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The Christian's Great Interest
All of Guthrie's teaching and pastoral experience were poured into this work his only book. The remarkable fact that is has gone through more than eighty editions and been translated into several languages testifies to its value. This book describes in a clear and attractive style what it means to be a Christian, and how to become one.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1668
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 30, 2019
Written by a Scottish pastor from the 17th century, this is one of the best entries in the Puritan paperback series I have read. It is an excellent treatise on the nature of saving faith and assurance. The material on “personal covenanting with God in Christ” in Part 2, chapter 4, is worth it’s weight in gold. I really can’t say enough good about this book. Perhaps the best commendation is to quote John Owen who said that Guthrie’s book contained more divinity than all his own writings combined! Readers of Owen will especially recognize Guthrie‘s influence in Owen’s “Gospel grounds and evidences of the faith of God‘s elect” (Works, vol. 5). Highly recommended.
June 29, 2024
The great Puritan John Owens carried this treatise along with his New Testament, remarking that while “l have written several folios, there is more divinity in it than in them all.”
William Guthrie, who has been described as “the greatest practical preacher in Scotland,” wrote “The Christian’s Great Interest” with the intention of taking the reader off of the “unprofitable” daily grind in order to immerse his/her soul on “the chiefest of interests … to be seriously pondered and constantly pursued by thee.”
I love what he writes in his introduction to the reader: “I have, likewise, studied brevity in everything … knowing that the persons to whom I address … have neither much money to spend upon books, nor much time to spare in reading.” Amen and amen! 😂
Some quotes:
- Definition of faith: “the staying of the heart upon Him, as a full blessing and satisfying portion.”
- “God leadeth into the wilderness, that He may speak to the heart.” (Hos 2:14)
- “Any mercy is great mercy to him who hath seen such a sight of himself.”
- Christ: “the alone sufficient relief”
- “True justifying faith … resolves to forego all rather than forego Christ.”
- “Faith is the only condition upon which God doth offer peace and pardon unto men; but be assured, faith, if it be true and saving, will not be alone in the soul, but will be attended with true repentance, and a thankful study of conformity to God’s image.”
- “Look if the world, or anything in it, lays claim to the first-fruits of your labours daily. If it be first in your heart, or first in your hand, in the morning, it is your God; for a man’s God claims his first thoughts, and ordinarily his last thoughts at night, and often his thoughts when he is sleeping.”
William Guthrie, who has been described as “the greatest practical preacher in Scotland,” wrote “The Christian’s Great Interest” with the intention of taking the reader off of the “unprofitable” daily grind in order to immerse his/her soul on “the chiefest of interests … to be seriously pondered and constantly pursued by thee.”
I love what he writes in his introduction to the reader: “I have, likewise, studied brevity in everything … knowing that the persons to whom I address … have neither much money to spend upon books, nor much time to spare in reading.” Amen and amen! 😂
Some quotes:
- Definition of faith: “the staying of the heart upon Him, as a full blessing and satisfying portion.”
- “God leadeth into the wilderness, that He may speak to the heart.” (Hos 2:14)
- “Any mercy is great mercy to him who hath seen such a sight of himself.”
- Christ: “the alone sufficient relief”
- “True justifying faith … resolves to forego all rather than forego Christ.”
- “Faith is the only condition upon which God doth offer peace and pardon unto men; but be assured, faith, if it be true and saving, will not be alone in the soul, but will be attended with true repentance, and a thankful study of conformity to God’s image.”
- “Look if the world, or anything in it, lays claim to the first-fruits of your labours daily. If it be first in your heart, or first in your hand, in the morning, it is your God; for a man’s God claims his first thoughts, and ordinarily his last thoughts at night, and often his thoughts when he is sleeping.”
October 2, 2022
Superb.
