David Shedlock
Puritan Board Freshman
there are many who show strong evidence of being genuine believers, who yet can not seem to be assured of Gods love to them.
If you ask them, if they are trusting in Christ, do they not say they do? Then reassure them that it is all that "requires." IF they say they do not, then call upon them to trust Christ alone, not the evidence that you see that makes you think they are believers. Looking to your own sanctification for assurance seems like a fool's errand to me, since the vain professor can always find things in himself to make him confident.
Are you saying that Brooks didn't mean it, when he said that few, real Christians obtain assurance?