eIndeed this testimony is weak in most men, and can scarce be perceived: because most Christians, though they may be old in respect of years, yet generally they are babes in Christ, and not yet come to a perfect growth: and may find in themselves great strength of sin, and the graces of God to be in small measure in them. And again, the children of God being most distressed, as in time of trial, and in the hour of death, then the inward working of the holy Ghost is felt most evidently. But a reprobate can not have this testimony at all: though indeed a man flattereth himself, and the devil imitating the spirit of God, doth usually persuade carnal men and hypocrites that they shall be saved. But that devilish illusion, and the testimony of the Spirit may be discerned by 2. notes. The I. is hearty & fervent prayer to God in the name of Christ.2 For the same spirit that testifieth to us that we are the adopted children of God, doth also make us cry, that is, fervently with groans & sighs filling heaven and earth, pray to God. Now, this hearty, fervent, and loud crying in the ears of God, can the devil give to no hypocrite: for it is the ⟨p. 598⟩special mark of the Spirit of God. The other note is, that they which have the special testimony from the spirit of God, have also in their hearts the same affections to God, which children have to their father: namely, love, fear, reverence, obedience, thankfulness, for they call not upon God, as upon a terrible Judge, but they cry Abba, that is, father. And these affections they have not, whom Satan illudeth with a fantastical imagination of their salvation: for it may be, that through hypocrisy, or through custom, they may call God father, but in truth they can not do it.
eIndeede this testimonie is weake in most men, and can scarce be perceiued: because most Christians, though they may be old in respect of yeares, yet generally they are babes in Christ, and not yet come to a perfect growth: and may finde in themselues great strength of sinne, and the graces of God to be in small measure in them. And againe, the children of God beeing most distressed, as in time of triall, and in the houre of death, then the inward working of the holy Ghost is felt most euidently. But a reprobate can not haue this testimonie at all: though indeede a man flattereth himselfe, and the deuill imitating the spirit of God, doth vsually perswade carnall men and hypocrites that they shall be saued. But that deuillish illusion, and the testimonie of the Spirit may be discerned by 2. notes. The I. is heartie & feruent praier to God in the name of Christ.2 For the same spirit that testifieth to vs that we are the adopted children of God, doth also make vs crie, that is, feruently with grones & sighs filling heauen and earth, pray to God. Now, this heartie, feruent, and loud crying in the eares of God, can the deuill giue to no hypocrite: for it is the ⟨p. 598⟩speciall marke of the Spirit of God. The other note is, that they which haue the speciall testimonie from the spirit of God, haue also in their hearts the same affections to God, which children haue to their father: namely, loue, feare, reuerence, obedience, thankfulnes, for they call not vpon God, as vpon a terrible Iudge, but they crie Abba, that is, father. And these affections they haue not, whome Satan illudeth with a phantasticall imagination of their saluation: for it may be, that through hypocrisie, or through custome, they may call God father, but in truth they can not doe it.
- eRom. 8.25. 1. Joh. 3.2. Coloss. 3.3. 1. Cor. 3.1. Eph. 4. 14.Rom. 8.25. 1. Ioh. 3.2. Coloss. 3.3. 1. Cor. 3.1. Eph. 4. 14.
- 2Labour in prayer: for it is the proper spirit of adoption: and in prayer, we shall most of all feel the spirit of adoption.Labour in prayer: for it is the proper spirit of adoption: and in praier, we shall most of all feele the spirit of adoption.
