Secondly, A man must consider, if he hath as yet overcome strong passions and temptations, and p)assed through much hazard and peril, having been bulfeted with divers temptations, over which he hath obtained mastery. For this seal of God's Spirit with our spirit comes as a reward of service done ; as we may see Eev. iii. 17, * To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it ; ' whereby he means, in such a case he will give a secret love-token unto the soul, whereby it may rest assured of the unspeakable love of God and freedom from condemnation.
The Athenians had a custom, when malefactors were accused and arraigned, to have black and white stones by them, and so according to the sentence given, those acquitted had a white, those condemned had a black stone given them. Unto this the Holy Ghost here alludes, that this seal shall assure them of an absolute acquittance from condemnation, and so free them from the cause of fear. Again, he shews Christ will give a man a new name, that is, his absolution written in fair letters upon the white stone with a clear evidence ; as if he should say, ' When Christ hath seen a man overcoming, and how he hath buckled with temptations, and yet holds out, pressing on for his crown unto the end of the race, he will come in then, and stroke him on the head, ease all his pains, fears, and sorrows with such a sweet refreshing as is unspeakable. When a man hath won it in sum, he shews he shall wear it.
Thirdly, If the Spirit seal after meditation in the word, it is right. The apostle saith, ' In whom, after ye believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,' Eph. i. 13. Examine the root of your joys. The Spirit gives no comfort but by the word. If a man do meditate on the promises, and thereupon have a flame kindled, when he knows his interest in tbem, this is sure. A man may say, the word did stir it up. If it be God's comfort, assure thyself God would have his word to make way unto it. Those who find no sweetness in the word, what is the cause thereof? Be- cause they chew not the cud to imprint it in their memories and hearts. If comfort comes whilst a man is meditating on the promises, and wedging them home upon the heart, it is of God, otherwise it is but counterfeit and false. These and divers others may be the forerunners to this seal. Now three things follow after, which the Spirit leaves behind it.
1. First, Humility ; as in his knowledge, so in his sense, it makes a man more humble. There is naturally in all a certain pride which must be overcome ; yea, of all sorts, spiritual pride is the most dangerous. Where- fore know the holiest are ever the humblest people. The apostle saith,
384 THE WITNESS OF SALVATION.
' What bast thou that thou hast not received? and if thou hast received it, why boastest thou?' Sec, 1 Cor. iv. 7. By the contrary, the more near a man comes unto the glory of God, the more be sees him, and is truly acquainted with him, so much the more rottenness be finds in bis bones ; as we see in Job, what be says of himself in this case : Job xlii. 5, 'I have beard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye seetb thee.' His inference is — ' wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.' And the prophet Isaiah, be cries out, Isa. vi. 5, ' Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people that is of unclean Hps.' But wherefore is all this ? saitb be. ' For mine eyes have seen the Lord of hosts.' It is a certain thing, an humble soul is a sure and certain habitation for the Spirit of God. ' For thus saitb the high and lofty One that inbabitcth eternity, whose name is the Lord of Hosts : I dwell in the high and lofty place, with him also that is of a contrite and bumble spirit, to revive the spirit of the bumble,' &c., Isa. Ivii. 15. A proud spirit, therefore, but in vain brags of this seal of God's Spirit, which leaves a man bumble, and the vilest of all others in bis own sight ; for then the brightest and best light hath shewed him more than ever his manifold and darkest corruptions, which abase him in bis own eyes, seeing how far short be comes of what be should and ought to be.
2. A second thing which the Spirit leaves behind it, if it seal rightly, is, a j)rcventlGn of securihj to come. In this case we must look for a new en- counter. A false persuasion makes a man to fall into security ; because Satan is then most malicious and busy, a man must stand faster than ever. The devil, he bates those most which are most endowed with God's image, whom, because he cannot reach, be persecutes his members. And there- fore in this case, it must be with us as it was with Elias in bis feast, 1 Kings xix. 8. After such an enlightening, a man must now think that be bath a great journey to go, and so walk on in the strength of that, long time. The devil, you see, watchetb a man at the best, then to overcome him, as we see in Adam and Eve. No sooner were they placed in that estate of innocency but be buckled with them. How much more a man having a sweeter taste of the Spirit and less strength now, may be look to be set upon ? And therefore in these feasting days had need to be more in his watch and pray more ; for we have more given unto us than Adam had. We have a new name give us, a secret love-token. Further, we see Christ saitb, Pk,ev. iii. 20, ' Behold, I stand at the door and knock : if any man will open unto me, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me.' Now, in such a case, if we be such parties who let our hearts fly open to let him in, we are safe ; as if he should say, if you would be sure of recon- ciliation to be at peace with me, sup with me, and I will sup with you. For we know, if men formerly enemies be brought to keep company and eat together, we use to say, all is done and lapped up in the napkin ; old reckonings are forgotten and taken away. Now they are certainly friends. But if, hke the spouse in the Canticles, we let him stand knocking, and will not let him in, we may have great, many, and sound knocks ere we find him again, as we know it befell the church then, when she bad lost her communion with him. Our Saviour, j-ou see, knowing the devil's violence and subtilty in taking us unprovided, bow often doth be command us to watch and pray, that we enter not into temptation. ' That I say unto you I say unto all men. Watch,' Mark xiii. 37. If we would therefore retain our comfort after such a sweet taste, or having lost it, recover the same, let us watch chiefly at that time, and prepare for a new assault. Then