A42363:163
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
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 third property, or qualification of believing as it goeth out after Christ, it must be rational.
Hereby I mean, that the man should move towards God in Christ, in knowledge and understanding, taking up Gods device of saving sinners by Christ, as the Scripture doth hold it out, no fancying a Christ to himself, otherwayes than the Gospel speaketh of him, nor another way of relief by him, than the word of God holdeth out. Therefore we find knowledge joined to the Covenant between God and man as a requisite, Jer. 24. 7. & 31. 34. I mean here also, that a man be in calmness of spirit, and as it were, in his cold blood in closing with Christ Jesus, not in a simple fit of affection which soon vanisheth: Mat. 13. 20. nor in a distemper through some outward distress, as the people were, Psal. 78. 34. and proved not steadfast in the Covenant; not under a tentation of some outward temporary interest, as Simon Magus was when be believed, Acts 8. A man must act here rationally, as being Master of himself, in some measure able to judge of the good or evil of the thing as it stands before him.
Hereby I mean, that the man should move towards God in Christ, in knowledge and understanding, taking up Gods device of saving sinners by Christ, as the Scripture doth hold it out, no fancying a Christ to himself, otherwayes than the Gospel speaketh of him, nor another way of relief by him, than the word of God holdeth out. Therefore we find knowledge joyned to the Covenant between God and man as a requisite, Jer. 24. 7. & 31. 34. I mean here also, that a man be in calmness of spirit, and as it were, in his cold blood in closing with Christ Jesus, not in a simple fit of affection which soon vanisheth: