A57982:456
The trial & triumph of faithThe tryal & triumph of faith
The trial & triumph of faith: or, An exposition of the history of Christs dispossessing of the daughter of the woman of Canaan Delivered in sermons; in which are opened, the victory of faith; the condition of those that are tempted; the excellency of Jesus Christ and free-grace; and some special grounds and principles of libertinism and antinomian errors, discovered by Samuel Rutherfurd, professor of divinity in the University of St. Andrews. Published by authority.The tryal & triumph of faith: or, An exposition of the history of Christs dispossessing of the daughter of the woman of Canaan Delivered in sermons; in which are opened, the victory of faith; the condition of those that are tempted; the excellency of Jesus Christ and free-grace; and some speciall grounds and principles of libertinisme and antinomian errors, discovered by Samuel Rutherfurd, professor of divinity in the University of St. Andrews. Published by authority.
London: printed by John Field, 1652
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Obj. 2. But who can act saving grace, 1without the blowing of saving grace; I can no more do it, then I can command the West wind to blow when I list. Ans. I grant all, nor do I speak this to insinuate, that Free-will sitteth at the helm, or that Grace sleepeth, and Will waketh, the contrary is an evident truth: yet give me leave to say, there's odds between blowing of the wind, and making ready the sails: Though Sea-men cannot make wind, nor is it their fault to want wind, yet can they prepare the Sails, and hoist them up to welcome the wind; we cannot create the breathings of the spirit, yet are we to miss these breathings; and this is a fitting of the Sails, and we are to join with the spirits breathings. Christ bindeth up the winds in his garment, so as if one look ⟨p. 350⟩of faith,2 or half a spiritual groan should ransom me from hell, I have it not in stock▪ therefore hath God ordered such a dispensation, that in all stirrings of grace, the first spring, Principium motus, the fountain-rise of calling Jesus Lord, shall be up in Heaven at the right hand of the Father, and the far end of any gracious thought, is as far above me as the heart of Christ, who is in the Heaven of Heavens, is above the earth, though ye think nothing of it; and better Christ be my Steward, and that the Gospel be at the end of all acts of grace, as that Christ be Free wills debtor: More reason Christ be Creditor then debtor to his Redeemed ones: 2. I know the child of God may be so far forth lazy, as that its his fault that the wind bloweth not; if we speak of a moral cause. 3. Its his part to join with the working of assisting grace, Col. 1.29. Whereunto I also labour, [Greek or Hebrew] striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily. The Lord hath by free promise, laid holy bands on himself, to give predeterminating grace to his own children to persevere to the end, and to prevent Apostasy and heinous sins inconsistent with saving faith, 1 Cor. 1.8.