The manner is past explaining
The manner in which the divine testimony is manifested to the heart, I do not take upon me to explain. Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me. I cannot attain to it. The wind blows, and I hear the sound of it. But I cannot tell how it comes, or where it goes. As no one knows the things of a man except the spirit of a man that is in him, so the manner of the things of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.
But the fact we know. Namely, that the Spirit of God does give a believer such a testimony of his adoption that, while it is present to the soul, he can no more doubt the reality of his sonship than he can doubt the shining of the sun while he stands in the full blaze of its beams.
1771 text
12. The manner how the divine testimony is manifested to the heart, I do not take upon me to explain. Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me; I cannot attain unto it. The wind bloweth: and I hear the sound thereof. But I cannot tell how it cometh, or whither it goeth. As no one knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of a man that is in him; so the manner of the things of God knoweth no one, save the Spirit of God. But the fact we know: namely, that the Spirit of God does give a believer such a testimony of his adoption, that while it is present to the soul, he can no more doubt the reality of his sonship, than he can doubt of the shining of the sun, while he stands in the full blaze of his beams.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 10 in the 1771 Works. Romans 8:16. The first discourse on the witness of the Spirit.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.