Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	apostle_n	heart_n	word_n	1,929	5	3.9161	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
B00698	A fountain sealed: or, The duty of the sealed to the Spirit, and the worke of the Spirit in sealing. Wherein many things are handled about the Holy Spirit, and grieving of it: as also of assurance and sealing what it is, the priviledges and degrees of it, with the signes to discerne, and means to preserve it. : Being the substance of divers sermons preached at Grayes Inne. / By that Reverend Divine, Richard Sibbes D.D. and sometimes preacher to that honourable society.	Sibbes, Richard, 1577-1635.; Goodwin, Thomas, 1600-1680.; Nye, Philip, 1596?-1672.; Marshall, William, fl. 1617-1650.	1638 (1638)	STC 22496; ESTC S123290	62,552	276

left studies to maintaine Though corrupt nature hath no good in it for we deserved to bee like divels yet God intending to have civill society out of which he usually gathers his Church preserveth in mans nature an hatred of sinnes that overthrow society such sins therefore being committed against more light wound more as in case of murther notorious perjury theft c. Gods method in dealing with sinners Therefore God oft gives up men upon breach of the first Table to breaches of the second that so they may come to more griefe and shame as being the breakers of both Tables Men never fall into the breach of the second Table but upon breach of the first No man despiseth mans Law but he despiseth Gods law first No man breake● the law of nature but he despiseth the God of nature Prophane Atheisticall persons that glory in the breach of the third Commandement by swearing GOD meets with them by giving them over to grosse abhominable sinnes of the second Table which vexeth them more though they should no● than sins against the first Table exposing them besides inward griefe to open shame then God opens Conscience to tell them not onely that they are too blame for their grosse sinnes but for the root of them Atheisme prophanenesse loosenesse which are sinnes against the first Table This is an aggravation of sinnes against knowledge when our knowledge hath beene holpen and strengthened by education by example of others running into our eyes which is a more familiar teaching than that of Rule and strengthened also by observation and experience of our selves and the former strength wee have had against the sinne wee now commit and sweetnesse we have found in the resisting of it None are worse than those that have been good and are naught and might be good and will be naught When there is more deliberation and fore-knowledge of the dangerous issue and this also joyned with the warning of others As Reuben said unto the rest of hi● brethren Spake I not un● you c So may Gods Spirit and conscience say t● men Did not I acquai● you with the danger of sin● You are now in misery an● terrours of conscience bu● did you not sleight forme● admonitions and helps and meanes Conscience is a●● inferiour light of the Spirit to doe things against conscience is to doe them against the Spirit God spake to me and I heeded him not how doth God speake When conscience speakes and saith this is good this is bad then God speakes conscience hath somewhat divine in it it is a petty god it speakes from God especially when the Spirit joynes with conscience then God speakes indeed then there is light upon light Some sins grieve more than other Vpon divers respects some sinne may grieve more or lesse than another As the holy Ghost is a Spirit so spirituall sinnes grieve most as pride envy imprinting upon the soule as it were a character of the contrary ill spirit Carnall sinnes whereby the soule is drowned in delight of the body may more grieve the spirit in another respect as defiling his Temple and as taking away so much of the soule love and delight carry the soule with them and the more deeply such sinnes enter into the creature besides the defilement the lesse strength it hath to spirituall duties grace is seated in the powers of nature now carnall sinnes disable nature and so sets us in a greater distance from grace as taking away the heart Hos 4. Hereupon the Apostle sets being filled with wine contrary to being filled with the Spirit Eph. 5.18 And hence it is the Apostle forbids in the former words uncleane communication the holy Spirit is a Spirit of truth hates hypocrites being painted sepulchers but as a spirit of purity hates soule livers and soule-mouth'd speakers as open sepulchers They cannot therefore but much grieve the spirit that feed corrupt lusts and studie to give contentment and pay tribute to the flesh to which they owe no service and are no debters and by sowing to the flesh from which wee can reape nothing but corruption Gal. 6. When our thoughts are