A42363:58
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.
6. After many ups and downs here, ordinarily the man resolveth some retirement, he desireth to be alone, he cannot keep company as before; like those who in a besieging City, when they see they cannot hold out, and would be glad of any good condition from the besieging enemy, they go to a council, that they may resolve somewhat. So the man here retireth, that he may speak with himself. This is like that communing with our own heart Psal. 4. 4. Thus God leadeth to the wilderness, that he may speak to the heart, Hos. 2. 14. When the person is retired, the thoughts of the heart which were scattered in former steps of exercise, do more observable throng in here. We shall reduce them into this method. (1.) The man thinks of his unhappy folly, in bearing arms against God, and here there be large thoughts of former ways, with a blushing countenance and self-loathing, Ezek. 36. 31. like that of Psal. 51. 3. his sin is before him. (2.) Then he remembereth how fair opportunities of yielding to God he hath basely lost; his spirit is like to faint when he remembereth that, as is said in another case, Psal. 42. 4, 5. (3) He now thinks of many Christians, whom he mocked and despised in his heart, persuading himself now that they are happy, as having chosen the better part; he thinks of the condition of those who wait on Christ, as the Queen of Sheba did of Solomons servants: Happy are thy servants (saith she) who stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom, 1 Kings 10. 8. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, &c. Psal. 8. 4. 4. He wisheth to be one of the meanest who have any near relation to God, as the […] Son doth speak▪ ⟨p. 24⟩he would be as one of the Fathers hired servants,