Men often do despise afflictions. They think the troubles that come on them are nothing. They refuse to see God's hand in them. They are well able to look after themselves in their troubles. So they do not seek the comfort and strengthening of the Holy Spirit. - John Owen, Communion with God

“Sometimes the soul wonders whether it is a child of God or not, because so much of the old nature remains. So the soul brings out all the evidences to prove its claims to be a true child of God. Satan, in the meantime, opposes with all his might. Sin and law add their opposition also. Many flaws are found in his evidences. The truth of them is all questioned and the soul is left in doubt as to whether he is a child of God or not. Then the Comforter comes and by a word of promise, or in some other way, overwhelms the heart with a sure persuasion, putting down all objections, showing that his plea is good and that he is indeed a child of God. And therefore the Holy Spirit is to ‘witness with our spirits that we are children of God.- John Owen Communion with God [pg. 183]

The Holy Spirit does His work sovereignly. The Holy Spirit distributes to everyone as He wills. So the believer may at one time be full of joy and, at another, full of distress. Every promise at one time brings great joy when trouble are great and heavy; yet at another time, when only suffering a little, he finds no joy in the promises, however much he seeks for it. The reason is simple. The Holy Spirit distributes as He wills. So there are no rules or course of procedure given to us to follow in order to get peace and joy in promises. In this way, faith learns to wait on the sovereign will and pleasure of the Holy Spirit.- John Owen- Communion with God

The Comforter actually never leaves the believing soul with no comfort at all. A man may be in the dark, under a cloud, refusing comfort and actually finding none and feeling none. But the Spirit is the source of all comfort and in due time his comfort will be felt. God promises that He will heal sinners and restore comfort to them (Isa. 57:18).-John Owe)-Communion with God