Our Lord’s love is not so cruel as to let a poor man see Christ and heaven,
And never give him more, for want of money to buy.
Nay, I rather think Christ to be such fair market wares,
As buyers may have without money and without price.

And thus I know that it shall not stand upon my want of money;
For Christ upon His own charges must buy my  wedding-garment,
And redeem the inheritance which I have forfeited,
And give His word for one the like of me,
Who am not law abiding of myself.

Poor folk must either borrow or beg from the rich;
And the only thing that commendeth sinners to Christ
Is extreme necessity and want.
Christ’s love is ready to make and provide a ransom,
And money for a poor body who hath lost his purse.
“Ho, ye that have no money – come and buy” –
That is the poor man’s market.

— Samuel Rutherford (c. 1600-1661)
“Letters of Samuel Rutherford”

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