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
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
have those witnessing Sealing Testimonies of the Spirit which we have discours'd of and described to you I say for any but real Christians to have these is utterly impossible which brings me now to give the Reasons why none but real Believers are or can be Sealed by the Spirit of God And the Reasons to make it evident and plain shall be taken 1. From the Author 2. From the Nature 3. From the Object Matter 4. From the Mediums And Lastly from the great design and end of the Holy Spirit in his glorious Sealing Work 1. Reason taken from the Author of this Sealing Work viz. the Spirit of God who is the Spirit of Holiness and Spirit of Truth So Christ calls him John 14. 17. I will pray the Father for you and he shall send you another Comforter c. even the Spirit of Truth who shall lead and guide you into all Truth John 16. 13 14. Now he being a Spirit of Holiness and Truth he cannot witness to a Lye or give a Testimony quite contrary to the whole tenour of the Sacred Word of God Whose word is a word of Truth and not of Falshood John 17. 17. The Spirit Indicted the Scriptures and they are all like him that is Truth Now were the Spirit to Seal Unbelievers he would give a Testimony quite cross to the Word of Truth which he will never do The Elect themselves while in a natural state have no actual Interest in Christ nor the Promises therefore while in that state they can have none Sealed to them They that have no actual Interest in Christ and in the Promises of the Gospel cannot be Sealed by the Spirit of Promise We must my Beloved be Saints before we can be known to be so a Man must be in Christ before he can know he is in Christ and a Believer before he can know he is a Believer and that he has Faith in Christ 2. Reason is taken from the nature of this work of Sealing If you consider the nature of it it cannot be that Unbelievers should be Sealed Assurance is produced in the Souls of Believers by the reflexive acts of their Faith the Spirit in Sealing Believers helps them to reflect upon what he hath formerly done and wrought in their Souls 1 John 2. 3. Hereby saith John we know that is we Believers that have closed in with Christ and have him to plead for us c. that we know him Now to know that we know is a reflex Act as one says and there can be no reflex Acts where there is no direct Acts of Faith it is impossible that there should be a reflex Act before a direct Act of Faith No Man can have the evidence of his Faith before the habit of it be infused and the vital act first performed therefore deceive not your Souls with vain hopes of Heaven 3. Reason of this is taken from the object Matter to which the Spirit Seals and that you will find to be his own Sanctifying Operations upon the Heart or in the Hearts of those that he Seals and consequently to their great priviledges and advantages in Christ Jesus the Spirit witnesses to Believers that they are Christ's and that he hath loved them with an everlasting Love and shed his precious Blood for them Rev. 1. 5 6. This the Spirit Seal'd to Paul Gal. 2. 20. I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me And the life saith he that I live in the flesh is by the faith of the Son of God who hath loved me and given himself for me How did Paul know this but by the still voice of the Spirit who discovered in particular Christ's love to him The Spirit in Sealing Believers doth attest That Christ abideth in them and that they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 16. 1 John 3. 24. Hereby we know that he viz. Christ abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given to us Now no such thing as this can be Sealed to us until we believe because neither our Adoption nor Sanctification is before Faith John 1. 12. Gal. 3. 26. When Persons believe truly in Jesus Christ then are they actually Sons of God and really Sanctified and not before for our Hearts are said to be purified by or through Faith Acts 15. 9. Therefore Persons being unsanctified cannot be Sealed before Faith in the Blood of Christ 4. Reason it is thus If you consider the Mediums or Instruments made use of in this work of Sealing The Spirit of God in Sealing his People makes use of the great and precious Promises therefore he is called a Spirit of Promise in our Text He is not so called only because he is the Spirit promised Ezek. 36. 27. but secondly because he opens and applies the Promises to Believers which he doth when they believe and are united to Christ and not before The Spirit clears the Promises to their Understandings and by Faith enables them to apply them to their own Souls but still remember 't is after Faith for 'till a Person is united to Christ he has no true saving right to the Promises they are Childrens Bread and Dogs that are without must not meddle with them Matth. 15. 26 27. Rev. 22. 15. But Fifthly The Fifth Reason is taken from the great End and Design of the Spirit in this Sealing Work which is to secure to the believing Soul its Peace pardon of Sin and eternal Salvation with Christ in Glory The end of our Faith we read is the Salvation of our Souls and this is the end of the Spirit 's Sealing to secure it to the Soul 1 Pet. 1. 9 10. The Spirit of God is said Eph. 4. 30. To Seal Believers to the day of Redemption that is to their compleat Salvation in Christ We are all by nature in bondage to Sin and Corruption and we are Redeemed from Sin by the first coming of Christ Matth. 1. 21. Tit. 2. 14. And shall be fully and perfectly Redeemed from all Sin at his second Now in the mean time 'till this be God would have his People to be assured of it before-hand therefore he hath given his Spirit to Seal them up to the Day of Redemption Now my Beloved it is as equally impossible for Unbelievers as such to be Sealed as Saved And the Word saith Matth 16. 16. He that believeth not shall be damned And John 8. 24. Says Christ to the Jews If you believe not ye shall die in your sins Thus you see the Doctrine is clear That the great priviledge of Sealing by the Spirit follows the Act of Believing and goes not before it I should have shown you now Thirdly Whether all Believers are Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise but our time is gone therefore I shall sum up all with a short Word of Application and leave what has been said to the Blessing of God 1. Vse If none are Sealed nor can be Saved until they believe in Christ
