A57982:94
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.
3. Her little daughter was vexed, (she saith) [Greek or Hebrew] she is exceedingly devilled,1 or grievously tormented with a devil: Then observe that common punishments of sin and sad afflictions doth follow justified persons,2 as well as the wicked; for it was a sad burden to the mother, that the Devil had such a dominion over her daughter; yet the Text cleareth, that she was a justified person, as her instancy of praying, adoring, and great Faith, even prevailing over Christ, under sad trials, do manifestly evidence; and we see the reasons that the Scripture allegeth: 1. That the gold of precious Faith, and the upright metal therein, may be seen, 1 Pet. 1.7. Afflictions are the servants and Pursuivants of the accusing Law, sent out to cause us lay hold by Faith on peace made, and pardon purchased in Christ: The hot furnace is the work-house of Christ, 3in that fire he taketh away the scum, the dross, the refuse of the true metal, that Faith may be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearance of Jesus Christ: 2. Afflictions drive us to seek God, they being Gods fire-men, and his hired labourers, sent to break the clods, and to plough Christs land, that he may sow heaven there, but Christ must bring new earth to the soil: In prosperity we come to God, but in a common way, ⟨p. 31⟩as the grave man came to the Theatre, 4only that he might go out again; but in trouble the Saints do more then come, they make a friendly visit when they come: also the prayers of the Saints in prosperity, are but Summer prayers, slow, lazy, and alas, too formal; in trouble they rain out prayers, or cast them out in con-natural violence; as a fountain doth cast out waters, both these are in one well expressed, by the Prophet, Isa. 26.16. Lord in trouble they have visited thee, they pour out a prayer, when thy chastening hand is on them; Vatablus expoundeth [Greek or Hebrew] Malmad, A murmuring or prayer which trouble poureth out: the Chaldee Paraphrast turneth it silentium, silence, because the conscience weakened is silent; it is a Prophecy, what Gods fire doth effectuate, which you have