Xiv. to Lady Kenmure
Samuel Rutherford's letter to Lady Kenmure encourages her to seek Christ's mercy amidst her struggles and affirms her identity as a beloved child of God.
Samuel Rutherford, a prisoner of Christ, writes a letter filled with grace, mercy, and peace to a lady, encouraging her to continue learning and growing in her faith despite her troubles. He assures her that Christ is keeping mercy for her and urges her to love Him dearly, emphasizing that there is more to be seen and felt in Him. Rutherford expresses his longing to hear about the lady's child and sends blessings and mercies from God to the child.
Text
MADAM, -- Grace, mercy and peace be to you. I received your Ladyship's
letter. It refreshed me in my heaviness. The blessing and prayer of a
prisoner of Christ come upon you. Nothing grieveth me but that I eat my
feasts my lone, and that I cannot edify His saints. My silence eats me
up, but He has told me He thanketh me no less than if I were preaching
daily.
Your Ladyship wrote to me that ye are yet an ill scholar. Madam, ye
must go in at heaven's gates, and your book in your hand, still
learning. You have had your own large share of troubles, and a double
portion; but it saith your Father counteth you not a bastard;
full-begotten bairns are nurtured (Heb. 12.8). I long to hear of the
child. I write the blessings of Christ's prisoner and the mercies of
God to him.
Madam, it is not long since I did write to your Ladyship that Christ
is keeping mercy for you; and I bide by it still, and now I write it
under my hand. Love Him dearly. Win in to see Him; there is in Him that
which you never saw. He is aye nigh; He is a tree of life, green and
blossoming, both summer and winter. There is a nick in Christianity, to
the which whosoever cometh, they see and feel more than others can do.
Now the blessing of our dearest Lord Jesus, and the blessing of him
that is 'separate from his brethren', come upon you.
Yours, at Aberdeen, the prisoner of Christ.
ABERDEEN
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction and greeting - Acknowledgment of the Lady's letter - Expression of personal struggles
- II points: - Encouragement to continue learning - Reflection on personal troubles - Affirmation of divine parentage
- III points: - Reassurance of Christ's mercy - Encouragement to love and seek Christ - Description of Christ as a source of life
- IV points: - Final blessings - Personal sign-off - Context of being a prisoner of Christ
Key Quotes
“Grace, mercy and peace be to you.” — Samuel Rutherford
“Love Him dearly. Win in to see Him; there is in Him that which you never saw.” — Samuel Rutherford
“He is aye nigh; He is a tree of life, green and blossoming, both summer and winter.” — Samuel Rutherford
Application Points
- Continue to seek Christ in your personal struggles, as He is always near.
- Recognize that your troubles are part of God's nurturing process.
- Embrace the blessings of faith and share them with others.