In sealing, he both attests the Jldem quce crcditur, the doctrine or object of faith, and the Jideni qua creditur, the infused habit or grace of faith ; of the former he saith. This is my word ; of the lat- ter, This is my work : and his seal or testimony is ever more agree- able to the written word, Isa. viii. 20. So that what he speaks in our hearts, and what he saith in the scripture, arc evermore concor- dant and harmonious testimonies.
To conclude : In sealing the believer he doth not make use of an audible voice, nor the ministry of angels, nor immediate and extraor- dinary revelalations, but he makes use of his own graces implanted in our hearts, and his own promises written in the scriptures ; and in this method he usually brings the doubting trembling heart of a believer to rest and comfort.
2. Query. Why are none sealed till after behaving ?
A?isw. It cannot be denied, but that many persons in a state of nature and unbelief, may have ungrounded confidences, and false comforts built thereupon. This is evident from Matth. vii. 2^. * Many will say unto me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not pro- phesied in thy name ?' And John viii. 54, 55. ' Of whom ye say that he is your God, and yet ye have not known him.' And, beyond all, is that startling scripture, Ileb. iv. 4, 5. " Who were once enlighten- ed, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they fall away," &c.
But for any, except real believers, to have those witiv?sses and sealings of the Spirit described above, is utterly impossible, and will evidently appear to be so, whether we consider the author, nature, object, mediums, end and design of this work.
First, Consider the author of this work, the Spirit of God, who is an holy Spirit, as the text calls him, and tlie Spirit of truth, as Christ calls him, John xiv. 17. and it cannot be that ever he should give testimony to a lie, or give a false witness, quite cross to the very tenour of the written word, as he must do, should he seal an unbe-
404? SACRAMENTAL MEDITATIONS.
lievcr. AVhat though they be elect ? yet, whilst unregenerate, they have no actual interest in Christ and the promises, and therefore can liave none sealed by the Spirit. Prius est prcedicare de esse quam de cognosci : we must be saints before we can be known to be so.
Secondly, Consider but the nature of this work, and it cannot be that ever an unbeliever should be sealed by the Spirit ; for assurance is produced in our souls bv the reflexive acts of our faith : the Spirit helps us to reflect upon what hath been done by him formerly upon our hearts ; ' hereby we know that we know him,' 1 John ii. 3. To know that we know, is a reflex act ; now it is impossible there should be a reflex before there hath been a direct act : no man can have the evidence of his faith, before the habit be infused, and the vital act first performed.
Thirdly, Consider the object-matter, to which he seals, and it will be found to be his own sanctifying operations upon our hearts, and consequently to our privileges in Christ, Rom. viii. 16. 1 John iii. 24. The thing or matter attested is, that Christ abideth in us, and that we are the children of God ; but no such thing can be sealed till we believe, for neither our adoption nor sanctification can be be- fore faith.
Fourthly, Consider the mediums or instruments used by the Spi- rit in his sealing-work : the promises are his sealing instruments, and on that account he is called the Spirit of promise in the text; not only because he is the Spirit promised, but as the promises con- tain the Spirit, so the Spirit uses the promises (i. e.) clears them to our understandings, and helps us to apply them to our souls. But this he never doth, nor can do, till the soul, by faith, have union with Christ; for till then, it hath no right in the promises.
Fifthly, and lastly, Consider the end and design of this work of the Spirit, which is to secure to the soul its peace, pardon, and sal- vation in Christ, he seals believers to the day of redemption, Eph. iv. 30. (i. e.) to their complete salvation ; so then it must be equally impossible for an unbeliever to be sealed as to be saved.
3. Query. The next inquiry is, Whether all behevers are sealed by the Spirit .''
Answ. The resolution of this query will depend upon several distinctions that must be made upon this matter.
Distinction 1. We must distinguish the different kinds of the Spi- rit's seahrg ; all his sealing-work is not of one kind nor to one and the same use and end.
There is an objective seal, which distinguishes the person ; and a formal seal, which clears and ratifies his interest in Christ and salva- tion; the first he doth in sanctifying us, the second in assuring us.
When he seals objectively, that is, when he sanctifies us really by the infusion of grace, he seals us by way of distinction from other men, which is one end of sealing ; for though, in respect of God's decree and purpose, there was a difference betwixt us and others be-
SACRAMENTAL MEDITATIONS. 405
fore time, 2 Tim. ii. 19. and although in regard of Christ's intention in his death, there was a difference betwixt us and others, John xvii. ^. yet all this while there is no personal actual difference betwixt us and others, till sanctification do make one, Eph. ii. 3. and 1 Cor. vi. 11. But the sanctification of the Spirit makes a real difference in the state and temper of the person, 2 Cor. v. 17. and manifests that difference which election put betiwxt us and others before time, 1 Thess. i. 4, 5. And yet all this while a man may not be formally sealed, i. e. his sanctification may be very doubtful to himself, and he may labour under great fears about it.
Dhlinctwn 2. The seasons of the Spirifs sealing must be distin- guished ; and these are to some,
\st. Immediately upon the souFs first closing with Christ at con- version, especially when conversion is wrought at a riper age, and is ushered in by a greater degree of the spirit of bondage, and deep in- ward terrors. Thus the Prodigal (the emblem of a convert so brought home to God) was entertained with the fatted calf and music, but all find not this presently, as some do.
2(i/7/, Times of eminent communion with God are sealing times. There are extraordinary out-lets of peace, joy, and comfort, at some seasons, in duty, which makes the state of the soul very clear, and banishes all scruples and fears from the heart.
i^dly. Others are sealed upon some imminent hazard they have been exposed to for Christ, or some extraordinary sufferings they have undergone for Christ, wherein they have carried it with eminent meekness, patience, and self-denial, 2 Cor. i. 4, 5. Thus the martyrs were many times sealed in the depth of their sufferings.