does not give it to those who do not believe in Jesus; and if our
faith wavers, the witness will become intermittent; and if faith
fails, it will be withdrawn. Owing to the unsteadiness of their
faith, many young converts get into uncertainty. Happy are they
at such times if some one is at hand to instruct and encourage
them to look steadfastly to Jesus. But, alas! many old Christians
through unsteady faith walk in gloom and uncertainty, and,
instead of encouraging the young, they discourage them. Steadfast
faith will keep the inward witness bright.

2. We must not get our attention off Jesus, and the promises of
God in Him, and fix it upon the witness of the Spirit. The
witness continues only while we look unto Jesus, and trust and
obey Him. When we take our eyes off Him, the witness is gone.
Many people fail here. Instead of quietly and confidently looking
unto Jesus, and trusting Him, they are vainly looking for the
witness; which is as though a man should try to realise the
sweetness of honey, without receiving it in his mouth; or the
beauty of a picture, while having his eyes turned inward upon
himself instead of outward upon the picture. Jesus saves. Look to
Him, and He will send the Spirit to witness to His work.

3. The witness may be brightened by diligence in the discharge of
duty, by frequent seasons of glad prayer, by definite testimony
to salvation and sanctification, and by stirring up our faith.

4. The witness may be dulled by neglect of duty, by sloth in
prayer, by inattention to the Bible, by indefinite, hesitating
testimony, and by carelessness, when we should be careful to walk
soberly and steadfastly with the Lord.