N00814:281
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 fourth is, Faith as it it goeth out Rationally, so it goeth out Resolutely. The poor distressed people in the Gospel, did most resolutely cast themselves upon Christ. This resoluteness of Spirit, is in order to all difficulties that lie in the way. Violence is offered to these. The man whose heart is a shaping-out for Christ Jesus, cannot say, There is a Lyon in the street. Prov. 26.13. If he cannot have access by the door, he will break through the roof of the house, with that man, Luk. 5.19. He often doth not regard that which the world calleth discretion or prudence, like Zacheus climbing upon a Tree to see Christ, when Faith was breeding in his bosom, Luk. 19 ⟨p. 159⟩This resoluteness of Spirit looketh towards what inconveniences may follow, and waveth all these, at least resolving over all these, like a wise builder who reckoneth the expense beforehand, Luk. 14.28. This resoluteness is also in order to all a mans Idols, and such weights as would easily beset him, if he did not bend after CHRIST over them all, like that blind man who did cast his Garment from him when Christ called him, Mark 10.50. This resoluteness in the Soul, proceedeth from desperate self necessity within the man, Act. 16.30. and from the sovereign command of God, obliging the man to move towards Christ, 1 Joh. 3.23 and from the good report gone abroad of God, that He putteth none away that come unto Him through Christ, Joh. 6.37. but doth commend such as do adventure over the greatest difficulties, Mat. 15.18. But above all, this resoluteness doth proceed from the Arm of JEHOVAH, secretly and strongly drawing the Sinner towards CHRIST,