CHRIST DYING
AND
DRAWING SINNERS
TO HIMSELFE.
OR A survey of our Saviour in his soule-suffering, his lovelynesse in his death, and the efficacie thereof.
In which
Some cases of soule-trouble in weake beleevers, grounds of submission under the absense of Christ, with the flowings and heightnings of Free grace, are opened.
Delivered in Sermons on the Evangel according to S. John Chap. XII. Vers. 27.28.29.30.31.32.33.
Where also are interjected some necessary Digressions, for the times, touching divers Errors of Antinomians, and a short vindication of the Doctrine of Protestants, from the Arminian pretended universality of Christs dying for all, and every one of mankind; the Morall and fained way of resistible conversion of sinners, and what faith is required of all within the visible Church, for the want whereof, many are condemned.
By SAMUEL RUTHERFURD, Minister of the Gospel, and and Professor of Divinity in the University of S. Andrews in Scotland.
Prov. 30.4.
What is his name, and what is his Sonnes name if thou canst tell?
Esai. 53.8.
He was taken from Prison, and from judgement, and who shall declare his Generation?
LONDON,
Printed by J. D. for ANDREW CROOKE at the Green-Dragon in Pauls Church-yard. 1647.
What is his name, and what is his Sonnes name if thou canst tell?
He was taken from Prison, and from judgement, and who shall declare his Generation?
PUBLISHED BY J.D
PUBLISHED FOR Andrew Crooke
1647
1.
As in workes of nature and art, so is it heere, that God may be seene in both; doth not men sweat, till, sow much, and the sun and summer, and clouds, warme dewes and raines smile upon cornes and meddowes, yet God steppeth in betweene the mouth of the Husbandman and the sickle, and blasteth all; and the Lord takes away the physme, stay and staffe of corne and [Page 88] grasse; and there is bread enough, and yet famine and starving for hunger. Doe not some rise early, and goe late to bed, eat the bread of sorrow; yet the armed souldier of God, extreme poverty, breaketh in upon the house? Doe not watch-men wake all the night, yet the City is surprised and taken in the dawning, because the Lord keepeth not th [...]City? The Lord doth all this, to shew that hee is the supreme and absolute Lord of all second causes. Why, but hee hath as eminent and independent a Lordship in the acts of his free departure, and returns, in the sense of his love. Hath not the King of Saints a withdrawing roome, and an hiding place? Is not his presence and manifestations his owne? The deserted soule prayeth, cryeth, weepeth; the Pastor speaketh with the tongue of the learned; the Christian friend argueth, exhorteth; experience and the dayes of old come to mind; the promises convince, and speake home to the soule; the poore man remembreth God, and hee is troubled; the Church, and many Churches pray, Christians weep and pray; yet Christ is still absent, the man cannot have, from all these, one halfe smile from Christ's face; the vision will not speak one word of joy: All these can no more command a raging sea and stormy winds to be still, and create calmnesse in the soule, then a child is able to wheele about the third heavens, in a course contrary to its naturall motion. Omnipotency is in this departure. God himselfe is in the dispensation, and absolute freedom of an independent dominion acteth in the Lord's covering of himselfe with a cloud, and putteth an iron crosse-barre on the doore of his pavilion; and can you stirre Omnipotency, and remove it? Think you praying can charme and break independent dominion, working to shew it selfe as a dominion?
2.
The drawne soule hath bread by the covenant of grace, his yearely rent is written in the New Testament, Christ is his [Page 296] rentall booke and heritage. Esai 33.16. He shall dwell on high, his place of defence shall be the munition of Rocks; for his lodging, he shall not lye in the fields. Bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure; or faithfull: bread and drinke are unfaithfull, uncertaine, and winged to naturall men. 1 Tim. 6.17. Riches uncertaine.Riches hath an, [...], an uncertainty, like Ghosts or Spirits that yee see, but they evanish out of your sight, and disappeare; or like cloudes, or fire-lightnings in the ayre, that come and goe suddenly; but bread is faithfull and sure to the soule drawn to Christ; when the covenanted people are so drawn, that they receive a new heart; then God, saith Ezech. 36.29. I will also save you from all your uncleannesse. What then? And I will call for the corne and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you. Vers. 34. And the land shall be tilled. No market [...]Does the New Testament provide for the plowing of your land? Yea, it doth? Yea, know Wisdoms attendants and allacays. Pro. 3.16. On her right hand, is length of dayes, and on her left hand, riches and honour. Eternity hath the honour, and the right hand. Riches is the left hand blessing of wisdome.