break our Bones therefore fight against it 1 Pet. 2. 11. Thirdly Renounce all trust and Confidence in your selves in your own Works and Righteousness depend alone upon God in Christ and labour to be found in him having on his pure Righteousness Paul desir'd to renounce and leave all to be found in Christ Phil. 3. 7 8. Where is the Christian like Paul that has no Confidence in the Flesh or in their own Abilities but trust alone in God who giveth his all things to enjoy 2 Cor. 1. 9. Fourthly Study Sanctification more both in Heart and Life they must follow after Holiness that would see God Heb. 12. 14. They that perfect Holiness in the fear of the Lord shall certainly see God and behold his Salvation Psal 50. 23. Oh! then be found in the constant and daily exercise of Grace and perseverance in Holiness and Piety 2 Cor. 7. 1 2. 1 Pet. 1. 15. But Fifthly Take heed of nourishing Jealousies and Suspicions of God in your hearts fear not his Love to you but yours to him Some cry out Oh! the Lord does not love me for he has set me as a mark for his Arrows and has forsaken me he is my Enemy and I fear he will damn me at last after all What dreadful thoughts are these of God even that God who keepeth covenant and mercy with his for ever Psal 89. 33 34. Oh! harbour not these Jealousies of God If you find them in you at any time see you check them for God abides faithful and his love is the same for ever Jer. 29. 11 12. I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the Lord they are thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end My thoughts are not your thoughts nor my ways your ways saith God Isa 55. 8 9 10 11. But Sixthly Stand up for the Truths of God against all Opposers and for the Faith once delivered to the Saints Jude v. 3. Much of God's Glory lies in his Truth and they that stand up for his Truth as it is in Jesus and bear witness for it in the World are and may be sure they shall be happy 2 Tim. 2. 12. But Seventhly Have a care of Sinning but especially of sinning presumptuously against Light and Knowledge Pray as David Psal 19. 11 12. To be kept from all sin but especially from presumptuous sins that they have no dominion over you Sin is that which provokes God and will wound your Consciences spoil your Peace and mar your Evidences and Assurance for Heaven therefore strive and watch against all Sin Jer. 44. 4. Matth. 26. 41. Eighthly Be much in Prayer to God thro' Christ Pray often and earnestly like Jacob for the Spirit of Adoption to Seal you up to the day of Redemption 'T is the Spirit must Seal you and reveal to you the great things of God that appertain to the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. Oh! Pray for more Grace more Faith more Love and for more Assurance Luke 17. 5. Psal 4. 6. 36. 10. Ninthly Be tender of God's Honour and Glory in the World seek and study that above all 1 Cor. 10. 31. Our dear Lord Jesus as Man abode in his Father's love by being zealous for his glory and so may you this way Let the zeal of God's House eat you up John 2. 17. Oh! study every way to advance his glory for they that advance God's glory here he 'll advance their joy and comfort in Christ 1 Sam. 2. 30. Tenthly Be very humble Oh! have a care of Pride for Pride estrangeth the Soul from God and God from the Soul He beholds the Proud afar off James 4. 6. but gives more grace to the humble When you are high in Assurance and have received much from God Oh! then be low in Humility for God resisteth the Proud Paul had a great assurance being Sealed by the Spirit yet saith one he baptizeth himself with this name the chief of Sinners 1 Tim. 1. 15 16. The Jewel of Assurance I am sure is best kept in the Cabinet of a humble and low Spirit Oh! be humble in your own eyes and lye low then God will exalt you But Secondly You that are Sealed by the Spirit and have Assurance be exhorted not only to keep it but to improve it for God's glory your own comfort and the good of others Quest How shall we do this in a right manner Answ First by encouraging of those poor Souls who are yet in their Sins and in an unconverted State Oh! tell them how sweet this hidden Manna is and what a good Master Christ is whom you love and serve Oh! persuade Sinners by the love and mercy of God in Christ to leave their sins and inroll their Names in his Family use what Arguments you can with them for he that winneth Souls is wise Prov. 11. 30. Such shall shine in glory Dan. 12. 5 6. Secondly Comfort as you can weak Christians who have not the Sealings of the Spirit that you have I say to you as Christ said to Peter Luke 22. 32. When you are converted strengthen your Brethren Comfort them that are strugling and ready to sink Thirdly Walk more heavenly than ever look to your Hearts Lives and Actions see that you walk as Children of the light not as the foolish but as the wise redeeming all time for God Eph. 5. 15 16. But Fourthly Improve it by a chearful walking and serving of God Come before him with gladness and singing Psal 100. 1 2. 'T is for Persons condemned to hang down their heads and be sad but you are pardoned and justified through Christ therefore rejoice Rom. 5. 1 2. 1 Cor. 6. 11. Shall Drunkards Swearers Whoremongers and wicked Wretches rejoice who are just upon the brink of Hell and are condemned already John 3. 18. and will you that are Believers be sad Oh! chear up lift up your Heads and Rejoice I say to you as Jonadab to Amnon 2 Sam. 13. 3. Why art thou being a Kings Son so lean from day to day so why are you Believers being the King's Sons and Daughters of Heaven so sad Why do you not rejoice more in Christ and in your blessed Estate being Sealed and assured by the spirit Oh rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice Phil. 4. 