The Christian's Great Interest

THE Stationer TO THE READER.

The Epistle Commendatory from a Christian Friend, giving an account of his thoughts upon perusal of This Book.

Christian Friend.

I Have sent you by the Bearer, this Book, which by Providence came to my hand, and a Blessed Providence indeed it was to me, for I hope the same mercy that brought it to my hand, hath brought the savour of it to my heart.

Upon peru◊al of it, I find such a blessed and happy conjunction, betwixt the Gifts and the Graces of the Spirit, such a holy and humble Condescention, to my plain capacity, such a serious handling of serious truths, that the language of my heart, upon perusal of it, was somewhat like that of the woman of Canaan, Joh. 4. 29. Come see one that hath told me all that ever I did, or rather, all that God hath done in me, and for me. He that hath waded much in the waters of soul-trouble, may here behold a lively description of the spirit of bondage in all its Terrours and Troubles: And he who is got out of these, and is sunning his soul in the light of Gods Countenance, may here behold the light side of the Cloud; I mean the Spirit of Adoption, in all its beautiful colours.

The former part of this Book sets forth the soul in a storm, when the Law comes thundering to the Conscience; the latter leads it into a Calm of sweet peace and serenity. When the Spirit of God comes to a troubled soul, as the Son of God once came to the troubled Sea, with A peace, be still, Mat. 4. 29. But if it should not be thus, the Believer is here directed to be willing to want what God is not willing to give, and to know, he is wise to give when he will, what he will, and how he will, I find now that peace is sown for the Righteous, Psal. 97. 11. but all do not reap the crop till they come into Emmanuel's land, Isa. 8. 8. there our joy, as well as our light, shall be clear, and our love perfect.

And if there be any more concerned in this Piece than others, (though it deals forth its bread to all) it's young Men and young Converts; the latter may here behold, as in a Map or Mirrour, the several Providences, and various workings of the blessed Spirit, that have all concurred in the bringing them home to God; and may take notice of all the inducements and remora's they met with in the way; That as Moses was to write a History of the Children of Israel passing through the Wilderness, Numb. 33. 2. so doth this Book, with a holy kind of Elegancy, describe the Spirits leading the soul out of its bewildered estate, into the Spiritual Canaan, never leaving it, till it comes to the Mountain of Spices, Cant. 8. 14. out of Satans gun-shot, where his habitation shall be a Munition of Rocks, Isa. 33. 16. neither is there one path omitted, so far as I could ever read or gather from my own or others experience; So that it may not be unfitly termed, A Spiritual day-Book of all the passages between the Spirit of God, and the soul in its regeneration work; Which is no loss profitable than delightful for the believer to be reading over the Records of Gods love manifested in the Gospel; What care and cost he took with him, to recover him out of the Gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity: For tryal bring◊ ◊ruth to light, and those things which through many Cloud◊ intercepting, may have lost their remembrance in the soul, are here clearly discovered, that they have been, although for the present the beli◊◊ 〈…〉, How is the Gold become dim? How is the fine gold hanged? And the looking over pa◊ experien◊◊ brings a renewed favour, and spiritual relli◊◊ of those things upon the heart to them, who have thus tasted that the Lord is good, at least supports the Soul under the want of sensible feeling: whilst it calls to remembrance the days of old, the years of Gods right hand: But I have done, and yet methinks I can never write enough of the excellency and utility of this piece; The Lord make it so profitable to others, as it hath been to me. To his blessing, I leave both you and it, and remain,

TO THE READER

Christian Reader.

WHile the generality of Men, especially in these days, by their eager pursuit after low and base interests, have proclaimed as upon the house tops, how much they have forgotten to make choice of that better part, which (if chosen) should never be taken from them; I have made an Essay, such as it is, in the following Treatise, to take thee off from this unprofitable, though painful pursuit, by proposing the chiefest of interests, even the Christians Great Interest, to be seriously pondered, and constantly pursued by thee: Thou mayest think it strange, to see any in Print from my Pen; (as indeed it is a surprize to my self) But necessity hath made me for this once to offer so much violence to my own inclination, in regard that some, without my knowledge, have lately published some imperfect Notes of a few of my Sermons, most confusedly together, prefixing withal this vain Title (as dispealsing to my self, as the publishing of the thing) A Clear Attractive Warming-Beam, &c. Vpon this occasion I was prevailed with to publish this late Piece, wherein I have purposely used a most homely and plain stile, lest other wayes, (though when I have stretched my self to the utmost I am below the Judicious and more Vnderstanding) I should be above the reach of the Rude and Ignorant, whose advantage I have mainly, if not only consulted: I have likewise studied brevity in every thing, so far as I conceived it to be consistent with plainness and perspic◊ity; knowing that the persons to whom I address my self herein, have neither much mony to spend upon Books, nor much time to spare upon Reading. If thou be a Rigid Critick, I know thou mayest meet with several things to carp at, yet assure thy self, that I had no design to offend thee, neither will thy simple approbation satisfie me; It's thy edification I intend, together with the incitement of some others, more expert, and experienced in this Excellent Subject, to handle the same at greater length, which I have more briefly hinted at, who am,