exercised to content the outward man to contrive for the things of the world onely this is to pay tribute of the strength and vigour of our affections to the utter enemy of Gods Spirit and our owne soules when our thoughts runne deeply into earthly things we become one with them Who will think himselfe well entertained into an house when there shall be entertainement given to his greatest enemy with him and shall see more regard had and better countenance shewed to his enemy than to him when the motions of corrupt nature are more regarded then the motions of the Spirit The wisedom● of the Spirit which is from above is first pure and maketh us so and rayseth the soule upward to things above Christians indeed have their failings but if true Christian examine himselfe his heart will say that every day hee intends the glory of God and the good of the state hee lives in hee hath a larger hear● than a base worldling that keepes within the sphere o● himselfe spending all his thoughts there and consults onely with flesh and bloud with profit and pleasure to heare what they say Such basenesse cannot but grieve the Spirit as contrary to our hopes and heavenly calling which are glorious It is a dangerous grieving of the Spirit when instead of drawing our selves to the spirit we will labour to draw the spirit to us and study the Scriptures to countenance us in some corrupt course and labour to make God of our minde that wee may goe on with the greater libertie When men get to themselves teachers after their owne ●●sts as many doe especial●y if they be in place Ahab ●hall not want his 400 false Prophets When men cut ●he rule and standard to fit ●hemselves and not fit themselves to it You have some that are resolved wha● to do and yet will be askin● counsell and if they hav● an answer to their minde● then they rest if not the● their answer is This is you● judgement but others a●● of a contrary opinion an● thus they labour to mak● the Spirit of God in his M●nisters to serve their turne so did the Iewes in Ierem●●● time Jer. 42. Some will father tho●● sinfull affections that ari●● from the flesh and a●● strengthened by Sathan● upon the holy Spirit counting wrath that is kindle● from hell to be fire of hol● zeale comming from heaven Thus the enemies 〈◊〉 Religion thinke they do● God service in their massacres such are those that wickedly oppose the wayes of God and yet are ready to say Glory be to the Lord such men study holinessen in the shew that they may overthrow it in the power and will countenance an ill course by Religion Such also are faulty who lay the blame of an uncomfortable life upon Religion when men are therefore uncomfortable because

indeavours with increase of comfort A Christian that takes paines with his heart and will not serve God with that which cost him nothing enjoyes that which the spirituall sluggard wishes for and goes without God is so just that those men which have striven to live according to principles of nature have found contentment proportionable to their indeavours some degree of pleasure attends every good action as a reward before a reward 2 What accompanieth c. Besides these things that goe before this joy and testimony there are secondly some things that doe accompany it if it bee right as 1 This spirituall comfort inlargeth our hearts to a desire after an high prizing the ordinances so farre is it from taking us off from a dependance upon them In the Word and other meanes it found comfort from GOD therefore delights to be meeting GOD still in his owne wayes The eye of the soule is strengthened to see further into truths and is inabled more spiritually to understand the things it knew before as in many of the same truths that wise men understand they understood them when they were young as when they were old but then more clearely So all truths are more clearely knowne by this the Spirit by which wee are sealed is the Spirit of illumination not that it reveales any thing different from the Word but giveth a more large understanding and inward knowledge of the same truths as were knowne before 2 A libertie and boldnesse with GOD for where the Spirit is there is a gracious liberty that is further inlargements from the law guilt of sinne and the feare of the wrath of GOD that wee can come with so me boldnesse to his throne and to him as our Father a freedome to open our soules in prayer before him This stands not so much in multitude of words or formes of expressions but a sonne-like boldnesse in our approaches in prayer The Hypocrite especially in extremity cannot pray his Conscience stoppes his mouth but where the Spirit sealeth it giveth this liberty freely to open and spread our case before him and call upon him yea under the evidence of some displeasure 3 There doth likewise ordinarily accompany