7. Another fruit of this living faith is peace. For [11]_being justified by faith_, having all our sins blotted out, _we have peace with_ God, _through our_ Lord Jesus Christ. This indeed our Lord himself, the night before his death, solemnly bequeathed to all his followers. [12]_Peace_, saith he, _I leave with you_; (you who _believe in_ God, and _believe also in me_) _my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid._ And again, [13]_These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace_. This is that _peace of_ God, _which passeth all understanding_, that serenity of soul, which it hath not entered into the heart of a natural man to conceive, and which it is not possible for even the spiritual man to utter. And it is a peace which all the powers of earth and hell are unable to take from him. Waves and storms beat upon it, but they shake it not; for it is founded upon a rock. It keepeth the hearts and minds of the children of God, at all times and in all places. Whether they are in ease or in pain, in sickness or health, in abundance or want, they are happy in God. In every state they have learned to be content, yea, to give thanks unto God through _Christ Jesus_: being well assured, that “Whatsoever is, is best;” because it is his will, concerning them. So that in all the vicissitudes of life, their _heart standeth fast, believing in the_ Lord.
II. 1. A second scriptural mark of those who are born of God is hope. Thus St. _Peter_, speaking to all the children of God, who were then _scattered abroad_, saith, [14]_Blessed be the_ God _and father of our_ Lord Jesus Christ, _who according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope_. Ἐλπίδα ζῶσαν, A _lively_ or _living_ hope, saith the apostle: because there is also a _dead_ hope (as well as a dead faith) a hope which is not from God, but from the enemy of God and man; as evidently appears by its fruits; for, as it is the offspring of pride, so it is the parent of every evil word and work, whereas every man that hath in him this living hope, is _holy as he that calleth him is holy_: every man that can truly say to his ♦brethren in _Christ, Beloved, now are we the sons of_ God, _and we shall see him as he is, purifieth himself, even as he is pure_.
2. This hope implies, 1. The testimony of our own spirit or conscience, that we walk _in simplicity and godly sincerity_; secondly, the testimony of the Spirit of God, _bearing witness with_, or to, _our spirit, that we are the children of_ God, _and if children, then heirs, heirs of_ God and _joint-heirs with_ Christ.
3. Let us well observe, what is here taught us by God himself, touching the glorious privilege of his children. Who is it, that is here said to _bear witness_? Not our Spirit only, but another; even the Spirit of God: he it is who _beareth witness with our spirit_. What is it, he beareth witness of? _That we are the children of_ God; _and if children, then heirs; heirs of_ God, _and joint-heirs with_ Christ:――――_if so be that we suffer with him_ (if we deny ourselves, if we take up our cross daily, if we chearfully indure persecution or reproach for his sake) _that we may also be glorified together_, And in whom doth the Spirit of God bear this witness? In all who are the children of God. By this very argument does the apostle prove in the preceding verses that they are so: [15]_As many_, saith he, _as are led by the Spirit of_ God, _they are the sons of_ God. _For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again, to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father!_ It follows, _The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of_ God.
4. The variation of the phrase in the 15th verse, is worthy our observation. Ye _have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby_ we _cry, Abba, Father_! _Ye_, as many as are the sons of God, have in virtue of your sonship, received that self-same Spirit of adoption, whereby _we_ cry, Abba, Father. _We_, the apostles, prophets, teachers, (for so the word may not improperly be understood) we through whom you have believed, the _ministers of_ Christ, _and stewards of the mysteries of_ God. As _we_ and _you_ have one Lord, so we have one spirit: as we have one faith, so we have one hope also. We and you are sealed with one _Spirit of promise_, the earnest of _yours_ and of _our_ inheritance: the same Spirit, bearing witness with yours and with our spirit, _that we are the children of_ God.