ALONE WITH GOD
Spiritual Answers and Reasons for Faith
The Christian's Great Interest
by William Guthrie
Table of Contents
To the Reader
Memoir of the Author
The Christian's Great Interest.
Part I. The Trial of a Saving Interest in Christ
Chapter I.--Things premised for the better understanding of the trial itself Before we speak directly to the question, we shall premise some things, to make way for the answer.
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
Chapter IV.--Evidences of a Renewed State
I.--The whole man must be to some extend 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
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
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
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