this sealing of the Spirit Sathans malice and opposition who being cast from heaven himselfe envies this H●aven upon earth in a creature of meaner ranke by crea ion then himselfe wee must not thinke to enjoy pure joy here without molestation If there bee danger of exalting above measure wee must looke for some messenger of Sathan 3 What followeth after th●s witnessing of the Spirit After this witnesse it leaves the soule more humble none more abased in themselves then those that have neerest communion with God as wee see in the Angels that stand before God and cover their faces so Isa 6. Iob after God had manifested himselfe unto him abhorred himselfe in dust and ashes It brings with it a greater desire of sanctification and heavenly-mindednesse As Elias ascended up into heaven his cloake fell by degrees from him the higher our spirits are raised the more wee put off affections to earthly things 2 Againe the end of this further manifestation of the Spirit being incouragement to dutie or suffering in a good cause the soule by this witnesse of the Spirit findes increase of spirituall mettle it findes it selfe steeled against opposition Whilest this winde filleth their sayles they are carried on a maine and are frighted with nothing that stands in their way See how the beleevers triumph upon the Spirits witnessing to their spirits that they are the sonnes of God Rom. 8. GOD usually reserveth such comforts for the worst times Pro. 32.6 Give wine to those that be of heavy hearts Proverbs 31. The sence of this love of Christ is better then wine This refreshing Paul had in the dungeon and he sung at mid-night After this witnessing therefore looke for some piece of service to doe or tryall to undergoe Much must bee left to GODS fatherly wisedome in this who knowes whom to cheare up and when and in what degree and to what purpose and service and remember alwayes that these inlargements of spirit are as occasionall refreshings in the way not daily food to live upon we maintaine our life by faith not by sight or feeling Feasting is not for every day except that Feast of a good conscience which is continuall but I speake of grand dayes and high feasts these are disposed as GOD seeth cause 3 Where this sealing of the Spirit is there followeth also upon it a lifting up of the head in thinking of our latter end it makes one thinke of the times to come with joy as the holy Ghost here mentioneth the day of redemption as a motive to them to take heed that they did not grieve the Spirit intimating they should thinke of the day of redemption with a great deale of joy and comfort The Saints are described in Scripture to be those that looke for the appearing of Christ they are Christs and in him their reckonings and accounts are even And therefore with delight they can often think and meditate upon the blessed times that are to come There be divers degrees of sealing arising from divers degrees of revelation God first reveales his good will in his promises to all beleevers this is the priviledge of the Church especially in these latter times then by his Spirit reveales those saving truths to those that are his by a divine light So that by argument drawne from the power they feele from truths in searching secrets in casting downe in raising up in staying the soule they can seale to them that they are divine The same Spirit that reveales the power of the Word to mee reveales in particular mine owne interest in all those truths upon hearing them Whereupon they are written in my heart as if they had beene made in particular to me the comfortable truths in the Word are transcribed into my heart answerable to the Word as that GOD in Christ is mine forgivenesse mine grace mine whereupon adoption in Christ is sealed which God still sealeth further to my soule by increase of comfort as hee seeth cause for incouragement The same Spirit that manifesteth in me the word I heare and reade to bee the truth of God from the power and efficacie of it the same Spirit teacheth to apply it and in applying of it sealeth me Therefore wee ought to desire to bee sealed by the Spirit in regard of an holy impression and then that the holy Spirit would shine upon his owne graces so as wee may clearly see what is wrought in us above nature and because this is furthered by revealing his love in Christ in adoption to us wee must desire of GOD to vouchsafe the Spirit of Revelation to reveale the mysteries of his truth unto us and our portion in them in particular and so our adoption and in the meane time to wait and attend his good pleasure in the use of

