These things have been spoken unto and enlarged on by many, so that there is no need again to insist upon them. And what is com- monly delivered unto this purpose is good and useful in the sub- stance of it, and I have on several occasions long since myself made use of them. But upon renewed thoughts and consideration, I can-
CHAP. VI.] THE SPIRIT A SEAL. 401
not fully acquiesce in them; for, — 1. I am not satisfied that there is such an allusion herein unto the use of sealing among men as is pretended ; and if there be, it will fall out, as we see it hath done, that, there being so many considerations of seals and sealing, it will be hard to determine on any one in particular which is principally intended. And if you take in more, as the manner of the most is to take in all they can think of, it will be unavoidable that acts and effects of various kinds will be assigned unto the Holy Ghost under the term of sealing, and so we shall never come to know what is that one determinate act and privilege which is intended there- in. 2. All things which are usually assigned as those wherein this sealing doth consist are acts or effects of the Holy Ghost upon us whereby he seals us, whereas it is not said that the Holy Spirit seals us, but that we are sealed with him; he is God's seal unto us.
All our spiritual privileges, as they are immediately communi- cated unto us by Christ, so they consist wholly in a participation of that head, spring, and fulness of them which is in him; and as they proceed from our union with him, so their principal end is con- formity unto him. And in him, in whom all things are conspicuous, we may learn the nature of those things which, in lesser measure and much darkness in ourselves, we are made partakers of. So do we learn our unction in his. So must we inquire into the nature of our being sealed by the Spirit in his sealing also; for as it is said that "he who hath sealed us is God," 2 Cor. i. 21, 22, so of him it is said emphatically, " For him hath God the Father sealed/' John vi. 27. And if we can learn aright how God the Father sealed Christ, we shall learn how we are sealed in a participation of the same privilege.
I confess there are variety of apprehensions concerning the act of God whereby Christ was sealed, or what it is that is intended there- by. Maldonate, on the place, reckons up ten several expositions of the words among the fathers, and yet embraceth no one of them. It is not suited unto my design to examine or refute the expositions of others, whereof a large and plain field doth here open itself unto us; I shall only give an account of what I conceive to be the mind of the Holy Ghost in that expression. And we may observe, —
First, That this is not spoken of Christ with respect unto his divine nature. He is, indeed, said to be the character of the person of the Father in his divine person as the Son, because there are in him, communicated unto him from the Father, all the essential pro- perties of the divine nature, as the thing sealed receiveth the cha- racter or image of the seal. But this communication is by eternal generation, and not by sealing. But it is an external, transient act
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402 THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A COMFORTER. [BOOK VIII.
of God the Father on the human nature, with respect unto the dis- charge of his office ; for it is given as the reason why he should be complied withal and believed on in that work: "Labour for that bread which the Son of man shall give unto you; for him hath God the Father sealed." It is the ground whereon he persuades them to faith and obedience unto himself.
Secondly, It is not spoken of him with an especial respect unto his kingly office, as some conceive ; for this sealing of Christ they would have to be his designation of God unto his kingdom, in op- position unto what is affirmed, verse 1 5, that the people designed to come and make him a king by force: for that is only an occasional expression of the sense of the people, the principal subject treated on is of a nobler nature. But whereas the people did flock after him, on the account of a temporal benefit received by him, in that they were fed, filled, and satisfied with the loaves which he had miracu- lously increased, verse 26, he takes occasion from thence to propose unto them the spiritual mercies that he had to tender unto them; and this he doth, in answer unto the bread that they had eaten, under the name of "meat/' and "bread enduring to everlasting life," which he would give unto them. Under this name and notion of meat he did comprise all the spiritual nourishment, in his doctrine, person, mediation, and grace, that he had prepared for them. But on what grounds should they look for these things from him? how might it appear that he was authorized and enabled thereunto? In answer unto that inquiry he gives this account of himself, " For him hath God the Father sealed/' — namely, unto this end.