An Expository Comment on 2 Corinthians 1, Exposition · Sermon 134
SERM. CXXXIV.
Of Gods Spirit Sealing his People.
2 COR. 1. 22.
Who hath alſo ſealed us.
WHat is comprehended in the expreſſion of ſealing hath been already declared: I ſhall therefore in the next place conſider of, and compare ſome equivalent Texts of Scripture with this, and then from thoſe conjoyned we may be able to finde out the nature of this obſignation; for although our principall endeavour is to be made partaker of it, yet it is very neceſſary in its kinde to know what it is: Though it cannot be denied but many of Gods people may have it, and yet not give the definition of it; Even as they may beleeve and be regenerated, and not happily be able to give an exact deſcription of theſe things. As many a man hath health, may ſleep well, and Scriptures equivalent to the text. Rom. 8. 18.yet is not able to tell you, what health or ſleep is.
The firſt Text, which will afford much light to this we are upon, is that famous place ſet like a beacon upon the mount, and much agitated between Papiſts and Proteſtants in the doctrine of aſſurance, Rom. 8. 18. where the ſpirit it ſelf is ſaid to bear witneſſe with our spirit, that we are the children of God. I ſhall not inſiſt upon the controverſies on this place, either grammaticall or reall, but take the poſitive truth plainly delivered: Here the godly, who all have the ſpirit of God, firſt ſanctifying and leading them on in all their waies, whereby they are ſaid to be ſpiritually minded, are in the next place declared to have the ſpirit of God in another manner working upon them, and that is to witneſſe with our ſpirit. So that the ſpirits Teſtimony is not ſingle and immediate, as when there was a voice heard, ſaying, This is my beloved Sonne. No ſuch Enthuſiaſtical impreſſions and impulſes are to be dreamed of, but mediately and conjunctly with our ſpirits; By it our conſciences are ſo enlightned that we are thereby enabled to be perſwaded, that we are the Children of God; for that you ſee is the object of the Teſtimony, that is the matter witneſſed, that we are the children of God. You ſee then, here is no encouragement for the Popiſh doctrine of doubting; nay, when they go the higheſt, allowing a moral certitude, ſuch which excludeth all fear to the contrary, yet it doth not riſe up high enough to this glorious priviledge ſpoken of. For as with the ſpirit in Sanctification of us, moral vertues came far ſhort of the graces and fruit of the ſpirit; So doth an humane perſwaſion from the ſincerity of our conſcience within us, of this witneſſing and ſealing of Gods Spirit.
A ſecond Text reducible to this, is Gal. 4. 6. Becauſe ye are ſons, God hath ſent forth the ſpirit of his Sonne into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. This Gal. 4. 6.is nothing but the ſealing in my Text, only the words are … of divine worth; Becauſe ye are ſinnes; Therefore none but the Sonnes of God have this priviledge: Children of the devil cannot pretend to this. Thou who art not born of God ſtand aloo… off, this doth not belong to thee: As thou knoweſt not what it meaneth, yea, with Eſau, for thy mo…ſels, doſt prophanely deſpiſe this priviledge; ſo neither doth God give ſuch childrens bread to dogs, or Pearls to ſwine. Again, God hath ſent the ſpirit of his Sonne, you ſee our Son-ſhip is built upon Chriſts Sonſhip; our Son-ſhip of Adoption is eſtabliſhed upon that Son-ſhip which is by nature in him. He doth not ſpeak here of that eternal miſſion of the Holy Ghoſt, proceeding from the Father and the Sonne, but a temporal one beſtowed on beleevers; and he ſaith, the ſpirit of his Son, becauſe by Chriſts death this ſpirit in its peculiar operation, is as it were purchaſed for the godly: For had not Chriſt made an atonement, the Spirit of God could not have been given us, either for ſanctification or conſolation. Further, This is ſent into