Glory Dwelleth In Immanuel’s Land

Glory Dwelleth In Immanuel’s Land

He was one of Scotland’s greatest theologians.

SAMUEL RUTHERFORD was born in 1600 in Nisbet, Scotland, educated at the University of Edinburgh, and then appointed professor of Latin.

After just a few years Rutherford left academia to become a minister in Anworth, Scotland, a community and parish he loved deeply. However, his quiet country life was disrupted when he published a book against Arminianism, the theology that was challenging the Calvinism of the Church of Scotland. The publication brought him recognition as a gifted theologian and scholar but also the scrutiny of the Arminian Anglican bishops King Charles I had forced on the Church of Scotland. As a result, in 1636 the Anglican High Commission judged him to be a Nonconformist, removed him from his parish, exiled him to Aberdeen, and barred him from preaching in Scotland. However, in 1638 the Presbyterian party took control of the Church of Scotland, and the National Covenant was signed in which Scots vowed to defend the Reformed faith and to keep the church free from governmental control. With this political change, Rutherford was made professor of divinity at St. Andrew’s University. Later appointed as a member of the Westminster Assembly, which wrote the Westminster Confession, Rutherford continued to study and write, becoming one of Scotland’s greatest theological writers.

The restoration of the English monarchy in 1660 brought the reinstitution of the Anglican Church in Scotland. Rutherford lost his teaching position, and his books were publicly burned. In 1661 he received a summons to appear before Parliament to answer the charge of high treason. Realizing he was terminally ill, Rutherford responded to the court, “I have got summons already before a Superior Judge and Judicatory; . . . and ere your day come, I will be where few kings and great folks come.”

While Rutherford was on his deathbed, a friend asked him, “What think ye now of Christ?” Rutherford replied, “Oh, that all my brethren in the land may know what a Master I have served, and what peace I have this day! I shall sleep in Christ, and when I awake, I shall be satisfied with his likeness. This night shall close the door, and put my anchor within the vail; and I shall go away in a sleep by five of the clock in the morning. Glory! Glory to my Creator and my Redeemer forever! . . . Glory! Glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land!”

Just as Rutherford predicted, he died in his sleep early on March 20, 1661. Rutherford’s dying words were developed into a poetic tract called “The Last Words of Samuel Rutherford” by Anne Ross Cousin, and a hymn was compiled from it: “The Sands of Time Are Sinking.”

The sands of time are sinking,

The dawn of heaven breaks;

The summer morn I’ve sighed for,

The fair, sweet morn, awakes:

Dark, dark hath been the midnight,

But dayspring is at hand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Immanuel’s land.

O Christ! He is the fountain,

The deep, sweet well of love!

The streams on earth I’ve tasted,

More deep I’ll drink above:

There, to an ocean fullness,

His mercy doth expand,

And glory, glory dwelleth

In Immanuel’s land.

Reflection

Samuel Rutherford’s faith was unwavering despite religious persecution and personal setbacks. Standing in the face of death, he looked expectantly and joyously into the glory awaiting him in heaven. What can Rutherford’s life teach you about living your life and facing death?

He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It was filled with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious gem, crystal clear like jasper.

Revelation 21:10-11