Question 36

How many sorts of benefits are there which do belong to those which are Iustified, Adopted and Sanctified?

There are three sorts, 1. Benefits in this life. 2. Benefits at death. 3. Benefits at their Resurrection.

What benefits belong to them in this life?

These five, 1. Assurance of Gods Love. 2. Peace of Conscience. 3. Joy in the Holy Ghost. 4. Increase of Grace. 5. Perseverance in Grace to the end.

What are the benefits which do accompany or flow from the sight and sense of our Iustification, Adoption and Sanctification?

Assurance of Gods Love, peace of Conscience, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

What mean you by the Assurance of Gods Love?

Our knowing our selves to be in a justified estate. Or, the knowledge of Gods unchangeable Love towards us.^a

What by peace of Conscience?

That serenity of mind which ariseth out of a true sense, and right apprehension of the Love of God towards us in^b Christ.

What do you mean by joy in the Holy Ghost?

The Spirit’s bearing witness with our spirit that we are the Children of God, and that our names are written in Heaven.^c

Doth the Scripture warrant any distinction between the Faith of Affiance and the Faith of Evidence, or the assurance of Gods Love?

That it is one thing to be Justified (which is done by the Faith of Affiance) and another thing to have it manifest to our Consciences that we are so (which is done by the Faith of Evidence) is very clear from 1 Ioh. 5. 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have Eternal Life.

Do the other benefits, increase of Grace and Perseverance therein to the end, accompany or slow from the Being of Iustification, Adoption and Sanctification?

Yes.

How may a Child of God get assurance, [or a sure Evidence] of his Iustification and Adoption?

By his Sanctification.

What is a sure Evidence of that?

Increase of Grace.^d

Do all truly Iustified and Adopted persons increase in Grace?

1. Negatively, they do not at all times Actually increase in Grace; for some of them may at some times be under declinings and decaies of Grace. 2. Affirmatively, they are alwaies of a growing disposition, and desirous to grow in Grace, and at some time or other they grow; And many times they do grow when they do not perceive themselves to grow, but fear that they decline.

Do all truly Iustified, Adopted, and sanctified persons persevere in Grace to the end?

They do persevere in Grace to the end, and shall assuredly attain the heavenly Inheritance.

How prove you that?

1. From the unchangeableness of Gods elective Love.^e 2. From the All-sufficiency of his Power.^f 3. From his Faithfulness in his Promises.^g 4. From Christs unchangeable Priesthood and continual Intercession for them.^h 5. From the nature of Grace, and the means thereof.ⁱ

May not any Believers by falling into sin, fall from Grace?

Some Believers may through the remainders of corruption in them, and the violence of Satans temptations fall into sin foully, and so fall from degrees and measures of Grace; but they shall never fall totally and finally from Grace. And when we see any to fall totally and finally from the profession they formerly made, we may know they were never that in sincerity, which they professed themselves to be.^j