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speratus said:
In the unbeliever, introspection leads to despair as the sinner recognizes his sin, or to presumption if he believes he has obeyed the law, or to utter contempt of the law which condemns him.

The believer has been liberated from the bondage of the law. Introspection leads him to reflect on his many and great sins. The believer does not look for the assurance of salvation based on his own imperfect obeidance but in the promise of the gospel which the Holy Spirit causes him to believe and keeps him in that faith.

So I was quite shocked when I read Mr. Thomas Brooks and others urge an assurance of salvation based on a subjective examination of one's fruits. Can you explain?
I thought that's what I did in my previous reply? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratch1.gif" alt="" /> If one is actually in union with Christ by a true and living faith, then there will be evidence of that union in the life of the believer. This is hardly the same as basing one's assurance on one's own merit, accomplishments, obedience, etc. Simply put, if there are no signs of spiritual life then it must be assumed that one is dead. Again, I offer you the following passages of Scripture: (Matt 7:21; Lk 6:46; Jh 8:31; Rom 6; Eph 1:4; 2:10; Jam 2:26). True assurance is gained through a combination of things; not an single source. Christ's death alone doesn't save anyone until that which was accomplished is applied. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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