N00814:124
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.
As for Example, The Soul is naked, destitute of a covering to keep it from the storm of Gods Wrath; Christ is fine ⟨p. 70⟩Raiment, Rev. 3.17, 18. Then accordingly, Faith's work here is to put on the Lord Jesus, Gal. 3.27. The Soul is hungry and thirsty after somewhat that may Everlastingly satisfy; Christ Jesus is Milk, Wine, Water, the Bread of Life, and the true Manna, Isa. 55.1, 2. Joh. 6 48, 51. He is the Feast of fat things, and of wine refined, Isa. 25.6. Then the work and exercise of Faith, is, to go buy, eat and drink abundantly, Isa. 55.1 Joh. 6.53, 57. The Soul is pursued for Guilt more or less & is not Law-biding: Christ Jesus is the City of Refuge and the High-Priest there, during whose Life-time (that is forever) the poor man, who wins thither, is safe. Then the work and exercise of Faith is, to flee thither for Refuge, to lay hold on the Hope set before us, Heb. 6.18. In a word, whatsoever way He may benefit poor man, so He speaketh of Himself; and as He holdeth out Himself in the Scripture, so Faith doth point towards Him. If He be a Bridegroom, Faith will go out in a Marriage Relation▪ If He be a Father, Faith pleadeth the man to be a Child; If He be a Shepherd, Faith pleads the man may be one of His Sheep: If He be a Lord, ⟨p. 71⟩Faith calleth Him so, which none can do but by the Spirit of Jesus: If He be Dead and Risen again for our Justification, Faith believeth God hath raised Him on that account, Rom. 10.9. Wheresoever He be, there would Faith be; and whatsoever He is, Faith would be somewhat proportionally. For, by Faith the heart is shapen out in breadth & length for Him: Yea, when the fame and report of Him goeth abroad in His Truth, although Faith see not much, yet it believeth on His Name, upon the very fame He hath sent abroad of Himself,