Xxxiii. to John Clark, a Parishioner
The sermon emphasizes the importance of holding fast to Christ and living a life that honors God, with marks such as prizeing Christ, love of Christ keeping you from sinning, humility, and good works.
Samuel Rutherford preaches about the unwavering commitment to Christ and the importance of contending for the faith, emphasizing that obtaining and maintaining Christ is not an easy task. He urges believers to live sincerely, honestly, and uprightly before God, regardless of the presence of others. Rutherford outlines key marks that differentiate true believers from reprobates, including valuing Christ above all, being motivated by love for Christ to avoid sin, and living a life that honors God in all aspects.
Text
LOVING BROTHER, -- Hold fast Christ without wavering and contend for the
faith, because Christ is not easily gotten nor kept. The lazy professor
has put heaven as it were at the next door, and thinketh to fly up to
heaven in his bed and in a night-dream; but, truly, that is not so easy
a thing as most men believe. Christ Himself did sweat ere He wan this
city, howbeit He was the freeborn heir. It is Christianity, my heart,
to be sincere, unfeigned, honest and upright hearted before God, and to
live and serve God, suppose there was not one man nor woman in all the
world dwelling beside you, to eye you. Any little grace that ye have,
see that it be sound and true.
Ye may put a difference betwixt you and reprobates, if ye have these
marks. -- 1. If ye prize Christ and His truth so as ye will sell all and
buy Him; and suffer for it. 2. If the love of Christ keepeth you back
from sinning, more than the law, or fear of hell. 3. If ye be humble,
and deny your own will, wit, credit, ease, honor, the world, and the
vanity and glory of it. 4. Your profession must not be barren and void
of good works. 5. Ye must in all things aim at God's honor; ye must
eat, drink, sleep, buy, sell, sit, stand, speak, pray, read, and hear
the word, with a heart-purpose that God may be honored. 6. Ye must show
yourself an enemy to sin, and reprove the works of darkness, such as
drunkenness, swearing, and lying, albeit the company should hate you
for so doing. 7. Keep in mind the truth of God, that ye heard me teach,
and have nothing to do with the corruptions and new guises entered into
the house of God. 8. Make conscience of your calling, in covenants, in
buying and selling. 9. Acquaint yourself with daily praying; commit all
your ways and actions to God, by prayer, supplication, and
thanksgiving; and count not much of being mocked; for Christ Jesus was
mocked before you.
Persuade yourself, that this is the way of peace and comfort which I
now suffer for. I dare go to death and into eternity with it, though
men may possibly see another way. Remember me in your prayers, and the
state of this oppressed church. Grace be with you.
Your soul's well-wisher.
ABERDEEN
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Holding Fast to Christ
- Marks of a True Christian
- Living a Life Honoring to God
- Maintaining Truth and Conscience
- 1. Keep God's truth in mind
- 2. Avoid corruptions and new guises
- 3. Make conscience of calling and covenants
Key Quotes
“Christ Himself did sweat ere He wan this city, howbeit He was the freeborn heir.” — Samuel Rutherford
“Ye must in all things aim at God's honor; ye must eat, drink, sleep, buy, sell, sit, stand, speak, pray, read, and hear the word, with a heart-purpose that God may be honored.” — Samuel Rutherford
“I dare go to death and into eternity with it, though men may possibly see another way.” — Samuel Rutherford
Application Points
- Prize Christ and His truth above all else, and live a life that honors God.
- Make conscience of your calling and covenants, and avoid corruptions and new guises.
- Commit all your ways and actions to God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving.