N00814:280
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 property or qualification of believing as it goeth out after Christ, It must be Rational. Hereby I mean that the man should move towards God in Christ, in knowledge and understanding, taking up Gods device of saving Sinners by Christ, as the Scripture doth hold it out, not fancying a CHRIST to himself other ways than the Gospel speaketh of Him, nor any other way of relief by him than the Word of God holdeth out. Therefore we find knowledge joined to the Covenant between God and Man as a requisite, Jer. 24.7. Jer 31.34. I mean here also, that a man be in calmness of Spirit, and as it were in his cold blood in closing with Christ Jesus, not in a simple ⟨p. 158⟩fit of affection which soon vanisheth Mat. 13.20. Nor in a distemper through some outward distress, as the People were Psal. 78.34 and proved not steadfast in the Covenant; nor under a temptation of some outward temporary interest, as S•mon Magus was when he believed, Act. 8. A man must act here rationally, as being Master of himself, in some measure able to judge of the Good or Evil of the thing as it stands before him.
The third property or qualification of believing as it goeth out after Christ, It must be Rational. Hereby I mean that the man should move towards God in Christ, in knowledge and understanding, taking up Gods device of saving Sinners by Christ, as the Scripture doth hold it out, not phansying a CHRIST to himself other wayes than the Gospel speaketh of Him, nor any other way of relief by him than the Word of God holdeth out. Therefore we find knowledge joyned to the Covenant between God and Man as a requisite, Jer. 24.7. Jer 31.34. I mean here also, that a man be in calmness of Spirit, and as it were in his cold blood in closing with Christ Jesus, not in a simple ⟨p. 158⟩fit of affection which soon vanisheth