Xi. to Lady Kenmure, When He Expected to Be Removed From Anwoth
The speaker reflects on their impending removal from Anwoth and their desire to honor the Lord through suffering and obedience.
Samuel Rutherford reflects on his impending suffering and the end of his labors in God's house, acknowledging his struggle to accept this new chapter. Despite facing criticism and being misunderstood, he chooses to forgive and commit his life to God, seeking to honor the Lord through his testimony. Rutherford expresses his willingness to embrace misery for the sake of Christ, refusing to shy away from challenges or seek an easy path in his faith, inspired by the example of his Savior who faced hardships head-on.
Text
MAIDAM, -- My humble obedience in the Lord remembered. Know it has
pleased the Lord to let me see, by all appearance, that my labours in
God's house here are at an end; and I must now learn to suffer, in the
which I am a dull scholar. By a strange providence, some of my papers,
anent the corruptions of this time, are come to the King's hand. I
know, by the wise and well-affected I shall be censured as not wise nor
circumspect enough; but it is ordinary, that that should be a part of
the cross of those who suffer for Him. Yet I love and pardon the
instrument; I would commit my life to him, howbeit by him this has
befallen me. But I look higher than to him. I make no question of your
Ladyship's love and care to do what ye can for my help, and am
persuaded that, in my adversities, your Ladyship will wish me well. I
seek no other thing but that my Lord may be honored by me in giving a
testimony. I was willing to do Him more service; but seeing He will
have no more of my labours, and this land will thrust me out, I pray
for grace to learn to be acquaint with misery, if I may give so rough a
name to such a mark of those who shall be crowned with Christ. And
howbeit I will possibly prove a faint-hearted, unwise man in that, yet
I dare say I intend otherwise; and I desire not to go on the lee-side
or sunny side of religion, or to put truth betwixt me and a storm: my
Savior did not do so for me, who in His suffering took the windy side
of the hill. No farther; but the Son of God be with you.
ANWOTH, Dec. 5, 1634
Sermon Outline
- The Lord's Providence
- The speaker's writings have come to the King's hand
- The speaker's desire to honor the Lord
- The speaker seeks to give a testimony
- The speaker prays for grace to learn to be acquainted with misery
Key Quotes
“I was willing to do Him more service; but seeing He will have no more of my labours, and this land will thrust me out, I pray for grace to learn to be acquaint with misery” — Samuel Rutherford
“My Savior did not do so for me, who in His suffering took the windy side of the hill” — Samuel Rutherford
Application Points
- We should be willing to suffer for the Lord, even if it means facing persecution and hardship.
- We should seek to honor the Lord through our obedience and faithfulness, even in the midst of difficulty.
- We should pray for the grace to learn to be acquainted with misery and to trust in the Lord's sovereignty.