The Christian's Great Interest

 

by the late Rev. William Guthrie, Minister of the Gospel, Fenwick

with a Memoir of the Author  

 

 

 

Contents:

 

 

Preface

To the Reader

Memoir of the Author

 

 

 

PART I. The Trial of a Saving Interest in Christ  

 

Quest. I. – How shall a man know if he has a true and special interest in Christ, and whether he has, or may lay claim justly to, God's favour and salvation?

Chapter I. – Things premised for the better understanding of the trial itself

 

I. – A man's interest in Christ may be known

 

II. – Importance of having an interest in Christ

 

III. – We must allow our condition to be determined by Scripture

 

IV. – Causes why so few attain to a distinct knowledge of their state

 

V. – Some mistakes concerning an interest in Christ removed

 

 

Chapter II. – Marks of a Saving Change A preparatory law work

 

I. – Some called from the womb

 

II. – Some called in a sovereign gospel-way

 

III. – Some graciously called at the hour of death

 

IV. – God's more ordinary way of calling sinners to Himself

 

V. – Objections and difficulties considered

 

 

Chapter III. – Evidences of a Believing State

 

I. – Mistakes as to what faith is

 

II. – True saving faith described

 

III. – Farther explanatory remarks concerning saving faith

 

IV. – Difficulties as to what seems to be faith removed

 

 

Chapter IV. – Evidences of a Renewed State

 

I. – The whole man must be to some extent renewed

 

II. – He must be, to some extent, renewed in all his ways

 

III. – The supposed unattainableness of such evidences considered

 

IV. – The special attainments of hypocrites considered

 

V. – Doubts because of prevailing sin considered

 

VI. – Doubts arising out of a want of Christian experience considered

 

 

 

PART II. – How to Attain a Saving Interest in Christ

 

Quest. II. What shall they do who want the marks of a true and saving interest in Christ, already spoken of, and neither can nor dare pretend unto them?

Chapter I. – Some Things Premised for the Information of the Ignorant

 

 

Chapter II. – The Duty of Closing with God's Plan of Saving Sinners by Christ Jesus

 

I. – What it is to accept of, and close with, the gospel offer

 

II. – This the duty of those who would be saved

 

III. – What is required of those who would believe on Christ Jesus and be saved

 

IV. – Some of the properties and native consequences of true believing

 

V. – Some of the effects of saving faith

 

 

Chapter III. – Objections and Difficulties Answered and Explained

 

I. – The sinner's baseness rendering it presumption to come to Christ

 

II. – The singularity of his sin barring the way

 

III. – Special aggravations a hindrance

 

IV. – Sins not named a barrier

 

V. – The sin against the Holy Ghost alleged

 

I. – What it is not

 

II. – What the sin against the Holy Ghost is

 

III. – Conclusions bearing on the objections

 

VI. – Objections from the want of power to believe answered

 

VII. – Objection arising from the complaints of believers as to unfruitfulness

 

VIII. – Objection from ignorance regarding covenanting with God,--The nature of that duty unfolded

 

IX. – Doubts as to the inquirer's being savingly in covenant with God answered Certain things premised concerning personal covenanting

 

I. – The thing itself is warrantable

 

II. – The preparation needed

 

III. – How the duty of covenanting is to be performed

 

IV. – What should follow this solemn act

 

X. – A want of proper feeling considered as an obstacle in the way of covenanting

 

XI. – The fear of backsliding a hindrance

 

XII. – Objection arising from past fruitlessness considered

 

 

Conclusion – The whole Treatise resumed in a Few Questions and Answers