Christian's great interest - Guthrie - IX - Part 2 concluded

Required reading
The Christian's great interest by William Guthrie (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Continue Part 2 by reading Chapter 4 and finish the book by reading the Conclusion.

My summary
In Chapter Four we have the climax of the book.  We are instructed in personal covenanting with God in Christ.

Firstly we are told that covenanting with God
(i) is warranted;
(ii) what is needed for it;
(iii) how you do it;
(iv) what should follow it (a long prayer is given as an example).

Then the rest of the Chapter looks at obstacles to covenanting:
(i) want of proper feeling;
(ii) fear of backsliding;
(iii) past experience of fruitlessness.

The conclusion of the book is a series of eighteen questions which summarise the book.

What grabbed me
There was a good challenge against covenanting with God for a period of time to see if fruit shows up: 'Men should remember, that one piece of grace cannot produce any degree of grace; further, nothing can work grace but the arm of Jehovah: and if men would incline to Christ, and covenant with him as their duty absolutely, whatsoever may be the consequence, at least, looking only to him for the suitable fruit, it should fare better with them. God pleaseth not that men should betake themselves to Christ, and covenant with him for a season, until they see if such fruit and establishment shall follow, purposing to disclaim their interest in him and the covenant, if such and such fruit doth not appear within such a length of time. This is to put the ways ot God to trial, and is very displeasing to him. Men must absolutely close with Christ, and covenant with him, resolving to maintain these things as their duty, and a ready way to reach fruit, whatsoever shall follow thereupon; they having a testimony within them, that they seriously design conformity to his revealed will in all things; and that they have closed covenant with him for the same end, as well as to be saved thereby.'

When you commit yourself to God, there should be no bargaining about fruit.  You are all in, regardless of how God may choose to use you.

Next week's reading
Begin Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) by reading the Preface, the Dedication, the Address to the Reader and the Introduction.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.