Now he who establisheth us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, is God; who has also sealed us, and gives us the earnest of the spirit in our hearts. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22. Ephesians 1:14.
A sensible joy of faith, and great delight in prayer, are not the only evidences of this earnest and sealing of the spirit; these sometimes are wanting; but we may know also, to be sealed by these marks, that we receive Christ in all his offices, that we have a sincere desire to do only the will of God in all things, that we hate sin irreconcilably, that we are humbled, convinced, and led into all truths by the spirit. These are constant marks even for the weakest.
Why should the children of a king
Go mourning all their days,
Great comforter descend and bring
Some tokens of thy grace.
Dost thou not dwell in all thy saints,
And seal the heirs of heaven?
When wilt thou banish my complaints
And show my sins forgiven?
Assure my conscience of her part
In the Redeemer’s blood,
And bear thy witness with my heart,.
That I am born of God.
Thou art the earnest of his love,
The pledge of joys to come,
And thy soft wings, celestial Dove,
Will safe convey me home.