A42363:85
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.
Answ. To say nothing of that thought of your heart, [whereby you wonder that any man should not please the contrivement of salvation by Christ, and lead out towards him] as a very promising thing, and speaking out justifying faith to be in your bosom; and to say nothing in contradiction to that which you think, That a natural man whilst such, and before he get a new heart, can please that contrivement, and believe with his heart and affectionately, that which perfectly overthroweth the Covenant of works, and abaseth man in the point of self-righteousness already attained, or that can be won at by him, which is inconsistent with many Scriptural truths; I offer these differences between the faith of all Hypocrites or reprobates, and that true saving justifying faith whereof we have spoken. 1. They never close with Jesus Christ (in that contrivement) and him alone as a sufficient covering of the eyes, as is said of Abraham ⟨p. 43⟩to Sarah, Gen. 20. 16. They still hold fast somewhat of their own, at least to help to procure Gods favour and salvation: Their heart doth still speak, as that young mans speech, Luke. 18 18, 21. doth insinuate, What want I that I may inherit life? Beside that, they do still retain their former lovers, and will not break their Covenants with Hell and Death, imagining they may have Christ with these things equally sharing in their heart, contrary to that, A man cannot serve two Masters, Mat. 6. 24. Either Christ must be judged absolute Lord, and worthy to be so, or nothing at all. And so it is clear, their heart is not shapen out for that way of salvation by Christ, whom God hath alone made Lord here, in whom all fullness shall dwell. But where justifying faith is, the soul of a man and his heart doth close with Christ, and him alone, having no confidence in the flesh, Phil. 3. 3. Psal. 62. 5. he trusteth only in God. As also the man here giveth up with other lovers, as they stand in competition with Christ; they resolve not to be for another, Hos, 3. 3. They call him Lord, which a man can only do by the Spirit of Christ,