Xxi. to Mr William Dalgleish, Minister of the Gospel
The speaker encourages faithfulness in suffering, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's comfort and providence.
Samuel Rutherford, while suffering for his faith, encourages his fellow minister to trust in the Lord's providence and to focus on faithfully carrying out their duties, leaving the outcomes in God's hands. He emphasizes the importance of not questioning God's plans or trying to control events, but rather to seek approval from the Almighty and rely on His strength. Rutherford reminds his brother in bonds to show love for Christ by caring for His people, even in the face of opposition and silence from other ministers.
Text
Dalgleish was minister of a neighbouring parish and was responsible
for the parish of Anwoth also until Rutherford took charge of it. He
later became minister of Cramond, from which he was ejected in 1662.
See also Letter XXXVIII.
REVEREND AND DEAR BROTHER, -- Grace, mercy, and peace be to you. -- I am
well. My Lord Jesus is kinder to me than ever He was.
Brother, this is His own truth I now suffer for. He has sealed my
sufferings with His own comforts, and I know that He will not put His
seal upon blank paper. His seals are not dumb nor delusive, to confirm
imaginations and lies. Go on, my dear brother, in the strength of the
Lord, not fearing man who is a worm, nor the son of man that shall die.
Providence has a thousand keys, to open a thousand sundry doors for the
deliverance of His own, when it is even come to a "conclamatum est".
Let us be faithful, and care for our own part, which is to do and
suffer for Him, and lay Christ's part on Himself, and leave it there.
Duties are ours, events are the Lord's. When our faith goeth to meddle
with events, and to hold a court (if I may so speak) upon God's
providence, and beginneth to say, 'How wilt Thou do this and that?' we
lose ground. We have nothing to do there. It is our part to let the
Almighty exercise His own office, and steer His own helm. There is
nothing left to us, but to see how we may be approved of Him, and how
we may roll the weight of our weak souls in well-doing upon Him who is
God Omnipotent: and when what we thus essay miscarrieth, it will be
neither our sin nor cross.
Brother, remember the Lord's word to Peter; 'Simon, lovest thou me? -
Feed my sheep.' No greater testimony of our love to Christ can be, than
to feed carefully and faithfully His lambs.
I am in no better neighborhood with the ministers here than before:
they cannot endure that any speak of me, or to me. Thus I am, in the
meantime, silent, which is my greatest grief.
I hope, brother, that ye will help my people; and write to me what ye
hear the Bishop is to do with them. Grace be with you.
Your brother in bonds.
ABERDEEN
Sermon Outline
- Faithfulness in Suffering
- God's Comfort in Suffering
- Faithfulness in Action
- Faithfulness in Trust
Key Quotes
“His seals are not dumb nor delusive, to confirm imaginations and lies.” — Samuel Rutherford
“Duties are ours, events are the Lord's.” — Samuel Rutherford
“When what we thus essay miscarrieth, it will be neither our sin nor cross.” — Samuel Rutherford
Application Points
- We should focus on being faithful in our actions and trust in God's providence, rather than trying to control events.
- Our love to Christ is demonstrated by our care for His people, particularly in times of persecution.
- We should not be discouraged by the lack of support from others, but rather trust in God's comfort and guidance.