N00814:419
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.
3. Men should be sparing to bring in question their sincerity in transacting with God, unless they can instruct the same, or have great presumptions for it. If you can instruct any deceit or guile in your transacting with Him, you are obliged to disclaim and rectify it, and to transact with God honestly, and without Guile: But if you know nothing of your deceit, or guile, in the day you did transact with him; Yea, you can say, that ⟨p. 226⟩you did appeal unto God in that day, that you dealt honestly with him, and intended not to deceive; and did obtest Him according to His Faithfulness, to Search & Try if there was any crookedness in your way, and to discover it unto you, and heal it, Psal. 139.23, 24. and afterwards you came to the light, that your deeds might be made manifest, Joh. 3.20, 21. And you can say, that Gods answer from His Word to you, in so far as you could understand, were answers of Peace, and confirmations of your Sincerity. Yea further, You dare say, that if upon Life & Death, you were again to transact with Him, you can do it no other way, nor intending more sincerity and seriousness then before: Then I dare say unto thee, in the Lords Name, thou ought not to question thy Sincerity in transacting with God, but to have confidence before God, since thy heart doth not Condemn thee, 1 Joh. 3.21. And thou art bound to believe, that God dealeth Uprightly with the Upright man, and with the Pure doth show himself Pure, Psal. 18.25, 26. If a man intend Honesty, God will not suffer him to beguile himself, Yea, the Lord suffereth no man to deceive himself, unless ⟨p. 227⟩the man intend to deceive both God and Men.
3. Men should be sparing to bring in question their sincerity in transacting with God, unless they can instruct the same, or have great presumptions for it. If you can instruct any deceit or guile in your transacting with Him, you are obliged to disclaim and rectisie it, and to transact with God honestly, and without Guile: But if you know nothing of your deceit, or guile, in the day you did transact with him; Yea, you can say, that