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
Spirit and through Christ to discover your state and condition to you that so you may not be deceived and go down to Hell with a Lye in your right hand Lord say to my Soul I am thy Salvation Psal 35. 3. Plead thus daily with God that so you may not lose your comfort on the one hand nor your precious Souls on the other But Fourthly Watch much over your own Hearts and Lives be very careful of your steps and how you walk that you grieve not the good Spirit Let not your Hearts run out too much upon the World and be not too careless of your steps lest you offend God Psal 39. 1. I said I will look to my ways c. That is I resoved to do so So Pray do you for to him that ordereth his Conversation aright God will shew his Salvation Psal 50. 23. Fifthly Wait humbly and patiently upon the Lord even 'till he shall shed abroad his Love in your hearts and set you as a Seal upon his heart They that wait upon God shall have renewed strength Isa 40. 29 30. Who is there among you that feareth the Lord who walketh in darkness and see no light Oh! trust in the Name of the Lord and stay and wait upon him I say to you as David Psal 27. ult Wait on the Lord and be of good courage for he shall strengthen your hearts Wait I say on the Lord waiting Christians will lose nothing Mich. 7. 9. Sixthly Mourn over all those sins that cause the Lord to withdraw and hide his Face from your Souls Isa 59. 2. Have you not grieved the Spirit and been guilty of too much Pride Passion Formality and Unbelief Oh! weep bitterly for this before the Lord look upon Christ whom you have pierced Zech. 12. 10. Sights of a broken Christ will cause a broken Heart None can look upon Christ truly without brokenness of heart he that looks upon Christ savingly will mourn for him as a Man for his only Son Mourning for an only Son is the greatest of Sorrow our sorrow for sins against God should exceed all other sorrow Though there be no merit yet there is much mercy in a broken heart Psal 51. 17. 34. 18. They that mourn shall be comforted Matth 5. 6. Seventhly In times of trouble and desertion keep up Faith and in times of Communion keep up fear when God has hid his Face and you sit in darkness then stir up Faith trust and stay still upon him Isa 50. 11. And when God shall manifest himself and shine upon you then keep up fear a fear of Jealousie not of Distrust Work out your Salvation with fear Phil. 2. 12. Blessed is the Man that seareth always Tho' my Beloved we blame the Papists for teaching People to doubt and for making that a duty which is a Sin yet we are for a narrow search and a holy Fear and Trembling in trying of our hearts lest we be deceived in the end Eighthly Make much of and cherish the holy Spirit of God Oh do not resist him but comply with his Blessed Motions it is the Spirit that is the Comforter John 14. 16. who seals up assurance to us 2 Cor. 1. 22. When good David would have assurance of God's Love that his broken Bones might be healed he prayed earnestly that God would not take his holy Spirit from him Psal 51. 11. 12. David knew that it was the Spirit only that could make him hear the Voice of Joy and Gladness O make much of the Spirit deal tenderly and kindly by him do not grieve nor quench him as too many do Eph. 4. 30. 1 Thes 3. 19. Ninthly As doubts arise in your Hearts get them satisfied and and as Sins are committed in your Lives get them pardoned Are your Hearts Christians filled with doubts and fears about the state of your Souls O cry to God to resolve and scatter them Have you fallen into any Sin thro' Infirmity and Temptation Cry for pardon through Christ who is your Advocate and Friend in Heaven and is there pleading for you Heb. 7. 26. 1 John 2. 1 2. Tenthly Keep a pure Conscience O see that no Sin or guilt lye there unrepented of remember that God Seals no Pardon before Faith and Repentance keep Conscience therefore pure and void of offence we are bidden Heb. 10. 22. to draw near to God with true Hearts and in the full assurance of Faith having our Hearts sprinkled from an evil Conscience c. He that allows himself in Sin and keeps not a good Conscience cannot draw nigh to God in the full assurance of Faith But 11. Lastly Lye at the Pool of Ordinances frequent much the Word and Sacraments that are God's Appointments in which he has promised to meet his People do not stay away from Hearing nor from the Table of the Lord at no time as many do for every small frivolous thing The way to meet with God and to have an assurance of his Love to be Sealed by his Spirit is to wait upon him in his Ordinances and to remember him in his ways Isa 64. 5. The Ordinances of God are the banquetting House where God displays the Banner of his Love and seals it up to his People Cant. 2. 4. To be found sincerely in the way and use of God's Ordinances is the way to be set as a Seal upon Christ's heart 2. Branch You that are Sealed and assured by the Spirit of the love of God in Christ to you Oh! be exhorted First to endeavour to keep the assurance you have as we must labour to get it so to keep it It is a Mercy we should beware of losing it is the comfort of your life and 't will be sweet in death What comfort is there preserable to this which flows from the Sealing of the Spirit or the Assurance of God's love in Christ Now that you may have much of this Sweetness and Comfort keep and hold fast that assurance which you have through Grace obtained Question How or by what means may we do this Answer First By renewing your Repentance often for Sin you cannot live without Sin therefore live not without Repentance God often cloaths such with the Garments of Joy and Comfort who tumble themselves in Ashes as it were for their Sins Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted Matth. 5 6. And that are humble for they shall he exalted James 4. 9 10. Secondly Fear the hidings of God's Face and the withdrawing the Light of his Countenance from you David feared much therefore prayed much Hide not thy Face from thy Servant c. Psal 27. 9. Fear also to offend God by doing of any Evil beware of every Sin and of every Temptation to Sin either from the Devil the World or your Hearts When tempted to Sin say as Joseph did How can I do this great Evil and sin against God Gen. 39. 9. Sin is an enemy it hides God's Face from us and wounds our Souls 't will