A42363:187
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.
It is done maliciously, so as it proceeds not so much, if at all, from a tentation to pleasure, profit, or honour; It proceedeth not from fear, or force, or from any good end proposed; but out of heart-malice, against God and Christ, and the Advancement of his Glory and Kingdom. So that it is the very nature of Satan's sin, who hath an irreconcilable hatred against God, and the remedy of sin, because his glory is thereby advanced. This is a special ingredient in this sin. The Pharisees are found guilty of heart-malice against Christ, since they spake so against him, and not against their own children casting out Devils; and this is the force of Christs Argument, Mat. 12. 27. They do their utmost to Crucify Christ again, and to bring him to an open shame. Heb. 6. 6. They are adversaries like the Devil, Heb. 10. 27. 5. It is done despitefully. The malice must bewray it self. The Pharisees must proclaim that Christ hath correspondence with Devils, Met. •2. He must be put to an open shame, and crucified ⟨p. 105⟩again, Heb. 6. they must tread under foot that blood, and do despite to the Spirit; Heb. 10. 29. so that the party had rather perish a thousand times, than be in Christs debt for salvation. The last thing in the description, is, the ordinary attendant or consequence of this sin, it breedeth Desperate and Hopeless fear. They fear him, whom they hate, with a slavish, hopeless fear, such as Devils have, Heb. 10. 27. They know that God will put out his power against them; they tremble in the remembrance of it; and if they could be above him, and destroy him, they covet it; and since they cannot reach that, they hate with the utmost of heart-malice, and do persecute him, and all that is his with despite.
It is done maliciously, so as it proceeds not so much, if at all, from a tentation to pleasure, profit, or honour; It proceedeth not from fear, or force, or from any good end proposed; but out of heart-malice, against God and Christ, and the Advancement of his Glory and Kingdom. So that it is the very nature of Satans sin, who hath an irreconcileable hatred against God, and the remedy of sin, because his glory is thereby advanced. This is a special ingredient in this sin. The Pharisees are found guilty of heart-malice against Christ, since they spake so against him, and not against their own children casting out Devils; and this is the force of Christs Argument,