N00814:53
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.
Part 1: The Trial of a Saving Interest in CHRIST.Part 1: The Tryal of a Saving Interest in CHRIST.
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.
5. It is no less a mistake to imagine, that the vain, groundless Confidence which many profane, ignorant Atheists do maintain, is this knowledge of an interest in Christ which we plead for. Many do falsely avow Him to be their Father. Joh. 8.41. And many look for Heaven, who will be ⟨p. 25⟩beguiled with those Foolish Virgins, Mat. 25.12 Yet we must not think because of this, that all knowledge of Interest, is a Delusion and Fancy, although these Fools be Deceived: for whilst thousands are deluded, some can say on good and solid grounds, We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lieth in wickedness. 1 Joh. 5.19.
5. It is no less a mistake to imagine, that the vain, groundless Confidence which many profane, ignorant Athiests do maintain, is this knowledge of an interest in Christ which we plead for. Many do falsly avow Him to be their Father. Joh. 8.41. And many look for Heaven, who will be ⟨p. 25⟩beguiled with those Foolish Virgins, Mat. 25.12 Yet we must not think because of this, that all knowledge of Interest, is a Delusion and Fancy, although these Fools be Deceived: for whilest thousands are deluded, some can say on good and solid grounds, We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lieth in wickedness. 1 Joh. 5.19.
Having premised these things, it now followeth that we give some Marks, by which a man may know if he be Savingly in Covenant with God, and hath a Special Interest in Christ, so as he may warrantably lay claim to Gods Favour and Salvation. We shall only pitch upon two great and principal marks, not willing to trouble people with many. And before we fall upon these, we will speak of a preparatory work of the Law, whereof the Lord doth ordinarily make use, to prepare His own way in mens Souls. This may have its own weight, as a mark with some persons. It is called, the work of the Law, or, the work of Humiliation. It hath some proportion to that Spirit of Bondage,