The Fading and Renewal of Assurance (Chapter 18, Paragraph 4)

“True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted…”

The confession recognizes a sober reality: even true Christians can lose their sense of assurance. This loss is not merely theoretical. It happens. King David, after his sin with Bathsheba, cried, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Ps. 51:12). Job despaired under affliction. Asaph confessed his envy of the wicked until he entered God’s sanctuary (Ps. 73). The saints of old walked through dark valleys—so may we.

“…as by negligence in preserving of it…”

One of the chief causes of diminished assurance is spiritual negligence. When believers neglect prayer, Scripture reading, corporate worship, and the sacraments, they are distancing themselves from the means God uses to sustain assurance. Assurance does not flourish in spiritual laziness. Hebrews 2:1 warns, “We must pay much closer attention… lest we drift away.”

“…by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth the Spirit…”

Certain sins particularly grieve the believer’s conscience and the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30). These are not sins of momentary weakness but deliberate rebellion—sins that linger and fester. David’s adultery and cover-up left him spiritually tormented until he repented. Persistent, unrepentant sin dulls our spiritual senses and leads to God’s fatherly chastisement.

“…by some sudden or vehement temptation…”

Assurance may also be shaken by sudden assaults from the enemy. Satan is a roaring lion (1 Pet. 5:8), and he also appears as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). Temptations can come swiftly—through tragedy, doubt, persecution, or unexpected sin. When the believer’s heart is overwhelmed, it may seem that assurance flees.

“…by God’s withdrawing the light of his countenance…”

Sometimes the Lord, for wise and holy purposes, withdraws a sense of His presence. This is not punitive but purifying. Isaiah 54:8 says, “In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you.” The goal is to teach dependence and deepen faith. The sun may hide behind the clouds, but it has not ceased to shine.

“…and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light…”

The confession draws from Isaiah 50:10 here. There are seasons when even the most faithful believers feel lost, abandoned, or confused. Assurance seems gone. But the encouragement remains: “Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” Faith clings when feeling fails.

“Yet are they never destitute of the seed of God…”

Despite all this, the regenerate are never completely abandoned. The “seed of God” (1 John 3:9)—the implanted Word and the life of the Spirit—remains. Grace may be dim, but it is not extinguished. The believer may be spiritually disoriented, but not spiritually dead.

“…and life of faith…”

Even when weak, faith remains. It may be as small as a mustard seed, but it is living. Christ is still its object. Assurance may falter, but faith endures. Like Peter sinking in the waves, the believer still cries, “Lord, save me!”

“…that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty…”

Even in the darkest times, there remains a flicker of love for Christ, affection for God’s people, and a desire—however faint—to do right. These inner graces testify that the Spirit still works. They are evidences of regeneration, not extinguished by hardship or sin.

“…out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived…”

Here is the hope. Though assurance is diminished, it can be revived. God does not leave His people in despair. Through the Spirit’s work, through repentance, through the Word and prayer, assurance is restored. Like spring after winter, the soul is warmed again.

“…and by the which, in the meantime, they are supported from utter despair.”

Even when assurance fails, the Spirit sustains. God upholds His elect. Though they may cry out like David or Job, they are not consumed. They are kept. Jude 24 declares, “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling…” God will not forsake His people.

Application for the Believer:

If you are walking through a season of doubt, take comfort—your salvation is not lost. Though assurance may falter, the Lord remains faithful. Confess known sin. Return to the Word. Seek the fellowship of the saints. Assurance is not regained by trying harder but by resting in God’s promises and using His appointed means.

Let this paragraph remind you that God is not finished with you. Even in darkness, the Spirit sustains. Christ intercedes. The Father loves. And in time, your assurance will bloom again. Hold fast, for He holds you more tightly than you can ever hold Him.