A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 3 · Subpart 5
The Holy-Spirit the Earnest of the Saints Inheritance.
Eph. 1.13, 14.
After ye believed, ye were sealed with the Spirit of Promise; which is the Earnest of our Inheritance, &c.
METAPHOR.
AN Earnest is usually part of the best things which are in common Use and Estimation among Men; as Gold, Silver, &c.
II. An Earnest imports some thing bought or sold, as also an Agreement, or Consent between two Parties, for the confirming of some Contract or Promise, which before was not settled.
III. An Earnest is given as a Pledg of some future good thing, purchased or promised to a Person.
IV. An Earnest oftimes of a great Bargain or Purchase is a considerable Sum, twenty or thirty Pounds, sometimes more hath been given in earnest of an Inheritance: an Earnest is commonly proportioned according to the worth or value of the Purchase.
V. An Earnest is that which confirms or makes sure a Bargain or Contract between two Parties, by the means of which each claims his own Interest and Property.
VI. An Earnest puts a Bar to any who would unjustly stop, disanul, or make void the Covenant agreed upon.
VII. An Earnest confirms a Bargain, so that it gives assurance to him, that receives it, of the Inheritance or Purchase of whatsoever it is the Earnest.
VIII. An Earnest though it may be in it self, something of considerable value; yet it is always far short in worth to that which it is the Earnest of.
IX. An Earnest as it is something given of a valuable consideration, to confirm a Bargain so; the Person that receives it, immediately enjoys it, he hath it in hand for his present Profit and Advantage; and many times a Man hath nothing else to live upon till he receives the whole Sum, but the Earnest-Mony.
X. There is always some distance of Time between the laying down of the Earnest of an Inheritance, and full enjoyment of it, or entering into the Possession thereof.
Parallel.
THe Holy Spirit (viz.) the Gifts, Graces and Operations thereof, is part of the best things which the great God (in this World) gives unto his dear Children.
II. The Earnest of the Spirit doth also denote (as 'tis observed by some) that spiritual Bargain which is made between God and a Believer. The Lord in a solemn Contract, requires of us our whole Soul, Life, Strength, the best we are, and are capable to perform for the Glory of his holy Name, and to the end he might have (as I may say) the Bargain punctually observed, hath given us an Earnest,Rom. 12.2. 1 Cor. 6.19, 20. to wit, his Spirit, and we in receiving of it, shew our Assent and Consent to the Contract, to serve the Lord and become his for ever.
III. The Spirit is given by the Father to Believers as a Pledg or Earnest of the blessed Inheritance, which Christ purchased by his Blood for them, and upon the account of his own free Grace is promised to them. Who hath also sealed us, and given us the Earnest of the Spirit in our Hearts. 2 Cor. 1.22.
IV. The Spirit which God giveth to Believers, as the Earnest of Eternal Life, is a great Sum, or that which is of considerable Value; the Purchase being infinite or invaluable, 'tis meet the Earnest should bear some Proportion to it; who is able to account or reckon up the worth of the Spirit of God, which is the Earnest of the Saints Inheritance? We may judg of the Value and Excellency of it by the fruits thereof, which are Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance, &c.Gal. 5.22, 23. Phil. 4.7. One particular Fruit of the Spirit (viz.) Peace is such an inestimable Jewel, that the Apostle saith, It passeth all Ʋnderstanding.
V. The Earnest of the Spirit which God hath given to his People, confirms that mutual Contract and Agreement which is between him and them: God hereby claims a new Covenant-Right to Believers, and Believers claim Interest and Property in God. Hereby we know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. 1 Joh. 4.13.
VI. The Earnest of the Spirit prevents Satan from steping in to break and make void the Spiritual Bargain, or Contract between the Soul and the Lord Jesus Christ. A Saint can by this means say, I have received Earnest of God, I am not mine own, I have agreed, covenanted, and sold my self to him. Depart from me, ye evil doers; Psal. 119.115. Zech. 3.2.for I will keep the Commandments of my God. The Lord rebuke thee Satan, &c. And hereby God looks upon himself concern'd to secure and make sure of the Soul to preserve his Right and Interest he hath in his People against all Enemies, that he might not lose his Bargain.
