Expl. 36. By this [first privilege of assurance] ⟨p. 67⟩we are to understand, not merely a believers probable guess or conjecture, or his hope and expectation to be saved; but an infallible certainty, or that which is called in Scripture the full assurance of faith, concerning the love of God, and the believers eternal salvation; which certainty is built, (1.) Upon the infallible certainty of Gods promise to save those who do believe or accept of Christ, as he is tendered in the Gospel. (2.) Upon the unquestionable evidence of the truth and reality of those graces unto which the promise of salvation is made. (3.) Upon the necessary connection which there is betwixt the means and the end, betwixt true and saving-grace and salvation it self. (4.) And upon the sure testimony of the Spirit of Adoption, witnessing with the spirit or conscience of this or that particular believer by name, that he is a Child of God. Concerning which assurance these three things are to be noted, (1.) That there may be a true saving-faith, where there is not the full assurance of faith. It doth belong to a believer only, but not to every believer. (2.) That it is every believers duty to look after this assurance, to use his utmost endeavours to make his Calling and Election sure. (3.) Though this assurance may be darkened, diminished, and interrupted through sin or temptation, yet it is ever accompanied with so much secret support to the soul, as that it does keep the soul from total and final despair. ⟨p. 68⟩And so there is room left still for [the second benefit, sc.] peace of conscience; in which there is, (1.) Something privative, sc. a very comfortable freedom (not perfect and universal) from that which Divines call trouble of mind, arising from the apprehension of guilt and of the wrath of God; and though in one who has this assurance, the peace of his mind may be disturbed, yet it is but disturbed, and not absolutely lost; as the peace of a State is not lost by every tumult whereby it is disturbed. (2.) There is something positive in this peace, sc. that sweet calm and satisfaction which there is in the mind upon the attaining of this assurance. [Third benefit, sc.] Joy in the Holy Ghost, sc. a joy springing up in the soul from the comfort and certainty of his testimony, and for the sweetness of his presence.
Expl. 36. By this [first priviledg of assurance] ⟨p. 67⟩we are to understand, not meerly a believers probable guess or conjecture, or his hope and expectation to be saved; but an infallible certainty, or that which is called in Scripture the full assurance of faith, concerning the love of God, and the believers eternal salvation; which certainty is built, (1.) Upon the infallible certainty of Gods promise to save those who do believe or accept of Christ, as he is tendered in the Gospel. (2.) Upon the unquestionable evidence of the truth and reality of those graces unto which the promise of salvation is made. (3.) Upon the necessary connexion which there is betwixt the means and the end, betwixt true and saving-grace and salvation it self. (4.) And upon the sure testimony of the Spirit of Adoption, witnessing with the spirit or conscience of this or that particular believer by name, that he is a Child of God. Concerning which assurance these three things are to be noted, (1.) That there may be a true saving-faith, where there is not the full assurance of faith. It doth belong to a believer only, but not to every believer. (2.) That it is every believers duty to look after this assurance, to use his utmost endeavours to make his Calling and Election sure. (3.) Though this assurance may be darkened, diminished, and interrupted through sin or temptation, yet it is ever accompanied with so much secret support to the soul, as that it does keep the soul from total and final despair. ⟨p. 68⟩And so there is room left still for [the second benefit, sc.] peace of conscience; in which there is, (1.) Something privative, sc. a very comfortable freedom (not perfect and universal) from that which Divines call trouble of mind, arising from the apprehension of guilt and of the wrath of God; and though in one who has this assurance, the peace of his mind may be disturbed, yet it is but disturbed, and not absolutely lost; as the peace of a State is not lost by every tumult whereby it is disturbed. (2.) There is something positive in this peace, sc. that sweet calm and satisfaction which there is in the mind upon the attaining of this assurance. [Third benefit, sc.] Ioy in the Holy Ghost, sc. a joy springing up in the soul from the comfort and certainty of his testimony, and for the sweetness of his presence.
