N00814:63
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.
3. Although such know not when they were first acquainted with God, yet they have afterwards such exercises of spirit befalling, as the Saints in Scripture (of whose first Conversion we hear not) do speak of. They are shut out from God, upon some occasion now and then, and are admitted to come nearer again, (to their apprehension.) Their heart is also further broken up, by the Ordinances, as is said of Lydia, Act. 16.14. and ordinarily they do remember, when some special bit of Religion and Duty, or when some Sin, of which they were not taking notice before, was discovered to them. They who can apply these things to themselves, have much to say for their effectual Calling from their Youth.
3. Although such know not when they were first acquainted with God, yet they have afterwards such exercises of spirit befalling, as the Saints in Scripture (of whose first Conversion we hear not) do speak of. They are shut out from God, upon some occasion now and then, and are admitted to come nearer again, (to their apprehension.) Their heart is also further broken up, by the Ordinances, as is said of Lyd•a, Act. 16.14. and ordinarily they do remember, when some special bit of Religion and Duty, or when some Sin, of which they were not taking notice before, was discovered to them. They who can apply these things to themselves, have much to say for their effectual Calling from their Youth.
Secondly, Some are brought in to Christ in a Sovereign Gospel-way. When the Lord by some few words of love swallowing ⟨p. 29⟩up any Law-work, quickly tak•h a person Prisoner at the first, as He did Zaccheus, Luk. 19. and others; who upon a word spoken by Christ, did leave all and follow Him: and we hear no noise of a Law-work dealing with them before they closed with Christ Jesus. And because some may pretend to this way of Calling, we shall touch some things most remarkable in that transaction with Zaccheus, for their clearing and confirmation.