N00814:86
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.
2. The Lord shaketh a special strong hold in the Garrison, a refuge of Lies, to which the man betaketh himself when his sins are thus discovered to him. The Poor man pretendeth to Faith in Christ, whereby he thinks his burden is taken off him, as the Pharisee said, Joh. 8.41. We have one Father, even God. They pretend to a special Relation to God as a common Lord. The Spirit of God beats the men from this by the truth of the Scriptures, proving that he hath no true Faith, and so no interest in Christ, nor any true saving Grace; showing clear differences between True Grace, and the Counterfeit Fancies which the man hath in him; and between him, and the truly Godly, as Christ laboureth to do those, Joh. 8.42, 44. If God were your Father, ye would love me. Ye are of the Devil, for ye do the Lusts of such a Father. So, Fear ⟨p. 39⟩[…], Isa. 3.14, […] when the Lord discovereth to […] conditions in many of these Pro• (wherein he trusted must) not […] attainable, he now seeth Grace & […] another thing then once he judged […] to be. We may in some respect apply that word here, The Spirit convinceth him of Sin, because he hath not believed on the Son: He is particularly convinced of Unbelief, Joh. 16.19. He sees now a huge distance between himself and the Godly, who he thought before, outstripped him only in some U•cessary, Proud, Hateful Preciseness; he now seeth himself deluded, and in the broad way with the perishing Multitude: and so in this sight of his misery, coucheth down under his own burden▪ which before this time, he thought Christ did bear for him; he now beginneth to scar at the Promises, because of that and such other words, What hast thou to do to take in Covenant on thy mouth, […] 16.
2. The Lord shaketh a special strong hold in the Garrison, a refuge of Lies, to which the man betaketh himself when his sins are thus discovered to him. The Poor man pretendeth to Faith in Christ, whereby he thinks his burden is taken off him, as the Pharis said,