DISC.XIL] EXrRAO"RDINARY WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT. 20 to counterfeit the works of his own Spirit, as to leave no marks or evidences whereby to distinguish them from th6 impostures of Satan. Truth and holinessare the objects of the-devil's hatred ; and though he may transform him -' self in some particulars into an angel of light, yet he brings along with him some peculiar evil badge, whereby he may be known or distinguished And if christiáns will be sincere and honest, watchful and diligent; toexa-' mine not only the present impressions, but the succeeding effects of such sort of assurances of their adoption; toge -` ther with earnést prayer to be kept fröm all delusions, I' cari"hardly think that God will suffer his own people to be imposed upon in a matter of so sacred. importance: The fourth thing I proposed, was to mention briefly some characters of this extraordinary witness of the Spi- rit, wherein it differs from the ordinary witness. I. The extraordinary testimony of our adoption is a more sensible and strong impression upon the soul ; which seems to be distinguished in itself from the more slow successive, and rational operations of the human faculties. The spirit ofá christian searching out his own interest in the love ofGod, exercises his reasoning pow_ ers, lays down these propositions : He that believes in Christ, or he that loved' God, is a child of God. Again, I believe in Christ, or I love God : And then it infers this conclusion; therefore I am one of his children. Now the Spirit of God in his ordinary and usual influ- ences, does so'gently, so secretly, and in such acon-natural manner, assist these operations of the soul, that it seems to be all our own work; and the influences of the Spirit are seldom sensibly distinguished from 'the operations Of our own faculties ; and we learn, that we have the assist- ance of the Holy Spirit herein, rather by the doctrine'of scripture, and by its sanctifying effects, than byany pow- erful sensations of a superior influence on our souls : But in the extraordinary witness the case is otherwise ; for the superior and 'external influence appears strong and sensible. The Holy Spirit impresses the,conclusion, cr the assurance of our adoption, with power upon the soul, without any successive deduction of it from any foregoing propositions, sets it in a bright light, and per- suades the soul to believe it. C. This extraordinary- witness is usually . short and
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=