A42363:71
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.
The fourth great end, is, to work up men to a patient and thankful submission to all the Masters pleasure. This is a singular piece of work, Ezek. 16. 63. Then shalt thou not open thy mouth any more, The sight of a mans own vileness and deservings, maketh him silent, and to lay his hand on his mouth, whatsoever God doth unto him, Psal. 39. 9. I was dumb, and opened not my mouth, because thou didst it. Ezra 9. 13. God hath punished us less than o•r iniquities. Micah. 7, 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have ⟨p. 31⟩sinned. The man careth not what God doth to him, or how he deal with him, if he save him from the deserved wrath to come. Also, any mercy is a large mercy to him who hath seen such a sight of himself, Gen. 32. 10. he is less than the least of mercies, any crumb falling from his Masters Table is welcome, Mat. 15. 27. he thinks it rich mercy that he is not consumed, Lam. 3. 22. This is the thing that marvellously maketh his poor afflicted people so silent under, and satisfied with their lot; Nay, they think he deserveth Hell, who openeth his mouth at any thing God doth to him, since he hath pardoned his transgressions. So then, for satisfying the Objection, I say, if the Lord hath driven thee out of thy self, and commended Christ to thy heart above all things, and made thee resolve on his strength to wage War with every known transgression and thou art, in some measure, as a weaned Child, acquiescing in what he doth unto thee, desiring to lay thy hand on thy mouth thankfully; Then thy convictions of sin and misery, and whatsoever thou dost, plead as a preparatory work, is sufficient, and thou art to debate no more about it; only be advised to study new discoveries of the sense of thy lost condition every day, because of thy old and new sins, and also to see fresh help in Christ, who is a Priest for ever to make intercession and to have the work of sanctification and patience with thankfulness renewed and quickened often: for somewhat of that work, which abaseth thee, exalteth Christ, and conformeth to his will, must convey thee throughout all thy life-time in this World.