with a loud voice, sing, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation: and hast made us unto our God kings and priests; and we shall reign on earth, Rev. v. 9, 10." And blessed were I, could I lay to my ear of faith, and say Amen to that Psalm "of the many angels round about the throne, and the beasts, and elders: whose number is ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands: saying, with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." And if I heard every creature, which is in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth; and such as are in the sea; and all that are in them; (as John heard them) saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever." I mean not any such visible reign of Christ on earth, as the Millenaries fancy; I believe (Lord help my unbelief) the doctrine of the holy prophets, and the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, contained in the books of the Old and New Testament, to be the undoubted truth of God, and a perfect rule of faith, and the only way of salvation. And I do acknowledge the sum of the Christian religion, exhibited in the Confessions and Catechisms of the reformed protestant churches: and in the national covenant, divers times sworn by the king's majesty, the state, and church of Scotland; and sealed by the testimony and subscription of the nobles, barons, gen