and the Sweetness of Christian Assurance
Such is Satan's envy and enmity against a Christian's joy and comfort that he cannot but act to the utmost of his power to keep poor souls in doubt and darkness. Satan knows that assurance is a pearl of great price that will make the soul happy for ever; he knows that assurance turns a Christian's wilderness into a paradise; he knows that assurance begets in Christians the most noble and generous spirits; he knows that assurance is that which will make men strong to do exploits - to shake his tottering kingdom about his ears. Therefore, he is as studious and industrious to keep souls from assurance, as he was to cast Adam out of paradise.
It is no wonder that Satan, who envied the first seeds of grace that divine love owed in your soul, should envy the increase of that grace - yea, thy assurance, which is the top and crown of grace. When thou wast a babe, Satan cast water upon thy smoking flax that it might not flame forth into assurance; and now thou art grown up to some more maturity he is raised in his enmity, so that he cannot but put out his power and policy to keep you from the assurance of felicity and glory. Satan envies thy candle-light, thy torch-light, thy star-light; how much more then, that the sun should shine upon thee! He envies thy eating of the crumbs of mercy under the table; how much more that, as a child, thou shouldst sit at Wisdom's table, and eat and drink abundantly of Wisdom's delicacies! Satan envies thy feeding on husks among the swine; how much more that thou shouldst eat of the fatted calf! Satan envies thy sitting with Mordecai at the king's gate; how much more that thou shouldst wear the king's robes! Satan envies thy tasting of the least drop of comfort; how much more thy swimming in those pleasures that be at God's right hand for evermore! He envies thee sitting on God's knee; how much more thy lying in his bosom! He envies thy being admitted into his service; how much more that thou shouldst be of his court and council!
Satan knows that assurance is manna in the wilderness, it is water out of a rock, it is a guiding cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He knows that assurance is a salve for all sores, a medicine for all diseases, and a remedy against every malady. He knows that assurance is a Christian's anchor at sea and his shield upon land. That it is a staff to support him, and a sword to defend him; a pavilion to hide him, and a cordial to cheer him; and, therefore, he labours, both as a lion and as a serpent, to keep poor souls from a well-grounded assurance.
Ah! Christians, have not you need to seek assurance with all your might, who have to contend with so mighty an adversary? One who cares not what torments he heaps upon himself so long as he is able to torment you by keeping your souls and assurance asunder? Oh that this very consideration might make you restless to ever hold this sweet white stone in your bosoms.