N00814:254
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.
4. What are the qualifications and properties of this duty, if rightly managed.
5. What be the native consequents of it, U• it •e performed aright.
As for the First, What is to close with Gods device of saving Sinners by Christ Jesus, held out in the Gospel? Here we must remember (as we show before) that at first God willed man to abide in His favour, by holding fast his first integrity in which he was Created; but man by his transgression lost Gods favour, made void that Covenant of Works, and put himself in an utter incapacity to regain the Lords friendship which he had lost by his ⟨p. 139⟩Sin, and to rescue himself from the Curse and wrath now due to him for the same; or any way to procure his own Salvation: but the Lord freely hath manife•ed another way of repairing mans lost estate, viz. by sending His Son Christ Jesus in the Flesh to satisfy his Justice for the sins of the Elect, and to restore in them his image now defaced, and to bring them unto Glory▪ and he hath made open Proclamation in the Church that whosoever will lay aside all thoughts of saving themselves by the Covenant of Works, or inherent Righteousness, and will agree heartily to be saved by Jesus Christ, they shall be restored to a better condition then formerly man was into, and shall be saved: So then, to close with Gods device of saving sinners by Christ Jesus, is to quit and forego all thoughts of help or salvation by our own righteousness, and to agree unto this way which God hath found out. It is to no value and highly esteem of Christ Jesus as the treasure sufficient to enrich poor man, and with the heart to believe this record, that there is Life enough in him for men. It is to please this invention, and to acquiesce in it as the only way to true happiness.