A FOUNTAINE SEALED OR The Dutie of the sealed to the SPIRIT And the worke of the Spirit in Sealing By Rich Sibbes D. D. The 3 d. Edition Printed for L Chapman are to be sould at his shope at Chancery Lane end in Holborne will Marshall sculpsit 1638. A FOUNTAIN SEALED OR The duty of the sealed to the Spirit and the worke of the Spirit in Sealing Wherein Many things are handled about the Holy Spirit and grieving of it As also Of assurance and sealing what it is the priviledges and degrees of it with the signes to discerne and meanes to preserve it Being The substance of divers Sermons preached at Grayes Inne By that Reverend Divine RICHARD SIBBES D. D. and sometimes Preacher to that Honourable Society LONDON Printed by Thomas Harper for Lawrence Chapman and are to be sold at his shop at Chancery lane end in Holborne 1638. To The truly Noble and much honoured Lady the Lady Elizabeth Brooke Wife to Sir Robert Brooke Madame BEsides that dese●ved interest your Ladyship held in the fections and esteeme of this worthy man more then any friend alive which might intitle you to all that may call him Authour This small piece of his acknowledgeth a more speciall propriety unto your Ladyship For though his tongue was as the Pen of a ready Writer in the hand of Christ who guided him yet your Ladyships hand and Pen was in this his scribe and Amanuensis whilest hee dictated a first draught of it in private with intention for the publique Jn which labour both of humility and love your Ladyship did that honour unto him which Baruch thogh great and Noble did but receive in the like transcribing the words of Ieremiah from his mouth wherin yet your Ladyship did indeed but write the story of your owne life which hath beene long exactly framed to the rules herein prescribed We therefore that are intrusted in the publishing of it deeme it but an act of Justice in us to return it thus to your Ladyship unto whom it owes even its first Birth that so where ever this little Treatise shall come there also this that you have done may bee told and recorded for a memorial of you And wee could not but esteeme it also an addition of honour to the worke that no lesse then a Ladies hand so pious so much honoured brought it forth into the world although in it selfe it deserveth as much as any other this blessed wombe did beare The Lord in way of recompence write all the holy Contents of it yet more fully and abundantly in your Ladyships heart and all the lineaments of the Image of Iesus Christ and seale up all unto you by his blessed spirit with joy and peace to the day of Redemption Madame we are your Ladyships devoted THO. GOODWIN PHILIP NYE THE CONTENTS GRieve not the holy Spirit of God The Holy Ghost why called a Spirit page 3 Why holy page 5 From the Apostles disswasion these foure presupposed truths 1 That the holy Ghost is in us page 8 2 And is as a guide to us page 12 3 The best of us are apt to grieve him page 13 4 Therefore wee should bee carefull of it page 14 § 1. Of grieving the Spirit I What it is to grieve the Spirit 16. how the Spirit worketh in us page 20 II Wherein doe we especially grieve the Spirit 1 In our selves and that in these particulars 1 In walking contrary to and in neglecting of its motions 25. and comforts 27. seeking comfort from the flesh page 28 2 By unkindenesse 29. the sinnes of Professors and those that have most acquaintance with the Spirit grieve most page 30 3 By presumptuous sinnes 33 sinnes against knowledge of two sorts ibid. why voluntary sinnes are so great and grieve the Spirit so much 36 the reason why sinnes of the second Table grieve most 39 upon divers respects the same sort of sinnes may grieve more and lesse page 44 4 By worldlinesse and paying tribute to the flesh page 45 5 Abusing spirituall things to our owne ends 48. and fathering the workes of the flesh upon the spirit page 49 6 By sins against the Gospell 49 slighting ordinances page 51 7 Sinnes plotted and contrived page 57 8 By false judgement of things page 55 9 By not using the helpes we have page 58 10 Cavelling against the truth page 59 11 By doing duty in our owne strength page 61 12 Thrusting our selves into over-much worldly employment 61 whence 13 Omission or sl●ght performance of duty page 63 2 In others many ways as 1 Neglecting the grace in them page 65 2 Sharpe censures page 65 3 Superiours by unjust commands page 66 4 Inferiours by untractablenesse 5 By evill examples page 68 III How we may know when we have grieved the spirit 69 and what is the danger of it page 71 How farre a childe of God may grieve the Spirit page 76 Of the sinne against the Holy Ghost 81 and a twofold miscarriage about it in censuring page 82 IIII What course we should take to prevent grieving the Spirit 84 in divers rules 1 Give your selfe up to the government of it page 84 2 Subject constantly to the Spirits motions they are knowne from other motions 1 By a speciall strength in them by which they are raised to higher ends page 87 2 By their constancy page 88 3 They proceed