our hearts, not into our memories or mindes only; for the temporary beleever hath ſome ſuperficial and vaniſhing perſwaſion of Gods favour towards him; but it is ſent into our hearts, implying the full, deep, and through poſſeſſion that it hath of the godly. Laſtly, Here is the notable and glorious effect, it maketh us to cry, that is, fervently, confidently, and boldly; God, Father; Abba, Father. Some reade it indicatively in this ſenſe, God is my Father; Some by way of wiſh and prayer; it cometh all to one. Theſe are two words ſignifying the ſame thing, teaching us; that both Jew and Gentile is indulged this priviledge, or elſe it's germinated for aſſurance ſake: Oh then how unquiet and reſtleſſe ſhould the people of God be, till they finde this work of the ſpirit of Adoption upon them? Thou daily enquireſt after the ſpirit in its ſanctification of thee, how it maketh thee more heavenly, how it mortifieth thy luſts; and doſt mourn becauſe thou doſt not partake of it in a greater meaſure. Why doth not thy ſoul alſo long after the fruit of this ſpirit of Adoption in thee? Doſt thou obſerve how it ſubdueth thy ſlaviſh fears? how it inclineth thee to a filiall and Evangelicall affection towards God as a Father? I tell thee, thy life is never a Goſpel-life till this be obtained. As therefore theſe blinde men cryed, Jeſus have mercy on us, though the Diſciples reproved them, and bid them hold their peace; ſo alſo let it be with thee: whatſoever temptations, guilt and fears, thy heart ſuggeſteth to the contrary, do thou notwithſtanding boldly cry, God my Father.
The third Text to illuſtrate this, 1 Cor. 2, 12. Now we have received, not 1 Cor. 2. 12.the ſpirit of the world, but the ſpirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given us of God. Here we ſee two principles oppoſed as contrary to one another, the ſpirit of the world, and the ſpirit of God; and he who hath the ſpirit of God, hath it for this end partly, that he might know the things which God hath freely given him; implying, that without this ſpirit we could not diſcern of theſe things: Even as if a man had not a rationall ſoul beſtowed upon him, he could not diſcern the things of reaſon, but would be as a beaſt. So did not God beſtow his ſpirit upon us, we were no wayes able to diſcern of thoſe Goſpel-mercies which are beſtowed upon us. He ſaith, which are freely given us, us in particular, that we might not think he ſpeaketh of the priviledges of the Goſpel in the generall, remiſſion of ſins, and ſanctification in the generall, but as applyed to this and that ſubject: So that if a man have no more than the ſpirit of the world, if he have not as yet this ſpirit of God, dwelling in him, he is not a fit auditor for this truth. If Ariſtotle thought not young perſons fit auditors for his morall Philoſophy, how much more are we to judge every man, though of never ſuch abilities and parts, yet if deſtitute of the ſpirit of God, altogether incapable of this truth? Therefore the ſpiritual hearers are only ſuch who can give their teſtimony to theſe things. There muſt be a ſpiritual life, a ſpiritual foundation, before there can be this ſpiritual ſuperſtruction.
A fourth Text is, 1 Joh. 3. 24. and indeed that Apoſtle doth often ſpeak to 1 Joh 3. 24.this ſealing of Gods Spirit upon the hearts of beleevers, though in other terms. This I have mentioned is pregnant; for having ſaid, that he who keepeth Gods Commandements, dwelleth in him, and he in him. Whereas it might be ſaid, how ſhall we know that he dwelleth in us? May we not be deluded and deceived? No (ſaith he) hereby we know that he abideth in us by the ſpirit which he hath given us: and leſt any man, though living looſely and carnally, ſhould pretend to this ſpirit, he ſaith, They that have it keep his Commandements. Thus doubtings and ſinnefull diffidence is excluded on one hand, and all carnal preſumption on the other hand.
