The Best Interest, Chapter 3
CHAP. III. An Exhortation to ſuch as are in a Chriſtleſs condition, to ſeek after an intereſt in Chriſt. Directions, Motives and Helps in order to the getting an Intereſt in Chriſt. Hinderances removed.
SEeing it is thus, that an intereſt in Chriſt is a ground of ſtrong Conſolation under all the troubles of this Life, and the terrors of Death, then let all thoſe that are yet in a Chriſtleſs condition, ſeek after an intereſt in Chriſt, and thoſe that are in doubt whether they have an intereſt in Chriſt, make ſure work in this thing, that they get Chriſt for theirs, and that they become his. What Solomon ſaith of Wiſdom, Prov. 4.7. Wiſdom is the principal thing, therefore get Wiſdom, and with all thy gettings get Ʋnderſtanding. That may I ſay concerning Jeſus Chriſt, who is ſtiled the Wiſdom of God. Chriſt is the principal thing, therefore get Chriſt, yea with all thy gettings, get an intereſt in Jeſus Chriſt. The main, the principal thing that we have to ſeek after, that we ſhould employ our thoughts and our time in, is not how we ſhould get the World, the Riches or Honours of the World, but how we ſhould get Chriſt, and the Salvation of our Souls by Chriſt, and therefore we ſhould be more ſollicitous to get Chriſt, than we are to get any thing in this World; we are all deſirous of comfort while we live in an evil and troubleſome World, and we are deſirous of comfort when we dye, why then are we ſo cold and remiſs, and in ſeeking after Chriſt? The ready way: yea the only way to live and dye comfortably is to get an intereſt in Chriſt, the Conſolation of Iſrael. For true and ſolid comfort is to be had only in and through Chriſt. To render this Exhortation more effectual I ſhall,
1. Shew you how and in what manner you ſhould ſeek to get your Souls made pertakers of Chriſt.
2. Lay down ſome motives to ſtir you to a ſpeedy, diligent, conſtant ſeeking after Chriſt.
3. Propoſe ſome means and helps to your obtaining a ſaving intereſt in Chriſt.
4. Remove ſeveral hinderances of our getting an intereſt in Chriſt.