Chapter 18

Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

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 the state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish;

Job 8:13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
Job 8:14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web.

Matthew Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name?
7:22 and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
7:23 iniquity.

yet such as truly 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 rejoice in the hope of the glory of God,

I John And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
2:3

I John We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that
3:14 loveth not his brother abideth in death.
I John Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal
3:15 life abiding in him.
I John Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to
3:16 lay down our lives for the brethren.
I John But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his
3:17 bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
I John My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
3:18
I John And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
3:19
1jo 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
I John Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
3:21
I John And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do
3:22 those things that are pleasing in his sight.
I John And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus
3:23 Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
I John And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we
3:24 know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

I John These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye
5:13 may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of
God.

which hope shall never make them ashamed.

Romans By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in
5:2 hope of the glory of God.
Romans And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh
5:3 patience;
Romans And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5:4
Romans And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
5:5 by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, grounded

upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith,

Hebrews And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance
6:11 of hope unto the end:
Hebrews That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit
6:12 the promises.

Hebrews Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the
6:17 immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Hebrews That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might
6:18 have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set
before us:
Hebrews Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which
6:19 entereth into that within the veil;
Hebrews Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after
6:20 the order of Melchisedec.

founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel;

Hebrews Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the
6:17 immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:
Hebrews That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might
6:18 have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set
before us:
Hebrews Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which
6:19 entereth into that within the veil;
Hebrews Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after
6:20 the order of Melchisedec.

and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises
are made,

II Peter Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like
1:1 precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
II Peter Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our
1:2 Lord,
II Peter According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and
1:3 godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
II Peter Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye
1:4 might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust.
II Peter And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
1:5
II Peter And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
1:6
II Peter And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
1:7
II Peter For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren
1:8 nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Peter But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that
1:9 he was purged from his old sins.
II Peter Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for
1:10 if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
II Peter For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom
1:11 of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits, that we
are the children of God;

Romans For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the
8:15 Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Romans The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
8:16
Romans And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we
8:17 suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

and, as a fruit thereof keeping the heart both humble and holy.

I John Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called
3:1 the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
I John Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we
3:2 know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
I John And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
3:3

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 a
partaker of it;

Isaiah Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that
50:10 walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay
upon his God.

Psalm A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth,
88:1 Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and
night before thee:
Psalm Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;
88:2
Psalm For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
88:3
Psalm I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:
88:4
Psalm Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no
88:5 more: and they are cut off from thy hand.
Psalm Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.
88:6
Psalm Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted me with all thy waves. Selah.
88:7
Psalm Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination
88:8 unto them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.
Psalm Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have
88:9 stretched out my hands unto thee.
Psalm Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise thee? Selah.
88:10
Psalm Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?
88:11
Psalm Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of
88:12 forgetfulness?
Psalm But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee.
88:13
Psalm LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?
88:14
Psalm I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up: while I suffer thy terrors I am
88:15 distracted.
Psalm Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off.
88:16
Psalm They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together.
88:17
Psalm Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness.
88:18

Psalm To the chief Musician, to Jeduthun, A Psalm of Asaph. I cried unto God with my voice,
77:1 even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
Psalm In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my
77:2 soul refused to be comforted.
Psalm I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.
77:3 Selah.
Psalm Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
77:4
Psalm I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
77:5
Psalm I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my
77:6 spirit made diligent search.
Psalm Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
77:7
Psalm Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
77:8
Psalm Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
77:9
Psalm And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the
77:10 most High.
Psalm I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
77:11
Psalm I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
77:12

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;

I John 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his
Spirit.

Hebrews And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance
6:11 of hope unto the end:
Hebrews That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit
6:12 the promises.

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 cheerfulness in the
duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance;

Romans Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
5:1 Christ:
Romans By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in
5:2 hope of the glory of God.
Romans And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh
5:3 patience;
Romans And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5:4
Romans And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by
5:5 the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

14:16
Romans For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in
14:17 the Holy Ghost.

Psalm 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

so far is it from inclining men to looseness.

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Romans 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Titus For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
2:11
Titus Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly,
2:12 righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Titus Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
2:13 Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto
2:14 himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

4. True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken,
diminished and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it,
Song of I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying,
Solomon 5:2 Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with
dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.
Song of I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I
Solomon 5:3 defile them?

Song of I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my
Solomon 5:6 soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but
he gave me no answer.

by falling into some special sin, which woundeth the conscience, and grieveth the
Spirit;

Psalm Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
51:8
Psalm Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
51:9
Psalm Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
51:10
Psalm Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
51:11
Psalm Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
51:12
Psalm Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
51:13
Psalm Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue
51:14 shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

by some sudden or vehement temptation;

Psalm I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:

116:10
Psalm I said in my haste, All men are liars.
116:11
Psalm Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
77:4
Psalm I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
77:5
Psalm I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my
77:6 spirit made diligent search.
Psalm Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
77:7
Psalm Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
77:8
Psalm Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
77:9

Psalm For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest
31:22 the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

by God's withdrawing the light of His countenance, and suffering even such as fear
him to walk in darkness, and to have no light,

Psalm LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy
30:7 face, and I was troubled.

yet are they never destitute of the seed of God

I John Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he
3:9 cannot sin, because he is born of God.

and life of faith,

Luke And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may
22:31 sift you as wheat:
Luke But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted,
22:32 strengthen thy brethren.
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;

Psalm Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in
42:5 God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Psalm O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the
42:6 land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
Psalm Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are
42:7 gone over me.
Psalm Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his
42:8 song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Psalm I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because
42:9 of the oppression of the enemy?
Psalm As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me,
42:10 Where is thy God?
Psalm Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou
42:11 in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from utter despair.

Lamentations It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the
3:26 LORD.
Lamentations It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
3:27
Lamentations He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.
3:28
Lamentations He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope.
3:29
Lamentations He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.
3:30
Lamentations For the Lord will not cast off for ever:
3:31
Lamentations But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the
3:32 multitude of his mercies.