}}
===Christian Assurance===
Assurance is a primarily [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[doctrine]] which states that the inner witness of the [[Holy Spirit]] allows the [[Justification|justified]] disciple to know that they are saved. [[Augustine of Hippo|Augustine]] was an early theologian to write about it. ''Assurance'' is a very important doctrine in [[Lutheranism]], [[Calvinism]] and [[Methodism]].
=== Wesley & Methodism =John Bunyan====Pilgrim's Progress: Hopeful speaking to Christian.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Offor Offor G] (1859), "The works of John Bunyan", Vol 3, Blackie & Son, p141. For download from archive.org . There is also a version with seventeenth century spelling, that is, Bunyan J (1847), "Pilgrim's Progress", Edr Offor G, Hanserd Knollys Society.</ref>
[[John Wesley]] believed that :"... all Christians have a faith which implies an ''assurance'' of God's forgiving love, and that one would feel that ''assurance'', or the "witness of the Spirit". This understanding law is grounded not in Paul's affirmation, "...ye have received the Spirit hand of adoptionGiant Despair. Others, whereby we cry Abbaso far as I can understand, Father. The same Spirit beareth witness with our spiritshave been taken by him, that as well as we are the children ; and yet have escaped out of God..his hand." (Romans 8:15-16, ''Wesley's translation''). This experience was mirrored for Wesley in his Aldersgate experience where he "knew" he was loved by God and that his sins were forgiven.
====John Knox====Letter to Thomas Upcher.<ref>[https:"I felt my heart ''strangely warmed''//archive. I felt I ''did'' trust in Christorg/details/worksofjohnknox04knox Laing D (1895), Christ ''alone'' for salvation"The works of John Knox", and an ''assurance'' was given me that He had taken my sinvol 4, ''even mine''pp241-244.]</ref> Also relevant to the topic of depression." - ''from Wesley's Journal''
Early in his ministry Wesley had to defend :"The Lord shall wipe all tears from the eyes of his understanding of ''assurance''. In 1738 Rev. Arthur Bedford had published a sermon in which he misquoted Wesley's teachings. Bedford had understood Wesley as saying that a Christian could be assured of persevering in a state of salvation, the Calvinist viewSaints.
In a letter dated September 28:DEARLY BELOVED BROTHER in our Saviour Jesus Christ, 1738 Wesley wrote, "The ''assurance'' by your short writing I perceive somewhat of that battle which I alone speak I should not choose to call an ''assurance'' of salvation, but rather (during the short time ye were with the Scriptures), the ''assurance'' of faith. . . . [This] is not the essence of faith, but a distinct gift of the Holy Ghost, whereby God shines upon his own work, and shows us that we are justified through faith in Christ...The 'full assurance of faith' (Heb 10.22) is 'neither more nor less than hope; or a conviction, wrought in us by the Holy Ghost, that we have a measure of the true faith in Christ..'"<ref>The discussion of Wesley's understanding of ''assurance'' is a revision of information presented on the website "Days of Wesley", copyright 2004, Days of Wesley, Conrad Archer, [http://www.gbgm-umc.org/sonorafirst/handa.html#assurance Entry on Assurance]I judged you to fight.</ref>
===The Westminster Confession and the Larger Catechism===<CENTER>The Humble Advice :... if I can not ease any part of your grief—that is only the Assembly office of Divines,<BR>now Christ Jesus by Authority his Spirit—yet I praise my God I can lament and mourn with my brother tormented. Nothing I know to be more dolorous to the heart of Parliament<BR>sitting at Westminsterthe faithful,<BR>concerning<BR>a Confession than to lack the sensible feeling of Faith:<BR>with the Quotations God's mercy and Texts of Scripture annexedgoodness ...<BR>Presented by them lately and yet as nothing more commonly cometh to both Houses of Parliament.</CENTER><!----Wikisource Bible verses are used here because they showGod's children, on single click, a multiple-verse quotation, with following-context. Preceding-context so is there no exercise more profitable for his soldiers than is seen simply by scrolling upwardsthe same.---->
The Larger Catechism:... [David, Job and Paul, sometimes,]<ref>Westminster Assembly (1658)"[David, Job and Paul sometimes]"The Humble Advice represents the following text of John Knox, to which Bible refs have been added. "In how many places does David complain that God has forgotten him [[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm.13.1&mod=KJV#cv Psalm 13:1]; the Psalmist[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm.42.9&mod=KJV#cv Psalm 42:9,][https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm.77.9&mod=KJV#cv Psalm 77:9]], that he sees him not with the Assembly eye of Divines"mercy, that he sleepsand takes no respect to his dolour and pain, yes, that hehas forsaken and utterly cast him off [[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm.60.1&mod=KJV#cv Psalm 60:1],[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm.6.3&mod=KJV#cv Psalm 6:3,4],[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm.38&mod=KJV#cv Psalm 38];the Psalmist[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm.88.14&mod=KJV#cv Psalm 