The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1879-01-01
For THE CENTRGk PRESBYTERIAN.
ASSURANCE FALvATIoN.

How may a porsol btain true assur-
snce that he is in g b of salvation, that
he is delivered from thS guilt Of sin; or, in
other words, that he has exercised saving
faith
A believer sometimes pursues wrong
method to ascertain what is his spiritual con-
dition. He examines himself by the rule,
and finds himself to be such great sinner
that ne doubts whether he is a child of God.
He then seeks to drive away his doubts by
becoming more conformed in heart and life to
the law of God. Suppose he succeeds, or
thinks that he has succeeded in his endeavOr,
to such degree as to drive away his doubts
by the ref ection that he is now not so great
sinner as be was, then his assurance is rest
ing upon false ground. He is putting
works before faith. How then ought he to
proceed. in order to be relieved Of his doubts =?
Having found by ex1m.na.i,,.' that ne is 50
great sinner-aud the closer the examine.
ton, the more numerous and aggravated will
his sins appear-let him as a sinner lost and
helpless in himself, look at Christ, and con-
tinuo looking, as the dying Israelite looked
upon the brazen serpent. Let hin mediate
UPON Chri8t'8 love, Christ strength, Chri8t'8
work, Cdrist'8 suffarings, Cnrist's promises
% sinners and the Spirit will teach him to
depend upon Christ alone for salvation. His
doubts will vanish as his faith in Christ
strengthens, aad be renews his VOWS of entire
conservation to Christ, not with the motive
of satisfying himself that ne is in state of
grace, but of love and gratitude to Him who
has saved him freely by Hs grace. And it
is in labors done and 8uforing8 endured un-
der the Influence of such motives, that God
gives believer the ble& &ed assurance of His
love. A man may ha false, but never a
true assurance in con uence of bis 8uppos'
iug himself to be so 0d that he ought not
TO doubt that he is |asistiaa Those who
have q true assurance are those who see most
and complain most Of the Wicke1ness of their
hearts. Paul declared hiuself TO be the chief
Of sinners while he was aboundjns ia laoors
for Christ Mt that he taou2ds hat his
outward conduct WAS worse than that Of
other snner5. Bat he ha] be;'er koowI.
edge than others had, Of his own heart, and
of the breadth and s.ric,ness and spirituality
Of the lew Of God. Paurs assurance was not
founded on his works.
Now, if believer ia assured that he is in
a state of salvation, that he is delivered from
the guilt of sin, he may aud ought to be as
sured tina: he will be completely aud forever
delivered from it's pollution, that he will GER
tainIy attain to everlasting glory.
What is the true ground of such assurance
The ability of Christ to effect His unchangs'
able purpose and fulfil His gracious promise
to finish what he has begun, witaOut any con
7itiOn8 based upon the good intentions ana
Vorka of the believer. If the believer believes
that his continuing iu the strait way de
pends upon Gods executing His purpose tt
, keep him from going out of the way, or, i
r He suffers him to stray from it, to bring hin
back into It; that his working depends upOl
q God working in him. that his standing de
ponds upon Gods holding him up, then b
has good reason to be assured Of his final an
complete salvation. He can reason thus
am sinful and helplel and prone to wando
} from God, cannot Yep myself; bat sine
e my Saviour has pro ed to keep me, l be
i, lievo His word, and w that I shall com
). off o,pqperor over al y foes. Such pei
i, SON is like little child who is crossing
o deep and dangerous stream, and is held fa'
q in his fathers arms, Although the chill
y, knows that he has no strength to cross thos
!, raging waters, he feels safe because he know
y there is sufficient strength in his father
h arms, and sufficient love in his heart to il
"a duce him to fulfil his promise to bring h
d child safely over the stream