Can't Know You Are Saved?

J.A. Johnson in the "Signs of the Times" for February 1st, 1862 (Vol. 30; No. 3; See here) wrote the following:

"We might refer to many other portions of sacred writ to prove the doctrine of election, but we deem these sufficient for the present. Having identified the character to whom the address is made, we shall next proceed to make an application of our subject: How are we to know whether we are one of his? Well, that is just what we cannot tell you. I do not understand that we are to know that in this world. If we did, we would have no room for hope. If I should hear a person say,- "I know that I am a christian," I confess that I should have doubts of his christianity: for we live by hope; and hope that is seen is not hope. I know it is said,-"We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren."

Is this not ridiculous? If you say you know you are a Christian that means you are not a Christian? The only way you can know that you are saved is by doubting you are saved? Like my beloved father used to say - "if you put that logic in a bird it would fly backward." 

Peter says that we should strive to make our calling and election "sure." (II Peter 1: 10) But, why would he exhort them to obtain what is impossible to obtain? Paul says "I know in whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him..." (II Tim. 1: 12) 

So, if I can know that I believe in and love Christ, why can I not know that I am saved? Will our Hardshell brothers say that they don't know whether they love or believe in Christ? I know when I love and when I don't. I have no doubt that I love my wife. So, likewise, I have no doubt that I love and trust Christ.