N00814:282
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.
By what is said, it doth manifestly appear that many in the visible Church had need to do somewhat further for securing of their Soul, when they come to years of discretion, then is found to have been done by them before, in the Covenant between God and the Church, sealed to them in Baptism. By what is said also, there is a competent guard upon the free Grace of God in the Gospel, held out through Christ Jesus: so as ignorant, senseless, profane men cannot with any shadow of reason pretend to an interest in it. It is true, believing in Christ and closing with Him as a perfect Saviour, seemeth easy, and every Godless man saith, that he believeth on Him: But they deceive themselves, since their Soul hath neve• cordially, rationally, and resolutely gone out after Christ Jesus, as we have said. It may be some wicked men have been enlightened, Heb. 6.4 and have found some reel in their fear, Act. 24.25. or in their joy, Mat. 13.20. Mark 6.20. But not having engaged their heart in approaching to God, Jer. 30.20. ⟨p. 161⟩have either sitten down in that common work, as their sanctuary, until the trial came, Mat. 13.20. or they return back with the Dog to their vomit, from which they had in some measure escaped by the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour, 2 Pet 2.20. or they utterly fall away to the hatred and malicious despising and persecuting of Christ and His interests; from whence hardly they can be recovered, Heb. 6.4, — Heb. 10.26, — which things should provoke men to be serious in this great business.
By what is said, it doth manifestly appear that many in the visible Church had need to do somewhat further for securing of their Soul, when they come to years of discretion, then is found to have been done by them before, in the Covenant between God and the Church, sealed to them in Baptism. By what is said also, there is a competent guard upon the free Grace of God in the Gospel, held out through Christ Jesus: so as ignorant, senseless, profane men cannot with any shadow of reason pretend to an interest in it. It is true, believing in Christ and closing with Him as a perfect Saviour, seemeth easie, and every Godless man saith, that he believeth on Him: But they deceive themselves, since their Soul hath neve cordially, rationally, and resolutely gone out after Christ Jesus, as we have said. It may be some wicked men have been enlightned,