A30243:1110
Spiritual refining
Spiritual refining: or A treatise of grace and assurance Wherein are handled, the doctrine of assurance. The use of signs in self-examination. How true graces may be distinguished from counterfeit. Several true signs of grace, and many false ones. The nature of grace under divers Scripture notions or titles, as regeneration, the new-creature, the heart of flesh, vocation, sanctification, &c. Many chief questions (occasionally) controverted between the orthodox and the Arminians. As also many cases of conscience. Tending to comfort and confirm saints. Undeceive and convert sinners. Being CXX sermons preached and now published by Anthony Burgess sometime fellow of Emanuel College in Cambridge, and now pastor of the church of Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickshire.Spiritual refining: or A treatise of grace and assurance Wherein are handled, the doctrine of assurance. The use of signs in self-examination. How true graces may be distinguished from counterfeit. Several true signs of grace, and many false ones. The nature of grace under divers Scripture notions or titles, as regeneration, the new-creature, the heart of flesh, vocation, sanctification, &c. Many chief questions (occasionally) controverted between the orthodox and the Arminians. As also many cases of conscience. Tending to comfort and confirm saints. Undeceive and convert sinners. Being CXX sermons preached and now published by Anthony Burgess sometime fellow of Emanuel Colledge in Cambridge, and now pastor of the church of Sutton-Coldfield in Warwickshire.
London: printed by A. Miller for Thomas Underhill, 1652
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A TREATISE OF GRACE and ASSURANCE; Being CXX. SERMONS. › Section 5 › Sermon 40
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Is it any wonder then, if the prayer, the hearing of a wicked man be an abomination? for God seeth there the Devils likeness, the resemblance of Satan, and how can he entertain such? Say then to thy self. I go to pray, I go to hear to day, but is there any thing of God in me, am I holy, as he is holy in some degree? If not, God seeth nothing but what he hates and abhorreth in me. Those outward duties they put not a divine stamp upon us, but this inward change wrought by God. How then is it, that you are no more solicitous in this great matter? why should you not be as much afraid of praying without a new heart, as not praying at all; of hearing without a new heart, as not hearing at all?
Is it any wonder then, if the prayer, the hearing of a wicked man be an abhomination? for God seeth there the Devils likenesse, the resemblance of Satan, and how can he entertain such? Say then to thy self. I goe to pray, I goe to hear to day, but is there any thing of God in me, am I holy, as he is holy in some degree? If not, God seeth nothing but what he hates and abhorreth in me. Those outward duties they put not a divine stamp upon us, but this inward change wrought by God. How then is it, that you are no more sollicitous in this great matter? why should you not be as much afraid of praying without a new heart, as not praying at all; of hearing without a new heart, as not hearing at all?
Secondly, God doth not regard outward duties unless we be new Creatures because 1we are not able without this to perform them upon spiritual and supernatural grounds: And unless all our duties be grafted upon this stock, they are no more than Brambles and Thorns fit for burning: now the supernatural ground in praying and hearing is because of God, and in reference to him: Israel was an empty Vine, in all her duties, because she brought forth fruit for her self, Hos. 10. 1. she did not turn to God, even unto him. The Motive or Lodestone to draw our affections in any spiritual exercise, must be Gods goodness, holiness, and spiritual excellency: The Virgins love thee, because of thy ointment poured forth,