Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

This witness is not borne in their passions, nor in impressions made
upon their imagination; for this must be from its very nature doubtful and
evanescent; but it is borne in their understanding, not by a transitory
manifestation, but continually—unless a man by sins of omission or
commission grieve that divine Spirit, and cause him to withdraw his
testimony—which is the same thing as the divine approbation. And God
cannot continue to the soul a sense of his approbation when it has
departed from the holy commandment that was given to it: but, even in
this case, the man may return by repentance and faith to God, through
Christ, when pardon will be granted and the witness restored.
Wherever this Spirit comes, it bears a testimony to itself. It shows that
it is the divine Spirit by its own light; and he who receives it is perfectly
satisfied of this. It brings a light, a power, and conviction, more full, more
clear, and more convincing to the understanding and judgment, than they
ever had, or ever can have, of any circumstance or fact brought before the
intellect. The man knows that it is the divine Spirit, and he knows and
feels that it bears testimony to the state of grace in which he stands.
So convincing and satisfactory is this testimony, that a man receiving
it is enabled to call God his Father with the utmost filial confidence.
Surprised and convinced he cries out at once, "Abba, Father! my Father!
my Father!" having as full a consciousness that he is a child of God, as
the most tenderly beloved child has of his filiation to his natural parent.
He has the full assurance of faith; the meridian evidence that puts all
doubts to flight.
And this, as was observed above, continues; for it is the very voice of
the indwelling Spirit: for "crying" is not the only participle of the present
tense denoting the continuation of the action; but, being neuter, it agrees
with the Spirit of his Son; so it is the divine Spirit which continues to cry,
"Abba, Father!" in the heart of the true believer. And it is ever worthy to
be remarked that when a man has been unfaithful to the grace given, or
has fallen into any kind of sin, he has no power to utter this cry. The
Spirit is grieved and has departed, and the cry is lost! No power of the