A42363:169
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.
So there is a strange sympathy between God and believers, all by virtue of the union between them; because of which, men should hate every thing which would compete with him in their love, or affections; and should disdain to be ⟨p. 93⟩slaves to the Creatures, since these are the servants of their Lord and Husband, and their servants through him. What a hateful thing is it for a Queen to whore with the servants of her Prince and Husband? It is also a shame for a Believer to be afraid of evil tidings, since the Lord, with whom he is one, alone ruleth all things, and doth whatsoever pleaseth him in Heaven and in Earth, 1 Cor. 3. 21, 23. Psal. 112. 6, 7. and 115. 3.
So there is a strange sympathy between God and believers, all by vertue of the union between them; because of which, men should hate every thing which would compete with him in their love, or affections; and should disdain to be ⟨p. 93⟩slaves to the Creatures, since these are the servants of their Lord and Husband, and their servants through him. What a hateful thing is it for a Queen to whore with the servants of her Prince and Husband? It is also a shame for a Believer to be afraid of evil tidings, since the Lord, with whom he is one, alone ruleth all things, and doth whatsoever pleaseth him in Heaven and in Earth, 1 Cor. 3. 21, 23. Psal. 112. 6, 7. and 115. 3.
The other great consequent of believing, is an admirable unparalleled communion: by virtue whereof, 1. The parties themselves do belong each to other: The Lord is the God of his people, he himself, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is their God, in all his glorious Attributes: his justice, as well as his mercy; his wisdom, power, holiness, &c. for He becometh the God of his people, as he often speaketh in the Covenant On the other part, the Believers are his people: in their very persons they are his, as the Covenant doth speak; They shall be his people; their head, their heart, their hand, &c. whatsoever they are, they are his. 2. By virtue of this communion, they have a mutual interest in one another's whole goods and gear, in as far as can be useful. All the Lords Word doth belong to the Believer: Threatenings as well as Promises, for their good; all his ways, all his works of all sorts, special communications, death, devils, even all things, in so far as can be useful 1. Cor, 3. 21, 22, 23. On the other side, all which belongeth to the Believer, is the Lords; heritage, children, life, wife, credit, all is at his disposing; if any of these can be useful to him, the Believer is to forego them, else he falsifieth that communion, and declareth himself in so far, unworthy of Christ,