4. How merry is the Bird how musical does it sing that knows not where to have and pick up its next Crumb and will you be sad who are assured of God's Love to you and not rejoice in it I will rejoice faith Habakkuk in the God of my Salvation Hab. 3. 17 18. But Fifthly and lastly and so I shall conclude Let your Hearts be much endeared to God by Love he hath done great things for you in Christ and bestowed much upon you Oh see that your Hearts run out in Love towards him Psal 31. 23. Oh love the Lord all ye his Saints it was a Saying of Austin I would hate my Soul if I did not find it loving God Whom should you love but God Has he done so much in you and for you and will you not Love Him Oh give him your Hearts and best Affections and shew your Love to him by obeying his Commands If ye Love Me saith Christ Keep my Commandments John 14 15 16 Thus improve your Grace and Assurance that you may glorifie the Name of that God who hath called you out of Darkness into this marvellous Light and Sealed you by his Spirit Thus much for this Time and this Text the Lord give you Understanding in all these things Amen FINIS Advertisement ALL Sorts of Second-hand Books bought and Sold as Mathematical Arithmetical Philosophical Astrological Chymical Chyrurgical Physical Poetical Travels Voyages and Divinity choice Bibles where is to be had Money for any Study or Parcles of Books by Caleb Hooker at the Sign of the Muzeled Bear on Wapping-Wall near Pelican-Stairs
and Glory c. to them that walk uprightly with thee If you can be assured that you have Grace for the present you may be sure it shall be made up full in Glory There is no opposition that shall prevail to hinder it for God has set his as a Seal First upon his Hand to shew that he doth and will keep them 'till they come to Glory Isa 41. 10. Fear not for I am with you saith God and I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness Behold all they that are incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded they shall be as nothing c. Even they that contend with thee shall be as nothing v. 13. Why shall it be thus The Answer is For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right Hand saying unto thee fear not I will help thee v. 49. Isa 13. 14 15. Sion said the Lord hath forsaken me and my God hath forgotten me Thus many Believers say But saith God Can a Woman forget her sucking Child not to have compassion on the Son of her Womb yea she may be so cruel as to forget but I saith the Lord will not forget thee For behold I have graven thee upon the Palms of my Hands or drawn thee pourtray'd thee on my hands A Metaphor taken from some that used to tye something on their hand to put them in mind of Business they would not forget God having set his People as a mark or seal upon his hand he 'll never forget them for they are not only set but ingraven which will not easily wear out But Secondly God has set them as a Seal upon his Breast to love them and He will love them and that for ever John 13. 1. Our Love indeed may be deadned and decay towards God we may leave our first Love in a great measure Rev. 2. 4. But there is nothing that can or shall deaden God's love towards his Children Where God loves in Christ he loves for ever his Love is an everlasting Love Jer. 31. 3. But Thirdly On his Shoulder to support and uphold them at all times and in all places and conditions 'till he hath brought them to glory Says God to 〈◊〉 disconsolated People Isa 40. 27 28 29. Why sayest thou O Jacob and speakest O Israel my way is hid from the Lord and my Judgment is passed over from my God Why speak ye after this manner this is but the surmisings of Unbelief hast thou not known hast thou not heard That the everlasting God the Lord the Creator of the Earth fainteth not neither is weary he giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength But Fourthly God sets them as a Seal on his Heart they lye near his Heart therrefore are they called the Beloved yea the dearly beloved of his Soul Jer. 12. 7. They that are sincere shall enjoy and taste his love and lye in his sweet embraces he 'll smile on them with the Light of his countenance for they are the joy of his heart and are in the most inward parts of it Cant. 8. 6. Thus you see how Believers are assured and secured for the time to come Those that are in Christ the rock of Ages are secured for ever And though they meet with temptations oppositions and tryals yet they are but as Waves that dash upon them but shall not ruin them for they are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation 1 Pet. 1. 4 5. Quest But may some say If it be thus that Believers are assured for the time to come Why then do we pray for the forgiveness of sins Answ First Consid That as God hath ordained the End so also the Means God doth and will pardon Sin for he hath promised to do it Isa 55. 7. Therefore we ought to pray for pardon through Christ as a means ordained of God For these things I will be sought to by the House of Israel We should pray as David who though he was a justified Person and secured in the Covenant for Heaven yet falling fouly into Sin he plyes the Throne of Grace hard This was his duty and is ours in such a case Psal 27. 10. Forgive mine Iniquities for thy Names sake for they are great And Psalm 51. 1 2. Have mercy upon me O God c. and wash me thoroughly in every part and from every sin Prayer is an external means ordained of God to obtain Pardon and other Mercies in therefore we are bid in every thing to make our Requests known to God Phil. 4. 