88:14],[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm.90.13&mod=KJV#cv Psalm 90:13]].Job complains that God is become his enemy, that he sets his bodyand soul as a target and mark, whereat he shoots his arrows, tormentingthe body by plagues corporal, viewed and frightening the soul by the terrors of his judgements [[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Job.16.12&mod=KJV#cv Job 16:12-13 December 2021 at archive],[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Job.6.4&mod=KJV#cv Job 6:4]].And Paul, beside the burden of his sin [perhaps[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Romans.7.24&mod=KJV#cv Romans 7:24]],and beside the angel of Satan which was given to buffet him [[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=2Corinthians.12.7&mod=KJV#cv 2 Corinthians 12:7]],plainly confesses that he had battle without and fear and terrors within [[https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=2Corinthians.7.5&mod=KJV#cv 2 Corinthians 7:5], perhaps [https://crosswire.org/study/passagestudy.jsp?key=2Corinthians.1.8&mod=KJV#cv 2 Corinthians 1:8], [https://archivecrosswire.org/detailsstudy/humbleadviceofas200westpassagestudy.jsp?key=1Corinthians.2.3&mod=KJV#cv 1 Corinthians 2:3]]...."</ref> (p164ff) gives an abbreviated version were destitute of the section sensible feeling of the Westminster Confession (ch 18God's mercy, p62ff) about Christian Assuranceas I am assured that every member of Christ's body is at a time or other."
(The Discussion page has a note regarding the use here of wikisource Bible verses.)==== Wesley & Methodism ====
<!----Q[[John Wesley]] believed that all Christians have a faith which implies an ''assurance'' of God's forgiving love, and that one would feel that ''assurance'', or the "witness of the Spirit". This understanding is grounded in Paul's affirmation, "...ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father. Can true believers be infallibly assured The same Spirit beareth witness with our spirits, that they we are in the estate children of graceGod..." (Romans 8:15-16, ''Wesley's translation''). This experience was mirrored for Wesley in his Aldersgate experience where he "knew" he was loved by God and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation?his sins were forgiven.
A:"I felt my heart ''strangely warmed''. Such as truly believe I felt I ''did'' trust in Christ, and endeavour to walk in all good conscience before him,may, without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God’s promisesChrist ''alone'' for salvation, and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made,and bearing witness with their spirits an ''assurance'' was given me that they are the children of GodHe had taken my sin,be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation''even mine''." - ''from Wesley's Journal''
QEarly in his ministry Wesley had to defend his understanding of ''assurance''. In 1738 Rev. Arthur Bedford had published a sermon in which he misquoted Wesley's teachings. Are all true believers at all times Bedford had understood Wesley as saying that a Christian could be assured of their present being persevering in the estate a state of gracesalvation, and that they shall be saved?the Calvinist view.
A. Assurance In a letter dated September 28, 1738 Wesley wrote, "The ''assurance'' of which I alone speak I should not choose to call an ''assurance'' of grace and salvation , but rather (with the Scriptures), the ''assurance'' of faith. . . . [This] is not being of the essence of faith,true believers may wait long before they obtain it;and after but a distinct gift of the enjoyment thereofHoly Ghost, whereby God shines upon his own work, may have it weakened and intermitted, shows us that we are justified through manifold distempersfaith in Christ...The 'full assurance of faith' (Heb 10.22) is 'neither more nor less than hope; or a conviction, sinswrought in us by the Holy Ghost, temptations, and desertions,yet are they never left without such that we have a measure of the true faith in Christ..'"<ref>The discussion of Wesley's understanding of ''assurance'' is a presence and support revision of information presented on the Spirit website "Days of Wesley", copyright 2004, Days of God as keeps them from sinking into utter despairWesley, Conrad Archer, [http://www.---gbgm-umc.org/sonorafirst/handa.html#assurance Entry on Assurance].</ref>
====[[Westminster Confession, Larger Catechism and Shorter Catechism.|The Westminster Confession and the Larger Catechism]]====The Larger Catechism<Bref>Q[uestion]. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in Westminster Assembly (1658), "The Humble Advice of the estate Assembly of graceDivines", and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation?viewed 13 December 2021 at archive.org, https://archive.org/details/humbleadviceofas200west.</Bref>(p164ff) gives an abbreviated version of the section of the Westminster Confession (ch 18, p62ff) about Christian Assurance.
(The Discussion page has a note regarding the use here of crosswire.org Bible verses.)
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{| border="0"
<!----|-| colspan="25" |Q[uestion]. Can true believers be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and that they shall persevere therein unto salvation?
