2. Renewed care and diligence follows the sealings of the Spirit : Now is the soul at the foot of Christ, as Mary was at the sepulchre, with fear and great joy. He that travels the road with a rich trea- sure about him, is afraid of a thief in every bush. This is exem-
408 6ACIIAMENTAL MEDITATIONS,
plified in the spouse, ^vho bad endured many a sad day and niglit in Chrisf s absence, and sought him sorrowing : But when she had regained his felt and sensible presence, it is said, Cant. iii. 4. " I " found him whom my soul loveth ; I held him and would not let " him go/'
She doth not (as Mr. Durham speaks) lay by diligence, as if all were done ; but is of-new taken up with as great care to retain and improve this mercy, as before she was solicitous to obtain it. Whe- ther a believer want or have, whether he be seeking or enjoying, there is still matter of exercise for him in his condition.
3. Deep abasements and great humblings used to follow the eminent appearances of God to the souls of men. " Lord, (said " that disciple) how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and " not unto the world ?"" John xiv. 22. When God sealed the covenant to Abraham, to be a God to him, at this Abraham fell upon his face. Gen. xvii. 1, % 3. Never doth a soul lie lower in the dust, and abhor itself, than when the Lord makes the most signal manifestations of his grace and love to it.
4. Increased strength follows the sealings of the Spirit. New powers enter into the soul, and a sensible improvement of its abilities for duty: " Or ever I was aware (saith the spouse) my soul made " me as the chariots of Amminadib,"' Cant vi. 12.
Now the wheels of the soul being oiled with the joy and comfort of the Spirit, run nimbly in the ways of obedience. The joy of the Lord is your strength.
5. Sealings of the Spirit inflame the desires of the soul after hea- ven, and make it long to go home. Nothing makes death so un- desirable to the saints, as the doubts and fears that hang upon their spirits about their condition. Were their evidences for heaven clear, and their doubts resolved, they would, as the apostle speaks,. *•' desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ," Phil. i. 23. If once the great question of our interest in Christ be thoroughly de- cided, and all be clear betwixt us and our God, we shall find life a matter of patience, and death the object of desire.
SiatJiIi/, avA lastly, Improved mortification to the world, flows naturally from the sealings and assurances of the love of God to our souls. It is with our souls, after such a view of heaven, and a sealing interest therein, as it is with him that hath been gazing upon that glorious creature the sun, when he comes to cast his eyes again upon the earth, all things seem dark and cloudy to him ; he sees no beauty in any of those things, because of that excellent lustre v.hich he lately beheld. " We know (saith the apostle) that if *' our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a <• building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the '■ heavens." There is assurance or sealing. " For in this we groan *• earnestly, desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is " from heaven :" There is the natural effect of it, 2 Cor. v. Ij 2.
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Uses. The point speaks to three sorts of persons, viz. 1. To those that have not yet been sealed. 2. To those that once had, but now want this comfort. 3. To those that enjoy tlie comforts of it.
First, To those that yet want this mercy, who have not been for- merly sealed by any assurance of their title to Christ, but all their days have been clogged with fears, and doubt of their condition. To such my counsel is,
1. That you be not quiet under these uncertainties, but pant after the assurance of peace and pardon. Say unto Christ, as the spouse did, Cant. viii. 6. Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm C Pant after it, as David did, Psal. xxxv. 3. " Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation."
How can you look upon such precious promises, and not dare to taste them ? How can you hear others speak of their satisfaction, peace, and assurance, and be quiet until you have also attained it ? What is it that hinders this mercy, that it cannot come home to your souls! Is it your neglect of duty.? O stir up yourselves to take hold of God ! Is it want of a thorough search and examination of your state? O let not thine eyes find rest, till that be fully done. Is it some special guilt upon thy soul, that grieves the Spirit of God ? Be restless till it be removed. I know this mercy is not at your command, do what you can do ; but yet I also know, when God bestows it, he usually doth it in these ways of our duty.
Secondly. To those that once had, but now want this blessing, who say as Job xxix. % 3. " O that it were withmeas in days past!" The darkness is the greater to you, because you have walked in the light of the Lord. The sum of Christ's counsel in this case is given in three words, Rev. ii. 5. Remembe7\ repent, reform.
First, Remember, i. e. Ponder, consider, compare time with time, and state with state, how well it once was, how sad it is now.
Secondly, Repent; mourn over these your sinful relapses; sure you may challenge the first place among all the mourners in the world. Your loss is great. O better to have lost the light of your eyes, than this light of God's countenance. Your sin hath separated betwixt you and your God. O mourn over it.
Thirdly, Reform ; Do your first works again. O Christian, con- sider thy heart is sunk deeper into the world than it was wont to be ; thy duties are fewer, and thy zeal and affection to God much abated. Return, return, O backsliding soul, and labour to recover thy first love to Christ whatever pains it cost thee.
Lastly, To those that do enjoy these choice and invaluable mer- cies, the sealings of the Spirit.
First, Take hoed that you grieve not the good Spirit of God, " by whom ye are sealed to the day of redemption," Eph. iv. 30. He hatli comforted you ; do not you grieve hiin : The Spirit is a tender de- licate thing, you may quickly deprive yourselves of his joy and peace
410 SACRAMENTAL MEDITATIONS.
Secondly, Be humble under this advancement and dignity. If your hearts once begin to swell look out for humbling disj^cnsations quickly, 2 Cor. xii. 7. This treasure is always kept in the vessel of a contrite and humble heart.
Thirdly, Keep close to duty ; yea, tack one duty to another by intermediate ejaculations. If care of duty be once remitted, you are not far from a sad change of your condition.
Fourthly, Improve all ordinances, especially this great sealing ordinance, for your farther confirmation and estabUshment. Act your faith to the utmost of its ability, upon Christ crucified ; and comfort will flow in : The more the direct acts of faith are exercised, the more powerful and sweet its reflex acts are like to be.
Behold the Lamb of God, zvhich tdketh away the sins of the