3. Two inferences may be drawn from the whole. The first, let none ever presume to rest, in any supposed testimony of the Spirit, which is separate from the fruit of it. If the Spirit of God does really testify that we are children of God, the immediate consequence will be the fruit of the Spirit, even, _love_, _joy_, _peace_, _long-suffering_, _gentleness_, _goodness_, _fidelity_, _meekness_, _temperance_. And however this fruit may be clouded for a while, during the time of strong temptation, so that it does not appear to the tempted person, while _Satan_ is _sifting him as wheat_, yet the substantial part of it remains, even under the thickest cloud. It is true, joy in the Holy Ghost may be withdrawn, during the hour of trial. Yea, the soul may be _exceeding sorrowful_, while _the hour and power of darkness_ continue. But even this is generally restored with increase, till we rejoice _with joy unspeakable and full of glory_. 4. The second inference is, let none rest in any supposed fruit of the Spirit without the witness. There may be foretastes of joy, of peace, of love, and those not delusive, but really from God, long before we have the witness in ourselves, before the Spirit of God witnesses with our spirits, that we have _redemption in the blood of Jesus, even the forgiveness of sins_. Yea there may be a degree of long-suffering, of gentleness, of fidelity, meekness, temperance, (not a shadow thereof, but a real degree, by the preventing grace of God) before we are _accepted in the Beloved_, and consequently before we have a testimony of our acceptance. But it is by no means advisable to rest here; it is at the peril of our souls if we do. If we are wise we shall be continually crying to God, until his Spirit cry in our heart, _Abba, Father_! This is the privilege of all the children of God, and without this we can never be assured that we are his children. Without this we cannot retain a steddy peace, nor avoid perplexing doubts and fears. But when we have once received this _Spirit of adoption_, this _peace which passes all understanding_, and which expells all painful doubt and fear, will _keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus_. And when this has brought forth its genuine fruit, all inward and outward holiness, it is undoubtedly the will of him that calleth us, to give us always what he has once given. So that there is no need, that we should ever more be deprived, of either the testimony of God’s Spirit, or the testimony of our own, the consciousness of our walking in all righteousness and true holiness. NEWRY, _April 4, 1767_. SERMON XII. THE WITNESS OF OUR OWN SPIRIT. 2 COR. i. 12. _This is our rejoicing, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world._