5 6. But Secondly Consider When Believers pray for pardon of Sin it is for a clearer evidence of what they have already in Christ To be pardoned and justified through Christ and so secured for Heaven is one thing and to know it is another Persons may be in Christ and pardoned and so in a sure state for Glory and yet may be in the dark about it and not know whether they be so or no. Now it is the duty of these to seek after a clear knowledge of their state in Christ and the pardon of their sins through his Blood When Believers pray for pardon 't is not because their pardon is not sure in Christ but 't is that they may get a clearer apprehension of it for their comfort Thirdly Consider that Prayer doth not prejudice the stability or certainty of a thing Our Saviour himself prayed for that which he was sure of John 17. 9 10. The Covenant standeth fast for ever and the promises of Pardon and all good in it are most certain and shall he fulfilled for God will not alter the thing that is gone out of his mouth Psal 89. 27 33 34. Yet we must seek and pray and put God in remembrance of his Promise as he bids us for this prejudices not at all the certainty of the Promises nor the stability of the Covenant of Grace in Christ Thus much for Information and for this time Believers Sealed BY THE Spirit of Promise Fifth Sermon from Ephes 1. the latter part of the 13 verse In whom also after that ye believed ye were Sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise BRethren The Point we are upon is this viz. Doct. The great priviledge and mercy of being Sealed by the Spirit is after the duty and act of Believing For the opening this Truth First We have given you the nature of the Spirit 's Sealing-work and how it is performed in the Soul Secondly we have shewn you why none can be Sealed by the Spirit of Promise till they believe in Christ Thirdly VVhether all believers are Sealed by the Spirit or no Fourthly VVhat the great Priviledges of Sealed ones are These things we have opened largely Now Fifthly VVe are upon the Applicatory part of this discourse and we have already said something First By way of Information or Instruction in two things which now I shall not Repeat to you but through God's assistance
to Salvation In whom after that ye believed c. 2. The nature of this Assurance Paul calls it a Sealing ye were sealed c. Assurance says one is like to a Seal for three things 1. It confirms the Grants of God And 2. It declares the purpose of God And Lastly It distinguishes the Persons so priviledged from other Persons 3. Here is the Author of this Sealing viz. The Holy Spirit of Promise Ye were Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise It is he Beloved that keeps the great Seal of Heaven and it is his Office to Seal and to confirm to Believers their Interest in Christ by Faith and right to Heaven and Glory As it is his work to sanctifie so also to seal Believers and witness to them their Adoption Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit witness with our Spirits that we are the children of God 4. You have the quality of this Spirit that seals Believers he is a Holy Spirit and he seals the Saints as an Holy Spirit of Promise Now the Spirit 's sealing thus 1. as an holy Spirit relates to his previous work of Sanctification in the Souls of them he seals the Spirit first sanctifies and then seals the Soul 2. As a Spirit of Promise this respects the Medium or Instrument made use of by him in his sealing of Believers viz. the Promises of God which are made in or with Christ the Head for all Believers and given to them thro' him 2 Pet. 1. 4. The Spirit opens and applies the Promises of the Gospel to Believers in order to their sealing Thus having opened the Text and given the Analyses of it we shall note two Doctrines First Doctrine That the Spirit of God who is a sealing Spirit is a holy Spirit or a Spirit of Holiness the Sanctifier of unholy Persons he is called by this Name often in the Scriptures 1 Thes 1. 5. As the Devil is an unclean Spirit or a Spirit of uncleanness Matth. 12. 43. so the Spirit of God is a holy Spirit or a Spirit of holiness We read of the sanctification of the Spirit 1 Pet. 1. 3. And we are said 2 Cor. 3. 18. to be changed from glory to glory into the Image and likeness of Christ even by the Spirit of promise I shall not inlarge upon this only beseech you in Christ's stead to examine your selves whether you have this holy Spirit of Promise dwelling in you know this that if you have not the Spirit of Christ Profess what you will you are none of his Rom. 8. 9. Have you therefore the Spirit or not If you have then you are Christ's and transform'd into his Image and Likeness you are made comely through his comeliness put upon you Ezek. 16. 14. If you have not the Spirit you are still under the power of Satan led captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2. 26. He rules in your hearts and has his throne there Eph. 2. 2 3. Quest How shall we know we have the Spirit Answ By his blessed Operations and Fruit in your Souls where the Spirit is the Soul is changed and renewed and there 's Faith Love Patience and other Fruits of the Spirit 1 Cor. 5. 17. Gal. 5. 