28 DrsCOÌJitsEffi ON x'r-iL demption, i t the first place, it is expressly said, that we are sealed with the Spirit, whereby the Spirit him- self is expressed as this seal, and not any of his especial operations; as he is also directly said himself to be the pledge of our inheritance, In the latter, the words are vgoy.ises, in whom, in and by the receiving of whom, ye are sealed. Wherefore no especial act of the Spirit, but only an especial effect of his communication unto us, seems to be intended hereby. The common exposition of this sealing is taken from the nature and use of sealing among men. The sum whereof is this, sealing may be considered as a natural or moral action, that is, either with respect unto the act of it as an act, or with respect unto its use and end. In the first way it is the communication of the charac- ter or image that is on the seal unto the thing that is sealed, or that the impression of the seal is set unto. In answer hereunto, the sealing of the Spirit should consist in the communication of his owh spiritual nature and likeness unto the souls of believers[ so this sealing should materially be the same with our sanctification. The end and use of sealing among men is twofold: (1.) To give security unto the performanceof deeds, grants, promises, testaments, and wills, or the like engaging signification of our minds. And, in answer hereunto, we may be said to be sealed when the promises of God areconfirmed and established unto our souls, and we are secured of them by the Holy Ghost. Bat thetruth is, this were to seal the promises of God, and not be- lievers. But it is persons and not promises that are said to be sealed. (2.) It is for the safe - keeping or pre- servation of that which a seal is set upon. So things precious and highly valuable, are sealed up, that they may be kept safe and inviolable. So, on the other hand, when Job expressed his apprehension that God would keep an everlasting remembrance ofhis sin, that it should not be lost or out of the way, he saith, his transgression teas sealedup in a bag, chap. xiv. 17. And soit is that power which the Holy Ghost puts forth in the préser- vation of believers, which is intended. And in this respect they are said to be seated unto the day of re- demption. These things have been spokenunto and enlarged -on by many, so that there is no need again'to insist upon them. And what is commonly delivered unto this pur- pose, is good and useful in the substance of it, and I have, on several occasions long since, myself made rise of them. But, upon renewed thoughts and consid'era, tion, I cannot 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 bath done, that there being so many considerations of seals and sealing, it will be hard to determine on any one 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 therein, (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 communicated 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 conformity unto him. And in him in whom all things are conspi. cuous, 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 hewho bath sealed us is God, 2 Cor. i. 21, 22, so of him it is said emphatically, For himbath God the . .father sealed, John. vi. 27. And if wecan learn aright how God the Father sealed Christ, weshall learn how we are sealed in a participation of the :same privilege. I confess there are variety of apprehensions concern,. ing theact of God whereby Christ was sealed, or what it is that is intended thereby. 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 ex- positions of others, whereof a large and plain field doth here open itself unto us. I shall only give an account or *hat I conceive to be the mind of the Holy Ghostiti that expression. And we may observe,
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