2._____ This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion
grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith founded
on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel; and also
upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises
are made, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with
our spirits that we are the children of God; and, as a fruit thereof, keeping
the heart both humble and holy.
(
Hebrews
6:11, 19; Hebrews
6:17, 18; 2
Peter 1:4, 5, 10, 11; Romans
8:15, 16; 1
John 3:1-3 )
3._____ This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence
of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many
difficulties before he be partaker of it; yet being enabled by the Spirit
to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary
revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereunto: and therefore
it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and
election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy
in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and
cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance;
-so far is it from inclining men to looseness.
(
Isaiah
50:10; Psalms
88; Psalms
77:1-12; 1
John 4:13; Hebrews
6:11, 12; Romans
5:1, 2, 5;Romans
14:17; Psalms
119:32; Romans
6:1,2; Titus
2:11, 12, 14 )
4._____ True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers
ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving
of it, by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and
grieveth the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing
the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk
in darkness and to have no light, yet are they never destitute of the seed
of God and life of faith, that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity
of heart and conscience of duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit,
this assurance may in due time be revived, and by the which, in the meantime,
they are preserved from utter despair.
(
Canticles
5:2, 3, 6; Psalms
51:8, 12, 14; Psalms
116:11;Psalms
77:7, 8;Psalms
31:22; Psalms
30:7; 1
John 3:9; Luke
22:32; Psalms
42:5, 11; Lamentations
3:26-31 )