N00814:227
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.
Tenthly, I speak with the experience of many Saints, and I hope, according to Scripture, if I say, there is a communication of the Spirit of God which is let out to some of His People; sometimes it is somewhat beside, if not beyond, that witnessing of a Sonship spoken of before: It is a Glorious Divine manifestation of God unto the Soul, shedding abroad Gods love in the Heart; it is a thing better felt then spoken of; it is no audible voice, but it is a waffe of Glory filling the Soul with God, as He is Life, Light, Love and Liberty, countervasting that audible voice; O Man, greatly Beloved, Dan. 9.22. putting a man in a transport with this in his heart, It is good to be here, as Mat. 17, 4 It is that which went out from Christ to Mary, when He but mentioned her name, Joh. 10.16 He had spoken some words to her before, and she understood not that it was He: But when He uttered this one word MARY, there was some admirable conveyance and manifestation ⟨p. 124⟩made out unto her heart, by which she was so satisfyingly filled, that there was no place for arguing & disputing, whether or not that was Christ, and if she had a• interest in Him. That manifestation made Faith to it self, and did purchase credit and trust to it self, and was equivalent with, Thus saith the Lord. This is such a glance of Glory, that it may in the highest sense be called, the earnest or first fruits of the inheritance: for, it is a felt armful of the Holy GOD, almost wholly conforming the man unto His likeness, so swallowing him up, that He forgetteth all things except the present manifestation. Oh, How Glorious is this manifestation of the Spirit! Faith here riseth to so full an assurance, that it resolveth wholly into sensible embracements of God. This is the thing which doth best deserve the title of sensible presence. And, it is like, is not given unto all Believers, some whereof, are all their Days under bondage, and in fear, Heb. 2.15 But here love, almost perfect, casteth out fear. This is so absolutely let out upon the Masters pleasure, and so transient and passing or quickly gone when it is, that no man may bring his ⟨p. 125⟩