then examine what your state is how it stands between God and your precious Souls if you find it good bless God who has called you by his Grace and Sealed you by his holy Spirit if you find it bad with you upon tryal that God and your Souls are strangers then cry to him earnestly through Christ to open your Eyes and shew you your state and condition that you may not live and dye strangers to him say as the blind Men Lord we would receive our sight we would have our Understandings opened and illuminated Oh! thou that commandedst the Light to shine out of darkness shine into our Souls and give us the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of thy self in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. Give us to see our state and need of Christ and save us Lord or we shall perish Say Lord take away sin and receive me graciously into thy favour and our Lips shall praise thee Hos 14. 2 3. Give us Christ or we dye Thus be importunate with God and give him no rest for 't is for your Lives 2. Vse Be exhorted to these three things First Not to quench the Spirit Oh! comply sweetly with all its motions and hearken to all his calls 1 Thes 5. 20. Quench not the Spirit Secondly Grieve not the Holy Spirit in any wise there is a great respect due to the Spirit for doing such a gracious and glorious work as Sealing is see then that you grieve him not but in all things endeavour to please him so that he may delight to go on in this blessed work that he hath pleased to take upon him beware of Pride Passion Envy and all Sin that grieves the Spirit Oh! grieve not the holy and good Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed to the day of redemption Ephes 4. 30. Thirdly Bless God that he has given his good Spirit to any of you to cause you to walk in his Statutes to keep his Judgments and do them Ezek. 36. 27. As also to clear up his Love in Christ to your Souls So much for this time Believers Sealed BY THE Spirit of Promise Second 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 BEloved we began the last Day with these Words and after we had opened and given the Analysis of them we stated this Doctrinal Conclusion viz. Doct. That the great priviledge of Sealing by the Spirit is after the duty and act of Believing For the opening of this weighty Point we have shown First What this Sealing work of the Spirit is and how it is performed by him in the Soul And Secondly We have given the Reasons why none can be truly Sealed by the Spirit until they believe in Christ Jesus Now Thirdly we shall proceed to show you whether all Believers are Sealed by the Spirit of Promise or no. This is a weighty case and requires a better Judgment than mine to discuss it but as the Lord shall help I shall say something at this time in Answer to it viz. Whether all Believers are Sealed by the Spirit of God or no. For the opening of it that you may rightly understand and if the Lord please be established and comforted I must make some Distinctions that ought to be made in so great a Matter and Concern as this is The Distinctions I shall make are these three viz. First The different kinds of the Spirit 's Sealing Secondly The times and seasons thereof And Thirdly The several ways and manners of this Sealing First We must distinguish the different kinds of the Spirit 's Sealing the Sealing Work of the Spirit is not of one kind nor to one and the same use and end There is Beloved a two-fold Seal of the Holy Spirit First An objective Seal which Seal distinguishes the Persons that have it from other Persons And Secondly There is a formal Seal by or in which Sealing the Spirit clears up and ratifies the Soul's Interest in Christ and Right to Heaven and Salvation by and through him First The objective Sealing of Persons the Spirit doth in Sanctifying and making them holy that he Seals who before were filthy and unholy the Spirit changes the Heart renews the Nature and forms Christ's Image in the Souls of them he Seals When the Spirit Seals Persons objectively he really and truly sanctifies them by the Infusion of his Grace and thus he seals us in way of distinction from other Persons And this is one end of his glorious sealing Work before we proceed further pray mind these five things First In the Decree of God's Election there was a difference between Believers and others even from Eternity before all Time There is a privy Seal of Predestination that is only known to God himself 2 Tim. 2. 19. The Lord knoweth them that are his By Election and Choice in Christ before the foundation of the World Eph. 1. 4. This knowledge of God of us is carried secret as water that runs under the ground until by vocation he calls us from the rest of Mankind God has chose a certain number in Christ which shall certainly be saved For the foundation of God standeth sure viz. of Election having this Seal c. Secondly In the purpose and intention of the death of Christ there was also a difference between the Elect and other Men for though all have a common benefit by Christ's death yet he shed not his blood for all but for some even for all those that the Father had given him and for whom he covenanted with his Father to satisfie Justice in their stead God the Father and Christ the Son struck hands together about the Redemption of Sinners the Father gave out of the World to Christ a certain number that he would have saved and the Son ingaged with the Father for their Redemption and to bring them to Glory Isa 59. 