A39680:229
Sacramental meditations upon divers select places of scripture
Sacramental meditations upon divers select places of scripture wherein believers are assisted in preparing their hearts, and exciting their affections and graces, when they draw nigh to God in that most awful and solemn ordinance of the Lords Supper / by Jo. Flavel ...
London: printed for Jacob Sampson, 1679
THE FOURTH MEDITATION UPON › Doct. › Query 2: 2. Query. Why are none Sealed till after Believing?
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Secondly: Consider but the nature 1of this work, and it cannot be, that ever an Unbeliever should be Sealed by the Spirit: For assurance is produced in our souls by the reflexive acts of our Faith. The Spirit helps us to reflect upon what hath been done by him formerly upon our hearts. Hereby we know that we know him, 1 Joh. 2. 3. To know that we know, is a reflex act; now it's impossible there should be a reflex before there hath been a direct act. No man can have the evidence of his Faith, before the habit be infused, and the vital act first performed.
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Thirdly: Consider the object matter, 1to which he Seals, and it will be found to be his own Sanctifying operations upon our hearts, and consequently to our privileges in Christ, Rom. 8. 16. 1 Joh. 3. 24. The thing or matter attested is, that Christ abideth in us, and that we are the Children of God. But no such thing can be Sealed till we believe, for neither our Adoption nor Sanctification can be before Faith.
Thirdly: Consider the object matter, 1to which he Seals, and it will be found to be his own Sanctifying operations upon our hearts, and consequently to our priviledges in Christ, Rom. 8. 16. 1 Joh. 3. 24. The thing or matter attested is, that Christ abideth in us, and that we are the Children of God. But no such thing can be Sealed till we believe, for neither our Adoption nor Sanctification can be before Faith.