believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise."

And so, 2. We would know, that many a man may believe, and yet not know
that he doth believe. He may set to his seal, that God is true in his
offer of life through Jesus, and accept of that offer as a truth, and
close with it; and yet live under darkness and doubtings of his faith,
long and many a day; partly through not discerning the true nature of
faith; partly through the great sense and feeling of his own corruption
and unbelief; partly through a mistake of the Spirit's operations
within, or the want of a clear and distinct uptaking of the motions of
his own soul; partly because he findeth so much doubting and fear, as if
there could be no faith where there was doubting or fear, contrary to
Mark ix. 24. Matth. viii. 26, and xiv. 31.; partly, because he hath not
that persuasion that others have had, as if there were not various
degrees of faith, as there is of other graces, and the like.

Therefore, 3. We would know, that many may really believe, and yet miss
this sensible sealing of the Spirit which they would be at. God may
think it not yet seasonable to grant them that, lest they forget
themselves and become too proud; and to train them up more to the life
of faith, whereby he may be glorified; and for other holy ends, he may
suspend the giving of this for a time.

4. Yet we would know, that all that believe, have the seal within them,
1 John v. 10, "He that believeth on the Son of God, hath the witness in
himself," that is, he hath that which really is a seal, though he see it
not, nor perceive it not; even the work of God's Spirit in his soul,
inclining and determining him unto the accepting of this bargain, and
to a liking of and endeavouring after holiness; and the whole gospel
clearing up what faith is, is a seal and confirmation of the business.