A42363:121
The Christians great interest
The Christians great interest: or A short treatise, divided into two parts the first whereof containeth, the trial of a saving interest in Christ. The second, pointeth forth plainly, the way how to attain it: wherein somewhat is likewise spoken to the manner of express covenanting with God. By W. Guthrie, minister of the gospel in Scotland.The Christians great interest: or A short treatise, divided into two parts the first whereof containeth, the tryal of a saving interest in Christ. The second, pointeth forth plainly, the way how to attain it: wherein somewhat is likewise spoken to the manner of express covenanting with God. By W. Guthrie, minister of the gospel in Scotland.
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1681
The Trial of a Saving Interest in CHRIST.The Tryal of a Saving Interest in CHRIST.
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.
Either, 1. It is such as a man is simply to believe by way of argument on Scriptural grounds. As if I be fled unto Christ, and do approach unto God in him, pray according to his will, not regarding iniquity in my heart, exercising faith about the thing I pray for, absolutely or conditionally, according to the nature of the thing and promises about it. I am obliged to believe that God heareth my prayer, and will give what is good, according to the Scriptures, Joh. 14. 13, 14. Whatsoever ye ask in my name, I will do it, 1 John 5. 14. This is our confidence, that whatsoever we ask according to his will, he heareth us, Mark 3. 24. Believe that you receive, and you shall have what you desire, Psal. 66. 18. If I regard iniquity, he will not hear. Then if I regard not iniquity, I may believe that he doth hear me. ⟨p. 66⟩Or, 2. A man doth sensibly perceive that God heareth his prayer, It is made out to his heart without any syllogistical deduction. Such a hearing of prayer got Hannah, 1 Sam. 1. 8. Her countenance was no more sad. Surely the Lord did breath upon her faith, and made her believe that she was heard, and she could not make it out by any argument, for she had not grounds whereupon to build the premises of the argument according to Scripture in that particular. God did stamp it in some way upon her heart sensibly, and so made her believe it. This is but rarely granted, especially in cases clearly deducible in Scripture. And therefore people are much to be satisfied in exercising their faith about the other, and let God give of this latter what he pleaseth. A mans gracious state should not be brought upon debate, upon the account of such hearing of prayer.
Eighthly, There is Assurance of Gods favour by the witnessing of our own spirits; which assurance, is deduced by way of argument syllogistically, Thus, Whosoever believeth on Christ shall never perish; But I do believe on Christ: Therefore I shall never perish. Whoso hath respect unto all Gods Commandments, shall never be ashamed; But I have respect unto all his Commands: Therefore, I shall never be ashamed. I say, by reasoning thus, and comparing Spiritual things with spiritual things, a man may attain unto a good certainty of his Gracious State. It is supposed,