Hence begins spiritual life: a life from God, in God, with God, and to God. By the Gospel the Son of God is revealed to us: by the Spirit he is revealed in us. External revelation by the word, and internal by the Spirit, are both necessary to salvation. Though Paul was "separated from his mother's womb, and called by the grace" of God, yet he had not this inward revelation of Jesus Christ to his heart, till he heard the external word of Christ, saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me!" Acts 9:4. Hence learn to prize both the outward testimony or the word, and the inward testimony of the Spirit.
But the chief glory of our souls is the revealing Christ in us. O for the reviving influence of this while we consider it. To reveal Christ in us, is to make such a clear discovery of the matchless charms and inestimable glory of his person to our souls, unknown to us before, that our hearts are enamored with him; we choose him, love him, delight in him, and cleave to him in all his offices and characters; for by the eye of our soul we "behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth," to us miserable sinners: hence he is the one beloved of our souls.
Without this revelation of Jesus Christ in us, alas! what is all external profession? No more than mere dry formality and drudgery. O my soul, O my dear friends, be not content to live without a constant revelation of Christ to your souls: this makes the conscience peaceful, the heart happy, and the soul joyful: this inspires love, subdues lust, captivates the affections, makes the whole man happy in God, and creates heaven in the soul If Christ is in the heart, all will be right and well in the life. If you believe in Christ, as revealed in the word, this blessed promise is for you; pray for its daily fulfilment, "I will manifest myself unto him." John 15: 21