A30243:1565
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 8 › Sermon 59
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.
Thirdly, Therefore are men deceived, because they represent Gods mercy and grace in such an universal and unlimited way, that they bound it not to faith and repentance, 1and a godly life. God indeed is an Ocean of mercy, an inexhausted Fountain of all grace and goodness. When we have thought the highest we can, yet still there is more mercy in him than we can comprehend: but to whom is all this? who may plead this, and claim this in prayer? Even the humble, the broken and contrite heart. David may well cry out, Have mercy according to the multitude of mercies, Psal. 51. 1. because his heart is wounded, and bones are broken through Gods displeasure at sin. If therefore thou wilt comfort thy self with Gods mercy, and with his grace, be such a qualified Subject as that requireth, lye like that man of Jericho, not only half dead, but half damned in thy own sense, and then the good Samaritan will pour Oil into thy wounds. Doth God any where proclaim pardon and forgiveness to the unhumbled sinner? Doth Christ say, Come to me ye jolly and merry sinners, who never felt sin a burden. No, but all the mercy he speaks, it is to those, who being burdened with sin, desire nothing more than to throw away that load. Do not then as the Bee is sometimes drowned in Honey, so thou drown thy self in the sweet apprehensions of Gods mercies, without Gods ways. As a Beast might not touch the Mountain, so neither may a foul wretched sinner come near the promise to lay hold on it. Why might not the Devils and damned in hell comfort themselves with this, That God is merciful, he is full of pity, and therefore will not let us lye always roaring in these eternal flames? Oh you would say, this would be a vain mad thing, because God hath decreed ⟨p. 366⟩otherwise, And is it not thus also in our case? God is merciful, but he hath decreed otherwise, then that thou who lovest and livest in sins, shouldst ever be refreshed with this mercy. The damned in hell may have it as soon as thou wilfully abiding in thy wickedness; only God may give thee Repentance, and so fit thee for mercy, which he will not do for Devils.
Thirdly, Therefore are men deceived, because they represent Gods mercy and grace in such an universal and unlimited way, that they bound it not to faith and repentance,