A30243:1318
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 6 › Sermon 48
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.
Thirdly, The phrase, created to good works, doth denote them to be the principal and 1main end. God hath appointed every thing to an end, which holds not only in moral agents, but also natural: Hence is that rule, Opera naturae sunt opera intelligentiae, The works of nature are the works of reason and understanding, because it ordereth, and wisely directeth them to an end. Now as other creatures have their ends, so this new creature hath its, which is to be wholly employed in those works that are godly. This is his errand, his business and employment. The Apostles expression is remarkable, Tit. 3. 8, 9. This is a faithful saying, and which thou art to affirm constantly, What is that? That those who believe be careful to maintain good works: Two Greek words are observable [Greek or Hebrew], that it be their care and study, and all their wisdom, and then [Greek or Hebrew], to maintain, or rather to be an example, and a president. The Apostle his scope is, that all Christians should make their houses and families a school-house, as it were, of a godly life, that there should be no profaneness, no filthy lusts, no scandals. That which the Apostle speaks to Timothy, belongs to all, [Greek or Hebrew], to exercise himself unto Godliness; as he that is to run in a race, giveth himself wholly to that: so that hell is not more opposite to heaven, then their lives are to this new creature, who live in a constant way of impiety and manifest wickedness. The fruits of the flesh are manifest, saith the Apostle, Every man that liveth in obedience thereunto, may presently discern he is not a new creature. Oh then, when thou art overtaken with any evil ungodly way, say, Is this the good work God created me unto? Is this the Godly action he made me for? God did not make thee to eat and drink, much less to riot and revel it, but to walk holily, righteously, and soberly; and let the Godly when at any time unwilling, ⟨p. 298⟩and indisposed to that which is good, stir up themselves to all cheerfulness, saying, For this end God created me anew; for this end I came into the world, How can I neglect the main business I have to do?
Thirdly, The phrase, created to good works, doth denote them to be the principal and 1