How the marks appear to us

But how does it appear that we have these marks? This is a question which still remains. How does it appear that we do love God and our neighbor, and that we keep his commandments? Observe that the meaning of the question is, How does it appear to ourselves, not to others?

I would ask the one who proposes this question, How does it appear to you that you are alive, and that you are now at ease and not in pain? Are you not immediately conscious of it? By the same immediate consciousness you will know if your soul is alive to God, if you are saved from the pain of proud wrath and have the ease of a meek and quiet spirit. By the same means you cannot but perceive if you love, rejoice, and delight in God. By the same you must be directly assured if you love your neighbor as yourself, if you are kindly affectionate to all mankind, and full of gentleness and long-suffering.

And with regard to the outward mark of the children of God, which is, according to Saint John, the keeping of his commandments, you undoubtedly know in your own breast if, by the grace of God, it belongs to you. Your conscience informs you from day to day whether you do not take the name of God upon your lips unless with seriousness and devotion, with reverence and godly fear. It informs you whether you remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, whether you honor your father and mother, whether you do to all as you would have them do to you, whether you possess your body in sanctification and honor, and whether, in eating or drinking, you are temperate, and do all to the glory of God.