N00814:325
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.
First then, Let us consider the Object about which this Sin, or sinful acting of the man guilty thereof, is conversant, and that is, The chief Gospel-truth and way of Salvation: both which run to one thing. It is the way which God hath contrived for saving of Sinners by Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah and Saviour by whose Death and Righteousness men are to be saved, as he hath held forth in the Ordinances; confirming the same by many mighty works in Scripture tending ⟨p. 181⟩there-a-way. This way of Salvation is the Object. The Pharisees oppose this, that Christ was the Messiah, Mat. 12. 23, 24. The wrong is done against the Son of God, Heb. 6.6. and the Blood of the Covenant, and the Spirit graciously offering to apply these things, Heb. 10.29.
Secondly, In the description, consider the qualification of this Object; It […] • gularly made out to the party, by the Sp•it of God, both in the truth and good thereof ▪ This saith, (1.) That there must be knowledge of the truth and way of Salvation. The Pharisees knew that Christ was the Heir, Mat. 21.38. The party hath knowledge, Heb. 10.26. (2.) That knowledge of the thing, must not swim only in the head, but there must be some half-heart persuasion of it. Christ knew the Pharisees thoughts, and so did judge them, Mat. 12.25. and that the contrary of what they spake was made out upon their heart. The•e is a tasting,