Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 8:16

16. The Spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.

The Spirit of Adoption doth not only excite us to call upon God as our Father, but it doth ascertain and assure us (as before) that we are His Children. And this it doth not by an outward voice, as God the Father to Iesus Christ; nor by an Angel, as to Daniel and the Virgin Mary; but by an inward and secret suggestion, whereby he raiseth our hearts to this perswasion, that God is our Father and we are his Children. This is not the Testimony of the Graces and Operations of the Spirit, but of the Spirit it self. Conceives it thus; A mans own Spirit doth witness to him his Adoption, he finds in himself upon diligent search and examination, the manifest signes and tokens thereof. But this testimony of its self is weak, and Satan hath many wayes and wiles to invalidate it, therefore for more assurance it is confirmed by another and greater testimony, and that is of the Spirit himself, he witnesseth with our Spirits, and Seals it up unto us. He first works grace in our hearts, and then witnesseth to it. This Testimony is not alike in all Believers, nor in any one of them at all times; it is better felt than expressed. He witnesseth to our Spirit (so some read it) by a distinct and immediate testimony, and witnesseth with our Spirit (so the word properly signifies) by a conjunctive and concurrent testimony.

Marginal references: Cor. 1.22. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 letter].5. Eph. 1. [illegible: 1 word]. & 4.30.; Or, the same [illegible: 1 word]