N00814:113
The Christian's great interest. Or, A short treatise, divided into two parts. The first…
The Christian's great interest. Or, A short treatise, divided into two parts. The first whereof, containeth the [sic] trial of a saving interest in Christ. The second, pointeth forth plainly the [sic] way how to attain it: : Wherein somewhat is likewise spoken to the manner of express covenanting with God. / By William Guthrie, Minister of the Gospel, at New-Kilmarnock.The Christian's great interest. Or, A short treatise, divided into two parts. The first whereof, containeth te [sic] tryal of a saving interest in Christ. The second, pointeth forth plainly te [sic] way how to attain it: : Wherein somewhat is likewise spoken to the manner of express covenanting with God. / By William Guthrie, Minister of the Gospel, at New-Kilmarnock.
printed by T. Green for Nicholas Boone, 1701
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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 lo lay his hand on his mouth whatever God doth unto him: Psal. 39.9. I was dumb, and opened not my mouth, because thou did it. Ezra 9.13. God hath punished us less then our iniquities. Mic. 7.9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned. The man careth not what God doth to him, or how He deal with him, if He save him from the Wrath to come. Also, any Mercy is a large mercy to him, ⟨p. 59⟩who hath seen such a sight of himself, Gen. 32.10. he is less than the least of mercies: any crumb falling from the Masters Table is welcome, Mat. 15.2•. He thinks it rich mercy that he is not consumed, Lam. 3.22· This is the thing that marvellously maketh His poor crossed 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 Prie