Extract
from sermon vi 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.
Object.
8. But are all my cryings in prayer, works of the Spirit?
Ans. The flesh may come in
and join in prayer, and some things may be said in haste, not in faith; as in
that prayer, “Hath God forgotten to be gracious?” (Psal. lxxvii, 9.) Nor
is that of Jeremiah to be put in Christ’s golden censer, to be presented to
the Father: “Wilt thou be altogether to me as a liar, and as waters that
fail?” (Jer., xv, 18.) Nor that of Job, (xiii, 24,) “Wherefore holdest
thou me for thine enemy?” Christ washeth sinners in his blood, but he
washeth not sin: he advocateth for the man that prayeth to have him accepted,
but not for the upstarts and boilings of corruption and the flesh that are
mixed with our prayer, to have them made white. Christ rejecteth these things
in prayer that are essentially ill; but he washeth the prayer, and causeth the
Father to accept it. There be so many other things that are a pouring out of
the soul in prayer; as groaning, sighing, looking up to heaven, breathing,
weeping; that it cannot be imagined, how far short printed and read prayers
come of vehement praying: for you cannot put sighs, groans, tears, breathing,
and such heart-messengers down in a printed book; nor can paper and ink lay
your heart, in all its sweet affectations, out before God. The service-book then must be toothless and spiritless talk.
Reference
“The
Trial and Triumph of Faith,” published by The Banner of Truth Trust, 2001.
pp 72-73.
