N00814:89
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.
[…] this discovery of a possibility to […] it a work of desire […] which is clear in that • pression, ⟨p. 42⟩What shall I do to be Saved? But sometimes this desire is airted amiss, whilst it goeth out thus, What shall I do that I may work the works of God? Joh. 6.28. In which case, the man formerly perplexed with fear and care about his Salvation, would be at some work of his own to extricate himself; and here he suddenly resolveth to do all that is commanded, and to fore-go every evil way, (yet much miskenning Christ Jesus) and so beginneth to take some courage to himself again; establishing his own Righteousness, but not submitting unto the Righteousness of God, Rom. 10.3. Whereupon, the Lord maketh a new assault on him, intending the discovery of his absolutely broken state in himself, that so room may be made for the Cautioner; As Joshua did to the People, when he found them so bold in their undertakings, Josh. 24.18, 19. You cannot serve the Lord, (saith he) for He is a Holy God, a Jealous God, &c. In this new assault the Lord, (1.) Bends up against the man, the Spirituality of the Law. The Commandment cometh with a new Charge in the Spiritual meaning of it, Rom 7.6. The Law came, (saith Paul) viz. in the Spiritual ⟨p. 43⟩meaning of it. Paul had never seen such a sight of the Law before. (2.) God most Holily doth lose the restraining bonds, which He had laid upon the mans Corruption, and suffereth it not only to hoyl and swell within, but to threaten, to break out in all the outward members. Thus sin groweth bold, and kicketh at the Law, becoming exceeding sinful, Rom. 7.8, 9, 13. (3) The Lord doth discover to the man, more now than ever before, the Uncleanness of his Righteousness, and what spots are in his best things. These things kill the man, and he dieth in his own conceit, Rom. 7.9. and despaireth of relief in himself, if it come not from another airth.