Xli. to Lady Gaitgirth
Samuel Rutherford's sermon encourages believers to rely on the unchanging love of Christ and to cast their burdens upon Him for comfort and strength.
Samuel Rutherford emphasizes the unchanging love of Christ, assuring that no matter how much we may fluctuate in our faith, Christ remains steadfast and able to bear our burdens. He encourages casting all our worries and concerns upon Christ, finding comfort in His strength and compassion. Rutherford reminds us that Christ's love is carefully measured out to prevent overwhelming us, and that we should trust in His provision until we are fully in His presence. He concludes by extending gratitude and blessings to those who support and stand firm in their faith.
Text
Her husband, to whom Rutherford expresses his obligations at the close
of the letter, was Sheriff of Ayrshire and represented it in the
Scottish Parliament. He was one of three commissioners sent by
Parliament on behalf of the Covenant to Newcastle in 1641. In 1649 he
commanded a troop of Horse.
MISTRESS, -- I long to know how matters stand betwixt Christ and your
soul. Time cannot change Him in His love. Ye yourself may ebb and flow,
rise and fall, wax and wane; but your Lord is this day as He was
yesterday. And it is your comfort that your salvation is not rolled
upon wheels of your own making, neither have ye to do with a Christ at
your own shaping. God has singled out a Mediator, strong and mighty: if
ye and your burdens were as heavy as ten hills or hells, He is able to
bear you, and to save you to the uttermost. Your often seeking to Him
cannot make you a burden to Him. I know that Christ compassioneth you,
and maketh a moan for you, in all your dumps, and under your down
castings; but it is good for you that He hideth Himself sometimes. It
is not niceness, dryness, nor coldness of love, that causeth Christ to
withdraw, and slip in under a curtain and a vail, that ye cannot see
Him; but He knoweth that ye could not bear with upsails, a fair gale, a
full moon, and a high spring-tide of His felt love, and always a fair
summer-day and a summer-sun of a felt and possessed and embracing Lord
Jesus. His kisses and His visits to His dearest ones are thin-sown. He
could not let out His rivers of love upon His own, but these rivers
would be in hazard of loosening a young plant at the root; and He
knoweth this of you. Ye should, therefore, frist Christ's kindness, as
to its sensible and full manifestations, till ye and He be above sun
and moon. That is the country where ye will be enlarged for that love
which ye dow not now contain.
Cast the burden of your sweet babes upon Christ, and lighten your
heart, by laying your all upon Him: He will be their God. I hope to see
you up the mountain yet, and glad in the salvation of God. Frame
yourself for Christ, and gloom not upon His cross. I find Him so sweet,
that my love, suppose I would charge it to remove from Christ, would
not obey me: His love has stronger fingers than to let go its grips of
us bairns, who cannot go but by such a hold as Christ. It is good that
we want legs of our own, since we may borrow from Christ; and it is our
happiness that Christ is under an act of cautionary for heaven, and
that Christ is booked in heaven as the principal debtor for such poor
bodies as we are.
I request you, give the laird, your husband, thanks for his care of
me, in that he has appeared in public for a prisoner of Christ. I pray
and write mercy, and peace, and blessings to him and his.
Grace, grace be with you for ever.
ABERDEEN, 1637
Sermon Outline
- I points: - The unchanging nature of Christ's love - The comfort of salvation not dependent on personal efforts - Christ as a strong and mighty Mediator
- II points: - The importance of seeking Christ in times of trouble - Understanding Christ's withdrawal as a form of care - The necessity of patience in experiencing Christ's love
- III points: - Casting burdens upon Christ - The role of Christ in the lives of loved ones - The joy of relying on Christ's strength
- IV points: - The significance of gratitude towards others - The call for mercy and blessings - The promise of grace
Key Quotes
“Time cannot change Him in His love.” — Samuel Rutherford
“Your often seeking to Him cannot make you a burden to Him.” — Samuel Rutherford
“It is good that we want legs of our own, since we may borrow from Christ.” — Samuel Rutherford
Application Points
- Seek Christ in all circumstances, knowing His love remains constant.
- Cast your burdens upon Christ and trust Him to care for your loved ones.
- Express gratitude to those who support you in your faith journey.