N00814:216
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.
Fourthly, There is a thing which is called Access unto God: and this I take to be the removing of obstructions out of the way between a man and God, so as the man is admitted to come near. We are said to have access to a great person, when doors are cast open, guards removed from about him, and we admitted to close at him; so it is here. Now this Access in Scripture, is sometimes taken for Christs preparing of the way, the removing of enmity between God and sinners; so as men now have a patent way to come unto God through Christ, Eph, 2.18. Sometimes it is taken for the actual improvement of that Access purchased by Christ, when a man finds all obstructions and differences, which do ordinarily fall in between him and God, removed; God is not uncouth to him, nor as a stranger, keeping up himself from him, or frowning on him, but the man is admitted to come even to his seat, as Job 23.3. Of the want of this doth Job complain, Job 23.8, 9 whilst he saith, I go forward, backward, to the right and ⟨p. 112⟩left hand, & I find him not. The first sort of Access is common to all Believers, they are brought near by the Blood of the Covenant, and are no more far off, as the deadly enmity between God and them is removed. But Access, in the other sense, is dispensed more, according to the Lords absolute sovereignty and pleasure, and it is left in the power of Believers to obstruct it unto themselves, until it please the Lord mercifully and freely to grant unto them again, so it is up and down, and there needs be no question, as to a mans state) about it.
Fourthly, There is a thing which is called Access unto God: and this I take to be the removing of obstructions out of the way between a man and God, so as the man is admitted to come near. We are said to have access to a great person, when doors are cast open, guards removed from about him, and we admitted to close at him; so it is here. Now this Access in Scripture, is sometimes taken for Christs preparing of the way, the removing of enmity between God and sinners; so as men now have a patent way to come unto God through Christ, Eph, 2.18. Sometimes it is taken for the actual improvement of that Ac•ess purchased by Christ, when a man finds all obstructions and differences, which do ordinarily fall in between him and God, removed; God is not uncouth to him, nor as a stranger, keeping up himself from him, or frowning on him, but the man is admitted to come even to his seat, as