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A[nswer]. Such as truly believe in Christ, and endeavour to walk in all good conscience before him,
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[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wikistudy/Bible_(King_James)/1_John#passagestudy.jsp?key=1John.2:.3 &mod=KJV#cv 1 John 2:3];
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may, without extraordinary revelation, by faith grounded upon the truth of God’s promises, and by the Spirit enabling them to discern in themselves those graces to which the promises of life are made,
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[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wikistudy/Bible_(King_James)/1_Corinthians#passagestudy.jsp?key=1Corinthians.2:.12 &mod=KJV#cv 1 Corinthians 2:12];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wikistudy/Bible_(King_James)/1_John#passagestudy.jsp?key=1John.3:.14 &mod=KJV#cv 1 John 3:14,18,19,21,24];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wikistudy/Bible_(King_James)/1_John#passagestudy.jsp?key=1John.4:.13 &mod=KJV#cv 1 John 4:13,16];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Hebrews#.6:.11 &mod=KJV#cv Hebrews 6:11,12];
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and bearing witness with their spirits that they are the children of God,
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[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Romans#.8:.16 &mod=KJV#cv Romans 8:16];
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be infallibly assured that they are in the estate of grace, and shall persevere therein unto salvation.
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[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wikistudy/Bible_(King_James)/1_John#passagestudy.jsp?key=1John.5:.13 &mod=KJV#cv 1 John 5:13];
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|}|-<B>! colspan="5" | Q. Are all true believers at all times assured of their present being in the estate of grace, and that they shall be saved?</B> {{clear}}{| border="0"-
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A. Assurance of grace and salvation not being of the essence of faith,
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[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Ephesians#.1:.13 &mod=KJV#cv Ephesians 1:13];
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true believers may wait long before they obtain it;
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[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Isaiah#.50:.10 &mod=KJV#cv Isaiah 50:10];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm#.88:.1 &mod=KJV#cv Psalm 88:1-18];
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and after the enjoyment thereof, may have it weakened and intermitted, through manifold distempers, sins, temptations, and desertions,
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[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm#.77:.1 &mod=KJV#cv Psalm 77:1-12];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wikistudy/Bible_(King_James)/Song_of_Solomon#passagestudy.jsp?key=Song.5:.6 &mod=KJV#cv Song of Solomon 5:2,3,6];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm#.51:.8 &mod=KJV#cv Psalm 51:8,12];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm#.31:.22 &mod=KJV#cv Psalm 31:22];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm#.22:.1 &mod=KJV#cv Psalm 22:1];
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yet are they never left without such a presence and support of the Spirit of God as keeps them from sinking into utter despair.
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[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wikistudy/Bible_(King_James)/1_John#passagestudy.jsp?key=1John.3:.9 &mod=KJV#cv 1 John 3:9];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wikistudy/Bible_(King_James)/John#passagestudy.jsp?key=Job.13:.15 John &mod=KJV#cv Job 13:15];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Psalm#.73:.15 &mod=KJV#cv Psalm 73:15,23];[https://en.wikisourcecrosswire.org/wiki/Bible_(King_James)study/passagestudy.jsp?key=Isaiah#.54:.7 &mod=KJV#cv Isaiah 54:7-10];
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===Romans 7===
A similar matter. In Romans 7, the apostle considers the Biblical law, the law which is holy and just and good—and comments that it stirs up sin. Does that apply to people who are saved?
''[https://ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom38 Calvin, Commentary on Romans, on Rom 7:14]''
:He [the apostle Paul] then sets before us an example in a regenerate man, in whom the remnants of the flesh are wholly contrary to the law of the Lord, while the spirit would gladly obey it.
''[https://banneroftruth.org/us/resources/articles/2005/philip-melancthon-1497-1560/ Melanchthon,] [https://archive.org/details/commentaryonroma0000mela Commentary on Romans, p159, on Rom 7:14]'' <!--- 2nd english edn. Tr Kramer F. Described as the Revised 1540 edition. --->
:Some mock these things and imagine that Paul is here speaking not about his own person, not about the converted and holy, but about the ungodly. This sophistry must be rejected. David is speaking about himself and about all saints when he says [Ps. 143:2]: "In your sight no man living shall be justified," and when he says [Ps. 51:5]: "Behold, I was conceived in iniquity." Thus Paul is speaking about himself, and he includes all saints by his example. Since this interpretation of Paul has firm and clear testimonies in the Psalms, it is certain that foreign interpretations should not be invented.
''[https://archive.org/details/explanatorynotes00unknuoft John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament, on Rom 7:25. Bible text is in italics.]''
:<I>I myself</I>—Or rather, that I (the person whom I am personating till his deliverance is wrought)....
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===Referencesand Notes===
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