Christian's great interest - Guthrie - VI - Part 2 commenced

Required reading
The Christian's great interest by William Guthrie (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Begin Part 2 by reading Chapter 1 and Chapter 2's points 1, 2 and 3.

My summary
Today Guthrie begins Part Two of his book looking at 'how to attain a saving interest in Christ.'

In Chapter One Guthrie provides some some premises that he will make his case upon, for example, the covenant of grace.

The rest of today's reading is of three points included in Chapter Two where Guthrie examines what exactly it takes to close with God's gospel plan.

Firstly, Guthrie says that to close and accept God's gospel plan is 'to quit and renounce all thoughts of help or salvation by own righteousness and to agree unto this which God hath found out'.

Secondly, it is made clear that it the necessary duty of man to close with God's gospel plan - we are commanded to do so.

Thirdly, Guthrie tries to show what are the pre-requisites to accepting the gospel plan:
(i) A taking to heart of his natural sinful condition;
(ii) A taking to heart the way of escape from God's wrath;
(iii) A knowing that God hath not excluded him from the relief appointed;
(iv) A resolving to break all covenants with hell and death.

What grabbed me
I found Guthrie's prerequisites for acceptance of the gospel helpful.  Particularly that the first thing man needs to do is recognise his natural condition: 'That as he was born a rebel and outlaw unto God, so he hath by many actual transgressions disobeyed God, and ratified the forfeiture of his favour : yea, a man should know many particular instances of his rebellion in every way ; as that he is a liar. Sabbath, breaker, blasphemer, or the like; as Paul speaketh very particularly of himself afterwards - "Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious."'

Although repentance and faith are the requirements for salvation, there are a number of prerequisites that come before them.  And Guthrie is absolutely right to put knowledge of your sinful self at the top of the list.  If you don't recognise you're a sinner, you can't repent of something you don't believe you have done!

Next week's reading
Continue Part 2 by finishing Chapter 2.

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