from a changed heart page 89 4 They are seasonable ibid. 5 A self evidēce in them page 90 6 Orderly in respect of both Tables of the law ibid. 7 Dependant upon God page 91 3 Ioyne and co-operate with the Spirit page 92 4 Turne motions into resolutions 94 and resolutions into practise page 95 5 Depend on ordinances and get a heart suteable to them page 96 6 Observe the Spirits first withdrawing and search the cause page 100 7 Take heed of such sinnes as wee terme little ones 102 and looke upon all sinne in the rise and root of it 104 8 Get spirituall wisedome to know what is pleasing and displeasing to the Spirit page 105 9 Vpon breaches renew repentance page 108 10 Avoyd corrupt communication page 109 Whereby you are sealed § 2 Of the sealing of the Spirit 1 Christ is sealed page 122 2 So are Christians page 125 I What this sealing is and how it is wrought page 125 II The priviledges of it A seale serveth for 1 Confirmation page 131 2 Distinction page 132 3 Appropriation page 139 4 Estimation page 141 5 Secrecy page 144 6 Security page 146 III Degrees of sealing 1 The worke of faith page 149 2 Sanctification 150. yet not without a new act of the Spirit 153 the reasons page 155 3 Ioy 156. which hath its degrees also 158 being from the spirit page 159 Of the three witnesses on earth 160 their order page 164 Of the witnesse of the Spirit immediately from it selfe which is the highest and that which bringeth most joy page 166 Of such joyes and raptures of the

upon all our actions directing them to the highest end Foure things presupposed Now that which the Apostle disswades from is from grieving so holy a Spirit These truths are presupposed First that the holy Ghost is not in us personally as the second Person is in Christ man 1 The spirit in us for then the holy Ghost and wee should make one person nor is the holy Ghost in us essentially only for so he is in all creatures nor yet is in us onely by stirring up holy motions but hee is in us mystically and as Temples dedicated to himselfe Christs humane nature is the first temple wherein the Spirit dwels and then we become temples by union with him Difference of the Spirits being in Christ and in us The difference betwixt his being in Christ us is that the Spirit dwels in Christ in a fuller measure by reason that as a head hee is to conveigh spirit into all his members Secondly the Spirit is in Christ intirely without any thing to oppose the Spirit alwayes findes something in us that is not his owne but ready to crosse him Thirdly the Spirit is in us derivatively from Christ as a fountaine wee receive grace at second hand answerable to grace in him How the Spirit was in Adam in innocency The holy Ghost was in Adam before his fall immediately but now hee is in Christ first and then for Christ in us as members of that bodie whereof Christ is the head it is well for us that he dwels first in Christ and then in us for from this it is that his communion with us is inseparable as it is from Christ himselfe with whom the Spirit makes us one The holy Spirit dwels in those that are Christs after another manner then in others in whom hee is in How in carnall men in some sort by common gifts but in his owne hee is in them as holy and as making them holy as the soule is in the whole body in regard of divers operations but in the head onely as it understandeth and from thence ruleth the whole body so the holy Ghost is in his in regard of more noble operations and his person is together with his working though not personally and though the whole man be the temple of the holy Ghost ye● the soule especially and in the soule the very Spirit of our mindes a most suteable to him being a Spirit Whence the Apostle wishes the grace of Christ to be with our Spirits the best of spirits delight most in the best of us which is our spirits in the Temple the further they went all was more holy till they came to the holy of holiest So in a Christian the most inward part the spirit is as it were the holy of holies The holy Ghost dwels not in us as in ordinary houses but as Temples The holy spirit makes all holy where ever he comes where incense is offered to God continually What a mercy is this that hee that hath the heaven of heavens to dwell in will make a dungeon to bee a temple a prison to be a paradise yea an hell to bee an heaven Next to the love of Christ in taking our nature and dwelling in it we may wonder at the love of the holy Ghost that will take up his residence in such defiled soules The second thing presupposed is that the holy Spirit being in us after hee hath prepared us for an house for himselfe to dwell in 2 The spirit a Counsellor and Comforter and to take up his rest and delight in hee doth also become unto us a Counsellour in all our doubts a Comforter in all distresses a