21 22. Second Doctrine The great Priviledge and Blessing of sealing by the Spirit follows the duty and act of Believing In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of Promise For the prosecution of this great Truth for your Edification and building up in Christ Jesus I shall 1. Shew you what the sealing of the Spirit is and how it is performed by him in the Soul 2. Shew you why none are sealed with the Spirit till after they do believe and close in with Christ by Faith 3. Shew whether all Believers are sealed by the Spirit 4. Shew you the great Priviledges of them that are Sealed 5. Then sum up all by way of Application 1. Shew you what the Spirit 's Sealing is and how it is performed by him in the Soul In general the Sealing of the holy Spirit is his giving a sure and certain testimony to the reality and truth of that Grace whichhe hath wrought in their Souls and to their saving Interest in Jesus Christ and propriety in all the promises of the Gospel that are made in Christ for all true Believers This is the Spirit 's Sealing whereby he resolves the fears and satisfies the Souls of Believers whom he seals about their state and condition This sealing Work is alone by the Spirit none else need do it and no meaner Person than he can do it The Holy Ghost delighteth to speak in our Language that we may understand him and because we cannot rise to him he therefore stoopeth unto us Under the Law we find that a matter of great concernment and weight was to be proved and confirmed by two sufficient Witnesses Deut. 19. 15. One witness shall not rise up against a Man for any iniquity c. at the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three shall the matter be est ablished or confirmed Now the sincerity or uprightness of our Souls before God and our saving Interest in Jesus Christ are matters of great yea greater concernments to us than all in the World And being so they need a further Witness to confirm them than our own Spirits therefore the Spirit of God witnesseth with our Spirit that we are the Children of God thro' Christ Jesus 't is by him that we know God is our Father and that we are enabled to call upon him in Christ as our Father Gal. 4. 5 6. He hath given us the Spirit of his Son whereby we cry Abba Father This Sealing is not only a witnessing to us but it is a work upon us and in us carrying the Image of him that Sealeth us whereby saith Dr. Sibbs we are not only assured of the Good promised to us but freed for the receiving of it God prepares no Good for any but whom he prepares and fits by his Spirit for that good 2 Cor. 5. 4 5 6. There be three things that the Spirit doth in Sealing Believers which things all concur together and must be in this Sealing Work 1. The Spirit Sanctifies the Soul and makes it holy he never Seals before he Sanctifies this is the Spirit 's material and objective Seal where he is a Sealing Spirit there he is a Spirit of Sanctification he renews and changes the Soul and forms Christ's glorious Image upon it where the Spirit Seals he subdues Sin makes the Heart anew and enables them he Seals to cast off the works of darkness and put off the old man after the flesh with his deeds and put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness Eph. 4. 22 23 24. He Sanctifies them throughout in Body Mind and Spirit 1 Thes 5. 20. and makes them that were darkness to be light in the Lord Eph. 5. 4 5. Ye were sometimes darkness but now
are ye light in the Lord. 2. The Spirit irradiates and clears this up to the Souls of them whom he Seals that they are Sanctified and made holy that their Hearts are changed and Grace wrought in them which was not there before and that now they are new Creatures being in Christ 2 Cor. 5. 17. For if any man be in Christ he is a new Creature old things are done away and all things are become new This the Spirit shows to the Soul in his Sealing Work and by this enables Believers to say doubtless thou art our Father though Abraham know us not or be ignorant of us Thou O Lord art our Father our Redeemer 〈◊〉 Name is from Everlasting Isa 63. 16. This God is our God for ever and ever he will be our guide even unto death Psal 46. 14. The Lord is my portion saith my Soul therefore will I hope in him Lam. 3. 24. My beloved is mine and I am his Cant. 1. 16. Now Believers know this from the Holy Spirit who clears these things to their Souls when he Seals them 3. The blessed Spirit after all this is done in order to Sealing he enables the Soul he Soals to lay hold on and to apply the precious Promises to its self so that whenever a Promise is read or spoken of the Soul may apply it and say this is mine and the other Promise is mine they are a Legacy left me may the Soul say by my dear Husband and Head Christ This Divines call the Formal Sealing of the Spirit There is none but the Holy Spirit that can thus Seal Believers viz. by clearing up to them their title to and interest in Christ and the Promises as there 's For he only knows the deep things of God 1 Cor. 2. 10. 11. And besides 't is his office to clear and witness this to Believers who is a Spirit of Truth and therefore he cannot neither will deceive us John 14. 17. My Beloved the Spirit 's Testimony in this is more than a voice from Heaven or than if an Angel should come and say Christ has sent me to tell you That he loves you and shed his blood for you This could not satisfie as the internal Sealing of the Spirit to the Minds or Souls of Believers the other may be a Delusion but this of the Spirit is certain and may be depended upon The witness of a Man's Spirit may come to a probability but the witness of the Spirit is clear demonstration 1 John 4. 12 19. No man saith he hath seen God at any time If we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us how because he hath given us of his spirit The Spirit receives of Christ's and gives it to Believers John 16. 18 19. As it is the Devil's work to cast in Fears into the Soul to perplex and disquiet the heart he being the red Dragon that disturbs the Waters of the Saints Peace So it is the Spirit 's work to clear things up to settle the Sanctified Soul and fill it with peace joy and comfort John 16. 