VII. The Spirit confirms the Covenant of Grace so to Believers, that it gives them an assurance of Eternal Life and Glory to come; hence 'tis called, The Earnest of the Saints Inheritance, Eph. 1.14.until the Redemption of the Purchased Possession.
VIII. The Gifts, Influences and Graces of the holy Spirit, tho they are in themselves of great Worth and Value, and accordingly greatly prized by the Godly; yet not to be compared to the full Fruition of God and the glorious Inheritance which the Spirit is given as the Earnest of.
IX. The Spirit which is the Earnest of Glory, is given to Believers for their present Profit; God's infinite Favour bestows Grace, Peace, Joy, and the like,1 Cor. 12.7. Gal. 5.22. whilst Saints are in this World: and indeed 'tis upon this Earnest-Mony they live, and 'tis so much as is sufficient to bear all their Charges, and def…ay all their Expences till they receive the everlasting Kingdom.Gal. 5.25.
X. There is also a distance of Time between the Saints receiving the Spirit, which is the Earnest of that glorious Inheritance, and the full Possession of it. They receive the Spirit as the Earnest when, or soon after they believe, the Time when they receive the Inheritance is not till they die, and not the full Fruition or perfect Enjoyment of it till the Resurrection: Henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness, which God, the righteous Judg, will give me at that Day, &c.2 Tim. 4.8
METAPHOR.
AN Earnest among Men is usually a certain Sum, either more or less, of Gold or Silver, which are but corruptible and earthly Things.
II. The best and greatest Purchase an Earnest among Men is given for, consists but of temporal things, that pass away and perish, as all Sublunary Things do.
III. Sometimes among Men, a Person who has given Earnest for such or such a Commodity, does afterwards recant his Bargain.
IV. Sometimes the Purchaser loses his Earnest, by flying from the Bargain, and so never has the Inheritance.
V. Amongst Men, the Earnest of an Inheritance is given by the Purchaser to the Seller, and he expects something of equal worth for that he parts withal for it.
VI. An Earnest among Men is given by the Purchaser, with an intent or design to advantage himself thereby; 'tis chiefly his own Interest and Profit which he aims at in this Action.
Disparity.
THe Earnest of the Saints Inheritance is of an inestimable value, being of an heavenly and sublime Nature, the holy, blessed, and eternal Spirit of God, in the Operations, Gifts, and Graces thereof.
II. The holy Spirit is the Earnest of an Inheritance, incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, 1 Pet. 1.5.reserved in Heaven for us. Be thou faithful unto Death, Rev. 2.10.and I will give thee a Crown of Life.
III. There never will be any recanting about giving or receiving this Spiritual Earnest; God will never repent that he gave his Spirit to his faithful Children, it being bestowed upon them as the Result of his eternal Purpose in Jesus Christ. And Believers have no cause to recant their Bargain, in yielding themselves up to God, both Body and Soul, all they are, and are capable to do, for the Glory of Free-Grace; for their Gain will be unspeakable thereby: Godliness is profitable to all things, having the Promise of the Life that now is, 1 Tim. 4.…and that which is to come; it is great Gain.
IV. God will never, can never lose those Souls, for whom he gave his Son, as the Price of their Redemption, and his Spirit as an Earnest to make sure of them: My Father which gave them me is greater than all, Joh. 10.2…and none is able to pluck them out of my Father's hands.
V. The Spiritual Earnest is given by the Father, upon the account of Christ's Purchase, unto Believers. The Lord Jesus bought the Inheritance, and received the Earnest of it for us, as Mediator, who freely gives it to us; out of his own good Will he bestows it upon us, as an Assurance of the full possession of eternal Life.
