Xxvi. to John Gordon of Russo in the Parish of Anwoth
Seek God immediately, as heaven is not easily accessible, and receive the kingdom of God as a child to ensure entry into heaven.
Samuel Rutherford delivers a heartfelt message urging his congregation to seek the Lord in time and make a conscious effort to walk closely with God. He emphasizes the challenges of being a Christian and the need to strive diligently for heaven, warning against sinful behaviors and urging a humble and meek approach to entering the kingdom of God. Rutherford shares his personal experience of the joy found in Christ and encourages a deep, abiding love for the Savior, highlighting the fleeting nature of worldly possessions compared to the eternal value of a relationship with Jesus.
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MY WORTHY AND DEAR BROTHER,- Misspend not your short sand-glass, which
runneth very fast, seek your Lord in time. Let me obtain of you a
letter under your hand, for a promise to God, by His grace, to take a
new course of walking with God. Heaven is not at the next door; I find
it hard to be a Christian. There is no little thrusting and thronging
to thrust in at heaven's gates; it is a castle taken by force; -- 'Many
shall strive to enter in, and shall not be able.'
I beseech and obtest you in the Lord, to make conscience of rash and
passionate oaths, of raging and sudden avenging anger, of night
drinking, of needless companionry, of Sabbath-breaking, of hurting any
under you by word or deed, of hating your very enemies. 'Except ye
receive the kingdom of God as a little child,' and be as meek and
sober-minded as a babe, 'ye cannot enter into the kingdom of God.' That
is a word which should touch you near, and make you stoop and cast
yourself down, and make your great spirit fall. I know that this will
not be easily done, but I recommend it to you, as you tender your part
of the kingdom of heaven.
Brother, I may, from new experience, speak of Christ to you. Oh, if
ye saw in Him what I see! A river of God's unseen joys has flowed from
bank to brae over my soul since I parted with you. I wish that I wanted
part, so being ye might have; that your soul might be sick of love for
Christ, or rather satiated with Him. This clay-idol, the world, would
seem to you then not worth a fig; time will eat you out of possession
of it. When the eye-strings break, and the breath growth cold, and the
imprisoned soul looketh out of the windows at the clay-house, ready to
leap out into eternity, what would you then give for a lamp full of
oil? Oh seek it now.
I desire you to correct and curb banning, swearing, lying, drinking,
Sabbath-breaking, and idle spending of the Lord's day in absence from
the kirk, as far as your authority reacheth in that parish.
I hear that a man is to be thrust into that place, to the which I
have God's right. I know that ye should have a voice by God's word in
that (Acts 1.15, 16, to the end; 6.3-5). Ye would be loath that any
prelate should rout you out of your possession earthly; and this is
your right. What I write to you, I write to your wife. Grace be with
you.
Your loving pastor.
ABERDEEN, March 14, 1637
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Seeking God
- The Dangers of Worldly Behavior
- The Power of Christ
- Correcting and Cursing Worldly Behavior
- Correcting and curbing sinful behavior
- Using authority to promote God's word
- Hating enemies and not receiving God's kingdom
Key Quotes
“Heaven is not at the next door; I find it hard to be a Christian.” — Samuel Rutherford
“Except ye receive the kingdom of God as a little child, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” — Samuel Rutherford
“Oh, if ye saw in Him what I see! A river of God's unseen joys has flowed from bank to brae over my soul since I parted with you.” — Samuel Rutherford
Application Points
- Seek God immediately, as heaven is not easily accessible.
- Correct and curb sinful behavior, using authority to promote God's word.
- Receive the kingdom of God as a child, being meek and sober-minded, to ensure entry into heaven.