He strives to make all as miserable and unhappy as himself – Thomas Brooks

Satan knows that assurance is the Christian’s . . .
manna in a wilderness,
water out of a rock,
a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He knows that assurance is . . .
a salve for all sores,
a medicine for all diseases,
a remedy against every malady.
He knows that assurance is the Christian’s . . .
anchor at sea,
shield upon land;
staff to support him,
sword to defend him,
pavilion to hide him,
cordial to cheer him.
And therefore it is that he labors, both as a lion and as a serpent, to keep poor souls from a well-grounded assurance.

This son of the morning has fallen from the top of glory to the bottom of misery, and therefore he strives to make all as miserable and unhappy as himself.

Ah! Christians, have not you need to seek assurance with all your might, who have to do with so mighty an adversary, who cares not what torments he heaps upon himself, so that he may prove your tormentor, by keeping your souls and assurance asunder? Oh that this very consideration might make you restless, until you have got this “white stone” in your bosoms!