Solicitor to all dutie a guide in the whole course of our life untill wee dwell with him for ever in heaven unto which his dwelling here in us doth tend he goeth before us as Christ did in the pillar of the cloud and fire before the Israelites into Canaan being a defence by day and a direction by night When we sinne 3 We are prone to grieve the Spirit what doe wee else but grieve this guide The third ground is that we the best of us are prone to grieve this holy Spirit what use were there else of this caveat wee carry too good a proofe or this in our owne hearts we have that which is enmitie to the spirit within us sinne and an adversary to the spirit us Sathan These joyning together and having intelligence and holding correspondence one with another stirre us up to that which grieves this good Spirit 4 We should be carefull of grieving it The fourth thing presupposed is that we may and ought by Christian care and circumspection so to walke in an even and pleasing course that wee shall not grievously offend the spirit or grieve our owne spirits We may avoyd many lashes and blowes and many an heavy day which wee may thanke our selves for and God delighteth in the prosperity of his children and would have us walk in the comforts of the holy Ghost and is grieved when we grieve him that then hee must grieve us to prevent worse griefe The due and proper act of a Christian in this life is to please Christ and to bee comfortable in himself and so to bee fitted for all services These things premised it is easie to conceive the equitie of the Apostles disswasive from grieving the holy spirit For the better unfolding of which we will unfold these foure points First Foure points observed what it is to grieve the Spirit Secondly is wherein we specially grieve the Spirit Thirdly how wee may know when wee have grieved the Spirit Fourthly what course wee should take to prevent this griefe 1 What it is to grieve the Spirit For the first The holy Ghost cannot properly be grieved in his owne person because griefe implyes a defect of happinesse in suffering that wee wish removed It implyes a defect in foresight to prevent that which may grieve It implyes passion which is soone raised up and soone laid downe GOD is not subject to change it implyes some want of power to remove that which we feele to be a grievance and therefore it is not beseeming the Majestie of the Spirit thus to bee grieved Wee must therefore conceive of it as befitting the Majestie of God removing in our thoughts all imperfections First then we are sayd to grieve God Spirit grieved how when we doe that which is apt of it selfe to grieve as wee are said to destroy our weake brother when wee do that which he taking offence at is apt to misleade him and so to destroy him Secondly we grieve the Spirit when wee doe that whereupon the Spirit doth that which grieved persons doe that is retireth and sheweth dislike and returns griefe againe Thirdly though the passion of griefe be not in the holy Ghost yet there is in his holy nature a pure displicence and hatred of sinne with such a

his Fathers will Him hath the Father sealed Ioh. 6.27 anointing him calling him setting him forth sanctifying him by the spirit and every way fitting him with all grace to be a Saviour 2 He was sealed by the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelling in flesh abased and exalted for us so his flesh is the flesh of the Son of God and his bloud the bloud of God 3 Sealed by a testimony from heaven of all three Persons by the Father Act. 20.28 This is my welbeloved Son by the Holy Spirit descending like a dove by himself to his humane nature dwelling in all fulnesse in it Christ is sealed by miracles done upon him by him by his baptizing and installing into his office and by giving himself up to shed his bloud for sinne by which bloud the Covenant is established and sealed In being justified in the spirit being raised from the dead Rom. 1 4. and declared thereby to be the Sonne of God mightily with power and then advanced him to the right hand of God that through him our faith and trust might bee in God 1 Peter 1.14 and appearing there for ever for us sheweth not onely his habilitie and willingnesse to save us but that it is done already Wee any see all what ever we can looke for to our selves performed in our head to our comfort 2 Christians are sealed As Christ was sealed and fitted for us so we are sealed and fitted for Christ There is a privy seale in predestination this is knowne onely to God himselfe The Lord knoweth who are his And this knowledge of God of us is carried secret Simile as a River under ground untill his calling of and separating us from the rest of men When first by his Spirit hee convinceth us of what wee are in our selves and of our cursed condition and thereby