N00814:275
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.
The third thing pre-required, is, a man must know that as God hath not excluded him from the relief appointed, so he is willing to be reconciled unto men through Christ, and hath obliged men to close with Him through Christ Jesus, and so to impropriate that Salvation to themselves. He not only invites all to come, Isa. 35.1, and welcometh all that come, as we find in the Gospel, and commendeth those who come, Mat. 8.10. Mat. 15.28. and chideth for not coming and closing with him, Joh. 5.40. and condemneth for not closing so with him, Joh. 3.18. But also he commandeth all to believe on Christ, 1 Joh. 3.23. So as a man is not to question the Lords willingness to receive men, who go to ⟨p. 153⟩Christ honestly; for God hath abundantly cleared that in Scripture: unless that a man know so much, he will scarcely dare to lay his heart open for that noble device of saving sinners, or adventure his own weight and stress upon Christ Jesus.
The fourth thing pre-required, is, The man who would close with Christ Jesus, must resolve to break all Covenants with Hell and Death: Isa. 28.15. Whatsoever known evil men are engaged into, they must resolve to forego it: for there is no concord between Christ and Belial. 2 Cor. 6.14, — The Lord requireth that they who would expect Him to be for them, should not be for another,