The laſt Text to bring in aſſiſtance to this truth, ſhall be, 1 John 5. 8, 1 Ioh. 5. 8, 9, 10.9, 10. where the Apoſtle ſpeaketh of three Witneſſes on earth, as he had before in heaven, viz. water, and the bloud, and the ſpirit. Now although there be many perplexed controverſies about this paſſage, yet I ſhall pitch upon that which is moſt probable, without further diſquieting of you. It ſeemeth to be without doubt that the Apoſtle alludeth to the legall adminiſtrations, wherein there was bloud for expiation, and water for cleanſing: by which is repreſented juſtification and ſanctification; and theſe being wrought in us, do evidently witneſſe, that Jeſus is the Chriſt, and Sonne of God. We finding theſe glorious effects upon our ſouls, cannot but acknowledge that Doctrine; but becauſe theſe are not enough of themſelves, ſeeing that ſanctified and juſtified perſons may be under great diſcouragements, therefore he addeth the Spirit alſo. It is true, the ſame ſpirit is ſaid to be a witneſſe in heaven, but that was becauſe of the extraordinary and viſible Teſtimony that it gave to Chriſt; but here it ſpeaketh of the witneſſe it giveth on earth; and that muſt be the ſealing ſpoken off in other places; for he ſaith, verſe 6. It is the ſpirit that beareth witneſſe, becauſe the ſpirit is truth, having there alſo mentioned water and bloud: Verſe 10. he ſeith, He that beleeveth on the Sonne of God, hath the witneſſe in himſelf. Thus you ſee that as God hath abundantly provided for the holineſſe of his people by his ſpirit, to quicken them up therein; ſo alſo for the aſſurance and conſolation of his children, to eſtabliſh them therein. Oh how greatly are we indebted unto the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who giveth us his Spirit not only to leade us into the truth, and mortifie the deeds of the fleſh, but alſo to fill us with comfort, and to aſſure us that we are the children of God: So that it is the duty of the Miniſters of the Goſpel, not only to improve the former truth, but this alſo; and to preſſe you upon the ſealing work of Gods Spirit, as well as the ſanctifying: Hath not the Spirit of God this Name given it, to be called the Comforter, John 14. and ſhall we divide the operations of Gods Spirit, minding him as he is an holy ſpirit, but not a comforting Spirit?
Having thus informed you what the Scripture declareth in this matter; I The deſcription of the ſealing of Gods ſpirit.ſhall give you a large and popular deſcription of the nature of this ſealing, and the opening of the ſeveral parts touched therein, will much conduce to the knowledge thereof.
The ſealing of Gods Spirit may be deſcribed after this manner: It is a The deſcription of the ſealing of Gods ſpirit.ſupernaturall and gracious work of Gods Spirit upon the hearts of ſanctified perſons, in a ſecret and unſpeakable manner; whereby they are confirmed and eſtabliſhed in the Covenant of grace, as belonging to them in particular; by ſuch means which God hath appointed thereunto, that through the ſence thereof they may daily walk more and more boldly, joyfully, and thankefully, notwithſtanding all diſcouragements to the contrary, till they be made compleatly happy in heaven.
I have made this deſcription the larger, becauſe I would take in every particular conſiderable about it, as much as may be.
And Firſt, I give two Qualifications or Adjuncts to this work of Gods 1. It is a ſupernatural and gracious workSpirit: It is ſupernatural and gracious. Supernatural; and that if we reſpect either rectified nature or corrupted nature: Rectified nature, for Adam in the ſtate of integrity, though he was made perfectly holy, yet he had not this Goſpel-ſealing; no more then he was in Chriſt, as a Mediatour: for had he been thus ſealed, he would certainly have perſevered; and although Adam was partaker of the holy Ghoſt, yet it was as he is the third perſon, not as the ſpirit of Chriſt, viz. purchaſed by his death for thoſe that are his, ſo that in this reſpect we may ſay, this ſealing is a priviledge above the nature of Adam, while conſidered before his apoſtacy: but then I call it ſupernaturall, chiefly in reſpect of corrupted nature; for as man naturally of himſelf hath no power to that which is gracious, ſo neither to that which is comfortable and joyfull. All the world, all Miniſters and Angels, cannot powr one drop of this aſſurance and joy into thy ſoul, unleſſe the Spirit of God inable thee thereunto. As it is ſupernaturall, ſo it is gracious; for this floweth from the former: There is nothing in thee to deſerve this eſtabliſhing; as Gods grace ſanctifying found thee dead in thy ſinnes, ſo his ſealing and comforting findeth thee in a guilty deſpairing way: and therefore as God might leave every prophane man to wallow in his luſts, and ſo let him periſh; thus alſo might he forſake every guilty conſcience under the burthen of thy ſinnes, and ſuffer thee to be a Cain, to be a Judas, even to fall from an hell here into an hell hereafter: So that not only by grace we are ſanctified, but by grace we are healed. Bleſſe God for any eſtabliſhment of ſoul againſt fears and doubts, as well as for victory againſt any luſts: It is meerly of Free-grace that we are thus ſealed.
