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“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” Psalm 60:4

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Home / Spiritual Help / How may someone know if they are truly saved? / The Christian’s Great Interest / Introduction

Introduction

Since there are so many people living under the ordinances, pretending, without ground, to a special interest in Christ, and to his favour and his salvation, as is stated by our Lord, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” “Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” “Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” 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 little in the commendation of religion to others, especially in the time of their straits, I shall speak a little respecting two things of the greatest concern.

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 God’s favour and salvation?

The other is, In case a person fall short of assurance in this trial, what course he shall take for making sure God’s friendship and salvation to himself?

Quest. I. HOW SHALL A MAN KNOW IF HE HATH A TRUE AND SPECIAL INTEREST IN CHRIST, AND WHETHER HE HATH, OR MAY LAY CLAIM JUSTLY TO GOD’S FAVOUR AND SALVATION?

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Spiritual Help

  • Good News – a Saviour for Sinners!
  • How to Find Spiritual Help
  • How may a sinner be saved?
    • The Anxious Inquirer
      • Introduction – Directions for Profitable Reading
      • Chapter 1 – Solicitude
      • Chapter 2 – Impressions
      • Chapter 3 – Knowledge
      • Chapter 4 – Repentance
      • Chapter 5 – Faith
      • Chapter 6 – Mistakes
      • Chapter 7 – Perplexities
      • Chapter 8 – Discouragements
      • Chapter 9 – Cautions
      • Chapter 10 – Encouragements
  • How may someone know if they are truly saved?
    • The Christian’s Great Interest
      • To the Reader
      • Introduction
      • Five preliminary matters
      • The work of the law
      • Faith
      • The new creature
      • The difference between a truly renewed man who is in Christ and hypocrites
      • The special communications of God, and the singularly gracious operations of his Spirit
      • Some things premised for the information of those who are more ignorant
      • True believing on Christ Jesus
      • Objections taken from a man’s unworthiness, and the heinousness of his sin, answered
      • The sin against the Holy Ghost
      • Objections taken from want of power to believe, and unfruitfulness, answered.
      • Covenanting with God
      • Conclusion – The whole treatise resumed in a few questions and answers
      • An Overview of The Christian’s Great Interest
    • The Almost Christian Discovered
      • Introduction
  • Scripture and Catechism Exercises 2020-21
  • Spiritual Mindedness
    • John Owen on Spiritual Mindedness – Preface
    • The Words of the Text Explained
    • The Nature of Being Spiritually Minded
    • Insufficient Evidence of Spiritual Mindedness
    • The Abundancy of Thoughts
    • The Objects of and Motives to Spiritual Thoughts
    • Directions for our Thoughts on Things Above
    • Objects of Spiritual Thoughts in Heaven part 1
    • Objects of Spiritual Thoughts in Heaven part 2
    • The Nature of Meditation on God
    • Rules for Abiding in Thoughts of God
    • How the Affections are Called from the World
    • The Natural Depravity of our Affections
    • Universality in Renewed Affections
    • Delight in the Duties of Divine Worship (1)
    • Delight in the Duties of Divine Worship (2)
    • The Growth of Spiritual Affections

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Walking in the Light: Notes of Prayer Meeting Addresses by Hugh M Cartwright, £10.99
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