1. to 6. John 6. 38 39. Now dare any say That God gave all the World to Christ and that Christ did covenant with his Father to save all If all are given to Christ and he is become Surety to his Father for all then all shall be saved For God has promised to Christ That he shall see his Seed and see of the travail of his Soul and be satisfied Isa 73. 8 9 11 12. And in the 10 v. it is said That the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hands It is the pleasure of God those Christ dyed for should be saved and they shall therefore Christ dyed not for all alike besides Christ prayed not for all therefore he dyed not for all for surely Christ will not stick to spend his breath for them for whom he spent his blood John 17. 6 9 15. I pray not for the World but for them which thou hast given me out of the World thine they were but thou gavest them me c. Thus by the way you
which were the occasion of his Doxology and Solemn Thanksgiving verse the third Blessed says he be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who hath blessed us that is us Believers with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places or things in Christ Jesus Whence note That Christ is the Foundation of all those Spiritual Blessings that are given and bestowed on the Saints Secondly That God the Father is to be blessed that is praised and glorified for these spiritual Blessings who is the Donor of them through Jesus Christ Blessed be the God and Father c. What these rich Blessings are which are bestowed on Believers in and through Christ the Apostle shews from the 4. to the 13 v. and numbers them up which are 1. Election before the Foundation of the World or from Eternity in Christ v. 4. according as he viz. God hath chosen us in him viz. Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Where observe four things 1. That the efficient cause of Election is the love of God 2 Tim 1. 9. Secondly That the Election of Persons is sounded in Jesus Christ chosen us in him Christ is the Elect of God and all the Elect are chosen of God in Christ Thirdly Election of certain Persons in Christ is not after they are born or do believe but before even from Eternity he hath chosen us in him when before the foundation of the world that is from Eternity Election is from Everlasting though Vocation is in time Fourthly That God hath not chosen Persons to happiness only but to holiness that we should be holy c. Happiness is the End Holiness through Christ the means to that End Though God has chose some to happiness and they shall all certainly be Saved he having set his Seal upon them yet they that name Christ's Name must depart from Iniquity So saith the Apostle 2 Tim. 2. 19. Secondly Another Blessing is Predestination unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ according to the good will and pleasure of God to the Glory and Praise of his rich Grace v. 4. and 5. Thirdly Acceptance with God both of our Persons and Services in and through Christ who is the beloved is another Blessing v. 6. to the praise and glory of his grace wherein he viz. God hath made us accepted in the Beloved Fourthly Redemption from sin and wrath through the Blood of Christ which is precious Blood that only makes peace with God for us v. 7. In whom through or by whom we have Redemption through his Blood Colos 1. 20. Fifthly Forgiveness of Sins which is a Soul-inriching Blessing This comes through the bitter agony and blood-shed of Christ to us Heb. 9. 22. We have not only Redemption but Pardon and Forgiveness of Sins through Christ according to the riches of his grace bounty or goodness v. 7. Sixthly A manifestation and discovery of the mystery of God's Will through Christ in the Gospel concerning the Salvation of Sinners c. according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself v. 9. Whence observe That not only the Election but also the vocation of the adopted Sons of God proceedeth from meer free Grace in Christ and nothing else Seventhly Union with Christ the Head of all the Faithful this is a great blessing and priviledge mentioned v. 10. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times that is in the time prefixed by the Lord who is the disposer of times and of order in all things for the accomplishment of the Promises that concerned Christ the Messiah and that concerns all the Elect in him he might gather in one all things in Christ reduce into one capital sum or bring under one head so the word signifies both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him Some understand here the Faithful whereof some are now in Heaven and others are yet upon the Earth which are called and gathered into one body and under one head The Faithful may be said to be gathered together in Christ which holds forth their mystical Union with him because they are joined together with him by Faith and so are become as it were one Man But Eighthly In the 11. and 12. v. you have the vocation or calling both of Jew and Gentile to the participation of that Redemption in Christ according to God's good pleasure and purpose of the Jew first and afterwards of the Gentile In whom also we have obtained an Inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will that we should be to the praise of his glory who first trusted or hoped in Christ Where observe four things 1. That the calling of Jew and Gentile by Grace in Christ here and their obtaining Heaven and Glory hereafter is all according to the good pleasure and wise purpose of God 2dly All things are attributed to the Free Grace of God through Christ without exception who worketh all things yet we are not stocks for he giveth us Grace both to will and to do those things that are good Phil. 2. 