What the children of God have found
And here properly comes in, to confirm this scriptural doctrine, the experience of the children of God. The experience not of two or three, not of a few, but of a great multitude which no man can number. It has been confirmed, both in this age and in all ages, by a cloud of living and dying witnesses. It is confirmed by your experience and mine.
The Spirit itself bore witness to my spirit that I was a child of God, gave me an evidence of it, and I immediately cried, Abba, Father. And this I did, and so did you, before I reflected on, or was conscious of, any fruit of the Spirit. It was from this testimony, once received, that love, joy, peace, and the whole fruit of the Spirit flowed. First I heard,
Your sins are forgiven. You are accepted. I listened, and heaven sprang up in my heart.
1771 text
6. And here properly comes in, to confirm this scriptural doctrine, the experience of the children of God: the experience not of two or three, not of a few, but of a great multitude which no man can number. It has been confirmed, both in this and in all ages by a cloud of living and dying witnesses. It is confirmed by your experience and mine. The Spirit itself bore witness to my spirit, that I was a child of God, gave me an evidence hereof, and I immediately cried, Abba, Father! And this I did, (and so did you) before I reflected on, or was conscious of any fruit of the Spirit. It was from this testimony received, that love, joy, peace, and the whole fruit of the Spirit flowed. First I heard,
Thy sins are forgiven! Accepted thou art! I listened, and heaven Sprung up in my heart.