I want to say something that challenged me in this incredible, and necessary, work. The whole book was similar to Jonathan Edwards’ sermon, “Sinners in the hands of an angry God.” Though Edwards was much more simplistic than Guthrie, the point remains the same:
Saving faith in Jesus Christ is not accomplished by one being born into the Church, baptized, or, in today’s time, repeating the Sinners Prayer and coming to the Altar. Saving faith is accomplished by the work of Christ on the cross, and the sending of the Holy Spirit to convict and draw the heart to receive faith and repentance. To the sinner this work is done freely and willingly by God, and the result is him willingly and freely coming to Christ.
On that part, and Guthrie’s explanation on this, outstanding. He bases everything he says on the Covenant of Grace, and pushes the believer to keep covenant with God regularly throughout his life post-salvation.
When giving this instruction on keeping covenant with God, I payed close attention. It is simply renewing, and remembering our confession that Jesus is Lord, He is my refuge and strength, that His gospel saves, He’s the forgiver of my sins, etc. And this confession is to be done often, with honesty and sincerity. Corporately, and individually.
I cannot express the importance of this book enough. Every Christian should know what Covenant is, and what the Covenant entails.
I want to say something that challenged me in this incredible, and necessary, work. The whole book was similar to Jonathan Edwards’ sermon, “Sinners in the hands of an angry God.” Though Edwards was much more simplistic than Guthrie, the point remains the same:
Saving faith in Jesus Christ is not accomplished by one being born into the Church, baptized, or, in today’s time, repeating the Sinners Prayer and coming to the Altar. Saving faith is accomplished by the work of Christ on the cross, and the sending of the Holy Spirit to convict and draw the heart to receive faith and repentance. To the sinner this work is done freely and willingly by God, and the result is him willingly and freely coming to Christ.
On that part, and Guthrie’s explanation on this, outstanding. He bases everything he says on the Covenant of Grace, and pushes the believer to keep covenant with God regularly throughout his life post-salvation.
When giving this instruction on keeping covenant with God, I payed close attention. It is simply renewing, and remembering our confession that Jesus is Lord, He is my refuge and strength, that His gospel saves, He’s the forgiver of my sins, etc. And this confession is to be done often, with honesty and sincerity. Corporately, and individually.
I cannot express the importance of this book enough. Every Christian should know what Covenant is, and what the Covenant entails.
August 11, 2017
This is an outstanding pastoral text on the nature of assurance.
(1) Knowledge of our interest (legal deed, so to speak) in Christ isn’t the same thing as absolute certainty (Guthrie 35).
(2) Do our convictions from the law reach to the root of our corruption (56)?
(3) Faith is the condition of the covenant (69).
Part two has a good section on the nature of justifying faith and why some lack "that absolute sense of assurance."
(1) Knowledge of our interest (legal deed, so to speak) in Christ isn’t the same thing as absolute certainty (Guthrie 35).
(2) Do our convictions from the law reach to the root of our corruption (56)?
(3) Faith is the condition of the covenant (69).
Part two has a good section on the nature of justifying faith and why some lack "that absolute sense of assurance."
April 27, 2022
A great book for those either seeking salvation or seeking assurance of their personal interest in Christ.
December 20, 2024
#12 of 60+ in the Puritan Paperbacks series by Banner of Truth.
In 1658, William Guthrie published The Christian’s Great Interest, his only book. John Owen resided on the opposite end of the writing spectrum, publishing scores of volumes in his lifetime. Everyone knows of Owen, almost no one of Guthrie. Yet, Owen is quoted on the back cover saying Guthrie was “one of the greatest divines that ever wrote.” This alone should awaken us to the importance and profoundness of this work.
This short book describes in part one how a man is to truly know he is in Christ. This, of course, presupposes that we can know and have real assurance. Essentially, Guthrie is demonstrating how to “examine yourself” in accordance with the Scriptures. Upon completing this effort, should you be found wanting, part two points the unbeliever directly to Christ and how to come to a saving interest in Him. So simple, yet so penetrating an insight. In a way, Guthrie has identified the principle aim of all humanity. We must be found in Christ or we might as well be nihilistic.
