802 oRDINAR* WiTÑIESS cr THE SPIRIT. ther it.be1ove,,it is love to God, and thechildren OfGod, for they are born of the same Father : Whether it be hatred, it is hatred to sin, and to all that displeases God : If it be delight, it is a de- ' light in heavenly things, and in holy ordinances : If it be desire, it is a desire after God, after a sense of his love, a greater ac- quaintance with him, a more exact conformity to him, and a breathing after the heavenly state, where we shall never sin against him. Thus since the several powers and principles in our nature being sanctified, yield us several distinct eviden- ces of adoption, let us not be contented with one of them, but press forward toward a stronger hope of our sonship. Let us labour and pray that all the springs of action within us being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, may yield the fruits of holiness, may shine bright in a way of evidence, and raise our hope to full assurance: 6. When you have found any comfortable and solid hopes of your adoption, by the holy Spirit witnessing in this rational way with your spirits, thatyou are the children of God, walk in the chearful` sense of it continually ; go on in the way of holiness, rejoicing in the Lord: This was one end why Christ has given us the charactersof his disciples in scripture, that when we find them in our own hearts we might rejoice. This was part of the design ofhis farewel-sermon to his apostles, wherein some ofthese characters are described. See John xv. 11. These thingshave I Spokenunto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might befull. The blessed Spirit, in the.same discourse, is promisedas a Comforter, andwe ought to walk in the light of his consolations. It is the most evangelical and the most constrain- ingmethod of his grace, when he carries on his sanctifying work by the influenceof peace and joy ; and it is one of the glories of aChristian, that the joy of the Lord is his strength, to fulfil all the duties of righteousness.
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