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is not a mere fancy or feeling。 It is not the result of high animal
spirits； or a sanguine temperament of body。 It is a positive gift of
the Holy Ghost； bestowed without reference to men's bodily frames or
constitutions； and a gift which every believer in Christ ought to aim
at and seek after。
In matters like these； the first question is thisWhat saith the
Scripture？ I answer that question without the least hesitation。 The
Word of God appears to me to teach distinctly that a believer may
arrive at an assured confidence with regard to his own salvation。
I lay it down fully and broadly； as God's truth； that a true Christian；
a converted man； may reach such a fortable degree of faith in
Christ； that in general he shall feel entirely confident as to the
pardon and safety of his soulshall seldom be troubled with
doubtsseldom be distracted with fearsseldom be distressed by
anxious questioningsand； in short； though vexed by many an inward
conflict with sin； shall look forward to death without trembling； and
to judgment without dismay。 ＇19＇ This； I say； is the doctrine of the
Bible。
Such is my account of assurance。 I will ask my readers to mark it well。
I say neither less nor more than I have here laid down。
Now such a statement as this is often disputed and denied。 Many cannot
see the truth of it at all。
The Church of Rome denounces assurance in the most unmeasured terms。
The Council of Trent declares roundly that a 〃believer's assurance of
the pardon of his sins is a vain and ungodly confidence；〃 and Cardinal
Bellarmine； the well…known champion of Romanism； calls it 〃a prime
error of heretics。〃
The vast majority of the worldly and thoughtless Christians among
ourselves oppose the doctrine of assurance。 It offends and annoys them
to hear of it。 They do not like others to feel fortable and sure；
because they never feel so themselves。 Ask them whether their sins are
forgiven； and they will probably tell you they do not know！ That they
cannot receive the doctrine of assurance is certainly no marvel。
But there are also some true believers who reject assurance； or shrink
from it as a doctrine fraught with danger。 They consider it borders on
presumption。 They seem to think it a proper humility never to feel
sure； never to be confident； and to live in a certain degree of doubt
and suspense about their souls。 This is to be regretted； and does much
harm。
I frankly allow there are some presumptuous persons who profess to feel
a confidence for which they have no Scriptural warrant。 There are
always some people who think well of themselves when God thinks ill；
just as there are some who think ill of themselves when God thinks
well。 There always will be such。 There never yet was a Scriptural truth
without abuses and counterfeits。 God's electionman's
impotencesalvation by graceall are alike abused。 There will be
fanatics and enthusiasts as long as the world stands。 But； for all
this； assurance is a reality and a true thing； and God's children must
not let themselves be driven from the use of a truth； merely because it
is abused。 ＇20＇
My answer to all who deny the existence of real； well…grounded
assurance； is simply thisWhat saith the Scripture？ If assurance be
not there； I have not another word to say。
But does not Job say； 〃I know that my Redeemer liveth； and that He
shall stand at the latter day upon the earth； and though after my skin
worms destroy this body； yet in my flesh shall I see God〃？ （Job xix。
26； 26。）
Does not David say； 〃Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of
death； I will fear no evil： for Thou art with me； Thy rod and Thy staff
they fort me 〃？ （Psalm xxiii。 4。）
Does not Isaiah say； 〃Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is
stayed on Thee； because he trusteth in Thee〃？ （Isaiah xxvi。 3。）
And again； 〃The work of righteousness shall be peace； and the effect of
righteousness quietness； and assurance for ever。〃 （Isaiah xxxii。 17。）
Does not Paul say to the Romans； 〃I am persuaded that neither death；
nor life； nor angels； nor principalities； nor powers； nor things
present； nor things to e； nor height； nor depth； nor any other
creature； shall be able to separate us from the love of God； which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord〃？ （Rom。 viii。 38； 39。）
Does he not say to the Corinthians； 〃We know that if our earthly house
of this tabernacle were dissolved； we have a building of God； an house
not made with hands； eternal in the heavens 〃？ （2 Cor。 v。 1。）
And again； 〃We are always confident； knowing that； whilst we are at
home in the body； we are absent from the Lord。〃 （2 Cor。 v。 6。）
Does he not say to Timothy； 〃I know whom I have believed； and am
persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have mitted to Him〃？
（2 Tim。 i。 12。）
And does he not speak to the Colossians of 〃the full assurance of
understanding〃 （Coloss。 ii。 2）； and to the Hebrews of the 〃full
assurance of faith；〃 and the 〃full assurance of hope〃？ （Heb。 vi。 ii； x。
22。）
Does not Peter say expressly； 〃Give diligence to make your calling and
election sure〃？ （2 Peter i。 10。）
Does not John say； 〃We know that we have passed from death unto life〃？
（1 John iii。 14。）
And again； 〃These things have I written unto you that believe on the
name of the Son of God； that ye may know that ye have eternal life。〃 （1
John v。 13。）
And again； 〃We know that we are of God。〃 （1 John v。 19。）
What shall we say to these things？ I desire to speak with all humility
on any controverted point。 I feel that I am only a poor fallible child
of Adam myself。 But I must say that in the passages I have just quoted
I see something far higher than the mere 〃hopes〃 and 〃trusts；〃 with
which so many believers appear content in this day。 I see the language
of persuasion； confidence； knowledgenay； I may almost say； of
certainty。 And I feel； for my own part； if I may take these Scriptures
in