The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-01-01

If such is not the nature of mans assur
ance of salvation, then if he has any, ar(
processes to believe the Bible he is depend
ing upon something to be continually felt &nc
done by him a, the necessary coodI'lon o.
his continuing to receive help from God, SC
far as he may need that help. lie is assured
that if he continues praying and loving God
aud serving Him, God will not leave nor for
sake him. He believes that Gods holding
him depends upon, his holding on to God
If, upon such gr..and as this, be has aO as
slrance that be will finally be saved, it is a
false assurance. Ifhe is certain that he will
hold on, he is trusting heart that is deceit
full above all things, !. He ought not to be
sure that he has escs.Yd everlasting damna-
ton, for he cannot : sure that he will not
let 90, and so fall forever from grace. Yea,
he would be certain to lot 60, if Gods hold
ing him dependsS upon his holding on to
God. %k
A true ASSURANCE greatly contributes 10
our humility. SoTs9&lave erroneously sup,
posed that humility consists in doubling
whether we are the children of God, aud
whether He Will act at ali times and in all
aspects as Father towards US. But he is
the proud selfrighteous man who thinks that
if he is sure Of eternal life because he has
some good works to think of with approba-
ton. True humility builds an assurance sim
ply upon the word of Christ. The humble
man comes to Christ as a beggsr, counting
all his "rigAteou8ness as filthy rags" and ex
ercising an unwavering confidence in Sa'
viour who has promised to supply all his
wants. True assurance also contributes
greatly to a mans religious peace and JOY
If child is certain that he is his fathers
heir, and will certainly come into posses
sion Of his property, he will have more
comfort than if he is constantly doubling
about those questions. Christ, having told
His disciples that they were his sheep,
aud that they should never perish, said,
-" these things have spoken to you that my
JOY might remain in you, and that your Joy
might be full"
True assurance also contributes to our
gratitude. A man is always more grateful
for a gift which he valueg, when he is GER
tain that it is his than when he is uncertain
about it. Said Peter, "Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which
=. hath begotten US again to lively hope
D.. to an inheritance F. that tadeth not
away, reserved in heaven for yOu who are
kept By the pOwsr of God through faith unto
8aluatiOn, :. wherein ye greatly rejOice."
A man who is assured of his salvation is
more active in the Lords service, and earn
est in restraining his sinful desires and appe
titeg. The hypocrito, whose assurance, if he
has any, is a false one, will say, seeing 1 am
sure Of &c .tiug to hoarer at lass, will take
my fill of sin or ne Will go through a regu
lar round of formal egiOuS observanccs, as
price which he has fixed to pay for bis sal
walton. But it is characteristic of the
Christian that be does not aOaat to sln, Sin
is the abominable thing which he hates. Paul
did not lay down his cross because he was
sure of his crown. Unbelief and doubts will
cripple mans energies. When Peters
faith was strong he started to walk on the
water to meet Jesus When he began to
doubt, he began to sink.
If professor of religion is absorbed IN
the worlds business or pleasures, and is neg
lgent of his religious duties, and yet feels
certain thai he will be saved, he is in the
dreadful condition of the carnally secure,
" He knows not that he is wretched and mis-
ersblo and poor and blind and naked"
Wherefore, seeing God hath "giVen unto
US exceeding great and precious promises;
that by these ye might be partaker8 of the
divine nature go. giving all diligence, add
to your faith vir ue, and to virtue knowledge,
and to knowledge temperance, and to tenn
pera0ce patience, aud to patience godness,
aud to godline8s brotherly kindness, and to
brotherly kindness charity. Give dill
geuoe to make your calling and election sure;
for if yc do these things ye shall never fal."
P. r. P.