sions used by John, instead of appearing exaggerated, will be acknowledged to be infinitely below the truth: though the loosing of the sandals, and carrying them to the bath, was deemed too mean an employment for an Hebrew servant, or for any but a slave, yet John accounted it far too high an honour for him to render such a service to that glorious person, whose advent he announced-] 2. In his office "more [John was a prophet of the most high God, yea, than a prophet"-He had the distinguished honour of being the forerunner of the Messiah, who should prepare his way, and point him out to the people, being himself divinely instructed how to distinguish him from all others who should attend his ministrations-Hence our Lord himself declares respecting him that there "never had been a greater person born of woman than John the Baptist"-But glorious as he was, Jesus far excelled him in glory-Jesus was the great Prophet, to whom Moses and all the prophets gave testimony, and to whose directions all were commanded to submit. He was the Messiah himself, the very "Lamb of God that was to take away the sins of the world," of whom "John himself needed to be baptized," and by whom alone John himself could be saved-Surely then the words of John respecting him were not an unmeaning hyperbole, the offspring of affectation and the footstool of vanity, but they were the words of truth and soberness; for though John was like the morning-star, yet he was altogether eclipsed as soon as ever the Son of Righteousness arose-] The superiority of Jesus will still further appear while we consider II. The baptism he administered Jesus never administered the baptism of water to any: but to him was committed the work of baptizing with the Holy Ghost [Though the church had from the beginning received, in some measure, the communications of God's Spirit, yet, "till Christ was glorified, the Holy Ghost was not given" in a very general or abundant manner: it was reserved for Christ to send him down, in order that, through the Spirit's testimony, his own divine mission might be established beyond a possibility of doubt-Accordingly, a few days after his ascension, he fulfilled his promise, and sent down the Spirit upon his waiting disciples, causing it to rest upon them visibly, in the shape of cloven tongues of fire-And when, on another occasion, he' poured out the Spirit upon Cornelius and his company, Peter particularly called to mind this declaration, which John the Baptist had made to the infant church, and acknowledged it to be a glorious completion of his prophecy-] This baptism infinitely surpassed that of John [John baptized with water those who were penitent, testifying to them that they should believe on him who was to come after him;d but Jesus, by the baptism which he administers, makes men both penitent and believing John, in applying water to the body, even if he had immersed his followers ten thousand times, could do no more than cleanse the outward body; he could not reach the mind; he could not affect the soul; he could not in any degree change the character of his disciples But the Spirit, with which Jesus baptized, acted with the powerful energy of "fire" This was no sooner poured out, than it penetrated the inmost recesses of the soul, and, like a furnace, purged away the dross which was there concealed-What a change it effected in the characters of men may be seen by its operations on the day of Pentecost: how was the lion instantly transformed into a lamb! and how did the noxious qualities, which had so lately rendered men like incarnate fiends, immediately subside and disappear! And such are the effects which it invariably produces wheresoever it is bestowed-] INFER 1. How awfully are they mistaken who rest in the. outward form of baptism! [We mean not to depreciate baptism in any respect: it is a rite whereby the people of God are initiated into covenant with him: "it is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace;" of a grace, which shall be most assuredly communicated to every penitent and believing soul-But what ean the sprinkling of water, of itself, effect? What does it effect in thousands and myriads who both live and die in sin? Can it save them? yea, does it not rather aggravate their condemnation an hundred-fold-Let all then beware how they rest in the sign, without receiving the thing signified-Let all remember, that if they have not been baptized with the Holy Ghost, and so experienced the mighty working of his power as to be quickened to newness of life, they only deceive their own souls; their religion is vain; they are yet in their sins-Let them not "say with themselves, We have Abraham to our father;" for, notwithstanding all their outward privileges, they shall surely perish: "if they have not the Spirit of Christ, they are none of his"-] 2. What rich encouragement does the gospel afford to drooping contrite souls! [Many are complaining, "Alas, I am cold; my heart is harder than adamant; and my corruptions are so many, that I almost despair of subduing them"-But has not Jesus "the residue of the Spirit?" And can he not pour out the Spirit upon you as easily as a fellow-creature can baptize you with water? Yea, is not this his very office, which he has undertaken, and promised to perform? And will not that Spirit operate as fire? will it not search your very inmost soul? will it not inflame the cold, and melt the stony heart? will it not purge and purify you, that you may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness?"