FAITH is the root, and assurance is the flower. Doubtless you can never have the flower without the root; but it is no less certain, you may have the root and not the flower.
Faith is that poor trembling woman who came behind Jesus in the press, and touched the hem of His garment (Mark. v. 26). Assurance is Stephen standing calmly in the midst of his murderers, and saying: “I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts vii. 56).
Faith is the penitent thief, crying: “Lord remember me” (Luke xxiii. 42). Assurance is Job sitting in the dust, covered with sores, and saying; “I know that my Redeemer liveth” (Job xix. 25)—”Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job xiii. 15).
Faith is Peter’s cry as he began to sink: “Lord save me” (Matt. xiv. 13). Assurance is that same Peter declaring before the council in after times: “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner, neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts iv. 11, 12).
Faith is the anxious trembling voice: “Lord I believe; help thou my unbelief” (Mark ix. 24). Assurance is the confident challenge; “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? Who is he that condemneth?” (Rom. viii. 33-34).
Faith is Saul praying in the house of Judas at Damascus, sorrowful, blind, and alone (Acts ix. 9-11). Assurance is Paul the aged prisoner looking calmly into the grave and saying: “I know whom I have believed. There is a crown laid up for me” (II. Tim. i. 12, iv. 8).—Rev. J. C. Ryle.