B00698:225
A fountain sealed: or, The duty of the sealed to the Spirit, and the…
A fountain sealed: or, The duty of the sealed to the Spirit, and the work of the Spirit in sealing. Wherein many things are handled about the Holy Spirit, and grieving of it: as also of assurance and sealing what it is, the privileges and degrees of it, with the signs to discern, and means to preserve it. : Being the substance of divers sermons preached at Gray's Inn. / By that Reverend Divine, Richard Sibbes D.D. and sometimes preacher to that honourable society.A fountain sealed: or, The duty of the sealed to the Spirit, and the worke of the Spirit in sealing. Wherein many things are handled about the Holy Spirit, and grieving of it: as also of assurance and sealing what it is, the priviledges and degrees of it, with the signes to discerne, and means to preserve it. : Being the substance of divers sermons preached at Grayes Inne. / By that Reverend Divine, Richard Sibbes D.D. and sometimes preacher to that honourable society.
London: printed by Thomas Harper for Lawrence Chapman, 1638
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.
As GOD redeemed us with his blood, so GOD must apply this blood, that conscience may be quieted. He only can subdue the rebellion of our spirits, and soften our hearts, and make them fit for sealing. The Spirit only can so report the mercy of God to ⟨p. 227⟩our souls, as to persuade and work our hearts to this assurance, otherwise we would never yield. For partly the greatness of the state is such, that none but God can assure: and partly the misgiving and unbelief of our heart is such, that none but God can subdue it. The thing being so great, and our deservings so little, being unworthy of the things of this life, much more of that eternal happiness; this cannot be done without the high and glorious Spirit of God.
As GOD redeemed us with his bloud, so GOD must apply this bloud, that conscience may bee quieted. Hee onely can subdue the rebellion of our spirits, and soften our hearts, and make them fit for sealing. The Spirit onely can so report the mercy of God to ⟨p. 227⟩our souls, as to perswade and worke our hearts to this assurance, otherwise wee would never yeeld. For partly the greatnesse of the state is such, that none but God can assure: and partly the misgiving and unbeliefe of our heart is such, that none but God can subdue it. The thing being so great, and our deservings so little, being unworthy of the things of this life, much more of that eternall happinesse; this cannot be done without the high and glorious Spirit of God.
How earnest and desirous then is both the Father and the Son to save us, that pleased to send such an Orator and Ambassador as is equal with themselves ⟨p. 228⟩to persuade us, to assure us, to fit us for salvation? and how gracious is the Spirit that will vouchsafe to have such communion with such poor fifull spirits as ours? And should not this work upon our hearts a care not to grieve the holy Spirit? and so we come to the fourth conclusion.