xxii CONTENTS. SECT. I. What it is to close with God's Device of saving Sinners by Christ Jesus, and that it is a necessary Duty, 171 MEMOIRS OF THE REV. WILLIAM GUTHRIE. CURIOSITY is ever busy. It urges us to trace objects up to their source, and impels alike the philosopher and historian, to account for the various phenomena presented to them in the natural and moral world. On coming in sight of a majestic river mingling its waters with the great ocean, bearing on its bosom flotillas of wealth from every country, and washing the shores which its own immensity has formed, we are naturally led to run our thoughts beyond the objects before us, to trace in imagination the source from which this great sheet of ever-flowing water has its rise, and to follow it through all its windings, from the bubbling pool, down to the point where it resembles Time sinking into Eternity. If we meet accidentally a stranger, whose mind flashes genius from every sentiment which he utters, and whose conversation bears the solidity and depth of true science, and scatters improvement and wisdom on every side of him, we inwardly ask, Who can this be? What steps led to such intellectual improvement, and under what judicious instruction has he obtained such correctness of thinking and extent of information? Can nobody tell us of the place of his birth, his parentage, his instructors, his pursuits and predilections? Can we find no tale of his boyish days, that might throw some light upon the origin and development of a mind, whose faculties are so invigorated, and whose stores of knowledge are so varied and abundant? And if we happen to pick up a book which interests us very much, we turn over to the preface and introduction, to see if any thing has been said of its author, that we may get somewhat acquainted with the man who has afforded us such rational and solid pleasure. We are happy to satisfy this laudable curiosity on the present occasion. No one can read attentively "The Christian's Great Interest," without having a desire to know something of its author, and to such we present the following brief Memoir. MR. WILLIAM GUTHRIE was born at Pitforthy, in Angus-shire, in the year 1620. His father was a cadet of the ancient family of Guthrie, and was laird of the lands of Pitforthy. His mother was a daughter of the house of Easter-Ogle, whose family show a long and honourable genealogical tree. He was the eldest of a numerous family, having three sisters-german, and four brothers. Three of his brothers dedicated themselves to the service of God in preaching the gospel. His brother Robert was of a too delicate constitution to weather long the difficulties and hardships of that period, as a conscientious ambassador of Christ. He was licensed, but never ordained to a parochial charge, and sunk into an early tomb. Alexander became minister of the Parish of Strickathrow, in the Presbytery of Brechin, in his native county, about the year 1645. This parish was not blessed long with his faithful ministry, for we find his death to have taken place in 1661. John, his youngest brother, obtained the Parish of Torbolton in Ayrshire, where he remained until he was ejected at the Restoration, for nonconformity. This was too severe a blow to a naturally tender frame, with its consequent hardships, long to endure; and he sunk under it and died in 1669. Thus the subject of the present memoir brought the weight of most respectable, and independent, and pious connections to a character, which, for talents and integrity, would have arisen and shone forth from the lowest obscurity. He gave early indications of capacity and genius, by the rapidity with which he acquired the Latin and Greek languages. Providence cradled his infant mind in a situation which had neither the neglect of poverty, nor the carelessness of indolent parents to check the growth of its rising powers. The plant was tended and cultivated with the greatest care, that its fruit and stability might afterwards be secured. Little is known of the first ten years of a man's life, though this is generally the period when the foundation of future character is laid. And we have often to regret that the first impressions, which are most lasting, and give a bias to the pursuits and tendencies of the man, are seldom retained in general biography. The gradual steps in the formation of the character are summed up in a single sentence, and imagination has to supply the deficiencies. So it is with Guthrie. Indeed the routine of a boy's education previous to his departure for College, leaves little upon which to dilate. And since we find nothing of any importance, which happened in the boyhood of William Guthrie, that could affect either the development of his talents or give a direction to his views and pursuits, we present him at once a student of the University of St. Andrews. Here he enjoyed peculiar advantages. The memorable Mr. James Guthrie, who was one of the earliest sacrifices of the heedlessness and folly of Charles II. and whose name is enshrined among the Worthies of Scotland, was at this time one of the Professors of Philosophy in the New College there; and being cousin to the subject of this memoir, became at once his guardian and instructor. Lodged with this distinguished man, he enjoyed all the influence of the society and direct superintendence of one no less noted for his firmness of principle, than for his cultivated mind, eloquence, and piety. Such a situation to young Guthrie, was incalculable. Freed from the contamination of bad associates, he had the living epistle of a servant of Christ at all times before his eyes. He received important instruction from his varied and interesting conversation. Christianity was recommended, by |