7. As it is his work to convince of Sin to Sanctifie so to establish and settle the Heart and give that peace and comfort to it which none can give nor take away Rom. 14. 17. The Spirit in this work of Sealing attests and witnesseth both first to the Doctrine or Object of Faith and secondly to the infused habit of the Grace of Faith in the Soul of the former he saith this is my word I indicted it do you therefore believe and imbrace it of the latter he saith this is my work within you this Grace this Faith this Love Patience Self-denial is my work in you I have produced all these things in your Souls So that Beloved this Sealing Work of the Spirit is evermore agreeable to the written word of God Isa 8. 20. What he speaks in his holy Word and in our Hearts are all harmonious Testimonies The Spirit in Sealing Believers makes not use of an audible voice as to say vocally Thomas or John thy Sins are pardoned c. nor of immediate and extraordinarily Revelations therefore expect them not for he makes use of the spiritual Graces that are wrought in the Soul and of the precious Promises writ in the Word By these means the holy Spirit comforts the Heart and usually brings the Soul to rest and joy Secondly Shew you why none are Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise till after they do believe in Christ In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed c. Before I Answer directly or give the Reasons let me promise this one thing viz. That there be many who are in the state of Nature and have not one dram of Grace in their Souls nothing but Sin and Corruption and yet these have and may have many false hopes and vain confidences which will deceive their Souls you read of the hope of the Hypocrite and the House which he leans upon that will fall and leave him in utter despair For what is the vain hope and confidence of the Hypocrite when God shall take away his Soul Job 8. 13 14 15 13 16 27. When these poor wretches dye their vain hopes of Heaven dye with them many take Presumption for Assurance and a vain confidence for well-grounded hopes of Heaven because they have external Priviledges and talk of Christ they think all is well and that there needs no more ado Thus many will go down to Hell with a Lye in their right hand That it is thus is clear from Matth. 7. 22. Many will say to him in that day Lord Lord have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name done many wonderful works cast out Devils c. And in John 8. 54 55. Of whom ye say saith Christ to the Jews that pleaded Abraham was their Father and that they were never in Bondage c. that he is your God and yet ye have not known him Here this People you see had grounded Confidences and false Comforts built thereupon They said God was their's and yet they were ignorant of Him and did not know Him Oh! tremble at the word of the Lord and have a care of vain Confidences and putting the Lye upon your own Souls as these did Paul tells us of some that went a great way and attained to much and yet were not Believers nor Sealed by the Holy Spirit Heb. 6. 4 5. A startling Word They were once Inlightened tasted of the heavenly Gift were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and tasted of the good word of God and the Powers of the World to come If these fall a way 't is impossible to recover them again c. Thus I say Persons may deceive their Souls building their hopes and comforts upon sandy foundations being foolishly confident they shall be Saved But for any except real Saints and Believers in Christ to
see that in regard of Christ's death viz. the Intentionality of it there was a difference between the Elect and others For though all Men have a common yet 't is only the Elect who believe that have a special real benefit by it But Thirdly Yet know That all this while tho' there be a difference between the Elect and others in the Election of God and death of Christ yet there was no personal actual difference between them and others until they are sanctified and renewed and so are distinguished from other Men The Elect themselves considered in Adam are Children of wrath even as others till they are called and believe Eph. 2. 2 3. The Devil rules in them and they are kept in blindness by him as well as others 2 Cor. 4. 4 5. They are affar off from God Eph. â—â— 13. and are wallowing in their Blood to the loathing of 〈◊〉 Persons till God say to them 〈…〉 ye Ezek. 16. 4 5 6. They are born in sin and polluted by it even as others till God sprinkle their Hearts with Christ's Blood Ezek. 36. 24 25. They are as vile as the vilest 1 Cor. 6. 11. Such were some of you viz. Thieves Covetous Lyars Swearers c. but now ye are washed now ye are sanctified by the Spirit of our God Fourthly Know that the Spirit of God in this objective Seal viz. Sanctification makes a real difference in the states and tempers of those that he thus Seals For says Paul If any Man be in Christ he is a new Creature old Passions and Corruptions are subdued in the Soul and all things are become new And the Spirit also manifests that difference which God in his chusing made between them he sanctifies and others 1 Thes 1. 