-Yield not then to desponding thoughts; but beg of him to baptize you with the Holy Ghost-Water baptism you are to receive but once; but the baptism of the Spirit you are to have renewed from day to day as long as you continue in the body-Plead then with your adorable Saviour; entertain worthy thoughts both of his greatness and goodness; and know that, if a father will not refuse bread to his hungry child, much less will Jesus refuse the Holy Spirit unto them that ask him-] e Rom. viii. 9. f Isai. xliv. 3, 4. CCCCLXXXVI. THE SEALING OF THE SPIRIT. Eph. i. 13, 14. In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. THE blessings which we receive through Christ are innumerable Many are mentioned in the preceding part of this chapter One of the last and greatest blessings which we receive in this life, is the sealing of the Holy Spirit This was vouchsafed to many of the saints at Ephe sus We shall shew 1. What the sealing of the Spirit is The metaphor of sealing conveys no inadequate idea of the Spirit's operations [A seal stamps its own image on the wax that is impressed by it; and marks the thing sealed to be the property of him that sealed it And the Holy Spirit forms all the lineaments of the divine image on the soul that is sealed by him; and shews that it belongs to God-] But the text itself affords us the best explanation of this term [The future inheritance of the saints consists in a perfect conformity to God's image, and a perfect enjoyment of his love The sealing of the Spirit is an "earnest of that inheritance," or, in other words, a part of that inheritance already vouchsafed to the soul, and a pledge that the remainder shall in due time be given to it This gift of the Spirit is to be continued to the church till the final consummation of all things The experience of individuals may vary with respect to it; but there shall always be some in the church who possess and enjoy it-] We are also informed respecting II. The manner in which it is effected' The agent is none other than the Holy Ghost [It is not in man's power to sanctify his own soulNor can any one assure himself that he is the Lord'sTo impart these blessings is the prerogative of God alone-] The subjects of this work are true believers [An unbeliever cannot possibly be sealed; because the Holy Spirit would never mark those as God's property, who do not really belong to him Nor are persons usually sealed on their first believing in Christ This higher state of sanctification and assurance is reserved for those, who, "after having believed," have maintained a close walk with God They must first be "in Christ," and then for Christ's sake this benefit shall be vouchsafed unto them-] The means by which it is effected, are the promises a The church is Christ's "purchased possession," Acts xx. 28. And its complete "redemption" from all the penal effects of sin will be at the day of judgment, Rom. viii. 23. b2 Cor. i: 21, 22. [We do not presume to limit the Spirit's operationsBut his usual method of sealing is by applying the "promises" to the soul— Of themselves, the promises can accomplish nothing; but, through his divine power, they have a comforting and transforming efficacyd_] The apostle further specifies III. Its proper tendency and operation The sealing of the Spirit will never elate a man with pride [It may seem indeed that such distinguishing mercies would puff us up But their invariable effect is to humble those who receive them All the saints of old abased themselves in proportion as they were favoured of Gode-] Nor can there be any stronger evidence that a work is not of God, than its producing a contrary effect upon us-] It is intended solely to honour and glorify God [Every work of grace should lead the mind to God as the author of it And the more exalted the mercy, the more powerful should this effect be Now this, above all, administers to us the greatest cause of thankfulness And will certainly incline us to love and serve him from whom it has been derived-] ADDRESS 1. To those who are ignorant of this sublime subject [To many, alas! the sealing of the Spirit is mere foolish ness But those who account it so, "speak evil of things that they understand not” Let us seek to experience it ourselves, instead of censuring those who do-] 2. To those who desire to be sealed [God is willing to bestow this blessing on all who seek itIf we possess it not, we should enquire what there is in us which has occasioned God to withhold it from us And live more on the promises, that by them it may be imparted to our souls-] e 1 Cor. ii. 4. 1 Thess. i. 5. . d 2 Pet. i. 4. |