13. 3dly God's working all things not simply according to his will but according or after the counsel of his own will teach us thus much That God as an intelligent and most wise Agent doth all things upon most just and prudent grounds known to himself and he hath always a reason for his will tho' to us his will must stand for the supream Reason Stat pro ratione volunt as Matth. 11. 26. 4thly Observe the great end of all this viz. the praise and glory of his Grace i. e. of his glorious Grace that as his bountiful goodness and love in Christ deserveth all praise so also it should be set forth and published Ninthly In the 13 14. Paul speaks particularly of the vocation of the Ephesians to whom he wrote And that 1. by the operation of the word of truth which they heard 2. By the obsignation of the spirit in whom also they trusted after that they heard the word of Truth the Gospel of your Salvation In whom also after that ye believed ye were Sealed with the Spirit of Promise Here is another Blessing which is not one of the least though it be one of the last named In this one Verse part of which is our Text we have two noble acts of Faith spoken of and display'd 1. A direct act called trusting In whom also ye trusted c. 2. A reflex Act which in order of Nature and Time follows it which act is implied in the word Sealing In whom also after that ye believed ye were Sealed c. In which words are these four parts as 1. The Subjects of this Sealing or Assurance and they are Believers such as have closed in with Christ by Faith An Unbeliever as such was never sealed unless to damnation 'T is Believers only that are sealed
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
by any new Revelation or extraordinary Voice from Heaven but by subjecting his Understanding to and comparing his heartwith the word Thus having made these Distinctions for your clear understanding the Case give me leave to Answer all out of doubt from what has been said And that briefly in these three things First Consider that though all Believers have not the Formal yet they have the Objective Seal of the Spirit they are all Sanctified and made Holy by the holy Spirit of Promise true Grace is infused and imprinted in their Souls though the formal Seal of the Spirit may not yet be set to it There may be Fire put in on the Hearth Though you cannot well see it there may be Grace in the Heart and spiritual life though it cannot be well discerned because of the many Corruptions that be yet in the Heart You read Matth. 12. 20. of the smoaking Flax and bruised Reed Grace may be true though weak and a Man may be in Christ though it be not clear to him all Believers are Sanctified though not Sealed presently But Secondly Consider That tho' all Believers are not Sealed at one and the same time yet there are few that are true Christians but before they dye meet with one Season or another wherein the Lord doth Seal them If they be not Sealed at their first closing in with Christ by Faith as some are tho' but few yet they are Sealed by the Spirit more or less before they dye and go out of the World Thirdly and Lastly Consider That though God doth not now seal by his Spirit in an extraordinary and immediate way by Revelation c. yet most Christians in the ordinary way of the Spirit are sealed God meets with them in one Duty or another in one sacred Ordinance or another either in Prayer Reading Hearing or in receiving of the Lord's Supper This God has promised and Believers may expect for God is faithful who has promised I shall conclude with these two Scriptures Isa 32. 17. And the work of Righteousness shall be peace and the effect of Righteousnes Quietness and Assurance for ever Isa 64. 5. Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh Righteousness and remembers thee in thy ways So much for this time Believers Sealed BY THE Spirit of Promise Third 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 Truth we are upon from the Words is this Doctrine The great priviledge and mercy of being Sealed by the Spirit of Promise is after the Duty and Act of Believing After ye Believed ye were Sealed by the Spirit c. For the opening this great Point we have First already shown what the Spirit 's Sealing is Secondly Why none are nor can be Sealed till they Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ And Thirdly We have answered this great Question viz. Whether all Believers are Sealed by the Spirit of Promise or not Now in the Fourth place God assisting we shall shew you the great Priviledges of those Souls that are Sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise And my Beloved their Priviledges and Advantages are many and great even so great and many that words cannot express them fully nor set out the riches and worth of this mercy Some of the Saints Priviledges by being Sealed we shall acquaint you with in these particulars First The use of a Seal in Men's Affairs sets out the priviledges of Believers Sealed by the Spirit For as the use of a Seal is manifold so the advantages of Believers are many who are Sealed by the Holy Spirit to the day of Redemption Eph. 4. 