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17.3 18.2
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1689 18.1 Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
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Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Section 18.1

Although temporary Believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes, and carnal presumptions, of being in the favour of God, and state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truely believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good Conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of Grace; and may rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God which hope shall never make them ashamed.

See also in WCF: 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4 See also in WLC: Q79, Q80, Q81 Compare: Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Job 8:13, 14
[13] Such are the paths of all who forget God; the hope of the godless shall perish. [14] His confidence is severed, and his trust is a spider's web.
Matthew 7:22, 23
[22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
1 John 2:3
[3] And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
1 John 3:14, 18, 19, 21, 24
[14] We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. [18] Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. [19] By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; [21] Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; [24] Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
1 John 5:13
[13] I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
Romans 5:2, 5
[2] Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [5] and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
See also in WCF
18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4
See also in WLC
Q79 Q80 Q81
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Of Assurance of Grace and Salvation

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17.3 18.2

Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

The assurance of salvation grounded on God's promises

Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Section 18.1

Although temporary Believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes, and carnal presumptions, of being in the favour of God, and state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truely believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good Conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of Grace; and may rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God which hope shall never make them ashamed.

Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Section 18.2

This certainty is not a bare conjectural, and probable perswasion, 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.

Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Section 18.3

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 their 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 chearfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this Assurance; so far is it from inclining men to looseness.

Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Section 18.4

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 som special Sin, which woundeth the Conscience, and grieveth the Spirit, by some sudden or vehement temptation, by Gods 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 mean time they are preserved from utter despair.