N00814:273
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. This seriousness doth make the man peremptory to find relief: since it is not in himself, he dare not put off and delay his business, as before: and this is indeed required, that he find himself so pursued and put to it, that he flee for ⟨p. 151⟩refuge somewhere. I grant some have a higher and some a lesser degree of this seriousness, as we show in the former part of this Treatise. But if we speak of the Lords ordinary way of working with those who are come to age, we say, they must very seriously take their Souls estate to heart, despairing of help in themselves: since the whole need no Physician, but those who are sick, Mat. 9.12. As for the measure, we plead only that which doth probably suppose, that a man will be induced thereby to transact cordially with Christ, on any terms he doth offer Himself to be closed with.
4. This seriousness doth make the man peremptory to find relief: since it is not in himself, he dare not put off and delay his business, as before: and this is indeed required, that he find himself so pursued and put to it, that he flee for ⟨p. 151⟩refuge somewhere. I grant some have a higher and some a lesser degree of this seriousness, as we shew in the former part of this Treatise. But if we speak of the Lords ordinary way of working with those who are come to age, we say, they must very seriously take their Souls estate to heart, despairing of help in themselves: since the whole need no Physician, but those who are sick, Mat. 9.12. As for the measure, we plead only that which doth probably suppose, that a man will be induced thereby to transact cordially with Christ, on any terms he doth offer Himself to be closed with.
The second thing pre-required of him who would believe on Christ Jesus, is, he must know and take to heart the way of escape from Gods wrath: the Spirit must convince him of that righteousness. Here a man must understand somewhat distinctly, that God hath devised a way to save poor lost man by Jesus Christ, whose perfect Righteousness hath satisfied offended Justice, and procured Pardon and everlasting favour to all those whom he persuadeth by this Gospel, to accept of Gods offer,