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

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 commonly delivered unto this purpose, is good and useful in the Substance of it, and I have on several occasions long since my self made use of them. But upon renewed Thoughts and Consideration I cannot ⟨p. 81⟩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 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.

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 commonly delivered unto this purpose, is good and useful in the Substance of it, and I have on several occasions long since my self made use of them. But upon renewed Thoughts and Consideration I cannot ⟨p. 81⟩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 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 Priviledge 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.