Christians Great Interest

by William Guthrie and William Dunlop

Book Overview

William Guthrie, a Scottish minister, published this, his only book in 1658. Some men only need to write one book in their entire lifetime to say something truly profound-Guthrie was one of them. How... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0851513549
• ISBN13: 9780851513546
• Release Date: November 1988
• Publisher: Banner of Truth
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.8" x 7.1"

Customer Reviews

A Massive Treatment on Assurance of Salvation

When I read the Preface that John Owen highly recommended this book, I expected it to contain harsh words and scary warnings usually found in his texts, which are not necessarily bad. To my surprise, however, though there are indeed some warnings against hypocrisy and insincerity, Guthrie filled it with plenty of gracious biblical exhortations, pressing unbelievers urgently to consider their case and to "close with Christ", as well as for believers to "give diligence to make our calling and election sure". There is an extensive coverage on the evidence of saving faith, where the premise is that though faith alone justifies, justifying faith is never alone, which I thought is excellent for self-examination. Contrary to today's common popular mechanical sinner's prayer as some sort of magic words for a quick conversion, Guthrie also brought up an interesting topic of `express covenanting' whereby believers renew from time to time, their solemn `viva voce' confession of faith and their earnest resolution to cleave to Christ to the end. I found the arguments presented to support such a practice compelling, where from Scriptures Guthrie claimed God commands it along with some examples as in Thomas' confession of faith after seeing the resurrected Christ, and David's death bed resolution in 2 Sam 23:5, despite many of his shortcomings, to hope in God's faithfulness through the covenant he made with him wherein lies all his salvation and desire. Guthrie even goes as far as to say not to practice `express covenanting' could be dangerous, considering it is implicitly done regularly during the celebration of the Lord's Supper as well. This is a serious book on the most serious and the most important business in life, that is, to determine for oneself, a saving interest in Christ, as well as how to attain it.

The Christian's Great Interest

How do we know whether we have a special saving interest in Jesus Christ and how can we obtain it if we find that we don't? These are the two questions William Guthrie concerns himself with in the book, "The Christian's Great Interest." This book is a classic work on assurance of salvation and evangelism by a seventeenth century Presbyterian author. To Guthrie, how we answer the question about our salvation is of the greatest interest to all people. It is "not a vain thing because it is your life", and it is "the one thing needful." Our salvation is discernable if we examine our case from the scripture. "To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to his word, it is because there is no truth in them." The bible commands us "examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own self", "give diligence to make your calling and election sure." The first mark of our salvation is the experience of a preparatory work of the Law. Receiving the Spirit "unto bondage" Ro 8:15. Although many do not experience this, as those called from the womb or from early childhood (John the Baptist, Timothy) or in a "sovereign gospel" way (as Zaccheus) or on their death bed (as the theif on the cross), most people are brought low through sight of the Law, "when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died". The Holy Spirit awakens their conscience and they see they are compased about by innumerable iniquities. Jesus by his Spirit brings them through an intense internal process to make them "dead to the law" and without "confidence in the flesh" in order that they may see they are lost, sick and in need of a Physician. The second mark is faith. Faith is the grand and only condition of the covenant of grace and the instrument of salvation. "It is of faith that it might be by grace." Therefore it is evident that he who can discover his own faith is saved. Guthrie explains that faith is not a difficult thing even though it is the "gift of God." It is not believing that you are elect or that Christ died for you or any other proposition but it is simply the hearts satisfaction with God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Scripture describes the acts of faith variously as receiving, staying, believing on, desiring, thirsting, looking on, waiting and other actions that indicate faith is not primarily an act of the understanding but of the heart and the will. The third mark is a renewed state. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." Guthrie outlines the evidences of those who are new creatures. The man must be renewed in his understanding, believing and trusting in the truths of scripture. His affections must be renewed, he must have a "new heart" and he must love God and His Law. He must "yield his members servants to righteousness unto holiness." In his interests, worship, outward calling, and relations he must all be renewed. He must do all to the glory of God, "whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do." Guthrie then takes some

Life changing

Do I really believe? Can I really know? These are questions that every Christian must ask themselves, again and again. Certainty of our salvation is not just a nice thing to have, it is commanded. Peter tells Christians to make our calling and election sure. This is the entire purpose of Guthrie's book. This book is not for the casual reader. Guthrie labors hard to show the believer, and the unbeliever, his true state, and I suspect he expected the same type of intense labor from the reader. Like many puritan writers, Guthrie's style is foreign to us today. He writes logically and completely exhausts his subject. The effect of this is that it allows the reader full certainty of the point the author was actually trying to make and it gives readers conclusive arguments for that point. However, a secondary effect is that it requires the reader to study the work intently and to really examine the evidence and conclusions the author makes. This book is worth every bit of effort. Being sure of our salvation is not something to take lightly and an intense study of Guthrie's work will give the reader enormous insight into their own eternal condition.

Simple and Powerful

This is an incredible book! It's a shame so few people know about it. William Guthrie, a Scottish minister, published this, his only book in 1658. Some men only need to write one book in their entire lifetime. "The Christian's Great Interest" is one of those books. Although the reader will have to get used to some 17th-Century language and expressions, the book comes across as a generally easy read. Guthrie masterfully describes the characteristics of people who have a genuine interest in Christ. What is the evidence that a person knows Christ? Do you have doubts? What is the difference between true believers and pretenders? Guthrie answers these and many more questions. This is an essential book for all Christians.