A30243:1523
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 57
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.
For if they were sanctified and moulded by the word, then that would carry them to all Gods commandments, they would have a respect to every duty; besides they would in a spiritual and heavenly manner be affected, and in a constant persevering manner: Whereas natural Piety is seen only in some straits and extraordinary difficulties; as the Heathens, who carried Jonah in their Ship, sought all to their gods, when they were in extreme danger by a violent tempest. Therefore neither Sun or Water is so necessary (as they say) as this truth is; for this will only teach thee the true Characteristical difference between that which is humane and divine in thee. This will discover Sibboleth or Shibboleth.
For if they were sanctified and moulded by the word, then that would carry them to all Gods commandements, they would have a respect to every duty; besides they would in a spirituall and heavenly manner be affected, and in a constant persevering manner: Whereas naturall Piety is seen only in some straits and extraordinary difficulties; as the Heathens, who carried Jonas in their Ship, sought all to their gods, when they were in extream danger by a violent tempest. Therefore neither Sun or Water is so necessary (as they say) as this truth is; for this will only teach thee the true Characteristical difference between that which is humane and divine in thee. This will discover Sibboleth or Shibboleth.
Thirdly, We have just cause to preach of this even to Christians, because they are out-stripped in many things by the heathens. They observed their Idols and false Gods with more fear and care, than thou dost the true. What a wonderful speech was that of Antoninus Pius, and Eugenius, who being very clement, and excessive in forgiving those enemies that made war against him, and being admonished that this clemency of his would undo him, and embolden adversaries the more against him, we read this Answer, Nos non sic colimus Deos, &c. We do not so serve or worship the gods, that our enemies should overcome us. Alas, what Christians may truly say so? How many times have the Barbarians, the savage and fierce nations of the world overcome the Church, and destroyed Christians, because they have served God loosely and negligently, Vitis nostris barbari fiunt fortes: Our wickedness and sins made the adversaries strong; so that here is great cause to hear these things with attention, knowing we have too much Heathenism in us, we have little of the Gospel mould in us.