secret springs of action which influence our conduct. A person
ignorant of his own heart, is like a merchant, who knows not the state
of his accounts, while every day liable to become a bankrupt; or, like
the crew of a leaky vessel, who are insensible to their danger. The
professed follower of Christ, who knows not whether he is a true or
false disciple, is in a condition no less dangerous. And, as the heart
is deceitful _above all things_, it becomes a matter of the utmost
importance that we should _certainly know_ that we are the children of
God. Although we may be Christians, without the assurance of our
adoption, yet we are taught in the Holy Scriptures, that such assurance
is attainable. Job, in the midst of his affliction, experienced its
comforting support. "I _know_," says he, "that my Redeemer liveth."
David says with confidence, "I _shall_ be satisfied, when I awake with
thy likeness." Paul also expresses the same assurance. "I _know_ whom I
have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I
have committed unto him against that day." All Christians are taught to
expect the same, and exhorted to strive after it. "And we desire that
_every one of you_, do show the same diligence to _the full assurance of
hope_, unto the end." "Let us draw near with a true heart, in _full
assurance of faith_." "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have
we _confidence_ toward God." "He that believeth on the Son of God hath
the witness in himself." "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage
again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we
cry, Abba Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,
that we are the children of God." "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God,
whereby ye are _sealed_ unto the day of redemption."

But, as gold dust is sometimes concealed in the sand, so grace in the
heart may be mingled with remaining corruption, so that we cannot
clearly distinguish its motions. It might not be for the benefit of a
person of such low attainments in the divine life, to receive an
assurance of God's favor, until these corruptions have been so far
subdued, as to give the principle of grace an ascendency over all the
faculties of the soul. Hence God has wisely directed that the sure
evidence of adoption can be possessed only by those who have made such
eminent progress in holiness, as to be able to discern the fruits of the
Spirit in their hearts and lives. The _witness o