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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 / To the Reader

To the Reader

CHRISTIAN READER,

While the generality of men, especially in these days, by their eager pursuit after low and base interests, have proclaimed, as upon the house-tops, how much they have forgotten to make choice of that better part, which, if chosen, should never be taken from them; I have made an attempt, such as it is, in the following Treatise, to take thee off from this unprofitable, though painful pursuit, by proposing the chiefest of interests, even the “Christian’s Great Interest,” to be seriously pondered, and constantly pursued, by thee. Thou mayest think it strange to see any thing in print from my pen, as it is indeed a surprise to myself: but necessity hath made me for this once to offer so much violence to my own inclination, because that some, without my knowledge, have lately published some imperfect notes of a few of my sermons, most confusedly thrown together, prefixing withal this vain title, as displeasing to myself as the publishing of the thing, “A clear, attractive, warming Beam,” etc. On this account I was prevailed with to publish this little piece, wherein I have purposely used a most homely and plain style, lest otherwise (though when I have stretched myself to the utmost, I am below the judicious and more understanding) I should be above the reach of the rude and ignorant, whose advantage I have mainly, if not only, consulted. I have likewise studied brevity in every thing, so far as I conceived it to be consistent with plainness and perspicuity; knowing that the persons to whom I address myself, have neither much money to spend upon books, nor much time to spare upon reading. If thou be a rigid critic, I know thou mayest meet with several things to carp at; yet assure thyself that I had no design to offend thee, neither will thy single approbation satisfy me; it is thy edification I intend, together with the hope of inciting others more expert and experienced in this excellent subject, to handle at greater length, what I have more briefly hinted at, who am

Thy servant in the Work of the Gospel,

WILLIAM GUTHRIE.

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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 2021-22
  • 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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  • All things through Christ’s strength 5 Sep 2021
  • Still unsaved 21 Nov 2021
  • Christ always the same 21 Nov 2021
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