30. Quest What are the Vses 〈…〉 Seal Answ The Uses of a Seal are many as First A Seal serves for Confirmation amongst Men there is the Writing and the Seal put to the Writing now when the Seal is added there is a perfect Ratification or Confirmation of what is in the Writing There are abundance of great and precious Promises in the Word of God which the Spirit of Promise seals to the Soul and when he seals them then are they sure to us The Apostle tells us 2 Cor. 1. 20. That all the Promises of God are in Christ yea and Amen Yea that is truth Amen that is assurance And in v. 21. He hath also Sealed us and given the earnest of his Spirit in our hearts Those Promises that are made and given us in Christ the Lord assures and confirms to us by his Holy Spirit who opens and applies the Promises to Believers The Spirit assureth the Saints their right in the Promises and that God will pay the whole sum of them in his time to them For an Earnest saith the Annotators on the place is as a pledge whereby we confirm a Bargain or as a piece of Money whereby we assure the payment of the whole The first gift therefore of the Spirit and of Life is a pledge of our whole Inheritance insomuch that this anointing sealing and pledging all serve to one and the same end God is both able and willing to perform all that he hath promised and this the Spirit testifies to the Souls of them that he Seals 2. Vse A Seal is for distinction from others that carries not that mark the Spirit of God distinguishes them he Seals from other Men in the World There is as before I have told you a distinction between Persons in God's Election and Eternal Purpose but this concerns us not secret things belonging to God Deut. 29. 29. any further than to know it in the general that there is such a thing we are not to meddle any further with it 2 Tim. 2. 19. The Lord knoweth them that are his and them that are not his for he has set his seal and mark upon them in Christ from Eternity but now the Spirit of God in time distinguisheth and ranks Men saith D. Sibbs as they were before all Worlds and as they shall be at the Day of Judgment when Christ shall come and give to all Men according to their works 2 Cor. 5. 10. The beginning of that distinction that shall be afterwards is in this life the Spirit 's objective Seal viz. of Sanctification makes a distinction between Men. A Seal you know makes the Impression of an Image and the Prince's Image uses to be in his Seal The glorious Image of God is in his Seal which ruines and destroys the old Man and prints the New in the Souls of Believers by the Spirit 's Sealing Ephes 4. 22 23 24. There is that by the Spirit stamp'd and printed in the Soul that was not there before True Believers by the Spirit 's Sealing are First Distinguished from moral civilized Men which are at best but tamed Devils and old Adam put in a new Dress The House may be swept i. e. Man may be civilized and have many good Morals and yet the Heart not Sanctified See Matth. 12.
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
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
43 44. The inward work of Holiness or Sanctification in the heart which civil Men have not but ridicule and despise distinguishes Believers from them for they are changed made anew and created in Christ Jesus to good works Eph. 2. 10. Secondly This Sealing of the Spirit distinguishes the Saints from seeming good Men that seem and pretend to be that outwardly before Men which they are not inwardly in reality before God there are too many of these deluded Souls the good Lord deliver us from cheating our own Souls thus The depth of the Spirit 's work in the Soul whereby he makes a new Nature distinguishes Believers from those who are but painted Hypocrites Pray mind here two or three things wherein you will see how Believers that have a new Nature are by the Spirit distinguished from others First Nature in every Creature is carried to one thing more than to another so there is a distinct propension in good and upright Men to God to Christ to his Grace and Goodness their aims and bent are distinct and thereupon they have a greater inlargement of Heart according to their great aims Believers desire more of God and his Grace and aim purely at his Glory they now look above the World and worldly Men who are poor narrow base Spirited Men yea the best of the Men of the World are so Jer. 9. 3. Phil. 1. 20 21. Secondly Things by Nature work from within and in this painted Hypocrites are distinguished from real Christians A Believer in what he doth for God and his Glory is moved from a Principle of Grace within wrought by the Spirit but as for Hypocrites they are moved in what they do as things of Motion like Clocks and Engines of Wit which move from a weight without as one says that poyseth them If Hypocrites do any good there is something from without which sways their Ends and Aims 't is not a Principle of Grace within as Faith in and Love to Christ c. But 't is something else that sways them if they Pray Read Hear give Alms and Fast 't is to be seen of Men and to receive Honour from Men this our Saviour tells us Matth. 6. 1 to 6. Thus good Men who are Sealed by the Spirit are distinguished from others There is a new Divine Nature in them 2 Pet. 1. 