Assurance in Christ Alone
“Some
trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name
of the LORD
our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and
stand upright. Save, LORD:
let the King hear us when we call.”
-Psalm
20:7-9 [KJV]
You
may easily perceive how mightily people are mistaken, and, therefore,
no marvel they live so uncomfortably; that they are in fear of death,
and thereby in bondage all their life long, while they run for the
refreshment of their spirits, to their own righteousness, to the plea
of their own works, and will have their hearts eased upon that they
themselves do; whereas, nothing
gets a gracious discharge from their Father, but only Christ, and His
righteousness. Therefore,
beloved, however it may, with some, be a harsh thing, to take men off
from their own righteousness, in respect of speaking comfort unto
them, and to lead them to the righteousness of Christ revealed in the
gospel, as that from which they may draw all their comfort; though
this may sound harsh to some people, that have not been trained up in
the way of the grace of God, and in the freeness of it, revealed in
the gospel; yet, I doubt not, but in time, the Lord will be pleased
to reveal to us, that running to Christ out of ourselves, and
disclaiming our own righteousness and comfort from it; that leaving
our own actions, and all that can be imagined to be in us, or can be
done by us, will be the thing that, in the end, will establish our
own hearts and spirits, yea, and “fill
you
with all
joy
and peace in believing.”
-Gospel report by preacher Tobias Crisp (1600–1643 A.D.)
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