A42363:57
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.
5. After this discovery of a possibility to be saved, there is a work of desire quickened in the Soul; which is clear in that same expression, What shall I do to be saved? But sometimes this desire is not regular, whilst it goeth out thus, what shall I do that I may work the works of God Joh. 6. 28. In which case, the man formerly perplexed with fear and care about his Salvation would be at some work of his own, to extricate himself; And here he suddenly resolveth to do all that is commanded, and to forego every evil way (yet much slighting Christ Jesus) and so beginneth to take some courage to himself again establishing his own righteousness, but not submitting to the Righteousness of God, Rom. 10. 3. whereupon the Lord maketh a new assault on him, intending the discovery of his absolutely broken state in himself, that so room might be made for the Surety; as Joshua did to the people, when he found them so bold in their undertakings, Josh. 24. 18. 19. You cannot serve the Lord, saith he, fer he is a Holy God &c. In this new assault, the Lord, 1. Bends up against the man the spirituality of the Law, the Commandment cometh with a new change in the spiritual meaning of it, Rom. 7. 9. The Law came (saith Paul) viz. in the spiritual meaning of it. Paul had never seen such a sight of the Law before▪ 2. God most holily doth loose the restraining bonds, which he had laid upon the mans corruptions, and suffereth it not only to boil and swell within, but to threaten, to break out in all the outward members. Thus sin groweth bold, and kicketh at the law, becoming exceeding sinful, Rom. 7. 8, 9, 13. ⟨p. 23⟩3. The Lord doth discover to man, more now than ever before, the uncleanness of his righteousness, and what spots are in his best things. These things kill the mast, and he dieth in his own conceit, Rom. 7. 9. and despaireth of relief in himself, if it come not from some other way.