N00814:69
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.
Fifthly, Upon all these things, Christ confirmeth and ratifieth the bargain by His Word recommending to him that oneness of interest, which behoved to be between him and the Saints, and the thoughts of his own lost Condition, if Christ had not come and sought him and found him: All which are clear, Luk. 19 3, — 10. We grant the Lord calleth some so, and if any can lay claim to the special things we have now hinted, they have a good confirmation of Gods dealing with them, from that Scripture: Neither are they to vex themselves because of the want of a distinct preparatory Law-work, if their Heart have yielded unto Christ. For, a Law-work is not desirable, except for this end. Therefore Christ doth offer Himself directly in the Scripture, and People are invited to Him: and although many will not come to Him who is the Cautioner, until the Spirit of bondage distress them for their debt; yet if any upon the knowledge of their lost estate, would flee and yield to Christ, none might ⟨p. 31⟩warrantably •ress a Law-work upon them. As for others, whom Christ persuaded by a word to follow Him: whatsoever He did, or howsoever He spake to them at His first meeting with them, we must rationally suppose, that then He discovered so much of thei• own necessity, and His own ful•ss and excellency to them as made them quit all and run after Him. And if He do so to any, we crave no more, since their is room enough there for the Physician. So that from all this, as some may be confirmed and strengthened, with whom God hath so dealt; So there is no ground nor occasion for deluding Souls to flatter themselves in their condition, who remain Ignorant and Senseless of their own Miseries and Christs All-sufficiency, and hold fast deceit.
Fifthly, Upon all these things, Christ confirmeth and ratifieth the bargain by His Word recommending to him that oneness of interest, which behoved to be between him and the Saints, and the thoughts of his own lost Condition, if Christ had not come and sought him and found him: All which are clear, Luk. 19 3, — 10. We grant the Lord calleth some so, and if any can lay claim to the special things we have now hinted, they have a good confirmation of Gods dealing with them, from that Scripture: Neither are they to vex themselves because of the want of a distinct preparatory Law-work, if their Heart have yielded unto Christ. For, a Law-work is not desirable, except for this end. Therefore Christ doth offer Himself directly in the Scripture, and People are invited to Him: and although many will not come to Him who is the Cautioner, until the Spirit of bondage distress them for their debt; yet if any upon the knowledge of their lost estate, would flee and yield to Christ, none might