4 5. Brethren ye know your Election of God But how did they know it The Gospel says he did not come in Word only but in power and in much assurance of joy in the Holy Ghost When the report of God is believed and the arm of the Lord revealed to any then they see that Eternal Love that God bore to them in Christ before the World was Vocation in time is a sign of Election from Eternity For those that God has Elected in Christ shall certainly be called by the Spirit out of Darkness into Light Fifthly Know further that all this while tho' a Person be sanctified which is the objective Seal of the Spirit yet he may not be formally Sealed i. e. he may not have his change of state and interest in Christ fully sealed up to him a Man's Sanctification may be very doubtful to himself and he may labour under many and great fears about it whether he is changed or no be in Christ or no so that this is one distinction we must make the kinds of the Spirit 's sealing a Man may have the objective Seal but not the formal Seal presently a Letter may be writ sometime before it is Sealed the Spirit may work Grace in the Soul some time before he sets his Seal to it But Secondly We must distinguish the times and seasons of the Spirit 's Sealing for there be various times of his sealing Believers as the kinds of the Spirit 's sealing are different so the seasons wherein he doth this work are many and various As First Some Persons though I think but few are sealed immediately upon their Believing in and closing with Christ by Faith they are no sooner Converted but Sealed but this is very rare and not common here and there one are sealed immediately by the Spirit upon Conversion I heard credibly of One that was convinced of Sin saw himself lost and undone and thereupon having a sight of Christ fled to him for Pardon Peace Life and all Grace and was enabled to close in with Christ by Faith and had also thereupon the Love of God and certainty of his being Saved Sealed up by the Spirit to him and all in an Hours time many Ministers and good Christians were amazed at it and afraid it was a Delusion but by close walking with God and a pious Conversation he declared it was God's work in him The prodigal Son returning home to his Father was thus immediately Sealed for he was entertained with a fatted Calf and sweet Musick and his Father ran and fell on his neck and kissed him Luke 15. 23 24 25. But all Believers find not this presently as soon as they are Converted nor for some time after 't is but few that are thus Seal'd by the Spirit Secondly Season The Spirit Seals in times of great and eminent communion with God through Christ Times of Communion are sealing times when the Soul sees and injoys God tastes of his matchless Love and the sweet kisses of his Mouth which are better than Wine Cant. 1. 2. Then there is much Joy and great out-lets of Peace and Comfort to that Soul When God meets and shines upon Believers in a Duty and in an Ordinance then he makes their state very obvious and clear to them then he banishes away all fears and doubts in their Souls and makes them rejoice with greater and better Joy than the World can afford saith David who was a Man much in Communion with God Psal 4. 7. Thou hast put more joy and gladness into my heart than when their Corn and Wine and Oil increase But how was this no otherways than by God's lifting up the Light of his Countenance upon his Soul which will gladen the heart indeed Thirdly Many have been sealed upon some great and eminent Tryals and Dangers that they have been exposed to for Christ's sake and his Gospel Many Persons in times of eminent sufferings for Jesus Christ wherein they have carried it with great meekness patience and self-denial are sealed they have much comfort and assurance given to them Paul tells us 2 Cor. 1. 4 5. That as their sufferings did abound for Christ so their consolations did abound in him For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by or in Christ And whether we be afflicted it is for our Consolation c. How were the Martyrs Sealed many times in the depth of their Suffering for Christ his Cause one cried out when he was going to dye Oh! Austin he is come he is come meaning Christ who then met him and by his Spirit Sealed up his Love to him Another when in the Flames injoy'd so much of God That he said He was as if he were in a bed of down He sweetly convers'd with God in the Flames Fourthly The Spirit usually Seals Persons after a dark day and time of desertion when they have been clouded and gone mourning for lack of the Sun Job 30. 18. When they have had hard and sore conflicts with Satan and their own base Lusts Thus some read and understand that Text Revel 2. 17. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna and I will give him a white Stone
may know and have cleared up to them and that upon a five-fold account as First Because the Sealing of us by the Spirit is not in regard of God but in regard of our selves As for God he knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2. 19. But we do not know neither can we that we are God's but by the Sealing of his good Spirit and this Sealing is on purpose that we may know God is our Father and we are his Children Paul tells us Gal. 4. 6. That therefore God hath sent his Spirit into our hearts that we may cry Abba Father But Secondly Because the Scope of the Word which was Indited by the Spirit is for our comfort and that we might have hope Rom. 15. 4. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our Learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Now Beloved what comfort can a Man have in an uncertain condition wherein he knows not but he may be a Reprobate But again Thirdly Why did Christ Jesus come into the World and take our Natures upon him Why did he become a Curse for us and carry our Natures when he had suffered into Heaven there to appear before God for us 'till he has brought all home Gal. 3. 13 Heb. 9. 