A30243:1319
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.
Fourthly, It implieth constancy and perpetuity. That which we are created unto, is not once or twice to be thought on, or practised; but it is the constant employment of a man. All natural actions are constant; The fire doth always ascend, the stone doth always descend: and thus he that is righteous, doth righteousness, 1 John 2. 29. saith the Apostle: This discovereth the hypocrisy of those who are uncertain, and in some fits only for good actions. In time of fear and danger, then they will do good, bewail their sins, promise reformation; but this bulrush that hangs down its head for a while, because of some storm falling upon it, after a fair day doth presently perk up again, Gal. 6. 9. Let us not be weary in well doing; let us not faint or swoon by any discouragements or oppositions, but remember a good action will always meet with a good reward, which grace will Crown it with. How many are almost persuaded to take up a godly and holy life, but presently return to their vomit again!
Fourthly, It implieth constancie and perpetuity. That which we are created unto, is not once or twice to be thought on, or practised; but it is the constant imployment of a man. All natural actions are constant; The fire doth alwaies ascend, the stone doth alwaies descend: and thus he that is righteous, doth righteousness, 1 John 2. 29. saith the Apostle: This discovereth the hypocrisie of those who are uncertain, and in some fits onely for good actions. In time of fear and danger, then they will do good, bewail their sins, promise reformation; but this bulrush that hangs down its head for a while, because of some storm falling upon it, after a fair day doth presently perk up again, Gal. 6. 9. Let us not be weary in well doing; let us not faint or swound by any discouragements or oppositions, but remember a good action will alwaies meet with a good reward, which grace will Crown it with. How many are almost perswaded to take up a godly and holy life, but presently return to their vomit again!