A30243:1478
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 55
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.
so that this generous wine doth at •ast expel that noxious venom in it. In like manner we see Jeremiah, chap. 12 1. staggering under this divine dispensation, though acquitting God: So that we see its a great part of wisdom to behold the marvellous doings of God on the earth, with a wi•e and pure eye; not to turn Atheistical, careless, and profane, concluding it is all one, whether a man be godly, or ungodly, ⟨image 188⟩just, or unjust. The Psalmist saith, The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God, Psalm 14. 1. It's not Jehovah, in the original, but Elohim, none that judgeth, or governeth the world, taking notice of things done here below; and how great an encouragement this is to go on in wickedness, appeareth by that of Solomon, Because judgement is not speedily executed upon the wicked, therefore is the heart of a man within him set upon folly, Eccles. 7. 8, 11. Oh then if thou wouldest have these principles of conscience quick and active within thee, then do thou by Scripture information, consider of all Gods administrations here below, knowing that even what is most crooked to thy apprehension is yet straight: as the stick in the water, though straight, yet seemeth crooked, because the water is not a fit medium to see by: So thou art astonished at many Providences of God in this world, and thou askest, Where is the Justice, the Wisdom, the Equality of these things? but thou lookest through an unfit medium, and so they seem crooked to thee. Alas, the Scripture doth evidently inform us of just, and wise ends, why God sometimes suffered his enemies to prosper, and godliness to be persecuted, and his Saints made Martyrs for his Name sake; so that the Word of God is the truest Glass to represent the face of all things here below, especially that is satisfactory, that God hath appointed a day of judgement for the whole world, when all shall appear, and be judged for what is done in the earth; and as here below they do not complain that Malefactors are not executed before the Assizes, but patiently expect that time: So are we quietly to wait that great day, wherein God will settle all things according to their nature and deserts. Let no man therefore harden himself in impiety, thinking I have been thus long a profane, unjust, ungodly man, and I am well and lusty, nothing aileth, or troubleth me: