N00814:54
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.
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, Rom. 8.15. and doth now under the New Testament ⟨p. 26⟩answer unto it, and usually leadeth on to the Spirit of Adoption. Only here let it be remembered;
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, Rom. 8.15. and doth now under the New Testament ⟨p. 26⟩answer unto it, and usually leadeth on to the Spirit of Adoption. Only here let it be remembred;
1. That we are not to speak of this preparatory work of the Law, as a Negative mark of a true interest in Christ. As if none might lay claim to Gods favour, who hath not had this preparatory work in the several steps of it, as we are to speak of it; for, as we shall hear, the Lord doth not always keep that path with men.