A30243:1453
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 7 › Sermon 54
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.
Therefore though Heathens have done good things, yet they never did them well; and though they have abstained from sins, yet they never did it from pure and right grounds. Thus while they did the works of the Law, and their Consciences were thus busy and active within them, yet they were corrupted and defiled; And therefore as the Apostle argueth, Their very minds and Consciences were defiled also, Tit. 1. 15.
Therefore though Heathens have done good things, yet they never did them well; and though they have abstained from sins, yet they never did it from pure and right grounds. Thus while they did the works of the Law, and their Consciencies were thus busie and active within them, yet they were corrupted and defiled; And therefore as the Apostle argueth, Their very mindes and Consciences were defiled also, Tit. 1. 15.
This may suffice for explication at this time; more may be added hereafter: for this Text doth contain admirable practical matter, being fruitful, and bearing twins as it were.
1. That there is naturally implanted in mens consciences, such common notions 1and apprehensions about God, and that which is good and evil; that thereby their consciences are very active within them; and they forbear some sins, and do some good things in their outward conversation.
- 1Obs. 1.