N00814:384
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.
1. In the time of great backsliding, people were wont to renew the Covenant with God, and we should do so also: our heart should go out after Christ, in the Promises of reconciliation with God, for He is our Peace upon all occasions, and our Advocate, and we are bound to apprehend him so, when we transgress, 1 Joh. 2.1 and to express so much by word as the Saints did in their formal renewing of the Covenant.
2. When people are in hazard, and difficulties are present or foreseen, then it were good that they should se•d out their hea•t after him, and express their adhering unto him, for securing their own heart: We find Joshua doing so, when he was to settle in the Land of Canaan, in the midst of snares, Josh. 24. So David doth in his straits. Psal. 57.1.
3 When men apprehend God to be at a distance from them, and their Soul to be under withering and decay, then it is safest heartily to close with Christ, and embrace him by Faith for securing of the Soul, and it were good to put it out of question, by the expression of the thing: This is the ready way to draw sap from Christ the root, for recovering of the Soul, & for establishing the heart before Him. The Spouse in the Song of Sol•on doth so, thus asserting her interest in Him when in such a condition; professing and avowing Him to be her beloved,