4. which carries them out of Self and above the World even to seek God and his Glory Thirdly Nature is constant and what is done naturally is done constantly every Creature works according to its nature Good and holy Men are exercised constantly in Holiness because they do it from an inward Principle of Grace and Life and from a work and stamp of the Spirit within 't is true different things may seem the same as wild Herbs in the Field may have the colour and form of them which are planted in a Garden but there is a difference in their vertue The seeming Graces and Works of Hypocrites may look like true but they leave no vertue in them all is not Gold that glisters all is not Grace that looks like it the works of Hypocrites are dead things You read Heb. 10. 22. of dead works And in Tit. 1. 15 16. of some who profess they know God and yet in works deny him who are defiled and unto good works prove Reprobates But in a Christian's Grace and Faith there is a distinguishing Vertue their spikenards send forth fragrant smells Cant. 1. 12. Their Graces are like the Ointment that perfumed the whole House John 12. 3 4. A Believer by Faith overcomes the World and his Sins 1 John 5. 4 5. He resisteth the Devil stedfast in the Faith 1 Pet. 5. 9. and with this Shield quencheth all his fiery darts Ephes 6. 16. What great things did those Worthies by Faith Heb. 11. 33 34 35. By Faith they subdued Kingdoms wrought Righteousness obtained Promises stopped the mouths of Lions quenched the violence of the Fire c indured Tortures and cruel Mockings not accepting deliverance yea moreover Bonds and Imprisonment they were stoned sawn asunder were tempted c. of whom the World was not worthy v. 38. By Faith a Christian performs all Duties Prays and Hears and is very fruitful in his whole Conversation there is in all a Believer's Graces a comforting and strengthening Vertue Two Men may do the same things and yet there be a great and grand difference for Hypocrites cannot do as Believers though in some externals they may out-do them What Believers do is from the Spirit 's Sealing in a special way but what others do if it be from the Spirit yet it is but from the Spirit in a common way at best you must know there are common works of the Spirit as well as special Hypocrites may have the common and so do many things externally but it is only Believers that have the special workings and operations of the Spirit and so can only do Spiritual Duties sincerely But Thirdly A Christian's Graces wrought by the Spirit holds out in all kinds of Weather in Winter and Summer in Prosperity and Adversity A Believer follows the Lamb whither soever he goeth Rev. 14. 4. But counterfeit Holiness will not hold out always though it may some time it will soon go out The Young Man in the Gospel went a great way he took many a fair step for Heaven and yet at last parted with Christ for the World he was not sound at Heart for if he had he would have left all for Christ rather than him Matth. 19. 19 20. He went away sorrowful for he had great Possessions he did not like Christ's terms at all Will a Hypocrite always delight himself in God and pray to the Almighty surely no Job 27. 8 10. Demas says Paul is departed from us How came that to pass Having loved this present World The World with its Riches was loved more by him than Christ and his Graces many begin to run well but soon tire they are soon out of breath because they have not true Grace they went off from us because they were never of us for had they been of us that is sincere they would not have gone off from us Oh! think of this word and tremble 1 John 2. 19. 3. Vse A Seal is for Appropriation Merchants use to Seal those Goods they would not have others have any right to Believers are God's in a more peculiar manner than others all are the Lord 's by Creation but as for Believers they are his by Election Redemption and Vocation Psal 4. 5. The Lord hath set apart him that is Godly for himself There is not only in a Christian the witness of the Spirit That God is his God and dwells in him 1 John 4. 13. but this Spirit works in a Believer an assent to take God again to be his so that there is a mutual Appropriation Cant. 2. 16. My beloved is mine and I am his Where the Spirit Seals there God appropriates and this
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
COMFORT FOR BELIEVERS OR A Discourse of the Duty and Priviledge of being Sealed by the Holy Spirit In Five Sermons upon Eph. 1. 13 PUBLISHED For the Establishment of weak Believers who are fill'd with Doubts and Fears about their Eternal State By Nathanael VViles Pastor of a Church of Christ in Shadwell Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ and hath anointed us is God Who hath sealed us and given the earnest of the Spirit in our Hearts 2 Cor. 1. 21 22. London Printed for James Gibbs and to be sold by Caleb Hooker at the Muzeled-Bear upon VVapping-VVall near Peliean-Stairs Thi◠Shadow Shadows out the Face of one Whose Life 's a Bubble and will soon be gone He is a Mortal and must shortly dye But hopes to live with Christ Eternally Who lost his Life and freely shed his Blood He trusts to Sāve and brīng him unto God My Flesh my Soul my All I owe to Thee My blēssed Lord whos̄e Stripes are Balm to me THE Epistle Dedicatory To all who are in God the Father and in our Lord Jesus Christ but particularly to the Church of Christ meeting in Shadwell Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplied Dearly Beloved THE wisest of Men hath told us excepting Christ that a word spoken in Season or as it is in the Original upon his Wheels is like Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver Prov. 25. 