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18.3 19.1
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1689 18.4 Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
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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.

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
Song of Solomon 5:2, 3, 6
Psalms 51:8, 12, 14
[8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. [14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
Psalms 116:11
[11] I said in my alarm, “All mankind are liars.”
Psalms 77:7, 8
[7] “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? [8] Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?
Psalms 31:22
[22] I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.
Psalms 30:7
[7] By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.
1 John 3:9
[9] No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God's seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
Luke 22:32
[32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Psalms 42:5, 11
[5] Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation [11] Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Lamentations 3:26-31
[26] It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. [27] It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. [28] Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; [29] let him put his mouth in the dust — there may yet be hope; [30] let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults. [31] For the Lord will not cast off forever,
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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18.3 19.1

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.