Extracts
from sermon xix of a series of xxvii sermons by Samuel Rutherford on the Syro-phenician woman
who came to Christ for the healing
of her daughter (Matthew 15, Mark 7)
Samuel
Rutherford (c. 1600-1661) was the faithful pastor of Anwoth who suffered
greatly during the “Killing Time” in
Scotland, being persecuted and imprisoned for his adherence to the doctrine of his
dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. A Presbyterian who refused to countenance Prelacy
(Episcopalianism), his preaching exalted Christ alone
as Lord and King. Mr Rutherford was Professor of Divinity at
St Andrews
and one of the Scottish Commissioners to the
Westminster Assembly.
Hear
then the boldness of faith: “Now, then, there is no condemnation to those
that are in Jesus Christ.” What challenges Satan or conscience can make
against the believer (for justice being put to silence by Christ, maketh none)
hear an answer: ‘I was condemned, I was judged, I was crucified for sin,
when my surety, Christ was condemned, judged, and crucified for my sins; and
what would you have more of a man than his life? It was a man’s life and
soul, my life, that my surety offered up to God for sin, and I have paid all,
because my surety hath paid all.’ And the truth is, it is not two debts, one
that the believer owes to God’s justice, and another that Christ paid; but
the debt that Christ paid is our very debt, and sins, which he did bear on his
own body on the tree, (1 Pet., ii, 24)
Reference
“The
Trial and Triumph of Faith,” published by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2001.
pp 242-243.
