received the spirit of bondage again to fear," says Paul, "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" (Romans viii. 15, 16). "And because
ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal. iv. 6). Unless He Himself
assures me, I shall never know that He accepts me, but must
continue in uncertainty all my days.

"Come, Holy Ghost, Thyself impress
On my expanding heart:
And show that in the Father's grace
I share a filial part."

The General says: "Assurance is produced by the revelation of
forgiveness and acceptance made by God Himself directly to the
soul. This is the witness of the Spirit. It is God testifying in
my soul that He has loved me, and given Himself for me, and
washed me from my sins in His own blood. Nothing short of this
_actual revelation_, made by God Himself, can make anyone
sure of salvation."

John Wesley says: "By the testimony of the Spirit, I mean an
inward impression of the soul, whereby the Spirit of God
immediately and directly witnesses to my spirit that I am a child
of God; that 'Jesus hath loved me, and given Himself for me';
that all my sins are blotted out, and I, even I, am reconciled to
God."

This witness of the Spirit addressed to my consciousness enables