I answer, If you mean by the witness of the Spirit, the full assurance of hope,--You may be so saved, without question. But if you want to know whether a man can be saved without _any_ inward sense, or knowledge, or hope of salvation, I answer, that ordinarily He cannot. I warn you plainly to cast away all indecision as to your state before God, and to make your calling sure. Clear up your position and relationship. Do not think there is anything praiseworthy in always doubting. Leave that to the Papists. Do not fancy it wise and humble to be ever living like the borderers of old time, on the "debateable ground." "Assurance," said old Dod, the puritan, "may be attained: and what have we been doing all our lives, since we became Christians, if we have not attained it?" I doubt not some true Christians who read this paper will think their evidence of sonship is too small to be good, and will write bitter things against themselves. Let me try to cheer them. Who gave you the feelings you possess? Who made you hate sin? Who made you love Christ? Who made you long and labour to be holy? Whence did these feelings come? Did they come from nature? There are no such products in a natural man's heart.--Did they come from the devil? He would fain stifle such feelings altogether.--Cheer up, and take courage. Fear not, neither be cast down. Press forward, and go on. There is hope for you after all. Strive. Labour. Seek. Ask. Knock. Follow on. You shall yet see that you are "sons of God." III. Let me show, in the last place, _the privileges of the true Christian's relation to God_. Nothing can be conceived more glorious than the prospects of the sons of God. The words of Scripture which head this paper contain a rich mine of good and comfortable things. "If we are children," says Paul, "we are heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ,--to be glorified together with Him." (Rom. viii. 17.) True Christians then are "heirs."--Something is prepared for them all which is yet to be revealed. They are "heirs of God."--To be heirs of the rich on earth is something. How much more then is it to be son and heir of the King of kings! They are "joint heirs with Christ." They shall share in His majesty, and take part in His glory. They shall be glorified together with Him. And this, we must remember, is for _all_ the children. Abraham took care to provide for all his children, and God takes care to provide for His. None of them are disinherited. None will be cast out. None will be cut off. Each shall stand in his lot, and have a portion, in the day when the Lord brings many sons to glory.