In the next place, Secondly, we have the generall nature of it, with the 2. Of Gods ſpirit.efficient cauſe, The work of Gods Spirit: It is true, in the Text it is ſaid, That God doth ſeal us; and ſo whatſoever works there are, ad extra, from God to the creature, they are all common to the three Perſons: yet there is a peculiar order and appropriation which the Scripture taketh notice of; So that it is made the work of the Father to ſend his Sonne into the world: It is made the work of the Sonne, to offer up himſelf a Sacrifice for our ſinnes; And it is made the proper work of Gods Spirit, to apply the benefits of Chriſts death to our ſouls; therefore ſanctification is attributed to the Spirit, ſo alſo conſolation and ſealing thereunto. Thus the Texts we mentioned formerly give all this work to the Spirit of God, as in an appropriated manner, doing this for us: It is not then of our ſelves, or of our own power; that we can obtain this priviledge, but it is wrought alone by Gods Spirit: As we have no free-will to the grace of God, ſo neither to the comforts. God as he is called a God of all grace, ſo a God of all conſolation: and Gal. 5. Joy is the fruit of Gods Spirit, as well as Faith, Love, and Repentance are in other places attributed to God. But you will ſay, It may eaſily be granted, that a man being dead in ſinne, he needeth the mighty work of Gods Spirit to raiſe him up, and to give ſpiritual life; but doth it follow, that he needeth the ſame ſpirit to eſtabliſh and aſſure him of Gods love? Yes, no doubt but that the ſame Spirit of God, which bringeth thee out of the gulf of thy luſts, muſt alſo out of the gulf of thy doubts and fears. It's as impoſſible for thee to have comfort of thy ſelf, as grace of thy ſelf; And therefore you ſee the Scripture ſpeaking of this twofold operation of Gods Spirit, as being neceſſary to antidote againſt our twofold corruption: and the grounds of this neceſſity of Gods Spirit are theſe.
Firſt, The heart of a man is naturally oppoſite to any thing that is ſpirituall: Reaſons why it is the ſpirit alone that thus ſealeth …Whatſoever is of God, though never ſo deſirable in it ſelf, yet meeting with our corrupt natures, it findeth oppoſition; therefore we cannot of our ſelves any more receive the promiſes, though infinitely needing of them, then we can obey the commands: We cannot endure honey any more then gall; The way of Goſpel-joy is contrary to a troubled heart, as well as Goſpel-obedience to a ſecure carnal heart.
Secondly, We need the Spirit of God to this ſealing, becauſe that which doth oppoſe this, is indeed nothing but the fruit of ſinne running down another channel: He that once lived in divers pleaſures, did continually grieve the holy Spirit of God; Let this man finde the guilt of ſinne; Let the Law wound and ſting him, then he grieveth the comforting ſpirit of God by fears and doubts: No wonder then, if it muſt be Gods Spirit only that ſealeth, becauſe that alone can remove the guilt within thee, that only can take off theſe objections, theſe diſcouragements that are upon the ſoul: As God raiſed an Eaſt-winde that ſuddenly delivered Pharaoh from thoſe Locuſts that moleſted him: (this was miraculous, none could do it but God) ſo it is the Spirit of God that alone can take off the heavy burthen of ſinne upon thee: It is Gods Spirit alone that can overrule thy conſcience, that can pacifie it, that can comfort it: It is the Spirit of Adoption that maketh us cry, Abba, Father; but more of this may come in afterwards.