f the Spirit_ must not
be sought in any sudden impulses upon the mind; but in the real work of
grace in the heart, conforming it to the image of God. Even if God
should indulge us with such impulses or impressions, they would not be
certain evidence of our adoption; because Satan can counterfeit the
brightest experiences of this kind. Hence, we may account for the
_strong confidence_ which is sometimes expressed by young converts, who
afterwards fall away. But when the image of God can be seen in our
hearts and lives, we may be _certain_ that we are his children. That
this is the true witness of the Spirit, maybe inferred from the passage
last quoted. When this epistle was written, it was the custom of princes
to have their names and images stamped upon their seals. These seals,
when used, would leave the impression of the name and image of their
owners upon the wax. So, when God sets his seal upon the hearts of his
children, it leaves an impression of his name and image. The same thing
may be intended in Revelation, where Jesus promises to give him that
overcometh "a white stone, and in the stone a _new name_ written." A
figure somewhat similar is also used in the third chapter of Malachi.
Speaking of the Messiah, the prophet says, "He shall sit as a refiner
and purifier of silver." A refiner of silver sits over the fire, with
his eye steadily fixed upon the precious metal in the crucible, until he
sees _his own image_ in it, as we see our faces in the glass. So the
Lord will carry on his purifying work in the hearts of his children,
till he sees his own image there. When this image is so plain and clear
as to be distinctly discerned by us, then the Spirit of God bears
witness with our spirits, that we are his children. As _love_ is the
most prominent and abiding fruit of the Spirit, it may be the medium
through which the union between God and the soul is seen; and by which
the child of God is assured of his adoption. A strong and lively
exercise of a childlike, humble love, may give a clear evidence of the
soul's relation to God, as his child. "Love is of God, and every one
that loveth, is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not,
knoweth not God, for _God is love_." As God is love, the exercise of
that holy principle in the heart of the believer shows the impression of
the divine image. "God is love, and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth
in God, and God in him." Hence the apostle John says, "We _know_ that we