,,: (2.) A liberty and boldness with God, for ' where the Spirit is, there is a gracious liberty ;' that is, further enlargements from the law, guilt of sin, and the fear of the wrath of God, that we can come with some boldness to his throne and to him as our Father ; a freedom to open our souls in prayer before him. This stands not so much in multitude of words, or forms of expressions, but a son-like boldness in our approaches in praj'er. The hypocrite, especially in extremity, cannot pray ; his conscience stops 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.
A FOUNTAIN SEALKD. 443
(3.) There doth Hkewiso ordinarily accompany this scab"ng of the Spirit, Satan's malice and opposition ; who, being cast from heaven himscU', envies this heaven upon earth in a creature of meaner rank by creation than him- self. We must not think to enjoy pure joy hero without molestation. If there be danger of exalting above measure, we must look for some messenger of Satan.
3. After this witness it leaves the soul more hnmhle ; none more abased in themselves than those that have nearest communion with God, as we see in the angels that stand before God and cover their faces, so Isa. vi. 2, scq. Job, after God had manifested himself unto him, abhorred himself in dust and ashes, Job xlii. 6. It brings with it a greater desire of sanctification and heavenly-mindedness. As Elias ascended up into heaven, his cloak fell by degrees from him ; the higher our spii'its are raised, the more we put oflf aflections to earthly things.
(2.) Again, The end of this further manifestation of the Spirit being encouragement to duty, or sullering in a good cause, the soul hij this wit- ness of the Spirit finds increase of spiritual mettle. It finds itself steeled against opposition. Whilst this wind filleth their sails, they are curried on amain,* and are frighted with nothing that stands in their way. See how the believers triumph upon the Spirit's witnessing to their spirits that they are the sons of God, Eom. viii. lG-33, &c.
God usually reserveth such comforts for the worst times : ' Give wine to those that be of heavy heart,' Prov. xxxi. G. The sense of this love of Christ is better than wine. This refreshing Paul had in the dungeon, and he sung at midnight. After this witnessing, therefore, look for some piece of service to do, or trial to undergo.
Much must be left to God's fatherly wisdom in this, who knows whom to cheer up, and when and in what degree, and to what purpose and ser- vice ; and remember always that these enlargements of spirit are as occa- sional refreshings in the way, not daily food to live upon. We maintain our life by faith, not by sight or feeling. Feasting is not for every day, except that feast of a good conscience, which is continual ; but I speak of grand days and high feasts. These are disposed as God seeth cause.
(3.) Where this sealing of the Spirit is, there followelh also upon it a liftin(j up of the head in thinkint/ of our latter eiul. It makes one think of tiae times to come with joy, as the Holy Ghost here mentioncth the day of redemption, as a motive to them to take heed that they did not grieve the Spirit ; intimating they should think of the day of redemption with a great deal of joy and comfort. The saints are described in Scripture to be those that ' look for the appearing of Christ,' 2 Pet. iii. 12. They are Christ's, and in him their reckonings and accounts are even. And there- fore 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 revela- tion. God first reveals his good will in his promises to all believers. This is the privilege of the church, especially in these latter times. Then by his Spirit reveals those saving truths to those that are his, by a divine light. So that by argument drawn from the power they feel from truths, in search- ing secrets, in casting down, in raising up, in staying the soul, they can seal to them that they are divine.
The same Spirit that reveals the power of the word to me, reveals in particular mine own interest in all those truths upon hearing them. * Cf. footnote on page 401. — G.
444 A FOUNTAIN SEALED.
Whereupon thoy are written in my heart, as if they had been made in par- ticular to me : the comfortable truths in the word are transcribed into my heart answerable to the word ; as that God in Christ is mine, forgiveness mine, grace mine : whereupon adoption in Christ is sealed ; which God still sealcth farther to my soul by increase of comfort, as he sceth cause for encouragement. The same Spirit that manifesteth in me the word I hear and read to be the truth of God, from the power and efficacy of it : tho same Spirit teacheth to apply it, and in applying of it sealeth me.