Christian's great interest - Guthrie - V - Part 1 concluded

Required reading
The Christian's great interest by William Guthrie (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Conclude Part 1 by reading Chapter 6.

My summary
To close his First Part of the book looking at 'How a person may know if he hath a true and special interest in Christ and whether he doth lay just claim to God's favour and salvation', in Chapter Six Guthrie looks at reasons why some believers doubt their interest in Christ.

Firstly, Guthrie looks at doubts in the Christian because of a prevailing sin.  He gives advice from Romans 7 against these doubts.

Secondly, Guthrie addresses doubts arising from the lack of Christian experiences that we witness in other Christians.  Twelve experiences are spoken of:
(i) Convictions of the Spirit;
(ii) Communion with God;
(iii) Fellowship with God;
(iv) Access to God;
(v) Liberty before God;
(vi) Influence of the Spirit;
(vii) Hearing of prayer;
(viii) Assurance of God's favour;
(ix) Witnessing of the Spirit;
(x) Communication of the Spirit;
(xi) Peace;
(xii) Joy.
One of the main ways that Guthrie handles doubts about these experiences is by showing that many of these experiences the doubter actually does have, but is unaware.  Therefore with each Guthrie follows a pattern of demonstrating how the believer has the experience, although not necessarily in the special way that other Christians may have.

What grabbed me
The conclusion at the end of the Chapter had five excellent encouragements to those who crave greater spiritual experience.  I think they are worth including in full here: '1. Bless God if you want nothing essential for the making out of a saving interest in Christ. God has given unto you Christ Jesus, the greatest gift He had; and since your heart is laid out for Him, He will, with Him, give you all things that are good for you in their season. 2. I do believe, upon a strict search and trial, after you have understood the communications of the Spirit, you are not so great a stranger to many things as you suspected yourselves to be. But, 3. Remember, the promises of life and of peace with God, are nowhere in Scripture made unto those special things whereof you allege the want: the promises are made unto faith, followed with holiness; and it may be presumed, that many heirs of glory do not in this life partake of some of these things, but 'are in bondage all their days through fear of death' (Heb. 2: 15); so that there shall be no mistake about these things; we may seek after them, but God is free to give or withhold them. 4. Many do seek after such manifestations before they give credit by faith unto God's word. He has borne record that there is life enough for men in Christ Jesus; and if men would by believing, set to their seal that God is true, they should partake of more of these excellent things. 5. I may say many have not honorable apprehensions and thoughts of the Spirit of God, whose proper work it is to put forth the aforesaid noble operations. They do not adore Him as God, but vex, grieve, quench, and resist Him: and many people, complaining of the want of these things, are not at the pains to seek the Spirit in His outgoings, and few do set themselves apart for such precious receptions: therefore be at more pains in religion, give more credit to His word, and esteem more highly the grace of the Spirit of God, and so you may find more of these excellent things.'

Great words of wisdom for all the spiritually depressed.

Next week's reading
Begin Part 2 by reading Chapter 1 and Chapter 2's points 1, 2 and 3.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.