The sum of all

The sum of all is this. The testimony of the Spirit is an inward impression on the souls of believers, by which the Spirit of God directly testifies to their spirit that they are children of God. And it is not questioned whether there is a testimony of the Spirit. But whether there is any direct testimony. Whether there is any other than that which arises from a consciousness of the fruit of the Spirit.

We believe there is, because this is the plain natural meaning of the text, illustrated both by the words that go before it, and by the parallel passage in the letter to the Galatians. Because, in the nature of the thing, the testimony must come before the fruit which springs from it. And because this plain meaning of the word of God is confirmed by the experience of innumerable children of God. Yes, and by the experience of all who are convinced of sin, who can never rest until they have a direct witness. And even by the experience of the children of the world, who, not having the witness in themselves, one and all declare that no one can know his sins are forgiven.