layeth us low by sorrow and humiliation for finne as the greatest evill And then a pardon is more to us then a Crowne then we will wait for mercy and continue so and begge for mercy and that upon Christs own condition by denying and renouncing any thing of our owne then Christ is Christ unto us Indeed after this it pleaseth Christ by his Spirit to open a doore of hope and give some hints of mercy of love and withall to raise up the soule by a spirit of Faith to close with particular mercy opened and offered by the Spirit whereby the soule sealeth to the truth of the promise Ioh. 3. Hee that beleeveth hath set to his seale that God is true It is strange that GOD should stoope so low as to receive as it were confirmation by our beliefe but thus GOD condescends in the phrase of Scripture As wee are said to helpe God curse yee Meroz because they came not to helpe the Lord c. God stoopes to be helped by us and to have his truth and power and goodnesse ratified and confirmed by us when we beleeve the promise of God in Christ though it bee by the helpe of the Spirit wee seale Gods truth And then God honoureth that sealing of ours by the sealing of his Spirit After you beleeved you were sealed saith the Apostle that is the gracious love of Christ was further confirmed to them GOD honours no grace so much as Faiths Why because it honours God most of all others it gives GOD the honour of his mercy and goodnesse and wisedome and power and of his truth especially hee that beleeves in God by beleeving seales that God is true and God honours that soule againe by sealing it to the day of redemption God hath promised Those that honour mee I will honour Therefore Hee that beleeveth hath the witnesse in himselfe that grace promised belongeth to him for hee carries in his heart the counterpaine of the promises hee that confesseth and beleeveth shall have mercie I beleeve saith the soule therefore the promise belongs to mee my faith answering Gods love in the promise witnesseth so much to mee The Spirit not onely revealeth Christ and the promises in generall but in attending upon the ordinances by an heavenly light the spirit discovers to us our interest in particular and saith to the soule God is thy salvation and inableth the soule to say I am Gods I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine Christ loved mee and gave himselfe for mee Whence came this voyce of Saint Paul It was the still voyce of the Spirit of GOD that together with the generall truth in the Gospell discovered in particular Christs love to him It is not a generall faith that will bring to heaven but there is a speciall worke of the Spirit in the use of means discovering and sealing the good will of God to us that hee intends good unto us and thereupon our hearts are perswaded to beleeve in God and to love God as our God and Christ as our Christ This is excellently set downe in the sweet communion of marriage the Spirit is the paranymphos the procurer of the marriage betweene Christ and the soule Now it is not sufficient to know that God and Christ beare good will to all beleevers though that be the ground and generall foundation of all and a great preparative to the speciall sealing of the Spirit but then the Spirit comes and saith Christ hath a speciall good will to me and stirres up in mee a liking to him againe to take him upon his owne conditions with conflict of corruptions with the scornes of the world c. Whereupon the mutuall marriage is made up betweene Christ and us this worke is the sealing of the Spirit Many are the priviledges of a Christian from this his sealing as the use of a seale in mans affaires is manifold 1 Seales serve for conformation and allowance 1 For conformation to that purpose measures are sealed God is said to seale instruction Iob 33.16 Confirmation is either by giving strength or by the authority of suck as are able to make good what they promise also willing which they shew by putting to their seale which hath as much strength to confirme him to whom the promise is made as he hath will and power to make it good that hath ingaged himselfe Amongst men there is the writing and the seale to the writing when the seale is added to the writing there is a perfect ratification So there are abundance of gracious promises in the Scriptures now when the Spirit comes and seals them to the soule then they are sure to us the Spirit puts the seale to the promises 2 2 Distinction The use of it likewise is for distinction from others that carry not that mark So the sealing of the Spirit distinguisheth a Christian from all other men There is a distinction betweene men in Gods eternall purpose but that concerns not us to meddle with further then to know it in generall 1 Tim. 2. God knoweth who are his and who are not his 〈◊〉 but in time the