The conclusion is succinct and direct in providing a series of questions and answers that encapsulate the entirety of his arguments. Everyone would be wise to read at least this part of the book but would be extremely edified in reading the whole. This is one of those books that sticks with you. You find yourself examining yourself as you read and realizing there is a reason this book has gone through over 80 editions and is published in multiple languages. I found myself wishing Guthrie wrote more than one book.
In 1658, William Guthrie published The Christian’s Great Interest, his only book. John Owen resided on the opposite end of the writing spectrum, publishing scores of volumes in his lifetime. Everyone knows of Owen, almost no one of Guthrie. Yet, Owen is quoted on the back cover saying Guthrie was “one of the greatest divines that ever wrote.” This alone should awaken us to the importance and profoundness of this work.
This short book describes in part one how a man is to truly know he is in Christ. This, of course, presupposes that we can know and have real assurance. Essentially, Guthrie is demonstrating how to “examine yourself” in accordance with the Scriptures. Upon completing this effort, should you be found wanting, part two points the unbeliever directly to Christ and how to come to a saving interest in Him. So simple, yet so penetrating an insight. In a way, Guthrie has identified the principle aim of all humanity. We must be found in Christ or we might as well be nihilistic.
The conclusion is succinct and direct in providing a series of questions and answers that encapsulate the entirety of his arguments. Everyone would be wise to read at least this part of the book but would be extremely edified in reading the whole. This is one of those books that sticks with you. You find yourself examining yourself as you read and realizing there is a reason this book has gone through over 80 editions and is published in multiple languages. I found myself wishing Guthrie wrote more than one book.
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March 13, 2024Read for class. It was hard at first, but once the flow gets going, it's encouraging. I wish there was an updated version for those of us who find it difficult to read the puritans, but I still was able to glean some wisdom from it.
February 2, 2016
Though the author makes some very excellent points, his Arminian slant at the end of the book definitely detracts from its overall enjoyment and even the very theme of the book itself.
October 27, 2020
Although the beginning of the work eschews preparationism, the rest of the book painstakingly details the typical stages a person should go through prior to closing with Christ. It certainly reads like preparationism to modern eyes!
This book was highly popular during the Commonwealth. I found it puzzling a presbyterian did not also stress the quieter maturing in Christ that is often the experience (and I would suggest the experience we should seek) for covenant children. No doubt the book makes more sense in a setting where there is much nominal church attendance.
The book is full of Scripture quotations and I found it a challenge to follow the flow of the argument. Good for those stuck in Hyper-Calvinism, worth pondering if you are a devotee of easy believism, but not one of my favourite Puritan Paperbacks.
This book was highly popular during the Commonwealth. I found it puzzling a presbyterian did not also stress the quieter maturing in Christ that is often the experience (and I would suggest the experience we should seek) for covenant children. No doubt the book makes more sense in a setting where there is much nominal church attendance.
The book is full of Scripture quotations and I found it a challenge to follow the flow of the argument. Good for those stuck in Hyper-Calvinism, worth pondering if you are a devotee of easy believism, but not one of my favourite Puritan Paperbacks.
August 15, 2020
Guthrie offers powerful proofs by which one may be sure of their genuineness of conversion, urging all to "close" with Christ, which he says is more than an ascent to faith, but an acceptation, reception, and apprehension of the doctrine with one's mind and heart, and an explicit expression via a personal conventing with God.
Guthrie's proposition shows just how much of a downgrade the modern "sinner's prayer" is compared with what consists in true conversion. This work is extremely accessible and pastoral, perhaps even more so than most of the other Puritan Paperbacks put out by Banner of Truth Trust.
Guthrie's proposition shows just how much of a downgrade the modern "sinner's prayer" is compared with what consists in true conversion. This work is extremely accessible and pastoral, perhaps even more so than most of the other Puritan Paperbacks put out by Banner of Truth Trust.
