Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 1:22

22 Who hath also sealed us , and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts .

The use of a Seal is for confirmation of the thing to which it is affixed; the effect of it is the making the impression of it self upon the Wax: so as sealing us, both in this and other Texts, signifi[illegible: 1 letter]s both the confirmation of the Love of God to our Souls, and also the renewing and Sanctification of our Natures, imprinting the Image of God upon our Souls, making us (as the Apostle Peter saith) partakers of the Divin[illegible: 1 letter] Nature; but the first seemeth probably to be most intended here.

We have the same expression Chap. 5.5. Eph. 1.14. We read of the First-fruits of the Spirit, Rom. 8.23. The giving unto Believers the holy Spirit, and those saving spiritual habits, which are his effects in the Soul, are both the First-fruits, and an Earnest; for as the First-fruits assured the Harvest, and the Earnest is a sure pledge of the bargain, when those who give it are honest and faithful; so the sanctifying habits, wrought in the Soul by the Spirit of Holiness, are a certain pledge of that Glory which shall be the portion of Believers.

Marginal references: Eph. 1.13. & 4.30.; Rev. 2.1[illegible: 1 letter].