Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

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 Character or Image that is on the Seal unto the thing that is Sealed, or that the Impression of the Seal is set ⟨p. 80⟩unto. In answer hereunto, the Sealing of the Spirit should consist in the Communication of his own 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 two-fold. (1) To give Security unto the Performance of 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 are confirmed and established unto our Souls, and we are secured of them by the Holy Ghost. But the Truth is, this were to Seal the Promises of God, and not Believers. But it is Persons and not Promises that are said to be Sealed. (2) It is for the safe-keeping or Preservation 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 of his Sin, that it should not be lost or out of the way, he saith, his Transgression was sealed up in a Bag, Chap. 14. 17. And so it is that Power which the Holy Ghost puts forth in the Preservation of Believers, which is intended. And in this respect they are said to be Sealed unto the Day of Redemption.

THE common Exposition of this Sealing is taken from the Nature and Use of Sealing among Men. The Summ 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 Character or Image that is on the Seal unto the thing that is Sealed, or that the Impression of the Seal is set ⟨p. 80⟩unto. In answer hereunto, the Sealing of the Spirit should consist in the Communication of his own 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 two-fold. (1) To give Security unto the Performance of 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 are confirmed and established unto our Souls, and we are secured of them by the Holy Ghost. But the Truth is, this were to Seal the Promises of God, and not Believers. But it is Persons and not Promises that are said to be Sealed. (2) It is for the safe-keeping or Preservation 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 of his Sin, that it should not be lost or out of the way, he saith, his Transgression was sealed up in a Bag, Chap. 14. 17. And so it is that Power which the Holy Ghost puts forth in the Preservation of Believers, which is intended. And in this respect they are said to be Sealed unto the Day of Redemption.