rger Catechism, Question 80--"Can true believers
be infallibly assured that they are in an estate of grace, and that they
shall persevere therein to the end? _Answer_: Such as truly believe in
Christ, and endeavour to walk in all good conscience before Him may,
without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of
God's promise, and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves
those graces to which the promises of eternal life are made, and bearing
witness with their spirits that they are the children of God, they may be
infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall
persevere therein unto salvation." Question 81: "Are all true believers
at all times assured of their present being in a state of grace, and that
they shall be saved? _Answer_: Assurance of grace and salvation not
being of the essence of faith, true believers may wait long before they
obtain it, and, after the enjoyment thereof, may have it weakened and
intermitted through manifold distempers, sins, temptations, and
desertions; yet are they never left without such a presence and support
of the Spirit of God as keeps them from sinking into utter despair." "A
Christian's assurance," says Fraser of Brea, "though it does not firstly
flow from his holiness, yet is ever after proportionable to his holy
walking. Faith is kept in a pure conscience. Sin is like a blot of ink
fallen upon our evidence. This I found to be a truth." "It was the
speech of one to me," says Thomas Shepard of New England, "next to the
donation of Christ, no mercy like this, to deny assurance long; and why?
For if the Lord had not, I should have given way to a loose heart and
life. And this is a rule I have long held--long denial of assurance is
like fire to burn out some sin and then the Lord will speak peace."
"Serve your God day and night faithfully," says Dr. Goodwin. "Walk
humbly; and there is a promise of the Holy Ghost to come and fill your
hearts with joy unspeakable and glorious to rear you up to the day of
redemption. Sue this promise out, wait for it, rest not in believing
only, rest not in assurance by graces only; there is a further assurance
to be had." "I would not give a straw for that assurance," says John
Newton, "which sin will not damp. If David had come from his adultery
and still have talked of his assurance, I should have despised his
speech." "When we want the faith of assurance," says Matthew Henry, "let
us live