24. I say why hath and doth Christ all this for us but to have us out of all doubt of his Love and Good-will after once we have received him by Faith For having loved his own he loves them to the end John 13. â— Fourthly We may come to arrive at some knowledge of our state in Grace because we are commanded to make our calling and election sure Now God doth not injoin Impossibilities upon us but commands that which may be done and bids us seek after that which may be attained to 2 Pet. 1. 10. Give all diligence to make your calling and election sure But Fifthly What use are the Sacraments for especially the Lord's Supper but to confirm our Faith and seal up Christ's Benefits to us Saith Christ to the Noble Man that besought him to come down and heal his Son John 4. 47 48. Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe Christ sets the Elements of Bread and Wine in the Lord's Supper before us that by these visible signs our Faith and Grace might be strengthened As Faith comes by hearing Rom. 10. 17. so it is confirmed by seeing Christ Crucified which by Faith may be seen in the Lord's Supper This Sacrament is not only a bare sign to represent Christ to us but it is a Seal to confirm our Interest in him He that would have his Grace strengthened must be found in this Ordinance in which Christ is set forth and as it were lively Crucified Gal. 13. 1 2. It was a saying of Bernard When my spiritual strength begins to fail I know a Remedy saith he I will go to the Table of the Lord and there I will eat and drink to recover my decayed strength God meets his at the Table and there seals up his love to them and strengthens their Graces Cant. 1. 13. While the King sits at his Table my spikenard sends forth its smell Christ's presence in his Ordinances stirred up the Spouse's Graces and put them into exercise Now after all this shall we doubt of God's love to us especially when besides the Sealing of the Promises to us we our selves are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise Object But some may say We should not doubt did we but know this That we do Believe truly Answ As it is the Office of the Holy Spirit to work Faith and other Graces in the Soul so to reveal this Faith and Grace to the Soul The Grace of God is Light in its self because it comes from him who is the Father of Lights from whom comes every good and perfect Gift James 1. 17. And it is the property of Light not only to discover other things but it self also And observe also That the Spirit gives Light to this Light by shining on his own Graces wrought in the Soul 1 Cor. 2. 12. We have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God And says Paul Rom. 8. 16. The Spirit it self beareth witness c. we are the Children of God God's Children know that he is their Father and they his Children but the remainders of sin and corruption are still breeding doubts in the Soul but it is the office of the Spirit of Faith to quell them as they arise We are too prone in a time of temptation to doubt and have great fears But Sirs we need not help the Tempter as some do by holding it a Duty to doubt of Salvation when Christ saith be not faithless but believing Oh! have a care of this and rouse up your selves and say as David when doubts arise and your Souls are disquieted Psalm 48. ult Why art thou cast down O my Soul and why art thou disquieted within me hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God But Secondly From the Sealing of the Spirit I infer That Persons upon knowing their present state in Grace may be assured for the time to come For the Sealing of Believers by the Spirit is not only for the present but to the Day of Redemption Eph. 4. 30. Grieve not the Holy Spirit saith Paul whereby ye are Sealed to the Day of Redemption That is 'till they come to the full possession of that Glory which now they believe and hope for And besides this Sealing of the Spirit is for the securing of Believers for the time to come John 14. 16 17. Faith and Love and other Graces of the Spirit never sail finally but ever remain in their Habits though sometimes lost in the exercise True Faith sets us in a state of Salvation and we being put into Christ by Faith or ingraffed into him the Vine are risen with him and sits with him in heavenly places as you may see Eph. 2. 5 6. True Faith makes the things to come present for it is the substance ground or confidence of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11. 1. 2. Faith also Believes that neither life nor death principalities or powers things present or to come can never separate the Soul from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Rom. 8. 38 39. So that Beloved the Assurance of Believers is not only for the present but for the time to come For they are Sealed up to the Day of Redemption even to that day in which Christ shall fetch them to Glory Who is there my Brethren that can reverse the Seal of God and make it void Grace is an earnest Penny for Glory and where God gives the one he 'll give the other Psal 84. 11. For thou wilt give Grace
