A30243:1541
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 58
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.
Secondly, Howsoever Plato and other Heathens, have laboured much in laying down Doctrines and Precepts to cure mens lives, yet Aristotle hath the more general approbation, for describing of Ethical Doctrine; Indeed Plato hath more Divine matter in his works, but Aristotle methodizeth it; therefore one said, That all things lay confused, till Aristotle came, who put them unto order. As the great Army of the M•des was confused and tumultuous, till Cyoxares their General regulated them. Yet the Fathers, they generally were most addicted to Plato, from whom also they sucked in some corrupt opinions, which their Christianity did not quite wash away; and because of their former life and opinions, it is an usual thing with them to call the Christian Doctrine, and the Christian Religion, Philosophy: But afterwards Aristotle began to be admired, whom Averroes called the Rule and Example, which Nature had found out, to demonstrate the ultimate perfection of a man; yea, some Popish Writers have thought him a glorified Saint in Heaven: But whatsoever excellent Doctrine he might propound to make men civil, and externally virtuous, yet the Christian Religion doth reveal a far more excellent and noble way; and therefore if we take Solomons Proverbs, which we may call Solomons Ethics; how infinitely doth he transcend Aristotle, for though both may prescribe the same Moral duty, yet Solomon still carrieth us out to God, and sets up a sure light to direct our feet in a good and upright way.
Secondly, Howsoever Plato and other Heathens, have labored much in laying down Doctrines and Precepts to cure mens lives, yet Aristotle hath the more general approbation, for describing of Ethical Doctrine; Indeed Plato hath more Divine matter in his works, but Aristotle methodizeth it; therefore one said, That all things lay confused, till Aristotle came, who put them unto order. As the great Army of the M•des was confused and tumultuous, till Cyoxares their General regulated them. Yet the Fathers, they generally were most addicted to Plato, from whom also they sucked in some corrupt opinions, which their Christianity did not quite wash away; and because of their former life and opinions, it is an usual thing with them to call the Christian Doctrine, and the Christian Religion, Philosophy: But afterwards Aristotle began to be admired, whom Averroes called the Rule and Example, which Nature had found out, to demonstrate the ultimate perfection of a man; yea, some Popish Writers have thought him a glorified Saint in Heaven: But whatsoever excellent Doctrine he might propound to make men civil, and externally vertuous, yet the Christian Religion doth reveal a far more excellent and noble way; and therefore if we take Solomons Proverbs, which we may call Solomons Ethicks; how infinitely doth he transcend Aristotle, for though both may prescribe the same Moral duty, yet Solomon still carrieth us out to God, and sets up a sure light to direct our feet in a good and upright way.