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

I confess there are variety of Apprehensions concerning the Act 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 Expositions of others, whereof a large and plain Field doth here open it self unto us. I shall only give an Account of what I conceive to be the Mind of the Holy Ghost in that Expression. And we may observe,

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 Person as the Son, because there are in him, communicated unto him from the Father, all the Essential Properties of the Divine Nature; as the thing Sealed receiveth the Character or Image of the Seal. But this Communication is by Eternal Generation and not by Sealing. But it is an external, transient Act of God the Father on the Humane 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. Labour for that Bread which the Son of Man shall give unto you; for him hath God the Father Sealed. It is the Ground whereon he persuades them to Faith and Obedience unto himself.

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 Person as the Son, because there are in him, communicated unto him from the Father, all the Essential Properties of the Divine Nature; as the thing Sealed receiveth the Character or Image of the Seal. But this Communication is by Eternal Generation and not by Sealing. But it is an external, transient Act of God the Father on the Humane 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. Labour for that Bread which the Son of Man shall give unto you; for him hath God the Father Sealed. It is the Ground whereon he perswades them to Faith and Obedience unto himself.