11. Oh how excellent are Words rightly ordered placed and circumstantiated such words of all are the most excellent the most prevalent and the most pleasant Words that can be spoken they are most precious most desirable and most delectable the Lord grant that what is here spoken in this Treatise may be such kind of Words that all that read them may find them most precious most sweet and very seasonable To time a Word Beloved in Season is to set it upon the Wheels And Oh that this might be a Word well timed To speak a word to the purpose si Deo placuerit if it shall please the Lord is the project and design of this Book there is a great glory upon all words of Truth but there is a double Glory upon seasonable words of Truth Therefore in the following discourses I have made it my Care and Business to set before you a seasonable comfortable and encouraging Truth and if the Lord will set in by his Spirit I am sure you will find it such to be sealed by the Spirit and to have his Witness in our Hearts that God loves us with an Everlasting Love therefore with Loving Kindness he hath drawn us Jer. 31. 3. And that we are the Children of God is most sweet and comfortable there is nothing can or will encourage the Saints of God living and dying and comfort their Souls more than this A Seal beloved is for two Ends viz. Safety and Secresie and Sealing is used in three Cases First to keep things secret that they may not be seen Secondly Distinct that they may not be confused And Thirdly Safe that they may be forth-coming these uses you will find opened in the Book To set forth the unspeakable Priviledges of Believers Sealed by the Spirit from which may be drawn much comfort and sweetness there is not a more encouraging and comforting Truth in all the Book of God well understood and applied than this is of Sealing by the Holy Spirit to the Day of Redemption Eph. 4. 30. In these Sermons of Sealing by the Holy Spirit I may say There is Milk for Babes and Meat for strong Men. I hope all that see or read them will reap benefit by them Many of you Beloved were well pleased and much refreshed in the hearing of these Sermons and I trust yea and shall pray that you may be also built up and nourished in the reading of them 'T is true they are brought forth and set before you in a homely Dress not garnished with fine Phrases and Rhetorical Expressions but such as they are I hope you will accept of them The design of them is honest viz. God's Glory and the edifying and building up of your Souls in Christ Jesus What you find of God in them to the use of Edifying give him all the Glory of it and bless his Name for making the hearing or reading of these Sermons beneficial to your Souls I am well aware That some will censure me for what I have here done and offered to the World But if God may have Glory by these weak Endeavours of mine and any poor Soul reap Spiritual Comfort and Advantage then I shall have my end and bear up chearfully under the variety of Censures which may be pass'd upon me To conclude Consider this one thing Christians for your comfort and establishment in Christ Jesus viz. That those who are Sealed by the Spirit of God here shall be crowned with Eternal Glory hereafter Rev. 2. 10. Such shall have a Crown of Life Christ has bought the kingdom of Heaven for them that Believe and hath paid for it at an high rate even his most precious Blood is the price paid for it Eph. 1. 14. 1 Pet. 1. 17 18 19. And he hath prepared for them Mansions who are Denisons Crowns for them who are Heirs And pray who are these but such as are born again and Sealed by the Spirit of Promise Rom. 8. 16 17. Believers have Assurance of Heaven three ways First By Faīth in Christ 1 Pet. 1 9. Receiving the end of your faith even the Salvation of your Souls Secondly By their hearty and real Conformity to Christ Rom. 8. 29. For whom he did fore-know he also did Predestinate to be made conformable to the Image of his Son Thirdly By the Sealing Work of the Spirit For they are Sealed unto the Day of Redemption Eph. 4. 30. And says Paul in the Text Eph. 1. 13 14. After that ye Believed ye were Sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise which says he is the earnest of our Inheritance c. Believers shall as certainly be glorified as if they were Crowned already John 14. 1 2 3. They be Heirs to Heaven's Crown here and shall be possessed of it when they come there What the Saints hold now in reversion they shall then have in full possession and be with their God in the Impyreal Heaven where there will be nothing present that offends nor nothing absent that delights Now that you may all Beloved arrive at this place of Blessedness and be for ever with the Lord is and shall be the prayers of him who subscribes himself Your Servant in the Gospel for Jesus's sake Nathanael Wyles Decemb. 4. 1696. Believers Sealed BY THE Spirit of Promise First 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 THE Apostle Paul a Servant of Christ in this Chapter enumerates the principal Christian Privileges and Blessings that were given to and conferred on Believers thro' Christ