Robert Traill 1642-1716
Born in Elie Scotland, May, 1642. After the usual preparatory studies, he was sent to the College of Edinburgh, where he distinguished himself in several classes. He devoted his life to the ministry and the cause of the church of his fathers. This devotion was greatly manifested by his attendance upon Mr. James Guthrie, minister of Stirling, on the scaffold of martyrdom, 1661. In 1666, in consequence of some copies of the Apologetical Relation, a work (penned by John Brown, of Wamphray) hated by the prelates, and condemned by the Privy Council to the flames, found in his home, he was obliged with his mother and brother to go into hiding. It is reported that Robert Traill was in arms with the Covenanters when they were routed at Pentland Hills. Because of this, he found it necessary to flee to Holland, where his father was already, in 1667. Sometime around 1669, he returned to London and commenced his ministry there. In 1677, while visiting Scotland, he was apprehended and arraigned before the Privy Council. He refused to clear himself by their unlawful oath and was, upon little evidence, sentenced to imprisonment on the Bass rock. He was released after three months and returned to London where he continued to officiate as pastor of a Presbyterian congregation until his death, in May, 1716.
Robert Traill quotes;
You know there are two great plagues that have distressed the church of Christ and it will never be quite free from them; a multitude of hypocrites on a fair day, and a multitude of apostates on a foul day.
The most spiritual attainment of a Christian in the world, the most spiritual, evangelical mourning and repentance that can be done by a Christian, is a mourning over his unbelief; that the Word of the Lord is not more precious to him; that he cannot trust God’s Word naked without props; that he doubts it so often, when darkness comes on; and that he lets go of this great rock, the faithfulness of God.
You know there are two great plagues that have distressed the church of Christ and it will never be quite free from them; a multitude of hypocrites on a fair day, and a multitude of apostates on a foul day.
The most spiritual attainment of a Christian in the world, the most spiritual, evangelical mourning and repentance that can be done by a Christian, is a mourning over his unbelief; that the Word of the Lord is not more precious to him; that he cannot trust God’s Word naked without props; that he doubts it so often, when darkness comes on; and that he lets go of this great rock, the faithfulness of God.
Recommended readings by Robert Traill;
Justification vindicated, 6 sermons on Galatians 2:21, 13 sermons on Hebrews 4:16
Justification vindicated, 6 sermons on Galatians 2:21, 13 sermons on Hebrews 4:16
Excerpts from 6 sermons on Galatians 2:21
I do not nullify (frustrate) the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
False brethren perverted the Galatians from the simplicity that was in Christ; their great error lay here, in mixing the works of the law with the righteousness of Christ, in the rand point of the justification of a sinner before God.
All that the law can do to me in point of justification, is only to condemn me, and it can do no more.
That gracious life which through Jesus Christ is imparted to justified believers.
Christ died for me and I am crucified with Christ; and yet I live, but it is Christ that lives in me, and Christ lives in me only by faith.
This verse and Hebrews 10:29 are right next to each other.
What is the Grace of God? The doctrine of the grace of God. The gospel itself is called the grace of God (Titus 2:11)
By the grace of God in the word is understood THE BLESSING itself.
The gospel of the grace of God is frequently frustrated (nullified, rejected, set aside), but Grace itself is never so. Grace always accomplishes what it sets out to do.
The same word as in Mark 7:9 Jesus told the pharisees; you make void (reject) the commandment of God - the same word in Galatians 2:21, frustrate, nullify
Justification by his Grace is the grand doctrine, the fountain of our peace and comfort and salvation.
I do not nullify (frustrate) the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
False brethren perverted the Galatians from the simplicity that was in Christ; their great error lay here, in mixing the works of the law with the righteousness of Christ, in the rand point of the justification of a sinner before God.
All that the law can do to me in point of justification, is only to condemn me, and it can do no more.
That gracious life which through Jesus Christ is imparted to justified believers.
Christ died for me and I am crucified with Christ; and yet I live, but it is Christ that lives in me, and Christ lives in me only by faith.
This verse and Hebrews 10:29 are right next to each other.
What is the Grace of God? The doctrine of the grace of God. The gospel itself is called the grace of God (Titus 2:11)
By the grace of God in the word is understood THE BLESSING itself.
The gospel of the grace of God is frequently frustrated (nullified, rejected, set aside), but Grace itself is never so. Grace always accomplishes what it sets out to do.
The same word as in Mark 7:9 Jesus told the pharisees; you make void (reject) the commandment of God - the same word in Galatians 2:21, frustrate, nullify
Justification by his Grace is the grand doctrine, the fountain of our peace and comfort and salvation.