Examine Yourself
Commentary
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 knows of Guthrie. Yet, Owen is quoted on the back cover saying Guthrie was “one of the greatest divines that ever wrote.” It is also known that Owen carried this short treatise along with his New Testament, remarking that while he had “written several folios, there is more divinity in [this book] than in them all.” A man generally referred to as one of the giants of the Puritans points away from himself and his own works to this man, Guthrie, and his sole published book as surpassing all he ever wrote. A man who died at the age of 45. 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 what should be 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.
In a day where everyone seems to have created their own personal island of theology where there is no wrong doctrine, Guthrie has cleared the secondary to focus on the most important thing you will ever ponder: your salvation. Do you have an interest in Christ? How do you know? If you don’t, how might you get there? If you fail to take the time to explore the two questions this book answers, you will have wasted your life.
This is one of those books that sticks with you. You find yourself examining your own state 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 but I understand why he didn’t. He was busy pastoring the people under his care. He had them in mind when he wrote it. You can tell by his statement in the introduction: : “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.” I’m grateful to God for William Guthrie and what he wrote in this book. I trust that you will feel the same.
Structure of the Book
The book is divided into 2 major parts (each answering a particular question):
Part 1: The Trial of a Saving Interest in Christ
Question: How shall a man know if he has a true and special interest in Christ, and whether he has, or may lay claim justly to, God’s favour and salvation?
Things premised for the better understanding of the trial itself
The various ways by which men are drawn to Christ
Of faith as an evidence of an interest in Christ
Of the new creature as an evidence of an interest in Christ
The difference between the true Christian and the hypocrite
Reasons why some believers doubt their interest in Christ
Part 2: How to Attain a Saving Interest in Christ
Question: What shall they do who want the marks of a true and saving interest in Christ, already spoken of, and neither can nor dare pretend unto them?
Some things premised for the information of the ignorant
What it is to close with God’s gospel plan of saving sinners by Christ Jesus, and the duty of so doing
Objections and difficulties explained and answered
Concerning personal covenanting with God in Christ
Five Key Quotes
“True justifying faith … resolves to forego all rather than forego Christ.”
“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.”
“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.”
“God leadeth into the wilderness, that He may speak to the heart.”
“Any mercy is great mercy to him who hath seen such a sight of himself.”
Recommended Complementary Reading
Heaven on Earth: A Treatise on Christian Assurance by Thomas Brooks
Faith Seeking Assurance by Anthony Burgess
Knowing the Heart by Jonathan Edwards
Where to Buy the Book
If you purchase the book through the following link, RTP gets a small percentage back which we will use to fund our operations. It’s costs nothing extra to you and you’ll be helping us connect the Puritans with Christ’s church worldwide.