p. 1The Tryal of a Saving Interest in CHRIST.

SInce there be so many people living under the Ordinances, pretending without ground to a special interest in Christ, and to his favour and salvation, as is clear, Mat. 7. 22, 23. & 25. 11, 12. Luke. 13. 24. And since many who have good ground of claim to Christ, are not established in the confidence of his favour, but remain in the dark, without comfort, hesitating concerning the reality of godliness in themselves, and speaking a little to the commendation of Religion to others, especially in the time of their straits, I shall speak a little to two things of greatest concernment. The one is, How a person shall know if he hath a true and special interest in Christ, and whether he doth lay just claim to Gods favour and salvation? The other is, In case a person fall short in the foresaid tryal, what course he shall take for making sure Gods friendship and salvation to himself?

Quest. 1. How shall a man know if he hath a true and special interest in Christ, and whether he hath or may lay ◊laim justly to Gods favour and salvation?

Answer. Before we speak directly to the Question, 〈…〉 shall premise some things to make way for the An◊wer.

p. 1As First, That a mans interest in Christ, or gracius state, may be known, and that with more certainty than p. 2people do conjecture; yea, and the knowledg of it may be more easily attained unto than many do imagine: For not only hath the Lord commanded men to know their interest in him, as a thing attainable, 2. Cor. 13. 5. 2 Pet. 1. 10. But many of the Saints have attained unto the clear perswasion of their interest in Christ, and in God, as their own God; How often do they call him their God and their portion; and how perswaded is Paul, that nothing can seperate him from the love of God? Rom. 8. 38, 39. Therefore the knowledg of a mans gracious state is attainable: and this knowledge of it, which may be attained, is no fancy and bare conceit, but it is most sure: Doubtless thou art our Father, saith the Prophet in name of the Church, Isa. 23. 16. It is clear thus; 1. That can be no fancy, but a very sure knowledg, which doth yeild to a rational man comfort in most real straits: But so doth this, 1. Sam. 30. 6. when the people spake of stoning David, he encouraged himself in the Lord his God, Psal. 3. 6. he saith there, he will not be afraid of ten thousand that rise against him. Compare these words with ver. 3. of that Psalm, Psal. 27. 1, 3. Although an host encamp against him, he is confident in this. 2. That is a sure knowledg of a thing, which maketh a wise Merchant sell all he hath that he may keep it sure, that maketh a man forgo children, lands, life, and suffer the spoyling of all joyfully: But so doth this Mat. 13. 44. Mar. 1◊. 28, 29 Heb. 10. 34. Rom. 5. Act. 5. 41. (13) That must be a sure and certain knowledg, and no fancy, whereupon a man voluntarily and freely doth adventure his soul, when he is stepping into eternity with this word in his mouth, This is all my desire. But such a knowledge is 2 Sam. 25. 5. And again, Not only may a godly man come to the sure knowledge of his gracious state, but it is more easily attainable than many do apprehend: for (supposing what shall be afterwards proved, p. 3that a man may know the gracious work of Gods Spirit in himself) if he will but argue rationally from thence he shall be forced to conclude his interest in Christ unless he deny clear Scripture truths. I shall only make use of one here, because we are to speak more directly to this afterwards. A godly man may argue thus: whosoever receive Christ, are justly reputed the Children of God, John 1. 12. But I have received Christ all the wayes which the Word there can import: for, I am well pleased with the device, or way of salvation by Christ, I agree to the terms; I welcom the offer of Christ in all his offices, as a King to rule over me, as a Priest to offer and intercede for me, as a Prophet to teach me; I lay out my heart for Him and towards Him, resting on Him, as I am able; what else can be meant by the word receiving? Therefore may I say and conclude plainly and warrantably, I am justly to reckon my self Gods child according to the aforesaid Scripture, which cannot fail.