proceed and put a period to this subject at this time 2. Vse Is by way of Examinatition and Tryal Oh examine your own Hearts narrowly see how it stands between God and your Souls and whether you are Sealed by the Spirit of Promise or no This is a matter to be strictly searched into and ought to be made your greatest business in the world Quest How shall we know that we are in Christ by Faith and so sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise Answ By the Divine Operations of the Spirit within you by the word 2 Cor. 5. 17. 1 Thes 1. 4 5 6. And by the proper genuine effects and Fruits of the Spirit 's Sealing-work where the Spirit Seals there be such proper genuine effects and fruits thereof that we may distinguish and discern it from all the delusions of the Devil and from all Impostures whatsoever Oh! See if you can find these in your Souls or no by which you may know how it stands with you Quest What are those proper genuine effects and fruits of the Spirits Sealing Work First Effect is inflamed Love to God and Christ where the Spirit seals that soul cannot but love Christ dearly for one Flame doth not more naturally beget another than the Love of God in Christ doth kindle the Love of the Soul to him again 1 Joh. 4. 16. 19. We have known and believed the Love God hath unto us c. v. 19. We love him because he hath first loved us God's Love in Christ in the Fountain ours the stream flowing from it Love is the Life and Soul of Religion the Salt of the Sacrifice Who can but love God that is Sealed by the Spirit and have assurance of his Love to them through Christ When Christ had forgiven much to poor Mary who had sinned much Oh how greatly was her Love inflamed to Christ Luk. 7. 47. She loved much for much was forgiven her VVhen Paul was assured by the Spirit that Christ loved him Gal. 2. 20. Who hath loved me and given himself for me O how was his Love to Christ inflamed Phil. 3. 7 8 9. As Christ was fastened to the Cross so was he to Paul's heart by Love Do you love Christ or no Can you say as Peter Thou that knowest all things knowest that I love thee Joh. 21. 15. 16 17. Second Effect is Care and Diligence to follow Christ and do his VVill a Soul Sealed by the Spirit lies at the Foot of Christ and is careful of his Honour and Glory his Care is to serve Christ and in all things to please him the Sealed Believer runs after Christ and is careful to keep in his Love Jude 21. And to have respect to every part of his Sacred VVill. That Soul which was dull and careless before is now active and lively in God's Service Faith will make a Man walk but the Spirit 's Sealing or assurance will make him run this will be as wings to a Bird as weights to a Clock that will set all a running Is it thus with you or no Do you run the way of God's Commands with Delight Psal 119. 34 90. Third Effect is Humility of Soul before God deep abasements and great humblings use to follow the Spirit 's Sealing those that are Sealed are humble Souls they say to Christ as the Disciples Joh. 14. 22. Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self unto us and not unto the World Why me Lord Why me saith the Soul VVhen God sealed the Covenant of old to Abraham that he would be his God and his exceeding great reward he fell on his Face at the time and was very humble Gen. 17. 1. 2. A Soul never lies lower at the Foot of God nor abhors it self more than when God manifests his Love and Seals it up to it O what am I that God should be thus good to look upon me and to call me out of Darkness by his Grace Fourth Effect is Spiritual Strength for the Ways of the Lord are strength to the upright Prov. 10. 29. Increased Strength in the Soul follows the Sealing of of the Spirit When Believers are sealed then new Power and Strength enters into their Souls they are strengthened with might in their inward Man Col. 1. 11. The Saints find sensible Improvements of their Abilities for Duty Cant. 6. 12. Is it thus with you Fifthly This sealing will make us Praise God those that are sealed by the Spirit have their Mouths filled with the high Praises of God they cannot but Pen a Soug of Praise and bless the Name of that God who hath done so much for them Such say to their Souls as David the sweet Singer of Israel Psal 103. 1 2 3. Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name bless the Lord O my Soul and forget not all his Benefits who forgiveth thy Iniquities healeth thy Diseases and Crowns thee with Loving Kindnesses Paul Penn'd a doxology for this Blessing of Sealing c. Ephes 1. 3. His solemn Thanksgiving was for this as well as for other Blessings But agaiu Sixth Effect is great Longings and inflamed Desires after the full enjoyment of Christ in glory They who are Sealed by the Spirit long to be in Heaven at home with the Lord 2 Cor. 5. 4 5. They that have tasted the love of God in Christ here long to be drinking full draughts of it in Heaven Psal 42. 1 2. My Soul thirsteth for thee when shall I appear before my God David did not only long to see God in his House and in his Ordinances but also in his glory where his Soul should be fully satisfied Psal 17. 15. There is nothing that makes Death so undesirable as doubts and fears that hang about the Saints and upon their Spirits about their eternal State and Condition Persons under great doubts don't long so much for Death as those who are Sealed and Assured Where Persons evidences for Heaven are clear and their doubts resolved they fear not Death but go full Sail to Heaven and depart in great Peace Psal 37. 37. Luke 2. 29 30. These are the Souls that with Paul desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better or best of all Phil. 1. 21 22. If once Beloved the great Question of our Interest in Christ be thoroughly decided and be clear between God and us then we shall find Life the matter of Patience and Death the object of desire But thus much by way of tryal the Lord set you as a Seal upon his Heart and upon his Arm and clear up his Love and good will in Christ to your Souls that so you may know it believe it and admire it Third Vse by way of Exhortation And First You that are not Sealed yet by the Holy Spirit of Promise be exhorted and stirred up this Day to seek out after it That you may be assured of your Peace with God and the pardon of your Sins through the Blood