Assurance, my friends, may be reasonable enough when it is founded on
repentance and hatred of evil, and love and practice of what is good.
But, again, assurance may be as unreasonable as it is offensive. We
blame a man who has too much assurance about earthly things. Let us
beware that we have not too much assurance about heavenly things. For
our assurance will surely be too great, unreasonable, built upon the
sand, if it be built on mere self-conceit of our own orthodoxy, and our
own privileges, or our own special connection with God.

Meanwhile it has been my comfort to meet with some--would God they were
more numerous--who, instead of talking of their assurance of salvation,
lived in a state of noble self-discontent and holy humility; who could
see nothing but their own faults and failings; who, though they were
holier than others, considered themselves as unholy; though they were
doing more good than others, thought themselves useless; whose standard
of duty was so lofty, that they could think of nothing, but how far they
had failed in reaching it; who measured themselves, not by other men, but
by Christ Himself; and, doing that, had nought to say, save, "God be
merciful to me a sinner." And for such people I have had full assurance,
just because they had no assurance themselves. And I have said in my
heart, These are worthy, just because they think themselves unworthy.
These are fit to appear in the presence of God, just because they believe
themselves unfit. These are they who will cry at the day of judgment, in
wondering humility,--Lord, when saw we Thee hungry, or thirsty, or naked,
or in prison, and visited Thee? And will receive for answer,--"Inasmuch
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have
done it unto Me." "Thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will
make thee ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of thy Lord."