What is assurance?
It is not any vocal or audible voice, or brought to us by the help of an angel or revelation. The Word of God is the major factor in assurance, conscience is the minor factor, and the Spirit of God, the moving cause. The Word says, “He who fears and loves God is loved of God;” there is the major proposition; then conscience makes the minor proposition, “I fear and love God;” then the Spirit makes the conclusion, “Therefore you are loved of God;” and this is what the apostle calls “The witnessing of the Spirit with our spirits, that we are his children.” Has a sanctified soul such an assurance as excludes all doubting? He has that which bears up his heart from sinking, he has such a pledge of the Spirit, that he would not part with it for the richest prize. But his assurance, though infallible, is not perfect. There will be sometimes a trepidationbut he is safe amidst fears and doubts; as a ship lies safe at anchor, though shaken by the wind. If a Christian had no doubts, there would be
