11. ISOLY BPIR1T, A 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 per- son as the Son, because there are in him, communica- ted unto him from the Father, all the essential proper- ties of the divine nature;. as the thing sealed receiveth the character or image of the seal. But this communi- cation is by eternal generation, and not by sealing. But it is an external, transient act of God the Father on the human nature, with respect unto the discharge of his office. For it is given as the reason why he should be complied withal and believed in in that work. Labourfor that bread which the Son of Man shall give untoyou; for him bath God the Father sealed. It is the ground whereon he persuades them to faith and o- bedience unto himself. Secondly, It is not spoken of him with an especial respect unto his kingly office, as some conceive. For this sealing ofChrist they would have to be his desig- nation of God unto his kingdom, in opposition unto what is affirmed, ver, 15, 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 flockafter 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 miraculously increased, ver. 26., be takes occasion from thence to propose unto them the spiritual mercies that he had to tender unto them. And this he doth in answer to the bread they had eat, 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 authorised and enabled thereunto? In answer unto that inquiry, he gives this account of himself, For him hails God the Father sealed, namely, unto this end. Thirdly, Wherefore the sealing of God unto this end and purpose, must have two properties, and two ends also annexed unto it: (1.) There is in it a com- munication of authority and ability: for the inquiry is, how he could give them that meat which endured unto H ND HIS WORK. everlasting life? As afterwardsthey ask expressly, ,IIab can this man give us his flesh to eat? ver. 52. To this it is answered, that God. the Father had sealed him, that is, he it was who was enabled of God the Father to give and dispense the spiritual food of the souls of men. This therefore is evidentlyincluded in this sealing. (2.), It must have evidence in it also, that is, somewhat . whereby it may be evidenced that he was thus authori- sed and enabled by God the Father, For whatever au- thority or ability any one may have unto any end, none is obliged to make application unto him for it, or de- r pend upon him therein, unless it be evidenced, that he bath that authority and ability. This the Jews imme- diately inquired after. What sign (say they) doest those then, that we may see and believe thee? what doest thou work? ver. 30. How shall it be demonstrated unto us that thou art authorised and enabled to give as the spi- ritual food of our souls? This Also belonged unto his sealing;. for therein there was such an express represen- tation ofdivine power communicated unto him, as evi dently manifested that he was appointed of God unto this work. These two properties therefore must be found in this sealing of the Lord Christ with respect unto the end here mentioned, namely, that he might be the Promuscondus, or principal dispenser of the spiritual food of the souls of men. Fourthly; It being God's seal, it must also hove two ends designed in it: (1.) God's owning of him to be his. Him bath God the Father sealed unto this end, that all may know and take notice of his owning and approba- tion of him. He would have him not looked on as one among the rest of them that dispensed spiritual things, but as him whom he had singled out and peculiarly marked for himself. And therefore this he publiclyand gloriously testified at'the entrance; and, again, a little before the finishing of his ministry: for upon his bap-. tism, there came a voicefront heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, iss wham I am well pleased, Matth. iii. i7 . which was nothing but a public declaration, that this was lie whom God had sealed, and so owned in a pe- culiar manner. And this testimony was afterwards re- newed again at his transfiguration on the Mount, Matth. xvii. 5. Behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is ray belovedSon, in whom Í am well pleased, hearye him: this is he whom I have sealed. And this testimony is pleaded by the apostle Peter, as that where- 37
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