January 4, 2023
Gentler version of Alleine's Alarm
Everybody should read this book. Many will be deceived and few will be saved. If you want a surer destiny with Jesus, this book can help make sure you're building on the rock, but the sand. In my case, I'm still stuck on my heart actually grasping these gospel truths enough to feel them. But this book at least shows where I'm at, what I need to do next, and I'm not alone in this. I pray the Holy Spirit works godly sorrow and repentance in me, an and in you too. We absolutely need God's help to do these things, because "apart from me you can do nothing."
Everybody should read this book. Many will be deceived and few will be saved. If you want a surer destiny with Jesus, this book can help make sure you're building on the rock, but the sand. In my case, I'm still stuck on my heart actually grasping these gospel truths enough to feel them. But this book at least shows where I'm at, what I need to do next, and I'm not alone in this. I pray the Holy Spirit works godly sorrow and repentance in me, an and in you too. We absolutely need God's help to do these things, because "apart from me you can do nothing."
December 30, 2021
harder puritan to read than expected. but so good. it's clear that Owen learned a bit from Guthrie.
what assurance he offers us by the means of scripture! he left no questions/ objections un answered.... and the QA at the end were awesome... loved the extra snippets from sermons.... gonna need to find those.
what assurance he offers us by the means of scripture! he left no questions/ objections un answered.... and the QA at the end were awesome... loved the extra snippets from sermons.... gonna need to find those.
November 21, 2018
Your greatest interest as a Christian is to know whether you are actually a Christian. Assurance is something a lot of people struggle with and the end goal of this book to help you walk through those questions and find a true and solid answer.
January 6, 2019
A great book by William Guthrie of Fenwick. Hard to read until you get into the swing of 17th century writing style, but worth persevering with. These old covenanting boys had some real wisdom to share. An absolutely worthwhile, if challenging, read.
July 2, 2024
The older I get, the more I come to realize I don't care for the Puritans. At least, the Banner of Truth approved Puritans
July 13, 2024
I finished this book with strengthened assurance. It answers many questions the Christian may wrestle with.
April 1, 2025
Thomas Chalmers declared this the best book he ever read, and John Owen said Guthrie was one of the greatest divines who ever wrote. How can I add to that?
October 13, 2016
A great little treatise (closing with Christ), written in answer, question form.
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April 18, 2012I've never found the title to be particularly transparent, but that shouldn't detract from the value of this little book. [return][return]Recommended by John Owen and Thomas Chalmers and having stood the test of time (first published in 1658), it deserves to be widely read. [return][return]It describes in plain terms what it means to have experienced the saving grace of God - how to recognise the process of effectual calling in your own life, and how to differentiate between genuine heart religion versus experiences which fall short of a saving acquaintance with Christ. [return][return]And although it's so short, it still manages to squeeze in a very helpful section on the unpardonable sin (and what it's not!)
April 15, 2015
William Guthrie's only work is a good one. He expounds on the Christian life and focuses on the work of salvation. How do I know that I am genuinely saved? What if I am saved and sin? Written in an older style and a little more difficult to read because of the choice of language, Guthrie's book is a challenge to fall under the banner of genuine Christianity. It's all about the work of Jesus and our response of faith and repentance. This is salvation and this is the Christian life according to Guthrie.
March 10, 2013
Great work and I would highly recommend it!
January 14, 2014
i read this when i was struggling with the assurance of my faith. a great Scottish covenanter lead me to surrender and renew my faith in Jesus!
July 24, 2017
Guthrie's desire in this book is to set forth before Christians reasons why they may be sure of their saving interest in Christ. This is a wonderful book on assurance.
September 5, 2015
Excellent in all manners. The conclusion alone, begging on picking. 193 is well worth the money. But don't short yourself, read it all and then pass it along. It's just too good to keep to yourself.
August 17, 2016
An excellent book dealing with the assurance of salvation and the marks of true believers.
July 22, 2025
Fine Wine. Guthrie is the most underrated Puritan. Required reading.
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December 5, 2017A very fine and detailed book about the Gospel which is in two parts; the first, how somebody may know whether or not they have a saving interest in Christ, and the second, how to attain a saving interest in Christ.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews