1689 18.4

18.4. Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

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.

Proof texts

• 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,

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Song of Solomon 5:2, 3, 6 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 10 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WLC Q79 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WLC Q80 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WLC Q79 · WLC Q80 · WLC Q81 · WCF 18.1 · WCF 18.2 · WCF 18.3 · WCF 18.4 · CD 4.1 · SD 18.1 · SD 18.2 · SD 18.3 · SD 18.4