VI. The Lord giving his Spirit as the Earnest of future Blessings, designs ('tis acknowledged) his own Glory thereby; but chiefly the Profit will be ours: 'Twas our Good, our Advantage Christ designed and aimed at, in dying for us, and in giving his Spirit to us.
Inferences.
WHat admirable Grace and Favour is here! Did God give Christ to die for us, to redeem us from Sin and Wrath to come? and did he receive the holy Spirit, as Mediator, to give it unto us, the Earnest of that purchased Possession? Let this be to the Praise of his Glory, Christ purchases that we might possess. Others purchase that they might inherit themselves, and give Earnest to make sure the Estate to themselves; but the Lord Jesus needed not to do so, he was Heir from everlasting, and all that he did as Mediator was for us, to enrich and make us happy and blessed for ever.
2. If God hath given to Believers the Holy Spirit, as the Earnest of their Inheritance, let them take heed they do not go about to defraud him of his Bargain: They are not their own, they are bought with a Price, and they have consented to this holy Contract,1 Cor. 6.19, 20. by taking an Earnest from his hand. 'Tis great Injustice to deprive or keep back any part of a lawful Bargain from the Buyer, especially when he hath given Earnest for it.
3. This shews what certain Hopes and good Assurances a godly Man hath of eternal Life: 'Tis bought or purchased for him, 'tis given by Promise to him, the Promise is sealed; nay, more than this, he hath received a Pledg or Earnest of it. What little ground is there then for any Soul to despond, or doubt of the eternal Inheritance? The holy God deals with us after the manner of Men, about the great Concerns of another World; the bare Promise of God would be Security enough, we need not require a Seal and an Earnest of him. O how doth Divine Goodness condescend to poor Creatures,H…b. 6. that the Heirs of Promise might have strong Consolation.
4. From hence Believers may learn how to repell and withstand the Temptations of Satan. Simon, saith our Saviour, Satan hath desired to have you, &c. But might not Simon (and so consequently every true Christian) say,Luk. …2.31 I am not mine own, thou comest too late, Satan, I have received Earnest of a better Estate, of a better Kingdom than thou hast: I have given up my self to Jesus Christ, and he hath taken possession of me by his Spirit, that I might possess and enjoy him to Eternity.
5. And let Sinners, who would have an Interest in God, and enjoy this eternal Inheritance, learn from hence the ready way to come to it.
First; They must believe: The Saints that are sealed with the Spirit, which is the Earnest of the purchased Inheritance, are said to trust in God, after they heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of their Salvation: In whom (saith the Apostle) after that ye believed, Eph. 1.13.ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of Promise, which is the Earnest of our Inheritance, until the Redemption of the purchased Possession, to the Praise of his Glory.
Secondly; As they must hear, attend upon the Word, go out of themselves to Christ, rely upon him, and trust in him, believe and receive the Record God hath given of his Son; so they must submit to his Ordinances. The Spirit is promised to those that keep his Commandments, John 14.15, 16. If this be done in Truth and Sincerity, you shall certainly receive the Earnest of future Happiness, as well as others.
6. Those that would have a Trial of their Estates and Conditions, who desire to know whether they have received the Spirit of God or not, may read the Metaphor where the holy Spirit is compared to a Seal. Nothing is more needful; all may see from hence to make sure of the Spirit; take heed you be not mistaken about it, &c.
And let them that have received it, live upon it. Such need not fear wanting any good thing; this Earnest-Penny will (as hath been shewn already) defray all their Charge whilst they are in this World. 'Tis a great Sum; God gives like himself, and answerable to that Inheritance prepared and purchased for Believers.
7. What Fools are they that slight and despise this Earnest? God offers Men in the Gospel everlasting Life, and, to assure them of it, promises them, if they will come to his Terms, to give them his Spirit as the Earnest thereof: Turn you at my Reproof; Prov. 1.23.behold, I will pour out my Spirit upon you, I will make known my Words unto you.