A42363:125
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.
The second Operation is, A Glorious beam of Light from the Spirit, shining upon the second proposi••n, and so upon his own graces in the Soul, discovering them to be true graces; and such as the Scripture calleth so. Thus are we said to know by his Spirit, the things freely given to us of God, 1 Cor. 2. 13.
The third Operation is, in order to the third proposition of the Argument, or the Conclusion; and this I conceive, to be nothing else, but an influence upon Faith, strengthening it to draw a conclusion of full assurance upon the foresaid premises. Now (with submission unto others, who have greater light in the Scripture, and more experience of ⟨p. 68⟩these precious communications) I do conceive the Witness of the Spirit, or witness of it, which is mentioned, Rom. 8. 16. is not that first operation upon the first proposition; for that operation is that testimony of the Spirit, by which he beareth witness to the Divinity of the whole Scripture, and asserteth the Divine authority of it unto the souls of gracious men; and such an operation may be upon a truth of Scripture, which doth not relate to a mans sonship or interest in Christ at all. The Spirit may so shine upon any truth, relating to duty, or any other fundamental truth persuading the Divinity of it, upon and unto the soul, and speaking nothing relating to a mans interest in Christ. Neither is the third operation of the Spirit, by which he makes faith boldly draw the conclusion this witnessing of the Spirit; for that operation is nothing else but influence upon faith, bringing it out to full assurance: but that whereupon this full assurance is drawn or put out, is somewhat deponed and witnessed already. Therefore I conceive the second operation of the Spirit upon the second proposition, and so upon the graces in the man, is that witness of Gods Spirit, that •ea• of divine light, shining upon those graces, whereby they are made very conspicuous to the understanding: That is the witness, the shining so on them in his witnessing: For only here in this proposition and in this operation, doth the Spirit of God prove a co-witness with our spirit: For, the main thing wherein the witness of our spirit lieth, is the second proposition, and so the Spirit of God, witnessing with our spirits, is also in that same proposition. So these two witnesses, having deponed and witnessed one and the same thing, viz. The truth and reality of such and such graces in the man, which our own spirit or conscience doth depone, according to its knowledge, and the Spirit of the Lord doth certainly affirm and witness to be so.